Even without Mika Zibanejad’s slump or Filip Chytil’s injury, the Rangers had some center depth concerns. This was a team that couldn’t handle both a slump and an injury, and managed to get both at the same time. That’s hockey. True competing teams have the depth to overcome these issues. Remember when Derick Brassard was the 3C? That’s the kind of depth that wins. To get there, the Rangers need to trade from positions of strength.
It’s ok that the Rangers don’t have that depth yet. Too many things had to go right for the Rangers to compete in the East Division this season anyway.