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What's next for the Rangers?

Rangers coach Tom Renney, center rear, stands behind the Rangers bench and react to a 3-2 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, ending the Rangers season. (AP Photo / May 4, 2008)

BY STEVE ZIPAY | steve.zipay@newsday.com

May 5, 2008

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A team that was assembled to make a run at the Stanley Cup in 2008 is now a team in transition that needs to retool. Four of the Rangers' top six wingers and two of their top six defensemen are unrestricted free agents. The defense could use size in a crease-clearer and/or a power-play quarterback. Remember, this was a team that hovered around .500 at the midpoint of the season and did little at the trade deadline because the asking price for prospects and draft picks was too high. But they finished fifth in the East and ousted the rival Devils in the first round. The main issues in the offseason:

JAROMIR JAGR

Does the 36-year-old unrestricted free agent, whose tough, brilliant play in the last month carried the Rangers, want to play here or elsewhere? After three seasons in which he helped resurrect this franchise, he knows the team is not built around him anymore. A one-year offer with incentives makes sense. But does Jagr, who scored 25 goals during the regular season, want to be freed up as a weapon in an offense such as the Penguins, Red Wings or Hurricanes? Just as important, does the front office need him? Picture this awkward situation: The Rangers open next season with two regular-season games against Tampa Bay in Prague, Czech Republic - minus the country's hero.

FORWARD PROGRESS

There are quality centers aplenty in Scott Gomez, Chris Drury, Brandon Dubinsky and Blair Betts, but uncertainty on the wing. If Jagr and three other free agents - 39-year-old Brendan Shanahan, Martin Straka and Sean Avery - do not return, the wings need to be replaced from within (Is Ryan Callahan ready for the second line?), through trades or the free-agent market. Perhaps Hartford's Artem Anisimov or Lauri Korpikoski can crack the roster and Drury could move to left wing. If Shanahan and Straka retire, the Rangers could use the cap room and add a top-six winger to provide scoring and size ( Marian Hossa, Ryan Malone). Then again, how much will the Rangers need to spend to shore up their holes on defense?

PLUG A HOLE ON DEFENSE

Five D-men are under contract: Fedor Tyutin, Dan Girardi, Marc Staal, Christian Backman and Thomas Pock.

Allowing free agents Marek Malik and Paul Mara to leave frees up about $6 million. Do the Rangers re-sign free agent Michal Rozsival with part of that money? Prospect Bobby Sanguinetti, who has displayed plenty of offensive skills, needs some time in the AHL. Brian Campbell appears to want to stay in San Jose. Other options: Colorado's John-Michael Liles, Pittsburgh's Brooks Orpik or Nashville's Ryan Suter and Shea Weber.

OTHER QUESTIONS . . .

Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, of course, is under contract, but backup Steve Valiquette - likely to play 12 to 15 games - should be offered one because he played well when called upon. Decisions need to be made on restricted free-agent forwards Nigel Dawes, Fredrik Sjostrom and Greg Moore. Dawes, with 25-goal potential, seems assured of a spot somewhere. Last year's first-round pick, Alexei Cherepanov, is expected to remain in Russia for a year.