Blue Line Station
Fansided

New York Rangers: stock market risers and fallers 3/11-3/17

By Victoria Ranieri

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 25: Jesper Fast
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 25: Jesper Fast /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 7
Next
OTTAWA, ON – FEBRUARY 17: New York Rangers Center David Desharnais (51) takes a moment during warm-up before National Hockey League action between the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators on February 17, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON – FEBRUARY 17: New York Rangers Center David Desharnais (51) takes a moment during warm-up before National Hockey League action between the New York Rangers and Ottawa Senators on February 17, 2018, at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, Canada. (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Down: Davis Desharnais

It is time for the David Desharnais experiment to end.

David Desharnais is another victim of Alain Vigneault’s misuse of players. When he was first signed last summer, it was expected that he would fill the role of a third or fourth line center. However, he has frequently found his way into a top line role, which he has mostly underperformed. When filling in for an injured Mika Zibanejad, he looked out of place and seemed to just be going through the motions.

The biggest issue I see with Desharnais is that he’s just kind of…there. He doesn’t drive play or create chances for his team.  His last assist came against the Edmonton Oilers on March 3rd and his last goal came against the Dallas Stars on February 5th. Now, Desharnais has never been a player to put up a substantial amount of points. He had 60 points back in the 2011-2012 season and has only come close once since then. With so many prospects in the minors, why keep Desharnais in the lineup.

With the end of the season fast approaching, I believe the Desharnais experiment will end soon. Not because of the season’s end, but because I believe the Rangers are looking to call up rookie centers Lias Andersson and Filip Chytil. Both can play nine games before burning out the first year of their entry-level contract. While Chytil can only play seven more, Andersson has the full nine games. I expect both of them to be called up soon to get in a touch of NHL experience before the AHL playoffs.

Home/Editorials