New York Rangers: Why missing the playoffs isn’t a bad thing
By Sam Prevot
Missing the playoffs could be a blessing in disguise for the New York Rangers. It is now time to start looking at the future of the team when it comes to prospects and the 2018 NHL Draft.
With a loss to the Anaheim Ducks on January 23rd, the Rangers officially fell out of the last wild card spot in the East. Most Rangers fans are most likely upset at the thought of their team not making it past the regular season. However, missing the playoffs might actually be a good thing for this team.
The Rangers are faced with the decision of being a “win now” team or a rebuilding team. Right now, they’re in an identity crisis of sorts.
The average player age on the Rangers is nearly 28 years old. Henrik Lundqvist is almost 36 years old and has played in 13 NHL seasons. It seems like a large chapter in Rangers history may be coming to a close soon.
But when one door closes, another opens. Missing the playoffs this year could show the Rangers it’s time to look towards the future.
Looking at the current roster, there are younger players already stepping up. 23-year-old Brady Skjei is standing out early in his career. Young forwards like Mika Zibanejad, J.T. Miller, and Pavel Buchnevich are also playing impact roles this season.
Chris Kreider and Kevin Shattenkirk could even be added to that mix, prior to their injuries as they are now out indefinitely. With these players, the Rangers have a strong core that they can add to going forward.
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Getting Younger and Deeper
At the end of this season, six players will become unrestricted free agents. Those players include Rick Nash, Michael Grabner, and Nick Holden. Marc Staal will be a UFA after the 2021 season. Deciding not to resign some, or all, of these UFAs could leave roster spots open for young talent that is currently in the AHL.
Some of these AHL players have already seen some NHL time, whether in preseason or throughout the regular season so far. Players like Neal Pionk, Boo Nieves, and Filip Chytil showed they have potential to play a large role on the Rangers going forward.
Then there’s the 2018 NHL Draft. This is where missing the playoffs would show the most immediate returns.
The 2018 draft class is incredibly deep. The Rangers will most likely not have a shot at a player like Rasmus Dahlin, who is quickly becoming a household name among hockey fans. However, there are plenty of other options, especially at forward to add depth they need.
Sportsnet’s January prospect rankings have forwards Joel Farabee, Joseph Veleno, and Grigori Denisenko ranked in feasible territory to be possible choices for the Rangers.
These players all reportedly have skating and playmaking ability. Veleno’s six-foot-one, 195-pound frame could add to the Rangers’ size. Any of them could help make the Rangers deeper, younger, and help kickstart a rebuild along with the pieces already in place.
What’s most important is looking at goaltending in a post-Lundqvist era. Who could replace The King?
Russian goalie Igor Shestyorkin, a fourth-round draft pick of the Rangers, seems like the top contender. In 27 games this season in the KHL, he recorded a .930 save percentage and 1.77 goals against. At 22 years old, he has a bright future ahead of him if he continues his solid play.
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The Rangers have made the playoffs in seven consecutive seasons and ten of the last 11 years. This is an impressive record, and ending the streak this year would be disappointing because of preseason expectations.
However, with an aging team that has struggled with injuries this season, missing the playoffs is a blessing in disguise. It can be a wake-up call, a sign that the future should be more of a priority.
With many talented, young prospects in the Rangers system and roster spots being opened by free agents, the opportunity to make changes is presenting itself. This year may not be the Rangers’ year, but the future is promising.