Speedy kids anchoring Rangers depth

Jesper Fast for Derek Dorsett. J.T. Miller for Benoit Pouliot. Kevin Hayes for Brian Boyle.

Three cap saving moves made by the New York Rangers. Three moves that, at the start (or middle, depending on when the player came into the lineup) of the season, were met with more questions than answers. But here we are in March, and all three have prominent roles with the Rangers. All three are solidifying the forward depth. All three have one thing in common: Speed.

Under Alain Vigneault, the Rangers have moved from a game anchored around defense and north-south skating to an east-west, counter attack style of play. Vigneault has molded the Rangers using their best asset, their skating ability. It has been the club’s philosophy –for the most part– when drafting and targeting free agents. It is their biggest strength, and as we’ve seen all year, it’s giving opponents fits.

But it wasn’t always like this. As mentioned above, all three kids came with their own questions. All three had growing pains, and all three spent a different amount of time trying to solidify his spot on the roster.

The Rangers used retreads like Ryan Malone, Chris Mueller, and, to a lesser extent, Matt Lombardi. None worked out, and only one even remains with the organization. The Rangers tried Anthony Duclair, who also fit this mold of speed, but he was unable to secure a spot in the top-nine, and was sent back to the QMJHL.

While Glen Sather has stated that it was the emergence of Hayes that made the decision to move Duclair for Keith Yandle easier. But it’s not just Hayes. Miller needed to earn his spot in the top-nine. Miller is just three years older than Duclair, same with Hayes. Miller and Hayes play different styles than Duclair, but the common theme here is speed. The two remaining Rangers have that, and they have the offensive skill to complement it.

When fully healthy, Miller and Hayes anchor a third line with Carl Hagelin that is skilled, gritty, and offensively talented. That line carried the offense –including puck possession (SAT/Corsi) when the top six got snakebitten. It’s pretty impressive what these kids have done. Hayes has received some sheltered zone starts, but both he and Miller are driving possession with Hagelin. Fast, who has bounced between the third and fourth lines, has also driven possession despite a major disadvantage with zone starts.

Courtesy of war-on-ice.

But it isn’t just about offense. Fast has been one of the best defensive players on the club, assisting Dominic Moore as the primary shutdown players on the team. I’m unsure if this stat still holds true, but I believe the Rangers haven’t allowed a powerplay goal while Fast is on the ice. If that stat doesn’t hold true anymore, then there was a really long period of time in which it was true.

The Rangers took a big risk this season, letting three key pieces in their run to the Stanley Cup Finals go in the offseason. Their eventual replacements were three highly touted prospects that, so far, have lived up to the billing. Big risk, big reward. And they say the Rangers don’t generate their own youth because they don’t have first round picks. Hah.