Regarding the Rangers, before they become something else on or about Feb. 25.
1. The season, we all have been told even more times than Alex Georgiev stopped the puck Sunday, was always about development. But in addition to developing players, this was also about developing a nucleus around which to build. It is hardly heresy to suggest the Blueshirts are further ahead on the latter than the former.
So is it truly wise to break up the nucleus by sending Mats Zuccarello and Kevin Hayes away in exchange for the usual packages of future prospects and draft picks because that was the original plan?