Mar 18, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) and New York Rangers center Derek Stepan (21) face off during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
It’s not October yet. However, there’s so much anticipation to see our New York Rangers takes the ice.
With the tinkering made this offseason, how will the team perform? Will changes in personnel make the dynamic of the team difficult or seamless?
The good thing is, the core group of players is still in place. Starting from the goalie position, through defense, and up to forwards, a majority of the players have remained to continue in their usual spots on the ice.
However, there are still question marks on players that this season may answer. It may determine if they are keepers to continue with, or time to part ways with and move forward.
As a fan, it’s never fun to watch a player struggle when you know they can do better. We’ve all seen what they can do, it’s just the consistency that we all want. Some players we want to see if they can replicate what they did in the past and build on it.
It’s make or break for these five players to see if they stay under the spotlight of Madison Square Garden.
Next: Unleash the Kraken
Dec 16, 2014; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) celebrates his first period goal against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
Kreider is entering a contract year, when the season gets underway. Depending on how he performs will be a huge factor in his next contract with the Rangers. This will be his final year of his two-year bridge contract, which was signed before the start of the 2013-2014 season. The next contract he signs will be a good raise from his current $2.475 million. We assume that, but not everything is written in stone.
However, Kreider does, and will receive an increase in beer money, it’s just a matter of how much. I believe the Rangers should put the 24-year old as priority to keep after next season. He’s already dangerous threat to opposing goalies, what makes you think Kreider will not send his “hello’s” to Henrik Lundqvist or any Rangers goalies.
He’s an asset to have for any team, and is continuing to prove he belongs in Rangers blue.
The only downfall for Kreider has been taking bad penalties. With each passing season with the Rangers, his penalty minutes have risen and at inopportune times. I am not saying he has to play like a Lady Byng candidate, but he definitely needs to control his actions on the ice and reduce the amount of time he sees the sin-bin.
He’s too much of a good player to be kept off the ice due to being a liability.
2014-2015 stats: 80 games played (21 goals, 25 assists), +24, 88 PIM, 15:42 TOI- Career high’s
Next: Will it be Happy Hour in New York with Miller time
May 10, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) prepares to make a save on New York Rangers center J.T. Miller (10) in the first period in game six of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
The jury is still out on Miller. Will be able to make more of a consistent impact this season, if given fair playing time? Can it be enough to justify keeping him another at least another three years?
The former first-round selection by the Rangers in 2011 has yet to prove he belongs in a starting role. But, if last year was any indication of his potential as a starter moving forward, Miller may have a spot waiting for him this season.
Of course, we said the same thing coming out of training camp last season. Unfortunately, he was sent back to Hartford, before being recalled and played rest of the regular season and all of the postseason.
He will need to impress the coaching staff out of training camp again, and show them that he belongs in the starting lineup. And with a roster spot open, the opportunity is there for Miller to seize.
If Miller doesn’t play consistently by the trade deadline in March, he could find himself in new surroundings.
2014-2015 stats: 58 games played (10 goals, 13 assists), +5, 23 PIM, 12:41 TOI
Next: Will Jesper be as Fast this season
Nov 26, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Rangers right wing Jesper Fast (19) warms up before the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Though I don’t believe Fast will not make the team out of training camp next season, there’s still a question of how much of an impact he could become.
As we saw last season, he seemed to fit in well on the third and fourth lines. However, what raised my eyebrow was his ability to co-exist on the line with Derek Stepan and Chris Kreider, on the right side. It seems that was a revolving door between J.T. Miller, Kevin Hayes, and Fast.
Still, it begs the question, could Fast be there permanently? Though, his role has been mainly in the bottom six, and could remain there for the upcoming season, it could be something to look for in the first half of the season.
Granted, his points have not been glamorous to justify putting him on a top six line, Fast looks like he has the ability to contend for a spot with Stepan and Kreider.
However, one has to think if Fast could become the next Carl Hagelin. Quick on his skates, hard-working, but just doesn’t seem to score consistently to justify putting him on a top scoring line. But, it would be an experiment to see if it works. Of course, this would depend on how the team is fairing next season.
I’d like to see what Fast is capable of doing and where Alain Vigneault uses him.
2014-2015 stats: 58 games played (6 goals, 8 assists), -1, 8 PIM, 11:48 TOI
Next: Is there an Oscar waiting for the Rangers?
Sep 26, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; New York Rangers center Oscar Lindberg (48) celebrates his goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period at the United Center. The New York Rangers defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4-1. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
This is one player I’d like to if he can play at the NHL level.
A natural center, it will be curious to see where he could be used, either down the middle or on the wings. It’s a bit crowded with the addition of Emerson Etem. Also, there is Kevin Hayes, whose play made him an asset to the Rangers last season at the same position as Lindberg. This could cause to have adjust to the right side, if he wants a greater chance to make the team. Or, this could work the other way too.
Or, we could just wait till training camp in September to see what unfolds.
Lindberg did get a taste with the big club, filling in for Rick Nash in February. It was his only game and too small of a sample size to see what he is capable of doing.
However, in two years with the Hartford Wolf Pack, he’s scored 100 points. In the Calder Cup playoffs, Lindberg scored 16 points in 15 games last season. He tied for fourth in assists with teammate Chris Bourque with 13 assists. He had a two-game point streak, where he scored two goals and three assists.
Is this enough to place Lindberg on the Rangers radar as the next young hopeful? Maybe, maybe not. However, he’s spent the past two years playing in North America, adjusting to the game here and smaller rinks.
Why not give him a longer look and see life he could fit into the team’s plans going forward?
2014-2015 stats with Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL): 75 games played (28 goals, 28 assists), +7, 68 PIM
Next: Final Act on Broadway?
Feb 7, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Rangers left winger Rick Nash (61) prior to the game against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
And, we end with the player that has generated so many mixed emotions in fans that he could write his own book.
Rick Nash’s time with the Rangers has been a enigma of a career. Being paid $7.8 million a year with a long-term contract that will expire at the end of the 2018 season, can he make it?
He will be 33 years old by the time his contract expires, so supposedly these are the prime years as a hockey player. However, these past three seasons have been short of “prime time” for #61.
Especially in the postseason, Nash’s production has been effective less in the playoffs, scoring 15 points (four goals, eleven assists) in 37 games in the Rangers’ march to the Eastern Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Final.
However, he may have made up for some of that undesirable results last season. In 19 games, he scored 14 points (five goals, nine assists). He showed the willingness to get down-low and become a tough player to clear the crease with.
With that said, he’s still has room to improve. There is no doubts when his offensive game is not present on a given night, Nash makes up for the loss with his defense. And that might be his saving grace to remain in New York past next season.
I compare his situation to Marian Gaborik’s time on Broadway. Great during the regular season, but a missing body in the postseason. And that experiment lasted three seasons. Of course, that was during a strenuous time for the team with John Tortorella manning the helm. Perhaps, it would have been a different story with Alain Vigneault, but we will never know.
But, Nash is improving his game, and that needs to continue. He will need to build on his success from last year (team leading: 69 points, 42 goals, +29), as well as his playoff performance (ranking in the top three on the team in offensive production).
With the Rangers’ salary cap issues year after year, his lack of production and usefulness has painted a target on his back. Plus, his cap hit each season easily justifies him being moved.
That is why the 2015-2016 season may prove to be an important one for Nash and the team. With any relationship, you can only take so much till you reach your breaking point.
With Nash, the same could hold true.
2014-2015 stats: 79 games played (42 goals, 27 assists), +29, 36 PIM, 17:27 TOI
