This isn't your grandfather's version of the New York Rangers.

First, the 2001-02 season brought the Broadway debut of Eric Lindros, former Flyer and archenemy of the Rangers. The center was far from a disappointment in the red, white and blue, giving the team a big top-line center it desperately needed and leading the team in scoring. The boost was still not enough for the Rangers, who again plummeted before the All-Star break and couldn't fight back, ending up missing the postseason for a fifth straight season.

	2001-02 by the numbers
	Record: 36-38-4-4, 80 points (21st overall, 11th East, 4th Atlantic) Goals for: 227/2.77 (T11th overall) Goals against: 258/3.15 (29th overall) Differential: -31 (23rd overall) 20-goal scorers: Eric Lindros (37), Theo Fleury (24), Petr Nedved (21) 50-point scorers: Lindros (73), Fleury (63), Mike York (57), Brian Leetch (55)

Looking at next season
Now, the latest installment of the Big Apple panic brings Bryan Trottier. The former Islander center replaced the dismissed Ron Low as head coach, a change that can safely be called the Gasp Heard 'Round Manhattan (for those outside the New York area, Trottier tormented the Rangers during his 15 seasons with the Isles). It's a move Rangers fans never thought would happen, but like it or not, it will dictate where New York goes next season.

With Rangers general manager Glen Sather deciding not to return to coaching himself, he picked someone after his own heart. Trottier is firm, and knows how to win. He won six Stanley Cups as a player (four with the Isles, two with the Penguins), and was an assistant coach when the Avs won it all in 2001. Colorado captain Joe Sakic once said of Trottier: "When he talks, guys listen."

That will be the key for Trottier -- getting the collective attention of individual superstars like Lindros and Pavel Bure, and making it work under the watchful eye of veteran captain Mark Messier, who reportedly will a sign a new one-year contract to stay with the Rangers.

Then, there's the new blood. After losing out on some big-time free agents like Bill Guerin and Curtis Joseph, the Rangers managed not to walk away empty-handed.

New York didn't look too far, signing Bobby Holik from the Devils for a reported five-year deal worth $45 million. Holik, 31, is an in-your-face center who is also an offensive force -- he notched 25 goals and 29 assists last season. It gives the Rangers an added punch they lacked. The one question will be Holik's off-ice demeanor, since the center has never had problems speaking his mind.

Another big improvement came where the Rangers needed it most -- defense. Darius Kasparaitis, who players love to have on their side and hate to have as an opponent, makes the Rangers' defensive unit much tougher. Impressing Trottier during Darius' short stint in Colorado last season, Kasparaitis was second in the league in hits during the regular season (373) and playoffs (112). No Ranger made the top 20 in hits last season. It will also help if the Rangers sign restricted free agent Tom Poti, who played only 11 games in New York after being acquired from Edmonton via the Mike York trade in March. Poti and veteran Brian Leetch could make a dangerous set-up tandem at the blue line.

Goaltender Mike Richter returned to the Rangers after being exposed to the free-agent market. There are disputes as to whether or not Sather would have instead taken Joseph if the Red Wings hadn't nabbed him first, but Richter and New York agreed to a two-year deal.

There are still some holes for the Rangers to fill before the start of the new season.

First, will Messier indeed return for another season? All indications are pointing to his return. Next, who will replace Theo Fleury? Despite all of his outbursts, the left wing was second in team scoring last season with 24 goals and 39 assists. Free-agent winger Tony Amonte would have more than adequately filled the vacancy, but he signed a four-year deal with the Coyotes.