So for all the heartache we have suffered through this season so far, I've decided to discuss what I really haven't seen on here very much, if at all ... the future.  And since we are now part of what has been a surprising start to the trade season amongst several teams,  there's been a lot of talk, and back & forth banter, on how the Rangers should proceed with the current state of their roster.  Who to trade, who to waive, who to keep, who to buy out, etc.  So here is my view and opinion on how the Rangers should proceed.

     We all know what the Rangers have in their system in various places.  Sanguinetti, Heikkinen, Grachev, Stepan, Kreider, Bourque, McDonagh.  But in all reality, most of these players are still 2 - 3 years away from being NHL ready.  The current Rangers roster is for the most part a very young team with a few exceptions.  Those few exceptions are players that for different reasons cannot be moved because of their contract status and/or value they currently have.  All of us out there in Ranger nation loves to win and hates to lose and watching these losses mount up makes us all sick.  Maybe we should have a few more wins with the players we have, but in all seriousness, can we really compete with Pittsburgh, Washington, New Jersey?  So in the 2 - 3 years that I mentioned above, our current crop of young players gain that much more experience, and the players in the system come up to compliment them.  Plus, I don't think that players such as Gaborik and Lundqvist will age that much and become too old to compete in 2 - 3 years.  Both are the same age and are under 30.  

     Look around the league and notice which teams are at the top of the heap.  Chicago, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Washington, Colorado.  They all have a relatively young team whose core was developed from within.  They all were bad teams for a couple of years until their players in their systems were ready for prime time.  I hear it mentioned quite often that because we are the Rangers we must always put a competitive product on the ice.  That we will not tolerate bad losing seasons.  Well no one likes to lose but I am of the belief that us Ranger fans are different and we would rather somewhat sacrifice a season or two and not trade away assets for a player who is past his prime to appease the so called masses. I was a very proud Ranger fan as I watch Leetch and Richter grow into the players they became.  And even though they were traded, players like Amonte, Weight and Vanbiesbrouck were proud moments for me.  The recent trade of Kotalik and Higgins for Joikinen and Prust was a great move because we unloaded a bad contract in Kotalik, and unloaded a player who just wasn't productive for us in Higgins.  The two players we got in return cannot hurt us long term because they UFA and RFA.  If Joikinen plays well and we do decide to resign him, it should only be for a year or two at most and certainly not for ridiculous sums of money.  Prust is almost a non factor because if he does resign, it will not be for much money at all or for many years.  Then again, I'm not Glen Sather who is the X-Factor in all of this.  

     Of course looking ahead to the future is all fine and dandy and looks great in theory, but it all depends on the development of the young players (both current and in the system) and it's also dependent on things being equal, meaning no unforeseen injuries.  This is also no guarantee that all of this comes together and makes up into a Cup contending team, but I would much rather take a chance in what could be, that what we already know doesn't work as it currently stands.  Can we as Ranger fans go through the growing pains and bumps in the road until our minor league players are ready when some of the current players contracts expire?