The playoffs have essentially begun already for the New York Rangers whether they end up making them or not.
Every point is too precious as the Rangers sit four points outside the cut as of Sunday evening following the 5-4 overtime loss to Montreal.
As a team who was expected to compete for the Stanley Cup that won the Presidents' Trophy and made the Eastern Conference Final only last year, it's a high-pressure situation for general manager Chris Drury. Should the Rangers be buyers or sellers?
Then again, when is any time not high pressure in New York.
With former captain Jacob Trouba and the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2019, Kaapo Kakko, already shipped, the Rangers roster is in limbo of still being good enough to compete, but another move or two away from completely refacing the identity of the core.
Both Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad, the two longest-tenured players on the roster, have been involved in trade rumors for the better part of this season. What could Drury get in return for them? A player that can accelerate them now or go after draft capital.
Read more: Why the Rangers Are Not Headed for a Full Rebuild
The last time the Rangers rebuilt in 2018, it was clear that there is no patience in the Big Apple. The Rangers signed Artemi Panarin one year later. Fortunately, the stars aligned and the team acquired Adam Fox the same summer, brought Igor Shesterkin over the following winter for a smooth change of the guard from Hall of Famer Henrik Lundqvist and scored the first-overall draft pick in 2020 to select Alexis Lafreniere.
Rebuilds are never a guarantee, and when a team has the pull of being a major-market, original-six franchise (and simply being the New York Rangers), some opportunities can come that leave a little luck.
Though given that this core reached two conference finals in the last three seasons, a retooling is likely the more logical — and safe — route to take when approaching this trade deadline and the following offseason.
What do the Rangers really need? There are two high priorities.
The first is a top-six forward with some oomph. In fact, it might be easier to simply name the only player that would fit seamlessly: J.T. Miller.
Miller, who spent parts of the first six seasons of his career with the Rangers, could return as the high-profile physical forward that the Rangers need in a playoff series. They were bullied around by the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final last year and it was because they didn't have the right intangibles in their lineup to dig in against a Matthew Tkachuk or a Sam Bennett.
Read more: Canucks' JT Miller Responds to Trade Rumors, 'Whatever Happens, Happens'
Those players don't grow on trees as team's either foster them from the ground up or are lucky enough to acquire them. With Miller's ongoing media saga in Vancouver, it is becoming more and more clear Vancouver is really listening to interested suitors.
As a couple of rumors already broke on Drury's attempt to acquire him, there should be more traction in the near future as he has made his interest in Miller evident.
Then there is addressing the blue line.
With Igor Shesterkin locked in for the long term, it's crucial to tackle the ongoing issues with the Rangers' defensive play. For years, the team has relied heavily on exceptional goaltending to mask their struggles in their own zone.
Now, with Trouba off the books, the Rangers have a pivotal opportunity to revamp their defensive corps and potentially replace anyone who's name isn't Adam Fox.
K'Andre Miller is losing trade value by the day as he has struggled severely this season.
Zac Jones was given permission to speak with other teams on a trade.
A player on the market that has some term left and brings a reliable defensive game is Philadelphia Flyer Rasmus Ristolainen. Ristolainen is a big, imposing defenseman who thrives in physical play. He's not afraid to throw hits, clear the crease or engage in battles along the boards.
All of those attributes are missing in the Rangers' game right now.
More NHL:
Canucks' Rick Tocchet Seemingly Takes Shot at JT Miller Amid Trade Rumors
Leafs Predicted to Sign Big Name Center Before Trade Deadline
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