The Rangers Struggles On and Off the Ice

Let's face facts with our beloved Blueshirts, they are struggling BIG TIME. Yes we beat Philly twice but we lost to Tampa Bay for a third time this season. There are bigger situations than the one at hand and that is the future. Nineteen year old prospect Anthony Duclair is sitting on the bench watching these struggles and not playing through them. Duclair does not have a roster spot with three lines filled with "scorers" and the fourth line is not for Duclair. The Ranger mold this year is small, speedy wingers on one side and big, fast wingers on the opposite side. Duclair fits the description of small, speedy winger but there is not spot for him. Though the highly touted prospect dominated the QJMHL, he is too young for the AHL. Personally I believe a stint in the AHL would be beneficial for the kid as he would be able to learn more about the game. The NHL is not college, this is a faster, stronger game and a stint in the AHL could help him get acclimated to the game. The only fear I have is the possibility that he becomes another prospect lost in the AHL. We have seen it recently with JT Miller and Jesper Fast as they have struggled to get playing time with the big club. Though their careers are not close to being over, they are missing out and good opportunities to have success in the NHL. GM Glenn Sather should look to trade Miller, Fast and other prospects that won't recieve playing time with the Rangers. He could bring back a good package to helpe with both his offensive and defensive woes. Also Sather needs to look at the Marc Staal situation. If these prospects are traded for a defenseman,mr he Rangers could trade Staal and I would look to Dallas and Jaimie Benn. Benn would be a great fit for the Rangers as he could help with the offensive struggles and the potential departure of Martin St. Louis. Also Dallas is in need of defensive help and Staal would fill that void. Sather should look into the prospects of trading Staal to help himself and others. The recent struggles also doesn't help the team and this just adds onto the laundry list of problems. We have not seen the same team that made a run to the Stanley Cup Final. The Rangers need to make a move as they usually do during the holiday season. The Rangers should send Duclair to the AHL and let him grow at the same time they should also look to get value from Marc Staal as long as they have him. The Rangers are in their way to Detroit and we the fans are looking to catch fire.