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New York Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault, left, and team president and general manager Glen Sather should have an interesting off-season.

(Associated Press)

After falling short in the Stanley Cup finals, New York Rangers fans now have to prepare for an off-season where a multitude of changes could be in the mix.

The Rangers, currently with a projected $71 million cap space, have eight starting-roster spaces open, and while there are many players that can be expected to return, there are just as many quality free-agent players available to replace them. Many Rangers fans are looking forward to a new offensive force to help the inconsistent offensive showing the team had in the playoffs.

With Brad Richards likely being bought-out, the 27-year-old Colorado center, Paul Stastny, is a prime target for Rangers GM Glen Sather to pursue, but is it really the best course of action?

Coach Alain Vigneault has opened the door for the young guns to step up and capture a starting roster spot. JT Miller is likely a player eyeing the opportunity. It makes the most sense for Miller to step up as well. The Rangers, coming off an Eastern Conference title win, have no dire need to make drastic changes to their lineup. Some fine-tuning is what will help them take the next final step, not major trades.

Look for the Rangers to re-sign almost all the players on this season's team. Chris Kreider can be expected to receive a very similar deal to what Derek Stepan received late last off-season during his restricted free-agent negotiations (two-year, $3.075 million).

Two additional key Rangers forward to receive a pay upgrade will be Mats Zuccarello and Derrick Brassard. With their consistent play and effort, three-year, $3.5 million contracts for both players seem fitting.

The only big money contract may go to Anton Stralman. An absolutely outstanding defenseman with one of the best hip-checks in the league certainly deserves a $4 million contract, but some fans may argue that the money could be used elsewhere to help improve the offense.

Adding an offensive player like Stasny could make more sense with young Rangers D-men, Connor Allen and Dylan McIlrath waiting in the wings.

So Rangers fans, what are your thoughts on how the team should approach this off-season? Should they look to retain as much of the team as they can and re-sign Anton Stralman? Or should Sather look to add a top center to improve the team's offensive consistency?

The team can be projected to do nothing but improve next year provided Rick Nash regains his scoring prowess and Kreider and Stepan continue to grow. No matter what happens, the Rangers will have a very interesting off-season to follow.