The Buffalo Killer has picked up right where he left off despite a series of injuries (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Buffalo Killer has picked up right where he left off despite a series of injuries (Photo by Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images)

The good

The Rangers are going to score a million goals this year
Yes, I know someone needs to get the forwards the puck and there’s still not a clear solution to that conundrum. But the sheer amount of talent up front is pretty impressive. Both Pavel Buchnevich and Jimmy Vesey look prepared to contribute right out of the gate, and Brandon Pirri has showcased a rare ability to put the puck during the net in the preseason. On top of that, Mika Zibanejad appears capable of picking up right where Derick Brassard left off and then some. The Rangers have more than enough forwards to fill three scoring lines, and even the anticipated checking line should have a much better chance of chipping in offensively than in years past.

New York might have found a power play quarterback


Adam Clendening has been a revelation at camp and while it’s important to temper expectations when only seeing a player dominate against scrubs and players that don’t fully understand their defensive assignments, Clendening has demonstrated the vision, creativity, quick puck movement and sharp decision-making that are key attributes to running the point. Given the Blueshirts’ wasteland down the right side and gaping hole on the PP created by Keith Yandle’s departure, Clendening appears to have a real chance to knock some of the competition down the ladder. Additionally, John Gilmour has looked very comfortable and displayed a rocket of a shot. He’s not a real option out of the gate, but Gilmour could get a look later this season or next.

There is depth in net
The Rangers were wise to ink Antti Raanta for another tour this summer with Mackenzie Skapski coming off an injury-riddled season, but thus far Skapski has looked terrific and unaffected by those physical ailments. I’d be fine with Skapski serving as Henrik Lundqvist’s backup this season from an ability standpoint, but obviously it makes more sense to get Skapski regular work in Hartford for the short term. Though Brandon Halverson, Igor Shestyorkin and Adam Huska have garnered more buzz over the last couple years and all may have a better chance to emerge as Lundqvist’s heir over time, Skapski is much closer to playing a role right now.

So far there have been no major injuries *knock on wood*
Oscar Lindberg is still recovering from hip injuries and Josh Jooris went down early in the first preseason game, but by and large New York has made it within a week of the regular season without any crippling injuries. Given that so many key players participated in the World Cup of Hockey, that’s not insignificant.

The bad

Dan Girardi and Brady Skjei
Girardi’s struggles are not unexpected, but the organization stubbornly committed to Girardi for another season, so for his redemption be looking this rocky already is a major concern. The Blueshirts do seem to have other options if they’re willing to drastically slash Girardi’s minutes or send him to the press box, but that would be a stunning heel turn at this point. Skjei, on the other hand, was expected to be something of a white knight this fall after his impressive debut last spring. But with the exception of a few solo rushes to guide the puck to safety, he has been pretty underwhelming. There’s no reason to be concerned over Skjei’s long-term development – we’ve seen several young defensemen follow a rollercoaster path to full-time duty on Broadway in recent years – but the chances of Skjei being a savior immediately look slim.

Defensive zone coverage
The “chicken running around with its head cut off” style defense the Blueshirts deployed regularly last season doesn’t look any better. Granted, it’s impossible and silly to judge that so early with so many players that have no clue what they’re supposed to be doing and a slew of new bodies that need to learn to play with one another – but last year was so bad that it’s hard not to nitpick.

Jooris’s injury
Jooris himself is a relatively insignificant piece of the puzzle. But he had the inside track for the fourth-line center job, and with Jooris unable to play and prove himself, that position is now a major question mark. On the one hand, the Blueshirts could forego a traditional checking line and slot the defensively deficient Pirri into that role – or get even more creative and bump J.T. Miller down, or (gasp) even Derek Stepan. But Alain Vigneault has been pretty adamant about assembling a trio of defensively responsible players after his three scoring lines, and the centers that fit that criteria are few. Thankfully, it appears that Maxim Lapierre does not have a very realistic chance at making the team, but it’s still a messy toss-up between Nathan Gerbe, Marek Hrivik and others. It’s not a catastrophe, but it’s definitely complicating things.

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