This offseason, the New York Rangers organization was able to secure pieces to their success of last year. Key contributors such as the young star Chris Kreider, last year’s leading scorer Mats Zuccarello, and hard-working Derick Brassard were inked to contracts that will keep them on Broadway for at least another year. In addition, the team was able to add on to their foundation by signing the likes of defenseman Dan Boyle, Tanner Glass, Matthew Lombardi, and Lee Stempniak.
However, the music never seems to stop for the Rangers.
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After this season, general manager Glen Sather and his staff will have another handful of free agents to make decisions on. Defenseman Marc Staal and Derek Stepan may top the list of the team’s priorities.
One name that may slip under the radar is Carl Hagelin. The left-winger is entering the last year of his two-year extension originally signed in July 2013. Hagelin’s cap hit is $2.25 million this season.
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Carl Hagelin has been with the New York Rangers organization for his entire three years in the NHL. During that time, he has played in 184 games, amassing 95 points (41 goals, 54 assists). Along with that, Hagelin is a career +/- 39. His career high in goals is 17 from last season. Hagelin’s rookie season in 2011-2012 saw career highs in assists (24) and points (38).
He also played in 54 playoff games, all with the Rangers. During that time, he has 21 total points. His highest offensive productions came last season with 7 seven goals and five assists. He led the league in short-handed goals with two, during last season’s Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Of course, he does add another dimension to the Rangers lineup. He’s fast. In his rookie year, Carl Hagelin burst onto the scene in New York. His skating ability had not been seen by Rangers fans in a long time, perhaps since the great Mike Gartner or Marian Gaborik laced up their skates for the team. He won the fastest rookie skater competition at the NHL All-Star weekend in Ottawa. He has used his speed on special teams. After an unsuccessful attempt at joining the power play in previous seasons, head coach Alain Vigneault gave Hagelin the opportunity on the penalty kill in 2013-2014. And he thrived, helping Rangers rank among the top 10 shorthanded teams in the NHL.
Puck Prose
Sometimes his speed can be to his disadvantage. When pursuing the puck, he may sometimes overskate with his speed and take himself out of the play. He needs to control his skates and pick his times to be aggressive. Another improvement to his game he could work on is his goal conversions. We know he can out-skate his opponents, most of the time. However, he fails to bury the puck in the back of the net.
Entering his contract year this season, Hagelin will need to prove his worth. He has the potential to do much more than what he has accomplished up to this point. He just needs to realize it.