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It’s Christmas! Some gifts the Rangers could be wishing for

By Jake Mozarsky

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 06: Pavel Buchnevich #89 (l) of the New York Rangers celebrates his first period goal against the Philadelphia Flyers and is joined by Chris Kreider #20 (c) and Mika Zibanejad #93 (r) at Madison Square Garden on October 6, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 06: Pavel Buchnevich #89 (l) of the New York Rangers celebrates his first period goal against the Philadelphia Flyers and is joined by Chris Kreider #20 (c) and Mika Zibanejad #93 (r) at Madison Square Garden on October 6, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Alexis Lafreniere selected by the New York Rangers (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

The third line

Eyes might not be on this line as much, but they will be on a specific player: Alexis Lafrenière . Lafrenière was the number one pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and many believe that he will instantly shine in New York. Along with his talents, this line has young potential with Filip Cytil and Julien Gauthier. They all have lofty expectations they can wish for.

Alexis Lafrenière : The Calder Trophy

This was an obvious one. The rookie will get tons of attention and will be judged from game one, and he should be wishing for this trophy, naming him the best rookie for the season. The crazy thing is that Lafreniere is not the favorite to win the trophy, it’s actually his teammate Igor Shesterkin.

These two will not take the award from one another but it would be ideal for Lafrenière to showcase his talents from day one. If he can play like a star he will soon get promoted to line two or the top line and with that comes national recognition. The spotlight is on for Lafrenière and all signs are that he is ready for the bright lights of New York. The 19 year old has lofty expectations for himself and wants to be rewarded with some silverware.

Filip Chytil: Ice time and a promotion

Chytil has tons of potential that has not gone unrecognized. This team has a pool of young talent and Chytil is just one of many, and with more ice time there is more of a chance for him to showcase his talent.

What will be helpful for him is that he is playing with Lafrenière . Their talent can only help each other. If Chytil takes the next step he can be promoted to the coveted number two center that the team has been looking for. Chytil is young and has time, hopefully he can put it together.

Julien Gauthier: A long KHL playoffs for Vitali Kravtsov

Vitali Kravtsov is one of the highly touted Rangers prospects, and he was supposed to be on the opening night roster. But to give him more ice time during the long pause, he is currently playing in the KHL and is playing well. Kravtsov will not be on New York’s opening night roster, meaning that Gauthier will take his spot.

Gauthier showed why the Rangers gave up a top prospect for him last year in his short time in the NHL. While he only tallied three assists, he was a combination of speed and power and made the team better and stronger. When Kravtsov comes, Gauthier will be demoted, but hopefully that will not be for a while, so he can prove how good he can be and maintain this spot.

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