Rangers' Core Is Rotting Away and Trading Veterans Might Be Only Solution

The Big Apple's core appears to be rotting.

In certain ways, this Rangers season is business as usual. They're comfortably in playoff position and on pace for 102.5 points. Generally lackluster performances are bailed out by elite goaltending, special teams play, and individuals carrying the rest of the group. The prescription in previous seasons was to grin and bear it until the trade deadline.

This time around feels different. The Rangers' 12 wins represent almost exclusively the beating up of terrible teams. Against more formidable opponents — Winnipeg, Florida, Washington — they were formidably outclassed.

Most alarming is that veteran players, who are supposed to lead the team both in…