Adam Fox’s Hot Start: How the blueliner is setting the tone for the NY Rangers

It might sound wild, but Adam Fox is second on the team in points for the NY Rangers despite failing to find the net. Still, 16 points is 16 points, and it shows that the blueliner has been an unrelenting playmaker for the Rangers so far this season. 

That said, I’m not too worried about him chasing history in the wrong way at the moment. Should his overall points productivity tank, then yeah, I’ll be concerned, but that hasn’t been the case. Further, Fox is stealing the puck regularly, with 13 takeaways this season, and 22 blocks show that he’s also somewhat doing his part to keep the puck out of the net.

While his on-ice save percentage at even strength isn’t the greatest at 89.1, coupled with the fact he’s been on the ice for 15 goals so far in that same situation, his contributions when the Rangers have the puck have been a big reason behind their early-season success. 

Going into Saturday night’s contests, the Rangers are a solid but unspectacular 12th in the league in scoring, with 63 goals. But with 16 assists, Fox has directly accounted for just over a quarter of them. If that’s not impressive, I don’t know what is, and a look at more of his advanced numbers sheds light on that success. 

Adam Fox has been pitching in for a lot of goals for the NY Rangers

Let’s go back to even strength, where Fox has been on the ice for 18 goals, good for a 9.9 on-ice shooting percentage. One reason has been his ability to help create chances, something we see in his dynamic 56.7 Corsi For percentage, and staggering 13.1 Relative Corsi For. 

Just like last season, his numbers on the power play have been impeccable, with nine on-ice goals already, which translates to a 16.1 on-ice shooting percentage. Despite his even strength numbers looking so-so through 18 games this year, you can’t say the same for his short-handed stats, which boast an 86.4 on-ice save percentage and just three goals allowed. 

Overall, Adam Fox hasn’t been the best player or tandem on the NY Rangers, but he’s more than enjoyed a hot start to the season as it approaches the quarter-way mark. Should he keep up this stellar play, his first goal will come sooner rather than later, and if he keeps up the helpers, he’ll be on pace to snag between 72 and 73 when adjusted to a full season.