Five Milestones New York Rangers players could reach this season
Every season comes with new challenges and scenarios. However, along with those challenges, also come new achievements and milestones. What milestones could be reached by the New York Rangers in 2018-19?
Some players may hit that elusive goal mark they have been hunting for, or perhaps notch that 500th career assist. There are a few players looking up the milestone charts, looking to reach that new plateau or overtake a fellow athlete. A new coach at the helm, the New York Rangers will have many opportunities to demonstrate their skills to the league.
Some players with new contracts have much to prove, their livelihood riding on this seasons performance, while others, already established, look to further their legacy.
A team as young as the Rangers does not come across major milestones often, but every milestone counts, especially when it is involved in a win. There is nothing quite like getting that puck from the trainer at the end of the game to celebrate a great achievement.
Lundqvist: Career Shutouts
Henrik Lundqvist is approaching yet another NHL season as the main goaltender for the New York Rangers. Over the course of his career he has accumulated 63 total shutouts. Lundqvist has already overtaken players such as Bernie Parent and Curtis Joseph. Next on his list is one of the leagues all time great goaltenders — Patrick Roy.
Lundqvist, situated only three behind Roy for career shutouts. In nine of his seasons, Lundqvist has collected more than three shutouts. In two of those nine, he collected 10 or more shutouts. It certainly is an possibility for the Rangers starting netminder to find his way into 15th place on the all time shutout list. It may even be possible for Lundqvist to make it into 14th with four shutouts.
There is a certain possibility that Lundqvist will eclipse the two shutout maximum he has resided at for two seasons.
Fast: 100 Career points
Since joining the Rangers in 2013-2014, Jesper Fast has played over 280 games. In those five seasons worth of play, he has accumulated 98 points in what is something of a more defensive role. Last season, Jesper Fast had his best season last year putting up 33 points in 71 games. Setting a career high in goals, and tying his career high in assists.
Fast is known well for his high standard of defensive play and positioning. The young winger has focused his game on a two way style for as long as he has been in the league, and he has done it well. However barring any extreme circumstance, Fast will hit the 100 career point mark by the end of October especially with the increased play time possibility.
Expect to see Fast putting up that 100th point in the near future with the Rangers.
Hayes: 100 Career Goals
With a 25 goal campaign last season, Kevin Hayes is only 27 goals away from his 100th goal. Hayes was recently just signed on a one year contract, and this season is the year he will make his money. In a crucial contract year with not only his position on the Rangers at risk, but a small truckload of money as well. Hayes will look to improve his career high goal total and hit that 100 goal plateau.
In an offseason where his position on the team seems in danger, Hayes could have an explosive season proving that he is a great fit in New York, or he could fail to hit those high water marks and find himself getting his 100th goal somewhere else.
The hope is that Kevin Hayes finds his complete game and makes a bright case to stay in New York as a Ranger.
Buchnevich: 100 Career Points
Another player searching for his 100th career point is Pavel Buchnevich. In only 115 career games thus far, Buchnevich has put up 63 career points. Last season he put up respectable numbers including 14 goals, 29 assists, amassing a total of 43 points. Only 37 points away from the century mark, it is highly achievable for the young Russian to eclipse that mark. If he gets considerable time this season, Buchnevich could certainly break open all of his career high marks in Goals and assists.
Considering last season and his playing time, Buchnevich will likely see an increase in play time under the new regime with David Quinn. Under new management, Buchnevich will see more time on the first line, paired with teammates like Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad.
Buchnevich will likely hit the 100 point mark by the end of the season barring any injury and in the event that he gets an improved role.
40 Wins
To be blindly optimistic about a new coach is certainly a benefit. Under the new coach David Quinn, the New York Rangers look to bounce back from two disappointing seasons. The expectation of a 40 win season in New York is somewhat a stretch. However, Going 34-39-9 last season in a year full of disappointment shines a small glimmer of hope.
David Quinn, a incredibly talented coach coming from Boston University and the Hockey East division, could help reinvent the Rangers and put them in a competitive role in the Metropolitan division. Much of the Rangers last few seasons have been highlighted by shoddy systems play and questionable personnel decisions.
Under the new coach, the Rangers hope to make a strong move towards a strong return to contention in the east.
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David Quinn can hope to hit the 40 win mark in his first season with a little bit of luck, as well as some skilled decisions.