Look inside the New York Rangers

NHL.com has been providing in-depth inventory, prospect and fantasy analysis to its 16 teams since November 16-December. 16. Today, the New York Rangers.

The New York Rangers are confident they are entering training camp with a blueprint for how they should look and play as a Stanley Cup playoff contender.

“At the end of last season, the last two months, we found ourselves playing with a defensive conscience and being aggressive with productivity,” Quinn said. “Well we should. We found some continuity with the lines and [defenseman] Adding, and this is really the first time in the last two years. When I first went to training camp there was a slightly clearer picture of what we were going to be like. “

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The disappointment of the Rangers’ quick exit from the Stanley Cup qualifiers last season – the first team they were eliminated by the Carolina Hurricanes in three games – has not been stolen from the belief that they have emerged as competitors to reach the Stanley Cup playoffs.

It starts with an acquaintance with those who have returned, which is not listed Henrik Lundquist. They bought the final year of the goalie’s seven-year deal, becoming the leader in the Rangers’ success (459) as an unrestricted free agent to solve the three-goal problem they solved last season and pave the way for it. Igor Shesterkin Should be their new number 1.

Chesterkin averaged 2.52 goals, 10-2-0, and had a .932 save percentage in 12 starts last season after being recalled from the American Hockey League’s Hartford on January 6. New York also signed back to the goal Alexander Georgiev For a two-year contract on October 15.

“I love his behavior,” Quinn said of Chesterkin. “I like how confident he is.”

Artemis Panarin Last season, when the left wing had 95 points (32 goals, 63 assists) in 69 games (1.38 points per game), he solved one of the questions asked by the Rangers last season that he was comfortable in the New York spotlight.

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Panarin, who is entering the second year of his seven-year contract, will start playing camp with the center Ryan Storm, Re-signed on November 5 with a two-year contract.

Quinn is keeping an eye on the 19-year-old Capo Kakko Must be right wing with Panarin and Strom Jesper Fast, Who signed up as a free agent with Carolina Hurricanes. Kako, the No. 2 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, scored 23 points (10 goals, 13 assists) in 66 games last season.

Mika Jibanezad Distributed as the No. 1 hub last season, he scored 41 goals in 57 games, including NHL-High 23 in 22 games from January 30 until the end of the regular season. He will have it again Chris Creeder And Pavel Buchnevich On his way, the Rangers give a continuation in their first six forwards.

“The final decisions are not made, but surely you want to start that way and hit the ground running,” Quinn said.

Video: WSH @ NYR: Zibanezad scores five goals, OT winner

The Rangers expect Alexis Lafrenier, the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, to become an impact player during his rookie season. Lafrenier was penciled as the left wing in the third row, probably playing with the 21-year-old center Philip Chittle.

Lafrenier moved from his home in Saint-Eustach, Quebec, to the New York area in November and is training with the Billet family in Connecticut.

“He has the whole package,” said Chris Drury, Rangers’ assistant general manager. “His skating, his feeling, his shot, his passing, you name it, it’s all very elite. His inner drive is extraordinary.”

The Rangers are comfortable with the returning defensemen, despite the problems with ironing, filling the opening on the left side created by the trade. Mark Stall To the Detroit Red Wings.

Quinn says Rangers can move a right-handed defenseman (Jacob Trouba, In Tony DMJ Or Adam Fox) To the left.

Quinn said he was mostly a candidate in the DMJ that led the New York defense with 53 points (15 goals, 38 assists) last season, but he knew Fox would be comfortable too. They are unlikely to ask Troba to change.

K’Andre Miller and / or Tormo Reinanen, New York’s top defensive man chances and every left hand shot, can play enough to eliminate the need to win a job in training camp and go left to right.

“It’s probably a point, we’re going to really let it play,” Quinn said.

The Rangers have far less uncertainty than they have entered in the last two seasons, which has fueled their optimism.

“It makes us feel good about where we are,” said New York President John Davidson. “We have come a long way. There are very difficult decisions, but to reach that direction, for the championship, this is what you need to do.”