From excitement to deflating depression. From a “certain” strength to an abject weakness.
Those are just two ways to describe the New York Rangers’ ugly situation on the blue line. A preseason source of optimism that was being counted on to lead a playoff push has instead proven to be a midseason mess that has provided further convincing evidence that a teardown of the roster is imperative.
That purge has begun, with defenseman Nick Holden traded to Boston for a third-round draft pick and defenseman Rob O’Gara on Tuesday, and forward Michael Grabner sent to New Jersey for a second-rounder and defensive prospect Yegor Rykov on Thursday.