Blog Archives
Buchnevich has earned a spot on the Rangers’ top line
Bobby Bevilacqua
Pavel Buchnevich, Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad celebrate a goal in a preseason game against the Flyers. Photo courtesy of Bruce Bennett/Getty Images.
The three best forwards during the Rangers preseason all happened to play on the same line. Mika Zibanejad looks like everything Derick Brassard was plus more while Chris Kreider has been playing like a man on a mission, aggressively skating and looking to expand on two consecutive 20 goal seasons. But the biggest surprise has been rookie Pavel Buchnevich.
Buchnevich looks like a lock for the opening night lineup, marking an NHL debut for the 21 year-old after spending parts of the last four seasons in the KHL. Despite the culture shock that comes from moving to North America, as well as adapting to the smaller ice, Buchnevich has looked like a poised NHL veteran and looks ready to contribute with the Rangers.
While it was Harvard grad Jimmy Vesey that won the Lars-Erik Sjoberg Award for the best Rookie at training camp, Buch had to be a close second. It took him until the final preseason game to score his first goal, but he could have had a lot more than that. In terms of creating chances, Buchnevich may have been one of the best at creating chances for others, putting himself in good positions, and getting shots on goal. If it wasn’t for the extraordinary play of some of the goalies that he faced, there probably would have been a few more goals on his stat sheet. He did finish with a goal and two assists in four games.
Rangers preseason continues with game against the Devils; Vesey to start
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After a win in the first preseason contest against the Islanders, the Rangers host the Devils tonight at Madison Square Garden as the team continues to look at players fighting for roster spot and their roles in the regular season.
The Rangers announced the lines and defensive pairings the other day, and the top line is the most intriguing. Jimmy Vesey will make his first appearance with the team on the left wing. Kevin Hayes will center that line, and Rick Nash will play on the right. Read the rest of this entry
Are the Rangers looking to trade Dominic Moore?
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Two games ago, Alain Vigneault made the surprising move to scratch the ever-reliable Dominic Moore, a mainstay in the Rangers lineup for the past two seasons. He stated that he wanted to see Jarret Stoll as a true center, with two wingers by his side.
A bit odd, but experimental, which is fine. Stoll is a centerman by trade, and it allowed Emerson Etem to get some more games in. Nothing to see here.
Until it happened again. Read the rest of this entry
An analytic look at the New York Rangers
Bobby Bevilacqua
Rick Nash has been criticized this year, but he’s doing everything right. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
“The eyes can deceive you, don’t trust them.”
Obi-Wan Kenobi’s advice to the young Luke Skywalker holds value in many walks of life, but it fits perfectly when it comes to the sport of hockey. Every year, more sports and more people are starting to turn to sabermetrics and analytics to get a deeper understanding of their team or sport.
Analytics is slowly starting to catch on in hockey. It can be confusing at first, but it really helps get a look at possession, creating offensive possession, and even things like “puck luck.” You can also predict regression from players and team, and more effectively evaluate a player’s performance. Read the rest of this entry
Dear Kevin Hayes; Play more, think less
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
There’s no denying the talent that Kevin Hayes possesses.
After deciding not to sign with Chicago, who made him the 24th overall selection in the 2010 draft, Hayes made his way to New York City, earning an opening day roster spot and making his NHL debut in the third game of the season. From that moment on, learning a new position on the fly, Hayes cemented himself into the lineup, improving with each passing game.
Hayes wound up centering the third line with an always-rotating cast of wingers. Despite that, he would lead the Rangers in scoring over the past few months of the season, and carried that success into the playoffs. His 45 points (17-28-45) were fifth amongst all NHL rookies, and he was actually tied with Joe Thornton and Tyler Seguin for the most primary assists that year, with 21. Quite good company.
He’s got silky smooth hands, fantastic vision, great passing skills, and the ability to score some highlight reel goals when needed. An impressive rookie season and a solid playoffs showed that. Read the rest of this entry
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