When the New York Rangers lost winger Carl Hagelin due to cap space, the team and their fans wondered how they were going to find someone with the same grit and speed as him. Thankfully, their prayers were answered when they signed 29-year-old Austrian forward Michael Grabner, and he has been a driving force for this club.
Grabner is making incredible noise, playing on coach Alain Vigneault’s fourth line and contributing more than anyone could have ever expected. He has an outstanding twenty five goals this season; surpassing his total of just nine from last year with the New York Islanders. Many Rangers fans are praising GM Jeff Gorton for picking up Grabner at such a steal last summer.
After scoring two goals in Tuesday night’s victory over the Anaheim Ducks, reporters asked him what his secret to being so successful is and he simply replied “Miller”, referring to his linemate and center, J.T. Miller. Some fans are even referring to him as “The Islander That Got Away”, an appropriate nod considering how well he is fitting in with the Blueshirts.
We still have exactly two months left of the regular season, and with the way Grabner is playing and contributing to his team, don’t be surprised if he hits 30 goals this season and perhaps receives an NHL Award nomination this summer.
