{"id":43691,"date":"2019-03-15T11:10:02","date_gmt":"2019-03-15T15:10:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=43691"},"modified":"2019-03-16T11:12:20","modified_gmt":"2019-03-16T15:12:20","slug":"ryan-strome-new-york-ranger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2019\/03\/15\/ryan-strome-new-york-ranger\/","title":{"rendered":"Ryan Strome and His New York Rangers Rebirth"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cAnytime you have a transition like this, you just want to play,\u201d <\/span>said<\/span> Ryan Strome<\/b><\/a>\u00a0in November shortly after being traded to the New York Rangers<\/a>. Luckily for Rangerstown, that\u2019s exactly what he’s doing. And he\u2019s doing it very well.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ryan Strome Rangers Rebirth<\/h1>\n

Ryan Strome is rebuilding his once-coveted career on Garden ice. Keeping pace with the team\u2019s own very public rebuild. Strome\u2019s success fits well on the still floundering Rangers, proving to be a bright spot in another bleak season.<\/span><\/p>\n

Redemption is Spelled R.Y.A.N.<\/h2>\n

In his last 51 games with the Rangers, Strome has tallied an impressive 12 goals and 11 assists for a total of 23 points. Compared to only one goal and one assist in his season\u2019s first 18 games with the Edmonton Oilers<\/a>. His deft stick handling and quick chemistry with his teammates put him in a great position as the Rangers consider their future roster.<\/span><\/p>\n

Strome, currently playing on a line with <\/span>Chris Kreider<\/b><\/a> and <\/span>Jesper Fast,\u00a0<\/b><\/a>keeps up with them nicely.\u00a0Both are incredibly gifted playmakers, Fast still being one of the most unsung Rangers veterans. Additionally, the fact that Strome can keep up with Kreider\u2019s impeccable speed bodes well for the line. It\u2019s no wonder he\u2019s been so instrumental at the opposition\u2019s net.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Checkered Past<\/h2>\n

Selected fifth overall by the New York Islanders<\/a> in the 2011 NHL Draft, Strome was easily one of the year\u2019s most sought after players. He had his best season to date in 2014-15 tallying 50 points in 81 games with the Islanders. Despite a breakout sophomore season, Strome\u2019s play steadily declined, earning a little over half that point total the next season with 28. <\/span><\/p>\n

In 2017 the Islanders said goodbye to Strome when his point totals continued to hover in the high 20s and low 30s. Ontario-born Strome fit in only marginally better on the Edmonton Oilers. Serving up only 34 points in the 2017-18 season, Edmonton was more than alright with a one-for-one trade in exchange for <\/span>Ryan Spooner<\/b><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

And the Winner is\u2026<\/h3>\n

Speaking of the Spooner trade, the Rangers front office needs to pop some champagne in celebration of a huge win. While Strome has been racking up 20+ points in Broadway blue, Spooner had a mere three points in 25 games with Edmonton. In no time, Edmonton placed him on waivers. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Vancouver Canucks<\/a> picked him up on Feb. 16 in exchange for Sam Gagner<\/strong><\/a>. That hasn\u2019t fared much better for him either. In six games with the Canucks, Spooner’s goal total remains at zero. He\u2019s got three assists, not bad. At 27 however, he needs to find the right chemistry fast if he wants to return to the potential he displayed when <\/span>Rick Nash<\/b><\/a> departed the Rangers in Spring of 2018.<\/span><\/p>\n

Future Plans<\/h3>\n

The Rangers hold rights to Ryan Strome through the 2020-21 season, providing the true test of his strength in New York. It\u2019s important to note that <\/span>Kevin Hayes <\/b><\/a>is now a Winnipeg Jet<\/a>, leaving a top center spot for Strome. Strome should be happy to play second fiddle to\u00a0<\/span>Mika Zibanejad<\/b><\/a>.\u00a0Zibanejad has undoubtedly reached another level of play this season. In 70 games, he has a whopping 66 points and counting. That’s well above his best career point total of 51. <\/span><\/p>\n

Anticipating that Strome\u2019s success continues, consider the Rangers once gaping hole at center closed. It is a possibility that the Rangers would utilize Strome as a bargaining piece for an even younger player after next season. However, looking at our stockpiled draft picks, keeping Strome can help out the New York Rangers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>