New York Rangers’ Internal Search for Toughness: Will It Succeed?

The New York Rangers have officially moved away from their past “tough guy” acquisitions and are now embarking on an internal quest to boost toughness within their team. But will this approach pay off?

For years, the Rangers have struggled with the concept of “toughness,” particularly after the infamous 2018-19 season incident when Tom Wilson and the Washington Capitals overpowered Artemi Panarin, Pavel Buchnevich, and others. Since then, the Rangers have tried to address this issue by bringing in players like Sammy Blais, Ryan Reaves, and Barclay Goodrow. However, none of these moves had lasting success, and all those players have since left the team.

A Shift in Strategy

Now, instead of looking outside the organization, the Rangers’ management, led by Chris Drury, has decided to search internally for players who can embody toughness without sacrificing skill. This marks a significant shift in their approach, as they are aiming to cultivate this quality within their own ranks.

The Evolving Definition of Toughness

In modern hockey, toughness isn’t just about physical fights and bruised faces like in the past. Today’s toughness combines physicality with skill, discipline, and determination. Teams like the Florida Panthers exemplify this balance, blending elite talent with fearless, aggressive play. The Rangers are now trying to build a similar model but tailored to their strengths.

Finding Toughness Within

Chris Drury’s decision to release Goodrow was a strategic one, clearing the way for younger, more cost-effective players to step up. Prospects like Matt Rempe, who brings both size and speed, are seen as potential assets in this new approach. If Rempe can harness his raw physical abilities and stay disciplined, he could have a greater impact than previous tough players like Reaves and Blais.

But the Rangers know that toughness can’t rely on just one player. They need contributions from several team members. In past playoff performances, players like Chris Kreider, Vincent Trocheck, and Alexis Lafreniere demonstrated the right blend of skill and physicality, traits the team needs to replicate across the roster.

A Promising Pipeline

The Rangers also have promising young talent in the pipeline. Will Cuylle, Rempe, and Adam Edstrom all showed potential at the NHL level, and Cuylle, in particular, has room for growth after a strong rookie season. Edstrom’s forechecking abilities make him another viable option for a fourth-line role, adding both size and grit.

Other prospects like Brennan Othmann and Brett Berard bring offensive talent alongside tenacity. Othmann’s junior career has shown flashes of brilliance, while Berard was one of the top scorers for the Hartford Wolf Pack. Both could see significant NHL time this year, adding more depth to the Rangers’ toughness strategy.

Building a Tough Defensive Core

On the defensive side, players like Braden Schneider and K’Andre Miller already bring physical presence, with reinforcements like E.J. Emery expected to add to the blue line’s toughness in the future. Led by star defenseman Adam Fox, the Rangers are assembling a well-rounded, gritty defense to complement their forward group.

Conclusion

The Rangers’ previous attempts to add toughness through trades and free agency haven’t yielded lasting results. Now, they are focused on developing this quality internally, and they have a promising group of young, cost-controlled players who can contribute to their bottom six. However, success is not guaranteed. If players like Matt Rempe, Will Cuylle, and others fail to perform, the Rangers may have to reconsider their strategy. But for now, the pieces are in place, and the team has a real shot at building something strong from within.

Source: https://lastwordonsports.com/hockey/2024/09/12/the-new-york-rangers-seek-toughness/