Word on the street has it the New York Rangers might be in the middle of something called a “rebuild.” A key part of this transition will be showing patience with developing talent.
The New York Rangers enter Year One of their rebuild surrounded by optimism. They have a new coach, with David Quinn’s hands-on style already earning rave reviews. After going years without a first-round pick, the Rangers picked five times over the past two years, stockpiling high-end skill players like Filip Chytil, Vitali Kravtsov, and Lias Andersson.
Two of those five first-rounders—Chytil and Andersson—have been among the most impressive Rangers during the preseason.
Chytil has shown his explosive talent, utilizing his speed, size, and hands to slice through the neutral zone. Andersson’s two-way game was impressive, especially on the penalty kill (where he stripped reigning MVP Taylor Hall of the puck and scored a gorgeous shorthanded breakaway goal). Both players seem destined for the Rangers’ top-nine come opening night.
Tap on the brakes
Despite all the promise in the wings, the New York Rangers aren’t expected to make the playoffs this season. Even with Chytil, Andersson, and the likes of Pavel Buchnevich, Tony DeAngelo, Neal Pionk, and Brady Skjei, the Rangers probably won’t be very good. It’s not unlikely that they finish at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division for the second year in a row.
For that reason, it’s important to view the development of the Rangers’ top young players with patience. Chytil, Andersson, and Pionk are all getting their first tastes of a full NHL season. Kravtsov, meanwhile, is in the unenviable position of playing for a largely inept team in the KHL.
If none of those players score huge numbers in 2018-19, it’s not the end of the world. The Rangers would obviously prefer Kravtsov to score 40 points and lead Traktor to another deep playoff run, but it might not be in the cards.
Meanwhile, Chytil and Andersson will probably get their chances to skate in prime offensive minutes for the Rangers. But for a team that hasn’t seen a 60-point scorer since Mats Zuccarello in 2015-16, the likelihood of Chytil or Andersson breaking out for big numbers is slim.
Pionk, too, will get his chances. He averaged over 20:00 per game during the stretch run last year, and figures to get top-four minutes in New York this season. Quinn has used him in all situations during the preseason, including big penalty kill minutes.
But Pionk, an undrafted college free agent, is going to need a true adjustment period to get used to playing against top NHLers for 82 games. Like Skjei saw last season, a promising first campaign, especially on defense, doesn’t always translate to immediate sophomore success.
So while there is reason for optimism, and Quinn appears to be a great fit for player development, tempering expectations is wise. The New York Rangers have a bright future ahead, but there will undoubtedly be some bumps on the road there.