Breaking Down All The Latest New York Rangers' Trade Rumors Listen up, Ranger fans it's half-way Report Card time Brother, sister, if I had these grades at PS 54 on Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, my principal, Saul Bloomgarden would have tossed me out of school. The Maven took this grading business very seriously. As a matter of fact, I hauled in at great cost super scout Jess Rubenstein and my personal avid brain-truster, Solon Mihas for major input. (Hold on to your seatbelt, here we go!) GOALTENDING: IGOR SHESTERKIN; GRADE, B. Between becoming a new father and successfully battling poverty, the former Iggy was distracted. We'll give him that and expect better numbers than 2.91. Next time I see The Emperor on Seventh Avenue, I'll ask him if he can loan me five bucks for a cup of coffee. Meanwhile, I expect that he'll carry his team during the make or break playoffs, that is homestretch. JONATHAN QUICK: GRADE, B-MINUS. A solid 5-1-0 start had him looking better than The Master. But lately, Quick has gotten slow. He's 0-3 in his last three starts with a SV% of under .875 in each of those starts. Jess says, "Trade him at the deadline and learn whether Dylan Garand has the goods." DEFENSE: ADAM FOX: GRADE, B-MINUS. Put it this way; the not-so-old-not-so grey ex-Norris-winner ain't what he used to be. A goal and 25 assists doesn't cut it and his defensive play is inconsistent. Critics beef about his "soft" style and, guess what? They are right! Fox's offense will be critical in the second half, and that includes leadership so far not so hot from here to the end. RYAN LINDGREN: GRADE, C: His physicality cannot hide defensive shortcomings plus wear and tear which have become more apparent since his injury. With two goals and five assists, Lindy is on the fast track to Trade Country by the deadline. K'ANDRE MILLER: GRADE, C-MINUS: Once upon a time he had star written all over him but now it's "Trade" written all over him. We believe the Rangers coaches have failed to let him play more to his strength which is to attack rather than laying back. It's contract year for Miller and there will be takers in what could be a big Rangers trade. FORWARDS: ARTEMI PANARIN: GRADE, B. A Hart Trophy candidate last year, The Breadman has led New York in scoring once again. That said, his game has tail spinned during the latest grand and inglorious funk. Rubenstein wonders if The Big A might wind up being traded to Florida. The Maven wonders which Panthers would come in exchangel. VINCENT TROCHECK: GRADE, B-PLUS: Once Jacob Trouba left for California, the club needed a captain but still remain without a "C." Trocheck has turned into the go-to media guy and eventually should get the designation. Vinnie's minus has been a penchant for weak penalties. ALEXIS LAFRENIERE: GRADE, C-MINUS: Talk about a chameleon on skates, Big Al is the guy. Before his contract extension, the former No. 1 draftee was a solid B. Since he got filthy rich he's plummeted to an F. "He stopped working hard," explains Rubenstein. FILIP CHYTIL: GRADE, B. The trick and it won't be easy is for Fiery Fil to remain healthy. Jess avers that If Chytil remains in the lineup he could be the second center. But one more legal, or illegal, whomp also could send him to retirement. WILL CUYLLE: GRADE, C: The temptation is to rate him higher because Not So Wee Willie exudes vim, vigor and vitality. But his offensive numbers are anemic. Part of the problem is that coach Peter Laviolette treats Willie like a merry-go-round, never seeming to allow him to become stable with steady linemates. BRETT BERARD: GRADE, B-MINUS: The little guy's crusade is proving that he can survive with the biggies. "The coach does not trust his size," says Rubenstein, "but I'd like to see him in Kakko's slot and left there rather than being moved around." JONNY BRODZINSKI: GRADE, C-PLUS: Usually buried on the fourth line, JB does his job without a whimper. Give or take Jimmy Vesey, Brod is the club's best utility player. JIMMY VESEY: GRADE, B-MINUS: The club isn't the same when the one time Hobey Baker award-winner is out of the lineup. He's a solid, uncomplaining defensive forward who's quite comfortable on the fourth line. MIKA ZIBANEJAD: GRADE, D-PLUS: His once-sparkling game has all the makings of a boulder in an avalanche. "He badly needs a change of address ASAP," says Jess. Since that's unlikely to happen, the Swede will remain the prime target of the boobirds. REILLY SMITH: GRADE, C: The former Penguin is at the Last Chance Ranch. Pitt was delighted to unload him and while his arithmetic is passing he often seems to be auditioning for the role of "The Invisible Man." CHRIS KREIDER: GRADE, C-MINUS: GM Chris Drury was unkind telling the hockey world he'd like to deposit the vet anywhere but NY. Kreider's 11 goals and only one assist just doesn't cut it. Which means he'll be cut somehow, somewhere before the roses bloom. MATT REMPE: GRADE F-PLUS. Never in Rangers history has a player received more publicity for less production. If properly handled, he still could help following his suspension
