Rangers’ deadline strategy hinges on one dominant issue

Sports

The decision on whether or not to trade Keith Yandle is directly affected by Dan Boyle (top right) and Dylan McIlrath (bottom right).Regarding the Rangers, second in the Metropolitan Division, third in the Eastern Conference and seventh-overall in the NHL at 27-17-5 as they get a jump on the NHL All-Star break that begins league-wide following Wednesday’s games:

Keith Yandle’s immediate future will be the dominant issue through the Feb. 29 trade deadline. But it is not an independent matter, for it interlocks with decisions regarding both Dan Boyle and Dylan McIlrath.

At this point, even allowing for Alain Vigneault’s well-documented respect for veterans, the coach’s enduring faith in…