NY Rangers: Keys to a strong regular season

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 07: Mika Zibanejad #93, Alexis Lafrenière #13 and Kaapo Kakko #24 of the New York Rangers celebrate after Lafrenière scored a third-period goal against Logan Thompson #36 of the Vegas Golden Knights during their game at T-Mobile Arena on December 07, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Rangers defeated the Golden Knights 5-1. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 20: Blake Wheeler #26 and Pierre-Luc Dubois #80 of the Winnipeg Jets slow down Vladimir Tarasenko #91 of the New York Rangers during the second period at Madison Square Garden on February 20, 2023, in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

The picture above characterizes this slide: exit Vladimir Tarasenko and enter Blake Wheeler. The veteran right-winger signed with the Rangers on a one-year, $800,000 contract this offseason. Wheeler was the team’s marquee signing this offseason so far, and he will immediately be slotted into an important role.

Does this mean top-six minutes? Probably, at least for the start, depending on what Peter Laviolette has in mind. Wheeler provides the goal-scoring and experience necessary for a team that is in a high-scoring division. The hope is he can also mentor wingers, such as Kaapo Kakko, into reaching their potential.

Wheeler’s role will fluctuate throughout the season, especially around the trade deadline, but he will always be key for New York.

The same will be said about other veterans that Chris Drury brought in, such as Tyler Pitlick, Nick Bonino, and Erik Gustaffson. These players need to perform suitably and fill holes in the lineup in order for the Rangers to compete.

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