Time is now for Rangers to move on from playoff hero Barclay Goodrow

The decision would be easy if Barclay Goodrow hadn’t risen to the occasion both in the playoffs and in the conference final against Florida. 

But of course No. 21 did, just as advertised when he came to New York as a quasi-free agent after freshly minted GM Chris Drury acquired his rights from Tampa Bay and signed the winger to a six-year deal with an annual $3,641,667 cap hit. 

So the calculus has become more difficult. The decision has become more challenging for Drury and the hierarchy. The Rangers need more players with playoff fiber, not fewer. They need as many known playoff quantities as they can get as they mount up one more time against the forces of no-tax Florida. 

But the conclusion should be the same: The Rangers need more size and speed. They need to open salary-cap space. The Rangers benefitted from Goodrow’s presence in going to the conference final in two of three seasons on Broadway, but now, in the cold light of 14 days away from elimination, it is time to move on from the forward, who will turn 32 at the end of February. 

Goodrow scored two goals in the Rangers’ final victory of the season, the Game 3 overtime triumph over the Panthers, after also scoring in Game 2. He had scored six goals in 13 playoff games after recording four in 80 games during the regular season. Goodrow clearly had been one of the club’s best players against Florida. 

Then, Goodrow got 5:12 of even-strength ice time through the first two periods of Game 4; 4:32 of even-strength ice through the first two periods of Game 5 then 7:33 at even-strength through the first two periods of Game 6.