It’s been a while since the Rangers played a game. There hasn’t been much happening. The extended break included All-Star weekend in Toronto. I didn’t watch it.

I guess the way the game is set up doesn’t interest me. I preferred the old East versus West format. North America vs. The World was cool. I’m not too big on what they did to the Skill Competition. But some fans still enjoy it. That’s good.

Team McDavid came back to win a semifinal. Ultimately, Auston Matthews won MVP of the tournament. I guess it’s only fitting that the game’s best goal scorer took home the trophy. The Maple Leafs have to win at something.

Igor Shesterkin and Vincent Trocheck each represented the Rangers. Shesterkin had a better weekend. Hopefully, he can bring some of the joy he had with Jeremy Swayman to the second half. Shesterkin and Swayman did a Bruins style celebration during Friday’s skills. He stopped Connor McDavid on a two on none on Saturday.

Connor Bedard attended the All-Star festivities. He even posed for a photo with Sidney Crosby. One day, that could be a valuable picture. Who am I kidding? They’re probably hawking it already. At least I have a Bedard junior card I purchased last year. I also have a Matvei Michkov stored away. The future Flyer continues to do well in the KHL. He has 14 goals with 19 assists for 33 points for HC Sochi.

With Bedard still out with a broken jaw, the NHL rookie race isn’t exactly great. Bedard leads all rookies in scoring with 33 points (15-18-33). Wild defenseman Brock Faber is second with 29 points (4-25-29). Marco Rossi is third with 28 (13-15-28). Injured Blue Jackets forward Adam Fantilli is fourth with 27 (12-15-27). Devils defenseman Luke Hughes is fifth with 26 (8-18-26).

It’s too bad that both Bedard and Fantilli are injured. They were really starting to get it. Rossi and Faber are bright spots in a down year for Minnesota. Both Hughes and Simon Nemec have provided the same excitement in an otherwise disappointing season for the Devils. Without Jack Hughes and no consistency in the net, they don’t look like a playoff team. But the Flyers were skidding at the break. An outside team could squeak in.

As for the Rangers, they’re about as flawed a first place team as there is. A lousy January exposed them. There’s been too much fundamentally wrong to consider the Rangers a contender. That’s why I’m glad Elias Lindholm wound up in Vancouver. Andrei Kuzmenko, two former third round picks, and a first round pick was a considerable payment for a rental. But the Canucks have a good chance to make a deep run this season.

The Canadiens also got a first round pick from the Jets for Sean Monahan. As much as I like him, that’s overpayment. Monahan can help Winnipeg as a depth checking pivot. We’ll see how the Jets fare later this spring. They boast Vezina favorite Connor Hellebuyck and big scorers Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele. Cole Perfetti has taken the next step in his development.

If the Rangers want to improve an area of their roster, then they should look to get tougher. That doesn’t mean a brawler, either. But a stronger forward who can forecheck and drive opponents nuts. The Rangers seriously are lacking in that department. They also are in need of a third line center now that Filip Chytil’s season is officially over. Adam Henrique is available. But at what cost?

I’ll be honest. If I were the general manager, I’d be in search of younger talent. Not older veterans. The Rangers already have that. Only Kaapo Kakko, Alexis Lafreniere, and Will Cuylle are forwards under 30 on the roster.

We know Kakko’s name has been mentioned by Darren Dreger. I’d only trade him if it were for a younger player at a similar age. I’ve always liked Arthur Kaliyev. He’s got the shot that could aid a group that can use another player capable of scoring goals. LA just made a coaching change. We’ll see what happens.

If they really decided to take a different tact, I’m in favor of going after Shane Pinto. A local kid who’s a center playing for Ottawa, the 23-year-old hasn’t shown much rust following a lengthy suspension for gambling. We still don’t know what he did. Transparency is optional when it comes to the league.

Pinto is cheap, too. He signed for $800,000. A right-handed center who can win faceoffs, he’d add something to the roster.

I don’t think they’ll be in on Jakob Chychrun. There’ll likely be bigger contenders interested – driving up the price. If the Rangers could get Ottawa to take back K’Andre Miller in a package, that would be a good starting point. I’m not counting on it.

The Rangers host the Avalanche on Monday, Feb. 5. They must contend with Nathan MacKinnon, who’s having an MVP season. He’s second in scoring right behind Nikita Kucherov. They’re 1-2 for the Hart. With the Lightning playing their way back into contention, Kucherov will compete for his second MVP. He’s carried the Bolts. MacKinnon has a better supporting cast that includes Cale Makar, Mikko Rantanen, and Devon Toews. If they matchup, Shesterkin and Alex Georgiev are a storyline. Both were All-Stars despite not the best numbers. The starter versus the former backup.

If they’re to improve their chances, Mika Zibanejad has to play better at even strength. He and Chris Kreider are counted on. There isn’t much else to add. If he stays, Kakko will need to continue to light the lamp. So must Lafreniere, who’s been underwhelming in the goal department since December.

Rangers coach Peter Laviolette might want to play Cuylle more minutes. He plays with the necessary edge needed to make the team harder to play against. Cuylle is effective on the back boards, finishes checks, and isn’t shy about shooting the puck or driving the net. It’s too bad they can’t clone him.

Adam Fox must return to his Norris form. Maybe the extra time off will help. He didn’t look fully healthy since returning in late November. It remains to be seen what Laviolette will decide with the defensive pairs. Obviously, they’ll need Miller to regain his confidence. His lackluster play had a direct effect on Jacob Trouba. Braden Schneider also can play better than the up and down first half he had.

The lack of scoring depth remains a pressing issue. Frank Vatrano could also be available. He scored a goal and had three points in his first All-Star Game. I’d steer clear of Vladimir Tarasenko. He hasn’t exactly lit it up in Ottawa and would cost too much.

If the Rangers don’t make a big move, maybe they can look from within. Adam Edstrom looked the part in a cameo before getting hurt with Hartford. Brennan Othmann remains a promising first-year pro who could get recalled when the weather warms up.

At the very least, the sun came out today. I got out to one of my favorite parks. It wasn’t bad out at all. There’s more good weather on the horizon. Just in time for hockey to return.