Welcome to our first Rangers post of 2024. Since we last spoke the Rangers, for the most part, kept the good times rolling through holiday period. A tough loss in Florida and a home blowout against Carolina aside, it’s been fun to watch them play some of their best hockey of the year. They have three games in the next four days and a new face will debut in those. We’ll meet our newest Blueshirt before giving out some New Year’s resolutions to the group. Let’s get after it!

From Understudy to the Lead Role

The Rangers made news Wednesday evening when they announced the call up of top prospect Brennan Othmann. Othmann was called up due to an injury to Tyler Pitlick, one that will sideline number 71 for a few weeks. Othmann had a solid preseason on Broadway, one that had fans wondering if he’d make the team out of camp.

While we know he wound up not making it to start the year, the Ontario boy didn’t let that disappointment stop him from excelling in the AHL. The soon to be 22 year old has 23 points in 28 games for Hartford this season, an impressive number in his first full pro year. He’ll bring plenty of speed and skill to the Rangers while several forwards are still out.

Othmann should get a long run of playing time in the lineup with Pitlick, Kakko and Chytil all injured. This is a real chance to prove he belongs with the big club, even if he has to wait another year for a more regular role. He’ll be the first player in to wear 78 in franchise history, so he truly is breaking new ground. Hopefully he sticks around and shows off more of his high flying ability that we caught glimpses of in the preseason.

NYResolutions

As we kick off 2024, here are some Rangers New Years Resolutions. There certainly isn’t much to complain about or fix for the Blueshirts, they are near the top of the league standings despite several key injuries, but every player can always raise their level.

Chris Kreider: Continue the assault on the record book – Kreider is third all time in franchise goal scoring, a good finish to the year will draw him closer to first, giving him a real chance to break it before his deal is up.

Mika Zibanejad: Maintain your two way play – very quietly Zibanejad has become one of the Rangers best three zone players. Even when he isn’t scoring, he’s helping the team in other ways, a valuable skill to maintain come spring time.

Blake Wheeler: Stay aggressive – of late, “Wheels” as I call him, has been heating up. Number 17’s game has come to life as he’s been forcing the issue a lot more, his drives to the net and willingness to shoot needs to continue.

Artemi Panarin: Start a Hart Trophy PR campaign – it’s an election year after all ya know. It feels like the “Breadman” will need to really market himself to beat out Kucherov for the league MVP, despite his clear value.

Vincent Trocheck: Remain the faceoff king – amongst Trocheck’s many key contributions this year, his work in the dots may be the most valuable. Number 16 is one of the top faceoff men in the league this season, something the Rangers have needed for years! I wish I was kidding but it felt like their last great face-off man was Craig MacTavish.

Alexis Lafreniere: Keep playing your game – number 13 has come a long way this year in a short time. Playing with Panarin and Vinny T has helped, but he deserves credit for sticking to his aggressive energetic style. Even when he isn’t scoring, this style of play keeps him involved and contributing.

Will Cuylle: Stay Physical – number 50 has made a terrific impression in his first full season. While his offensive skills are coming along and he remains a responsible player in his own end, his hitting is a needed asset on a Ranger team that is still a bit undersized.

Nick Bonino: Lead the PK – “Bones” as he’s known in the room has brought a lot to this team on and off the ice. His three zone play at 5 v 5 is excellent, but his penalty killing work is his most valuable trait, giving the team flexibility in matchups when shorthanded.

Johnny Brodzinski: Be the glue guy – This isn’t a big ask for number 22. “Broadway” Johnny has been a well liked member of the organization for a few years now, while he’s earned his role in the lineup, he needs continue to keep the vibes up off ice.

Jimmy Vesey: Keep shootin’ – number 26 has a nose for the net and shouldn’t waste it. He seems to always pop up with a big goal in a big moment, so don’t hesitate Jimmy!

Barclay Goodrow: Ignore the haters – somehow after three years of being a consistent contributor to this team, Goodrow still has his haters. His cap hit aside (a tad high), number 21 does so much good work in his all around game that people seem to miss because his counting stats aren’t high. The guys a warrior, show him some respect for it people.

Tyler Pitlick: Remain steady on D – Pitlick has played a surprisingly larger role than anticipated this season due to injury. He’s acquitted himself well but to keep his regular job he needs to remain on his game when working in his own end and killing penalties.

Kaapo Kakko: Find some offense – the good news is that Kakko looks to be on his way back from injury soon. When he returns to the lineup, he needs to provide some offensive spark to the bottom six for this team, he’s running out of time in this uniform is he doesn’t.

Filip Chytil: Just get healthy – it’s such a shame that Chytil has missed out on this blast of as season so far. Number 72’s presence is missed on and off the ice as he recovers from a concussion, I wish him all the best and a speedy recovery.

Ryan Lindgren: Invest in an ice pack company – number 55 gets banged up enough that it would be one hell of a business proposition. Maybe his partner on defense can help him on the business front as Foxy is in the bagel game now.

Adam Fox: Play your game – number 23 has been good this year, he just hasn’t been himself. This is largely due to the injury he suffered early in the year, something that has seemingly kept him from finding some rhythm to his game all season.

K’Andre Miller: Find consistency – have to credit the great Larry Brooks here, The Post legend highlighted the need for consistency from number 79 a few weeks back. Miller acknowledged it himself in the article, simply put, the extreme ebbs and flows in his game need to stop for this team to win in the spring.

Jacob Trouba: Maintain the vibes – number 8 has emerged as a wonderful captain for this group since getting the “C.” His even keeled approach helps the team through the ups and downs, both on and off the ice.

Erik Gustafsson: Shoot the puck – “Gus” has been a pleasant surprise for the Blueshirts this year. While his chances to produce have been limited since Adam Fox return, number 56 needs to pull the trigger more and his offense will pick up regardless of TOI.

Braden Schneider: Stay aggressive – number four has had another strong season so far, seemingly taking strides under this new staff. But he’s undoubtedly at his best when he shows more aggression in his game, both physically and with the puck, keep it up kid!

Igor Shesterkin: Stay in the net – Igor got off to a strong start early in this campaign before getting hurt. He eventually came back and wasn’t quite himself until recently. In his recent dominating run he seemed to simplify his game and stopped coming out to play the puck. Maybe there is something to it, maybe there isn’t, but 31 should just focus on the cage for now.

Jonathan Quick: Keep having fun – has anyone on this team had more fun than number 32? Quick is living out a boyhood dream, while playing his best hockey in years. Long may it continue!

Chris Drury: Happy hunting – with the trade deadline coming into view, I am hopeful for another strong set of moves by Drury. For my money he’s had two solid ones so far, but this one is critical, as it could make or break this teams chances at a run.

Peter Laviolette and Staff: Don’t change a thing – if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. This group has taken to this new staff and their input as coaches has made a world of difference.

Around the Rink

Now that we’ve concluded the Ranger portion of this article, let’s go around the rink. The NHL and hockey world at large is buzzing with news so there is certainly a lot to cover, not all of it good. Let’s dive in!

Just Give Him the Trophy: The Blackhawks are a long way from winning anything as a team, but Connor Bedard is well on his way to winning the Calder Trophy as this season’s rookie of the year. Number 98 is single handedly keep Chicago’s AHL roster in games and blowing pucks past the league’s best netminders like he did in the clip above. With 33 points in 36 games at just 18 years old, he’s leaving the rest of the rookie class in the dust. These numbers are even more impressive considering he is without several planned linemates, especially veteran winger Taylor Hall, who is out for the year. The snipe above left members of the United Center crowd in tears (I kid you not), though it’s hard to say why, it might be because the goal is that pretty or maybe it’s because they haven’t seen a player this good in a while.

“Kristopher Letang’s Still got it Doc”: Or at least that is what Pierre Macguire would say if he was still doing games on TV. Rumors of Kris Letang’s demise have been greatly exaggerated, hell if two strokes can’t stop the man, no player can. Number 58 is coming off an incredible game against the Islanders, one that saw him record six assists, five in the second period alone, as the Pens routed the home side 7-0. “Tangs” as he is affectionately known became the first D-man in league history to have five points in a period, a remarkable honor considering the men who have played the position. The better news for Kris and company is that the Penguins are heating up, going 7-2-1 in their last 10 games, moving them to within one point of a playoff spot.

Anyone Here Heard of Defense?: A few weeks ago in this segment I talked about how the Red Wings were looking like a playoff team that added real depth with Patrick Kane. Kane has held up his end of the bargain with 13 points in 13 games in Hockeytown…one problem, the Wings are 3-10 in those 13 games. That’s not to say it is Kane’s fault that they have struggled, contrary to what some believe, but rather it’s due to their putrid defense and goaltending. Detroit is forced to outscore their leaky backend on a nightly basis as they are giving up just under four goals per game (sixth worst in the league). This is due to having both an awful four headed goalie monster and a mediocre at best defense core. Perhaps the famed “Yzerplan” wants to address the blue line soon before the season gets away, as Detroit is just a game over .500 and three points back of a spot, and losing ground fast.

Ugly Start in Tinseltown: One of this summer’s big-ticket additions was center Pierre-Luc Dubois, as the Winnipeg Jets were looking to move on from him. The forever malcontented “PLD” had already worn out his welcome with the team that drafted him third overall back in 2016, The Columbus Blue Jackets. He was traded to “the Peg” for Patrik Laine in 2020 and was hit and miss in the great white north. Often said to be a tough guy to have in a locker room, the Kings thought a little California sun would bring the best out of number 80. They even gave him a vote of confidence by signing him to an eight-year deal worth $8.5 million per year. So far they seem to have been wrong to put their faith in him as Dubois has just 14 points in 33 games. The good news for LA is they have had a strong season so far as a team, the bad news is while Dubois has struggled, Gabe Vilardi who they sent to Winnipeg to acquire the big center has been lighting it up for the Jets.

Bounce Back Brock: We go from an underachiever to one of the seasons best stories, Canucks winger Brock Boeser, who is enjoying a resurgent season. Number six in blue has the third most goals in the league, a new career high of 24, in just 36 games. For a long time Boeser was considered an essential part of the Canucks core, until struggling at times last year and falling out of favor with the organization and fans. He was even rumored to be on the trade block amidst a reported crisis of confidence that had him looking lost on the ice. Give the Minnesota boy credit, he came into this season ready to work under head coach Rick Tocchet and is excelling. It’s funny what a new season can do for a player, and for that matter a whole team, as Boeser’s Canucks are atop the Pacific division after a nightmare season last year.

Bad Blood Bad for the Game?: This season has been filled with controversy due to some physical play that has at times crossed the line. While hitting and fighting are parts of the game, dirty plays don’t have a place anywhere. They of course still happen, in part because the officials don’t police the game well themselves. Players wind up taking matters into their own hands, like Wild center Ryan Hartman did this past weekend. Hartman’s purposeful high stick to the face of young Jets star Cole Perfetti was in retaliation for an incident last season between these teams.

The Wild never felt the last event was handled properly by the league, so we arrived here. I respect the idea of a code amongst players and as I said this wouldn’t be necessary if the refs could handle the game properly. There just has to be a happy medium between policing the game and going out of your way to injure someone. Hartman’s premeditated nature was even exposed after the fact by Perfetti, something quite scary considering past behavior like this has led to some horrifying incidents on the ice.

Let me know what you think of all these stories and more in the comments below. You can find me on Twitter @YNWA9623 and subscribe to the site by hitting the follow button in the bottom right corner and entering your email address. We’ll be back with more soon!