JT Miller celebrates like a boss.

In just 18 short days, the Rangers will open the 2017-2018 season with high hopes and elevated expectations.  A busy off-season left in its wake a roster that is stronger than last year’s in some areas, but potentially weaker in others.  Such is life in the salary cap era.

By adding Kevin Shattenkirk and re-signing Brendan Smith (an almost forgotten-about, but extremely smart and important move), the Rangers undoubtedly begin this season with their best defense corps in at least a half decade – question marks on the bottom pair notwithstanding.  On any given night, the Blueshirts’ top four defenseman will likely be superior to their opponent’s.  The power play prowess of Shattenkirk will surely be a boost as well.

At forward, the lineup is far from decided and the depth is questionable.  As of today, Matt Puempel is this team’s 11th forward, with ostensibly an open competition for the 12th and 13th spots ongoing.  The picture gets a little clearer when Jesper Fast returns from his hip injury sometime in late October or early November.  Regardless, the Rangers’ forward group certainly leaves something to be desired (namely, a #2 center).

While it may be a bit of a fool’s errand to put too much stock into October lineups (Alain Vigneault tinkers, players arrive and depart, injuries happen, etc.), here’s my best shot at predicting the lineup that the Rangers will ice on Opening Night against Colorado.  Note that this is not how I would like the Rangers to deploy their team, but what I think they will do based on past lineup choices and the current players on the roster.

Forwards:

Chris Kreider – Mika Zibanejad – Mats Zuccarello

Jimmy Vesey – Kevin Hayes – Rick Nash

Michael Grabner – JT Miller – Pavel Buchnevich

Matt Puempel – David Desharnais – Boo Nieves

Andrew Desjardins (scratch)

Defense:

Ryan McDonagh – Kevin Shattenkirk

Brady Skjei – Brendan Smith

Marc Staal – Steven Kampfer

Nick Holden, Anthony DeAngelo (scratches)

The Forwards

The top three lines for the Rangers are loaded with speed and talent, but arranging those nine players isn’t a straightforward task.  I think Alain Vigneault will stick to his word and build the top two lines around Zibanejad and Hayes.  While I’d like to see Pavel Buchnevich reunited with Mika and Kreider on the top line, I think AV will opt to shelter the dynamic Russian with third line minutes, and give him and JT Miller a chance to develop some chemistry against lower-echelon competition.

On the fourth line, Vigneault will play it safe with Matt Puempel (a guy he seems to love, for no real reason) and the experienced Desharnais.  I think Boo Nieves makes the team due to his speed and is placed on the wing, much like a young JT Miller was back in the 2012-13 season.  Andrew Desjardins will hang around because he’s a veteran, and Jeff Gorton will be loath to deprive players like Lias Andersson or Ty Ronning games at the AHL level by keeping them with the big club only to be healthy scratches.

The Defense

As silly as it sounds to say this: even Alain Vigneault can’t screw this up.  The Rangers’ top 4 defensemen should be locked, loaded, and playing together as much as humanly possible from day one.  The question is the third pair, and this is where AV’s worst impulses will come to life.  The Rangers handed Steven Kampfer a two-year extension, and he – like Puempel – is beloved by the Ranger coach.  He’s in on opening night.  And despite all we’ve heard about Marc Staal needing to “earn his spot”, he will be on the ice come October 5 as well.  NHL coaches, especially “old school” types like Vigneault and new assistant Lindy Ruff, are hesitant to dress too many young defensemen.  So, apologies Anthony DeAngelo, Neal Pionk, Alexei Bereglazov and Sean Day: now is not your time.

The goaltenders will be Henrik Lundqvist and Ondrej Pavelec (obviously).

Barring injury, that’s how I think the Rangers will line up on Opening Night.  Things can and will change during the course of the season, and while there is certainly a solid foundation in place, the Rangers will go into the 2017-2018 season feeling like an unfinished product.

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