Revisiting the Rangers third line possibilities: Stack the size?
Bobby Bevilacqua
Kevin Hayes would certainly be a great top-six winger, but shoulg Vigneault opt to keep him as a center and create a very big, physical, and potentially effective line? Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers do not have many questions surrounding them for next season. There is no goalie controversy, the defensive pairings are set, all of the key players are signed through the next season, and we know where most of the players will end up.
But the one real question that the Rangers have is how they should organize their last two lines. With the additions of Viktor Stalberg, Jarret Stoll, Emerson Etem, and the one way deal given to Oscar Lindberg, there are potentially a lot of moving parts for Vigneault when it comes to his bottom six. AV likes to be able to roll four lines effectively, so his choices will be very important in determining the team’s success and effectiveness.
There is no real general consensus when it comes to other writers and other fans. Personally, I’ve heard some people saying that Stoll should get the spot because of his experience and faceoff abilities, other people want Kevin Hayes to develop as a center, and then others believe that it’s time for Oscar Lindberg to start in the NHL. Read the rest of this entry
Clear your calendars: Games to watch out for in the 2015-16 season
Bobby Bevilacqua
Hockey season is around the corner, and excitement is building. Here are some of the biggest games to watch out for throughout the season. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Last season, the Rangers season came to a disappointing end in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. But with every new season comes new opportunities, and another chance to hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup.
Any game can be exciting, because you never really know what will happen in each game. But here are some games that should be interesting, exciting, or eventful in the 2015-16 season. Read the rest of this entry
Quick Hits: NHL Expansion, Patrick Kane off NHL cover, Rangers goalie prospects
Bobby Bevilacqua
Some interesting stories from around the league have come out in the past few days, including some news about the Rangers goalie prospects.
NHL Expansion takes another step forward
Gery Bettman has invited the ownership groups in Las Vegas and Quebec to enter Phase Two of the expansion process. Photo courtesy of Trevor Hogan/Associated Press.
As many people know, the NHL is looking to expand the amount of teams in the league for the first time since 2000, when the Minnesota Wild and the Columbus Blue Jackets played their first games in franchise history.
While 16 separate groups/individuals were interested in creating a new team, only two cites had filed an application; Las Vegas and Quebec. Las Vegas has never had an NHL team before, while the small Quebec City was host to the Nordiques from 1979 to 1995, when they became the Colorado Avalanche. Read the rest of this entry
Dominic Moore’s role for the upcoming season
Bobby Bevilacqua
Dominic Moore was a very effective forward for the Rangers last season, and his offensive skills are sometimes overlooked, mainly due to the role he plays. Could he fulfill the role of third line center? Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers have a problem. But fear not, because it’s a great problem to have. Currently, they have a plethora of centers and quality bottom six players that they can fit in the lineup, even more so following the addition of Jarret Stoll.
Yesterday, I posted an article posing the question, “Who should assume the third line center role,” with the options being Kevin Hayes, Jarret Stoll and Oscar Lindberg. The most votes were for the newcomer, Jarret Stoll.
But it seems that I have actually left out an option. Dominic Moore, a Rangers draft pick who was re-signed two years ago, has become a very important part of this team. Arguably the most important penalty killer, the best faceoff man, and a pretty decent offensive option. Read the rest of this entry
Hayes, Lindberg or Stoll: Who should be the third line center?
Bobby Bevilacqua
Following the Jarret Stoll signing, Alain Vigneault now has his choice of three quality centers to anchor the third line. Who should it be? Photo courtesy of Gary Vasquez/US PRESSWIRE and MSG Photos.
Last season, Kevin Hayes impressed everyone in his rookie season, moving to center, a position that he had rarely played before, leading the league in primary assists, and finishing with 45 points. But he’s a winger by trade, and the Rangers may be looking to utilize him on the wing long term.
With rookie forward Oscar Lindberg waiting in the wings, after developing in Hartford for the last two seasons, Alain VIgneault has a few options for the third line. But who should he choose to be the third line center? Read the rest of this entry
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