Feeling pretty good about the team this morning after the last four games (even the loss to the Caps), so I thought that I post some random, optimistic and hopeful thoughts about particular players.
For context, let me say, as I often do, that at age 73 I may be the oldest poster here. My Ranger memories go back to 1958, I saw my first live game at the old MSG in 1961, was at the last game played at the old MSG and the first game at the current Garden. I was a season ticket holder in the old blue seats from 1969-1976. Aside from all the amazing personal events that have happened in my life (marriage, birth of my children and grandchildren, a slew of professional accomplishments), I can say without hesitation that winning the Cup in 94 was the non-personal highlight of my life, more so than the Mets winning the World Series in 69 and 86 or the first Giants Super Bowl championship.
Chris Kreider: I don’t think that we appreciate this guy enough, he is a unique and special player. There have been many great power forwards in the NHL, but few that also possess his speed and goal mouth presence. Add to that his work ethic, his impact on younger players, his leadership, and his off-ice intelligence, you have literally a “one-of-a-kind player.” Sure, we’d all like to see him score 40 goals, but like many highly skilled players he is unbelievably streaky. Still, he is slowly making his way into my top 10 all-time favorite Rangers. We should appreciate just how unique and special he is.
Ryan Strome: look, we all know his limitations, we all know he was likely drafted to highly, we all know that he is not our ideal number two center, but you know what? This guy is a darn good hockey player. He knows his skills and plays within his abilities and has that rather rare quality of “playing up” in a lineup and maximizing the skills of higher end players. Yes, he benefits from playing with them but I’m happy he is here. He is a true professional in every aspect of the word.
Adam Fox: all the accolades are well-deserved. His play is truly outstanding although there are times, I wish he could play stronger in front of the net, realizing of course that due to his size, he is never going to be able to move more physical players away. He certainly makes up for it elsewhere. But I’m not ready to elevate him to Brian Leetch levels yet. Fox is an average skater who makes up for a lack of foot speed by quickness. His skating has not kept him from playing the game at a truly elite level that will likely get even better. But Leetch was a superlative skater and he often used that speed in the offensive game. True, the game was different in that era and “offensive defenseman” was more of a term than today. Fox might very well attain true franchise great status in the coming years, I certainly hope he does, but I’m not quite ready yet to declare him Leetch’s equal.
The kids, particularly Kaapo Kappo and Alexis Lafreniere. Frankly, I’m not worried about either in the least. KK’s game has evolved and changed this year. I’m one who agrees that the scoring will come. He might very well be a different player than we envisioned when we drafted him, a true scorer, but more of a power forward who will play strong along the boards and carry the puck to the net. I see him, in his prime, as a top six 30G-30A guy. That type of role will also limit his biggest lack, skating speed. But I must say, he has put in the effort to make himself a better skater. Last year, his lack of foot speed was noticeable, this year, not much at all. I’m certainly optimistic about his future. He earned his promotion last night and hope he can stay on that line.
I’m also not worried about AL. The talent, the skill, the drive, the work ethic is there. I think he is still trying to figure out how his skillset plays in the NHL. In the meanwhile, he is gathering invaluable experience. I think two things will happen with him: he will get stronger (honestly, he needs too), partly the result of growing a bit older and naturally becoming stronger and partly the result of a more intense off-season workout program. But I think something else will happen, something that I believe in strongly and see across all sports with truly talented young players who struggle. He will spend the off-season processing all that happened, thinking about it constantly, both consciously and unconsciously, visualizing all that occurred this year. He will come to training camp next September with a much better understanding of himself and the league, of how to make his skills play and work. I still see him as a top line winger.
Of course, the Rangers being the Rangers, they will likely destroy my optimism and good feelings about the team with a string of poor games. But that is how young teams are; progress in never linear.
we can thank blackwell for sucking horribly tonight to open the door for him. I'm thrilled he seized the opportunity tonight. Let's hope quinn leaves him there for the next game when he's back!
