Armchair GM New York Rangers roster review: Part 3- Right wings

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Pavel Buchnevich #89 of the New York Rangers celebrates his goal at 14:20 of the second period against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden on March 03, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 03: Pavel Buchnevich #89 of the New York Rangers celebrates his goal at 14:20 of the second period against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden on March 03, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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Kaapo Kakko #24 of the New York Rangers(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Kaapo Kakko #24 of the New York Rangers(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The New York Rangers, set at left wing, what about the right? 

The New York Rangers season is over and we are now taking a look at the roster from the position of armchair GM. Parts one and two of this five part series have taken a dive into the critical center and the outstanding left wing positions. Today, for part three, we turn our binoculars to the right, taking a closer look at the right wings.

If you need to catch up, you can read the previous entries into the series here:

New York Rangers Armchair GM: Part One – Centers

New York Rangers Armchair GM: Part two – Let wings

In the first two installments we noted how the New York Rangers have been built with strength on the wings, more so than down the middle. Sure, they’ve had plenty of quality pivot’s over the years, Brad Richards, Derek Stepan, Derick Brassard and Kevin Hayes to name a few. But until Mika Zibanejad, no Rangers center has been a star over the last two decades. Instead, the Rangers’ true strength has been on the flanks. Since the cap era began with the 2005-06 season, wingers have led the team in goals 11 times, assists seven times and points 13 times.  In the first seven of the past 15 years, it has been the right wings that have led the way.

Names such as Jaromir Jagr, Nikolai Zherdev and Marian Gaborik led the way in the earlier years of the cap era from he right side.  Rick Nash and Mats Zuccarello followed and have brought us to today from the left.  Artemi Panarin and soon Alexis Lafrenier have and will keep the torch burning for some time to come. Can the right side regain its previous dominance? Let’s find out.

Schedule