Brad Richards is one tough decision the Rangers must make this summer.

A day later, here we are without our favorite team. There’s still good hockey being played by the league’s best six remaining teams. The Rangers were a cut below. They never quite lived up to the hype. Instead of Rick Nash being the final piece to the puzzle, we’re left with question marks.

It’s no secret that the 2013 Blueshirts were nowhere near as good as last year’s team which were more than the sum of its parts. The ’11-12 Rangers were classic overachievers who shocked many by posting the East’s best record and making the Conference Finals. Maybe many cynics were too quick in dismissing them. A further look and you’ll notice that the Devils squeezed every ounce of energy to put them away. The emotion and physicality took its toll against the Kings.

A year later, no one cares. In an abbreviated season, the 2013 version never really took off. Instead, they leaked enough for architect Glen Sather to realize he subtracted too much. With the relationship between star player Marian Gaborik and coach John Tortorella running its course, Slats pulled off a stunner at the deadline- moving the two-time 40-goal Ranger to Nash’s former home Columbus for Derick Brassard, John Moore and Derek Dorsett. Most observers scoffed at the deal suggesting that the Rangers didn’t get enough back for Gaborik, who’s a year away from free agency. Who knew Brassard would supplant Brad Richards as the second line center pacing the Blueshirts with 12 points (2-10-12) in the postseason? Nobody could’ve predicted that Richards would wind up a healthy scratch the final two games while Nash struggled to perform on the big stage.

Hockey is a funny game. You never know what’s going to happen. If it was based just on paper, the Rangers would’ve won the East and made their first Cup appearance since 1994. The roster they currently have is different than expected. Even with additions including Ryane Clowe, who barely took part in the playoffs due to a concussion, Slats shortchanged this team. Anyone with a pulse knew that injuries would be their undoing except for a dinosaur of a GM living off the Edmonton dynasty. He never added quality depth following Marc Staal’s eye injury, throwing a band aid on it by claiming Roman Hamrlik. As it turned out, they would’ve been better off with Matt Gilroy. Once Anton Stralman went down, the wheels came off. It was a domino effect with Tortorella forced to lean heavily on Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi and an overmatched Mike Del Zotto, who remains an enigma.

Even in an elimination situation, Tortorella eventually had to send out Hamrlik with Steve Eminger. What compromised it further was having AHL lifers Kris Newbury and Micheal Haley out with Dorsett at the same time. The Bruins legitimate fourth line took full advantage with Shawn Thornton and Daniel Paille combining with Greg Campbell on the series clincher. It remains one of the worst shifts in recent memory. For a season to come crashing down with at least half the personnel having no business on the ice, it speaks volumes about Sather. His ineptitude did in the Rangers. Afterwards, Tortorella concluded as such by openly admitting that their roster wasn’t as deep as the Bruins.

It was interesting to hear the fiery task master reference injuries to Clowe and Staal. Unlike Boston, who was without three key defensemen most of the series before Dennis Seidenberg returned in place of rookie Dougie Hamilton, the Rangers lacked enough replacements capable of playing in such a taxing series. In the end, Tortorella used Brian Boyle too much along with Taylor Pyatt. Each got third line duty with Mats Zuccarello, who’s the only one with an ounce of talent. No disrespect to either as both acquitted themselves well. On a championship caliber roster, Boyle and Pyatt are fourth liners who can provide energy. A perfect scenario would be seeing them with either Dorsett or Arron Asham next year.

Offensive depth remains a serious issue moving forward. Tortorella got everything out of Derek Stepan, Ryan Callahan and Carl Hagelin, who were by far the club’s most consistent performers. Even Nash didn’t match their intensity. If there is something the All-Star must improve on, it’s his lack of edge. There were too many instances where he got pushed around. Occasionally, we like to see our stars push back. A leadership quality which is admired in cult hero Callahan, who’s the perfect captain for this team. Unfortunately, the Rangers top scorers ran out of gas. Hagelin finished with six points while Callahan, Nash and Stepan had five. An identical amount to Boyle, who always seems to step up in the playoffs. Maybe critics will finally get off his back. Pyatt had four points and Asham scored one more goal than Nash despite sitting out the final two.

For all the deserved criticism Tortorella received for his mishandling of Chris Kreider, the former No.1 pick came back strong after replacing Clowe. Perhaps there was a method to Tortorella’s madness. Kreider looked more confident, making better offensive plays along with using his size. The former BC standout is listed at 6-3, 230. When the organization decided to send him back to Connecticut, it was due to him not being aggressive enough while struggling defensively. The 22-year old showed maturity in his second postseason. His overall improvement allowed Tortorella to move him up to a line with Stepan and Nash. Of the trio, Kreider was the most effective in Game Five delivering six hits. If there’s one positive from this experience, it looks like he should be a factor next year. Kreider’s development gives the Rangers one more offensive player.

The Rangers must make hard decisions on Clowe and Richards. Do they have enough to re-sign Clowe, who’s an injury risk? Assuming he wants to return, hopefully he’ll take a discount. As for Richards, I still believe not having a full camp hurt him. He clearly lost his confidence, making Tortorella’s benching justified. However, this is a former Conn Smythe winner one year removed from finishing second in team scoring over 82 and tops last postseason (2012). If you amnesty him, that’s still a hole to fill. They could do a lot worse than having Richards center the third line with Clowe and Zuccarello, who also must be re-signed. If you let them play together, it just might work.

Much depends on Sather getting McDonagh, Stepan and Hagelin extended. Zuccarello is also a Group II along with Moore and Mike Sauer. Sauer is the forgotten man who has never been replaced. He was their toughest D since Jeff Beukeboom. Unfortunately, it looks like his career might be over. If he were ever able to come back, that would make a huge difference. The last two playoffs, a weaker back end got pushed around by grinding fourth lines. Sauer brought that missing element. A shame. Unless Dylan McIlrath proves ready, it will continue to haunt them.

Last but not least, the Rangers must start discussions with Henrik Lundqvist on a new contract. The game’s best goalie is due $5.125 million in his final year. His current deal averages a cap hit of $6.875 million. Despite a 30-37 playoff record and having been past the second round once, he’s been worth every penny. The affable Vezina winner has taken his place among the game’s elite. Nobody can ever question his desire to win. It was etched all over his face following Saturday. At 31, he’s no longer a kid. The time to win is now. It’s a hard thing when you have to compete with the Pens and Bruins, who should go six or seven next round. Other teams are improving including the Sens and Islanders. With the Red Wings and Blue Jackets coming over, it’ll only get tougher.

With the cap expected to go down, the Blueshirts have a lot of work to do the next two summers. Callahan and Girardi can also turn unrestricted in 2014. So can Brassard, Boyle and Stralman. Del Zotto and Kreider are restricted. Managing the roster will be quite a challenge for Slats and assistant GM Jeff Gorton. The heat is on.