Three New York Rangers That Can Build Off Their 25-26 Late Season Surges
Following their second consecutive season not qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the New York Rangers season ended on a slight positive note. Since their elimination from playoff contention, the Blueshirts went on a sudden heater, mostly highlighted by the rookies within their lineup. It was not only the younglings who deserved attention, though, but also a few Rangers that were on the verge of ending their seasons as disappointments on the ice. While the Rangers still hang on to their guaranteed top-five pick in the coming NHL Draft on Tuesday, sudden surges like this could be a good sign of what's to come next season for these Blueshirts on the ice. Looking to begin this retool off on the right foot, let's look at three New York Rangers who can certainly build on their late-season surges and translate them into next season.
Gabe Perreault
Brought in late in the 24-25 season, Gabe Perreault was undoubtedly the New York Rangers' top prospect, and a kid plenty of fans were looking forward to seeing on the ice in MSG. Having just three goals going into the Olympic break, the young forward found his groove afterward and recorded nine goals in the span of 25 games. In the time of that surge, the 20-year-old also went on to score his first career NHL hat trick on April 4th against the Detroit Red Wings. Ending the season with 12 goals and 15 assists, the 23rd overall pick ends the season looking to build off this offensive surge and continue with a possible spot on a line with the Rangers' top-five pick this offseason. The kid line is always the most promising for Ranger fans, and if the Canadian forward can keep his offensive surge going, he'll certainly find himself on that potential line.
Alexis Lafreniere
One of the biggest Rangers on the ice that needed a bounce-back year was no doubt their 2020 first overall pick. Alexis Lafreniere came off his previous season with 17 goals and 28 assists, a huge decline from the year prior. With trade talks all around, the 24-year-old knew he needed a bounce-back season to stay where he was at, and for most of the 25-26 season, it looked as if his time was running out. Going into his sixth NHL season, the Quebec native entered the Olympic break with only 12 goals, leaving fans to wonder if he would see another season as a Ranger. It was not until the New York Rangers traded Artemi Panarin to the Kings that Lafreniere had his chance to create some offense of his own, and boy, did he not disappoint. Right out of the break, the Canadian forward finished the last 25 NHL games with 12 goals and 13 assists, including his second career hat trick against the Calgary Flames on March 10th. His sudden surge helped him end the season off matching his career high of 57 points in the season. Now, without Panarin, as well as time on the first power play unit, Lafreniere has been given his long-awaited chance to grow into the kind of player a first overall pick deserves to become. With a top-five pick coming to MSG next season, things may just go nowhere but up for number 13.
Conor Sheary
Although it's not very likely this player will return next season, here's a player fans would love to see produce: the two-time Stanley Cup Champion. Brought in with some experience working with Mike Sullivan, Conor Sheary looked to prove he still had what it took to play in the NHL, and fans very quickly had enough of him to start the season. While the bar wasn't very high to begin with for the former Pittsburgh Penguin, one goal in the first four months of the season is just unacceptable. Despite his disappointing season, the 33-year-old went on to end the season with six goals and three assists in his final 23 games. Though he hits free agency in July, it's likely his time as a Ranger is done for good. His close relationship with Sullivan could bring him back, looking to build on his late-season production and the impact he could bring as a bottom-six player.
