What’s a successful season for the New York Rangers?
With the New York Rangers being placed in the hardest division in hockey, how should we define success this season?
Let’s face it–the hockey gods giveth, and they taketh away. The New York Rangers were blessed to win the draft lottery and to take left wing/number-one-overall prospect Alexis Lafrenière. But, to pay for this gift, they were banished to the hardest division in the NHL in the realignment due to COVID. The Rangers face the Sisyphean task of playing their division opponents the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Washington Capitals each eight times this season, with the top four teams qualifying for the playoffs.
So, a playoff berth for the Blueshirts may not be in the cards for this season. If that’s the case, can the New York Rangers miss the playoffs and still have a successful 2021 season? Yes. Here’s how:
Igor Shesterkin proves why he was the heir apparent
Igor Shesterkin looked every bit like the future of the franchise in his 12 games last season where he posted a .932 percent save percentage. Can he sustain that level of play over the whole course of a season, even with a suspect defense in front of him?
Filip Chytil gets meaningful minutes as the number two center
Look, Filip Chytil is still only 21 years old. Having said that, the Rangers still don’t have a clue if he’s a top six center or not. So, if making the playoffs is very unlikely–which it is, considering how tough the division is–then Chytil needs to be given time as the second-line center. This will give Rangers General Manager Jeff Gorton the information he needs so he can figure out if trading Ryan Strome is a possibility.
Quinn throws away the leash
The past two years have seen the New York Rangers draft at number two overall (Kaapo Kakko) and number one overall (Alexis Lafrenière). Kakko was sheltered throughout his underwhelming first season, but looked like a different player in the qualifying tournament. Lafrenière is reportedly a special talent. Therefore, Quinn can’t try this tightrope act where he says he’s a development coach, yet he doesn’t give his youngsters meaningful minutes in important situations.
Both these two players in particular have to be thrust into prominent roles. Before you say, “But, but, but…they gotta earn it!” look, our franchise lives or dies by these two now. If they both aren’t as advertised, we’re not going to be a Stanley Cup team. Period. Hard stop.
Maximize certain players…to sell high on
Pavel Buchnevich is high on the list of players who need to have a good season, so the New York Rangers can maximize their value. As I argued in another article, Buchnevich no longer fits this team. They now have more skill players than they know what to do with, and he is too inconsistent a player to depend on.
Unfortunately, Tony DeAngelo falls into the category of trade bait. I would love the Rangers to keep him as I think he’s a tremendously talented offensive defenseman, and he brings a snarl to the blueline. Having said that, the Rangers have two defenders ahead of DeAngelo on the depth chart, and ADA’s pricing himself out of New York with this play. Well earned, but the best move for the franchise will be to trade DeAngelo at the deadline or in the off-season.
Finally, Ryan Strome is another player the Rangers need to have a good season while also figuring out what life looks without him on the roster. If Chytil can take the number two center slot and run with it, make the move.
A bounce-back year from Jacob Trouba
Jacob Trouba looked much like a tourist visiting New York City throughout his first year on Broadway–he was lost, uncomfortable, and wasn’t sure exactly what he should be doing. The Rangers signed him to be their number one defenseman. He was much better in the playoffs, but he still left a lot to be desired. He’ll have to prove that he was worth the term and value of his contract, or else it’ll be a long seven more years.
The Rangers are going to be a fun, young team in 2021. The likelihood they make the playoffs may not be great, but there’s no reason that the upcoming season can’t be successful.
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