Brandon Dubinsky

After every game of the 2011-2012 season, each New York Rangers player will be assigned a letter grade based on his individual performance, impact on the game and outlook going forward.

In the regular-season home opener, the New York Rangers lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2, bringing their record to 3-3-2.

Let’s take a look at the grades:

This year's class of unrestricted free agents was weak. This summer's class of restricted rree agents was a bumper crop that featured the likes of Steven Stamkos, Drew Doughty, Shea Weber, Keith Yandle and Zach Parise, among others.

Does it strike anyone else as odd that not a single offer sheet has been extended this summer?

In my opinion, it's not only odd, it seems just downright moronic.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are currently the only team in the NHL's Eastern Conference not to sign an unrestricted free agent.

Like many Leafs fans, I spent much of the early part of July 1 feverishly checking to see if Toronto had signed anyone, then spent much of the latter part of the day angrily cursing about the lack of activity in Leaf Land.

Thankfully, sleep has provided some clarity.

Brad Richards, Brad Richards, Brad Richards.

The hope that Leaf nation has put in this one player is reminiscent of superstars past. The Sedins and Rick Nash were three previous players that had the titles of Saviors in Leafland ...except, they didn't end up signing in Toronto and all hope was lost.

Let's learn from our mistakes and consider some other options, shall we?

The Washington Capitals currently hold a two games to one lead over the New York Rangers in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, but there 10 very good reasons why the Rangers will upset the top-seeded Capitals and advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals.

If you wanna see Alexander Ovechkin lose, read the rest of the slideshow.

It's been an up and down year for the New York Rangers.

They've had to deal with plenty of injuries, trade rumours, underperforming star players and nearly everything else under the sun.

Yet they are currently tied for sixth place in the Eastern Conference with the Montreal Canadiens and have nearly guaranteed themselves a place in the playoffs.

However, no matter how well the team does in the remainder of the season and playoffs, there are still things that need to be done when the season's over.

Another disappointing season will soon draw to a close for the Minnesota Wild, and a frustrated fan base is looking forward to what should be a major summer shake up for the team.  It was made painstakingly clear this season that the team lacks a game-changing, top-six forward who can find the back of the net.  With prospects like Jason Zucker and Mikael Granlund at least a year or two away, General Manager Chuck Fletcher is forced to look outside of the organization for options.

The Rangers might want to start putting some four-leaf clovers around the locker room.  On Wednesday, New York Rangers coach John Tortorella announced that captain Chris Drury will undergo knee surgery and miss close to six weeks. 

Phil Kessel, quite possibly the most talked about athlete in the city of Toronto for weeks now is mired in an 11 game scoring drought that has seen his once adept touch escape him.

Kessel was acquired in probably Brian Burke’s worst deal, when he dealt two first-round selections in 2010 and 2011 along with a 2010 second rounder for Phil Kessel.

To make matters worse, the Leafs could have ended up with Tyler Seguin without that trade, so that not only makes the trade difficult to swallow but also difficult for Leafs Nation to forget.

We are only 27 days away from the trade deadline and if all is right in the world, Brian Burke should be quite active in the days leading up to February 28th.

With the Maple Leafs currently standing 26th in the NHL, almost anyone on the Leafs roster should be considered trade bait. Phil Kessel, Luke Schenn, and Jonas Gustavsson are the only players that might be considered "untouchables."

But the question is: who might the Leafs acquire in any deal they make? There have already been many rumors involving the Leafs.