Blue Line Station
Fansided

New York Rangers Player Power Rankings For Entire Team

By Robby Sabo

facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next

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.

1. Ryan McDonagh, LD #27

More from Editorials

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?

Next: Rangers Clinch Presidents' Trophy With Win Against Devils

More from Blue Line Station

Home/Editorials