New York Rangers Report Cards Part 2: Returning Forwards

Over the next week, we will be releasing a series of report cards for the New York Rangers here at the Blue Line Station. In this edition, we will review the returning members of the Rangers forward corps.

The New York Rangers continue to play good hockey, winning again Sunday night against the New Jersey Devils. With 5 goals against Corey Schneider, that marked the 11th time this season the Rangers have scored 5 or more goals in 30 games.

With the win, the Rangers improved their league-best record to 20-9-1 and +35 goal differential. As the Rangers look forward to their matchup Tuesday night against the Chicago Blackhawks we will take a look at the report cards for the returning members of the forward corps.

May 22, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA;New York Rangers right wing Jesper Fast (19) skates against the Tampa Bay Lightning in game four of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Jesper Fast

Grade: B+

Jesper Fast is quietly one of the Rangers most consistent forwards. He has gained the trust of his head coach, which has led to him regularly seeing time in the top-6. His ability to move up and down the lineup is a tool that’s been vital with the injuries early on.

Fast is on pace to put up the best offensive season of his four-year career. Through 30 games this season Fast has 12 points, with 10 assists. Playing alongside the talent that the Rangers sport up front, Fast should see these numbers continue to grow over the final two-thirds of the season.

He hasn’t ever been known for his offense, this season he is seeing over 67% of his zone starts in his defensive end. However, the secondary scoring is a welcome addition to his already stellar defensive play. Fast is one of the key anchors of the Rangers penalty kill that ranks 6th in the NHL.

Nov 12, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; New York Rangers center Kevin Hayes (13) during the face off against the Calgary Flames during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Hayes

Grade: A+

Kevin Hayes has broken out in a big way this season. His play this year as the Rangers de facto second line center has created the team’s most explosive line. After spending parts of last season in Alain Vigneault‘s doghouse, Hayes has become a phenomenal two-way player.

He has started the year strong offensively with 21 points, good for second on the New York Rangers. His 11 goals on the season put him on pace to surpass his previous career high of 17 set in his rookie season. Hayes also continues to create offense on his own, with 85 of his first 100 career points being primary points (goals or primary assists).

He has also seen an increase in responsibilities this season, seeing the most ice time of his career with an average of 16:35 a night. With increased responsibility, he has won 46.6% of his faceoff draws after averaging 36% the last two years. The production the New York Rangers are getting from Kevin Hayes also comes at a team-friendly cost of $2.6 million over the next two seasons.

Feb 27, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) skates against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Rangers defeat the Stars 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Kreider

Grade: B+

Chris Kreider is another player that has made Jeff Gorton look like a genius this offseason. Coming off of his 2nd straight 20-goal, 40-point campaign Kreider was awarded his first big contract extension. With the deal, it became clear that the 25-year old was going to be a part of the Rangers plans for the foreseeable future.

After beginning the season with 3 goals in his first 3 games, injuries slowed Kreider down, leaving him without a goal in his next 9 games and 1 goal in 16 games. Recently, Kreider seems to have picked up his game again for the first time since losing linemates Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich.

Over his last 5 games, Kreider has 4 goals and one power play tally. He is seeing the most ice-time of his career, higher than his career average by over a minute (16:50ATOI). If Kreider continues to use his body and speed the way he has shown capable this season he may finally turn into the elite power forward the Rangers have been waiting for.

Feb 18, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Rangers forward Oscar Lindberg (24) during the pre game warm up against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Oscar Lindberg

Grade: C-

Lindberg started the year recovering from an offseason hip surgery. He saw his spot in the lineup claimed by various players, namely Josh Jooris. His eventual arrival to the Rangers lineup was rushed when Chris Kreider was forced to sit with neck spasms.

Through 15 games this year Lindberg has underwhelmed, recording 2 points, both assists. He has seemed slow compared to the rest of the Rangers high-paced attack and has lacked the scoring touch shown early in his rookie season. He has improved at the faceoff dot, however, winning 54% of his draws, a tool that will help him contribute on the PK and in the defensive zone.

Lindberg has spent time as much time in the press box as he has suited up for the Rangers this season and had seemed to be falling victim to the Rangers overwhelming forward depth. However, with Jooris getting claimed by the Coyotes, Lindberg seems he will have an extended opportunity to prove he belongs in New York.

Nov 12, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; New York Rangers left wing J.T. Miller (10) skates with the puck against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

J.T. Miller

Grade: A+

Much like his linemate Kevin Hayes, J.T. Miller has gone above and beyond his contract so far this season. He has been the Rangers most consistent forward, leading the team in points with 22 (9 goals, 13 assists). Miller is also sporting a 15% shooting percentage that proves last year’s 16.3% was no anomaly.

J.T. Miller’s game has grown in many ways, but his newfound ability to kill penalties has made the Rangers unit significantly stronger. After having only 3 shorthanded goals as a team all last season, Miller has 2 through the Rangers’ first 30 games this year.

Miller has been on the front lines of names attached to big trades associated with the Rangers and top-tier defenseman. However, at this point, it would take a King’s Ransom to move a player of his caliber and importance. J.T. Miller gives the Rangers yet another exciting long-term option on offense.

Oct 30, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers right wing Rick Nash (61) celebrates scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Rick Nash

Grade: A

Another player whose name circulated heavily in trade rumors this offseason, Nash has done everything correctly to prove why he is the oldest veteran of this forward corps. He was limited by injuries in the 2015-16 season and was unable to find his footing, producing 36 points in 60 games and only 15 goals.

Through 27 games this season, Nash has 11 goals and 7 assists, with 6 of those points coming with the man advantage (4G, 2A). Nash’s abilities as a two-way player are well documented and his presence on both the power play and penalty kill are essential to the Rangers success.

Nash will continue to be included in trade rumors, even more so with the expansion draft looming. Until that time his veteran presence and consistent two-way play will be one the Rangers rely on for a postseason push.

Dec 3, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers center Derek Stepan (21) reacts to missing a shot on Carolina Hurricanes goalie Michael Leighton (32) during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Derek Stepan

Grade: A

Derek Stepan continues to find ways to emerge as the Rangers true number one center. With Mika Zibanejad going down early, Stepan has taken on the clear role as a top center offensively and defensively. If there were any doubt, he is second among forwards in nightly ice time, averaging 17:57 almost 1:30 more than Kevin Hayes.

Stepan has been one of the Rangers biggest contributors through the team’s first 30 games. He is first on the team in assists (16) and power play points (6), and he is tied for second on the team in points with 21. His 5 goals can be attributed to the lowest shooting percentage of his career, 7.7%. He has also continued his upward trend in faceoffs, winning 47% of his team-leading 534 draws.

Until Mika Zibanejad returns, Stepan will be tasked with logging tough minutes on a nightly basis. It is good to see Stepan, one of the homegrown leaders of the New York Rangers core, has proven that he can handle the responsibility of being a top line center.

Mats Zuccarello

Grade: A

Mats Zuccarello is the true driving force behind the Rangers forward corps. Standing 5 feet 7 inches tall (on a good day), Zuccarello’s game is bigger than most of his peers. His spot in the lineup is the most secure than almost any other player on the roster.

The small Norweigan averages the most ice time of any New York Rangers forward, playing 18:44 a night. So far this season, Zuccarello has recorded 19 points, with 7 goals and 12 assists. He also is among the team leaders in possession, with a 50.1CF%.

Zuccarello’s game has a knack for exciting plays and fantastic shots, something that plays well under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden. At 29 years old, Zuccarello finds himself as one of the elder statesmen of the Rangers. Playing in all situations, Zuccarello will look to continue being one of the Rangers strongest players.