New York Rangers Should Face Less Bumpy Road to Stanley Cup

By Matt Stillwell @MattNYR12 on October 7, 2014

Many so-called “experts” seem to believe the New York Rangers will take a step back and not return to the Stanley Cup Final in the upcoming 2014-15 NHL season. This sentiment appears to be based on two theories: a high amount of roster turnover, and the sense that the Rangers’ run to the Final last year was a total surprise.

To those, I retort with the following: the Rangers had a high level of roster turnover last season and a new head coach and still made the Final. Oh, and how exactly is a team that qualifies for two conference finals in three years deemed a surprise?

With much fewer issues and more potential on the Rangers’ roster coming out of training camp, the road back to the Final this season should actually be easier.

For one thing, the Rangers do not have to wait until the end of October to play a home game, nor did they have to spend the entire preseason away from home. A big part of the Rangers’ slow start last season was exhaustion from being away from home for so long, coupled with having to deal with assimilating into a brand new style of play. It was a major challenge for new head coach Alain Vigneault, who had to change the mentality of his players from a grind-it-out physical team into a finesse, fast team. It took almost half the season, but the Rangers finally began to show their potential in January. His system is in place from the get-go this season, and the veterans of this roster know him and what to expect.

The only ones that have to deal with assimilating into Vigneault’s system are the Rangers’ offseason acquisitions, such as Dan Boyle, Lee Stempniak, Ryan Malone and Tanner Glass. Assuming all stay healthy, the transition should be smooth, especially with the Rangers’ nucleus still intact. Furthermore, the Rangers have some exciting rookies that appear to fit perfectly into Vigneault’s system. Nineteen-year-old Anthony Duclair and his unreal shot and speed will be a major asset to the Rangers if he can contribute.

Oh, and don’t forget the Rangers have arguably the best goaltender in the world, Henrik Lundqvist, and one of the best defensemen in the game, newly appointed captain Ryan McDonagh. If both stay healthy all year, pencil the Rangers in as a Cup favorite.

Of course, there are issues the Rangers have to deal with besides replacing key players from last season’s run, such as Derek Stepan‘s injury and a lack of depth at center and defense.

What the Rangers don’t have, however, are excuses. The pieces of the puzzle are already in place for the team to meet expectations and contend for a Cup once again. The obstacles they had to overcome last season are not an issue this season.

If they fail, it’s their own fault.

Let the season begin.

Matt Stillwell is a New York Rangers contributor for www.rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattNYR12!