The New York Rangers have one of the best forward groups in the NHL, and throughout the entire regular season, it showed. While some players underperformed relative to expectations, some went above and beyond.
Note: Only including players who played 55+ games this season. Trade deadline acquisitions and call-ups will not be in this article.
Centers:
Jonny Brodzinski
Season stats: 57 games played, 6 goals, 13 assists, 19 points
Brodzinksi is a solid player for the Rangers on the fourth line. But his role and availability in the playoffs is yet to be determined. He has chipped in solid offense and defense, but at times can be inconsistent. However, given his role and how he stepped up when other’s were injured, he gets a decent grade.
Grade: C+
Barclay Goodrow
Season stats: 80 games played, 4 goals, 8 assists, 12 points
Goodrow was signed by the Rangers in the summer of 2021 in hopes of him bringing some of the energy he brought to the Tampa Bay Lightning, as he was on the team who won back to back Stanley Cups in 2020 and ’21. But the truth is, his play regressed heavily this season, after coming off of back to back seasons of a decent 30+ points. There’s no denying he is beloved in the locker room and he is a great leader, but his play on the ice leaves a lot to be desired. The good news is, he had a good ending to this season and can carry it over into the playoffs.
Grade: D
Vincent Trocheck
Season stats: 82 games played, 25 goals, 52 assists, 77 points
Trocheck has had an amazing season with the Rangers. He was centering one of the best lines in the league, with Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere on his wings. 77 points is a new career high for him, and his 52 assists are also a new career best. He is also very good on the defensive end and is one of the best in the league in the faceoff dot.
Grade: A
Mika Zibanejad
Season stats: 81 games played, 26 goals, 46 assists, 72 points
Similarly to Goodrow, it wasn’t Zibanejad’s best season statistically. His 72 points off is a significant drop off compared to last season, in which he amassed 91. Even on the power play, his once-lethal one timer isn’t a big threat to many opposing teams anymore. Zibanejad, however, has proven in the past that he can be a top player when it counts.
Grade: C
Wingers:
Will Cuylle
Season stats: 81 games, 13 goals, 8 assists, 21 points
Cuylle has been a fine staple to the Rangers bottom six all season, where he has mostly played on the third line. The rookie was seventh in the league in hits, with 247. He brings the physicality that the Rangers will need for the playoffs. He has also shown that he can be capable of chipping in goals at times.
Grade: B
Kaapo Kakko
Season stats: 61 games played, 13 goals, 6 assists, 19 points
It was another inconsistent season for the former number two overall draft pick. Although he did miss 21 games, he never really seemed to find his footing. Towards the end of the season he has shown spurts of offensive upside, but his 6 assists ranks the same as Filip Chytil, who only played in 10 games. Kakko is a defensive staple on the third line and can hopefully maintain that.
Grade: C-
Chris Kreider
Season stats: 82 games played, 39 goals, 36 assists, 75 points
It was another very good season for Kreider. The scoring, although inconsistent at times, remained steady for most of the season. He added a new element to his game with his playmaking, as his 36 assists is a new career high. Kreider remained a force on the power play. His 18 goals with the man advantage ranked fourth in the whole league.
Grade: B
Alexis Lafreniere
Season stats: 82 games played, 28 goals, 29 assists, 57 points
This was by far the best season of Lafreniere’s young career. All of his numbers are new career highs. Even with the lack of power play time, his even strength numbers are considered near the top of the league. If he gets more power play time next season, particularly on the first unit, then 65 or even 70 points isn’t out of the question.
Grade: A-
Artemi Panarin
Season stats: 82 games played, 49 goals, 71 assists, 120(!!!) points
Where do we even start with the season Panarin had? There isn’t even a word to describe his play. He should be in consideration for the Hart Trophy. His 49 goals is by far a new career best, and his 71 assists is still good close to the top in the league. Speaking of close to the top, this season for the Bread Man may very well be the best one we’ve seen from a Rangers player. His 120 points is second all time for a season in franchise history behind Jaromir Jagr’s 123.
Grade: A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jimmy Vesey
Season stats: 80 games played, 13 goals, 13 assists, 26 points
Vesey is the perfect player you would want for a fourth line. He does all things well. He plays the penalty kill and goes up against opposing teams top players. His 26 points also proves that he can be capable of helping out offensively and score when needed. This season, Vesey has proved that he can be relied upon.
Grade: B
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