How good would the ex-Rangers team be?

Centers

There would no problem finding four centers out of the 14 ex-Ranger centers in the NHL.   There are some solid pivots including Kevin Hayes, Derek Stepan, Eric Staal and Artem Anisimov although there is no first line star center in the bunch.

Kevin Hayes draws first line duties coming off his solid first season in Philadelphia.  It may be too much responsibility for the ex-Ranger, but with his paycheck, he needs to fill that role.

Eric Staal is a good choice for the second line center.  That’s  where he will be playing for Buffalo and as he gets older, lightening the responsibility load makes sense.

On the third and fourth lines, Derek Stepan and Artem Anisimiov can alternate with Stepan’s defensive conscience serving this team well.

If any of those top four falter, there are suitable backups available  in veterans Derick Brassard, Greg McKegg and Brian Boyle.   The marginal players include Paul Carey, Vinni Lettieri, Boo Nieves and Danny O’Regan.  Nieves was the only one of those four made it to the NHL last season with the Rangers.

Prospects who haven’t panned out yet include Lias Andersson and Aleksi Saarela.  Saarela was drafted by the Rangers but went to Carolina in the Eric Staal deal.  He’s now with Florida, his third NHL club.   Brandon Dubinsky makes the list, but is on injured reserve.

Left Wing

Left wing is a strong suit for this team and finding a top four isn’t too difficult.  On the first line  J.T. Miller wins that job as he broke out last season with Vancouver as a point-a-game player.  He would lead this squad in goals with 27.

Jonathan Marchessault belongs to the “ones who got away” category.   He spent one season with the Connecticut Whale as a New York property, but never made it to the varsity, departing to ultimately find stardom in Florida five years later.  Marchessault can play center, but he will be on the left wing where he has played for Vegas.  He’s a solid scorer who is good for 25-30 goals a year.

Anthony Duclair makes it as the third line left winger after a breakout season with Ottawa.  He is still an Unrestricted Free Agent, waiting for someone to call him after his 23 goal season.

The fourth line left winger will be Carl Hagelin who will serve as a defensive specialist and penalty killer.  It’s the role he has filled for the Capitals and despite turning 32, he hasn’t lost a step of his blazing speed.

The primary back up left winger will be Vlad Namestnikov with Nathan Gerbe and Jimmy Vesey serving as a depth forwards.   Namestnikov is valuable as he can play all three forward positions and there may be a role for Vesey on the right side.

Nathan Gerbe signed with the Rangers in 2016, but when he didn’t make the team he asked to be released and he played in Switzerland.  The shortest player in the NHL made it back as a valuable member of the Blue Jackets last season.

As for Matt Puempel and Matt Beleskey, they are destined for AHL duty.

Right Wing

As strong as the team is on the left side, it’s weak on the right.  Jesper Fast finds himself playing on the top line.  Sound familiar?

The second line right wing is Mats Zuccarello, aging,but still dangerous. His best days are behind him, but he can still serve as a power play specialist and never gives up on a play.

The team’s lack of depth on the right side is displayed by their need to use Michael Grabner on the third line.   He’s an unrestricted free agent who is still unsigned.  He’s still in great shape and has excellent speed.  He’s best suited to kill penalties.

On the fourth line, the right wing could be Brandon Pirri, but moving Jimmy Vesey to the off-wing may be the solution. Pirri is a deadly scorer, but his defense is lacking so Vesey may be a better choice.