<p>Jim Cerny sits down with Newsday Rangers beat writer Colin Stephenson to break down a difficult season and look ahead to what could be a defining offseason for New York. The two dig into the gaping hole in the top six left by the Artemi Panarin trade, whether the Rangers have the pieces — or the assets — to fix it, and why the free agent market this summer won't bail them out. They also assess Mike Sullivan's first year behind the bench, the encouraging post-Olympic stretch from Alexis Lafreniere and Gabe Perreault, what to realistically expect from the prospect pipeline, the Mika Zibanejad bounce-back season, the injury toll on Igor Shesterkin and Adam Fox, and what a Chris Drury retool actually looks like. Plus — should Vincent Trocheck be moved, and is Alex Tuch a realistic free agent target?</p><p>🎙️ Rink Rap is the New York Rangers podcast from Forever Blueshirts.</p><p>🔔 Subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss an episode.</p><p><strong>Chapters:</strong></p><p><strong>0:00</strong> — Intro &amp; welcome to Colin Stephenson&nbsp;</p><p><strong>3:56</strong> — Rangers' top six problem: who replaces Panarin's production?&nbsp;</p><p><strong>6:29</strong> — Was trading Panarin always the plan — and why?&nbsp;</p><p><strong>8:02</strong> — JT Miller &amp; the shift toward a grittier identity&nbsp;</p><p><strong>26:14</strong> — Lafreniere's breakout: sustainable or situational?&nbsp;</p><p><strong>29:24</strong> — Gabe Perreault: encouraging signs, but pump the brakes&nbsp;</p><p><strong>30:00</strong> — Sakura, Kamilash and keeping youth expectations in check&nbsp;</p><p><strong>32:06</strong> — Mike Sullivan's first season: the good, the bad, the verdict&nbsp;</p><p><strong>43:57</strong> — Vincent Trocheck: keep him or trade him?&nbsp;</p><p><strong>48:17</strong> — The Florida Panthers model and why skill still wins&nbsp;</p><p><strong>50:51</strong> — Chris Drury's roster-building philosophy: overcorrected on grit?&nbsp;</p><p><strong>57:30</strong> — Adam Fox injury concerns and the Igor Shesterkin health factor&nbsp;</p><p><strong>01:01:46</strong> — Cap space, free agency outlook and the Tuch/Radish UFA market&nbsp;</p><p><strong>01:02:28</strong> — Trade vs. free agency: the smarter path to upgrading the Rangers</p>