That lack of depth is one reason the New York Rangers will be active either in the free agent or trade markets. Aside from the arrival of Vitali Kravtsov and either Jack Hughes or Kaapo Kakko, the forward cupboard is bare and that could really impede the Rangers’ return to playoff contention.
After the trade deadline, the Rangers relied on 13 different forwards, supplementing them with Brendan Smith. Going into the summer the team has the same group, minus Connor Brickley who is an unrestricted free agent and won’t be re-signed.
That group of forwards provided an offense that finished 23rd in the league in goals scored and 27th in shots per game.