Shesterkin's Recent Play, Potential Zegras Trade & The Rangers Rumor Mill
The Rangers have had to face some adversity as of late, so what else is going on in the world of New York Rangers hockey?
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In today’s edition, we look at some areas for concern, Kakko potentially replacing Wheeler on the top line when he returns, and more!
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Now on to the good stuff….
The Day the Mark Messier Era Ended in New York
January 14, 2024 by THW Archives
A decade of futility for the New York Rangers that started in the late 1990s began with one event in July 1997. It wasn’t a game the Rangers lost, a trade they made, or a free agent they signed (although there would be many to follow).
No, the day that led to seven straight non-playoff seasons for the Broadway Blueshirts was the day their captain walked away.
Rangers Need Influx of Youth and Speed in the Lineup
January 10, 2024 by Brendan Azoff
Brennan Othmann received a call-up just shy of a week ago, but after three games with the New York Rangers, the 2021 first-round selection was sent back to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL). In those three games, he saw 12:26 time on ice (TOI) in his first contest against the Chicago Blackhawks but didn’t see more than 7:33 TOI in the preceding two games. His lack of usage, especially under the circumstances, was astonishing. If you are going to call him up, why not give him the chance to play?
Rangers News & Rumors: Trade Targets, Fox & Messier
January 14, 2024 by Michael DeRosa
In this latest edition of New York Rangers News & Rumors, one insider argued that the Rangers have a specific need to address at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline and then listed a few possible trade targets for them. In other news, Adam Fox put together a big game in the Blueshirts’ loss against the Washington Capitals. Meanwhile, Rangers legend Mark Messier criticized Jonny Brodzinski’s decision-making while on ESPN. Let’s discuss all of this in today’s (Jan. 14) Rangers News & Rumors column.
The Rangers are one of the top teams in the league, so they are, naturally, expected to be buyers at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline. In a recent article, NHL insider Frank Seravalli argued that the Rangers’ top objective before the deadline should be to add a third-line center due to Filip Chytil‘s long-term concussion.
Igor Shesterkin’s Recent Play Encapsulates A Mediocre Season
January 12, 2024 by Lucas Standel
2024 has not been kind to Igor Shesterkin or the New York Rangers so far. They have lost three in a row for the first time this season and are 1-3-1 to start the year. Many factors have contributed to the team’s poor play as of late, but one of the main reasons as to why they are struggling is the lack of elite goaltending they are getting from Shesterkin. He has had a pretty mediocre season so far and is nowhere near the level he was at when he won the Vezina Trophy two seasons ago. While he is not entirely to blame for his downturn this season, the Rangers need him to find his confidence again if they want to stay on top of the Metropolitan Division for the rest of the season.
Rangers Should Steer Clear of Trevor Zegras Trade
January 11, 2024 by Jesse Courville-Lynch
The Rangers will be scouting rebuilding teams to see if there are any players they think can help bring them closer to a Stanley Cup. The Ducks aren’t in a position to win this season, so selling off players to focus on their future wouldn’t be a shocker, and Zegras hitting the market shouldn’t be a surprise, either. However, the Rangers don’t need another offensive-minded forward to bolster their team, and he simply isn’t someone who fills a need right now, so they should avoid trading for him.
Other Good Rangers’ Reads
New York Rangers’ Top-20 All-Time Goal Scorers
January 15, 2024 by Scott Blair
Today in Hockey History: Jan. 13
January 13, 2024 by Matthew Zator