Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette forced to make tough decisions with the bottom six

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Joshua Deeds
August 16, 2024 (8:07 PM)

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The New York Rangers' depth took a hit when they lost Filip Chytil for most of the season in 2023-2024. But as he returns to the NHL healthy, the Rangers have plenty of depth and gritty forwards who could contribute to the team in 2024-2025.

3rd Line

Chytil despite missing the majority of the season in 2023-2024, finished with a career-high in goals and assists with (22G, 23A) and could end up leading the third line once again.

Winger Kaapo Kakko also missed a significant amount of time last season due to a lower-body injury and struggled on the top-six, but in a bottom-six setting found his game. Kakko scored 19 points( 13 G, 6 A) in 61 games on the 3rd line.

Both forwards could be options for the third line in 2024-2025, as they have chemistry together, and both have a two-way style of play. Both have been injury-prone lately and hopefully next season they can turn it around this season.

Laviolette has a few options for the third line as well, with Rangers prospect Brennan Othmann. Othmann could make the opening night lineup and had 59 points in 67 games with the Wolfpack.

However, if Othmann is sent to the AHL, Will Cuylle could find his way onto the 3rd line as well. He had 21 points(13 G, 8 A) and 249 hits with the Rangers last season, the 22-year old plays with ferocity and drives hard to the net, a strong skater.

4th Line

The Rangers lost a fourth liner, as they waived Barclay Goodrow, they have Jimmy Vesey who scored 26 points(13 G, 13 A) in 80 games, and a great penalty killer as an option for the fourth line.

Cuylle could also end up paired on the 4th line, should he not play on the 3rd line.

The Rangers also have Sam Carrick, a veteran center they signed as a UFA for $3 Million AAV, who spent 2023-2024 with the Anaheim Ducks and Edmonton Oilers. He'll add some grit to the lineup, he tallied 167 hits in 77 games last season. He also scored 16 points and had a face-off win percentage of 53.4% of 785 faceoffs.

The Rangers will also have Matt Rempe, and towering 6'7" forward Adam Edstrom to select from as well. Rempe is of course not afraid to get bloody and has taken major penalties when arguably he shouldn't have last season.

He's also a great skater, creates space in front of the net and plays with a physicality all teams need.

Edstrom plays with physicality but isn't an enforcer either, as he played 11 games with the Rangers last season. He's a capable forechecker.

Lastly, the Rangers could call up Jonny Brodzinski who had 19 points in 57 games. Brett Berard and Adam Sykora could also be options, as Berard had 58 points in 71 games, while Sykora had 23 points in 66 games.

Coach Laviolette will have tough decisions to make, as he has many capable wingers who could slot in on either line next season.

Source: The Hockey Writers
Rangers' Laviolette Has Tough Decision to Make on Bottom Six