The Rangers are back to being a two-line team after dealing Matt Cullen back to Carolina for, by all accounts, very little in return. Our always astute readers have continued contributing spot-on commentary of this latest Blueshirts development, and while the only true measure of Glen Sather’s (potential) genius will be this coming season’s record … there’s definitely some anxiety in the blue seats.

Brandon Dubinsky impressed a lot of us, based on the comments posted last season when he was given a chance to skate on the Garden ice. While Callahan was given the full nod last season, Dubinsky is expected to be a fixture this fall. The Rangers definitely keep their hands on the farm longer than other clubs, but now may be the time to give some of their homegrown prospects a real shot at the big time. Filling the void left by Cullen is a huge priority; the Rangers did dispense with some of their depth but they still aren’t the same team that Buffalo dispatched last year. The potential for point production has been significantly increased. The most paramount issue, though, remains the defense.

Slats should have tried to deal Marek Malik along with Cullen and snatch a bigger payoff than Hutchinson, Barnes and a third-rounder. Full marks to Greg for that sharp assessment. Sadly, Malik will have to be sold at face value, and it’s hard to say if a stat as meaningless as +/- will garner the Rangers worthwhile compensation if they deal the Czech blueliner … which segues into the issue of defense in general.

Fran has been hollering for a harsh look at coaching being the culprit for shoddy defense, and it’s a worthwhile argument. Some things are truly innate; skill / talent / knowledge elevates certain players above others, but fundamentals can be taught, styles of play can be coached.

There were moments last season where the Rangers seemed indomitable, and those instants came when players followed their instructions, played their positions and made heads up, disciplined plays. As spectators, our only indication of Tom Renney’s worth as a coach are the results we see in the arena, and it’s hard to argue with the club’s increasingly greater success in his two full years behind the bench.

This season will be a good measure of whether the players themselves or the man behind the bench deserves the credit for that success. That is, with obvious nods given where due to the front office.