Most people have their biases, players they are higher or lower on than most for whatever reason; what are yours?
Love
Brendan Lemieux - I don't know if I've ever seen anyone play with as much heart as he does, this guy would get open heart surgery on the bench and not miss a shift. I genuinely believe he'd die for this team at this point lol
Anthony DeAngelo - Perhaps my favorite Ranger, just oozes skill & I think there's an argument to be made that he's as offensively talented as any defenseman in the league. And very few players in that conversation play with the edge that Tony does.
Pavel Buchnevich - What gets lost in such a finesse player is how much All American Grit he has and how he gives it his all every shift. This guy comes to the bench in tears every shift because of all the pain he's fighting through, he tortures himself for this team. I followed his career watching his KHL games when he was the only glimmer of hope in our depleted prospect pool, a (formerly) Russian steal in the draft after our upcoming Russian superstar was stolen from us. I'll always have a soft spot for Buch
Artemi Panarin - One of the hardest paths to the NHL of any player in the league and there's not a better player who could've hit the jackpot he did with this contract. His personality is infectious and Ovechkin-like in the sense of how much fun he seems to genuinely be having out there. He's adorable. Let alone arguable the most skilled Ranger of all time, and he works his ass off every shift and back-checks HARD, always has his stick in the perfect place to strip players of the puck. He's so good. And if he spoke English better he'd without a doubt be the captain of his team.
Henrik Lundqvist - Went from barely being drafted to the face of the franchise and I want nothing more in life than to have his patience finally be rewarded and see Captain Mika step aside and make Hank lift the cup first.
Ryan Lindgren - An absolute prick to play against, stands up for teammates against anybody, great skater and definitely has untapped offensive potential to boot. Supposedly a great personality & leader as well, I see him as a big piece of our team moving forward.
Really Like
Brady Skjei - IMO the most over-hated player on our team, maybe because our prospect pool was so depleted and we were banking on him being the future 1D because of that rookie season production, but he is the prototype of what you want a defenseman to be in 2019. He's a tank physically, incredible skater, great leadership skills & character, I actually thought was the darkhorse to be the next captain but I'll be crucified for saying that lol
Mika Zibanejad - Incredible
1C who excels at essentially every single aspect of the game, and based on how they came out of the gate FLYING in his first game back, you can see how much he means to those guys in the lockerroom.
Kaapo Kakko - This shy kiddo in a mans body is going to take time to come into his own but he's going to be otherworldly.
Filip Chytil - He was always someone I saw as a bit overrated, until this season. He looks like a completely different player, I also love how cocky he is not caring what people think and cellying even if we're getting blown out
Alexandar Georgiev - Shesterkin is the Prince and Georgiev is kinda the Jester who's filling the role until he's ready. Georgiev is quite the character and does interesting things like throwing sticks at Ovechkin and sprinting out of the net when it was knocked off its moorings to get another player on, he seems like a really smart kid and will hopefully form one of the best goalie tandems in the league in the future. And idk if he just despises the Leafs or why he turns into the reincarnation of Hasek every time he plays them, but I despise the Leafs as well so that's great
Like:
Brett Howden - He's a very capable 4C & PKer for his age and if it weren't for his deployment I don't think he's be so over-hated by this fanbase. It seems because Quinn gives him more leash than other players, that we give him less leash than other players.
Adam Fox - Honestly reminds me a bit of a defensively sound Pionk, I'm a fan of him but I don't think he's as skilled as ADA.
Neutral:
Brendan Smith - Awful contract but he's so versatile he could probably fill in for goalie. He doesn't care that he's bounced around the lineup, he just puts his nose down and plays his ass off regardless of his deployment. I think he's really underrated.
Jesper Fast - An okay player who plays hard
Chris Kreider - FRUSTRATING
Greg McKegg - He's really fast and plays hard but has no skill
Boo Nieves - Meh if he's not playing with Kreider
Dislike:
Ryan Strome - Panarin could get a pylon points, he's an okay player but I hope to God we don't sign him to a big contract.
Michael Haley - We got Lemieux for that
Marc Staal - A warrior & leader for our team but he's finished
Hate:
Jacob Trouba - Terrible shot selection, mental lapses, and a really bad contract for this time & place.
