New York Rangers: An early look at the center depth chart
By Dan Carrozzi
Other potentials and considerations
Plenty of things could occur between now and opening night that will derail this speculation. For example, I don’t think it’s outside the realm of possibility that one of Zibanejad or Hayes is traded, even if the time to do so would have been prior to or during the draft.
As mentioned, there is a nearly impossibly long shot of Brett Howden making the team. Howden should play at least a season in the AHL after playing juniors in the WHL. However, he seems to project to be the team’s second line center of the future. His latent potential could push him into the conversation to play in the NHL this season with a strong camp.
Next. New York Rangers: Not all of the prospects are going to pan out. dark
Another layer to all of this is how David Quinn will construct and deploy his lines. Quinn has a knack for finding which players bring out the best in each other and putting them in positions to succeed. He won’t hesitate to shift Hayes or Chytil onto wing or Namestnikov or Spooner into the middle if that is where they are most effective with their linemates.