The New York Rangers, after finishing well outside of the playoff picture last season, decided to re-tool and get heavier and meaner in the off-season. So far, it’s helping. While signing former Blue Ryan Reaves is not why they’re holding down third place in the Metro, a bit more confidence on the ice isn’t a bad thing.
In the quest to add some grit, the Rangers added Sammy Blais in a deal with the Blues that can only be described as a fleecing. In return for Blais, the Blues were sent Pavel Buchnevich. Buch wound up on a line with fellow Russian Vladimir Tarasenko, and has flourished.