NY Rangers Final Report Card: Grading Every Player’s Performance This Season

NY Rangers Final Report Card

Welcome everyone to another blog here on DOINOW.com. It’s been a great season for us Ranger fans, as the NHL regular season wraps up today. We are less than a week away from when the games that really matter begin. The second season for the Rangers will start on Thursday night, as the Rangers embark on what will hopefully be a 16 win journey.

While us diehard fans, and if you’ve been reading this blog all season, you’re a diehard fanatic too, have enjoyed this season for the blueshirts, this is the time of year where everyone comes out of the woodwork. There are many fans who are just starting to watch the Rangers again, as they consider the NHL regular season futile. While it is true, that more than half the teams in the league make the playoffs, you have to be in it to win it.  I mean, just look at LA. Last years champs, a team that has won 2 Cups in 3 years, won’t be around for this year’s tournament. The regular season allows a team to find itself and become battle tested & ready come playoff time.

Playoff game ticket prices at MSG are astronomical right now.  It is a shame that the people who have been there all season rooting on the team, can’t afford to attend games when it matters. Supply and demand I suppose.

For you new fans just jumping on the bandwagon now, perhaps this blog will give you an idea on what has been going on all season. For the regular readers of this blog, I look forward to your feedback and how you would grade the individuals on this team.

Before continuing to my final grades of the season, I urge you check out my Mid-Season Report Card blog, which you can do at: http://doinow.com/new-york-rangers-mid-season-report-card-grading-every-ranger/

One of the best seasons in Rangers history led to the Presidents’ Trophy

Here’s what you need to know before reading ahead. As far as grading, this is what I’m looking at, when making my grades: Productivity, Stats, Intangible factors, Player’s worth vs his contract/cap hit, clutchness and what the player means to the team. For example, Kevin Klein will get a better grade than Dan Boyle, because he’s performed better in every facet. Helping Klein’s cause for a better grade is he’s not as big of a cap hit as Boyle either. When someone is being paid a ton of money, you need them to perform at that level. That is just one of the factors I’m looking at when determining these grades.

You might notice that no one got an F and there are a lot of high marks. You might think that’s because I’m a “homer” fan. The fact of the matter is this team is the best team in the NHL and are the President Trophy winners. That’s because everyone is playing well. Some people might like to give bad grades to be controversial, but this team is on fire. Perhaps this list will give you a sense of who is just playing a tad better than whom.

With that out of the way, here is the RANGERS SEASON REPORT CARD.

Rick Nash was voted Team MVP.

To make things interesting, I will post what I wrote about each player in my mid-season/All Star Break Report Card in italics. My final grade and thoughts will be written in bold. This way you can compare what I thought about a player in January and what I think about them now. This list is also being done in alphabetical order.

FORWARDS:

Derick Brassard- B+
Brassard, one of the centermen of the NY Rangers is having another good season. Brassard has been scoring, both via the goal and via the assist. He’s arguably the Rangers best centerman, due to Stepan’s injuries over the season. “PASS THE BRASS” has been a comment saying by Ranger fans, due to Brassard’s production this season.

FINAL GRADE: B+

 Brassard had a good year for the Rangers. He stayed consistent the whole year. The biggest knock on Brassard’s game is that he doesn’t shoot as often as he should. There have even been times where there are only a few seconds left in a period and Brassard is looking to dish to someone rather than blasting a shot away. Brassard must also improve on raising his faceoff win percentage for the playoffs. Brassard had another solid season, his second full season as a Ranger. While Gaborik did win his Cup in LA, the Rangers seem to have gotten the best of the Brassard & company swap with Columbus. The Rangers have a great center for years to come.

 

Jesper Fast- B-
Fast didn’t break into the line-up until the beginning of the Rangers 12/13 game winning streak. Fast, who played some games last year as a call-up, has become a solid fourth line forward. Fast has scored and has shown he belongs in the NHL and not with the Wolfpack. While a defensive liability at times, Fast is a young kid that shows a ton of promise. For a guy getting his feet wet, he is not hurting, but adding to the team. That’s all you can ask for.

FINAL GRADE: B

Fast earned more ice time as the season went on, especially during the Martin St. Louis injury, coupled in with the Lee Stempniak trade. Fast’s game improved as the season went along and looks like he will be starting on the fourth line come the playoffs. Fast has been producing positively on the stat sheet, collecting several goals and assists. 

 

Tanner Glass- D
Not only is Glass is overpaid, he’s been a liability for this team on offense and defense. In my opinion, he’s the worst player on this team. Once an AV favorite, Glass has been a healthy scratch as of late, due to the play of Fast and Miller. Glass was signed to this team to fulfill the Dorsett/Carcillo role, but isn’t producing offensively nor has he protected the Rangers when it has come to fisticuffs. It took a while for Glass to make AV’s shitlist, but one thing is for sure – this Glass is broken.

FINAL GRADE: D+

From what is put out there on social media, the common consensus is that Tanner Glass is the least liked Ranger on the team. When you look at the roster, it’s hard to like anyone less than him. Glass has had an awful first season as a Ranger. He scored one goal in 82 games. Glass came nowhere close to even putting up half the production of Carcillo/Dorsett, the role he was set to fill. Glass did improve his play as the season went on, but was beat consistently to the puck and watched many guys skate & score right by him. For the money he is being paid, the lack of production and not even protecting his teammates when he should, Glass has been a bust, despite being a favorite of Coach AV. Why is he there then? “He’s a good locker-room guy.”

Carl Hagelin- B-
Hagelin, arguably one of the fastest players in the NHL, has scored a bunch of goals, although many of them have been empty netters. I don’t think we’ve seen Hags play the best hockey he’s capable of. He relies on the slapshot way too much, a slapshot that hasn’t really produced any goals during breakaways and one on one’s. Criticism aside, Hags gives it his all and has done a great job of clearing the puck when the Rangers need him to. You would just like to see more offensive production out of the guy, especially during a contract year for him.


FINAL GRADE: A

In a contract year, Hagelin made his case. With Hag’s countryman hogging up all the payroll, I really hope the Rangers don’t lose him next year. Hags had his best season as a Ranger yet. He is scoring all over the place. While he has a ton of empty netters, it also means that he’s so fast, he gets the puck and is able to end games, rather than the giving the other team a chance to hang around. Hagelin has been huge on the penalty kill. Hags game really improved once he was paired with Miller & Hayes.

Kevin Hayes – B-
Hayes has been a pleasant surprise for the Rangers. During his rookie campaign, Hayes is scoring and producing. He needs to up his faceoff game, as he’s lost many crucial faceoffs during games. For a rookie, Hayes is holding his own, and it doesn’t matter if he’s with the third or fourth line. We may be looking at the future of the Rangers with Hayes. Put it this way, he’s not lights out, but he’s adding, not subtracting to the team. It’s a culture change, coming from college and Hayes is holding his weight.


FINAL GRADE: A

I really debated giving Hayes an A+ here, but it would’ve been a bit of an exaggeration. Hayes has just been amazing and as the season went along, he kept improving. Working with Hags & Miller helped him out. Hayes has been huge for the Rangers, contract/roster wise, because the Rangers traded a bunch of number 1 picks. With Hayes, the Rangers have a bonafide NHLer, despite Hayes being only a rookie. Hayes had a huge second half and is arguably the future of this team for many more years to come. Outside of maybe a 20/20 season, you couldn’t ask for anything more. Hayes has been one of the many feel-good stories for the Rangers.


Chris Kreider – B-
Kreider is looking to match the production that he had during his first year under Coach Vigneault. It’s slowly happening mid-way into the season. Kreider had to deal with his grandfather’s death early in the season. Kreider is also getting the reputation of being a dirty player. He needs to learn how to fight if he’s going to make questionable plays. Kreider has been nasty, of late, with his breakaway backhand shot. A  young player, just like Hagelin, I think the best is yet to come for Mr. InKREIDable.


FINAL GRADE: B+

Kreider got hot as the second half of the season picked up. Kreider had several multi-point games and slid into a few goalies to boot! Kreider has been huge for the Rangers. As I said in the mid-season report card, Kreider may become his own worst enemy as time goes on. He has that “dirty” reputation. He’s a guy you love if he’s on your team, but a guy you hate otherwise. Kreider, despite the amount of games logged in his career, is very young and should be another stud for this team for years to come.


JT Miller – B
I rank Miller above several of the other Ranger forwards, due to the fact that he has a rookie contract and is playing way above his salary. MILLER TIME has scored many big goals during this run. While he has committed several bad turnovers, Miller is learning. As a fourth liner, Miller has bumped the overpaid Tanner Glass for a spot on the team. You have to like the Rangers future with a guy like Miller in the line-up. He’s making a lot out of his minutes on the ice.


FINAL GRADE: B

Miller, like most of the Rangers during their epic run in the second half of the season, played extremely well. At times, his line with Hags & Hayes was the most productive line the Rangers had on the ice. Miller, who could’ve been a guy buried by Torts, is a Top 9 forward on this team. As one of the Rangers young guns, I expect Miller to just keep getting better & better.


Dominic Moore – C+
Moore, who will forever be remembered as scoring the Game Winning Goal in Game 6 of the ECF, is off to a rough start. The fourth line center has been the least productive of his various linemates during the season. He’s been strong defensively at times, but you want to see Moore produce more on the score sheet. Perhaps the second half of the season is when he nails it down.


FINAL GRADE: B

At times, Moore has been the best faceoff man on the team. Moore has been given many different linemates over the course of the season. He hasn’t been producing as much as last year, perhaps because he’s stuck with Tanner Glass and whoever AV decides to start on the other wing that day. Heading into the playoffs, it looks like Glass/Moore/Fast and that line has improved a little bit. This Rangers fourth line this year, is nothing like last years. You would like to see a bit more in the points department from Moore, but 10 goals is nothing to sneeze at.

Rick Nash- A+
What other grade can you give Nash? He leads the league in goals, and could be a Hart Trophy winner when this season is over. This is his first full season as a healthy NY Ranger. He’s been the Ranger everyone expected him to be when the Rangers got him from Columbus. Concussions are a motherfucker and a healthy Nash is the most productive NY Ranger today. Nash wasn’t a force during last year’s playoff run, but if he doesn’t get a case of the “A-Rod’s”, Nash could carry this team to another Stanley Cup Final.


FINAL GRADE: A

Why the drop off in his final grade? Nash was a beast all season, don’t get that mixed up. He just didn’t produce in the second half like he did in the first half. At one point, Nash looked like the Art Ross, Richard & Hart Trophy winner. His chances looked better once Tyler Seguin of Dallas was injured. However, Nash hit a funk, just like last year’s playoffs. Shots that were going in before, weren’t even close. The breakaways that were automatic, were getting stoned. Don’t take this the wrong way – Nash is the best skater on this team. Nash needs to play like he did in the first half of the season. If he does, the Rangers will dominate in the playoffs.

James Sheppard – NO MID-SEASON GRADE

FINAL GRADE: C

Sheppard was a trade-deadline acquisition from the San Jose Sharks. The Rangers basically dumped Stempniak to the Jets, for some minor cap relief and picked up Sheppard. Sheppard isn’t an every day player and might not even play in the playoffs. Sheppard, despite limited ice team, already has more goals than Tanner Glass and has more PPG than his counterpart & sometimes linemate. The Rangers Stanley Cup future won’t live or die based on what Sheppard does.    


Martin St. Louis – A-
The Rangers alternate captain, MSL is a major part of this team. MSL provides the sweetest passes in the NHL. MSL’s goals stat is not indicative of the player he is, as he’s made many shots that were tipped in by his teammates this season. MSL leads this team in assists and at times, is the heart and soul of this team. Perhaps I’m biased, because I’ll never forget what MSL did for this club during the playoff run last year. As I type this, I’m wearing a MSL jersey right now! Even in his 40’s, MSL is a major factor on this team and makes everyone he plays with a better hockey player.


FINAL GRADE: B+

MSL missed two plus weeks of time, with a leg injury. MSL isn’t as crisp as he used to be, but when he’s on, he can be the best player on the ice, just like days of old. MSL is still the best passer on this team and creates many opportunities for his teammates. MSL has been strong on the PP, rifling shots from his signature spot on the red faceoff dot. Like last year, if MSL has a strong postseason, expect big things from the Rangers.


Lee Stempniak – B-
Some might say this is an overgrade, but Stempy has been huge this year for the Rangers, scoring many clutch goals. Another forward who can go from the third to the fourth line, Stempy has produced, has been solid on defense and holds his own on the ice. Even when Sam Rosen isn’t calling out his name for goals, Stemp is playing good hockey and doing his job to a tee.


FINAL GRADE: INCOMPLETE

Stempniak was traded at the trade deadline. He was expendable & his production was falling off at the time of the trade. Losing Stempniak doesn’t affect this team at all.


Derek Stepan – A
This was one I went back and forth on. Sometimes I wonder if he’s injury prone, but when I think about it, he comes back usually sooner than he should. Does anyone remember the playoffs last year? Step has a hat trick this season and has produced a point a game. What more do you want from a first line center? Step will also be due for a big contract come the offseason. He deserves it. At times, Stepan carries this team and takes the load off his linemates.


FINAL GRADE: A

Stepan has been streaky at times. Either he’s not on the score sheet, or he’s good for 3 points a game. Stepan is very similar to Brassard, where he needs to step up his work on the faceoffs and needs to shoot more. When Stepan is consistently shooting, the Rangers are consistently winning. Stepan remains the premier center on this team and has been a warrior all year.


Mats Zuccarello- C
I really hate giving Zuc one of the lower grades here, but while Zuc is scrappy and has a no-fear attitude, Zuc isn’t producing like last year. Zuc’s biggest enemy is the post this season. I feel bad for Zuc. I feel the Rangers will lose him during the off-season due to free-agency. He deserves more money for the production he gives. Things aren’t going his way this year, even if he’s the highest scoring player from Norway in NHL history. From what we’ve seen with Zucs, you just expect more production on the stat sheet. Out of every Ranger graded here, I expect his grade to jump the most come the final report card.


 FINAL GRADE: B
Zucc jumps up a full letter grade, as I thought he would. Zucc’s game improved a bit after he re-signed with the team, the day before the trade deadline. Zucc remains the grittiest player on the team. He’s a hard-nosed player and the epitome of the word “scrappy”. He had a much better second half than he did in the first half. Ranger fans respect his hard work, as he’s one of the favorites of the fanbase.

Keith Yandle joined the Rangers at the trade deadline

DEFENSEMEN

Dan Boyle- C+
I would’ve graded him higher, if it wasn’t for the fact his contract was so high and he was one of the reasons the Rangers didn’t keep Stralman, who has been having a fantastic year in Tampa. Boyle, who has been called the Quarterback of the Rangers Powerplay, has turned it on as of late. Boyle battled many injuries earlier in the season, which is why his numbers aren’t where they should be. Like Zuc’s, I expect his grade to jump up once the final report card is written.  Boyle is expected to produce daily and it hasn’t happened just yet, both from an offensive and defensive side of the puck.


FINAL GRADE: C

What I said at the trade deadline is basically what went on for the rest of the season. He’s been disappointing on the powerplay, seems to shoot the puck wide during every look and has been a huge defensive liability. How many turnovers led to goals because of Boyle this year? I still miss Stralman.


Dan Girardi- A-
Another Rangers alternate captain, DG has been a pure defenseman’s defenseman during this Rangers campaign. Girardi is logging more minutes than anyone else and had to carry the Rangers defense when players like MacTruck, Boyle and Klein were down with injuries. Girardi has been all over the ice, doing his job and holding down the D. You would like to see more goals from DG, but on this Rangers team, he is needed to stop the other teams best players and he’s been doing just that.


FINAL GRADE: A-

You know what you’re getting from Dan Girardi, you’ve seen it for years. Girardi has been a stay at home defenseman, with four goals on the year. He constantly shuts down the best players on the opposition. His grade would be higher if he didn’t have so many turnovers that led to goals this season. Girardi remains the cornerstone of this defense and is setting shot blocking records too.


Matt Hunwick – B-
Hunwick has been a pleasant surprise for the Rangers. He’s bumped John Moore out of playing time. Hunwick has been huge on D and has been the Rangers best call-up. Hunwick earned his playing time due to other Rangers being hurt, and he hasn’t looked back. The sixth defenseman of this team is constantly moving the puck up the ice and laying the body. He’s definitely one of the the best 6th defensemen in all of the NHL.


FINAL GRADE: B-

It looked like Hunwick would be riding the bench when the Rangers acquired Keith Yandle. He wouldn’t be splitting time with Yandle like he was with John Moore. Hunwick produced a lot more than I think anyone thought, scoring a bunch of goals. His turnovers have been deadly, as in back-to-back games, he gave up the puck in front of the net. If everyone is healthy, Hunwick will not be seeing playoff time.


Kevin Klein- A+
Along with Rick Nash, Klein gets the highest grade. I mean where to start? How about he has the most even strength goals out of any defensemen in the league, despite being a third line defenseman? How about three game winning goals? How about beating guys up? How about preventing many goals with his stick? How about his offensive and defensive awareness? The guy was a fucking steal from the Predators. You can argue he’s one of the best trades Sather ever made, if you look at pure value. Klein has been the best Rangers defenseman all year and it’s disgusting he was snubbed out of the All-Star Game. Optimus Klein is quickly becoming a Rangers fan favorite.

FINAL GRADE: A

Klein was having the best year of his career, until he was hurt a few games after the trade deadline, eating a monster shot from Ovechkin. Klein missed the rest of the regular season and won’t return until the playoffs. Before his injury, Klein was arguably the Rangers best defenseman. His scoring did cool down a bit, but he’s not here for his scoring. That was just a bonus. It’s a shame he got hurt, as Klein was having a career year. Let’s hope it ends with a Cup victory.


Ryan McDonagh- B+
The captain of the Rangers had some early difficulties due to injuries, especially with the shoulder that plagued him last year. However, during the recent win streak, Mac Truck has turned it on. Mac is making big hits, holding down elite goal scorers like Sidney “The Crybaby Cunt” Crosby, and getting on the score sheet. Mac is one of the youngest Rangers captains ever in history, but his maturity is of a seasoned veteran. Personally, it’s great to see an American player on the Rangers, and at Captain nonetheless. You have to love what you’re seeing from MacTruck as we head to the second half of the season.


FINAL GRADE: B+

You will never get the scoring you got out of the last American born captain to play D for the Rangers. Mac has been consistent all year, locking down the best players on the other team, along with his partner DG. Some of his turnovers scare you at times, but as the season wrapped up, Mac tightened up his game. Mac represented the Rangers very well in his first year as Captain.


John Moore – C-
Moore has been a healthy scratch, more times too often, due to the play of Matt Hunwick. Moore, who was a fan favorite last year, is slowly being forgotten about. He’s not scoring. He’s made bad turnovers. He’s also being left in the dust, or ice, if you will, by Hunwick. I would be surprised to see him back next year and surprised to see him get time in the playoffs, unless Hunwick has an aneurysm or goes down.


FINAL GRADE: INCOMPLETE

John Moore was traded in a package deal for Keith Yandle. One must wonder if he would’ve been traded if Dan Boyle lived up to the hype.


Marc Staal – A
Another Rangers alternate captain, Staal has played so well that he got a 6 year deal at $5.7 million per. I think his contract is kinda high, in the salary cap era, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve it. Staal is one of those defensemen where if you’re not talking about him, it’s a good thing – it means he’s doing his job. He’s produced the least amount of turnovers this season by Rangers defensemen. You’re not getting goals out of him, you’re getting a guy who moves the puck to his forwards, clamps down under pressure, gets the puck in dirty areas and is not afraid to step up to anyone. Staalsy would be the best Rangers defensemen at the break, if it wasn’t for the superb play of Kevin Klein.


FINAL GRADE: A

With Klein’s injury, Marc Staal was the best Rangers defenseman all season, in my opinion. He isn’t scoring, which isn’t his deal, but like Mac/DG, he has shut down everyone. He’s constantly making big clears, nice outlet passes and never gives up on a play. He’s made the least amount of turnovers this season as well. Staal is underappreciated by fans at times, because he isn’t as flashy as some of the other players on this team. Staal is a huge reason for their success.

Keith Yandle – NO MID-SEASON GRADE

FINAL GRADE: B-

Yandle was acquired for a kings ransom, a bounty that included Anthony Duclair, draft picks and John Moore. Yandle, like MSL last year, needed time to learn a new system and teammates. Yandle has stepped up his game lately, after a slow & turnover-ridden start. Yandle has been racking up the assists and creating opportunities on the PP. You would like to see him shoot more on the PP, because the Rangers have enough guys who over-pass.

Where would the Rangers be without Talbot this season?

GOALIES:

Henrik Lundqvist – B+
I would’ve ranked Hank higher if it wasn’t for two things – his contract that hurts this team from making much roster movement and the first 25 games of the season. Hank bolstered up his stats during the recent winning streak. A notorious slow starter, Hank has improved as the season has worn on. However, he scares you at times, as he’s prone to getting blown out, especially against playoff teams. He’s given up 15 goals to Tampa in 3 games, 9 goals to the Islanders in four periods. However, he will then give you 30+ saves against top teams. Hank has stolen 2-3 games this year. You need Hank to be Hank come the playoffs. Hopefully, whatever mental block or crap he has going on, he can shake out come the playoffs. The Rangers need him at his best to win a Stanley Cup.


FINAL GRADE: B-

This is a tough one. Talbot’s strong play basically supported what I have said all along. He’s overpaid and not worth his contract. Talbot did the same job for $8M less during Hank’s injury, and did it better. Hank doesn’t look like he’s in his prime nor does he even look 100% for the playoffs. Before Hank’s injury, he wasn’t even considered for the All-Star Game, despite two goalies being injured for the game. Hank is an above average goalie in the NHL today, but he’s not playing the way he’s being paid. Too often, the highest paid player on the team is blaming his teammates for goals, rather than showing everyone why he wants to be called the King. The Rangers need Hank to be the Hank of 2012 to win the Cup.


Cam Talbot – B+
You can make an argument that he’s the best back-up goalie in the league. The Rangers thought so, giving him a million dollar raise per season for next year. Talbot has more shutouts than starting goalies, in limited playing time, with 3. Hank has blown several big games this year, only for Talbot to come back with a shutout win. Talbot also beat the Kings, who have instantly become a hated team by Ranger fans, due to last year. You have to wonder how many wins he would have if he played more or got the goal production Hank has gotten this year. Sure, it’s an ongoing joke/somewhat serious commentary when I say WE WANT TALBOT, but this is Hank’s team. Talbot has done a great job in relief and never do you worry when he’s in net.

FINAL GRADE: A+
Expecting anything else besides an A+ here? Talbot played absolutely lights out during Hank’s injury. On another team, Talbot would’ve earned the starting job. Talbot began his starter run needing offensive help. However, work from Benoit Allaire stepped up his game ten-fold and Talbot was winning games by standing on his head. Talbot won the Steve McDonald Extra Effort Award for his dominance & stepping up for Hank. He is arguably the better goalie, RIGHT NOW. 

Mackenzie Skapski – NO MIDSEASON GRADE

FINAL GRADE – A

Skapski, “The Buffalo Killer”, only played two games this season, backing up Talbot during Hank’s injury. Skapski played the Sabres twice, a team that was looking to lose games this year. Skapski gave up one goal, within 10 seconds of the first game and then shut the Sabres down for 119 straight minutes. I don’t know if he will ever play in MSG as a Ranger again, but for the two games he played, he helped the team get 4 points.


INCOMPLETES:
Anthony Duclair – INC
The Duke played well during his limited stint with the Rangers. I wish he would’ve stayed with the team, as I think he’s proven all he can on the minor league level and could benefit from practicing with top NHL talent. Coach AV only wanted him if he could be a top 9 forward. He wasn’t that during his stretch, but it was a small sample of games. The Duke should have a spot with this team next year.

Michael Kostka – INC
Kostka showed he doesn’t belong in the NHL during his limited run, playing only due to starting defenseman injuries. He was a bigger turnover machine than Mark Sanchez. Unless the whole Rangers defense gets AIDS and Cancer, I don’t see Kotska playing for this team at all this year or next year.

Dylan McIlrath- INC
The Undertaker got some opportunities last year and this year. He seems to be the last of the NHL goons, as he hasn’t showed he could do anything else but fight and take penalties during his limited NHL minutes. Every team needs a tough guy, but not at the expense of the team. He’s a young buck and maybe he figures it out, but McIlrath has been a pure goon, although that’s not a bad thing, during his time in his #42 Rangers sweater.


For the INCOMPLETE guys, they never played for the Rangers again. Duclair was traded, a trade that I hope doesn’t bite the Rangers in the ass. If they win the Cup this year, then it was worth it. Kostka has a long way to go. Chris Summers was called up late, after the Rangers clinched the President’s Trophy, in favor of McIlrath. McIlrath may be another Rangers draft pick bust. He can fight, but can he do much else? Ryan Bourque also got a game late in the season & showed potential.


COACH:
ALAIN VIGNEAULT: A
Coach AV, and I’ll admit, I wanted Messier last season, has steered this ship positively, just like last year. Don’t let the above picture fool you, AV never shows emotion on the bench, as he shows more fury snapping his gum than at his players. A pure poker face of a coach, AV has juggled this line-up time and time again and has produced results. Listen – as fans, bloggers, outsiders, we don’t know the team on an everyday basis. Only AV does. AV has done well with his mixes and matches. I would give him an A+ except for one reason – I think he’s playing Hank too much. We need Hank healthy for the playoffs. Talbot needs to be eating up the Sabres, Devils and Hurricanes of the world. When Hank gets blown out time and time again by the Lightning and Islanders, perhaps it’s time to give Talbot a chance. Perhaps Talbot isn’t as scouted as well as Hank is. All the stuff  I write about goalies on this blog, I KNOW AND YOU KNOW, a healthy Hank is how we win the Stanley Cup. Hank needs more rest as the Rangers should have a long spring this year. Outside of that, I don’t question AV on any of the moves he’s made.

 FINAL GRADE- A MOTHERFUCKIN’ PLUS!

Give him the Jack Adams award right now. 53 wins, 113 points and another President’s Trophy. All while missing his highest paid player, the franchise player of the last 10 years in Henrik Lundqvist. If he doesn’t win Coach of the Year, the NHL rigs their awards. IN AV WE TRUST!

The greatest coach in hockey today, in my opinion

 That wraps up my 2014-2015 NY Rangers Final Report Card! Thank you for reading this blog here on DOINOW.com. Keep it here for more blogs and full playoff game recaps.

16 wins to go.

See ya Thursday!

Sean McCaffrey

BULLSMC@aol.com

@NYCTHEMIC on twitter 

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3 thoughts on “NY Rangers Final Report Card: Grading Every Player’s Performance This Season

  1. Too kind to MSL, who appears to have forgotten how to play D and is good for a few woolly turnovers a game.

    Too harsh on Hank. He didn’t go to the all-star game (after the injuries) by choice. The guy won 30 games out of 46 starts. His GAA and SV% are perfectly in-line with his career averages… would you say that career-wise, you’d give Hank a B- rating? I sincerely doubt it.

    Enjoyable read though!

  2. Glad to see Kevin Klein gets such high marks. He has been a tower of strength all year, and we need him back for the tough road ahead…

  3. Can’t support AV getting an A+ with that very bad decision to play 11 forwards and 7 D in game 7! Guy never makes serious changes and remains loyal to players who are not producing and then decides to make a decision like that? 🙁

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