Breaking Down All The Latest New York Rangers' Trade Rumors I'm beginning to get worried. Yeah, the heebie-jeebies have hit me and it's all about whether the Rangers actually can miss the playoffs. I'm worried that they might blow it altogether. Back in October, when the club couldn't stop winning, the idea of New York missing the playoffs was as likely as the cow jumping over the moon. "It comes down to the 'Core' players not coming through enough in the clutch," says The Old Scout. "And the overtime loss to Colorado was exactly what I'm talking about." The Maven prefers calling them "The Disappearing Acts" who have diminished the Blueshirts playoff chances. Take a gander – and weep: * CHRIS KREIDER: His plummet from last year's playoff heroics has gone beyond scary. Kreider should be traded. * ALEXIS LAFRENIERE: If this isn't the template for "Take The Money And Run" then my name is Mortimer Snerd. He should be popping red lights not fading away like The Shadow. * MIKA ZIBANEJAD: Sadly this nice fellow has become a parody of failure, despite a mild resurgence lately. But gee-whiz, where's the defense lawyer who can defend an overpriced guy who's minus-23? * ADAM FOX: Look; he's got the talent; we know that. And he's got a Norris Trophy from yesteryear to prove that. Sorry, Foxy – WE WANT MORE. We want continuous dominance a la Cale Makar! Furthermore, we want a captain's kind of leadership. * K'ANDRE MILLER: The Maven says "Trade him if you can," but as long as this fella wears a blue shirt he darn well better show us some intensity-consistency; y'know; like you really want this team to win. Tonight's foe, Utah HC, is the Coyotes in disguise; an eminently beatable team but energized by its new surroundings. If the Rangers lose, it will tell us something about the playoff race. Teams such as Columbus, Montreal, Philly, Montreal and Detroit figured to be Humpties at this point in the season. They are not. Each one is a threat to make the postseason. The Rangers have to figure that they won't go away. There will be no favors. Which means that Shesterkin, Inc. will have to do this all by themselves.
