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New York Rangers: Boo Nieves is what the Rangers need right now

By George Ruggiero

TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 02: New York Rangers center Boo Nieves (24) is defended by Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Ryan Callahan (24) during an NHL game between the New York Rangers and the Tampa Bay Lightning on November 02, 2017 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. The Rangers defeated the Lightning 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 02: New York Rangers center Boo Nieves (24) is defended by Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Ryan Callahan (24) during an NHL game between the New York Rangers and the Tampa Bay Lightning on November 02, 2017 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. The Rangers defeated the Lightning 2-1 in overtime. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The New York Rangers made a splash at the NHL Draft, picking 17-year-old Filip Chytil with the 21st pick. Chytil almost made the team out of training camp, but was eventually sent to Hartford. The Rangers need more depth at center, but Boo Nieves, not Chytil, is closer to what the Rangers need right now.

The New York Rangers immediately fell in love with Filip Chytil. The Czech youngster was able to step into the lineup and produce during the preseason. However, he made the regular rookie mistake as he began adjusting to the North American game.

As teams tend to do, Chytil was sent to the Hartford Wolf Pack. That left the Rangers with only three true centers. Due to the lack of depth, the Rangers needed to call a player up.

The brass chose sophomore center Cristoval “Boo” Nieves to shore up the middle of the fourth line. The 23-year-old has proven himself to be a solid defensive center with just enough upside to make on head coach Alain Vigneault’s fourth line. The Rangers have struggled this season with their center play, and Nieves was a better call up than Filip Chytil for a few reasons.

Experience

Boo Nieves is much more experienced than Filip Chytil. Chytil is a full five years younger than Nieves, and while many would say that experience doesn’t make a difference, in this case it does. Chytil has never played in North America before now.

Nieves, on the other hand, has only played here. He grew up through the USHL, eventually playing four years of college hockey. That experience in addition to his full season in the AHL, cut short by injury, shows even now.

Now, experience doesn’t get you everywhere, but for the role that Nieves fills with the head coach that the Rangers have, it certainly goes a long ways. A regular indictment of Alain Vigneault has been his propensity to stick with veteran players over youngsters. Nieves’ style of play compared to the role also helps his case.

Role

The major hole needing to be filled is the third or fourth line center role. Nieves fits those roles to a T. He plays a solid, fast defensive game that suits limited ice time and penalty killing.

Chytil wowed the Rangers with his nose for the net and raw talent. While that will become so important in the long run, the third and fourth lines are not for developing players. The limited ice time will only do so much.

In Hartford, Chytil is getting the top six minutes he needs to progress. The Rangers already know what Nieves is, a quick, gritty forward who slots in well as a glue player. Right now, the Rangers don’t need progression; they need success.

Next: New York Rangers: Five players who’ve succeeded under Alain Vigneault

This Rangers team is one that is built to win-now, with an aging Henrik Lundqvist and revamped defense. The team’s top two centers are firmly cemented in their spots, leaving Chytil to the bottom six if he were to be recalled. Nieves provides what the Rangers really need, a solid bottom six forward who can get it done on the back-end.

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