New York Rangers: March Fantasy Hockey Round-up

For most fantasy hockey leagues, it’s Championship Week for the 2016-2017 season, and there are several New York Rangers who might be key to taking home a crown.

In a year that has been up-and-down in the real-life season, the New York Rangers have had their share of fantasy hockey contributors. Whether it’s been the usual suspects, breakout players, sleepers, or the strange goaltending situation, the Rangers have been nothing but active in the fantasy hockey arena.

As the fantasy season is coming to an end, it’s fitting to consider the seasons that fantasy-relevant Rangers have had. Toward that end, we have three categories that many Rangers players fall under.

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• Jacque Plante Trade Tree Between the Rangers and Canadiens
• These Rangers must learn Peter Laviolette’s ropes before they can fly

Fantasy Studs

While no single New York Ranger is on the elite end of fantasy hockey this year, there are a few who deserve recognition as outstanding performers.

Chris Kreider: One of the Rangers’ top goal scorers, Kreider has enjoyed a breakout season, setting career highs in just about every scoring category. His 26 goals through 70 games are five better than his 2014 and 2015 marks of 21; his 50 points are a career high. With six games remaining on the Rangers’ schedule, it’s likely that Kreider will break his high mark of 25 assists, set in 2014.

While Kreider has fallen short of his usual numbers in hits and PIMs—numbers that make him a special player in leagues that count those stats—he’s still valuable for those. Look for  Kreider to carry his progression into 2017-18, with 25+ goals, 55+ points, and 150+ hits as the expectation.

Mats Zuccarello: The diminutive winger is back to his old tricks. At this point, 55-60 points is expected from the Norwegian. While Zuccarello doesn’t score 20 goals a year, he’s likely good for around 40 assists, with a decent number coming on the power play.

J.T. Miller: Miller has taken another step after his breakout 2015-16 season. With 20 goals and 32 assists, he’s tied for the Rangers scoring lead, and his 99 hits and +19 marker are big bonuses in leagues that count those stats.

Miller’s year-over-year progression points to a high ceiling. Expect around 60 points from the triple-eligible forward (C/LW/RW in Yahoo leagues) next season.

Breakout-Ready

Several Rangers skaters saw improvements, opportunities, or first shots at fantasy relevance this season.

Mika Zibanejad: Last season with Ottawa, Zibanejad scored 21 goals and 51 points in 81 games. This year, while missing two months with a broken leg, the young center has 12 goals and 21 assists in only 50 games. Of those 33 points, 9 came on the power play.

Zibanejad is absolutely primed for a monstrous 2017-18 season. Assuming a full bill of health, Zibanejad can be a sleeper pick, ready to put up big numbers in all scoring categories, shots, and PPP. Look for 20 goals at the minimum, along with 35 or 40 assists, and 20+ PPP.

Pavel Buchnevich: The Russian rookie, like Zibanejad, missed a significant amount of time this season due to injury. On top of that, Alain Vigneault has made him a healthy scratch on many occasions, citing “inconsistent” play…but the numbers sure point to Buchnevich being a star in the making.

According to Corsica Hockey, Buchnevich leads the Rangers with 2.37 points per 60 minutes. He has 8 goals and 12 assists for 20 points in 37 games, many of which were spent on the fourth line. Given adequate playing time, consistent top-9 minutes, and a spot on the power play, Buchnevich could be looking at 45+ points as a player that almost nobody will have on their draft list next season.

Brady Skjei: Another rookie, the Minnesota native stepped into the void left by Keith Yandle and, to put it simply, shined. Skjei has 5 goals and 30 (30!!!) assists in his first year in the NHL. His fluid stride and superb vision on the ice have led to sparkling rookie numbers.

Additionally, Skjei’s spot on the point of the Rangers’ second power play unit has paid dividends, with 5 PPP on the season. If the Rangers sign Kevin Shattenkirk in free agency this summer, that viability will take a hit, but Skjei’s 5 on 5 production cannot be denied.

Next: Are Rangers Coaches Coming Around on Girardi?

Over the Hill?

While players like Zibanejad, Buchnevich, and Skjei are just getting started, the Rangers also have their share of players who may be on the verge of exiting fantasy relevance.

Rick Nash: As painful as it may be to say, Nash is approaching his last days as a useful fantasy player. His two-way game is strong, and he remains a valuable part of the Rangers’ top-6, but fantasy owners who draft the power forward expecting 30 goals and 60+ points are in for disappointed, these days.

Nash’s inability to stay healthy has marred two of his last three seasons, and the days of his 42-goal 2014 season are long gone. Expect 25 goals at the most.

Henrik Lundqvist: Am I going to eat my words on this one? Probably, yeah. Lundqvist is the best goalie of his generation, a model of consistency and fantastic play. His compete level, hard work, and talent mean that he could easily turn in yet another sparkling campaign next season.

But this season was a uniquely dark smudge on the King’s career. Lundqvist’s numbers are down across the board, and he’s not getting any younger.

Next: Girardi Deserves Masterton Nomination

Even if Lundqvist has it in him to bounce back next year, he’s no longer worth risking the second- or third-round pick you might normally spend on him in a fantasy draft.