The question puzzling everyone is simply this: How did the Rangers fall from the pinnacle of Presidents' Trophy-winners to the NHL's subterranean depth in one easy season?

So provocative is the question that The Maven organized a Round Table of Blueshirts experts to produce the answers. One of them is veteran NHL scout Jess Rubenstein. The following is Jeff's take:

"What went wrong with the 2024-2025 Rangers started on June 18th, 2024. That was the day when GM Chris Drury placed Barclay Goodrow on waivers and Goodrow was claimed by the San Jose Sharks. But that really was not why this season’s Rangers team fell apart. 

 "What killed the Rangers season was the months of public speculation as well as spats between Drury and then Rangers captain Jacob Trouba – culminating with the GM trying to force Trouba to accept a trade. 

'It took almost six months until Trouba finally agreed to go to the Anaheim Ducks. How that trade was mishandled proved to be the difference-maker in terms of Drury ruining his team's season. 

 "The rest of the locker room was eyewitness to the public humiliation of Trouba, not only was he the team leader but one who the players both liked and respected.

"What made this move even more ironic was the fact that it was executed by not only a former player (Drury) but an ex-Rangers captain who himself once was forced off the Blueshirts' roster. 

"Call it only a hunch, but I'm convinced that the Rangers room expected better from someone who once was in the same boat as Trouba. 

 "How to fix the Rangers? That's a toughie simply because it's not going to happen as long as Drury remains general manager.  After all, he took a team that was one win from the Stanley Cup Final and allowed it to disintegrate into one that will miss the upcoming playoffs. 

"Chris broke the trust between players and management. As for the next question, should Drury fire Laviolette – as many expect to happen – it will mark three coaches gone on his watch. 

"The leader of a well-run franchise would not allow Drury to hire a fourth head coach. Then again, under James Dolan, the Rangers have not exactly been that well run.

"Another part of the fix involves MSG leadership. Dolan is compelled to run The Garden's many enterprises. That complicated job requires a full-time boss, not someone who splits his stewardship between NHL and NBA teams as well as many entertainment interests. 

"Until there's a new Garden system,  don't expect the Rangers to win a championship!"