In a lost season, the New York Rangers traded Ryan McDonagh, JT Miller, Nick Holden, Rick Nash and Michael Grabner at the trade deadline, buffing their farm system, adding Brett Howden, Libor Hajek and Ryan Lindgren. They also entered the draft with three first round picks. This is now a dark time in New York, as the Rangers and Islanders are both very bad. Before we look at their team, here\’s some fast facts for the New York Rangers.
Head Coach: Dan Quinn
General Manager: Jeff Gorton
Arena: Madison Square Garden
AHL Affiliate: Hartford Wolf Pack
2017-18 record: 34-39-9 (77 points)
2017-18 placement: 8th
Division: Metropolitan
2017-18 goals leader: Mika Zibanejad (27)
2017-18 assists leader: Mats Zuccarello (37)
2017-18 points leader: Mats Zuccarello (53)
2017-18 points leader (defenseman): Ryan McDonagh (26)
Captain: None
Assistant Captains: Chris Kreider, Mats Zuccarello, Marc Staal
2018 first round pick: Vitali Kravtsov, K\’andre Miller, Nils Lundkvist
Offseason additions: Frederik Claesson, Adam McQuaid, Dustin Tokarski
Offseason subtractions: David Desharnais, Ondrej Pavalec, Paul Carey, Steven Kampfer, Ryan Sproul
Forwards: Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider and Mats Zuccarello form a decent top line on an otherwise lackluster group. Vladislav Namestnikov, Jimmy Vesey and Ryan Spooner have lots to prove. Pavel Buchnevich showed he was a top-6 winger in 2017-18. Their two first round picks in 2017, Lias Andersson and Filip Chytil will receive big chances this year at 19.
Forward lines:
Chris Kreider – Mika Zibanejad – Mats Zuccarello
Vladislav Namestnikov – Kevin Hayes – Pavel Buchnevich
Jimmy Vesey – Filip Chytil – Ryan Spooner
Vinni Letteri – Lias Andersson – Jesper Fast
Other: Peter Holland, Cody McLeod
Defenseman. Lackluster left side, strong right side. The right side has their three best defensemen, Kevin Shattenkirk, Brady Skjei, and Neal Pionk, who impressed with 14 points in 28 games last year. Guys like Tony DeAngelo, Rob O\’Gara and Frederik Claesson will get hurt by Marc Staal and Brendan Smith\’s big contracts, and will need to fight them off.
Defensive pairs:
Neal Pionk – Kevin Shattenkirk
Marc Staal – Brady Skjei
Rob O\’Gara – Tony DeAngelo
Other: Brendan Smith, Frederik Claesson
Goalies:
Now 36, Henrik Lundqvist isn\’t as good as he used to be. The future is 22 year old backup Alexander Georgiev. Dustin Tokarski and Marek Mazanec fight for the third goalie role.
Goalie alignment:
Henrik Lundqvist
Alexander Georgiev
Other: Dustin Tokarski, Marek Mazanec
Predictions:
Top five scorers:
Mats Zuccarello
Mika Zibanejad
Pavel Buchnevich
Chris Kreider
Filip Chytil
Playoffs: No
Division: 8th
CarterHud 