Stop me if you’ve heard this before. The Rangers have a depth problem. It’s a fairly common problem in the NHL, but the Rangers found a unique way to have this problem. While some teams simply lack pieces, the Rangers have the pieces. They just use the wrong pieces. The fourth line and third pair have largely been ignored and become afterthoughts. In doing so, they’ve thrown away wins and production in what has otherwise been a strong season.
Beating a dead horse
A few things pop out to me with this:
1) Kakko has been good regardless of line
2) Kravtsov 👀
3) Hajek has been that bad
4) NYR *must* take the 4L/3rd pair seriously this offseason. Related: Smith's xGF% with/without Hajek: 44.5/48 – decent difference for depth TOI. pic.twitter.com/L5RQ9JcOkm— Rob Luker (@RLuker12) April 24, 2021
Yes, this is beating a dead horse. But there is no logical reason why Libor Hajek and Brett Howden are in the lineup anymore. Rob had to expand the axes on this chart just to fit them in. They are just a drag on anyone put with them. At the risk of beating the dead horse, the Rangers need to move away from the Ryan McDonagh trade and just accept the ‘L’ on it. It happens.
While there may not be an immediate solution this year, third pair defensemen and fourth line centers are easy to come by. Heck, the Rangers probably already have a viable fourth line with Kevin Rooney, Colin Blackwell, Julien Gauthier, and Phil DI Giuseppe. Just need to sit Howden.
As for defense, it’s a wild card with Trouba’s injury. But when he’s back, Zac Jones is the immediately fill in and Hajek should no longer see legitimate time.
Offseason Moves
While offseason moves for depth positions may not be on the forefront of everyone’s minds, the Rangers will need to address this need. The shiny new 1C toy is on everyone’s minds, but the Rangers will get more mileage with depth moves.
It’s likely the Rangers lose Gauthier in the expansion draft, which means both Howden and Hajek will remain with the team as RFAs. Offseason moves may not necessarily mean signing someone. It may just mean cutting bait with two of the league’s worst players at their respective positions. It’s unlikely to happen, and the Rangers will likely re-sign both.
When that happens, the Rangers will need to prioritize the youth that actually matters. This may be a tough pill to swallow, but Howden and Hajek are not the youth that matter anymore. The stubbornness continues to feed the Rangers depth problems. It’s time to cut bait and move on, be it with existing prospects or a shrewd signing or two.
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