After a directionless, nihilistic 2015-2016 season, it was imperative that the Rangers show a sense of direction during this offseason. Any reasonable direction. One that indicated the team had a plan beyond, “lean on Lundqvist and cross our fingers.” It took quite a while for a plan of any kind to manifest physically, but as the Rangers approach training camp in a few weeks, it does appear one exists. One favoring youth.
The headlining move was trading Derick Brassard, soon to be 29 years old, for Mika Zibanejad, who is 23. Pushing out Dominic Moore and Viktor Stalberg were curious decisions, as neither were by any means problematic.