The New York Rangers offseason grades list is complete. With the Stanley Cup final underway, the offseason is in full swing for the rest of the league. The draft will take place soon and as well as free agency. Here is a New York Rangers priority list as things get deeper into the summer.
New York Rangers Priority List
Finding The Right Coach
The item on the New York Rangers’ priority list is finding its new bench boss. This decision is crucial for the short-term and long-term success of the franchise. As currently constructed, this roster is capable of winning right now. The majority of the core is locked up for the foreseeable future. A core led by Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, Adam Fox, and Igor Shesterkin can win now.
Parting with Gerard Gallant may have been puzzling, but it did happen. The man took the team to the Eastern Conference finals a year ago. In addition, the Rangers have finished with back-to-back 100+ point seasons. So if you fire Gallant, the next guy has to be better. The Rangers looked slow in their first-round series against the New Jersey Devils. In Gallant’s system, 5v5 was near the bottom of the league. Relying on Shesterkin and a red-hot power play is not sustainable long term.
Chris Drury and the rest of the group have a tough decision. The list has key names on it. It is recently highlighted by John Hynes, and Peter Laviolette. Whoever the next coach has to take this team that is capable of winning now and elevate it.
Signing Two Young Stars
The next priority on the New York Rangers list is two young promising talents. Even though this roster is littered with veterans, there is impactful youth on it as well. Each poses a different case as to why they should be signed. Those two players are Alexis Lafreniere and K’Andre Miller.
You can make the argument and say, “If Lafreniere played anywhere else he would be a higher point producer”. That can be chalked up to the opportunity that he gets or the teams poor development of the talent. As of right now, he is a Ranger and simply does his job for where he plays. Lafreniere had a career season this season. Last year he set a career-high in goals, but this year he set a career-high in points (39) and assists (23). Lafreniere finished eighth with 16.3 expected goals. He went on to score at his expected rate. Lafreniere went on to show promise in his game and his development. Sure, it may not be living up to the first overall selection status, but it is worth noting that he has gotten better. Kaapo Kakko signed a bridge deal last season with the outcome being similar for Lafreniere.
The next player has emerged as a steady top-four defenseman. Miller has shown major improvement in his game overall, as touched on in his off-season grade. He skates fast, transitions well, and has elevated his game at both ends of the ice. Miller is just a treat to watch. In addition, he went on to enjoy a career season and finished with the second-highest point totals among defensemen. Due to the tight salary cap, a bridge deal for him might be the case. However, it is entirely up to the next coach to further the development of the young talent.
Promoting Youth On The Blue Line
The final thing on the priority list for the New York Rangers is promoting youth on the back end. Today’s era of hockey is faster and the pace is intensified. Given how slow and outworked the team was in the first round, getting younger and quicker is the right idea. With defenseman Niko Mikkola being a pending free agent, it is a chance for youth to come through. Already on a third pair is Braden Schneider, but he does need a partner.
One player in mind is Zac Jones. Jones only played in 16 games this season for the club. With him on the ice, the opponent was able to generate more chances and cave him in. With him on the ice, he generated 9.64 expected goals for and 12.24 expected goals against. However, just individually he generated 0.5 expected goals. Jones has had strong showings in the AHL with the Hartford Wolfpack. In 54 games this season, he went on to score eight goals, 23 assists, and 31 points. Jones had a career year last year. It could be something he builds on and brings to the big club. Jones would be an upgrade over Mikkola.
Further Developing The Young Guys
Development of the younger guys not only throughout the organization but at the big league level is important. You can make an argument that the Rangers have failed to do that. Having the delight of drafting Kakko and Lafreniere where and when they did is great. However, they have not lived up to their billing. It could be partly on the fault of the players but on the coaching staff as well. Take the Boston Bruins for example; they went on to fire Bruce Cassidy. Part of that had to do with the lack of development of younger guys. Jim Montgomery did a great job with the younger guys and those who struggled under Cassidy thrived under Montgomery.
"Maybe get some power play time and also play more. That's the next step."
Kaapo Kakko talks about his growth as a player and what his future goals are: pic.twitter.com/ReIq1S1OpN
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) May 3, 2023
Whoever is the next coach and whatever young guy comes through needs to develop and succeed. Both Kakko and Lafreniere have expressed that they want increased roles and more opportunities. It is time to hand the keys to the young guys and get them going. Why does this matter? Among key Rangers prospects, Brennan Othmann is not far away. He is a great skater, good shooter, and finds ways to create space. Othmann is coming off a good campaign. Playing with the Peterborough Petes, Othmann went on to score 18 goals and 43 points. He was a point-per-game player. In addition, Othmann was a producer both at the Worlds tournament and the Memorial Cup. If and when he makes the jump to the big club, it is important to not run into the situation you are in now with two young guys at the forward position.
Why These Priorities Matter
This priority list for the New York Rangers is crucial. While the team is built to win and contend now, the team needs a coach to get them there. The bottom line is this; you cannot waste the good years of this current roster. Whatever coach you hire must take the necessary steps forward not backward.
In addition, you want a coach that can help further develop the younger guys. Both Kakko and Lafreniere want the increased opportunity and further, develop their game. It’s up to that coach to get those guys going if hired for the job. New York needs to build a speed game. Injecting youth and playing quicker would go a long way toward their success.
Main Photo: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
