The New York Rangers have very low external expectations coming off finishing last in the Eastern Conference
New York Rangers
NEW YORK (AP) — Last season: 34-39-9, missed playoffs.
COACH: Mike Sullivan (34-39-9 in first season, 513-350-15-121 with three teams overall).
SEASON OPENER: Sept. 29 at Boston.
DEPARTURES: C Vincent Trocheck, D Will Borgen, G Jonathan Quick, F Conor Sheary.
ADDITIONS: F Pavel Dorofeyev, D Marcus Pettersson, D Sean Durzi, F Eeli Tolvanen, F Joe Veleno, G Joonas Korpisalo, rookie D Alberts Smits.
GOALIES: Igor Shesterkin (25-19-6, 2.50 goals-against average, .912 save percentage), Korpisalo (14-9-6, 3.15, .894 with Boston)
What to expect
After finishing last in the Eastern Conference, few expect the Rangers to make the playoffs. Internally, there is hope that depth added over the summer can mitigate the effect of injuries like the ones to Shesterkin and top defenseman Adam Fox that contributed to last season's woes. Getting Dorofeyev from Vegas for draft picks and no players on the current roster adds a proven goal-scorer, and trading Trocheck to Utah improved the blue line situation by getting Durzi in return, along with a separate move for Pettersson..
The best thing for Sullivan's team is that the Metropolitan Division looks wide open after defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina.
Strengths and weaknesses
The good: Shesterkin is the face of the franchise and the backbone of everything New York needs to be successful. If he stays healthy, fans at Madison Square Garden will fill the air with chants of, “Igor! Igor!” The Rangers, for all their problems, were a top-five power play team last season, and adding a right-handed shooter like Dorofeyev should only help Fox, Mika Zibanejad and the rest of the top unit produce.
The not so good: Depth down the middle takes a hit with Trocheck gone, and captain J.T. Miller will be counted on to play center full time at age 33.
Players to watch
Dorofeyev goes from being part of the supporting cast with the Golden Knights to a focal point with the Rangers. He's in his mid-20s, the prime scoring age in the NHL, and getting to 30 goals for a third consecutive season is entirely possible.
Fox, after being limited to 55 games, has the chance to show he still belongs in the elite class of the position. The continuity of skating with reliable partner Vladislav Gavrikov puts Fox in a position to succeed. Enforcer and fan favorite Matt Rempe is not guaranteed a spot on the opening night roster, though he brings a mix of size and toughness that is hard to find.
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