Jan 18, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Rangers center Dominic Moore (28) and defenseman Kevin Klein (8) and center J.T. Miller (10) and defenseman Marc Staal (18) congratulate Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) after defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Rangers won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
It’s only fitting that we come up with a complete Player Power Rankings list for the New York Rangers after such a dominating 2014-15 regular season.
With 52 victories and 111 points, the 2014-15 New York Rangers have put forth one of their greatest regular season efforts in franchise history.
Quite frankly, the year turned out to be a splendid surprise – considering Henrik Lundqvist’s injury was a major cause for concern. Perhaps it was this scary injury which allowed the Rangers to mold themselves into the dominant bunch they are now.
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For a long time (especially under John Tortorella), the Rangers relied on the goaltender. Playing such a drastic collapsing defense and coming with the strategy to block shots and win games 2-1 or 1-0, New York had the defensive side ingrained into their DNA.
While Alain Vigneault’s arrival changed the personality drastically, it could be argued the team didn’t fully make their “get it and go” transition until they knew The King wasn’t there to bail them out anymore.
Suddenly the team knew they needed to score goals, and that’s exactly what they did. Along the way, players stepped up and a Presidents’ Trophy winner was crowned.
The question we ask ourselves today, is how would the Rangers roster shake out if we decided to each of them one by one. This list is based purely on the here and now. Yes, history will also be taken into account (as it always and naturally is), but we rank each Rangers player to how talented and valuable they currently are to this squad.
Here are the end of regular season New York Rangers Player Power Rankings:
Next: No. 22 to 18
Apr 2, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; New York Rangers forward Martin St. Louis (26) against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Rangers defeated the Wild 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
22. James Sheppard, RW #45
One of the more underrated acquisitions by general manager Glen Sather during the deadline has been that of James Sheppard.
Acquiring the 26-year old veteran has now allowed Alain Vigneault the luxury plugging in a forward on the fourth-line with no cause for concern. Sheppard can play both wing and center, bringing a defensive mind and faceoff winning attitude with him.
21. Tanner Glass, LW #15
It’s true. Tanner Glass is most definitely the least talented player on the Rangers.
However, his role as the lone enforcer on the team remains valuable. His teammates adore him and Vigneault is familiar with him from his Vancouver days.
20. Dan Boyle, RD #22
Mar 15, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Dan Boyle (22) waves as he
For 38-year old Dan Boyle, his presence as a veteran leader who’s been there before cannot be understated. At the same time though, watching him throughout the season you come to understand that his career is nearing an end.
Oftentimes he’s a bit slow to react in many situations and his once free-flowing skating has disappeared. Boyle is another man who is going through that battle for which father-time always wins.
19. Matt Hunwick, D #44
One of the very few unfortunate things about the Rangers overall depth is the fact that Matt Hunwick will be a healthy scratch very soon.
Once Kevin Klein returns, the guy who has filled in so well all year long (53 games), will be the seventh defenseman on a team who is loaded along the blue-line.
Unless you’re a complete homer, you realize St. Louis is weak on the puck and lacks the defensive prowess the Rangers forwards are accustomed to. Still, he’s come up with 21 goals on the season and will continue to provide leadership through the toughest of times – the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
He is sort of taking on the Glenn Anderson role from 1994.
Next: No. 17 to 13
Apr 2, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; New York Rangers forward Kevin Hayes (13) against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Rangers defeated the Wild 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
17. Kevin Klein, RD #8
One of the dark-horses for team MVP before he broke his arm was Kevin Klein.
Not only was he a stalwart on the defensive end, but he proved to be a goal-scoring machine. Putting up a remarkable nine goals on the season, each one seemed to be bigger than the last.
16. Jesper Fast, LW #19
Mar 22, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Keith Yandle (93) after defeating the Anaheim Ducks at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers defeated the Ducks 7 – 2. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Over the last two months the Rangers have thoroughly enjoyed the play of a few youngsters. One of these guys is most definitely Jesper Fast.
Do yourself a favor the next time you put a Rangers game on. Make it a point to focus on Fast’s effort on the forecheck. The man is a hustling machine who’s also a key element to the penalty kill.
15. J.T. Miller, RW/C #10
Much like Fast, J.T. Miller has enjoyed an extreme breakout during the second half of the NHL season.
Also similar to Fast, Miller is an effort guy who’s had everything click over the last two months. Having guys like this who are willing and able to do the dirty work is what championship teams are made of.
14. Keith Yandle, LD #93
Keith Yandle, interestingly enough, finds himself as the No. 14 player. This is not an indictment on Yandle. This is only proof that this Rangers team is no joke.
Yandle will prove very valuable for the power play during the playoffs. As long as he doesn’t turn the puck over in critical situations, he’ll remain a key cog in the Rangers success.
13. Kevin Hayes, C #13
If Marshawn Lynch is “Beastmode” in the NFL, than Kevin Hayes is his counterpart in hockey.
At 22-years old, the Boston College product is dripping with talent which is slowly but surely revealing itself during the 2014-15 season. 16 goals and 27 assists isn’t bad for a rookie season.
Next: No. 12 to 9
Jan 10, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; New York Rangers center Dominic Moore (28) drives down the ice during the second period against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
12. Derick Brassard, C #16
Now here’s where the Rangers depth really shows up as Derick Brassard comes in as the No. 12 guy.
He has all the qualities to be in the top-five, but hasn’t been a monster as of late. He still leads the team with 41 assists and will be leaned heavily upon to keep setting up Rick Nash.
11. Dan Girardi, RD #5
Mar 22, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers goalie Cam Talbot (33) makes a save against the Anaheim Ducks during the third period at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers defeated the Ducks 7 – 2. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
One of the more reliable leaders on the squad is Dan Girardi.
Amazingly enough, there are two defenseman who rank ahead of the man who has 20 points and a +12 during the campaign. He’ll look to rebound from a pretty poor (for his standards) postseason last spring.
10. Cam Talbot, G #33
It’s truly amazing that one hockey team could have two goalies in their top 10, but with Cam Talbot as a backup that’s exactly what the Rangers Power Rankings look like.
The Steven Mcdonald Extra Effort award winner is the best backup goalie in all the land and the catalyst for why this team has won the Presidents’ Trophy. His play was no fluke as you witnessed it with your own eyes. Spectacular plays and one of the filthiest gloves in the league, Talbot is a burgeoning star.
9. Dominic Moore, C #28
Dominic Moore continues to plug along as the most unheralded player on the team.
What the 34-year old center does receives very little credit. That is, until, he comes out of the lineup. Moore is one of the more valuable guys on the team. His penalty killing is spectacular and represents the only real faceoff man on the team.
Next: No. 8 to 5
Apr 2, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; New York Rangers forward Mats Zuccarello (36) against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Rangers defeated the Wild 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
8. Carl Hagelin, LW #62
The other half (Dominic Moore) of the best penalty killing forward-pairing in the league is speedster Carl Hagelin.
Hagelin is not only the fastest skater in the league, he makes up so much ground and makes so many little plays during the course of a game, that it’s simply amazing. His defensive and intangible abilities remain critical to the Rangers success in the upcoming playoffs.
If he had better hands and an accurate shot, he’d be one of the best players in the NHL.
7. Chris Kreider, LW #28
Jan 20, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers left wing Carl Hagelin (62) celebrates scoring the game winning goal on Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) during the overtime at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers defeated the Senators 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
If we want to discuss X-Factors, then young stud Chris Kreider needs to be mentioned.
Yes, Kreider has tallied 21 goals on the season. Yes, he’s a load to handle in front of the net. Still, the kid has so much more room to grow, and if he can elevate his game right now, he could be the equivalent to Alex Kovalev for the Rangers during the 1994 run.
6. Derek Stepan, C #21
Although Derek Stepan feels like he’s been around forever, he’s still only 24.
Stepan is a true 2-way forward who can do it all. Now, centering the second-line with Chris Kreider on the left and J.T. Miller on the right, Stepan must keep his recent offensive production going into the playoffs.
Although he’s only played 66 games, he’s third on the team with 55 points (16 goals and 39 assists).
5. Mats Zuccarello, LW #36
It’s possible no other Rangers player symbolizes the heart and soul of the team more than little Mats Zuccarello does.
For the Rangers, the act of hitting a player sometimes becomes non-existent. Fortunately, they have Zuccarello who’s willing to throw his body into anything and everything. He’s a pest who agitates the calmest of opponents.
And oh yeah, he’s the best playmaker on the team, pure and simple.
Next: No. 4 to 1
Apr 2, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. The Rangers defeated the Wild 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
4. Marc Staal, LD #18
Even though it took a while to rebound from that scary eye injury, Marc Staal is now fully back.
Staal is by far the best defensive defenseman on the Rangers. His stick placement is ungodly and his reach is unbeatable. Remaining physical in front of Henrik Lundqvist will be huge for Staal come Stanley Cup time.
3. Henrik Lundqvist, G #30
Feb 22, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers left wing Rick Nash (61) after scoring a goal during a shoot-out with the Columbus Blue Jackets at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers defeated the Blue Jackets 4-3 in a shoot out. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Last year around this time Henrik Lundqvist would’ve finished as the No. 1 guy on this list. Not anymore, and this is a fantastic thing for the entire organization.
No longer does he have to do everything for the Rangers. They can actually win games offensively. Still though, Lundqvist’s 29 wins, 2.26 goals against average and 9.23 save percentage isn’t too shabby.
They will travel as far as Lundqvist takes them.
2. Rick Nash, LW #61
Rick Nash established a new career high in goals with a total of 42 this season. However, some fans started to worry that Nash was once again fading into oblivion as he experienced an eight-game goalless streak during March.
Have no fear.
With New York possessing three-lines that can all score – with the Hayes and Stepan lines just as dangerous – Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello will make sure Nash doesn’t get cold during the postseason. His assassin like goal scoring this year has been huge for the Rangers.
As we know, a team’s best players must be their best players in the biggest of games.
The New York Rangers best player is their captain, Ryan McDonagh.
Now, while it can be argued Rick Nash enjoyed a better season, McDonagh represents that key element the Rangers need to have in order to experience championship success.
We all know McDonagh can defend. He’s a whiz in the defensive zone and is third on the team with a +22. Where he needs to step it up is in the offensive zone. While 32 points is nice, if the 25-year old McDonagh can up his offensive game in the playoffs, it will then provide the Rangers with another deadly element opponents simply will not be able to match.
Alain Vigneault has made it his purpose in life to see that it happens. The question remains, will McDonagh ever fill that offensive potential?
