The Rangers have had to make a few changes due to injuries, and it has been for the better. As I predicted in the Jan. 18th blog "Changes Have To Come", the Rangers went 6-2 over the last 8 games and the lineup has been changed up mostly due to the coach being forced to make the moves that always seemed the way things should be to people outside the organization, if not also inside the top brass. When the Rangers President Glen Sather made the trade for Keith Yandle, it clearly wasn't to be a 3rd pairing defenseman and 2nd powerplay quarterback since what they gave up seemed like an overpay for a top 4 dman and powerplay quarterback. When Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh went down with a concussion from a sucker punch from Flyers forward Simmonds, the Rangers coach was forced to put Yandle into the role he should have been in since he was acquired.

J.T. Miler is finaly being used the right way also. I understand that when coaches and G.M.'s have big priced players that they feel the need to play them despite how much it may hurt the team. J.T.  Miller has always showed a solid skill set but as soon as he seemed to become a top 6 forward, he would do something that moved him out of the top 6 forwards. Well it finally seems that J.T. Miller has found his game and how to sustain his game at the NHL level. He no longer defers to other players on the ice to make things happen and makes the plays himself and is not the "go-to guy" when on the ice. Miller is now carrying the Rangers offense as the organization thought he could when he was drafted in the 1st round. The reason why he was given this chance was because Rick Nash has been banged up and the coach had to let Miller play through whatever he was doing.

The CHANGE that has come from the Rangers has been fro within so far. The Rangers have not played anywhere near how they have played over the last 2 seasons, but they are still the 3rd in points in the Eastern Conference and tied for 7th in the NHL. Let's be honest, the Rangers are no where near the Washington Capitals or Chicago Blackhawks right now, but when Rick Nash and Ryan McDonagh are back healthy, who knows where they wind up. The next 8 games will show where the Rangers really stand. Playing teams like L.A., Blackhawks, Blues, and division rivals, the Rangers will have to be at their best to pull away and become a top team in the Eastern Conference overall. I can see the Rangers not as successful as the last 8 games I predicted, but seeing them go 4-4 should see them stay in a solid playoff position.

It would seem pretty clear that the Rangers are looking to make a deal and if it is that they are dealing Keith Yandle, his pricetag as a rental has gone through the roof as of late. Do the Rangers now keep Yandle as a rental for themselves since they couldn't trade to get a better dman for their system than what Yandle is now playing. The Rangers need a guy that can finish off a play and fill the net. Kevin Hayes is just not doing it this season and could see him moved for a winger that can fill the back of the net. The Rangers have a solid team, maybe not as good as the teams of the last 2years, but make a small deal and solidify the top 9 forwards and  make a run with what they have.

LET'S GO RANGERS!!!