New York Rangers: 5 Reasons 2015 Reminds Us Of 1994
By Robby Sabo
Jan 20, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers right wing Jesper Fast (19) congratulates right wing Kevin Hayes (13) for scoring a goal against the Ottawa Senators during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
3. Studs Entering Stardom
Even if you claim to be the biggest Rangers fan in the world, I bet I stump some of you on this next question.
Who was the Rangers top point scorer during the 1993-94 regular season?
You’d probably guess Mark Messier right? I mean, he was the MVP just two seasons earlier during his first season in New York. Or how about Brian Leetch? He was the Norris Trophy that same very 1991-92 season and scored over 100 points with his good friend Messier.
If not those two, it must be Adam Graves then. After all, he did break the Rangers single-season record for goals in a season with 52 that year.
Nope. The correct answer is defenseman Sergei Zubov.
At just 23-years of age, Zubov enjoyed a true breakout season in ’94. When the Rangers found themselves on the power play that season, him playing the point with Leetch with Graves, Messier and Alex Kovalev up front was a dream unit.
Zubov led the team with 89 points that season.
Additionally, the aforementioned Kovalev was just brilliant during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Without Zubov and Kovalev’s rise to prominence in those playoffs, they would’ve come up short.
In 2015 we are seeing the same type of potential with the likes of Kevin Hayes and Chris Kreider.
Both guys are absolute beasts and can each play the role of true power forward with a little polishing. Jesper Fast and T.J. Miller furthering their development this season is even further reason to get excited about the task which lies ahead.
Next: Reason No. 2