The New York Rangers may have lost Pavel Buchnevich for more time, so it is up to Alain Vigneault to adapt accordingly, or New York could lose their high-scoring ways.
Regardless of if Buchnevich is out long-term or simply longer than previously believed, the Rangers will be without their dynamic forward for more time.
AV said Buchnevich "wasn't feeling the way we expected." Will be looked at by docs. Adds this could "be more than just back spasms." #NYR
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) November 19, 2016
Regardless of if Buchnevich is out long-term or simply longer than previously believed, the Rangers will be without their dynamic forward for more time.
Buchnevich burst onto the scene with a beautiful saucer pass to Chris Kreider in his first NHL game, then later pieced together a four game goal streak before going down with his injury.
The Russian winger’s absence would be of major concern to any NHL team. His impressive 0.80 points per game as a 19-year old rookie leaving the lineup would put most teams in an offensive bind.
The Rangers are not your average team, however, as they feature 15 skaters scoring over 0.50 points per game. For comparison’s sake, the New York Islanders own only four skaters of the sort.
New York has an abundance of options to replace Buchnevich in the lineup, giving Alain Vigneault an assortment of choices to choose from in setting his lineup.
Vigneault could be a saving grace in the absence of Buchnevich, but there is also the potential for Vigneault to diminish the Rangers offensive ability.
The Rangers coach has already moved Jesper Fast onto a line with Kevin Hayes and J.T. Miller, a move that resulted in a Fast turnover creating a Blue Jackets goal, and Miller being benched on Friday night.
While Fast was often a top six forward for the 2015-16 Rangers, that was part of the reason the team struggled to consistently compete with the best teams in the NHL. Fast is a tremendous bottom six forward, or a useful piece on a team rolling four offensive lines.
The Rangers were able to roll four offensive lines with Buchnevich in, but with Buchnevich out the idea will not work.
This is where Alain Vigneault must step up and take action. For the Rangers to be able to shrug off Buchnevich’s absence from the lineup, at no point should the Rangers see Jesper Fast or Oscar Lindberg playing with the likes of Kevin Hayes and Rick Nash.
Buchnevich gave the Rangers the ability to bench Lindberg and play Fast on an offensive-minded line to keep the defensive aspect up to par, but now Fast must return to his save haven in the bottom six.
The optimal way for Vigneault to handle the decreased depth is for him to return to a top three lines, then fourth line style of offense. Alain Vigneault can piece together his top nine however he deems correct, leaving the fourth line of Jesper Fast, Oscar Lindberg, and Brandon Pirri to play in a more limited role.
With three ultra-talented skill lines, the Rangers can afford to make that change and not suffer in the process. Pirri can remain a contributor offensively to a pair of linemates that have mixed offensive ability, but do not belong with the elite playmakers in the top nine.
Until Pavel Buchnevich returns, the Rangers have to adapt to the change in dynamic. With two skaters lacking the offensive ability to play in an optimal top nine rather than only one, it is time for the fourth line to receive a minor demotion to a more defensive role, while the top nine can continue their scoring ways.
Next: Rangers Have No Reason to be Worrying
If not, New York may find themselves missing Buchnevich as much as other teams would.