New York Rangers: An early look at the center depth chart

(Photo by Joe Puetz/NHLI via Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Puetz/NHLI via Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 26: (l-r) Rob O’Gara
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 26: (l-r) Rob O’Gara

Assuming no further moves, the New York Rangers will enter training camp with a plethora of centers. Seeing as they cannot all line up down the middle, where might they play this season?

The New York Rangers have a nice problem to have on their hands for once. They will enter the 2018-19 with an abundance of centers, each looking to claim and establish their spot in the lineup.

Barring any further roster movement, the Rangers have at least six players on their roster who can line up at center. Mika Zibanejad is the presumptive number one center, but the depth chart beyond him is far from set.

Assuming Kevin Hayes and Ryan Spooner are re-signed, they, along with Lias Andersson and Filip Chytil are expected to compete for the second and third line center spots. There is also a distant chance that Brett Howden could force himself into the conversation, much like Chytil did last season.

A position that was an area of weakness, as recently as last season, now has the potential to be a pillar of strength for the Rangers within a few seasons. If that is to become reality, the first steps towards achieving that goal will begin next season.

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