Despite Inconsistencies, Rangers Remain Hopeful
Dec 4, 2016 23:49:38 GMT -5
bjernagris (PHI), brob89 (NSH), and 1 more like this
Post by mbest (ANA) on Dec 4, 2016 23:49:38 GMT -5
DESPITE INCONSISTENCIES, RANGERS REMAIN HOPEFUL FOR FUTURE
While not the most exciting season in New York this year, there have been some bright spots for the Rangers, which are keeping hopes high for the future. Three-quarters of the way through the season, several players have already reached or are headed for personal milestones:
--Tomas Hertl has set a personal high with 26 goals.
--Kevin Hayes has set personal highs in assists (39) and points (58).
--Second year winger Daniel Bernhardt, who ended 2017-18 on a hot streak, has seen his numbers jump from 29 points as a rookie to 47 so far this season.
--Bottom six center Nick Shore has tied his personal high in goals (13).
--Defenseman Cam Fowler has tied his career high in assists (35, set last season) and is one point away from tying his career high in points (46).
--28-year old Marcus Johannson, who spent the bulk of the season with the LA Kings has posted his best goal (14) and point (38) numbers since 2014. Rumor is that if the team can't deal Marc Staal, it will be looking to move Johannson to clear cap in the offseason, but the Swede is making a case to stay. Despite not skating as many minutes in New York, he had six points in his first seven games with the team.
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After trading for veteran Michael Hutchinson and Boston U. netminder Jake Oettinger mid-season, the Rangers feel set for the next decade in goal. Among goalies who have played more than eight games, Oettinger leads the NCAA in save percentage (.937) and GAA (1.83). Meanwhile, UMass goalie Ethan Middendorf, a fifth-round pick of the Rangers in 2017, leads the NCAA in wins (23).
New York is also high on Brandon Halverson and Blake Weyrick as potential backups but it is 25-year old Linus Ullmark who is the hot goalie at the moment. Ullmark, who leads the AHL with a 2.06 GA, has allowed just three goals in his last five starts, including three straight 100 Game Ratings and three shutouts in that stint. Although he lost his last start, to Providence, it was his team's failure to score in the shootout that cost the game. Ullmark turned back four of five shooters.
While not the most exciting season in New York this year, there have been some bright spots for the Rangers, which are keeping hopes high for the future. Three-quarters of the way through the season, several players have already reached or are headed for personal milestones:
--Tomas Hertl has set a personal high with 26 goals.
--Kevin Hayes has set personal highs in assists (39) and points (58).
--Second year winger Daniel Bernhardt, who ended 2017-18 on a hot streak, has seen his numbers jump from 29 points as a rookie to 47 so far this season.
--Bottom six center Nick Shore has tied his personal high in goals (13).
--Defenseman Cam Fowler has tied his career high in assists (35, set last season) and is one point away from tying his career high in points (46).
--28-year old Marcus Johannson, who spent the bulk of the season with the LA Kings has posted his best goal (14) and point (38) numbers since 2014. Rumor is that if the team can't deal Marc Staal, it will be looking to move Johannson to clear cap in the offseason, but the Swede is making a case to stay. Despite not skating as many minutes in New York, he had six points in his first seven games with the team.
***
After trading for veteran Michael Hutchinson and Boston U. netminder Jake Oettinger mid-season, the Rangers feel set for the next decade in goal. Among goalies who have played more than eight games, Oettinger leads the NCAA in save percentage (.937) and GAA (1.83). Meanwhile, UMass goalie Ethan Middendorf, a fifth-round pick of the Rangers in 2017, leads the NCAA in wins (23).
New York is also high on Brandon Halverson and Blake Weyrick as potential backups but it is 25-year old Linus Ullmark who is the hot goalie at the moment. Ullmark, who leads the AHL with a 2.06 GA, has allowed just three goals in his last five starts, including three straight 100 Game Ratings and three shutouts in that stint. Although he lost his last start, to Providence, it was his team's failure to score in the shootout that cost the game. Ullmark turned back four of five shooters.