Rangers NHL preview, prediction: Can they win Stanley Cup?
The Rangers are expecting a big season. They finished second in the Metropolitan Division last season and made it to the Eastern Conference finals. The team is planning to spend a lot of money on players in their core. They are also planning on spending on the future. Igor Shesterkin won the Vezina Trophy last year. He is the team's best player. Ryan Strome and Andrew Copp are no longer in. A lot will fall on young players. Rangers have a cap crunch. Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, Adam Fox and Jacob Trouba are the core players for the foreseeable future, but they are not the best players, so they need to improve if they want to compete for Stanley Cup.
Kreider scored 52 goals last season, which was the third most in the NHL. There is still a question mark over the right-wing spot on the top line with Kreider and Zibanejad. Alexis Lafreniere, Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko's offensive impact in playoffs was crucial. The Rangers' five-on-five play needs to improve.
Fox finished last season with 74 points, fourth among NHL defensemen. Fox won the Norris Trophy during his sophomore season. K’Andre Miller is on pace for a breakout season in a contract year. Zac Jones or Libor Hajek will skate next to Braden Schneider.
Shesterkin was the favorite for the Vezina award last season. Jaroslav Halak is the team's top goalie. Louis Domingue is a backup for Shesterkins.
Gallant has a new-found confidence in his second season in charge of the Rangers. He was a Jack Adams finalist last season.
Panarin is the most important offensive player for the Rangers. He scored the crucial goal in overtime of Game 7 against the Penguins.
Trouba is the most important defensive player for the Rangers. Trouba recently had the ‘C’ stitched on his No. 8 jersey.
Vitali Kravtsov was the Rangers' ninth-overall pick in 2018. He was sent to the minors last season, but he has impressed in the preseason.
The arrangement of the top six will be important for the Rangers this season. Gallant has tried four different players in the right-wing spot on the first line.
The Rangers have the tools to piece together another prolific season and another long playoff run. The team needs to do its part.
