Toronto Maple Leafs: Forecasting the NHL’s 5 Best Teams in 2021-22
By James Tanner
No. 5 New York Rangers
The Rangers finished last season 16th overall, and they didn’t even finish .500 if you factor in OT losses.
That won’t be the case this season, as the New York Rangers are going to come from out of nowhere to be one of the top teams in hockey.
The big jump will come courtesy of Alex Lafreniere, who didn’t have the greatest rookie season but who is about to become one of the best players in the NHL.
Considering they have the reining Norris Trophy Winner in Adam Fox, and an annual MVP candidate in Artemi Panarin they shouldn’t be too far off contending either way.
But when you throw in Chris Krieder and Mika Zibanejad, that gives them four full-fledged star players. Ryan Strome is almost a star as well, at least when the Rangers have the puck. And Jacob Trouba is also close but not quite a star.
That’s a nice little core, but when you add in the potential of Lafreniere, Kaapo Kakko, Filip Chytil, Vitali Kravtsov, Ryan Lindgren and K’andre Miller, you’ve got a team that is primed for explosion.
Add in Ten Million in Cap Space, and a goalie, Igor Shesterkin, who is one of the most celebrated goalie prospects in years, and you’ve got a team that may have achieved the perfect storm of veteran stars and cheap ELC deals.
Their team right now reminds me of the Toronto Maple Leafs when they still Matthews and Marner on ELCs. Unfortunately for us, back then Uncle Lou went into the playoffs with Ron Hainsey and Nikita Zaisev in his top-four. Hopefully the Rangers are smarter.