Rangers Between Decision On Future Of Season

The New York Rangers are in an interesting place as they are two games above .500, but are three points back with three more games played out of a playoff spot in the East that is a lot better than the West. It is a little too early to make a decision on the future of the season, but the time is quickly approaching.

According to Vince Mercogliano, "The Rangers have been looking to add a top-9 forward, with Kiefer Sherwood a primary target. Injuries to Fox and Shesterkin could push them in more of a sell direction, but they want to see how this month plays out first."

With players like Fox and Shesterkin, the team won't be diving into a rebuild, but a retool is definitely in order. Artemi Panarin is in the final year of his deal and a good amount of work to the forward depth needs to be done.

Adding a top-9 player, especially if the Rangers could land someone like Sherwood, who is looking for a multi-year deal coming off another good season, could be a real game-changer in the lineup. Not only would a player like that bring extra scoring that the team needs outside of its main offensive producers, but he brings more of a physicality to the lineup. While already having Will Cuylle in the lineup, a new Rangers lineup would inflict a fair bit of pain to opposing players.

The Rangers have the main pieces to succeed, but the depth has been a major issue. Now with injuries to key players, it will be a real test to see what the team actually needs this season. NYR can get some good pieces out of players they can sell if January goes poorly, or they could make a push and be an underrated team to do some damage in the Eastern playoff race as there isn't really a juggernaut like there is in the West this season. Players like Jonathan Quick and Braden Schneider will have to really step up over the next while.