Rebuilding a hockey team can go one of two ways. A team can follow the Buffalo Sabres route and say every year is a rebuilding year. Or, you can be the Philadelphia Flyers and turn things around in two seasons. Point being, rebuilding is a combination of both strategy and luck. It’s a matter of fact that things have to break your way to be a good team in the NHL.
The Rangers haven’t had to truly rebuild since Henrik Lundqvist came over to the United States prior to the 2005-2006 season. There have been roster overhauls, but for the most part, they weren’t far off.