Rangers Report Cards: Grading the Right-Wingers
Rangers Report Cards: Vladimir Tarasenko: A- (Wasn’t on the team)
Tarasenko’s stint on Broadway might have been brief, but it was a blast. When he joined the Rangers after GM Chris Drury acquired him from the St. Louis Blues, he immediately slotted in as Mika Zibanejad’s right-hand man and Artemi Panarin’s go-to passer. Any pre-game jitters he might’ve had were nowhere to be seen; he scored on his second shift as a Ranger.
Yes, some folks doubted Tarasenko’s shoulder and defensive skills, but he made sure to silence those skeptics.
Although he struggled in his first ten games with the Rangers, with only three goals and seven points, he made a statement with a goal and two assists in his tenth game, shutting down some of the criticism floating around. That performance would be the catalyst for a hot streak.
As the postseason drew closer, the “Tarasenkshow” notched six goals and 15 points in his last 19 games. When the regular season wrapped up, he had racked up eight goals and 19 points in his 28 games on Broadway. In the first round against New Jersey, he had three goals and four points in the seven-game series. The surprise? He even displayed some serious defensive chops with a bunch of blocked shots.
At 31, he’s not the superstar he once was, but Tarasenko’s still a threat when he’s in top shape. And he certainly got his due this offseason. Larry Brooks reported that Tarasenko was keen on returning to the Rangers in Free Agency, but the pesky cap constraints got in the way. So, he wound up inking a one-year, $5 million contract with the Ottawa Senators.
Though his time in New York was short, and the team didn’t snag that elusive Stanley Cup, Tarasenko left a lasting impression, endearing himself to the Blueshirts faithful.
Rangers Report Cards: Patrick Kane B ( Wasn’t on the team)
When the Rangers acquired Kane at the trade deadline, the anticipation for his March 2 debut was through the roof. The Rangers had acquired a three-time Stanley Cup champion, former Conn Smythe, Ted Lindsey, Calder, and Hart trophy winner from the Chicago Blackhawks.
Sure, he might not be in his prime anymore, but with the team’s offensive firepower, they didn’t need him to juggle flaming pucks. As long as Kane and Tarasenko were like the “B” versions of their peak selves, New York practically booked a cruise to Stanley Cup island.
People around Kane were telling him to fix his hip before the trade. However, he pushed through just like he had the past year and a half. He was about to join the Rangers, a top-notch team with a shiny Stanley Cup on their to-do list.
Then came the big day – March 2. Madison Square Garden was buzzing like a beehive during a caffeine rush. The concessions ran out of Kane jerseys an hour before the game.
Watching Kane flash his moves in a Rangers uniform was breathtaking.
Unfortunately, Kane pulled a disappearing act on the scoreboard. He was practically moonwalking on the ice as the Senators scored three goals when he was on. Even the power play, where Kane was supposed to bring the game fireworks, turned into a soggy 0 for 4 sparkler display.
Fast forward a bit, and Kane scored five goals and seven assists in 19 games. He even added a sprinkle of magic in the playoffs, especially in game 2, where he finally remembered his showtime spells, registering a goal and three assists.
Sadly, the magic wore thin throughout the series against the Devils. New York was like a balloon losing air, and the Devils were like that one kid who won’t stop poking it.
Off-season time arrived, and Kane’s injured hip was begging for attention. He settled on a hip resurfacing operation for June 1, an alternative to hip replacement where the femoral head is covered with metal. Kane knew he would be out for 4-6 months, so he has yet to sign and likely will only once he recovers. Kane turns 35 on November 19, where he’ll officially be eligible for performance bonuses with up to 7.5% of deferred money permitted.
While the Rangers could bring him back on a one-year deal, it might not be the most strategic move. As Kane noted in his exit interview, “They [the Rangers] have young guys they need to sign.”
Rangers Report Cards: Kaapo Kakko: B (B)
Is it the last year we’ll be referring to the trio of Alexis Lafreniere (21), Filip Chytil(23), and Kaapo Kakko(22) as the “Kid line”? It’s time for them to make their mark in the NHL.
It’s been widely documented that a significant role in the firing of head coach Gerard Gallant was the player’s input, with Kakko one of them expressing his displeasure. He felt Gallant needed to give a proper sense of direction or be hard enough on them. New bench boss Peter Laviolette is known for his emphasis on toughness and structure. Now there are no more excuses.
Kakko’s season was like riding a rollercoaster through a Finnish winter – full of ups and downs! At the start, it seemed like he was as lost as a snowflake in a blizzard, and whispers of scratching him floated around like snowflakes in the wind. Yet, no scratch happened, and Kakko slyly pulled off a solid season.
He managed to stick it out for all 82 games and racked up 18 goals and 40 points. It’s a baby step of an improvement, but everyone is crossing their fingers that Kakko’s got more moves up his sleeve for his NHL journey. The hope is that his breakthrough year is upon us.
Playoffs? Oh, Kakko dipped his toe in there too. He had one goal and two points in seven games. He was like the secret weapon in the “kid line,” adding some oomph to their offensive zone plays. And speaking of Oomph, Kakko’s turned into a tank on ice – it’s like opponents need a bulldozer to get the puck off him.
Let’s discuss that third line because these kids will make or break the upcoming season.
The right-wing situation isn’t set in stone, and Kakko could become the top six hero. If someone’s injured or the team’s feeling a little off-kilter, Kakko’s got to shine in the spotlight and show he’s got that top-six magic in his pocket.
Toward the end of the season, Kakko was
collecting more responsibility, like snowflakes on a winter coat. It could be because the kid line is strong, or he impressed Gallant enough to earn extra ice time. He’s on the right track, and the goal is to keep building that momentum for next season. Let’s see where this snowball of success takes him!
Rangers Report Cards: Barclay Goodrow: B (A-)
Goodrow had 11 goals and 31 points, just a hair behind his best from last year when he had 32. It’s been one of those “Blink, and you miss it” stories on the Rangers’ roster. Goodrow’s been a ninja in the depth role, proving he’s got some severe value even among the big shots.
Yet let’s face it, scoring goals isn’t exactly his superpower. It’s like trying to make a snowman in August – not his strong suit. And hey, that’s a common theme with these fourth-line veteran players.
That said, it’s time we address the elephant in the room.
That contract – it’s like wearing ski boots to the beach. Yeah, it might not be the best fit for the role the Rangers expected Goodrow to play. Yet don’t throw all the tomatoes at him just yet. Goodrow was brought in to add stability to the bottom six and sprinkle leadership magic in the locker room. He’s hit career highs in offense the past couple of seasons, although it’s like playing chess with a checkers strategy.
Here’s the curveball: his two-way play hasn’t been as snappy as a slapshot since he joined the Rangers. Back in Tampa, he was like a wizard on the ice, with a 55% shot share and a 57% expected-goals share according to natural stat trick. It hasn’t improved in the Big Apple, not even crossing the 46% mark in either of those stats.
Maybe it’s because he got caught up in the top-six tornado, which is not precisely his groove. Or it could be the Rangers’ depth dilemma that’s got him in a pickle. Either way, he’s stuck between a rock and a hard place.
However, remember why he was brought in – to be the Mr. Reliable in the bottom six and sprinkle some leadership potion. And that’s what he’s being graded on. Leadership can be like trying to catch smoke with your hands, and even though his three-zone play might be fading a bit, his offensive output throws a little sparkle into the mix.
Yeah, there were a bunch of question marks when he inked that contract for $3,641,667 against the cap, which still has four years remaining and a no-trade clause on it.
However, if. Goodrow can help sprinkle some stardust and restore the glory of the New York Rangers by assisting them to win a Stanley Cup; those questions might float away like a snowflake in the wind.
Surprise!
We might as well talk about Blake Wheeler and Tyler Pitlick because they’re Rangers now and will be an essential part of the team’s right side this upcoming season.
Rangers Report cards: Blake Wheeler: B
Before you say anything, yes, Wheeler might be in the “Vintage” category at 36, but don’t let that fool you. He had a solid season when he wasn’t nursing his aches and pains. The guy scored 16 goals and notched 55 points in 65 games for the Winnipeg Jets.
Oh, and Wheeler’s face-off winning percentage hit a career-high of 51.59%. It’s like he’s the ninja of puck possession! Plus, he didn’t just play any ol’ team in the playoffs. Nope, he took on the Vegas Golden Knights like a champ. He scored two goals and had six points in just five games against those eventual Stanley Cup winners.
Yes, he’s only signed for one year at $800,000, with $300,000 available in bonus money nonetheless. However, more will be expected of him.
In his prime years, Wheeler went turbo through the neutral zone. It was like watching a racecar on skates. It was “Wheels up,” and no turning back. His top speed might be gone, but his puck-handling skills are still elite. His passing game? Oh, it’s better than a gourmet pizza delivery.
And don’t even get me started on his puck protection moves. He’s got the wall in his back pocket, buying time to serve up some spicy passes. He’ll be asked to continue that in a middle-six role on Broadway.
Rangers Report Cards: Tyler Pitlick: B
Last season, Pitlick turned a tryout contract into a sure thing.
He was like the Hercules of the fourth line, pulling off seven goals and 16 points in 61 games with the ST Louis Blues. Talk about making an entrance, right? Sure, the 31-year-old bounced around the NHL like a pinball, as this will be his eighth team(Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, Arizona Coyotes, Calgary Flames, Montreal Canadiens, and ST Louis).
That said, Pitlick has that reliable defender aura every team needs. Penalty kill? Oh, he’s got it down to an art form. And when it comes to the playoffs, he’s like that secret weapon you pull out at just the right moment.
Pitlick’s not a scorer. He’s a grinder, a master of the blue-collar game. He went from league minimum($750,000) to make $787,500 this upcoming season. With 105 points across his 386 NHL games, he’s the kind of guy who’s all about the team’s success.