The New York Rangers boast a different lineup heading into the new season compared to last. Gone are the days of New York having players like Will Borgen eating important defensive minutes, and here are the days of a true second pairing. For the Rangers to make the playoffs, though, every player will need to chip in. Much improved, the Blueshirts will need contributions from everyone, but some more than others. Let’s wrap things up with Part 3 of the most important Rangers heading into this season (Part 1, Part 2).
As a reminder, this is a ranking of most important Rangers who need a career year for the Blueshirts to improve significantly and turn heads.
5. Sean Durzi: Sean Durzi is going to play a huge role in New York’s upcoming season. A surprise acquisition in the Vincent Trocheck trade, Durzi will be slotted right into the second pairing that was such a massive weakness last year. He will play heavy minutes, be expected to improve his defensive game, and provide the Rangers with a second defenseman who can complete zone exits and outlet passes behind Adam Fox. If Durzi puts up a career year, the Rangers will score a ton. If Durzi struggles, New York’s point production from the backend will continue to be a huge weakness.
4. Gabe Perreault: The sophomore slump cannot afford to happen to Gabe Perreault. Given the career Alexis Lafreniere has had and the New York media, a step back from Perreault would be a huge buzzsaw into the momentum last season provided for the Rangers and Perreault. Even if Perreault manages a decent season, he will be giving New York hope for the future and fine production. The Rangers need their young forward to look like a top six forward for the year. It’s essential.
3. JT Miller: JT Miller was horrendous last season. I won’t be hearing any arguments against that. Luckily for Miller, there’s plenty of time for him to be better. Assuming it’s back at the center position, Miller will need to produce and actually lead for this Rangers team. Miller is the target of animosity among a lot of Rangers fans right now, but a return to his top form would lead to plenty of forgiveness. The Rangers absolutely need Miller to be a good second line center. Any less, and this is a rough squad.
2. Alexis Lafreniere: I surprised myself by not ranking him first. Lafreniere crushed it in the second half of last season, so hopes are high yet again for the former top pick. Now, Lafreniere is going into another season with high expectations, and for the Rangers, it’s imperative he reaches those expectations. Lafreniere must spend the year as a top line forward on the top power-play unit without his usual stretches of invisibility. New York desperately needs him as a top, young forward with a bright future. Getting him and Perreault to be cornerstones would completely revitalize the organization.
1. Pavel Dorofeyev: Pavel Dorofeyev must be a star this upcoming season, full stop. There’s no other way. A 60 point season would be disastrous. Heck, a 70 point season would be disappointing. The Rangers are paying Dorofeyev like he has more to give, so it’s time for him to give more. Dorofeyev is taking up enough cap space where the Rangers cannot afford to have screwed this one up. There’s plenty of talk about Dorofeyev being an empty calorie goal scorer. Let’s nip that in the bud right away. Dorofeyev should be a leader on this team. If not, times are looking tough.
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