Both of the Rangers’ two closest neighbors made cutthroat decisions in the last handful of days.

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The Devils ousted president and general manager Tom Fitzgerald on Monday following a six-year tenure that produced only two brief playoff appearances. It wasn’t surprising given the potential of New Jersey’s roster and the reality of their season, but the move came swiftly regardless of time and place.

Entering the day of the firing, the Devils were still mathematically eligible for the playoffs — albeit needing a miracle to actually happen — with five games left in the season.

But much work needs to be done on the Devils roster this upcoming offseason. This allows the organization to throw its hat in the hockey operations ring alongside the Maple Leafs and Predators.