The Rangers do not look good enough to win the Stanley Cup, but GM Jeff Gorton is facing a perplexing trade deadline because his team has given him reasons for both shaking up and solidifying his roster before Feb. 29.
On the one hand, the Blueshirts (27-17-5, 59 points) are in second place in the Metropolitan Division and began to play better in January. On the other, they limped into the NHL All-Star break by no-showing against a non-playoff Ottawa team and surrendering a two-goal, third-period lead to a non-playoff Buffalo club. With results like those, how can a postseason berth even be guaranteed.