{"id":24334,"date":"2018-02-26T17:25:37","date_gmt":"2018-02-26T22:25:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=24334"},"modified":"2018-03-01T11:32:06","modified_gmt":"2018-03-01T16:32:06","slug":"new-york-rangers-trade-hopes-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2018\/02\/26\/new-york-rangers-trade-hopes-future\/","title":{"rendered":"Assessing New York Rangers Trades and Hope For The Future"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>As the trade deadline has passed, it is time for reflection and new beginnings. It also follows the next debate in the hockey community, how their favoured team&#8217;s trade decisions affect their future. The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/rangers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">New York Rangers<\/a> were by far, one of the most active, and most productive during this trading period.<\/p>\n<h1>Looking to the Future after Recent New York Rangers Trades<\/h1>\n<p>With the trades of\u00a0<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/holdeni01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nick Holden<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/n\/nashri01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rick Nash<\/a><\/strong>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/grabnmi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Michael Grabner,<\/strong><\/a> and most recently captain <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/mcdonry01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Ryan McDonagh<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/millejt01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">J.T. Miller<\/a><\/strong>, and <strong>Ryan Graves<\/strong> it has been a tough few weeks for the Rangers. But however difficult, its now time to look to the future.<\/p>\n<p>The aim for the Rangers was to do just that, as the dust settles they firstly come away with a vast amount of draft picks for next season.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">By acquiring a first-round pick, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/NYR?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#NYR<\/a> now have 10 picks in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, including three picks in the first round, five picks in the first two rounds, and seven picks in the first three rounds.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; New York Rangers (@NYRangers) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NYRangers\/status\/968251115702751233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 26, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>How they manage these young future Blueshirts is yet to be seen, but the main question is, what do fans do in the meantime? There are\u00a0still fifteen games to be played in the regular season, do they get on the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/knights\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vegas Golden Knights<\/a>\u00a0bandwagon early?\u00a0 Its true playoff hopes\u00a0are pretty much dead but there is much potential to be seen in the Rangers, making it at the very least exciting viewing.<\/p>\n<h2>Filling the Void<\/h2>\n<p>It is undetermined who will fill the void created by trading the Rangers long-standing fixures. However, it is hoped that much-loved <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/z\/zuccama01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Mats Zuccarello<\/strong><\/a> and living legend\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/lundqhe01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Henrik Lundqvist<\/strong><\/a> will take the helm. Although it would be no surprise\u00a0if Zuccarello <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/\/2018\/02\/26\/new-york-rangers-captain-the-best-players-for-the-job\/\" target=\"_self\">donned the captain\u00a0role<\/a>, with trade concerns for the Norwegian\u00a0at the end of the season, it may not be realistic.<\/p>\n<p>The Rangers coaching team will need their now &#8220;experienced&#8221; players to step up and contribute while making this transition. But can they do what is required to aid the future of the team?<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/z\/zibanmi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Mika Zibanejad<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0becomes the Rangers top scorer with 17 goals. Unusually quiet since his concussion in November, he has only scored six goals since. The next to follow is <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/buchnpa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pavel Buchnevich<\/a><\/strong>, he has 13 goals and 21 assists totaling 34 points. There has been much discussion questioning Alain\u00a0Vigneault decisions\u00a0in the past regarding the Russian. His average game time currently is 14.44 minutes but increasing each game.\u00a0 The 22-year-old will now become a regular face on the top offensive line with returning forward\u00a0<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kreidch01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chris Kreider<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>So, the Rangers have future draft picks, they have a core network to work on. But let&#8217;s not forget the new trades Rangers have required.<\/p>\n<h2>\u00a0Ones To Watch<\/h2>\n<p>As part of this new plan,\u00a0the Rangers have inserted enthusiastic talent to build on their forward depth.<\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/spoonry01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ryan Spooner<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Rangers acquired <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/spoonry01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Ryan Spooner<\/strong><\/a> in the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/n\/nashri01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rick Nash<\/a> trade. The 26-year-old center has not had the opportunity to play a full season in the NHL since being drafted by the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/\/nhl-teams\/bruins\/\" target=\"_self\">Boston Bruins<\/a> in 2010. In his debut game for the Rangers against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/\/nhl-teams\/red-wings\/\" target=\"_self\">Detroit Red Wings<\/a>, he recorded two assists. In Vancouver, he was instrumental in the majority of goals scored. The Ontario native has shown early chemistry with teammates <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hayeske01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kevin Hayes<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/f\/fastje01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jesper Fast<\/a><\/strong>, it is clear he will see much more game time. With this,\u00a0it allows growth potential and more opportunity at contributing in the future.<\/p>\n<h3>\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/n\/namesvl01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vladislav Namestnikov<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>The Russian is another exciting addition to the team to watch develop as a future Blueshirt. Traded as part of captain <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/mcdonry01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ryan McDonagh<\/a><\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/\/2018\/02\/26\/ryan-mcdonagh-trade\/\" target=\"_self\">deal<\/a>,<strong>\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/n\/namesvl01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vladislav Namestnikov<\/a> <\/strong>has experience playing with greats such as <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kucheni01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nikita Kucherov<\/a><\/strong> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/stamkst01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Steven Stamkos<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0with the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/lightning\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tampa Bay Lightning.<\/a> Midway through the 25-year-old&#8217;s season, he has notched up 20 goals and 24 assists for a total of 44 points. With these stats, he is currently first for goals and assists and second behind Zuccarello in points. The Russian also scored in his debut against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/canucks\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vancouver Canucks.<\/a><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud83d\udea8GOAL!!\ud83d\udea8<\/p>\n<p>@Vladdy18 on the breakaway! His first goal as a <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/NYR?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#NYR<\/a>! Blueshirts up 4-3!<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; New York Rangers (@NYRangers) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NYRangers\/status\/969067270814162945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">March 1, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>Hopes For The Future<\/h2>\n<p>There are still going to be aspects that need improvement, it&#8217;s not going to happen instantly. The Rangers have struggled defensively for years, but with the addition of players like <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/gilmojo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>John Gilmour<\/strong><\/a> and tough <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/o\/ogararo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rob O&#8217;Gara<\/a><\/strong> in the trade, it will enhance the team.\u00a0 As general manager\u00a0<strong>Jeff Gorton<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhl.com\/rangers\/video\/jeff-gorton-on-deadline-day-deals\/t-277437422\/c-58215403\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">stated after this shakeup trade period.<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>&#8220;For guys that have been here, they have to cement their place here and show that they want to be part of it. For young players, they need to prove they belong in the league, that we should be looking at them for next year. As we\u2019re moving forward, we\u2019re going to be looking for anything and everything that makes us better.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Gordon statement captures the Rangers situation perfectly. With the combination of new talent and experience of current reliable players, the rebuild can work. But only if everyone sticks to the same plan. Time will tell if this happens, however, it&#8217;s a promising start. Either way, it&#8217;s obvious the Rangers want to put the past behind them and push forward for a better future. Rangers faithful simply has to stay strong and weather the storm, the team will do the rest.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo:<br \/>\n<a id=\"gpyjpJ52STBVOUykMeCCMw\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.ca\/detail\/923480352\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'gpyjpJ52STBVOUykMeCCMw',sig:'DThUR2aG3FppvDjbCZ_Juo9WkYATE03s8Qi8cyNE344=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'923480352',caption: true ,tld:'ca',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As the trade deadline has passed, it is time for reflection and new beginnings. It also follows the next debate in the hockey community, how their favoured team&#8217;s trade decisions affect their future. The New York Rangers were by far, one of the most active, and most productive during this trading period. Looking to the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2344,"featured_media":24633,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[14,2],"tags":[1513,3032,1351,1159,48,5746,912,370,1131,1914],"class_list":["post-24334","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rangers","category-featured","tag-chris-kreider","tag-john-gilmour","tag-mats-zuccarello","tag-michael-grabner","tag-new-york-rangers","tag-nhl-trade","tag-nick-holden","tag-rick-nash","tag-ryan-mcdonagh","tag-ryan-spooner"],"modified_by":"Ben Kerr","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24334","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2344"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24334"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24334\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24633"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24334"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24334"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24334"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}