Defense and bottom-6. I think the defense will be good eventually, but guys like Howden/Kakko/Lemieux have been 3 of the worst players in the NHL this year and you can’t win with that.

TIME!!!!!!!!

2C and a top pairing defensive defenseman

I agree with everyone for a change. Time and 2c and better D on the left
2c like the Nuge on the Oilers, but I hope we never get rid of him.

A good team.

Just kidding. Ummm... I think really the number one thing is time. They don't have a lot of guys who are in the top tier at their positions. Panarin is there, Zibanejad is up there among centers, but other than that, not much yet. Kakko has the potential, Fox is a guy that I think will continue to climb, Shesterkin will be stellar for a long time.

But if you're looking for an actual answer about what I think they need to add to boost themselves to contender status... Centers (That depth is lacking) and Left D.

You just named two players that are arguably top 5 definitely top 10 in their position. How many more do they need LOL.

The ONLY thing the NYR's are missing is TIME. They have elite scoring, they have top tier defense, they have strong goaltending. They need to let their young guys Lemieux, Andersson, Kako, Howden, Chytil, get a few years under their belt, grow together. Strome has been great at 2C this season and down the road I think Howden or Chytil will fill in there nicely. The have a very strong top 3 defense in Trouba, Fox, and DeAngelo. IMO when ever one of those kids has a breakout season they will surprise everyone and begin their string of deep cup runs again.

Pretty much agree with everyone. I would say a top pair left defenseman is key. They have plenty of left side prospects but is any one of them that top pair guy. A little thing that would be a big thing if they were really contending is a 4th line center who could win faceoffs and play good defense for late in tight games.

As many as they can get, ideally.



That's just not true. Their defense is mediocre; strong right side, nothing on the left. Their center depth isn't there. Strome has had exactly one good year in the past five, and Howden and Chytil MIGHT be able to fill higher roles well in a few years, but as of yet, have not shown they can.

There are areas for improvement, just like there is with every team.

All really good points.

Time is the biggest need for this team to be successful. Kaako will be fine just like Hughes and Dach will be fine, they need time. Its a bit unfair to expect every 1-2-3 pick to perform like a Matthews or a Mackinnon right off the bat. We need depth though, need more from guys like Howden and a more solidified bottom 6. The 2014 and 2015 team that the rangers had didn't necessarily have overwhelming superstars besides Hank but they had 4 lines and 3 d pairings that were all very solid.

Biggest thing is time though, guys like Chytil and Howden need to grow into their bodies specifically Howden if he is going to be a 3/4 C.

Strome is a product of panarin. Panarin is a top 3 winger in the game and he has the rare ability to carry average players. Only other players that have that ability are McDavid, Tavares , and Crosby. Strome’s underlying numbers are terrible - he can’t drive a line and he’s one of the worst defensive centers in the NHL. The rangers should have traded him before the deadline, but if they plan to keep him around as a stopgap, they’d be crazy to give him anything more than a 1 year deal.

I’m not sure chytil will develop into a 2C. I see him as a very solid 3. The rangers best bet is trading for a 2C like Dylan strome or max domi.

The only rangers defenseman that is solid defensively is Adam fox. He’s a stud and he’ll be a top pairing D sooner than later - trouba was a replacement level defenseman this season and while deangelo is elite offensively, he’s clueless in his own zone. The rangers do not have anyone in their left side that is top 4 caliber and no one in their system is changing that for next season.

people said the same about Dubois with Panarin but he is doing the exact same without him, and Strome doesn't even play full time with Panarin they've had him at 2C the majority of the season. IMO they have a good 1-2 punch with Zibanejad and Strome right now as Andersson , Chytil and Howden develop.

As for their defense. trouba , fox, and DeAngelo are all solid top 4 defenseman. and IMO Lindgren has been solid as well, plays physical, responsible in his own zone and very rarely coughs up the puck.

Dubois and strome aren’t in the same conversation. Without panarin, strome is a replacement level player. Dubois isn’t elite , but he’s an average 1C.

Lindgren is ok. He’s better suited for a 3rd pairing role right now , but it is possible he can be a solid 2nd pairing Dman in a few years.

The rangers have a few elite pieces and they’re exciting to watch, but without panarin they are a bottom 5 team. He has played a role in 41 % of Rangers goals. That is insane. In order to make it past the 1st rd , they’ll need to get a top pairing LD that is solid defensively and a 2C. Signing panarin and kreider indicates that they want to win now, so these moves should be made sooner than later. If not, the rangers will continue to be an exciting bubble team

Don't get me wrong, I don't think Strome and Dubois are on the same level but they are in terms of offensive ability, and your argument was that it was because Strome is playing with Panarin that he was getting these points, well that's what they said about Dubois as well and Strome has roughly the same numbers with Panarin.

The difference between Strome and Dubois is that Dubois IMO will be one of the best 2-Way centers in the game within the next 3 years.

Their defense is just fine with one of Trouba or DeAngelo playing their off side on the top pair and Lindgren on the second. Their biggest issue with them being a bubble team is keeping Zibanejad healthy, when he's healthy they are by and large a playoff team.