The 2020/21 regular season in the NHL is scheduled to start on January 13th. To get you started, NHL.com presents a series with the three most important questions that the 31 teams have to grapple with.
In this issue: New York Rangers
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Two New York Rangers personalities made for a lot of talk in the offseason. On the one hand, the choice of Alexis Lafreniere as first overall pick at the NHL Draft 2020, on the other hand, the premature departure from goalkeeper legend Henrik Lundqvist. Otherwise, the Manhattan club stayed pretty quiet about transfer activities. With defense attorney Jack Johnson (most recently Pittsburgh Penguins) only one well-known player joined the team. In addition to Lundqvist (to the Washington Capitals) left with Jesper Fast (Carolina Hurricanes) and Marc Staal (Detroit Red Wings) two other long-time regulars from previous years the Rangers.
The 2020 postseason ended in disappointment for the New York team. In the Stanley Cup qualifying series they were eliminated after a sweep in three games against the Hurricanes sang and soundless. Still, the Rangers are optimistic about the near future. Those in charge are convinced that the numerous talents available will take the next step and form a promising mixture with the experienced players.
A few days before the start of the season, there are three main questions in the Rangers’ camp.
1. What can reasonably be expected of Lafreniere?
The expectations of top pick Lafreniere are enormous. He is considered to be one of the greatest talents to choose from in an NHL draft in recent years. One reason for this is not least his outstanding results in the past season with Rimouski in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The 19-year-old left winger collected 112 points (35 goals, 77 assists) in 52 games. This made him the undisputed top scorer in the league.
But that was just in the junior area. Now it’s not just about making the leap to the pros, but straight to the NHL. How this transition will take place and what demands one can really make of Lafreniere remains to be seen. Coach David Quinn knows that too. He would rather not give a forecast. “Any answer at this point would be inappropriate. But his talent and demeanor are undoubtedly NHL-level,” said the coach.
The training camp should provide a first clue as to where Lafreniere runs at the start of the season. It is generally expected that Quinn will not mess up the attacking formations. That would mean, that Chris Kreider occupied the left wing of the first row, Artemi Panarin plays on the left winger in the second row and Lafreniere takes this position in the third row. His strike partners would then almost certainly be Center Filip Chytil and right winger Julien gauthier.
2. Is Kakko ready for a top 6 role in attack?
A promotion for the new season beckons Kaapo Kakko. After the departure of the right wing Fast to the Hurricanes, he could advance to his post in the second line of attack and together with Panarin and Center Ryan Strome blow to attack. In the past season, the first round pick of the Rangers in the NHL Draft 2019 (2nd place) was mainly used in the third storm row. As far as the technical and physical facilities are concerned, Kakko has everything for a top 6 role. However, if he wants to stay there permanently, he has to step up a tooth on both sides of the ice.
Video: NYR @ DAL: Kakko proves his strong technique
In his 2019/20 rookie season, the attacker was only able to partially confirm the advance praise. His 23 points (ten goals, 13 assists) from 66 games were significantly less than expected. In the scorer ranking of the new league players, he only ended up in eleventh place. In the postseason he even went completely empty-handed. Kakko’s weaknesses in defensive behavior became apparent in the extremely poor plus-minus balance of -26 in the regular season. In the coming weeks, the 19-year-old Finn can prove that he can do a lot more than his statistics from the previous season have shown.
3. How are Lundqvist’s successors doing?
A new era begins at the Rangers’ Gate after Lundqvist’s departure. The Rangers had bought the 38-year-old veteran from his seven-year contract, which ran until 2021. Igor Shesterkin and Alexandar Georgiev should take over the legacy of the long-time regular keeper.
Georgiev is the more experienced of the two goalkeepers. The 24-year-old has played 77 main round games for Rangers in the past three years. Shesterkin made his debut in the NHL last season and made twelve appearances in the Rangers jersey. He left the ice ten times as the winner (10-2-0). His catch quota at the twelve starts was 93.2 percent, the average goal conceded was 2.52.
If you interpret the statements of coach Quinn correctly, he relies on Shesterkin as the new number one. “I like his attitude and the confidence he has,” he said of the 25-year-old goalkeeper.
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