New York Rangers: Five untouchable assets the team possesses

Filip Chytil

Filip Chytil, we hardly knew ye.

The rookie from the Czech Republic was unable to find his game once the regular season started. The first round pick was sent to Hartford after playing less than 12 minutes over the course of two games with the big club.

The Rangers rarely have first-round picks, but when they do, they’ve paid off. J.T Miller, Brady Skjei, Chris Kreider and Marc Staal are all examples of when the organization gave players ample time to come along and develop.

Obviously, Chytil is as green as they come. Chytil’s strong pre-season was encouraging, and he impressed the veterans in the locker room.  “Chytil is highly skilled and can make plays no one else can,” said Mats Zuccarello. When a player that is old enough to be a senior in high school garners that type of praise from an established NHL star, you take notice.

Alain Vigneault didn’t give Chytil a reasonable chance in those two games. Thankfully, Chytil is getting playing time in Hartford and has four points in four games with the Wolf Pack. There is legitimate superstar potential in the 21st pick. The type of talent the Rangers haven’t had in a long time.

The type of talent you don’t trade.

Igor Shestyorkin

Elite goaltending has spoiled the Rangers in constructing a roster. Henrik Lundqvist has been an elite goaltender most of his time with the Franchise. But, at 35 years old the veteran goaltender is entering the twilight of his career. The team has Lundqvist under contract until the end of the 2021 season.

So, the 21-year-old Shestyorkin has ample time to continue his growth before a move to North America. He is under contract with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL until 2019 at which point he would be allowed to come over from Russia.

Goalie prospects develop at a different rate than skaters do. For perspective, Henrik Lundqvist came over from the Swedish Elite League for his age 23 season.

Shestyorkin posted 27 wins in 39 games with a .937 save percentage and a 1.64 goals against average. Although the talent level in the KHL isn’t to the level of the NHL, these are numbers of pure domination in a highly competitive league.

The Rangers also boast one of the best goaltending coaches in the entire league. Benoit Allaire’s work with Antti Raanta and Cam Talbot got both starting jobs with other franchises. A raw goaltending prospect with NHL starter potential will be in good hands in New York.

Being that getting fair market value for a goaltender is pretty much impossible, there is pretty much no situation where it would be okay to trade Shestyorkin.

When Pavel Buchnevich has played, he’s arguably been the Rangers best forward.

Pavel Buchnevich is following up his rookie campaign with a fantastic analytical start. Buchnevich, through ten games of the forwards, has the second highest Corsi (52.9) and is fifth in Fenwick (51). Meaning that when the winger is on the ice, the Rangers are generating chances.

Buchnevich’s impact is still present on the powerplay even though he’s been relegated to the fourth line. The Rangers cannot be misled by misusage, Buchnevich is the real deal.

Breaking up the Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich line is the worst decision so far this season. Alain Vigneault broke up the one consistent line the team had, to try and spread out the offense. All this did, was ensure that no line would be consistent. It’s no coincidence that the powerplay with this grouping is still creating good chances.

Buchnevich came into this season poised to build on an uneven rookie season. The sophomore winger has more than held his own playing on the first line and on the power play. He’s already a fourth of a way to his point total from last season already. The potential for a 50 or 60 point season is there if properly deployed.

50 point wingers under team control on entry level contracts are not an asset a franchise moves if it is a contender.

Brady Skjei

The University of Minnesota product was more NHL ready than the organization knew. Skjei was a player on the bubble during training camp last season after a brief five-game stint during the 2015 playoffs. Skjei made the team out of training camp and hasn’t looked back since.

Skjei was one half of the Rangers best defensive pair last postseason with Brendan Smith. Although the pair has been split up, Skjei still has the steady defense and offensive touch that impressed last season. Skjei’s 39 points were the second most of all defenseman on the Rangers.

Remarkably, 32 of Skjei’s 39 points came at even strength. Skjei’s well rounded game means the Rangers having two defensemen they can deploy in any situation in any zone. There is also the untapped potential of playing him on the power play. If Skjei were to crack the power play unit he could match McDonagh in terms of point production.

Skjei is the type of player you build a defense around. With both he and McDonagh in the fold, the Rangers have considerable depth on the left side of the defense.

Mika Zibanejad

The Mika Zibanejad contract extension is looking better and better every day. A number one center who is lethal on the power play for $ 5.3 million that is only 24 years old is a steal. On a team with a dearth of talent down the middle, the Rangers would be crazy to consider moving the six-year veteran.

The crazy thing is, Zibanejad is still getting better as a hockey player. Playing with a true power play specialist like Kevin Shattenkirk has allowed Zibanejad to find an offensive gear that just wasn’t there before.

Through ten games, the Swede has seven points, six of which are goals. On a team that is struggling to find consistency, Zibanejad has been one of the few constants thus far. Unlike others, he’s also shown a knack for good games in the playoffs. Zbanejad’s nine points in 12 games last post-season led all Ranger Skaters last year.

There are very few flaws in Zibenejad’s game, and at his age, he still can cross into elite status. With the right situation, Zibenejad could be the first Ranger since Marian Gaborik in 2012 to register a 70 point season.

Next: Should Alain Vigneault be fired?

Zibenejad is the true number one center the Rangers have been waiting a long time for. Franchises do not trade their number one center when they are trying to win a Stanley Cup.