Hark! The heralded Rangers stink.(NHL)(New York Rangers)

When inspired, Jaromir Jagr challenges Peter Forsberg as the best player in the game. When motivated, he can be a dominant player. When healthy, he is one of the few non-goalies who can win a playoff series for his team.

Adding Jagr means adding incredible production if the planets are aligned. Adding Jagr could mean the difference between being a first-round loser and a Stanley Cup contender for some teams. But the Rangers are not one of those teams. The Rangers, who acquired Jagr from the Capitals last Friday, don't need him.

The Rangers need defensemen, high-quality goaltending and youth. The Rangers need an organization full of developing talent. The Rangers need to miss the playoffs.

Yes, missing the playoffs is the best thing that can happen to this team. Six straight seasons without a postseason berth didn't seem to get the message across. Fans should hope that Unlucky No. 7 finally tells ownership that this method simply is madness.

It's time to stop saying Rangers fans won't tolerate rebuilding. That dreaded R-word keeps this unsuccessful management approach going. Maybe the club should think about some alternate words. What about refund (which Rangers fans chanted at a recent game), or resignation (which is what Rangers fans would like from general manager and coach Glen Sather), or retire (which is what some Rangers players should do), or playoff revenue (which the Rangers haven't had since the spring of 1997)?

Rebuilding isn't the most embarrassing R-word. It's Rangers.

Rebuild. What's the harm? Fans would get behind a group of younger players coming together. Rebuilding doesn't mean not being competitive. This is not about the destruction of a team such as the Penguins.