It’s the midway point of the season and time for a report card. After 41 games the Rangers are 26-11-4 and headed for a 112 point season. As a team, this group of overachievers who never give up deserves an A+. Can they keep it up? Can they get even better?
In order for that to happen, the best need to remain the best. The middle of the pack needs to get better and they need to round out the roster, getting rid of the underachievers and replacing them with better players.
Each player has gotten a letter grade that is purely subjective. Some were easy to determine, some were excruciatingly difficult. Take a look and feel free to let us know what you think.
The top of the class
Any team with a record like the Rangers will need to have some “A” players and the Rangers are lucky to have a bunch. While critics will maintain that the Rangers are top heavy and not a complete team, the fact is that the team has an amazing foundation of excellent talent to build on.
Adam Fox A+
Before the season we wondered if he could build on his Norris Trophy season and he has answered that question resoundingly. Leading all defensemen in scoring and one of the top assist men in the league, he has just been better. He is still playing heavy minutes and faces the top opposition players in every game on the power play and the penalty kill. He is the one absolutely indispensable New York Ranger.
Chris Kreider A+
Admit it, you are surprised. 26 goals in 41 games. Only once this season has he gone over two games without a goal. We all knew that Chris Kreider could score and when he wants to be, he can be a physical force and an offensive leader. What we didn’t expect was that he would be like that in every game. No vanishing act this year from the team’s senior leader. This season he has added penalty killing to his repertoire and he shows no sign of slowing up. Chris Kreider has finally grown up.
Igor Shesterkin A+
He’s the best goalie in the league. He has stolen games for the Rangers. When he is in net, the Rangers just look more confident. Now, if he can only stay in the lineup. He’s missed 27% of the games this season and he has been injured for 25% of his career 129 games. When he is in the lineup he is amazing, one of the league leaders in every statistical category. He alone gives the Rangers a chance to win every game he plays and could take them deep into the playoffs.
Jacob Trouba A
Jacob Trouba is finally living up to the big contract in his third season in New York. Not only that, he is contributing offensively and has become one of the best body checkers in the NHL. He is singlehandedly reviving the concept of the body check and his hits are making the highlight reels. He still is continuing to mentor K’Andre Miller and he has embraced Gerard Gallant’s uptempo offense. With six goals and 18 points so far, he is headed for his best goals total and second best points total in his career.
Ryan Lindgren A
The perfect complement to Adam Fox, Ryan Lindgren is everything you could ask for in a stay-at-home defenseman. He’s physical and conscientious and can chip in with the occasional offensive foray. How can we forget his last second goal against the Sabres? Watching Fox and Lindgren work together is to see two players who can read each others’ minds.
Mika Zibanejad A-
Mika Zibanejad has been an A+ player for the last month. But with only four goals in his first 25 games he was a disappointment. Sure, he contributed with his 200-foot game,but he is paid to score and he has only just started. Zibanejad has to stop with the slow starts. This is the third straight season he has started slow and turned it on midway through the schedule. If he could play the way he has recently for an entire 82 game season, he would be the best center in the NHL.