Why does it have to be either "4 effective lines" or a "team of goons"? What does "4 effective lines" even mean? We don't have that now so why is that an argument against anything?
No one in the league anymore is a goon. People have to let that go. There are no players in this league, outside of short callups(like that Gabriel kid in San Jose), that do nothing but fight. That time is over. And when people bring up the idea of adding grittier players to the lineup, dismissing them with the "toffness" argument is disingenuous.
The Rangers can add tough players and still be a skilled team. It doesn't have to be one or the other. There are plenty on the market this summer and the Rangers should absolutely try to sign and/or acquire some.
Also, if anyone is trashing Reaves as a player they don't watch the Knights. But that's beside the point, too, cause it doesn't just have to be Reaves since Vegas likely wont trade him. Foligno, Simmonds, Chara, Getzlaf, Sutter, Jordie Benn(But maybe Jamie for cheap too if Dallas is gonna change it up?), Luke Schenn, Gudbranson. All these players can still play, bring an element we lack and will probably be cheap money wise and short term length wise. It seems foolish to believe all the players on the team need to be one way and that we can't possibly be both skilled and tough. Fast and heavy.