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New York Rangers Most Valuable Players This Season

The New York Rangers have given out a pair of awards. Mika Zibanejad won the MVP award, while Ryan Lindgren secured a pair of awards as well. Despite Zibanejad winning the award, there are other New York Rangers MVP candidates. Let’s take a look at what other players did that is worthy of such an honour.

New York Rangers MVP Worthy

Other Potential Candidates

Artemi Panarin

Who doesn’t love bread? When it comes to New York City there is plenty of it to go around. You can get pizza, pasta, bagels, Katz’s Deli, sandwiches, and Artemi Panarin. The next New York Rangers MVP is the breadman. Ever since arriving to the Big Apple, he has been nothing but extraordinary.

This season he leads the team in points (92) and is third in goals (28). In addition, his 19 goals at 5v5 are first among forwards. He is a special player to have on the man advantage. Panarin is tied for first in power play assists (27) and has nine goals as well. The superstar winger made history this year by being one of two players to score four goals in a game on the same night. What has made him so special is his play-making ability. Of all the assists this season, 34 have been primary. Alongside super star centre Mika Zibanejad, the duo has accounted for 90 points each.

Adam Fox

The next New York Rangers MVP is a player that could challenge for the Norris Trophy. Adam Fox is everything you want out of a franchise defensemen. Not only is he an offensive machine, but he is responsible in his own end.

Fox ranks third on the team in points (72). His 60 assists also rank second on the team. Fox has the clutch factor in him as a defenseman. He is tied with Zibanejad in game winning goals with 5. Gallant has deployed him in all situations with the penalty kill and power play. His offensive ability has factored into both. Fox has 29 power play points, along with three assists short-handed. For a defenseman, he has scored at an expected rate and has been as great of a two-way player that you can ask for. And when paired with Ryan Lindgren, the two are a great duo together.

Igor Shesterkin

What more can you say about Igor Shesterkin? Arguably the best goaltender in the league has been just that for the Rangers. He may not be having the elite season he had last year, but it is pretty close.

On the year, Shesterkin has a 2.48 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage. In addition, his .742 high-danger save percentage ranks 23rd among goalies who have played 20 games. What stand out the most about him is his goals saved above expected. He sits fifth among all goalies with 28.1. That is what makes Shesterkin elite. He is a guy you can lean on and count on to make the big save. Shesterkin has come up large time and time again and will as the playoffs begin next week.

Vincent Trocheck

The next New York Rangers MVP is the new kid on the block. After seeing Ryan Strome move on to greener pastures, reinforcements were needed. In addition, deadline acquisition Andrew Copp moved on as well. Chris Drury went ahead and inked Vincent Trocheck to a long-term deal.

Trocheck has been everything you can ask for in a second-line centre. He has already surpassed the point totals from Strome last season. His 64 points are good for fourth on the team along with his 22 goals. Trocheck has been a machine in the faceoff dot (56.35 win percentage). While also being responsible offensively, he has been responsible defensively. Trocheck ranks third in takeaways (53) and finishes his checks (182 hits). Trocheck has been the perfect anchor for this club and perfect for their first two lines.

Filip Chytil

If there’s one player that’s worthy of any recognition, it is the man who recently signed a contract extension. Filip Chytil has been a player who has progressively gotten better with each passing season. Last year saw him tally 22 points while also performing in the playoffs alongside Alexis Lafreniere and Kappo Kakko.

Fast forward a season, and Chytil is having a career year. The amount of goals he has this year (22), matched his point totals from last year. Chytil has popped off like a bottle of champagne and has a career high of 45 points. The best part; he has done his damage at 5v5. Anchoring the third line, all members have been productive which should make for a matchup nightmare in the playoffs. Chytil is not the most efficient in the faceoff circle, but he has been everything you could want in your lineup. New York is scary down the middle for years to come.

Chris Kreider

The next New York Rangers MVP is the longest-tenured player. Chris Kreider is a tremendous competitor and a leader. He may not have the “C” on his sweater, but he plays like it.

Kreider is fifth in points with 54. His 36 goals are right at his expected rate from an individual standpoint. Kreider does most of his damage from the high-danger area (195 attempts). Like Trocheck, he plays a physical game (127 hits). While Kreider has not been as dangerous on the power play as be was last year, he has been dangerous on the penalty kill. His four short-handed goals lead the team and tied for first in the league.   Kreider has been a force for the Rangers his entire tenure and continues to do so.

K’Andre Miller

The next New York Rangers MVP is the next guy in line for a new contract. Ever since emerging into the league, K’Andre Miller has developed into a great player for the club. He is a smooth skater with good puck-handling abilities. Miller has shown flashes with his offensive side evidenced by his 43 points. His defensive side has shined through as well. He ranks second behind Fox with 59 takeaways and is a bruiser with 162 hits.

He is enjoying a career year across the board and should be in line for a hefty payday.

Ryan Lindgren

The next New York Rangers MVP is a two award winner. Ryan Lindgren has been a special player and teammate and has grown into a fan favourite as well. Lindgren is a heart and soul guy that lays it all on the line. His impacts on the ice are noticeable and he has been a stellar partner with Fox. Together they make the top pair elite.

Lindgren is enjoying a career-high in assists and points. His willingness to leave it all on the ice is evidenced by his 92 blocked shots.  Lindgren is a lock for the penalty kill and is the key shutdown guy. A true warrior of a player respected by many and his time missed was noticeable as well. 

Jaroslav Halak

The final New York Rangers MVP happens to be the backup goalie. May sound like an odd choice, but having a capable backup goaltender is huge in today’s game. Jaroslav Halak has played in 23 games and has a 10-8-5 record. Granted he started be year shaky, but he turned it around and has had good performances.

Halak has a 2.71 goals against average and a .904 save percentage. In addition, he has a 1.4 goals saved above expected and a .795 high danger save percentage. In giving Shesterkin relief, Halak has been everything you can ask for after parting ways with Alexander Georgiev.

Main Photo: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

All Stats Come From Natural Stat Trick

Tommy Bennett

Tommy Bennett

Tommy Bennett has been a hockey fan his entire life. He grew up in New Jersey watching the New Jersey Devils with his father, while also being a Boston Bruins fan. Now he shares his love of the game through writing. Follow along on twitter @TJBennettt37.

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