New York Rangers’ Olympic Outlook: Determining the Representatives

There is plenty of controversy surrounding whether or not the NHL will send players from any team including the New York Rangers to the Olympics in 2018. NHL players have been adamant about wanting to go, so let’s see which Rangers would represent their respective countries in the event.

Six current New York Rangers represented their respective countries in the 2014 Winter Olympics. Canada went on to win the event, with Rick Nash serving as the only Ranger to win the gold. Should the NHL participate in the 2018 event, here’s a look at which Rangers would make their respective squads.

The Definites:

Dan Girardi would….just kidding.

Henrik Lundqvist is a no brainer for Sweden despite his recent struggles. Sure, Sweden has Jacob Markstrom coming up in the system, but Lundqvist is a former gold medalist and one of the elite goalies in the NHL.

Even if Lundqvist’s struggles continue, he is a premier performer on the big stage, and Sweden’s talented defense would be able to assist the embattled netminder in ways the Rangers defense can’t.

Lundqvist will make Sweden, and will be in net for Sweden. If anything else happens it will be due to injury.

Ryan McDonagh was chosen by Wayne Greztky to play with Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin in the All-Star Game over fellow American defensemen Justin Faulk and Seth Jones. It was only an exhibition game, but it says a lot about the perception of McDonagh around the league.

McDonagh was rightfully handed a top pair assignment in the World Cup of Hockey, and logged heavy minutes in the 2014 Olympics.

Not only will he make the team, but McDonagh will be in the running for a letter on his jersey. Expect the Rangers defenseman to play top pair minutes if the NHL heads to the Olympics.

Mats Zuccarello is the best Norwegian hockey player alive. Enough said.

The Probables:

Derek Stepan made the 2014 roster, as well as the 2016 World Cup of Hockey roster. He is a playmaker that can play in all situations, something the American brass typically values highly.

Stepan may become a victim of America becoming a stronger nation and/or looking for a new look after the World Cup of Hockey debacle, but his reputation in the United States is strong.

The prediction here is that Stepan clings to one of the final roster spots, playing fourth line minutes and garnering his fair share of animosity from fans who would like a younger team.

Mika Zibanejad was a controversial exception from Sweden’s roster in the World Cup of Hockey. Zibanejad has shown great progression in his game this season, and by the time next season rolls around he should be at the top of his game.

Zibanejad is much like Stepan in the fact that he can play in all situations, so the only way he is left off the roster is if Sweden feels they have too many forwards to bring a new one into the mix. Zibanejad will likely claim a spot, and will likely get decent playing time as well.

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The Possibles:

Pavel Buchnevich‘s greatest weakness when trying to make Russia’s roster will be his age. Buchnevich has shown the ability to be a ridiculous playmaker at a young age, but Russia takes their hockey incredibly seriously.

It’s certainly possible that Russia does not want to risk giving playing time to an inexperienced, flashy player over a veteran that has been there before.

Buchnevich could also be the victim of Russia’s forward depth, as that is one area Russia has not struggled in historically.

Kevin Hayes, Chris Kreider, and J.T. Miller could all make the United States’ roster, or two of them could, or one, or none. All of them have shots at the roster, but it will come down to if the United States prioritizes experience, speed, a combination of the two, or blindly throws together a roster.

Miller represented Team North America as one of the first 15 players selected, so his reputation around the league is strong. Kreider’s speed is no secret, and Hayes’ playmaking abilities are beginning to be noticed.

Any of the trio could make America’s roster, but it will come down to the numbers game. The guess here is one of the three makes the team.

Rick Nash was a controversial selection to Team Canada in 2014, but don’t count on him making the team again in 2018. There are far too many options and Nash is aging, two factors that will likely end his time playing for his home nation.

Canada is a loyal country, however, so it remains possible Nash gets a spot based on his prior contributions.

Antti Raanta would certainly be a surprise addition, but considering the 2014 Finnish Bronze medalists featured Kari Lehtonen as one of the goaltenders, anything is possible. Raanta’s reputation is growing stronger thanks to his play behind Henrik Lundqvist, so he could find his way onto Finland’s roster as the third goalie.

He will be in the mix, but it will come down to whether or not Finland wants to go with experience, youth, or the best goalie available. When it comes to the Olympics you never know.

Next: New York Rangers Definitive Deadline Plan

Impossible:

Michael Grabner represented Austria in 2014, but they will not be in the 2018 Olympics.

Thoughts?