Welcome to the 2015 – 2016 Season Primers where I will be covering the Metro Divison, sans Carolina and Columbus.
This past off season saw a change in guard as Glen Sather stepped aside as the team’s General Manager, 
allowing former assistant GM Jeff Gorton to step into the role. Scoring 113 points as a team, the Rangers won last years President’s trophy and ended up going all the way to the Eastern Conference finals where they lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The team will look to break through this season and make a run for Lord Stanley’s mug.
Notable additions: LW Viktor Stalberg, RW Emerson Etem, C Jarret Stoll
Notable departures: LW Carl Hagelin, LW James Sheppard
The additions of Stalberg and Etem will certainly help the Rangers moving forward. Stalberg signed a one-year, $1.1 million contract after being bought out by the Nashville Predators. Prior to landing in Nashville, he was a very strong possession player seeing 3rd line minutes. His career points per 60 sits around 1.75, so the Rangers will certainly be looking for him to contribute some more scoring depth on the roster.
LW C RW
Rick Nash (7.800) – Derick Brassard (5.000) – Mats Zuccarello (4.500)
Chris Kreider (2.475) – Derek Stepan (6.500) – J.T. Miller (0.874)
Emerson Etem (0.850) – Kevin Hayes (0.900) – Jesper Fast (0.950)
Oscar Lindberg (0.650) – Dominic Moore (1.500) – Jarret Stoll (0.800)
Viktor Stalberg (1.100)
LD RD
Ryan McDonagh (4.700) – Dan Girardi (5.500)
Marc Staal (5.700) – Dan Boyle (4.500)
Keith Yandle (2.625) – Kevin Klein (2.900)
Dylan McIlrath (0.600)
G
Henrik Lundqvist (8.500)
Antti Raanta (0.750)
In order for the New York Rangers to see success this season, the team needs to overcome themselves. Last season, they seemed to have shot themselves in the foot against the Tampa Bay Lightning losing Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals 2-0. There is no denying they have one of the best teams in the league. Guys like Ryan McDonagh, Rick Nash, Henrik Lundqvist and Keith Yandle are amongst the best of their respective positions so it is time for Head Coach Alain Vigneault to get the most out of their players.
I expect the Rangers to be at the top of the league, and competing for the another chance to win the Stanley Cup.
