The Rangers Demise Began When Florida Beat Them In The Playoffs

Precious few hockey people were smart enough to discern the problems afflicting the Humpty-Dumpty Rangers but a couple of savants did, including our old friend Sean Avery.

Another one of them happens to be The Maven's super-scout Jess Rubenstein. "Nobody listened when I predicted exactly what has happened to the Rangers," Jess insists.

The trouble started after Florida eliminated New York in Game Six. "Instead of looking for scapegoats," Rubenstein goes on, "the Rangers needed to look at why they ran out of gas – after the Canes in seven and then the Panthers.

One could legitimately say that the trouble began when Drury hoisted Barclay Goodrow out of Manhattan.

Silverstein: "By mishandling the move, Drury opened up problems where problems did not need to be created. If the GM wanted to move salary, there was a right way and a wrong way to do it."

As Avery has pointed out the Rangers are a soft team and lack a strong leader (Matt Rempe still isn't the answer.)

"Nobody in the locker room would stand up and call out those who were not working hard," adds Jeff. "They need players who would demand accountability from each other.

"And after what Drury did to Goodrow, Trouba, Kakko and now Kreider, this team is so emotionally fragile that instead of standing up, they are hiding in corners wondering why So-And-So is still in the lineup."

Drury is expected to drop another shoe between now and the new year, but The Maven has no idea on whose head it will fall.

All signs indicate Kreider and Chris must know that he gets absolutely no points for being a Rangers hero and longest-running Blueshirt.

As for those who love classic soap operas, this long-running melodrama should play out until April.

By then it will be spring and we'll know who's been sprung. Yeah, it could be Mister Drury, himself.

And wouldn't it be a Class A starry move if Sean Avery somehow resumed a significant role within the Rangers organization!