Pucks on Broadway: Analysis, Discussion, and Musings on the New York Rangers

Back from sunny Fort Lauderdale. While I was happy to be in the incredible weather, I did miss the bitter snap of the cold on the ice rink. So while my internet was intermittent at best, I did put together a few thoughts for this morning.

First off, the consistency of posts will return. We were on a good streak until Florida so, as always, stay tuned...

Secondly, man did the Rangers hit a low! This brings up an interesting observation. When the Rangers are playing well, they can beat the best of them. (See Ottawa) But when they are bad, they can look like the worst team in the NHL. (See Atlanta, Toronto, etc.) So I begged the question, why? Unfortunately, I think it isn't one thing.

The general consensus over the past couple of seasons has been that the team goes as Jagr goes. Well, that is now dead wrong. This team goes as Lundqvist goes. While he has hiccuped in those losses, he is allowed an off game. To say he's had three bad games thus far is much better than any other goalie in the NHL can say. What is scary about this is that they are so reliant on the goaltender, that no other facet of the team can compensate at this point.

The so-called "flawless defensive system" that people have reveled at all season, collapses. The forwards become lost and then become too lax to even back check. Tom Renney doesn't even know what to do.

This is scary.

With so much riding on the goaltender, you can see that the individual parts aren't that good or at least not cohesive enough to warrant their abilities. How to remedy that? I have maintained that it is time for Renney to step up and throw a chair. These players are getting unmotivated and away from him and it's time to right the ship. Players perform when motivated and when you see your Captain merely not touch a puck or communicate to his winger to get the puck, that resulted in a game winning goal, that's ugly and disinterest.

The next item of business is the Marek Malik healthy-scratching. Yes I am a Malik supporter. Yes he makes gaffes , but what defenseman doesn't? The bottom line is the Rangers are NOT a better team without him, despite what everyone seems to think. He can make a break out pass, that many can not. Right now the Rangers are relying on forwards like Scott Gomez to come from behind the net and lead the play up ice. Not only is that wasting time and energy, but the defensemen should be able to skate and make a pass without causing a turnover or losing possession. However, I understand the fan's sentiments and ultimately it seems that will lead to his trade. While Eklund speculated on it yesterday, there are a couple of other considerations I will throw at you.

Consider this:
Would you take - Michael Nylander and a defenseman for Marek Malik and a prospect? It would give Jagr and Straka some chemsitry, Chris Drury is already on the third line and Malik gets his change of scenery. Nylander has been a scratch over the past five games for the Caps with an undisclosed injury. Could a trade be brewing? The expense: Brandon Dubinsky. He goes back to Hartford.

Would you take - John-Micheal Liles and Marek Svatos for Al Montoya, Petr Prucha, Marek Malik and a prospect? This was the trade speculated by Eklund yesterday. Liles is a stalwart defenseman that could help the powerplay and Svatos is a similar Petr Prucha type that needs a change of scenery. The expense: Petr Prucha. Do the Rangers finally give up on him?

Would you take - an Anaheim defenseman (Schneider or Beauchemin) - for Marek Malik and prospects? Anaheim needs to make a move given Niedermeyer's return, more particularly for next year. Malik is unrestricted at the end of the season and would save Anaheim about $2 million. The expense: cap space.

A lot to consider and discuss as well as an exclusive Q&A with Jeremy Kenter of Devil's Daily on the state of the Devils coming up...