Jack Roslovic, Alex Wennberg and Chad Ruhwedel could not compare in marquee value with a Jake Guentzel.
When they were announced, the Rangers Trade Deadline acquisitions generally inspired something between a yawn and a lazy exhale.
After all, neither Jack Roslovic, Alex Wennberg nor Chad Ruhwedel could compare in marquee value with a Jake Guentzel who was nabbed by Carolina.
Although we've only had a short sample to work with, it's becoming more evident that Roslovic and Wennberg are solid additions. Roslovic, who scored his first goal as Blueshirt Thursday night in Tampa Bay, has energized his new linemates Chris Kreider and The Magnificent Mika Zibanejad.
Defenseman Ruhwedel is in the bullpen just in case any of the blueliners require relief -- whether it be via injury or a simple slump.
What many fans should realize is that none of the trade-deadline acquisitions were meant to fortify and complete the team.
But, most certainly, not to lead it.
With that in mind we have to spotlight this year's Ranger Duke of Disappointment,
Zibanejad, as well as last spring's (playoffs) Famed Floperoo, Artemi Panarin. Sports radio veteran analyst Rich Ackerman made that point in our recent discussion.
"When the puck drops for the postseason," said Ackerman, "the burden of proof is not going to rest with the new guys. The weight will rest on the club's marquee players who unexpectedly crashed last year after unexpectedly soaring the previous spring."
"In other words the Rangers best players will have to be their best players; something that's not unique to this team."
The prime culprits last April started with Igor Shesterkin who was out-goaled by New Jersey's previously unknown Akira Schmid.
Breadman Panarin lived down to expectations in the 2023 playoffs just as he has lived up to his Grade-A notices this regular season.
Core characters, like Adam Fox and Krieder are delivering bountiful offensive points. But, when all's said and done, the bottom line will be drawn at apple-blossom time and thereafter.
Ackerman: "The Blueshirts will need the best versions of Shesterkin, Panarin, Zibanejad, Fox and Kreider, to name five." Then, a pause: "K'Andre Miller represents a sixth."
Which is not to demean the Rangers visit to Pittsburgh on Saturday nor their return engagement with the Islanders on Sunday afternoon at The Garden.
It's worth noting that lesser lights such as Roslovic have delivered big-time in the course of Rangers history.
For example when the Blueshirts upset the mighty Islanders team in the 1979 playoffs, it was Bobby Sheehan -- a refugee from the World Hockey Association -- who proved to be one of the unexpected stars who paced the Blueshirts to the Cup Final.
Hey, Jack Roslovic's name -- or even Alex Wennberg's -- could reach marquee level as well before the playoffs are over!