[devo22]

used to do more of these write-ups years ago. Might as well start doing them again.

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When the horn sounded on March 30th 2022, it was over. The fans knew it, the players knew it, and most importantly, the GM knew it.

The New York Rangers had just suffered a 3-1 home loss to the New Jersey Devils in game 5 of the first round of the 2022 CPHL Playoffs, resulting in yet another first round exit. It was the fourth in a row, but the latter two especially hurt, coming after stellar regular season campaigns with 113 and 108 points, respectively.

"we just couldn't get over that hump", GM devo22 reflects. "Excellent regular season team, no doubt. But then the games get tighter, the lights get brighter, the stakes get higher. And we couldn't handle that."

At the time, many fans and experts had already speculated for a while that the team would face some kind of facelift in the offseason, but the latest playoffs disappointment quickly dispelled any remaining doubts about the franchise's need for a major overhaul.

"It was a group that had run its course", GM devo22 adds. "We had spent a lot of resources building that team, and the window was closing. It was a do or die season, and that first round gave us a clear answer."

Faced with an aging squad and bare cupboards, the habit of trading away picks and prospects for immediate help had finally caught up with the Rangers, and with the owners' backing, GM devo22 slowly began to dismantle the team. One by one, reliable vets like William Karlsson, Jamie Benn, Reilly Smith, Blake Coleman and Esa Lindell were shipped out, in an effort to get younger, stockpile draft picks and build a prospect pool.

Three years later, GM devo22 feels the worst is behind the franchise. Back-to-back bottom 3 finishes (63 and 71 points, respectively) might have tested the fanbase's patience, but not broken the GM's spirits.

"Losing sucks", he says. "There's no doubt about it. But if you look at the bigger picture, we're in a much, much healthier spot than a couple of years ago."

With that in mind, his decision to again flip the switch is hardly a surprise. Having brought in a number of younger players and promising prospects and armed with four 1st round picks in this year's draft, the Rangers have decided to strengthen, and their willingness to trade the team's 2026 1st round pick shows that they are serious.

"Ultimately, this league is not about winning a lottery", GM devo22 adds. "We want to win on the ice."

A message that should resonate with the fans, who, after a couple of difficult seasons, will again be able to witness star power at Madison Squade Garden when the puck drops in the fall. In addition to midseason acquisition Alex DeBrincat, the Rangers have since added big names like forward Mitch Marner and netminder Juuse Saros. And GM devo22 indicates the Rangers are not done.

"We always want to improve", he says. "And we want to be a playoff team again. Sooner, rather than later."

This time, the first round would mark a beginning, not an ending.

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OFFSEASON MOVES SO FAR (excluding pick for pick transactions)

To NYR: Ross Colton
To WSH: Nick Perbix, Simon Zether

To NYR: Mitch Marner, Matty Beniers, 2026 2nd round pick (VAN)
To COL: Morgan Geekie, Yanni Gourde, Matthew Wood, 2026 1st round pick (NYR)

To NYR: Morgan Geekie
To COL: Ross Colton, pick #57

To NYR: Juuse Saros
To NYI: Jonas Korpisalo, Alex Kerfoot, pick #78, 2026 2nd round pick (VAN)