OTHL -- The New York Rangers started the season with a new direction, the one of a rebuilding team. However, two general managers later Wayne Kelly took over in the big apple. And with Mr Kelly a new direction came in. In with the big team spirit once more, and lets go for the cup right away. Yesterday Teemu Selänne was brought in from Colorado, and today the biggest trade of the year was made with the low flying Los Angeles Kings, who decided to ship of some of there high payed players after there lackluster start to the season. The Rangers added around $25 million dollars in payroll by adding Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr and Nicklas Lidström. While trading away hot prospects like Hugh Jessiman, Mark Stuart and Jeff Tambellin along with Andy Hilbert, Fedor Tyutin, Dan Blackburn, Jamie Lundmark and the Rangers 1st rounder in 2005.
Lemieux, Jagr and Lidström newest members of the NY Rangers
Will the addition of two of the biggest offensive talents in recent history, and arguable the best defender in the league, make the Rangers a cup contender, or yet will they even be a playoff team? Well, the Rangers had a minor league roster, and where still only 7 points outside the playoffs. So with Lemieux, Jagr, Selänne and Lidström they should become a team that can make the playoffs. But in order to become a true cup contender, they need to add some depth and continue to strenghten there defense. And is Mike Dunham really a goalie that can carry a team in the playoffs.
The Kings on the other hand, will get a shoot in the arm by this big move. Despite a payroll around the $60 million mark, they only managed a 7-12-3 record. So why not make a big move and see what happends. One thing is certen, and that is that Manny legace will not carry any team anywhere. The Kings must go out and get a better goalie, if they want to make the playoffs. And despite the trade, the team still have some solid talent on the team in Sergei Fjodorov, Alexander Frolov, Luc Robitaille and Petr Sykora. If GM Brugger can find a solid #1 in net, and some defensive minded defenders, then the Kings could very well be a team for the playoffs. But for now, he is probably happy to see his payroll shrink to $35 million dollars.