New York Rangers: Five players who overcame the odds
One cause of the New York Rangers’ success in recent years is the team’s penchant for overcoming the odds, whether it’s injuries, setbacks, or something more.
The New York Rangers have a roster full of players who, in one way or another, needed to beat the odds and overcome adversity to get where they are today. They come from around the world, filling out the ranks up and down the lineup, in every position.
Without players like these, the Rangers would never have had the deep playoff runs and regular season success they’ve enjoyed in recent seasons.
Blue Line Station looks at five key Rangers who have had to go above and beyond in one way or another to hold their spots today.
Jesper Fast
The New York Rangers found a gem hidden in the sixth round of the 2010 draft. Picked 157th overall, Jesper Fast has defied expectations and battled his way into the NHL.
Like many European prospects, Fast had to earn his way onto the NHL roster while adjusting to life in North America. The normal path is via the AHL, and Fast was no different. However, his path took some twists and turns.
He scored a goal in his first game with the Connecticut Whale—and then injured his knee later in the same game. He didn’t play another game during the 2012-13 season, finally making his return the following fall.
But despite his relatively meager draft pedigree and season-ending injury, Fast bounced back. He impressed with 34 points in 48 games, earning a spot with the Rangers Black Aces for the 2014 Cup run.
The rest is history, as Fast has become one of the Rangers’ most versatile forwards, both at even strength and shorthanded.
Marc Staal
The New York Rangers’ alternate captain had a very different path to the NHL from Fast. Marc Staal was a heralded prospect, picked 12th overall in the 2005 draft. His family is now famous, with brothers Jordan and Eric winning a Stanley Cups.
Staal’s arrival with the Rangers was part of a major turn for the team, and he quickly established himself as one of the best young defensemen in the NHL.
But his career trajectory was tragically altered by injuries.
The fact that Staal is playing at all is incredible. Between concussions and the scary incident with his eye, he’s certainly not the same player he was. However, his play has remained steady (for the most part) for the Rangers, and he’s enjoying a healthy and solid 2017-18 season so far.
Pavel Buchnevich
The New York Rangers struck gold with Pavel Buchnevich. There’s no doubt about that now.
But back in 2013, Buchnevich fell all the way to the Rangers’ third pick in the third round. The nervousness around Russian prospects was strong. Worry that Buchnevich would stay in the KHL carried until he finally signed his ELC in May 2016.
His talent was readily apparent, but a lack of trust from the coaching staff, combined with injuries, led to a truncated rookie season and healthy scratches during the Rangers’ six-game loss to the Ottawa Senators in the 2017 second round.
Nevertheless, Buchnevich persevered. Despite cultural and language barriers, he’s established himself on the top line in 2017-18.
Buchnevich’s chemistry with Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad is undeniable. His scoring pace has skyrocketed with more playing time and trust. He’s already matched last year’s goal total (in half as many games), and is on pace to break the 50-point mark.
Henrik Lundqvist
The modern era turning point for the New York Rangers is indisputable. The arrival of Henrik Lundqvist stabilized a franchise mired in futility.
Lundqvist has been one of the best goalies in the world for the past decade-plus. His consistently elite play led middling Rangers teams to the playoffs again and again. He’s won an Olympic Gold Medal and the Vezina Trophy.
The casual hockey fan could be forgiven for assuming that it was Lundqvist, not Rick DiPietro, who was picked first overall in the 2000 draft.
But no, Lundqvist fell all the way to the 7th round. He was picked almost as an afterthought, flying under the radar all the way.
And yet, despite no expectations, despite no heraldry, Lundqvist is now a sure-fire Hall of Fame goalie. He’s the face of one of the most famous franchises in hockey.
Mats Zuccarello
No New York Rangers player has had as long and difficult a road as Mats Zuccarello.
Undrafted, undersized, and unknown, Zuccarello’s sparkling play at the 2010 Olympics caught the eye of the Rangers, and he was quickly signed to an NHL contract.
But Zuccarello’s creative, open style of play didn’t fit with then-coach John Tortorella’s hard-nosed philosophy, and he shuffled between the AHL and NHL before leaving for Russia. His small stature raised questions of his suitability for the NHL game.
He returned amid some tension, not signing a contract until March of the lockout-shortened 2013 season.
Zuccarello finally got his time to shine under Alain Vigneault, alongside Derick Brassard and Benoit Pouliot. Their line was instrumental in the Rangers’ Stanley Cup effort in 2014.
But after another solid season in 2015, Zuccarello was the victim of a scary head injury. Ryan McDonagh’s point shot hit the Norwegian in the head during a first-round game against Pittsburgh, and Zuccarello briefly lost the ability to speak.
And yet, Zuccarello returned, posting a career-best 60 points and leading the Rangers in scoring during the 2015-16 season. He’s a multiple-winner of the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award, and continues to be one of the Rangers’ most valuable offensive producers.