SPECIAL COLLABORATION
On February 8, 2018, the management of Rangers de New York sent a letter to his supporters telling them that a reconstruction was to be expected. They claimed familiar faces were leaving and they wasted no time in keeping their word. Rick Nash, JT Milleret Ryan McDonaghwho was then the captain of the Blueshirts, were all traded in the following weeks and several more followed in the offseason.
At first glance, the classic rebuilding plan was followed to the letter in later seasons. A few consecutive years in the slums of the league leading to 2nd pick at the 2019 auction and first selection in 2020, allowing them to select two players who will be the heart and soul of the organization for years to come. coming.
It’s a story we’ve seen over and over again over the years, whether Steven Stamkos–Victor Hedman for the Lightning de Tampa Bay, Sidney Crosby–Evgeni Malkin for the Penguins de Pittsburgh, or any other duo of its kind. And with an appearance in the Eastern Finals in the last series, five years after the famous letter to the fans, the New York plan seems to be working like a charm. On the other hand, the road that led to this success is anything but usual.
Of the nine best Rangers scorers since February 8, 2018, none have been drafted by the organization since 2018. You have to go down to 10th and 11th ranks to find Kaapo Kako et Alexis Lafreniere, the two choices should have transformed the organization. The duo are currently scoring at a similar career rate that would be good for 30-35 points over a season. We’re a long way from Crosby-Malkin.
What could have led to these misses for two players who are clearly loaded with talent?
Accelerated reconstruction
The Rangers’ plan was accelerated the same summer they acquired Kakko, asArtemi Panarin decided to play in the Big Apple. In his first season in 2019-20, Panarin finished third for the Hart Trophy. A year after the arrival of the Russian striker, Adam Fox won the Norris Trophy, whileIgor Shesterkin took over the Vézina the following season. With three of the best players at their respective positions in the NHL, the Rangers are built to win now.
This need for immediate results hurts Kakko and Lafrenière, two players clearly full of attacking talent, but who need a little more time to mature. Not all high draft picks are capable of making an immediate impact like the Connor McDavid et Auston Matthews of this world. They are the exception, rather than the rule.
A young player’s margin of error is much slimmer for a competitive formation. Rangers do not have the freedom to play their two youngsters in the top-6 through their mistakes and learnings.
As a result, they found themselves on the third line more often than not during their young career, leading to limited playing time. In 377 combined career games, Kakko and Lafrenière have only 5 games where they played at least 20 minutes (4 for Kakko, 1 for Lafrenière).
The production of the two youngsters is also suffering due to a lack of opportunity on the power play. Rangers have a clear first wave: Panarin, Mika ZibanejadFox, Chris Kreider et Vincent Trocheck, and each of these five players play more than 4 minutes per game in massive attack. That leaves few opportunities for the second wave. Lafrenière and Kakko have just one point apiece on the power play this season, playing just over a minute per game on special teams.
Encouraging signs
For Kakko, the key word must be to send more pucks to the slot. He’s shown his puck-handling ability this season, with 0:30 of possession in the offensive zone per game at even strength, third on the Rangers behind only Panarin and Fox. He also leads the team in successful fakes, that is to say the number of times he managed to protect the puck from being harpooned by the opponent.
Despite his puck handling skills, he doesn’t seem able to spot his teammates in the pay zone. Of the 296 passes he’s completed on par in offensive territory, only 17 have found someone in the slot this season. As a shooter, Kakko gets his chances, with 63 shots attempted from the slot, only six less than Kreider, who leads the team.
For Lafrenière, the opportunities are also there. He has a nose for the slot, ranking 2nd for New York in passes received in the slot at even strength. More than 60% of his shot attempts come from the pay zone, the highest rate among the Rangers. Five goals is a disappointing tally after a 19-goal performance last year, but at least the process is pointing us in the right direction.
On the other hand, the former QMJHL was mainly a playmaker during his junior career and these talents do not shine so far among the professionals. He’s already set a career high with 13 assists, but that’s not exactly the most impressive total.
At 21, it is still far too early to declare both players as failed selections. They still have a lot of unrealized potential and are scoring at rates that would set new personal highs for either of them. Rather, the question is will they be able to progress in time to be key contributors before the Rangers window closes, or do they need a new environment to reach their full potential?
Only time will tell.