New York Rangers: Six players who need a changed role
The Rangers are a young and talented organization. Any team that possesses such skill as the Rangers do would usually have no trouble succeeding in the NHL. Unfortunately, the Rangers are in a much different position.
The New York Rangers find themselves in a bit of a funk. As a contending team, they are not playing like one by any means, and it shows in their record. There are a number of reasons why this is. One of these reasons, however, is the deployment of players and the roles that they are playing in is all jumbled up.
If the Rangers play the right players, they could find themselves in a much different and improved position. This means that roles of players need to change. Here are three players who need increased roles, and three that need decreased roles.
Decrease: Nick Holden
Aside from Marc Staal in previous years, Nick Holden has been one of the most inconsistent and controversial defenseman the Rangers have ever put on the ice. Holden, in his last six games, has hovered around 15-20 minutes in time on ice.
Although his stats may not indicate it, Holden is not a good defenseman. The reason why his numbers aren’t catastrophic is because he is usually for some reason with Ryan McDonagh. What this essentially means is that Holden is placed in a spot on a top pair with an elite defenseman, forcing another elite defenseman named Kevin Shattenkirk to play on the other two pairs. This ultimately leads to the Rangers second most prized defenseman having minutes that are meant for a top four or six defenseman at even strength.
Simply put, if the Rangers are up by one in a close game against a hot team, Holden should not be on the ice. He also should never even see the ice if he makes one of his many defensive flaws in his own end. It is not that hard. If Holden isn’t playing like the defenseman who receives as much ice time as he gets, then he should not be playing period.
Increase: Rick Nash
Rangers fans may hear his name a lot, but Rick Nash isn’t getting the minutes that he should be. Since the start of this season, Nash has barely averaged 20 minutes of time on ice. Since the Rangers acquired him back in 2012, Nash has been nothing short of a dynamic and powerful forward who boosts the lineup in many ways.
For a player of his caliber, who creates so many opportunities at even strength and on the power play, it is a big wonder as to why Nash is not playing on the first or second line. In a year where his contract is ending, Nash will be competing and battling for a new one. Any player who is up for renewal and wants their demands met, will likely go out and compete at a much higher level than usual. It is in the best interest of the Rangers that they take advantage of this energy and motivation within Rick Nash to help the team get back into relevance regarding the conference standings.
In addition to that, Nash is a helpful tool long term as he can teach the younger players how to be a successful player in the NHL for an extended period. It boils down to having Nash play on the right line with the right players. If the Rangers can find where he fits best, he will inevitably explode and get the ice time he deserves.
Decrease: Steven Kampfer
I don’t even know why it’s 2017 and the Rangers are playing Steven Kampfer consistently over Brendan Smith. The fact that I have to bring this up shows something about the Rangers. This organization at times is so poorly run. Players go through rough patches, it happens. The problem with playing a career journeyman is that the Rangers farm team houses the future of the team’s defense.
Playing in Hartford right now are, Neil Pionk, Anthony DeAngelo, Ryan Graves, and Brandon Crawley. But since we are fortunate enough to be run by a bunch of brainiacs, Rangers fans are blessed with having Kampfer get around 15 minutes of ice time per game. Along with that, the guy can’t stop taking penalties as he has 12 in just five games played this season.
Along with that, Kampfer is no help regarding making the team better as a whole. Kampfer has no goals, no assists and is just somehow a minus one. Playing him is the equivalent of playing a tree in the middle of the ice. Like Kampfer, this tree just sits there and fills in for a player that the Rangers are paying good money for to play.
Increase: Kevin Shattenkirk
Rangers fans were under the impression that when the team acquired Shattenkirk, he would be playing a prominent role on the first pairing next to Ryan McDonagh. Isn’t using our imagination fun? Alain Vigneault decided to stomp all over Rangers fans hopes and dreams when not even one period into the first game of the season, Shattenkirk was demoted to play alongside none other than Marc Staal.
In fairness, Staal has played much better than last year. However, a player of Shattenkirk’s abilities should not be limited to the mediocrity of Staal. Shattenkirk is dynamic and makes plays happen. Fortunately, Vigneault came to his senses and moved the newest Rangers defenseman up to the second pairing in which he now plays with McDonagh clone Brady Skjei.
Moving up Shattenkirk who already has fifteen points in his first fourteen games, can finally compliment Ryan McDonagh. Doing so would create a complete firewall that would act as the Rangers most significant line of defense. Having two dynamic players who share common abilities yet in terms of skills are totally different, would spell trouble for any opposition.
Decrease: Henrik Lundqvist
Make no mistake about it, Henrik Lundqvist is still one of the top goaltenders in the league. Although he is no longer the best in the world, he always is an essential piece of the Rangers championship puzzle. Having said that, if and when the playoffs roll around, he needs to be ready to lead the Rangers to the fire.
In his career, when playing a full season, Lundqvist has started in no less than 55 games. The Rangers goal is to have him play as much as he can, but at the same time give him enough time to recoup for April. The Rangers are currently trending upward as they are starting to find a groove. If they continue this, they should go to the playoffs. This means Lundqvist needs to play maybe five fewer games than he usually will. He is aging, and that means his body is more susceptible to injury. Saving him five games could significantly reduce his injury risk.
This would be hard to do. However, the Rangers backup goalie, Ondrej Pavelec isn’t precisely what Cam Talbot was a few seasons ago. Pavelec, despite playing better than he did in Winnipeg, is not yet a reliable backup. Since the Rangers started the season so poorly, they don’t find themselves with a lot of wiggle room. This is the main reason why Lundqvist is playing so often. The time will come though when the coaching staff will have to start trusting Pavelec to steal some games.
Increase: Pavel Buchnevich
To start the season, Buchnevich has put up 10 points in 15 games. All while playing on the fourth line. The possibilities for Buchnevich will be endless if he plays first line minutes. Along with that, he is a phenom on the power play as he already has five power-play points, which ties him for second on the team in that category.
I can continue rambling off stats, but the fact of the matter is that a young player that possesses all the skills Buchnevich has should be seeing a lot more ice time. For some reason, the Rangers fear to play young players. That can be the Achilles heel of this team if they don’t get over this fear. If the Rangers want success, they know what to do. Give Buchnevich the ice time and the puck, and this team will look and play a whole lot different.
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Buchnevich is a generational talent. He has skills that no one else on the team has. Although still relatively new to the NHL, if put with the right players, he has the chance to be a star for the Rangers and the in the league. The team can not continue to be impatient and have a short leash with Buchnevich. If they do, they will find their future not looking as bright as many thought.