Nicklas Jensen Could Be Just What The New York Rangers Need

When the New York Rangers traded Carl Hagelin to the Anaheim Ducks for Emerson Etem, it didn’t go over well with Rangers fans. Etem struggled in his limited time in New York and Hagelin was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, further angering Rangers fans. However, there could be a silver lining for the Rangers in the form of Nicklas Jensen.

Jensen, 23, came over from the Vancouver Canucks along with a sixth-round draft pick for Etem. He played well in Hartford, scoring 15 goals and notching 10 assists in 41 games. He has the size (6-foot-3, 203 pounds) and speed that could make him a real asset in New York.

It is no secret that Jensen struggled to find his way in Vancouver. He appeared in only 24 games with the Canucks across three seasons and scored only three goals, all of them coming in 2013-14. The intangibles are there, but Jensen just hasn’t been able to put it all together.

During their first-round playoff loss to the Penguins, the Rangers’ lack of size and speed was constantly exploited by the Penguins. The speed of the Penguins was too much for the Rangers to handle. In previous years, it was the Rangers, with Hagelin and players like Chris Kreider, who used speed to burn opposing defenses. Jensen, who is a restricted free agent and shouldn’t cost much to retain, could be a solid addition to the Rangers’ third or fourth line.

With the team against the cap, Rangers GM Jeff Gorton will have to get creative to fill holes on the Rangers while still being competitive. Jensen could be a big part of that. He is excellent when it comes to handling the puck and he has shown an ability to find the back of the net. He is also solid on the forecheck, something the Rangers could use some help in.

Jensen might never live up to the promise he showed when the Canucks drafted him in the first round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. That doesn’t mean he won’t be a solid player at this level. The Rangers should give Jensen a shot to win a spot in camp. He could be just what the Rangers needed on the bottom two lines — a physical, fast winger who can score.