New York Rangers: The future on the right wing looking good
Pavel Buchnevich #89 of the New York Rangers (c) celebrates his goal (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The New York Rangers currently have a great deal of skill in a position that hasn’t gotten a lot of attention.
There has been a great deal of focus on the New York Rangers future at center, defense and in net, however, one area that has not received much attention is on the wings. The right wing in particular is loaded with young talent that has the potential to be a Rangers strength for years to come.
Even with the possibility of Jesper Fast leaving this off-season, there is still a great deal of talent on the right side. If all of the Rangers right wingers live up to their potential they will be a major asset for years to come. Here is what I project next season’s four starting right wingers to be.
Pavel Buchnevich
Pavel Buchnevich, selected in the third round of the 2013 draft, has been playing with the New York Rangers for the past four seasons. In his most recent few seasons he has been paired with Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad, finding success as part of the first line, known as the “KZB Line.”
Every season since Buchnevich has been on the roster, he has seen his points per game increase and currently has 46 points in 68 games this season, putting him on pace for 55 if the full 82 game season resumes. This is excellent production from a former third round pick who is only counting for $3.25 million AAV against the cap.
Next season, Buchnevich will be on the second year of this two-year deal and if production remains the same, I would expect the Rangers to sign him long-term. Next season I expect him to start consistently producing 50+ point seasons, if he is able to stay healthy.
Kaapo Kakko
Kaapo Kakko, selected second overall in the 2019 draft, has performed well below the high, yet unrealistic expectations set for him during his rookie year, recording 23 points in 66 games with a horrific plus/minus rating of -26. Despite this, however, there is much to look forward to from Kakko next season.
By then he will have had a full year of getting adjusted not only to an entirely new hockey league, but also the cultural changes that come with moving to another country as a teenager, especially in an overwhelming city such as New York. In terms of prior success, in 2017- 2018 he recorded 38 points in 45 games in Finland’s Liiga League and in the previous season recorded 55 points in 38 games played for the Junior Liiga League.
It is also interesting to compare him to the 2nd overall pick from the previous draft, Andrei Svechnikov of the Carolina Hurricanes. Born in Russia, he had the advantage of playing junior hockey in Canada. Also a right winger, as a rookie he had a point per game rate of 0.45 compared to Kakko with 0.35. As a sophomore this season, he improved tremendously, recording 61 points in 68 games, good for 0.90 points per game.
Although it is impossible to guarantee that Kakko will improve at a similar rate, it does go to show that just a year of getting adjusted to the NHL style of play and culture is important for a young player. It’s no mystery that Coach David Quinn has repeatedly compared Kakko to Svechnikov. Both Kakko and Svechnikov are 2nd overall picks, are right wingers and learned to play in Europe.
I would expect a tremendous improvement in Kakko’s game next season and he is still only 19. Given that he will likely be slated in a middle six position with possible promotion to play with Panarain and Strome, I can see Kakko becoming a 45-55 point player in just his second season.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 19: Julien Gauthier #12 of the New York Rangers participates in warm-ups before a game against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on February 19, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Julien Gauthier
Julien Gauthier was acquired this season from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for defenseman Joey Keane. Gauthier, selected 21st overall in the 2016 draft, had never received a true chance from the Hurricanes to break out in the NHL.
The past three seasons he played for Carolina’s AHL team seeing a consistent points per game increase from .35, to .55, to .84 respectively. Despite this he had only been given an opportunity play five regular season games with the Hurricanes this season, recording a sole assist.
Upon being traded to the Rangers, Gauthier was immediately inserted into the roster, recording two assists in the twelve games he has played so far. While this is nothing eye-catching, his success in the AHL and his four seasons in junior hockey where he was a point per game player every season, demonstrates the production he is capable of. His immediate insertion into the roster demonstrates the potential that the New York Rangers see in him and I believe that next season he will play a middle six role with the likelihood that he can score 30-40 points in his first full season of NHL experience.
Vitali Kravstov
Finally, I believe that next season will be the year that Vitali Kravstov is ready to skate with the Rangers on opening night. Selected 9th overall by the Rangers in 2018 draft, Kravstov opted to play in the KHL during the 2018-2019 season, recording 21 points in 50 games.
After failing to earn a roster spot with the Rangers for the 2019-2020 season, Kravstov has faced an up-and-down season bouncing back and forth between the AHL and KHL. He finally seemed to find his footing as he recorded 10 points in a 15 game span between January and February, despite playing on a Hartford roster that has been depleted by trades and promotions.
Although he has never been a tremendous point scorer I can see him being a big force in a bottom six role next season with a possible 2nd line upside. If Kravstov does get promoted to the roster for the 2020-2021 season, I believe he could breakout to be a 30-40 point scorer which would be tremendous for a bottom six role.
Why is this exciting
These four players have a number of qualities in common. For one they are all extremely young with Buchnevich being the oldest at 24 and Kakko the youngest at 19. While having a position so young may possess some challenges, it is for certain that these players will be entering their prime over the next few years and have a chance to become breakout stars.
With everyone except Buchnevich still on Entry Level Contracts, they will remain under team control which will be tremendous for the Rangers given their cap situation (it will cost under $7 million for all four players next season). From a physical standpoint, all of the players are large presences on the ice, standing at 6’3″ or taller which is a benefit for a Rangers team that is on the smaller side.
Finally, with the exception again of Buchnevich (who has already proved himself as a main roster talent) they are all first round picks. While being a first round pick doesn’t automatically prove that they will pan out, there is much higher likelihood of success. The management of the teams that drafted them (the Rangers and Hurricanes) at the time saw them to be future game changers. Next season will be exciting in the development of these young players and I believe that after taking some time to gel, this quartet will provide remarkable success for the Rangers for years to come.
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