The Rangers came back from the holiday break with a bang, besting two teams that are likely headed to the playoffs. They weren’t necessarily pretty wins, but they were wins nonetheless. Since they weren’t pretty, there was major discussion about process and whether specific players can maintain their play. As per usual, I have some thoughts.
1. After his two goal, two assist performance on Saturday night, much of social media was discussing Ryan Strome and his future in New York. Some are hard-line re-sign him, some are hard-line trade him. I get the arguments for both. Personally, I’m in the grey area here. He’s been much better than last year, and last year was a big improvement on his otherwise pedestrian career. I am very hesitant to re-sign him long term after a year and a half that doesn’t jive with his career norms. Missing on Strome –re-signing him to a big deal and having him revert back to his Edmonton days– can derail the rebuild. That said, he’s an RFA and can go to arbitration, so the Rangers don’t have to commit to him yet. The smart play here is either sell high or get him for a short-term deal.
2. Twitter was set ablaze by Tony DeAngelo’s comments, meant to troll the fanbase that “stats mean nothing.” I find this amusing for two reasons. The first is that DeAngelo is clearly trolling his own fans, which I don’t get, but whatever. The second is that everyone was so offended by him sticking up for his teammate. What else is he supposed to do? This is a non-story.
3. Speaking of Strome and DeAngelo, there is an argument to be made that neither will be Rangers next season. DeAngelo may price himself out of a role in New York if the Rangers don’t move a RD to the left side, and Strome we just discussed. I am unsure if they are dealt at the deadline, more on that in a second, but I can see a situation where the Rangers trade both. Not saying they will, just saying I wouldn’t be surprised if they did.
4. As for the trade deadline, I no longer believe that Chris Kreider is a shoe-in to be traded. There’s nothing factual to back this up, just a hunch I have. The chemistry with Mika Zibanejad is real, and it’s clear he’s part of the leadership core. A lot of this will depend on his contract demands, as with any pending free agent. Gut feeling says he stays and gets a new contract.
5. The Rangers are trending up in December, and it is in no small part to some of the recent lineup changes. Libor Hajek’s injury took him out of the lineup (which was a net positive) and forced David Quinn to reunite Brady Skjei and Jacob Trouba. Both have been playing well in their top pairing role. This also gave Ryan Lindgren more time to get acquainted to the NHL and he’s showing he can hold his own. Up front, Mika Zibanejad’s return gave the Rangers three actual lines. Brett Howden was moved to the wing, which gave Greg McKegg regular minutes on the fourth line. Little things matter.
6. If the Rangers really want to take the next step, they will limit Marc Staal’s ice time to third pairing. He’s the weak link right now while Hajek is out. It would also help to get actual hockey players on the fourth line aside from McKegg. Baby steps.
7. Funny how opportunities come – if Lias Andersson didn’t struggle in the AHL and subsequently request a trade, he may have been the call up for the Brendan Lemieux injury. Don’t get me wrong, his play up until his request didn’t warrant a call up, and Steven Fogarty would have gotten the call anyway. But sometimes we get in our own heads. Or in Lias’ case, maybe the Rangers just missed on him, both at the draft at in his development. Or maybe Lias isn’t mature enough yet. Or all of the above.
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