Some Areas For Concern & Kakko Potentially Replacing Wheeler
Also, a look at some Rangers' prospects on the rise after the world juniors.
Welcome to the THW New York Rangers Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Rangers writers.
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….
3 Areas of Concern the Rangers Need to Address Immediately
January 10, 2024 by Lucas Standel
As of this writing, the New York Rangers are currently fifth in the NHL with a 26-11-2 record. While it may look like the team is performing well, they have been struggling more as of late. They are 8-7-1 since the start of December and the start of 2024 has not been good as they have lost three of the four games in the new calendar year and during these games, have not been playing with the same structure they were earlier in the season. Adding this on top of missing key players due to injury, the Rangers have areas of concern they need to address sooner rather than later if they want to keep up with the rest of the league’s top teams.
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 Prospects on the Rise After World Juniors
January 10, 2024 by Tom Castro
The New York Rangers are off to a 26-11-2 start to the season, and youth is playing no small part in that.
Winger Alexis Lafreniere, 22, appears to finally be living up to his pedigree as a No. 1 overall draft pick. Will Cuylle, the rookie 21-year-old power forward, is playing with confidence, scoring seven goals and providing a speed-and-physical element to the bottom six forward corps the Blueshirts need so desperately.
Kaapo Kakko Should Replace Blake Wheeler on Rangers’ Top Line
January 10, 2024 by Brian Abate
The New York Rangers have the best record in the Metropolitan Division but they have struggled at even strength for the past few weeks. Their depth at forward took a hit when Kaapo Kakko suffered a lower-body injury on Nov. 27, especially with Filip Chytil already on injured reserve.
3 Rangers Candidates To Win 2024 NHL All-Star Game Fan Vote
January 6, 2024 by Lucas Standel
With the announcement that Igor Shesterkin will be the New York Rangers’ representative at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game, it is now up to the fans to vote on which other Rangers they would want to join him for All-Star Weekend. With Artemi Panarin unable to go due to him and his wife expecting their second child around the time of All-Star Weekend, fans will have to choose from several other Rangers who are having great seasons. These are the three most likely players who will get votes from the fans and who have the best chance of making it into the All-Star Game.