Thoughts leading up to the Rangers second half

The Rangers are about to play a lot of hockey in not so much time. The Rangers have two games to round out February, but then they play 31 games in 60 days through March and April. That’s a lot of hockey, and a good amount of it will be against the three playoff teams in the Metro. As the Rangers second half starts up, there will be a lot of things to look for that give us a glimpse of what this team will be in the playoffs.

1. The biggest thing in the Rangers second half isn’t their 5v5 play, it’s managing Igor Shesterkin‘s workload. Believe it or not, the Rangers only have three back to backs in this timeframe, so that’s not the concern. It’s about keeping Shesterkin fresh for the playoffs. This is where Alex Georgiev, if he isn’t traded before the deadline, comes in. A competent backup to spell Shesterkin for at about 6-9 games in this run will be critical for Shesterkin. If it’s not Georgiev, then it’s a competent backup they get via trade, whomever that may be. I cannot stress this enough, and I do like the dude, but Keith Kinkaid is not this guy.

2. Aside from goaltending, and at the risk of beating a dead horse, the key to the Rangers second half is their 5v5 play. It has been much better recently, as it appears Gerard Gallant has finally found his top line. Kaapo Kakko’s absence is killing the effectiveness of the middle six though, and it does highlight one of their roster needs. That said, once Kakko returns, both he and Ryan Strome should be able to carry some of the possession numbers that Artemiy Panarin has been lacking this season. As long as that line scores at even strength, we can overlook some of the possession numbers.

3. Even with Kakko back, that third line needs an upgrade. Perhaps that upgrade is simply a healthy Filip Chytil, but it still lacks a certain punch. All due respect to Julien Gauthier, who has been an offense driving machine, he’s not a shooter. They need someone who can put the puck in the net –Chytil is more of a playmaker I guess?– and Goodrow isn’t that guy. Even in Tampa, that was Blake Coleman. So a middle six that can bury pucks (Joe Pavelski?) would be nice. It likely pushes Gauthier out of the lineup, but that’s fine.

4. On this point, I think it’s time that we (I, and yes I know it’s mostly me but I’m taking you all down with me) accept that it is Greg McKegg in the lineup over Morgan Barron. I dislike McKegg in the lineup, but he hasn’t been awful.

The thing with Barron is that he likely wouldn’t even stick in the lineup once the trade deadline is done. Where would he play in the lineup after the trade deadline? McKegg and Gauthier will likely be out, and Barron isn’t going to replace anyone else in the bottom six. Barron may not move the needle enough in the Rangers second half, and he’d likely be out of the lineup by April. Thus, may as well let him continue playing in the AHL.

5. Something to watch: Zac Jones and Braden Schneider have been excellent together. They have a 69.20 expected-goals share through 27 minutes of ice time. It’s a small sample, but if that continues, then the Rangers have found themselves their third pair. Patrik Nemeth, if healthy, would slide into the 7D role, and the Rangers wouldn’t need to spend big on a defenseman like Ben Chiarot. An additional depth defenseman like Calvin de Haan or Brett Kulak would do just fine, and cost maybe a mid-round pick. There isn’t much to do on the blue line.

6. Coming full circle to goaltending, the Rangers should be looking to trade Georgiev to a team like Edmonton or potentially Vegas. His value would be higher than normal to both teams, especially Edmonton, as the run to the playoffs continues. The problem is, as mentioned in point #1, the Rangers second half is dependent on a viable backup. If there are no decent moves to make to replace Georgiev, then is there value in trading him?

7. I end this with two questions for the Rangers second half:

1. What has more value: Trading Georgiev without a viable backup option, or keeping him for the second half?
2. What has move value: Keeping Ryan Strome and letting him walk, or trading him and trying to get assets?