Bright Future for the Blueshirts

After a slow start to this shortened season the Rangers have caught fire and seem to be clicking on all cylinders and have an outside chance at a playoff appearance. The Rangers hired their former goalie John Davidson to be club president in 2019. This came after a couple of sub par seasons. Davidson, along with the general manager, Jeff Gorton, seemed to be headed into a rebuilding mode. While they're still out of a playoff position it is safe to say the rebuild has come along a lot faster than any Ranger fans could have predicted. The squad is 7-1-2 in their last ten games including a four game sweep of the New Jersey Devils that concluded today in a 5-3 victory. Beating a team four times in a row is tough to do in any sport and beating a rival makes it even sweeter. This success of late can be attributed to the young core the Rangers possess throughout their roster. Let's go through the roster by highlighting some key players all aged 29 or younger

Artemi Panarin

Look away Blackhawk and Blue Jacket fans, you let this guy slip away and he's been nothing but a stud ever since coming over to the Rangers in 2019. The bread man, who seems to be the veteran nowadays, leads the blueshirts in points with 52 (16 G, 36A) and is on a tear in April. He has had at least a point in eight out of ten games this month with 7 of those being multiple point contests. Whether he is passing to his teammates making them better or lighting the lamp himself Panarin is a force to be reckoned with on the ice every night he laces up the skates. Future Captain?

Mika Zibanejad

Another great acquisition for the Rangers, Mika is in his 5th season with the team. Mika has been fantastic the last couple seasons going for a career high in points last season with 75 (41 G, 34 A). This season started off poorly for Zib, he only accounted for six points in the first two months of the season. It was only a matter of time before he got it going, he's just too talented of a player. In March he tallied 9 goals and 12 assists including a six point game against the Flyers in a historic 9-0 blowout victory. Mika seems to be rounding into form as the season concludes. There is something about players out of Sweden and the Rangers that makes for a good match (we miss you King.)

Adam Fox

The Long Island native is just 23 years old and now possesses the 2nd best odds to win the Norris trophy as the league's best defenseman, I bet he couldn't have dreamed a better story in his childhood bedroom. Fox has been nothing short of tremendous this season and has been a stable force defensively, a spot the franchise has desperately been looking for some youth after the times of Dan Girardi and Marc Staal had run its course. The young star has tallied five goals and 36 assists. From being a little kid rooting for the Rangers just 30 miles from MSG to playing a crucial role in this franchise. This is quite the story. They're even making some comparisons to Brian Leetch. If he can help recreate the 1994 magic I am here for it.

Pavel Buchnevich

The Russian Rocket 2.0? Buch leads the team in goals this season with 19 and has added 21 assists to go along with it. He is just six points shy of the career high he set last season. Additionally, Pavel was able to give himself a great birthday gift with a hat trick against the Devils in the victory Saturday. Happy belated. It was Buch and winger Chris Kreider who were able to pick up the slack together in March when Mika Zibanejad was not playing his best hockey. Now that Mika is back into form and Pavel and Kreider are providing some consistent goal scoring this line can pose a major threat to defenseman around the league.

Alexis Lafreniere

The #1 overall pick came into the league with some lofty expectations. When you get comparisons to Sidney Crosby before even playing a game in the NHL there is always going to be some pressure. Playing in New York and in the world's most famous area certainly didn't help at first either. Laf got off to an extremely slow start. The 19 year old (yes, 19) did not get his first point until his 7th game which was his first career goal. While the stats by no means pop out so far you can see the untapped potential that is in there. His creativity with the puck on his stick is worth noting and he has a good body frame making it difficult for defenders to take it from him. With some more ice time and experience this guy will improve on his skating skills and could be special and a generational type player. I say guy but again he's 19 just a kid in my mind. Many years to look forward to with this guy on the squad. Don't let laf get hot folks.

Igor Shesterkin

The departure of Henrik Lundqvist was a sad day for the franchise. Nobody will match Henrik and all that he gave to the franchise in his 15 seasons. While he's no Lundy, Igor has performed well as the team's primary net minder. The 25 year old has a 13-9-3 record with a 2.26 GAA and a .925 save percentage. He was a huge part of this four game winning streak recording two consecutive shutouts against the devils with 27 and 16 saves respectively. With the offense seemingly clicking at the right time having consistency behind the net moving forward will pay dividends especially in the postseasons ahead....hopefully.

The Rangers have so much young talent that I was not able to include all of the players in depth. In my honorable mention category are #2 overall pick in 2019 Kappo Kakko, K'Andre Miller, Filip Chytil, and Ryan Lindren. An original six team that has not hoisted the cup since 1994 has a lot going for themselves right now. This young core has come on quicker than expected early in the John Davidson era. This hot stretch still finds the Rangers in fifth place in the metro division albeit just four points behind the Boston Bruins. 11 games are left on their schedule but even if they are not able to make the playoffs this season all this young talent mentioned are built to win and win sooner rather than later. Exciting times in the big apple if you're a broadway blueshirt fan.