The Rangers open the 2018-19 season at home against the Predators. After a year of tradition, this season is likely to be one of further change and adjustment. Those modifications continued after the season, as David Quinn replaced Alain Vigneault as coach, though the player movement, by comparison to years past, was minimal.
Great summary video of the recent era:
Two days before the opener, #NYR at an early practice: Kreider-Zibanejad-Buchnevich, Vesey-Hayes-Zuccarello, Namestnikov-Howden-Letterri, Spooner-Chytil-Fast. (McLeod extra).
— Brett Cyrgalis (@BrettCyrgalis) October 2, 2018
Skjei-McQuaid, Smith-Shattenkirk, Staal-Pionk (extra: Claesson-DeAngelo).
Kreider-Zibanejad-Buchnevich Vesey-Hayes-Zuccarello Namestnikov-Howden-Letterri Spooner-Chytil-Fast. (McLeod extra)
Looking at this list 10 of the 12 were on the team and in the lineup at the end of the season. If you include Lettieri, then it's 11 out of 12, so to expect material changes would be a bit presumptuous and foolish. The hope has to be that Buch takes this next step in his development, Zib stays healthy and Kreider builds on what the growth he showed after he returned from the rib resection surgery and blood clot. Hayes and Zucc could be lame ducks, since both are on the final year of their respective deals, while Vesey may be in a battle to maintain his spot in the lineup and role, though many of us think this system might play to his strengths.
Swap the third and fourth line, since using Chytil on the fourth line is a waste based on his skill level and ability to create. Spooner provides offensive support while Fast is the d-ballast on that trio. Namestnikov finally scored at the end of the preseason and we need to see a lot more than what he showed last season while Lettieri earned a spot with his strong camp. I would swap him and Fast on the lines. I think MSG falls in love with Howden, as he will bring a physical style of play balanced with a healthy amount of skill. Look for him to be the new favorite of the crowd, especially on the PK, when he is all over the ice.
Lias Andersson starts the year in the minors, playing 18-20 minutes on the top line. A strong start could earn him a call up sooner rather than later. Ville Meskanen and Michael Lindqvist showed they were not ready for prime time, requiring time to adjust to play in the US. Tim Gettinger and Steven Fogarty both see some time in the NHL before the season is done. Matt Beleskey (separated shoulder) and Boo Nieves (concussion) are both out with injuries and when each are ready to return, some tweaks in the top-13 players could result.
Skjei-McQuaid Smith-Shattenkirk Staal-Pionk (extra: Claesson-DeAngelo)
The d-pairings will be in flux much of the first part of the season as Quinn works on combinations. McQuaid brings a physical presence and leadership to the blue line while Skjei was shown a long-term commitment by the organization and we all expect/hope that he reverts back to his rookie form. The change from a man-to-man to zone system coupled with the focus on having the forwards come back with clearer assigned responsibilities hopefully alleviates the issues of the past several seasons. As noted by Larry Brooks, it's now more of a five-man unit where more support exists allowing for better recovery if a player is beat. Hopefully, we avoid seeing two players chasing the puck behind the net with the front left unguarded.
Smith has lost 25 or so pounds and is playing like the force he was when he came over at the 2017 trade deadline. Shattenkirk was a PP QB this pre-season, showing what he can do with two good knees rather than playing one one leg. He has a lot to prove this season and I expect a strong rebound campaign. Staal could be playing to remain a Ranger, even with his NMC, because a buyout is possible after the season when he only has two years left on his deal. Pionk earned his spot with a strong pre-season, building on the success he had last year. ADA would require waivers to be optioned down, aiding his earning of a spot, but he was good in camp and benefits from Quinn's system, which plays to his strengths. Look for him to be spotted in against certain opponents, and if he plays well, forces Quinn to keep him in the lineup. Claesson is cheap and also would require waivers to go down, meaning that keeping him is wiser than losing him.
Libor Hajek and Ryan Lindgren open the year at Hartford. Both acquitted themselves rather nicely in camp and will eventually be a key member of the blueline. That time could come this year, especially after the trade deadline.
Henrik Lundqvist Alexandar Georgiev
Lundqvist is 36 but as well know, he will want to be in the lineup as much as possible. With only 11 back-to-backs, if Hank gets off to a good start, coupled with better play in front of him, he could see more action than expected. Of course, we all saw how Lundqvist handled the struggles last season, both on the ice and with his body language. A slow start, where he allows weak goals, or breakdowns in front of him and he might rethink his decision not to pursue a deal when asked after The Letter was issued.
Georgiev showed last season after his promotion that he wasn't overwhelmed at this level. In addition, he outplayed Marek Mazanec and Dustin Tokarski to earn the back up role. Quinn and goaltending coach Benoit Allaire will have to give him enough action to keep him sharp or send him down to Hartford to see sufficient playing time. Igor Shestyorkin is the goalie of the future, whenever that is.
Power play combinations:
Lines and pairs same as yesterday. Now, PP1: Shattenkirk, Buchnevich, Chytil, Kreider, Zibanejad. PP2: Pionk, Spooner, Hayes, Vesey, Zuccarello. #NYR https://t.co/P6uIXgnH5y
— Brett Cyrgalis (@BrettCyrgalis) October 3, 2018
PP1: Shattenkirk, Buchnevich, Chytil, Kreider, Zibanejad PP2: Pionk, Spooner, Hayes, Vesey, Zuccarello
The power play clicked in the preseason. The top five has skill with Kreider in front of the net and Zib from the left dot. The second PP will be a work in progress, but Hayes should be in front with Zuccarello at the point with Pionk and Spooner at the left dot. Look for Nam and Howden to also get some time on the second unit.
New York named five Alternate Captains today:
#NYR will have five alternate Captains this season!
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 3, 2018
Chris Kreider
Jesper Fast@MikaZibanejad @zuccarello36
Marc Staal pic.twitter.com/9O969E3u6v
Zucc and Mika will wear As @TheGarden
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 3, 2018
Fast and Kreider will wear As on the road.
Staal will wear an A for all games. https://t.co/evsUf8VlnG
No shock that a C wasn't named. If Kreider plays as I think he will, look for him to be the future captain with 'Kirk as an alternate, possibly next season. Don't read that much into Staal wearing the A at all times, he is the most tenured player besides Lundqvist on the roster.
Overall prediction: Trying to pin down this team is a near impossibility. You could easily argue that if the skill players coalesce and produce as possible, then the offense could be solid. If the defensive system is adopted quickly with few breakdowns, pressure will be taken off Lundqvist and then team will surprise. On the flip side, relying on so many forwards to produce and the squad to seamlessly shift systems with no bobbles is a bit much to expect. Plus, as proud of an athlete as Lundqvist is, he is 36 and showed signs of slippage last season.
I think the Rangers get off to a better than expected start before a decline at the quarter-pole. As the squad approaches the trade deadline, New York will be in striking distance of a Wild Card spot. But building for the future outweighs the short-term benefit of a spot, so look for Zucc and/or Hayes to go for additional assets, including draft picks. (Of course, the feasibility exists where New York plays it out, adding in a small piece or two, taking the risk of losing both at the end of the season, presuming Hayes isn't given a long-term deal, but that's a less likely scenario). The Rangers finish sixth or seventh in the division and out of the playoffs for a second straight season, but head into the off-season with high expectations and cap room to spend, which they will utilize on augmenting the current roster.