Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. Like many of you – I am also elated that the meaningless preseason is now behind us.
But then again, how truly “meaningless” was training camp and the six exhibition matches played throughout it?
For players like Victor Mancini, Zac Jones and Adam Edstrom, training camp/preseason was extremely critical and crucial for them – and as a result – this trio of youngsters will most likely still be standing with the varsity team come the final cut.
Conversely, for someone like a Brennan Othmann, a 2021 first-round pick who is still looking to make his mark in the league – the preseason/training camp most certainly didn’t work out for him in the fashion that he wanted.
And to be clear: You can’t blame Blueshirts’ bench boss, Peter Laviolette, nor Rangers’ GM/Team President, Chris Drury, for Othmann’s shortcomings/failure to make the team.
After all, Othmann was the only player to participate in all six of the team’s preseason games – including one last final audition on Long Island while skating on the team’s defacto top line, in lieu of the day-to-day Artemi Panarin, and with Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere by his side.
To a lesser extent, training camp didn’t fare too well for defenseman Matthew Robertson either, who like Othmann, will begin the 2024-25 season in Hartford.
Worse for Robertson? Othmann has a much easier path to the NHL than him.
For those who are unaware, Robertson, at 23-years-old, is two-years older than Othmann, and for the former second-round draft pick, this will mark his fourth season with the Wolfpack – and where unlike Othmann – he’s yet to play in an NHL game.
For Robertson and Othmann, who were both among the final cuts (and with perhaps Brett Berard, currently filling in for Panarin until “The Breadman” is back to full health, soon to join them), it has to be disappointing for these promising prospects.
In the case of Robertson, and barring no injuries, there just seems no path to the NHL while within the Rangers’ organization – and the fact that Mancini has taken the club by storm doesn’t help his cause either.
As previously opined in this space; while Othmann didn’t do much in the preseason, I still wouldn’t mind seeing him get a shot over the likes of a Kaapo Kakko.
In other words – give me the Devil that I don’t know – and rather than the one that I do.
But of course, Othmann had every opportunity to make this team out of camp, but aside from a few highlights against AHLers – the majority of his play was less than memorable – and where on most nights – you had to check the box score to see if he even played too.
As alluded to above – he did absolutely nothing while skating with Trocheck and Lafreniere – and worse than that – was also a detriment to this prolific duo.
At this time, and as I try to catch up on everything that I missed during the past several days (my real life j-o-b hours have increased ten-fold), here was my most recent blog previous to this one:
NYR/NJD 9/30 “Review”: Jonathan Quick “The Lone Ranger” To Shine During An All-Out AHL Battle; Othmann & Others Don’t Take Advantage of a Big Time Blueshirts’ Opportunity, Uncle Daddy Jr. Thrives in Minor-League Match-Up, Jimmy Vesey Joins Ryan Lindgren on the IR; “Mr. Ed” Looking To Join The Field, Laviolette Strategy & More
In the interest of time, and with the knowledge of the fact that you don’t want to read my belated and detailed thoughts on the final two preseason contests either (but you can always read my live thoughts on my @NYCTHEMIC Twitter/X account); at this moment, just a few thoughts about the Rangers/Devils game which took place this past Tuesday night, October 1st:
— While it’s always nice to win these games, I also don’t know how much was learnt from this 5-4 victory – and only because the Rangers skated most of their NHL regulars, while the Devils were forced to skate out a squad exclusive to AHLers and ECHlers, due to their two opening games in Prague, Czechia.
— On an aside, the Devils, who I predicted a month ago to win both the division and the Eastern Conference Final (full explanation here: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/2425p/ ), are now 2-0 in the regular season, following their pair of victories over the lowly Buffalo Sabres.
— I admit it – I was shocked when Kakko scored the first goal of the game (a deflection), but I was not shocked to see Jones set it up. For Jones, he started finding his stride towards the end of last season – and where as noted last time on this site – his exclusion from the 2024 ECF is now another “what if” question in franchise history.
— Similar to Jones, this night was also big for Big Ed himself, Adam Edstrom, who scored the second Rangers’ goal of the game. Ditto Mr. Mancini, who arguably scored the prettiest goal of the game – and who only cemented his case for a roster spot too.
— While I didn’t think that Connor Mackey would ever make the team out of camp (he’s since been assigned to the Wolfpack); I was also happy for him when he picked up a goal after viciously sending a puck below the crossbar.
— I also enjoyed seeing Trocheck light the red lamp, as after previously forcing a pass to Jonny Brodzinski on a Rangers’ PP (a turnover – but this was more about trying to get a teammate going rather than making a boneheaded play), Trocheck then soon scored on his next power-play opportunity.
— Away from the scoring, and I thought that the fourth line had a hell of a showing, as the two giant flanks, Edstrom and Matt Rempe, and now featuring Sam Carrick in the middle, all played well.
— Goaltending wise, and I thought that both CZAR IGOR and Dylan Garand looked okay, but I also wasn’t a fan of how they allowed this game to become close either.
— We’ve seen it way too many times before – and it happened in this game too. The Rangers got the opening goal and then no less than forty-seconds later – the other team, in this instance the Devils – tied the game with a riveting response of a strike.
— Come the 3:22 mark of the final frame and the Rangers were leading 5-2.
— And let’s get this out there too: THEY SHOULD HAVE BLOWN OUT THIS DEVILS’ ROSTER. However, that’s not what happened, as the Rangers, and they are so prone to this too, took their feet off of the gas and then allowed the red-and-black to surge a comeback.
— With just a little under five-minutes remaining and the Devils, previously down by three goals, were able to cut the deficit to two. At this time, New Jersey’s net was empty, which meant that the Rangers had over four-minutes to end the game with the empty-net dagger goal. Rather than that, instead, the Devils scored, thus making the score 5-4, and in favor of the Rangers. While that held up as the final score, I was just dumbfounded that the Blueshirts couldn’t execute the kill-shot against a minor-league team.
— Perhaps the best news coming out of this game? The fact that Zac Jones (2 assists), Adam Edstrom (1 goal) and Victor Mancini (1 goal) were your three stars of the game (and in that order) – and in game where you had big stars up-and-down the Blueshirts’ line-up participating in.
— The no-doubt-about-it worst news coming out of this game? The fact that Panarin, previously day-to-day with a lower-body-injury, felt that he was good enough to go. However, following four shifts (2:25 TOI), Panarin left the game, having re-aggravated his nagging injury. More on the status of “The Breadman” below.
As previously discussed on 9/24 (link here: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/92424/ ); while the Rangers’ 6-4 win over the Islanders was thrilling – it also wasn’t a great game for “Lavy’s Lot” either.
After all, the team mounted their comeback with just a little over five-minutes remaining, while the first 55-minutes or so was some pretty awful hockey.
In their first game together, and the new Isles’ top line of Barzal/Horvat/Duclair were simply amazing, as Barzal scored two goals, Horvat scored another and Duclair had a pair of assists to his ledger to boot.
In the rematch, and in the Rangers’ final preseason game of training camp too – it was more of the same.
On Friday, October 4th, inside of the IBS Arena at Belmont, and the Isles’ prevailed over their Big Brother Blueshirts by a final score of 5-2.
Unlike the first game, and this time, it were the Rangers who started out hot-and-heavy, as Brodzinski opened the scoring with a deflection, while the man who picked up the assist on JONNY BROADWAY’S goal, Adam Fox, soon scored some two-minutes later with a clear rip of his own – and one also abetted by an Islander deflection too.
Up 2-0 by the 8:54 mark of the first period, and with CZAR IGOR in lights-out mode too – and that was it for the Ranger highlights on this night.
And as it was on 9/24 – and despite the final score too – once again, the new top line on Long Island just absolutely dominated their arch-rival.
In this go-around, and in a BIGGER, BETTER, BADDER performance too, Barzal had a five-point game (1 goal and 4 assists), Horvat scored two goals himself and “The Duke” finished with a goal and two assists.
For those counting, that’s ten points between these three and where this trio was involved in every Isles’ scoring play too.
Conversely, the Rangers’ top line on this night, Kreider, Zibanejad and Smith, did OO-GATZ.
Not only did this trio fail to pick up a point, but your alleged number one center, Missing Mika, finished with a game low minus-two.
Also tying Zibanejad’s minus-two?
Lafreniere and Trocheck, who were also caved in by the Isles’ top line at points – and where as talked about above – received no help from what should’ve been a hungry and foaming-at-the-mouth Othmann.
Had Panarin been able to play, then who knows?
But the line of Kreider/Mika/Smith did – and where it felt like a case of playoff deja vu all over again – because as we’ve seen more times than we’d like to remember – once again, another opposing top line was able to just flat-out dominate and eviscerate a line led by the $8.5M center.
Yeah, it was only the preseason, but in a way, and only because Chris Drury didn’t do much this summer, hence the new “RUN IT BACK” vibes circling around this team – and it does feel like this season is just a continuation of last year’s failed campaign.
Should you want to ignore the extreme gravity of the ECF loss (and as I’ve been saying ever since – I feel that in the future, then this loss will be looked back/considered as the peak of this current core); then in a way, you can equate that defeat as if it were an Olympic break – and where the Rangers are now back and looking to contend for the Cup.
And yes, I know that’s not reality – but I think you know what I mean here too – even if my example isn’t the best.
Furthermore, while CZAR IGOR did make a bevy of highlight reel saves; at the same time, for a guy looking to become the highest-paid goalie in the league, and at the overall expense of bolstering as much talent as possible around him too – then giving up five goals (33/38), and finishing with another subpar save percentage (.868) this preseason doesn’t exactly help his cause.
But of course, it was only the preseason – and that’s the last time we have to say that!
Following the events of the Rangers’ preseason finale loss to the Islanders, I tweeted this out:
See ya in Hartford, Othmann #nyr
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) October 5, 2024
Such thoughts were soon confirmed by the organization on Saturday:
UPDATE: Ryder Korczak and Brennan Othmann have been assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack.
— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) October 5, 2024
I’ve beat this Othmann drum enough, but I also want to say that while it’s not his day today – I’m also not ruling out that his day will come.
While the ascension of Alexis Lafreniere is a whole different scenario; when it comes to Othmann, then he should look at Lafreniere as a source of inspiration.
Perhaps Othmann will get some call-up games this season once injuries inevitably pop-up; but for now, his best shot at becoming a regular NHLer is most likely next season, when the team, and due to salary cap reasons, will be forced to use cheaper and younger players.
In other news, and the Rangers have waived and/or assigned every other player that you’d imagine would begin the season in the AHL to Hartford too.
The only real wild-card left remaining is Brett Berard, who is presently filling in for the day-to-day Panarin.
But once Panarin is cleared, then it’s all but elementary that Double B will return to the Wolfpack.
Following an off-day on Saturday, and the Rangers reconvened for practice at their training facility in Tarrytown, NY.
Prior to the morning skate, and the club announced that Panarin and Ryan Lindgren are skating on their own, while Jimmy Vesey has yet to start his comeback.
Come the practice, and we got an idea of what Laviolette will employ come Wednesday night in Pittsburgh, as he put the following lines and pairs together:
FIRST LINE: Kreider/Zibanejad/Smith
SECOND LINE: Panarin/Trocheck/Lafreniere (again, Berard subbed in for Panarin here)
THIRD LINE: Cuylle/Chytil/Kakko
FOURTH LINE: Edstrom/Carrick/Rempe
FIRST PAIR: Miller/Fox
SECOND PAIR: Schneider/Trouba
THIRD PAIR: Jones/Mancini
STARTING GOALIE: CZAR IGOR
BACK UP GOALIE: Quick
Spare Forward: Brodzinski
Spare Defenseman: Ruhwedel
Injured: Lindgren, Panarin and Vesey
Following Sunday’s practice and the head coach conducted his daily edition of “LAVY’S LOUNGE.”
Here it is for you below:
At this time, just a few thoughts, opinions, predictions and musings on the current roster.
GOALIES
CZAR IGOR: I thought Swayman’s new deal (signed on Sunday, 10/6) was good for #31 in blue.
While I don’t believe that Shestyorkin is “$4M better” than Swayman; at the same time, Swayman and his agent took a hard stance against the Bruins during their negotiations – and by the end of such talks – they won.
At one point, it was rumored that the Bruins offered as “little” as $48M guaranteed. Come Sunday, and Swayman was guaranteed $66M overall.
Not shabby.
Until (or if – egads!) CZAR IGOR re-signs with the Rangers, then for the soon-to-be UFA (assuming a deal isn’t reached in the next few days – as CZAR IGOR has previously said that he’d prefer a deal done by the start of the campaign, rather than worrying about it/losing focus during the season), then his current contract conversations will remain as the top talk in town.
I’ve already said my piece on this subject one too many times, so in short – if I were Drury (and by now, you know that I’m just a beer-bellied blogger – and not the man sitting in the big chair at 33rd & 7th), then I wouldn’t go over 10% of my team’s cap hit for a goaltender.
However, and unlike my good friend Stan Fischler – I’m also not going to call Shestyorkin “greedy” or “selfish” for wanting the bag.
After all, it’s his right to get paid as much as possible, especially since athletes only have a short amount of time in their line of work.
But I will say that unless he wins the Stanley Cup in 2025 – then the career, and final contract, of Henrik Lundqvist, should be a learning lesson for the Russian netminder.
Don’t let history repeat itself – and this goes for both the Rangers and the goalie.
JONATHAN QUICK: Come January 21st, 2025 and JQ32, the three-time Stanley Cup champion, former Ranger tormentor and a future Hall of Famer too, will turn 39-years-old.
In other words, there’s a chance that this could be Quick’s final NHL campaign – and where it should also be reminded to you that he’s now on the final year of his contract extension that was signed last season.
Similar to many on this roster, including both the likes of Panarin and Trocheck – and I wonder if Quick, following a hell of a year, will suffer a decline.
After all, it’s only natural – and especially for a goalie much closer to 40 than 30.
Ever since CZAR IGOR’s 2021-22 Vezina Trophy winning season, and the new franchise goalie has battled the injury bug – while also routinely experiencing mid-season slumps too.
This time around, the Rangers will need CZAR IGOR to be healthy – and “slumpless” too – as I don’t think you can expect Quick to play nearly 30 games this season (he played in 27 last year), while also expecting your back-up to finish with an impressive and eye-popping line of 18-6-2, a 2.62 GAA and a .911 save percentage.
While Quick’s production may dip a bit, I also believe that he will be serviceable – and more importantly – reliable too.
I just wouldn’t rely on him to make nearly thirty starts.
DEFENSEMEN
ADAM FOX: At this point for the 2021 Norris Trophy winner – it’s all about staying healthy for when it matters – the playoffs.
We all know what Fox is – one of the best defensemen in the league – and a jack-of-all trades too, as #23 shines in all facets – five vs five, the power-play and whenever on the penalty kill too.
It’s been rough for Fox during the last two playoff runs, as he wasn’t 100% throughout either of them – and when he’s not 100%, not only is the team not at 100% either – but equally as drastic is how low the power-play success rate sinks.
Just watch the series against Florida for proof.
ZAC JONES: Hard work, and persistence too, pays off. Look no further than #6 on the Rangers when seeking out such an example.
Jones, who went back on his previous ultimatum when he decided to sign with the Rangers/turn professional/end his collegiate career after winning the 2021 NCAA Championship (UMass-Amherst), has primarily spent the bulk of his pro career either in the AHL – or by sitting in the various NHL press boxes around the league.
Jones’ big break came towards the end of last season, when both Trouba and Lindgren went down with injuries. After enjoying his “flipping the switch moment,” once #8 and #55 were able to return for the playoffs, then #6 was sent right back to the press box.
It’s now up to Jones, who will begin the season in the line-up, to stay there – and not only compete in his first playoff game – but surpass his career total of NHL games played (69 – nice) too.
My prediction?
He accomplishes both of these milestones.
RYAN LINDGREN: For the life of me, I still don’t understand why so many fans seem giddy, if not eagerly anticipating, this becoming the final season for double-nickel in blue.
Perhaps similar to Lundqvist’s former contract in relation to CZAR IGOR today – and Ranger fans are worried about Lindgren having a similar “fate” as another pair of former short blockers/defensive stalwarts, Dan Girardi and Marc Staal.
Granted, while Lindgren has endured much damage throughout his 333 NHL games played career; at the same time, he’s still only 26-years-old, and in theory – his best years are still ahead of him.
(And for what it’s worth – don’t listen to the nimrods – Girardi and Staal, and like Lindgren today, were warriors too.)
Furthermore, while Miller will most likely open the season with Fox should Lindgren remain out; then until Miller can prove that he can have success with Fox, then it’s still Lindgren, Fox’s long-time chum, that’s been the best partner that #23 has ever had.
While not exactly alike as the number one tandem from 1994; at the same time, the Lindgren and Fox pairing has been the best defensive duo the Rangers have ever had since the days of Brian Leetch and Jeff Beukeboom once patrolling the Blueshirts’ blue line – and another d-pair that superbly featured a prolific offensive defenseman and a shutdown rearguard.
It’s tough to imagine the Rangers ending the Fox/Lindgren pairing while the two are so young – and with their prime years ahead of them to boot.
But this is also a business – and just like CZAR IGOR – Lindgren will also want to be handsomely paid.
It should also be stated that the Rangers really don’t have many left-handed d-men ready in the pipe-line, which should help Lindgren’s case – and especially if he can remain relatively healthy this season, come his contract renewal time this summer.
VICTOR MANCINI: No one had a better training camp/preseason than the native of Saginaw, MI. No one.
While some may argue for either Edstrom or Jones; at the same time, both of those players have NHL games under their belts. Conversely, Mancini, a fifth-round draft pick mind you, entered training camp as a relatively unknown, and now two-weeks later, you already have fans not only clamoring for his inclusion in Lavy’s Line-Up, but wearing #90 jerseys too.
It remains to be seen where Mancini fits in until Lindgren returns, but he’s already taken reps with Adam Fox as an LD, while also teaming up as one-half of a third-pair with Jones.
Ironically, should the latter pair be what Lavy goes with, then it’s Jones, barely old enough to legally drink beer himself, that becomes the veteran of this presumed third duo.
Obviously, Mancini is probably better off in Hartford once Lindgren returns – as there’s no sense in making a healthy scratch out of a 22-year-old rookie.
Then again, and with all signs pointing to Trouba’s New York exit at the conclusion of the campaign – it might not be the worst thing in the world for Mancini to be around NHLers either.
Of all the Big Apple Baby Blue Blood, it’s Mancini who has created the most anticipation.
K’ANDRE MILLER: In a way, it’s kind of crazy to think that #79 is now in his fifth NHL season.
Maybe it’s just me, but it doesn’t feel that long ago when Miller was once one of David Quinn’s pandemic invites when the Rangers returned to play in 2020.
Miller is somewhat a see-saw type, as some games, he looks like everything has come together for him, while in other matches, he seems like just what he is – a young player with much to learn.
I believe that Miller will continue his rise in Rangerstown, USA.
After all, if Miller isn’t paired with Fox, then he’ll be paired with Schneider, who he had plenty of success with last season and then into the 2024 playoffs.
In addition, even if Miller is reunited with his mentor, captain Jacob Trouba – “The Great Eight” is now healthy – and knowing that this is most likely it for him – he should kick it up a notch too, which in turn, will only help his southpaw partner.
CHAD RUHWEDEL: After being acquired at least year’s trade deadline, Ruhwedel renewed with the team over the summer, by signing a one-year pact worth $775K.
The right-handed rearguard, now 34-years-old, and unlike players ten-years his junior, is just happy to be there – while also knowing his role too – as an insurance/depth defenseman – and a player who will sit in the press box on most nights.
Ruhwedel, who only played in five games for the Rangers last season, and where all of his playing time directly came because of injuries sustained by the regulars; should he play in more than five games this season, then that would’ve meant that something bad had happened.
In essence, and in a perfect world sans injuries, then he’s only here to play during back-to-back sets, where Laviolette can then give one of his regulars a break from the grueling 82-game stretch.
BRADEN SCHNEIDER: On January 13th, 2022, and with OMICRON all the rage too, I was sitting at LAX airport, having attended the past three Ranger games in Vegas, Anaheim and Los Angeles.
The Rangers were due to play the Sharks next – but unfortunately – I had to go back to work, thus not being able to make the trip out to San Jose.
Who made such at trip?
Schneider, that’s who.
Ever since making his debut on that fateful date of 1/13/22, and where #4 (then #45 at the time) then scored in his first NHL game too – Schneider has never looked back.
Once nicknamed “Baby Troobs” – Schneider has grown up very quickly – and he already has 206 regular season games under his belt.
More impressive than that?
He’s already a veteran of 43 playoff contests too.
Now entering his fourth NHL season and the sky remains the limit for Schneider – who not only has seemingly leap-frogged Trouba on the depth chart – but has stolen Trouba’s partner too.
Schneider, more defensive than offensive, has been consistent and reliable as an NHLer.
In 2022-23, his first full season, he scored five goals and added thirteen assists to his name.
A year later, 2023-24, his second full season, and Schneider scored five goals and added fourteen assists to his totals.
Then next step for the 23-year-old?
His first twenty-point season – and even more success in the playoffs too.
JACOB TROUBA: I swear, this is the second-to-last time that I’ll go back to the Lundqvist well tonight.
(And if you can guess the Ranger where I’ll make the one last Lundqvist reference, then you my friend, will get a hearty pat on the back – and maybe an “ATTA BOY/GIRL” too!)
Similar to a legion of fans as once spearheaded by yours truly – and many wanted Lundqvist away from this team – and for one reason only – his contract was an albatross.
While there’s no need to dissect that contract for the billionth time on this site; but fast-forward to today, and there’s now a legion of Blueshirt backers who are also negative on Trouba – and for one reason only too – the captain’s $8M salary.
(Damn that Gary Bettman’s triple-hard salary cap – and yep – I DESPISE the fact that we are forced to talk about players’ earnings too.)
However for Trouba, and unlike Lundqvist, “The King’s” good buddy, Larry Brooks, never devoted space in his columns to his spouse – and where today – Brooks has spent an ungodly amount of time telling everyone the ins-and-outs of Dr. Kelly Trouba’s personal life – and of course – her professional career too.
By now, we all know the deal with Trouba (and if you don’t, then just check the blogs that I posted on this site over the summer) and where with a certainty degree of 99.9% – we can all assume that this is final season with the Rangers.
If there’s one thing that I DON’T want to see this season, then it’s for an unruly mob to boo Trouba for adamantly adhering to a contract that the Rangers gave him.
Trouba is no dummy – and it should also be said that he won’t let any of this effect what he does on the ice either.
This marks Trouba’s sixth season with the Rangers, and where of the five previous seasons, I’d say that only two of them were good – and where in addition – he’s pretty much said the same in previous interviews.
Let’s hope for the soon-to-be 31-year-old, now a father of one, this sixth season is his best.
Should remaining in New York beyond this season be his goal, then the only way to accomplish that is for Gary Bettman to say these words in June of ’25:
“Captain Jacob Trouba, come on down and lift the Stanley Cup!”
After all, if the Rangers could ever miraculously win the Cup, then no one will care about what happens in the season that follows.
Heck – you wouldn’t even need stairs in M$G either – as everyone would be floating on air!
FORWARDS
JONNY BRODZINSKI: As talked about earlier this season – JONNY BROADWAY is now 31-years-old – and while a hardworking player – I also don’t want to see him get time if it means that Edstrom won’t.
Brodzinski has mainly been an AHLer throughout his career (he’s still officially the captain of the Wolfpack too), and similar to Ruhwedel – he should only remain with the varsity club for insurance/depth reasons.
To go back to what I previously said over the summer once more, nobody cares about the Presidents’ Trophy.
While a nice trinket, it’s not the hardware that anyone desires the most either.
It’s my opinion for the Rangers to have postseason success, then they’ll need some of their young guns to take the next step. In order for that to happen, then these guns need to get their shots in.
I don’t mind using Brodzinski sparingly, but I rather see players like Edstrom, Rempe and Cuylle get their regular reps and then hope that they become seasoned once the games matter.
SAM CARRICK and REILLY SMITH: By now, most astute Ranger fans are familiar with the number of 3,641,667 – or specifically – $3,641,667, which was Barclay Goodrow’s cap-hit – and one that Drury no longer wanted any part of – despite you know – #21 being one of the best playoff players on the team in 2024.
Today, Goodrow is now 31-years-old, and after being “ET TU DRURY’D,” slumming it back up in San Jose again.
Carrick will turn 33-years-old this season while earning $1M a year after signing a three-year deal worth $3M overall.
Smith, an Original Misfit, won a Stanley Cup in Vegas (2023) – which means he has half the Cups that Goodrow has.
Smith is also slightly older than Goodrow too, as he’ll turn 34-years-old during the season.
Smith, after being acquired from the Penguins on July 1st, carries a cap-hit of $5M – and which the Rangers will assume 75% of – or in other words – Smith is on the books for $3.75M.
So for all of the talk that Goodrow was overpaid – Drury paid two guys a combined $4.75M to replace his now former alternate captain.
For Goodrow, the jack-of-all-trades, as he could play any position and on any line, he’ll watch Carrick try to replace his toughness and ability to win draws while on the fourth line. Goodrow, who had a spell with the BFF line before, will also see Smith become the 24th right-winger to play with Kreider and Mika ever since the 2021 trade of Pavel Buchnevich.
It should also be said that Goodrow always saved his best for when it mattered most – the playoffs – while both Carrick and Smith are coming off of down years.
In my eyes, I don’t know how anyone could watch the Rangers last season and think that Goodrow was the problem – while keeping the next two on our list was an issue of the utmost priority.
FILIP CHYTIL and KAAPO KAKKO: Let’s be upfront and admit here that I’ve never been high on these two – and as all of my blogs from the past several years will tell you.
But let’s also present some facts when explaining my beliefs too.
FACT: In 2022, and when ignorant beat reporters were trying to promote a line of Lafreniere/Chytil/Kakko as “THE KID LINE,” while ignoring that it was Charlie Conacher, Harvey “Busher” Jackson and Joe Primeau to first have this title in 1929; the Rangers’ incarnation was significantly older than the one that Toronto once had.
FACT: It’s now the youngest of the Rangers’ three “kids,” Lafreniere, that’s shown the most promise – and who has produced the most too.
FACT: The 2024-25 season marks Kakko’s sixth NHL season – and where he’s amassed 300 games. For Chytil, this campaign will be his eighth NHL season – and where he’s skated in 337 games.
Lafreniere? This will be his fifth season and where he’s just two shy (298) from 300 games played.
FACT: Lafreniere has a career total of 148 points, Chytil has 144 points and Kakko brings in the rear with 117 points.
For this duo with no dynamics – when can we say with conviction that they are busts – and where here’s one more fact for you too – they are both INJURY PRONE – not good for two players who total nearly $8M in cap space.
Yet, and according to Drury – Barclay Goodrow was seemingly the problem for the Rangers’ routine playoff woes.
Here’s the deal:
Maybe Kakko and Chytil have career-years and score 1,000 goals each.
But now back to reality – do you see either of them being a factor when the games get their most intense and physical, which is playoff time?
What I’m getting at is this:
Kakko and Chytil can have amazing regular seasons (and I doubt that will happen too – as it’s my belief that it’s only a matter of time before either one of them, if not both, go down with an injury); but should they remain as ghosts in the playoffs – then like others on this roster – it was all for naught.
Sadly, I think they also bring down the next man on our list.
WILL CUYLLE: For the man that finally allowed Ranger fans to rid themselves of Lias Andersson, Cuylle has already exceeded the hype as the 60th-overall draft pick of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.
CUYLLE HAND LUKE had an amazing rookie season, but admittedly, did gas out a bit as the season progressed – and as is the case with most first full-time NHLers.
FACT: Cuylle scored 13 goals and totaled 21 points last season. For comparison, the second-overall pick of the 2019 Draft, Kakko, scored 13 goals and totaled 19 points. Chytil, the 21st-overall pick of the 2017 Draft, registered six assists, which also doubled-up as his points total.
I wonder how Cuylle would do if it was he, and not Smith or any other aging veteran, would do with the BFF connection as his linemates?
Hanging around with two injury-prone busts doesn’t seem like a recipe for success.
Prove me wrong.
ADAM EDSTROM and MATT REMPE: Unless one of these two can’t handle it, or falls off as the season moseys along, then I’d like to see both big men, #73 and #84, in the line-up on an every day basis – and I’d also like to see both giants average more than 2:00 of ice time per game too!
I’ve talked a lot about these two all season, all summer, then into the preseason and now too; so not much more needs to be said.
Rempe worked his tail off all summer – and based on training camp – has improved leaps-and-bounds too.
While it’s Rempe that DUH, provides more punch; it’s Edstrom that provides more skill – and who has also developed a nice scoring touch too.
As fans, and as just human beings in life, we’re somewhat naturally attracted and inclined to root for the big-and-tall. Heck, Andre The Giant made a career off of it – and nobody can forget about when the BIG Z, Zdeno Chara, owned this league either.
Akin to the likes of Kakko and Chytil entering last season; now one-year removed and the philosophy remains the same – the Rangers need at least one of their young players to take the next big step.
How about these two, Rempe and Edstrom?
BOLD PREDICTION: Rempe, who scored two points last season in 17 games played (1 goal, 1 assist), totals ten-points, with five goals and five assists – while remaining as a dominating forechecker – and now as a penalty killer too. The same goes for Edstrom too, who scored two goals in his eleven games played last season.
CHRIS KREIDER: CK20, the longest-tenured Ranger, already possesses a bevy of franchise records – and where I expect him to shatter even more team records this season.
With 304 career goals, Kreider is now 102 shy of Rod Gilbert’s franchise-best of 406. Signed through the 2026-27 season, and I believe that the 33-year-old will get there by the end of his contract.
But of course, and like Gilbert and so many other Ranger legends – it’s not about the milestones.
Instead, it’s all about the Stanley Cup.
In some ways, I think the fan base reaction to Kreider is polarizing – and while I understood such feelings in previous seasons – I haven’t felt that way about CK20 ever since Gerard Gallant came to town (2021).
Once “The Turk” took over, and now during this Laviolette stint too, Kreider became a penalty killer for the first time in his career – and similar to Alain Vigneault once converting Rick Nash into a man-down player – it’s been a hockey godsend for the Blueshirts.
Very quickly, and Kreider is not only setting Ranger records for short-handed goals and points – but he’s also one of the league-leaders in this department too.
Combine that with his power-play skills, and where not many can deflect pucks for goals like him either – and of the core – he’s been the most consistent Ranger.
It wasn’t that long ago when all the talk about Kreider was that he’d never hit 30 goals. Since such talk, which ended with the David Quinn era, CK20 has had 52 (2021-22), 36 (2022-23) and 39 (2023-24) goal seasons.
A MILDLY BOLD PREDICTION: Kreider not only surpasses thirty goals for the fourth straight year – but hits 40+ for the second time in his career too.
ALEXIS LAFRENIERE: Last year at this time, and all anyone could talk about in regards to Lafreniere was his affinity for softball – and as if he were Sycho Sid from the WWE.
And let’s not get it twisted either – I also promoted such talk – and I even shared how one beat reporter told me how Lafreniere spent more time during the off-season swinging bats rather than swiping pucks.
And I don’t think that many of you have forgotten about this either – as very often – some of you throw what I previously said back in my face (and I do enjoy it)!
However, and in a quick aside, lost in the “SUCK IT” talk?
The fact that after I ran what I wrote, both Arthur Staple (The Athletic) and Elliotte Friedman (SportsNet) said the same thing that I did! (And that may be a spoiler too!)
And for the sake of posterity, here’s the proof:
However, that was then and this is now – and man – am I glad that the softball shit didn’t negatively impact Lafreniere’s 2023-24 season.
Instead, Lafreniere had the best season of his career – and where his 28-29-57 season should hopefully be the start of what’s to come next – and where next MUST also mean his inclusion on the team’s first power-play unit.
By now (and if you don’t, then check the archives of this site), we all know that Lafreniere had the most unorthodox entry into this league among every single first-overall pick in NHL history.
It took some time, and where having three coaches in four years didn’t help matters either, but I feel that Lafreniere has finally arrived.
Yeah, Panarin and Trocheck had the best years of their career too last season – but at the same time – I also believe that Lafreniere was a big part of their success as well.
After all, can you imagine these two having career years with the dopey-and-mopey Kakko as their linemate?
BOLD PREDICTION: Lafreniere surpasses his career-high 57-point season with inverse numbers – as in a total of 75-points or more – and now part of Lavy’s top power-play quintet.
ARTEMI PANARIN and MIKA ZIBANEJAD: I don’t have anything really new to add about this alleged 1-2 scoring punch, so I’ll just quickly play the greatest hit of them all:
THEY HAVE TO SHOW UP IN THE PLAYOFFS.
Duh.
What makes me most nervous, and outside of the fact that Zibanejad’s contract runs through 2030, is that Panarin is coming off of the best season of his life – and where I don’t know if there’s anywhere else to go but down.
Compounding matters is the fact that he’s presently injured – and who knows if this ailment will plague him later on?
While Panarin was dominating last season; conversely, and Zibanejad had one of the worst seasons of his life – and where I’ll always rue the day that the Rangers couldn’t pull off that Zibanejad for Eichel deal (and I’m not going to give you every detail of that proposed rumor again – as there’s no point anymore).
Somewhat similar to Kakko and Chytil, but on a much grander scale, a scale of epic proportions at that – it doesn’t matter if these two combine for 10,000 points during the 2024-25 season.
The only thing that matters is how they do in the playoffs.
Should it be another routine ghost appearance, then this year will end like it always does.
But should these two, now in Panarin’s sixth-year of the seven-year deal that he signed back in the summer of 2019, finally replicate their previous regular season success during the playoffs – well, I’ll leave it here, as I don’t want to get my hopes up!
VINCENT TROCHECK: While I feel like Lafreniere (22-years-old), and unlike Panarin (who will turn 33-years-old Halloween Eve), is poised to build upon his career-best season last year; when it comes to NONNA TROCHECK’S BAMBINO, the center of this point-per-game line (GAG LINE 2.0!) – I just don’t know if he can top what he did last year.
Number sixteen, who just turned 31-years-old over the summer, had a rough first year in New York (2022-23) when trying to become Ryan Strome’s replacement – and a fact that Jonathan Papad, aka “ROC,” of the successful “2 Guys, 1 Cup” Rangers’ podcast, will tell you!
Trocheck, in his second-year of a seven-year pact that pays him $39.375M overall, had the best season of his life last year. Not only was he named to the All-Star Game, but his 52 assists and 77 points were career-highs. (His 25 goals only rivaled his 31 goals scored in 2017-18 with the Panthers.)
Not only is Trocheck a bonafide scorer and in reality, the team’s top center too; but he’s also winning draws, executing on special teams (both on the power-play and penalty kill), and in a nice wrinkle – a team leader too.
NOT A BOLD PREDICTION: Trocheck is awarded an “A” on his sweater – and as Goodrow once wore.
BOLD PREDICTION: Trocheck is awarded a “C” on his sweater next season – following the departure of Trouba.
Obviously, playing with Panarin and Lafreniere will only help Trocheck’s chase to break his own personal bests from last season – and where if Panarin does fall off a bit – then Lafreniere should be right there to pick everyone up.
While of course – points do matter – it’s everything else that Trocheck does, including stuff that doesn’t make the box score, that’s equally as important.
Trocheck, who has played in all 82-games in each of his two years with the Rangers, now has a career total of 719 games played. Should he remain healthy in his third year with the Blueshirts, then he’ll surpass 800 (801).
And should he remain healthy and vibrant – then I’d also expect Trocheck to remain as the team’s top middle man.
JIMMY VESEY: Once expected to have high hopes with the Rangers, Vesey flamed out a bit and then became a journeyman. However, the book wasn’t closed yet on the man that once turned down 15-teams in order to sign with the Rangers in 2016, as in 2022, he made his grand return – and now embracing his new role as a role-player – he’s been a major hit during his second act on Broadway.
Now 31-years of age, and entering this season a bit dinged up, all Vesey needs to do is continue to embrace his roles as a fourth-liner and penalty killer – and should he be successful again – then he should receive another contract extension – and as he did back in January of ’23.
Among the bottom-six Blueshirts from last year, and Vesey, while mainly focusing on his defensive duties, scored thirteen goals and chipped in thirteen assists, which made him one of the better scorers on the club.
These totals were also his best ever since his 2018-19 season with the Rangers, the final campaign of his first stint, when he had a stat line of 17-18-35.
Should Edstrom and Rempe remain as flanks, and not as centers; then perhaps Vesey will see a dip in his playing time. But should one of the two replace Carrick or Brodzinski as center (most likely Edstrom), then I still think that Vesey could be a valuable asset for the fourth line.
Then again, he may be bumped up to the BFF line again should Smith, the 24th RWer to play with Mika and CK20, continues his career descent.
For the Rangers, it all begins again on Wednesday night, October 9th, in Pittsburgh, PA – and now in the franchise’s 100th penultimate season.
I will have a GAME REVIEW for you following the contest.
The Rangers’ home opener is this Saturday, October 12th, against the former Coyotes, and now the present-day Utah Hockey Club. It’s going to be tough for me to recap that one, as I’ll be in South Bend, IN for the Notre Dame vs Stanford game, followed by a five-hour drive to Green Bay on Sunday for the Packers/Cardinals game.
But I should be back on Columbus Day, when the Rangers host the Detroit RangerWings (the Red Wings have six members of the alumni on their roster).
While everyone will soon be talking about in-season tent-poles such as where the teams rank at Thanksgiving, and then later, on New Year’s Day – as long as the Rangers are in the mix – then that’s all that matters.
To me, the date the carries the most weight and significance is March 7th, 2025 – the NHL’s annual trade deadline.
What’s done by 3PM on that day will ultimately determine how the Rangers fare in the playoffs – and should the Little League champ, Chris Drury himself, hit a homerun out of the park, and rather than the lifeless infield single that he hit last year – then who knows – perhaps this team could win sixteen games in the Spring – and then finally deliver that Summer Parade that we’ve all been desperately holding out hope for.
As far as anything else, and where really, only an injury incurred during practice could change things – we know the team entering this season, we know the goal and it’s all about just getting through the 82-game schedule.
In other words, barring some major breaking news event – I’ll see ya next on Wednesday night, following Rangers/Penguins.
PLUGS TIME! (Buy a book and support my Rangers’ induced therapy bills. After all, I don’t run ads on this site!)
My fourth title and tenth book is now available!
“The Top 100 Villains of New York Rangers History,” is now available for sale!
For complete information, please visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/rangerkillers/
My second plug of tonight’s blog – the mandatory plug for my book, “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden.”
As mentioned previously, the book is now available in hardcover, in paperback and in Kindle formats. To purchase a copy of the book, visit this link:
https://www.amazon.com/Rangers-Rafters-Madison-Square-Garden-ebook/dp/B09CM5N2WD
For those still looking for signed paperback versions of the book, I have re-ordered more copies. I now have a few signed copies for sale at $25 a pop (includes shipping price) through me directly. Here is all the information on that:
Order “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden” Book Today
My four-volume set of books, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is a game-by-game recount of the Rangers 2021-22 campaign.
My second title as an author, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is now available in eBook, paperback and hardcover formats.
To obtain signed copies, visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/onegamebook/
To purchase all four volumes on Amazon, visit: Amazon.com – “One Game at a Time.”
The greatest volume-set of books on Rangers’ history today!
“Tricks of the Trade – A Century-Long Journey Through Every Trade Made In New York Rangers’ History,” a four-volume set of books that meticulously covers every trade made in franchise history, is now on sale.
All four volumes of the title can be purchased on Amazon.com and are presented in three different formats – eBook, paperback and hardcover.
To purchase Volume I: Conn Smythe (1926) – Craig Patrick (1986), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume II: Phil Esposito (1986) – Neil Smith (2000), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume III: Glen Sather (2000-2015), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume IV: Jeff Gorton (2015) – Chris Drury (2022), visit Amazon.com
To purchase signed copies of all four volumes, visit https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/
If you haven’t already, subscribe to this blog for the next update:
Don’t forget to order my four-volume set of books, “Tricks of the Trade!”
If you don’t order through me, all four volumes are now available on Amazon.com
For more details, check out: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/
Thanks for reading.
LET’S GO RANGERS!
Sean McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com
@NYCTHEMIC on the Tweeter machine
