New York Rangers must ask themselves if not now, when?
The Kid Line has grown up
During the 2022 NHL Playoffs, the ‘Kid Line’ of Alexis Lafreniere, Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko stood out. They were the teams most consistent line throughout the tournament. Yet, far too often they saw far too few minutes of ice time in difference to the established veterans of the top six. Chytil had a breakout tournament, scoring seven goals, including three game winners and lead the team in possession statistics with a 52.38% corsi rating. If not now, when will Chytil be given the opportunity at the second line center role? Now would seem the appropriate time after his playoff performance and the fact that the teams other center options are soon to be unrestricted free agents. But that decision has yet to be made, or at least made public.
Injuries and illnesses have not helped Kakko to meet the expectations of a second overall pick. Upon his return to the line-up just prior to this seasons playoffs, he found both right wing spots on the top two lines filled with deadline rental players. He was then a healthy scratch in favor of fourth liner Dryden Hunt and an injured Ryan Strome for the final game of Eastern Conference Finals. What the Rangers overall plans are for Kakko’s future with the team is a debated topic of late, but, if not now, when will Kakko ascend to be a permanent top six winger?
Lafreniere has a different challenge. As a left wing, he has both Chris Kreider and Artemi Panarin ahead of him on the New York Rangers depth chart. The team experimented with him at right wing, but reeled that back quickly enough. Unless one of the three left wings learns to play on the right side, the question becomes, if not now, when will Lafreniere supplant either of the veterans ahead of him?
Too much of a good thing?
The brightness of the New York Rangers future is here and now, but it is also still ahead of them. Blocking the continued growth of these young talents now only pushes the question down the line to the next batch of young players. While the defense is already feeling the lack of available spots, the forward group is not far behind. Sammy Blais and Vitali Kravtsov recently signed one year deals. This adds to the Rangers depth for sure, but also puts in question where the likes of Brennan Othmann and Will Cuylle will fit into the mix once the are ready for NHL action. Holding onto, or bringing in established veterans now, in the hopes of maintaining this seasons momentum will only exacerbate the issue.
To be fair, not every prospect or young talent, regardless of draft position, will meet expectations. For some their greatest worth to the organization may be in their trade value. Others just need a chance to prove themselves. For the rest, the time for hand holding has passed. If these young players are not going to be utilized in more prominent roles now, we ask Mr. Drury, when?