Baby Blueshirts

SheStats · 08-11-2020, 07:09 PM

After more than a decade of Henrik Lundqvist dragging average to above average Ranger teams, the bottom fell out for New York as they missed the playoffs in back-to-back years for the first time since 2003.

The Rangers finished in 7th place in the Metro in 2018-19, only slightly improving on the previous season's 8th place finish.

Last February, Glen Sather and Jeff Gorton released The Letter which conceded the Rangers were in rebuild mode and "will be focused on adding young, competitive players that combine speed, skill and character."

Shipping out Kevin Hayes and fan favorite Mats Zuccarello cemented the reality that some familiar faces would have to be moved for younger assets.

2018-19 wasn't all bad though as 1st line center Mika Zibanejad emerged with a career best and team leading 74 point campaign.

Add that to some lucky ping pong ball action which granted the Rangers the 2nd overall pick in the draft. The Broadway Blueshirts selected highly regarded Finnish winger Kaapo Kakko who has a great chance to make the NHL club out of camp this summer.

A winger who will make the NHL roster regardless of how he looks in Training Camp is the superstar they acquired through Free Agency, Artemi Panarin.

Panarin, an elite playmaker, had 87 points in 79 games and 11 points in 10 playoff games for Columbus last season.

The 27-year-old Russian signed a 7 year 11.64 million dollar contract with the Rangers after reportedly refusing a bigger offer from the Islanders.

As the rebuild begins to turn the corner, the Rangers still have plenty of questions about defense, center, and of course the fate of Henrik Lundqvist.

As usual, the Metro is stacked so it will be tough sledding for the Baby Blueshirts this year. As one of the youngest teams in the league, expect flashes of brilliance sprinkled on a lot of growing pains.

***NOTES***

Starting the 2019-20 season but took the option for Current rosters because I want the league-wide rosters to start as realistic as possible without manually setting it up. So Kreider and Trouba are extended even though I would have definitely handled things differently there.

Also obviously no auto-Lafreniere makes me sad but maybe we will win the digital lottery this season.

LGR

08-11-2020, 07:09 PM	#1
SheStats Bat Boy Join Date: Jun 2020 Posts: 4	Baby Blueshirts After more than a decade of Henrik Lundqvist dragging average to above average Ranger teams, the bottom fell out for New York as they missed the playoffs in back-to-back years for the first time since 2003. The Rangers finished in 7th place in the Metro in 2018-19, only slightly improving on the previous season's 8th place finish. Last February, Glen Sather and Jeff Gorton released The Letter which conceded the Rangers were in rebuild mode and "will be focused on adding young, competitive players that combine speed, skill and character." Shipping out Kevin Hayes and fan favorite Mats Zuccarello cemented the reality that some familiar faces would have to be moved for younger assets. 2018-19 wasn't all bad though as 1st line center Mika Zibanejad emerged with a career best and team leading 74 point campaign. Add that to some lucky ping pong ball action which granted the Rangers the 2nd overall pick in the draft. The Broadway Blueshirts selected highly regarded Finnish winger Kaapo Kakko who has a great chance to make the NHL club out of camp this summer. A winger who will make the NHL roster regardless of how he looks in Training Camp is the superstar they acquired through Free Agency, Artemi Panarin. Panarin, an elite playmaker, had 87 points in 79 games and 11 points in 10 playoff games for Columbus last season. The 27-year-old Russian signed a 7 year 11.64 million dollar contract with the Rangers after reportedly refusing a bigger offer from the Islanders. As the rebuild begins to turn the corner, the Rangers still have plenty of questions about defense, center, and of course the fate of Henrik Lundqvist. As usual, the Metro is stacked so it will be tough sledding for the Baby Blueshirts this year. As one of the youngest teams in the league, expect flashes of brilliance sprinkled on a lot of growing pains. *NOTES* Starting the 2019-20 season but took the option for Current rosters because I want the league-wide rosters to start as realistic as possible without manually setting it up. So Kreider and Trouba are extended even though I would have definitely handled things differently there. Also obviously no auto-Lafreniere makes me sad but maybe we will win the digital lottery this season. LGR