NY Rangers: Keys to a strong regular season

The New York Rangers had one of the more disappointing seasons in the NHL last year, and as the new season gets closer and closer, the Blueshirts and their fans want to flip the script. This started with the Rangers hiring a new coach, Peter Laviolette, who should initiate a culture change from day one.

There’s no doubt that the Rangers have high expectations, even with their first-round exit last year. Moreover, every regular season game will be important: the Rangers are in a Metropolitan Division that is always loaded, and now it boasts the Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, and the Rangers, all threats to make deep playoff runs. On top of this, Kyle Dubas has turned the Pittsburgh Penguins into a better team, most notably bringing in Erik Karlsson.

Every game will be important, and the Rangers need to have a strong regular season. Here are the keys to making this come to fruition.

The first key has been the center for the Rangers and their offseason plans: in order for the team to make a jump, it starts with the kids. Alexis Lafreniere, Kaapo Kakko, and Filip Chytil have yet to make the massive jumps expected from them but have steadily increased in production year after year.

The Rangers lineup, at least for opening night, has room for each youngster to develop and make a big difference and even solidify themselves in the top six. It will be easier for some than others.

Starting with Kakko, who will have the easiest way into the top six: though the Rangers brought in Blake Wheeler on a one-year contract, Kakko should start the year with top-six minutes. He is expected to take a jump, boasting the puck handling and physical skills not many offer. For Kakko, it comes down to finishing: if he is able to score more, watch out.

For Lafreniere, playing in the top six at his natural position of the left wing is hard, with Artemi Panarin and Chris Kreider ahead of him. Still, the former first-overall pick can make some noise. It will be interesting how Peter Laviolette slots Lafreniere into the lineup as the season goes on. After a poor first round against the Devils, combined with an eventual contract extension, Lafreniere has some expectations he needs to reach.

Last is Chytil, who slots in as the Rangers’ second or third-line center, assuming he and Vincent Trocheck are interchangeable. Chytil scored over 20 goals for the first time in his career last season, and the hope is he can do the same next year.

The Rangers’ success, not only in the regular season, will come down to these three players. But, these three are not only hoped but expected to make jumps. It will be key for the Blueshirts for years to come.

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.