The next “best” line for the New York Rangers has finally arrived.
Training Camp produced a brand new line for the New York Rangers, as two newcomers joined a young veteran who has not tapped into his full potential yet. The players are Mika Zibamejad, Pavel Buchnevich and Chris Kreider. The line they formed in Training Camp hereby will be known as the” KZB Line.”
Preseason games showed fans and coaches alike a glimpse of what these three could do, and it was enough. Head Coach Alain Vigneault decided to take a chance and named them the first line for the Blueshirts.
Opening Night Fireworks
Opening the season is something special and the Rangers have not opened the season at home since 2007, but this season they did just that. It did not take long for the KZB Line to set the pace for the game as they combined for five points. The prettiest of which was a sweet pass from Buchnevich, which sprung Kreider on a breakaway down the left side.
Easily outskating the Islander defenseman, Kreider swooped in from the left, made a move and put the puck in the net to regain the lead at 3-2. The Rangers never trailed again and won the game 5-3.
Leading the Way in St. Louis
Picking up where they left off against the Islanders, the KZB Line picked up four more points in St. Louis. Kreider and Zibanejad each scored a goal and assisted each other. Unfortunately, they were the only goals scored that night, as the Blueshirts fell to the Blues 3-2.
Speed, Size and Strength
All three players are under 26, over 6 feet tall, weigh over 190 and can skate like the wind. They also have a grittiness about them which they use when they go into the corners for loose pucks or fight along the boards for possession. That unique combination, added to working hard to prove yourself, can take a player a long way.
Pavel Buchnevich is but 21 and from Russia where he played in the KHL. He has heard that he may not belong in the NHL. That the KHL is not close to the Big Time. Wanting to show that you are good enough to belong can be that driving force that keeps you in the lineup.
Buch is talented, in fact very talented; but he does not rely on just that. Hard work at the Traverse City Tournament and Training Camp got him a roster spot. Now even more hard work, grit and determination, as well as talent and skill; will keep him on Broadway for years to come.
Mika Zibanejad also has a chip on his shoulder. His comes from being the talented yet not quite reaching your potential in Ottawa. Traded to the Rangers for Derick Brassard during the off-season, gave him a new lease on life.
Hoping to tap into his full potential, he was placed on this line and he responded to the task. Sometimes a change of scenery is just what a player needs. Both the Rangers and Zib believe that to be true.
Chris Kreider also plays with a chip on his shoulder. Blessed with great ability and a penchant for extreme workouts, Kreider finds it impossible to please everyone. His blazing speed for such a big man (he is 6 foot 3 and weighs 228 pounds) can blow a game wide open with one of his dashes up the ice or thundering breakaways.
He can score, but not enough to please the media. He does not know his own strength, and when he crashes the net or checks an opponent, the media lashes out with cries of “cheap shot artist”. This irks him and many Ranger fans. It also puts a burr under his saddle to raise his play even higher, which will certainly make him one of the best players in the League.
Next: Bold Predictions for the 16-17 Season
I see not only many goals this season for the KZB Line, but grit determination and respect from the rest of League. I also see many, many happy Ranger fans and a ton of their jerseys in and around MSG.