So yes, with 15 games to go and a tournament berth still within reach of possibilities if you believe in divine intervention, the Rangers hierarchy naturally sees the value of qualifying for the postseason.
But not to the extent of adopting a Playoffs or Bust mindset on Monday’s trade deadline. Not to the extent that a possible piece of the future is sacrificed in exchange for an immediate solution. Not to the extent that it deviates from the plan the organization adopted three years ago.
There has been enough short-term pain from three consecutive playoff misses – probably four – not to throw the blueprint in the shredder in hopes of some short-term win.
“I see most of the transactions were in the rental market and the focus wasn’t really on rentals,” said general manager Jeff Gorton, whose team will play his first of four consecutive games against the Devils on Tuesday night in New Jersey. “I was really not interested in hiring out players.
“I feel like if you look at our team now, a lot of good things are happening, a lot of people are getting extra ice time and are doing well with it. I didn’t want to bring in players to do something about it.
“Our focus has always been on trying to get better. We try to play as many meaningful games as possible, one day at a time, and then drop the chips where they can, ”said the GM. “We’re in a really tough division and we’ve hung out reasonably well there.
“We’ve got 15 games to go, we’ve got a big week coming up so we’ll focus on that, but I’m glad our games are making sense, our boys are developing, you’ve seen these young kids get better. and I feel like our team plays like [well] as we may have all year round. “
Disappointing efforts have largely obscured the more encouraging attempts, but the fact is that the Rangers have played 9-4-3 across 16 games dating back to March 13 for a .656 winning percentage equal to seventh place in the NHL. about that span. They’re four points behind Boston, with the Taylor Hall augmented B’s (we’ll see) holding a few games in hand for the final playoff invite.
The Rangers were good, if not perfect, taking three points in two weekend games against the Islanders, who top the East with the Caps. The Blueshirts have a total 6-4-1 record against the co-division leaders.
“Based on the two games against the Islanders, I am very happy with the turn of events,” said Gorton. Like I said, the young kids, you see the progress they’re making and the opportunities they’re getting, and it’s hard not to feel good about the Rangers’ future and where we’re headed.
“Overall, I really believe our team is moving in the right direction and there is a lot to be excited about.”
Gorton said there was no recent action regarding Tony DeAngelo, who will expose the Rangers in the expansion draft to Seattle and then buy out (at the cost of $ 383,333 in dead space next season and $ 883,333 in dead space in 2022-23) if the Kraken doesn’t bite. Apparently there wasn’t much action regarding Brendan Smith, who the Rangers didn’t really want to move anyway.
So they will pretty much go the rest of the way with the crew that brought them here, except with supplements that come from college or below. Zac Jones, the 20-year-old sophomore defender of champions UMass, is about to leave school to sign a contract with the Blueshirts and would have to play at some point. Morgan Barron, the 22-year-old center who spent his first pro season with the Wolf Pack, should also be getting some NHL appearances.
Gorton delayed commenting on Jones, a 2019 third-rounder on 68th overall, until he signed. But of Barron, the GM said: “I think Morgan has played extremely well and we hope we get him a chance or someone out there who deserves it.
“We’ll keep him there for now, watch him do it, but he’s definitely opened our eyes with what he’s done, so we’re looking at that.”
The Rangers still have to go there from here. But they are not looking for a Rosie Ruiz shortcut to the finish. The March 2018 letter was unsigned in disappearing ink.
“We’re heading in the right direction,” said Gorton. “There is a lot to be thankful for and excited about.”