Expectations of the New York Rangers young guns
Second year players
1,420 players that made their NHL debut between the 2007-08 and 2019-20 seasons appeared in the NHL for a second season. 76.2% (1082) of those 1,420 players appeared in a minimum of 10 contests, a 20.7% increase. As may be expected, the average of each statistical category also showed improvement
2nd year forwards – 720 players:
Age GP G A PTS +/- TOI FO% HIT BLK TK GV
22.65 47.21 7.81 10.41 18.22 -1.29 634.59 46.06 54.74 19.22 18.57 15.26
2nd year defensemen – 362 players:
Age GP G A PTS +/- TOI HIT BLK TK GV
22.96 46.77 2.92 9.57 12.49 -0.09 844.57 58.50 57.01 13.67 25.85
There were three second year players to make at least 10 appearances during the 2019-20 season. Forwards Brett Howden and Libor Hajek and Ryan Lindgren on defense. The New York Rangers pinned a lot of hope on the progress of these players.
Entering his second season, Brett Howden was looking to build off an up and down rookie campaign. The 22 year old had a more consistent season, but did not show any growth to his game. He appeared in 22 games over the average of his peers, but his production hovered at or near the average with nine goals, 10 assists and 19 points. Howden’s -11 was an improvement from his first year, but far below the second year player average.
Away from the puck, Howden registered 69 hits in his 70 games, below the average pace of 1.25 hits per game. His 67 blocks were far above the average and he had as many takeaways as giveaways (25 each). His ability at the dot is what stands out most. He recorded a 48.65 face-off winning percentage, two full percentage points higher than his peers and third on the Rangers, for centers who took a minimum of 100 face-offs.
Libor Hajek was nearly a year below the average age for second year defenseman, having turned 22 in February. Suffering a knee injury in early December, Hajek would play in only 28 contests. He would receive a total of only 448 minutes TOI. After his injury Hajek would play in just one game before being assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack.
During his shortened season, Hajek would register zero goals, five assists and a -4 plus/minus rating, all below average. Away from the puck Hajek would record only 24 hits over his 28 games, a 0.85 hits per game average, well below the 1.29 hits per game of his peers. He would register 44 blocks, eight takeaways and 17 giveaways, all even to or better than the averages for second year defenseman.
Ryan Lindgren also turned 22 in February making him a younger than average second year defensman. Lindgren would appear in 60 games for the Rangers after a late October call up, providing the blue line with a physical presence. Although only six foot, Lindgren played a big game, recording 70 blocks and a well above average, 94 hits.
Lindgren was the stay at home half of his pairing with Adam Fox, but he would still contribute to the offense. His one goal and 13 assists for 14 points and a +16 rating rates as a slightly above average offensive stat line. With what Lindgren provides physically, any offense should be considered a plus.