What went right for the Rangers: The kids are all alright

As mentioned yesterday, we are going to be reviewing what went right and what went wrong for the New York Rangers in the 2014-2015 season. 

When the Rangers started the season, there were many questions about which kids would make a significant impact on the big club. Kevin Hayes made the club out of camp, but his transition to center in the NHL was going to be a long road and there were times when he sat as a healthy scratch. Jesper Fast was yo-yo’d a few times this season before finally sticking around December. J.T. Miller received the same treatment.

By the time the Rangers started rolling in December, Hayes, Miller, and Fast had become the three rookie staples in the lineup. Hayes had been impressing everyone –literally everyone, as I don’t think there’s one person who believes the Rangers rushed him– as he adapted to the NHL and the rigors of the center position. He got better each and every game, first focusing on defense and positioning.

Hayes put up a modest 6-11-17 in the first four months (46 games). But once February came, Hayes turned up the scoring, notching 11 goals, 17 assists, and 28 points in the final 35 games. With Derick Brassard and Derek Stepan holding down the top two center spots, Hayes turned even his fiercest doubters into his largest supporters.

Fast, who was locked into a fourth line role with Tanner Glass and Dominic Moore, putting up a modest 6-8-14 through 58 games. But after Mats Zuccarello went down with a brain contusion in the playoffs, Fast was elevated to a top-nine role, where he clicked with Stepan and Chris Kreider. Fast didn’t put up big numbers (3-3-6 in the playoffs), but he showed an offensive touch that, with the right linemates on the fourth line, provides tertiary scoring depth with solid overall defense.

That leaves Miller, who was an enigma for the last two seasons before sticking this season. He was inconsistent in his own zone, but there was no doubting his offensive skill and speed. Miller bounced around in the lineup before sticking in a top-nine role with Zuccarello and Brassard. His willingness to play with a physical edge and get to the boards was a perfect complement for that line, and gave the Rangers a much-needed balanced top three lines.

But their contributions go beyond the scoresheet. Hayes (50.97% CF) and Miller (50.74% CF) were third and fourth on the team in possession. Fast (49.91% CF) was 8th on the team, but he also spent considerably more time in the defensive zone. Compared to their teammates, all three were positive relative possession players:

Courtesy of war-on-ice

With all the possession issues the Rangers had this year, this trio provided the much-needed injection of youth at a cheap price. Most of us were fearful the Rangers would trade one of Miller or Fast (or worse, both) throughout the season, but they stuck and proved the Rangers right.

The long-term success of any team in the cap era is their ability to continually insert young talent into the lineup. Last year it was Kreider finally sticking. This year it was Fast, Miller, and Hayes. Next year, you never know.