Blue Line Station
Fansided

What the New York Rangers can learn from the Boston blueprint

By Andrew Steele-Davis

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 29: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers defends David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins during the first period at TD Garden on November 29, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 29: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers defends David Pastrnak #88 of the Boston Bruins during the first period at TD Garden on November 29, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
BOSTON, MA – FEBRUARY 4: David Pastrnak #88 and Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins low five after the win against the Vancouver Canucks at the TD Garden on February 4, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – FEBRUARY 4: David Pastrnak #88 and Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins low five after the win against the Vancouver Canucks at the TD Garden on February 4, 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Lesson 1 – Build around a core

The Boston Bruins boast a spine of players that are the heart and soul of this team, all of whom have been in place dating back to their last Stanley Cup triumph in 2011.

Tuukka Rask, Zdeno Chara, Brad Marchand, David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron are cornerstone pieces of this Original Six franchise and they are also among the best at their respective crafts.

They have also been consistently surrounded by weapons in order to help them succeed, while prolonging their respective hockey mortality.

Look at Chara who has a young stud in Charlie McAvoy as his defensive partner, while Marchand and Bergeron have the dynamic David Pastrnak on their line.

The Bruins know that with those players on the roster they have a chance to contend, so they ensure that they build around their core with other potent weapons.

And this is arguably the biggest lesson the New York Rangers can take from the Boston Bruins going forward.

NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 03: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers looks on against the Dallas Stars at Madison Square Garden on February 3, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 03: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers looks on against the Dallas Stars at Madison Square Garden on February 3, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) /

The process has already started, too, given that the Blueshirts have started to construct a formidable core themselves featuring the likes of Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin and Jacob Trouba.

Potential franchise goalie Igor Shesterkin looks to be a part of that core now, as does rookie Kaapo Kakko.

The Rangers will have to decide if Chris Kreider is going to be a part of that core going forward, but they will need to ensure that there is a strong backbone to their roster that can act as the heartbeat of this storied franchise for the foreseeable future.

And, if they can consistently surround that core with talent and potent weapons, then that should put the New York Rangers in the best possible situation to succeed on a consistent basis as the Boston Bruins have done.

Home/Analysis