This is that rare time of a rebuild where everything is win-win
Toronto had something similar in Matthews first year, they saw improvement in play and made the playoffs. They pushed Washington to a competitive series....all that was just gravy, they would have been equally ok with just missing the playoffs after such an exciting year
I feel that way about this year...Panarin and Zib going off, young studs like Igor and Fox coming through, playing exciting hockey....hell if we beat Carolina great, if we don't, then we get a lottery pick, also great
I'm loving this time as a Rangers fan