Coaching Staff Set Roster Still Questionable

Team: 2023-24 New York Rangers

Initial Creation Date: Jun. 21, 2023

Published: Jun. 21, 2023

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Coaching staff is set, and it is more exciting with Peca and Housley. The roster is still very questionable. A lot depends on what Miller signs for. Lafreniere will likely be easier to re-sign, but Miller has a solid case to squeeze as much as he can out of Drury. These are my projections.

If the projections are close enough then the Rangers have very little room to work with. Yet, the ability to build a solid team is very doable. As the Rangers have been in talks with Halak, I think he will come back at a reasonable cap hit.

Defense will remain with the hopes that Zach Jones will be able to play about 65 games or so, and Harpur as a 7th dman.

The forwards group gets interesting. Laf and Kakko have a make it or break it year. Laviolette said that they need to be used better offensively, or at least be given a chance, and his style of game may end up working out.

New to the team is Heinen on the third line. He proved that he can contribute offensively and is experienced as a versatile winger used on the 3rd line. Erne and Maenalanen add experience, good checking, and most importantly size. I would love to keep Motte. I love his speed, his PK ability, but he is physically weak and it was a factor.

My main concern is Filip Chytil. He is sill inconsistent, but his game jumped to a new level and although it is great to have such depth at center, his game will not continue to improve as a third line center. Heinen may gel well with him as a scorer, and Vesey is an effective checking forward with a nice set of skills. I would not be surprised if Chytil becomes a trade target for the Rangers. They may trade him for a solid d-man, or simply a later 1st rounder, or a mid round pick and a prospect. This would allow an open slot to fill in a typical 3rd line center, and much cap clearance as well.