Continuing our look at the Rangers prospect system we cast an eye at the future at center. The Rangers are crying out for top line help, they are crying out for a consistent (and effective) center for Marian Gaborik and they are crying out for offensive impact down the middle. However what the Rangers are not crying out for are long term solutions.

At center (despite various positional switches) the Rangers have been using a combination of Brandon Dubinsky, Vinny Prospal, Chris Drury, Artem Anisimov, Brian Boyle, Olli Jokinen and Erik Christensen. There’s a fair bit of talent there – albeit at varying stages of their careers – but no one will confuse this collection for Crosby, Malkin and Staal and it doesn’t say much when a team has used at least 7 centers in one season. So what gives?

The Rangers find themselves with a real dilemma this summer. Any center of worth available (whether it be via free agency or trade) won’t come with a short contract – don’t think a guy like Tomas Plekanec will join the Rangers for 5m for 1 or 2 years. He, like most, will be looking for long term deals which the Rangers simply cannot afford to give and besides, The Rangers need to address anything BUT the center position.

Looking at the system it’s hard not to like the Rangers future at center. Wisconsin blue chipper Derek Stepan has massive potential and has tasted success at every level he’s played at. Carl Hagelin looks a very solid prospect in a strong NCAA program, Ryan Bourque, Ethan Werek and Roman Horak all look at this stage like very good draft picks. The beauty of this group is that it’s diverse. You have the playmaking potential of Stepan and Horak, the forechecking speedster in Bourque, power forward types like Werek and defensively sound 2 way guys like Hagelin. The main problem however is none of this group realistically are close to being on the NHL roster. Whether it be age, college commitments or level of development this talented group have a way to go before they become Garden favourites.

The key for the Rangers is finding opportunities for them to come up through the system. However with the position at the NHL level in some dire straits the temptation for Glen Sather to address a short term need will be large.

The Rangers, unless a stunning opportunity jumps out at them, simply must avoid clogging up the position. Allow Drury to be a (vastly) overpaid role player for two more years. Allow Erik Christensen to be a reclamation project and allow Artem Anisimov to grow (with appropriate ice time). The Rangers must take the pains that the position may give next season. If there is indeed money to spend, spend it on the back end, in goal and add a scoring winger.   

The Rangers (at center) are stuck between a rock and a hard place right now. They have a great future tempered by an average present. Rangers’ fans have been clamouring for a home grown core for a long time and the potential for it really is there. In 2 years the spine of the team could be something like Anisimov – Stepan – Bourque – Werek. John Tortorella has stated youth needs to be served so let’s hope the Rangers power brokers listen and don’t spoil a potentially promising future trying to squeeze into the playoffs. The Rangers could have an entirely home grown, diverse group of centres. Wouldn’t that be nice?

Next up we’ll look closer at Derek Stepan and what he could provide in NY.

Share: 

More About: