Rangers Revelation: A Midseason Assessment of Stellar Performances and Areas for Improvement
Forwards
Will Cuylle (A): Cuylle is a terrific rookie who leads the club in hits and has established himself as a candidate for the Steven McDonald Extra Effort award thanks to his physical and impactful performance.
Alexis Lafreniere (B):
Lafreniere, who thrives with elite players, has shown development and promise in the top six, scoring 29 points.
Chris Kreider (B+): Kreider, a net-front player, has proven his scoring ability by setting a new team record with nine power-play goals.
Mika Zibanejad (C+): With 15 goals and 31 assists in 48 games, Zibanejad has shown flashes of All-Star form, but consistency has been a problem.
Jimmy Vesey (B-): After being scratched for the first game, Vesey became an important member of the bottom six with nine goals and significant assists.
Kaapo Kakko (C): After a sluggish offensive start, Kakko struggled at first on the top line and is allegedly on the trade block.
Artemi Panarin (A+): Panarin has made a tremendous comeback and established himself as a strong candidate for the Hart Trophy. With 30 goals and 66 points, he is among the best in the league.
Blake Wheeler (B-): Wheeler showed seasoned tenacity with better performances in January after settling into a groove in the bottom six.
Vincent Trocheck (A+): With outstanding performances and career-highs in several categories, Trocheck—the second-best forward—has earned a spot on the All-Star team for the second time.
Defensemen
Braden Schneider (B): With players of a better caliber surrounding him, Schneider is expected to eclipse career highs in points, goals, and assists.
K'Andre Miller (C+): Miller went through ups and downs, showing promise early on in his offensive career before facing difficulties after resigning for personal reasons.
Erik Gustafsson (B): Gustafsson's attacking output has decreased, but his 19 assists and four goals over a one-year contract are still noteworthy.
Jacob Trouba (B-): Despite a little decline in offensive output, Trouba's physicality and leadership have set the tone.
Ryan Lindgren (B+): Lindgren makes minimal attacking contributions, but his defensive perseverance is evident.
Adam Fox (A-): Fox is still a defensive mainstay, scoring 12 points in the last ten games before the All-Star break, despite a brief period of difficulty following an injury.
Goalies
Igor Shesterkin (C+): Shesterkin has struggled since returning from injury, even though he is playing in his third straight All-Star game.
Jonathan Quick (A-):
Quick, brought in as a backup, has surprisingly outperformed expectations with a .915 save percentage, showcasing veteran stability, and could be pivotal in playoffs if needed.
Overall Team Grade: A-
Despite a challenging stretch in January, the Rangers have exceeded expectations, showcasing talent and potential. General Manager Chris Drury's work isn't done, with areas to address before the trade deadline. As the Metropolitan Division intensifies, the Rangers appear poised for a deep playoff run, reflecting the resilience and skill that define this team.