Show of hands? How many loyal true blue Rangers fans think they can win the Stanley Cup with the current roster? There probably aren’t many people who believe that.

In truth, the Rangers had an excellent season. Under coach Peter Laviolette, they had the league’s best record – winning the Presidents’ Trophy before bowing out in six games to the Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final.

It was an enjoyable year on Broadway. Pride was restored. The Blueshirts earned respect around the league. Even if there were still doubters, they proved that they were one of the best teams.

Despite relying heavily on Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, and Alexis Lafreniere, the Rangers were a tough out. Igor Shesterkin saved his best for the second and third rounds. After the Hurricanes found it tough to beat him, he was even better against the Panthers. Eventually, their aggressive style at 5-on-5 and strong penalty killing proved to be too much.

The biggest problem was the inconsistencies of Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. However, Kreider will be remembered for his natural hat trick in a thrilling third period comeback that eliminated the Hurricanes in Game 6. He’s always had a knack for scoring in the clutch. That’s why Kreider’s well-respected by teammates, coaches, and fans.

When it comes to Zibanejad, he never scored to his capability. After posting 39 goals and 52 assists for a career high 91 points in 2022-23, his production tailed off. He fell to 26 goals, 46 assists, and 72 points. 

Unfortunately, after a strong start to the postseason, he all but vanished against the Panthers. Zibanejad didn’t score a goal and had only two assists. His play affected Kreider, who wound up with a shorthanded goal and a helper in Game 5. Too often, the first line was pinned in by the Aleksander Barkov line. They spent too much time defending and not enough attacking. Even with Barkov limited to a goal and three assists, his line dominated the head to head matchup.

It didn’t matter who Laviolette tried on the right side. Jack Roslovic was ineffective following a good series against the Hurricanes. Filip Chytil was also tried. He wasn’t up to the challenge. The way he was handled by the organization makes one scratch your head. One minute, he played while the next, he sat out due to recovering. Why did they even bring him back? It hurt rather than helped.

In a third round, when Panarin, Zibanejad, and Kreider combined for only two goals, Barclay Goodrow scored three times. That included the overtime winner in Game 2. He also scored twice in Game 3, which was the last game the Rangers won. Instead of being rewarded, he remained underused on the fourth line.

Laviolette could’ve moved him up to the third line, which struggled to produce any offense. Aside from Alex Wennberg’s overtime winner in Game 3, they didn’t contribute enough. Kaapo Kakko had a few good shifts but was unable to be a factor. Will Cuylle didn’t receive enough ice time, even sliding down to the checking line. Roslovic played some with Wennberg and Kakko. They had no chemistry.

Sometimes, you have to ride the hot hand. Goodrow was versatile enough to be moved on to the third line. He was actually used better in his first two seasons by former coach Gerard Gallant. Goodrow had his best two seasons, posting double digits in goals and eclipsing 30 points. Under Laviolette, he was exclusively on the fourth line and killed penalties, which he did well alongside Trocheck.

Laviolette also made a mistake with Matt Rempe. He didn’t play him enough to help the team. It isn’t like he’s just some big lumbering guy who could hit and fight. He can skate, forecheck, and is effective at screening goalies. Once they lost Jimmy Vesey to a separated shoulder during Game 2, he should’ve been used more consistently. Instead, Rempe hardly touched the ice in Game 5. It was like playing a man short.

While Jonny Brodzinski was a good story, he wasn’t going to make a difference. Neither was Blake Wheeler, who was forced to take a penalty in overtime of Game 4 that led to Sam Reinhart’s power-play goal. It was a cruel ending for Wheeler, who probably played his final game of an outstanding career. What was he doing out in the first minute of overtime with Zibanejad? It never made any sense.

Neither did rushing Jacob Trouba back from a broken ankle to finish the regular season. He never was the same player. Somehow, Laviolette had Trouba back with K’Andre Miller against the more aggressive Panthers. That was until he went back to Braden Schneider, with Trouba and Erik Gustafsson on the third pair.

The defense struggled mightily. With Adam Fox playing with a mild MCL strain, following the knee on knee hit he took from Capitals defenseman Nick Jensen in the first round, there weren’t enough clean breakouts. That made it tough for them to get out of their end and transition.

Laviolette refused to play Zac Jones, who might be the best skater they have on the blue line. They sure could’ve used him. His speed and quicker decision-making might’ve helped. Hopefully, Jones gets that chance next season.

If there’s an area that Chris Drury must improve, it’s avoiding the same mistakes he’s made during the summer. Last year, he was limited in what he could do due to the cap crunch. However, aside from adding Gustafsson to help the back end, the other bargain basement additions failed miserably.

Nick Bonino was too slow and eventually waived. Tyler Pitlick was also reassigned to Hartford. Perhaps Drury could’ve made a better move to help out. He added Roslovic, who to his credit was better than expected in his first postseason.

Unfortunately, when he went up against the stronger Panthers, it wasn’t good enough. What did they expect? To catch lightning in a bottle with a third liner. That was never going to solve the 5-on-5 issues with Zibanejad and Kreider. If they’re running it back without Goodrow, Drury better acquire someone who can not only drive play but score at even strength.

Wennberg was a solid, depth addition. But he didn’t move the needle. It’s hard to believe he spent most of Game 6 playing out of position with Zibanejad and Kreider. That was perplexing. They may as well have moved Kakko up and seen if he could provide something. He’s good at the puck possession. He didn’t have much success earlier in the season with them.

Rather than making minor moves up front, maybe Drury should’ve gone for Anthony Duclair. He was good after the Lightning acquired him, scoring eight goals with seven assists down the stretch. But against the Panthers, he had two assists in a five-game first round ouster. Still, Duclair has more offensive skill. The 28-year-old former Rangers’ 2013 third round pick is an unrestricted free agent. That might be worth exploring.

If they’re looking for a more expensive option, I’d suggest kicking the tires on Jake DeBrusk. He’s scored over 20 goals three different times. After a down year that saw him light the lamp 19 times with 21 assists, DeBrusk was one of the best Bruins, finishing the postseason with five goals and six assists. The 27-year-old is a good top six forward who can finish around the net. That’s definitely a need.

If they want to get creative, look no further than Nikolaj Ehlers. With a yeer left on a contract that pays him a cap hit of $6 million, he’s expected to get moved. A consistent player who’s scored 20 or more seven times, he had 25 goals with 26 assists for the Jets.

Most notable is that every goal came at even strength. In fact, 54 of his 61 points were at even strength. That’s exactly the kind of forward the Rangers could use. Ehlers is a good skater who can play power play. Adding another quality player to the second unit would help. However, that also means not throwing all their eggs in one basket. It can’t always come down to the same five players on the top unit.

If Drury were to explore a trade for Ehlers, that would mean parting with a roster player and either a prospect or draft picks. Would they consider moving Kakko as part of a package to upgrade the roster? He accepted the $2.4 million qualifier for next season. Either he’ll be kept or used in a deal. That’s up to Drury.

One of the frustrating aspects of the current roster is how locked in the Rangers are to key players. Zibanejad has a no-movement clause until Year 8, when he can submit a 21-team no-trade list seven days before the trade deadline. At a cap hit of $8.5 million, I’d say they’re stuck. They better hope he bounces back next year.

Before Year 6 of a seven-year contract with an $8 million cap hit, Trouba will submit a 15-team no-trade list on July 1. Unless he can get fully healthy and improve his skating, it’ll be awfully hard to move him. His character isn’t in question. He’s been a solid leader who plays the game hard. But anyone can see that he’s in decline. Playing on the third pair seems more likely.

Kreider is a bargain at $6.5 million. He also will have to submit a 15-team no-trade list this summer. Considering how consistent he is at scoring goals by tipping in shots and putting home rebounds, with many coming on the power play, he shouldn’t go anywhere. Not unless they want to get younger and move the one contract that isn’t going to be tough. I can’t see it. He’s too important to the core.

With two years remaining on a deal that averages out to $11.64 million on the cap, Panarin isn’t going anywhere. He put together the best season of his career, pacing the Rangers in goals (49), assists (71), and points (120). He finished the postseason with five goals and 10 assists. Unfortunately, he only had a late goal in Game 6 against Florida. He was shut down.

If the negotiations between Ryan Lindgren and the team go poorly, maybe Drury could decide to move on. Lindgren is a year away from unrestricted status. He’ll likely command between $4.5 to 5 million per season.

The length is crucial. They can’t have a repeat of Dan Girardi. Anything longer than four years would be a big mistake. Especially the way Lindgren plays. At 26, he’s already showing signs of wearing down. The Warrior will play through almost anything. How long before all the wear and tear catches up?

Lindgren is the defense partner of Fox. It’s a tricky situation that must be handled much better than what they did to Goodrow. He had no idea they would waive him so the Sharks could claim him.

Considering how Glen Sather treated Brian Leetch, not even asking for permission to trade him to the Maple Leafs two decades ago, you never know what to expect from this franchise. If they can do that to arguably the greatest New York Ranger on his birthday, nothing should be put past them. They operate very privately. Drury doesn’t exactly give many interviews.

Unless they leak a story to Larry Brooks, nobody knows what’s happening. They aren’t very forthcoming. You’d think the way they operate, there’s no way they’d be located in Manhattan.

If there’s one thing we all can agree on, Drury can’t overpay any free agent and hand out a no-movement clause like candy. That’s their specialty. Somehow, they seem to always find a way out. They shouldn’t bank on it this off-season.