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What the New York Rangers rebuild could resemble

By Jim Madden

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 08: Former Rangers color commentator John Davidson (R) and play by play announcer Sam Rosen (L) speak to the crowd prior to the game against Carolina Hurricanes during the 1994 Stanley Cup Anniversary event at Madison Square Garden on February 8, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 08: Former Rangers color commentator John Davidson (R) and play by play announcer Sam Rosen (L) speak to the crowd prior to the game against Carolina Hurricanes during the 1994 Stanley Cup Anniversary event at Madison Square Garden on February 8, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Protecting the house

The anchor of the backline was Duncan Keith, a two-time Norris Trophy winner and a tremendous find in the second round (2002).  Keith has been the mainstay of the Chicago defense core that was bolstered with first rounder Brent Seabrook (2003), and Niklas Hjalmarsson, a fourth round pick (2005).   High energy Dustin Byfuglien was discovered in the eighth round of 2003 while puck moving defenseman Brian Campbell was a key free agent signing in 2008.  Even as first rounder Cam Barker (2004) didn’t pan out fully, Tallon was able to flip him for useful blueline pieces Nick Leddy and Kim Johnsson.

It’s difficult to rebuild without having quality goaltending to help keep your team in games as you’re bringing along young players.  Corey Crawford was a great pick in the second round of 2003 and seen as the goaltender of the future but needed time to season in the minors.  To buy time, Tallon’s first move as GM was signing Nikolai Khabibulin as a free agent who carried a heavy workload for the next four seasons. Tallon signed veteran backstop Cristobal Huet in 2008 and the tandem helped Chicago to its first hundred point season in 17 years and a return to the playoffs.  Crawford eventually took over and led the Blackhawks to Cups two and three.

How the Rangers compare

The Rangers have future Hall of Fame goaltender in Henrik Lundqvist to provide mentorship to a deep pipeline of quantity backstops.  Alexandar Georgiev (24) has climbed theNHL ladder while showing  tremendous promise last season. The recently signed Igor Shesterkin is also 24 years old coming off an incredible season in the KHL.  Shesterkin will likely play in Hartford next season.

On the back line the Rangers have several blue chip prospects with first round picks K’Andre Miller, Nils Lundkvist, leading a core that includes Hobey Baker finalist Adam Fox, Libor Hajek, Ryan Lindgren, Joey Keane, Tarmo Reunanen all under the age of 22.  The key here is bringing these players along at the right pace and using excess depth to acquire other assets down the road.

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