Conference: Eastern
Division: Metropolitan
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Offseason
Additions: Vincent Trocheck, Ryan Carpenter, Jaroslav Halak, Louis Domingue, Andy Welinski
Subtractions: Ryan Strome, Andrew Copp, Frank Vatrano, Alexandar Georgiev, Justin Braun, Tyler Motte, Patrik Nemeth, Greg McKegg, Nils Lundkvist
The Rangers lost a slew of key role players from their playoff run last season, on top of number two center Strome. In comes Trocheck as a one-for-one replacement for Strome, and Carpenter will fill a defensive bottom-six role. The remainder of the lineup will be filled internally, and Halak and Domingue were signed to add to the goaltending depth.
Injury Report
Probable For Opener: -None-
Questionable For Opener: Barclay Goodrow (Ankle), Jaroslav Halak (Hand)
Out To Begin Season: -None-
Out For Season: -None-
The New York Rangers have a chance to be fully healthy for the season opener, with the majority of the starting lineup healthy entering preseason.
Projected Lineup
(league ranks in parentheses)
Forwards (13th)
Chris Kreider - Mika Zbanejad - Sammy Blais
Artemi Panarin - Vincent Trocheck - Barclay Goodrow
Alexis Lafreniere - Filip Chytil - Kaapo Kakko
Dryden Hunt - Ryan Carpenter - Ryan Reaves
Defense (10th)
Ryan Lindgren - Adam Fox
K'Andre Miller - Jacob Trouba
Zac Jones - Braden Schneider
Goalies (1st)
Igor Shesterkin
Jaroslav Halak
The Rangers expect Blais to begin the season on the first line, leaving Goodrow as the likely compliment to Panarin and Trocheck. If prospect Vitali Kravtsov makes the team out of camp, it's possible he inhabits one of those top-six spots and forces Blais or Goodrow onto the fourth line.
The top four on the blueline is set, but Jones and Schneider continue to compete for the right side of the third pair. Since the unimpressive Libor Hajek is the only lefty option, it's possible both Jones and Schneider pair up like they did a few times last season.
In net, well, Igor Shesterkin. Enough said.
Dynamic Players
Snipers: Artemi Panarin | Alexis Lafreniere
Playmakers: Mika Zibanejad | Artemi Panarin | Sammy Blais
Volume Shooters: Chris Kreider | Filip Chytil
Play-Drivers: -None-
Shutdown Defenders: -None-
Shot Blockers: Braden Schneider
Hitters: Sammy Blais | Ryan Reaves
Enforcers: Sammy Blais | Ryan Reaves
Penalty Drawers: Vincent Trocheck | Sammy Blais
PP Specialists: Chris Kreider | Artemi Panarin | Adam Fox
PK Specialists: -None-
Faceoff Specialists: Mika Zibanejad | Vincent Trocheck | Ryan Carpenter
Fantasy Impact
Studs: Igor Shesterkin, Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, Artemi Panarin, Adam Fox
Duds: Alexis Lafreniere
Sleepers: -None-
Other Roster Worthy: Vincent Trocheck
Between Shesterkin and the core four, the Rangers have one of the better correlated lineups for fantasy lineup stacking. The Rangers' powerplay was elite last season, and should be near the top of the league again even with some regression. This leaves whoever starts as the fifth player on the top unit (presumably Trocheck) as a viable streaming option.
Alexis Lafreniere started to show a bit of a scoring touch last season, but he's projected to start on the third line and second powerplay unit this season. He's one to keep an eye on if his role increases, but for now should probably go undrafted in your redraft fantasy leagues.
2022-2023 PuckLuck Projections | | | | | | | | |
PLAYER | POS | G | A | PTS | W | GA | SV | SO |
Igor Shesterkin | G | | | | 44 | 123 | 1774 | 5 |
Mika Zibanejad | F | 37 | 58 | 95 | | | | |
Chris Kreider | F | 42 | 34 | 76 | | | | |
Artemi Panarin | F | 28 | 72 | 100 | | | | |
Vincent Trocheck | F | 25 | 36 | 61 | | | | |
Adam Fox | D | 9 | 61 | 70 | | | | |
Alexis Lafreniere | F | 17 | 14 | 32 | | | | |
Betting Impact
PuckLuck Projection: 117 points
Floor: 97 points Ceiling: 124 points
Projection Data Confidence: 74%
(League Average: 70%)
PuckLuck Odds:
Stanley Cup: +200
President's Trophy: +200
Conference: +150
Division: +120
DraftKings Sportsbook Lines:
Stanley Cup: +2000
President's Trophy: +2500
Conference: +1000
Division: +350
If you're looking for a strong futures wager, look no further than the New York Rangers. Even after applying regression to the mean and aging curves, Shesterkin is expected to match his Vezina winning performance from last season. Add that to the quality of the returning core of the team, expected progression of the team's younger players, and some key injuries within the division, and the Rangers are our favorites to not only come out of the Metropolitan Division on top, but also the Eastern Conference.
Because they're slightly underrated by the sportsbooks, the Rangers should also be strong moneyline and puckline plays early in the season - even as favorites. We'll likely show plenty of edge on these plays, and unders as well for games that Shesterkin is in net.
Season Outlook
Division Projection: 1st
Conference Projection: 1st
League Projection: 2nd
Playoffs? Definitely
The Rangers' floor of 97 points has them safely in a playoff spot by our projections this season. After an extended playoff run, the expectations surrounding the club will certainly be higher, and the like of Lafreniere, Chytil, Kakko, and Kravtsov will have to step up their respective games in order to solidify the team among the NHL's best.
A top two seed in the division and a deep playoff run are likely the goals for the Rangers this season.
Will the New York Rangers make the playoffs?
Yes
No