Toronto Maple Leafs Eastern Conference Preview: A Look at the New York Rangers

Jun 13, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Rangers right wing Mats Zuccarello (36) before game five of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Bad

Scoring Goals

Mats Zuccarello led the Rangers with 59 points in 77 games last season. The breakout year for Zuccarello highlighed a big Rangers problem.

The Toronto Maple Leafs, with Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk as reliable, high-end goal scorers, have go-to gamebreakers to lead the team.

The NY Rangers rely on a fickle committee. The committee includes a wildly inconsistent Rick Nash, an aging Martin St. Louis, and the unproven likes of Zuccarello and Chris Kreider. Consistent offense is not a guarantee in the Big Apple.

The Farm

Or lack thereof…

The New York Rangers rank 23rd in Hockey’s Future’s farm system ratings. Without any goaltending prospects, offensive defencemen, or centremen to rely upon, their prospect pool is shallow. As long as the Rangers are a young club, the lack of prospects shouldn’t matter for now…

Jun 3, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; New York Rangers right wing Martin St. Louis during media day before game one of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

But the Rangers are Old

Last year, the NY Rangers average age was just over 29 years-old, ranking as the fifth oldest club in the NHL. With a shallow prospect pool to draw on and the inevitable decline of Lundqvist, St. Louis, and Rick Nash, the Rangers are not prepared to promote skaters from within to maintain their recent playoff success.

Within internal replacement options, the NY Rangers may be facing a rapidly closing window of opportunity.