Are You Rangers Ready? 5 Bold Predictions for the Season
NYR 90TH
The Rangers are getting set to start their 90th season in the NHL and FullTilt Rangers is ALL IN once again!
Before the Rangers Drop the puck tonight against the Islanders here are my 5 Bold Predictions:
Jimmy Vesey will score 50 points and finish second in the Calder Trophy Race
Vesey(NYR)
Let’s face reality, we all got a big dose of it last night as Auston Matthews scored 4 times in his NHL debut. If it were another year, I’d say Vesey would have a legit chance because he is going to be an excellent NHL player. Expect him to have stats around 20 goals and 30 assists.
Normally, those would be great numbers for a Calder Trophy but Matthews will be playing 20 plus minutes a night for the Leafs. The Rangers do not need Vesey to do that as they are a strong 4 line team. Expect Vesey to hover around the 15 minute mark for the season. Regardless, the future is really bright for him.
Rick Nash WILL NOT be traded
Nash (AP/Chris O’Meara)
I believe the window to trade Rick Nash has essentially closed for this season. The Rangers shopped him fairly hard this summer and there were no legit takers. At this point, we know the Rangers need to improve their defense. However, those teams like Winnipeg with Jacob Trouba do not want Nash.
By the time the trade deadline rolls around, I expect Kevin Shattenkirk will be moved. Most likely, the Rangers will be able to land him for a lot less than Nash because he will be a UFA in July. No matter what, expect the Rangers to be the lead dog to land Shattenkirk for next season even if they miss out at the deadline.
The Rangers will be contenders this year, so don’t expect them to trade Nash away. There is just no logical reason for it now.
Dan Girardi or Marc Staal WILL BE TRADED
Staal (L) / Girardi (R)
(Getty Images)
Yes, believe it. By the time the trade deadline rolls around, Girardi or Staal will agree to waive their clause and be moved. Both are aware the Rangers want to make significant changes to their blue-line and will be in a bind for the expansion draft. One will likely be willing to move in order to have a say in their destination.
While many believe it will be Girardi who is most likely to go, I think Marc Staal would be more open to a move. Minnesota would be a possible destination to play with his brother, Eric.
Ryan McDonagh will win the Norris Trophy
McDonagh (Robert Mayer-USTI)
I have been predicting this ever since the 2013-14 season. McDonagh has shown signs of brilliance throughout his career. The last few seasons have been hampered by injuries, but he is healthy to start this one.
This will be the year that McDonagh breaks through and brings home the hardware. I am expecting 10-15 goals and 55 to 60 points. I know that’s a lot of points for Mack, but he will benefit from the offensive depth of the forwards and the extra PP time.
Chris Kreider will score 40 or more
Something is different. If you watched Kreider during the preseason, you saw a more mature player. If you looked closer, you saw a more confident player. That confidence will be key to start the season, which I believe will begin tonight with a bang.
Kreider has all the tools to be one of the premiere power forwards in the game. He will be playing with Mika Zibanejad for the most of this year. Those two should terrorize the competition and get plenty of PP time.
This is what we’ve all been waiting for from CK20. Time for the him to unleash the beast.
Share your predictions in the comments section below.
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