Rangers Report Cards: Grading the Right-Wingers

Time to play the judge! We’re sizing up the New York Rangers’ right-wingers and delivering the final word. Get ready for some puck-tastic grades!

Hello, Blue Line Station fans! It’s time to dust off those virtual scorecards because we’re diving into the ultimate report card session, and this time we’re shining the spotlight on the right-wingers of the New York Rangers from the 2022-23 season.

We’ve dissected the centers and left-wingers, dishing out grades like ice cream on a hot day. And guess what? We’re not stopping there. Please keep your eyes peeled because, in the coming days, we’ll be delving into the defensemen, goalies, coaches, and even the folks who pull the strings behind the scenes. Oh, and don’t miss the friendly reminders we’ve sprinkled in parentheses as we hand out these grades.

Do you remember those midseason grades we tossed around like confetti? Well, now’s the time to see how the landscape has shifted or stayed as solid as a hockey puck. So buckle up, dear readers, because we’re about to take a deep dive into the performance of our right-wingers, handing out grades that’ll make you either nod in approval or give those eyebrows a workout.

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.