There’s no reason to beat around the bush: the New York Rangers would seriously benefit from adding a physical defenseman and a “playoff guy” for the fourth line.
The Blueshirts boast an undeniably stout group of forward talent with a rare combination of speed, skill, and grit. However, I’m confident that even a first-time hockey viewer would be able to break down the team’s biggest problem within a few minutes of puck drop. The problem that could legitimately deny the King and his club another shot at a deep Stanley Cup run come springtime if left unaddressed: a lack of physicality.