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Mailbag Monday: Bottom Six depth, Rangers prospects and more
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Welcome to the first edition of Mailbag Monday, something that is popular around the web but new to The Ranger Zone. It’s something that I’ve wanted to start up for a while and increase interaction with the readers, so I’m very glad to be starting it this week.
I want to make this into a weekly or bi-weekly thing, so if you ever have questions you’d like me to answer, leave them in the comments section on Facebook or on this article, message me on twitter @The_RangerZone, or send an email using the Contact Me tab at the top of the site.
Without further ado, let’s get started.
What’s going to happen with Patrick Kane? – Ian M.
There hasn’t been too much news on Kane since the investigation was announced. In the last Quick Hits article (LINK), I mentioned how his grand jury hearing was pushed back for two weeks. Usually, this means that a settlement is being discussed, but that isn’t confirmed either. Read the rest of this entry
The Rangers are being overlooked, and that makes them even more dangerous
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Despite finishing last season with 113 points, the Presidents’ Trophy, and coming within one win of returning to the Stanley Cup Finals, the New York Rangers have found a way to fly under the radar in a very competitive Metropolitan Division. And they’re all the better for it.
The Metropolitan Division is in contention for the strongest division in the entire league. Many people have predicted that they will send five of the eight teams to the playoffs. Teams like the Blue Jackets, Capitals and Penguins all improved their team, with a lot of fantastic scorers and defenders spread out amongst the eight teams.
The Metro really does have the talent to send five teams to the playoffs, with those teams being The Rangers, the Penguins, the Capitals, the Blue Jackets and the Islanders. All five of those teams are extremely good, and they all have potential to make a run in the playoffs. Read the rest of this entry
What to expect: Projecting the Rangers scoring for 2015-16
The Rangers were a strong offensive team last year. Can they score at the same pace in 2015-16? Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Last season, the Rangers were one of the highest scoring teams in the NHL, scoring a total of 248 goals, behind only the Dallas Stars (257) and the Tampa Bay Lightning (259). Carried by a prolific top line and some strong depth forwards, Alain Vigneault created a potent offensive team.
But like every other season, there is always change, this year coming mostly among the depth forwards Martin St. Louis, Carl Hagelin, James Sheppard and others. With all of the new faces coming into the lineup, that brings uncertainty.
It’s fair to expect that the remaining members of last year’s top six (Rick Nash, Derick Brassard, Mats Zuccarello, Chris Kreider, Derek Stepan) will post similar numbers. Players like Kreider and Stepan may even see some improvement. Read the rest of this entry
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
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
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