Rangers, GM Jeff Gorton face critical offseason

Jeff Gorton has been the New York Rangers’ general manager since July 1 and this summer it’s truly going to become his team.

The Glen Sather era ended with the Rangers’ five-game first-round series loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday. Since the 2011-12 season, the Rangers have reached the conference finals twice, the Stanley Cup Final once, winning 40 playoff games. But the Rangers, even with Henrik Lundqvist playing at a high level, appear to be on the downswing.

Now Gorton’s job is to revitalize the roster, to make enough significant changes to start a launch of a new era in New York. This will be his time to put his touch on the team.

Here are the leading items that Gorton must address:

Dan Girardi

The rise and fall of Girardi is symbolic of what has happened to the Rangers. His rise from signing as an undrafted free agent from the East Coast Hockey League to shutdown defenseman in the NHL was a one of the fascinating feel-good stories. But Girardi’s play has dropped off.

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With four years left on a contract paying an average of $5.5 million, Girardi would be difficult to trade. That’s too much for a player who now seems like a third-pairing defenseman. Would the Rangers consider a buyout?  They need cap space. Girardi has served the Rangers well in the past. How much loyalty do the Rangers owe him? This will be one of Gorton’s most trying decisions.

Defense

Next season’s defense will have a new look. Ryan McDonagh will still be the foundation block, but Dan Boyle and Keith Yandle are both unrestricted free agents. Boyle, even if he doesn't retire, isn't part of the Rangers' plans. If the Rangers want to keep Yandle, they will have to free up cap space to afford him. Dylan McIlrath, 24, and Brady Skjei, 22, should be given chances for full-time roles.

Kevin Klein has been steady, but Marc Staal showed more inconsistency this season.

Contracts

McIlrath and forwards Chris Kreider, J.T. Miller and Kevin Hayes will be restricted free agents this offseason. Miller (22 goals) had a breakthrough season, and Kreider has registered back-to-back 21-goal campaigns. Plus, goalie Antti Raanta and forwards Viktor Stalberg and Dominic Moore will be unrestricted free agents. The Penguins taught the Rangers the importance of depth in their series.

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Depending on next season’s salary cap — it will either remain $71.4 million or be $74 million if the NHL Players' Association exercises the escalator clause — Gorton may have to move a core player or two to restructure the team’s cap to fit in who he wants to keep. According to generalfanager.com, the Rangers have 13 players under contract at just over $55 million for next season.

Rick Nash

His $7.5 million cap hit ranked 14th in the NHL. But he did not produce (15 goals, 36 points in 60 games) like a top player this season. He has two seasons left at that contract. Moving Nash, 31, would not be easy, but it is not impossible. There’s still a romance around the league with his scoring potential; he had 42 goals in 2014-15. Would the Rangers eat some of his salary?

It would help the Rangers’ salary cap outlook if Gorton could move him.

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Changing the system

The Rangers’ defensive play was up and down, and their special teams were mundane to poor. The power play ranked 14th and their penalty killing was 26th. It often appeared that their style didn't suit their players. They weren't as fast this season.

These are all areas where a change of approach may be needed. Coach Alain Vigneault appears safe, but it has become commonplace around the NHL to change coaching approaches. We may see the Rangers with a different defensive style and penalty-killing system next season.