FILE – Winnipeg Jets right wing Blake Wheeler (26) tries to controls the puck as Toronto Maple Leafs right wing William Nylander (88) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023 in Toronto. A handful of teams spent the eve of free agency clearing salary cap space with big money buyouts. The Winnipeg Jets put former captain Blake Wheeler on unconditional waivers to buy out the final year of his contract. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
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The New York Rangers have certainly had a busy start to free agency since the calendar flipped to July.
Close to 10 players have signed on with the Blueshirts for low cap hits, allowing the team to remain flexible over the next few months. With development camp and the NHL Draft concluded, it’s time to look at what the 2023-24 Rangers will look like heading into the new season.
Rangers Forward Lines
1st Line: Chris Kreider – Mika Zibanejad – Kaapo Kakko
A lot of people may forget but at one point last season, the Kreider-Mika-Kakko line was graded as one of the best trios in the NHL. It would make sense for New York to give Kakko a fair chance at the top line again. Kreider and Zibanejad make a lot of sense being paired up again as long as both continue to put up solid seasons.
It should be a monster year for Kakko though.
2nd Line: Artemi Panarin – Vincent Trocheck – Blake Wheeler
The second-line right-winger spot will be hotly contested over the next few weeks. Wheeler coming in provides some needed insurance, but if the Rangers were to make cap room for someone like Vladimir Tarasenko, it could alter how the lines actually work.
Until that time though, Wheeler should fit in well with Vincent Trocheck’s line. His 55 points last season should show that he has plenty more in the tank as well.
3rd Line: Alexis Lafreniere – Filip Chytil – Jimmy Vesey
Lafreniere is expected to get more playing time and Chytil is coming off a career year….
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