Goodbye 2022, Hello 2023: The New York Rangers Edition

[RichieNextel305]

All in all, I don’t think many of us can complain about where 2022 took the Rangers. We had an exciting 2nd half of last season, a successful trade deadline, a wild playoff run that saw us 2 wins away from the Finals. 
 

Yeah, this first half of 22-23 has been confusing. Lots of questions (still remain), issues with chemistry, issues with the PP. Yet, after a nauseating stretch in November, we’re right on the cusp of a playoff spot.

 

Now, with 2022 in the rearview mirror and 2023 upon us, take a look into your crystal ball, and give some predictions about what you think might be in store for the Rangers in 2023. Any and all are welcome, go as far as you would like.
 

I’ll get the ball rolling…

 

1.) After much debate about who would line up with Panarin, eventually Trocheck and Panarin WILL find chemistry and be a combination that remains together the remainder of the season.

 

2.) Drury, in the first month of 2023, will make his first trade of the season, securing a veteran defenseman for the Rangers that will sure up the bottom pair. Nothing flashy or expensive; just a responsible, smart fit that will come almost out of no where.

 

3.) The Kid Line has staying power. Though I believe Kakko could be a key cog on the line with Zibanejad and Kreider, I believe that line is better off with a shoot-first player like Vatrano was last year. And I think at some point, that is an avenue that Drury will eventually investigate. I’ve been saying someone like Mike Hoffmann for weeks now. I think someone along those lines will be targeted and ultimately acquired.

 

4.) Speaking of trades, the big one will finally happen right on the eve of the trade deadline. After informing Chicago management of his desire to be dealt to a contender, Patrick Kane will be traded to the Rangers and reunited on a line with Artemi Panarin in a push for the Cup.

 

5.) After a strong finish, the Rangers finish the season in 2nd in the Metro behind only Carolina, and will face off against their arch rivals, the New Jersey Devils, in the opening round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

 

6.) After making quick work of the Devils, the Rangers take out Carolina in 6, Toronto in 7 and advance to their first Final since 2015, where they take on the Vegas Golden Knights.

 

7.) And after 7 grueling games, featuring multiple games seeing OT, the Rangers finally bring the Cup back to MSG with a dramatic 4-3 road win at T-Mobile Arena. Mika Zibanejad takes home the Conn Smythe Trophy. 
 

BONUS POINTS: I spend a night in the slammer for being too drunk at the parade and wind up in a holding cell with at least 6 people from this message board.

[The Dude]

[josh]

1. More of the same 

 

2. me 

[Cash or Czech]

Number 6 is pretty bold, expecting the Leafs to get out of the first round.

[4EverRangerFrank]

Love the thinking here even if proven later to be entirely under the influence. Happy New Year Rangers fans!

[Gravesy]

1) The Rangers will bumble on and be in and around the playoff spots as the deadline approaches.

 

2) They will convince themselves Pat Kane is the answer. They’ll over pay to get him, including a cost controlled young piece. This will unquestionably come back to kick them right in the cunt down the line, as said young piece turns out to be fucking good whereas Kane is playing golf/somewhere else.

 

3) Kane slots in on Panarin’s line, and everyone will be jerking themselves silly as that line puts up a ridiculous amount of regular season points to push the Rangers into the playoffs.

 

4) That line will be able to get out of their own zone a grand total of 4 times as the Rangers pond hockey boys meekly surrender 4-1 to whichever actual hockey team they face in the 1st round.

 

Happy new year!

[siddious]

54 minutes ago, Gravesy said:

1) The Rangers will bumble on and be in and around the playoff spots as the deadline approaches.

 

2) They will convince themselves Pat Kane is the answer. They’ll over pay to get him, including a cost controlled young piece. This will unquestionably come back to kick them right in the cunt down the line, as said young piece turns out to be fucking good whereas Kane is playing golf/somewhere else.

 

3) Kane slots in on Panarin’s line, and everyone will be jerking themselves silly as that line puts up a ridiculous amount of regular season points to push the Rangers into the playoffs.

 

4) That line will be able to get out of their own zone a grand total of 4 times as the Rangers pond hockey boys meekly surrender 4-1 to whichever actual hockey team they face in the 1st round.

 

Happy new year!

I think this is highly likely. 

[fletch]

1.  The Rangers will acquire Patrick Kane before the trade deadline passes.  I don't think this is a bold prediction or inevitable.  I think Hawks will choose to move Kane (and Kane will wave no movement clause), and Rangers are one of the more likely destinations.  But see

https://www.nhltraderumors.me/2022/12/report-huge-development-in-toewskane.html#:~:text=Both Toews and Kane have full no-movement clauses,remaining money for the rest of the season.

 

https://blackhawkup.com/2021/01/23/chicago-blackhawks-patrick-kane-trade/

 

2.  The Rangers will win their first game after acquiring Kane, then suck for a week or two while everyone gets used to the lineup changes.

 

3.  GG will have to do some lineup juggling.  Least bold prediction: some folks posting on BSBH will be unhappy with line changes.     I happen to like Laf, Chytil, and Kakko together, so will be personally infuriated when GG experiments with different combos with those three on different lines.  

 

4.  The Rangers end up with the 3rd seed in the Metro, and face Pittsburgh in Round 1.  I like this matchup, so see the Rangers advancing.  If the Rangers make the playoffs and get the Hurricanes in Round 1, I see them getting bounced.  Rangers are so inconsistent, and as always in the playoffs, matchups really matter in the first round or two to see who gets to the ECF and WCF.  Some stellar goaltending from Shesterkin and puck luck would sure be nice.

 

5.  Rangers get bounced out of the playoffs in round 2.  Other than Penguins,  I don't like many of the matchups in the East.  I hope I'm wrong and the Rangers win the Stanley Cup.

 

5.  Maple Leafs finally win a playoff round, and make it to at least the ECF.  

 

6.  A team from Canada wins the Stanley Cup.  Since this hasn't happened since 1993 with the Canadiens, this feels past due.