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New York Rangers: Top six in good hands for the Blueshirts

By Andrew Steele-Davis

NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 01: New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (93), New York Rangers center Ryan Strome (16), New York Rangers defenseman Tony DeAngelo (77) and New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) during the first period of the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers on April 1, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 01: New York Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (93), New York Rangers center Ryan Strome (16), New York Rangers defenseman Tony DeAngelo (77) and New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) during the first period of the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers on April 1, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 31: Ryan Strome #16 of the New York Rangers celebrates his first period goal against the Philadelphia Flyers with his teammates on the bench on March 31, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 31: Ryan Strome #16 of the New York Rangers celebrates his first period goal against the Philadelphia Flyers with his teammates on the bench on March 31, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The Second Line

Should, however, the Rangers opt to bring in a flashy new toy either through free agency or via a trade, then Buchnevich could be just as productive and lethal on the second line.

This is where it gets interesting, too.

Based on recent evidence the most logical choice to man the second line at center would be Ryan Strome, who has been a revelation since arriving in a trade from the Edmonton Oilers in November 2018.

It has been the second coming for the 25-year-old, who seems to thrive in the Big Apple having flourished for the New York Islanders before struggling with the Edmonton Oilers.

Like a number of his team-mates though, Strome has benefitted from the magic touch of Quinn and he’s been a different player for the Blueshirts, posting 17 goals and 14 assists for 31 points in 60 games played.


He’s also contributed seven points on the power play.

Strome’s 18 goals this year (he scored one with the Oilers) is a career high and the center has been a huge pickup for the Rangers.

Under the franchise’s control until 2020, Strome is entering his peak years and, as such, should only increase his offensive production next year as part of a one-two punch behind Zibanejad.

The question now of course is who would slot in on the left-wing?

There are plenty of options and it could be a case of whoever puts their best foot forward in training camp wins the job.

Brendan Lemieux showed in March that he can certainly handle the responsibility of a top-six role and he has plenty of upside due to his ability to mix skill with grit, while you also have Vladislav Namestnikov, Jimmy Vesey and Filip Chytil that are all capable of logging extended ice time and providing the sort of offence needed for a top-six forward.

Chytil has shown signs of steady progress this year with 23 points (11 goals, 23 assists) in 75 games – could next season be the youngster’s time to truly explode onto the NHL scene in an extended look in the top six?

There is also the option of the Rangers developing Chytil as a center and using Strome on the wing, which would add more flexibility to this roster.

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