Since the Kevin Hayes trade the lack of elite center options in the Rangers depth chart has been on my mind a lot. It seems a big glaring weakness and something that could hold them back.
That said, I just looked back at the 94 Cup Roster and realized that team had no 2nd line center during the entire run. After Mess there was Nemchinov. Weight had been traded. And for a good chunk of the playoffs Kovalev centered the second line between Larmer and Matteau. Sure, there were other guys like MacTavish and Hudson and I believe Tikk played C during the run as well. But it was really 2C by committee.
This is by no means an argument that the team doesn't need to figure out a legit 2c option. But it is interesting to see that, at least one very specific circumstance, that role wasn't as vital as we make it out to be. But then again, it also shows that if Mess went down at any point during the 94 run, it it most likely would have been cut short. And it's crazy to realize that there were stretches in those playoffs where Keenan benched Messier despite the lack of depth behind him.
I don’t know what this fear is all about.
The Rangers have 3 young centers, All first round picks, All coming into their second or third pro seasons in Chytil Howden and Andersson.
You’ve got 4 veteran guys that are natural centers behind them in Strome Namestnikov McKegg and Nieves for back up.
At some point you’ve got to let your top prospects sink or swim with real playing time and real line mates.
Hayes was a late first round pick. They put him in the 3C spot right out of college with veterans and off he went. Nowhere near the pro experience Chytil Howden or Andersson have at this point.
Chytil is going on his third pro season. Yes he’s young but he’s no rookie anymore. This league is as young as its ever been. Time to let this kid loose. And putting him between Kreider and Buchnevich is the perfect opportunity