"Too dysfunctional": NHL insider bluntly shuts down New York Rangers' Stanley Cup chances

The New York Rangers are in a precarious situation right now. They're billed as contenders, but they haven't performed as such this year. They're fifth in the Metropolitan Division and are reportedly considering selling at the deadline.

Harman Dayal and Murat Ates said, via The Athletic, that the underlying worry with New York is that its youth movement has kicked in, but that it's hurting the veterans on the team.

The metrics aren't encouraging and are in line with teams such as the Anaheim Ducks, Montreal Canadiens and San Jose Sharks, all teams struggling mightily. It's all a step down from last year, too.

The NHL analysts wrote:

"A team led by Artemi Panarin, Trocheck, and Alexis Lafrenière — a line that’s outscoring its opponents at five-on-five — and supplemented by Chris Kreider, Zibanejad, and Reilly Smith should be able to win enough of its minutes to have success."

They added:

"At this point, however, it’s hard to take them seriously as Stanley Cup contenders. They’re too dysfunctional, too messy defensively, and have too many even-strength flaws."

With a daunting cap situation coming up this summer, the Rangers aren't in a position to contend well into the future, and their present isn't all that inspiring, either.

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Rangers star discusses team's morale after struggling through streak of games

The New York Rangers finally put an end to their skid, but they still face an uphill battle to get back into contention right now. Despite the win, things have not been good lately. Before that, on Monday, they fell to the last-place Chicago Blackhawks.

Adam Fox discussed the struggles (Imagn)

Adam Fox said on Wednesday:

“It hurts any time you put a stinker up at home ice. It’s not good, especially the way things have been going for us. We’ve tried to keep the morale high and that good energy. We want to string together a couple now. Got to start with one."

He continued:

“Definitely coming into this game [against the Sabres], it was two teams who were just looking for a win, and I thought we battled to get that. Just got to go home and take care of some business, too.”

The Rangers have a difficult stretch coming up, so they will need to hope that the win provides a spark of momentum moving forward.