Addressing the glut of wingers with Chris Kreider’s return

Frank Franklin II, AP Photo

Disclaimer: This was written before this morning’s announcement that Anthony Duclair will be the healthy scratch.

Chris Kreider will return to the lineup tonight after dealing with the death of his grandfather, and with his return comes another logjam at wing. Even without Tanner Glass, out with the mumps for an unknown period of time, the Rangers have nine very capable wingers who, at least after Saturday’s game, deserve another game together. But obviously you can’t sit Kreider, so who sits?

J.T. Miller is a candidate, but he clicked very nicely on LW with Dominic Moore and Jesper Fast (something I wanted a month ago). The fourth line was something I spent significant time on a week after that tweet as well. That line worked on Saturday against a bad Flyers team. Considering how badly the fourth line got torched in the previous two games against Tampa Bay, it makes sense to keep this one together and see how they do.

The only plausible solution for tonight’s game is to sit Lee Stempniak, even if he is undeserving of sitting in the press box. The rule of thumb is to never scratch a deserving kid in place of a veteran. Of course, that rule hasn’t always been followed this season, but following a strong win, I have faith that AV will keep that fourth line together.

Since Stempniak was the healthy scratch before Glass came down with the mumps*, it makes sense that Stempniak would be the odd-man out again. He was playing top-nine minutes, and that’s where Kreider is likely to slot in.

*-How in the world do three players in the NHL come down with the mumps? Why did they not get their MMR’s when they were infants? Wtf?

A glut of wingers, especially wingers that are this talented, is certainly a nice problem to have. The depth gives the Rangers options, such as addressing the potential hole coming at LD. It also gives the Rangers maneuverability to deal with unforeseen circumstances, like, for example, the mumps.

When –I guess at this point it becomes if, since injuries seem to be the norm for the Rangers this year– the Rangers are fully healthy, meaning Glass is cured of the mumps, he makes the tenth winger. Our feelings of him on the ice aside, he’s still going to be with the team for better or for worse. Ten wingers, nine if you insist on moving Miller back to center.

No matter which way you spin it with Fast, Miller, Glass, and Stempniak, the Rangers have two more NHL wingers than they need. Something’s gotta give.