HOCKEY GM ADVICE: Power Rankings: #27

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HOCKEY GM ADVICE

Team #27 the New York Rangers

It should be no surprise that the Rangers are this high. Last season they sent a letter to their fans saying how the team will be taking a step back and rebuilding. One thing I must commend the Rangers about is they are actually committing to a rebuild, they are doing this “retool” on the fly. They are fully committed and because of that they were able to draft 3 first rounder’s last year in Kravtsov, Miller & Lundkvist. They had 10 picks in the 2018 draft, which is pretty good for a rebuilding team. 

When you throw in Andersson, Buchnevich, Chytil,Meskanen, Deangelo who are all under 22, then you add in Zibanejad, Spooner, Namestnikov, Vesey & Fast who are all 26 or younger, this team is gearing up to be a good team very, very good. 

While their defence core is not what it used to be, they are full of veterans on the back end. This Is where I see the team needing improvement and what will be their downfall this year. Staal is not what he once was, Shattenkirk is great on the powerplay, but is a huge liability defensively, Smith is maybe back from the AHL. Skjei & Deangelo are the only bright spots in my mine. But this team does have a bright future.

The team was in the bottom 5 for goal against last season, and with Mcdonagh now gone for a full season and the King one year older, I don’t see that number getting any better. So strap in Rangers fans because it could get a little wavy this season. 

2018/19 predictions:

Goals: Zibanejad (32)

Assists: Zuccarello (39)

Points:  Zibanejad (67)