New York Rangers: Building a fourth line

Building a fourth line

The line starts at the center position with Boo Nieves. Nieves is big and fast, but as previously discussed in his season report card, he is not overly physical.

If Nieves can overcome the concussion issues he has experienced and play a little heavier, he can a be a very effective fourth line player. He now has a few years of NHL experience as well, he’s practically a wily veteran on this Rangers team, so his knowledge of the game and what his role is on the team should be clear-cut. His very minimal cap hit also makes him an appealing choice for this role.

Nieves can also be a very valuable part of the teams’ penalty kill. His speed can be a big factor on the specialty unit much the way Carl Hagelin was when with the Blueshirts. If the Rangers can get up to ten minutes a night on the fourth line and a few penalty kill shifts out of Nieves each game his value becomes much greater.

Jesper Fast is the other player on the roster that seems an obvious fit for the fourth line. His relentless style of play and acumen for the game are unmatched on this Rangers team. Although he has shown signs of being capable of playing in the top 6, every Rangers fan has to be hoping that those spots will be taken by the more skillful next generation.

Fast’s real value lies in his versatility. He is a an accomplished penalty killer who can also slot into the top lines should the need arise. If a kid is having a bad night, and David Quinn wants to make a point, Fast is the guy who can fill any role with any line. Having him in reserve on the fourth line is a no-brainer.

The third spot of the fourth line is where things get interesting. You hear some folks talking about how Brendan Lemieux and his style of play are perfectly suited for the fourth line, but that seems rather short-sighted. Lemieux is more effective the more time he gets on the ice. As long as he comes to camp in better shape and can handle the demands of top nine minutes, that is where he should be.

Another option is keeping Brendan Smith in the role he assumed at the end of last season. His grit and toughness are certainly suited for the fourth line and the idea of having an extra D-man on the bench at all times is interesting insurance policy, but the bottom line is, it is not his thing.

The fourth line should be able to put the puck in the net. The fourth line should be able to score goals, contribute, and help change the momentum of games. For that reason Jimmy Vesey is the player on the current roster who can most effectively fill out the fourth line.

It may seem like a bit of a short sell for the one-time Hobie Baker winner, but Vesey has yet to find his game at the NHL level. His inconsistent play may be an indication that he is  just not sure what type of player he should be. At times he shows offensive brilliance, at other times he shows grit and tenacity in front of the net and in the corners, and at other times he seems to just disappear.

Perhaps putting him on the fourth line and asking him to be a more consistent player, without the offensive demands of a top line player, is just what he needs to find his game.

Clearly there are going to be roster changes, but one would hope those changes impact the top of the line-up and not the bottom. If the Rangers can use the players they have under contract to build an effective fourth line, one that contributes offensively and on special teams, they will have the bookends in place.

Build a meaty middle with the young guns and let’s see what kind of story they can write.