“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” I hum to myself as I type this out to you. It’s finally here, the moment we’ve all been waiting for since last June’s devastating upset. Watching the New York Rangers finally reach the Stanley Cup Finals, only to be bested by the Los Angeles Kings was brutally heartbreaking. The fresh start this season offers to not only the team, but the hardcore fans as well, is extremely welcome and eagerly awaited.
Along with the fresh start the Broadway Blueshirts have a slew of new players this year who, based on their preseason performances, seem overjoyed to prove themselves worthy of this historic franchise. It’s not just the newcomers who are bringing their prowess to the ice, however – some of the Rangers’ already known and loved players are showing they have what it takes to bring the team all the way this year. Let’s take a look at some of the faces we’re expecting to see tonight, and how I think they’ll help the team.
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Anthony Duclair –
It simply wouldn’t be possible to talk about the freshest faces of the New York Rangers without mentioning leftwing Anthony Duclair. At the ripe young age of 19, Duclair, nicknamed the Duke, impressed head coach Alain Vigneault so much that he made tonight’s opening night roster, playing on the third line aside J.T. Miller and Lee Stempniak.
Prior to playing with the Rangers, Duclair had 50 goals and 99 points in 59 games in the Quebec Juniors last year. In this year’s preseason, Duclair had a total of 3 goals, 2 assists, and 10 shots. He will be the first player to wear the number 63 on the Rangers’ roster. At such a tender young age, it’s hard not to be excited to watch Duclair grow during his NHL career, and hope he’ll be just the right ingredient to bring the Rangers to the Cup once again.
Photo Credit: Adam Hunger/USA TODAY Sport
Martin St. Louis –
Last year’s mid season newbie on the New York Rangers is set to return this year with a nice “A” on his chest. St. Louis, whose story was heralded all over New York, came to the franchise in January, and made his mark known. After his mother passed away in May, St. Louis chose to soldier on and play in the games immediately following her death; on Mother’s Day, mere days after her passing, St. Louis scored a goal and sent a collective shiver down the backs of every fan in New York.
Last year, St. Louis had 1 goal and 7 assists in 19 games played. With an average of 18:30 time on ice per game, this rightwinger is looking to prove that his career with the New York Rangers is only just beginning.
Photo Credit: Jay LaPrete/AP
Lee Stempniak –
One of the New York Rangers’ off-season acquisitions, this rightwinger is all set to prove he has what it takes to make it in New York’s storied franchise. Last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Stempniak had 4 goals and 7 assists in 21 games played. Currently playing on the third line with Duclair and J.T. Miller, he’ll have the necessary talent around him to shine.
Don’t mind the picture of Stempniak in his former Penguins’ gear. It’s too soon to have a good shot of him in his Rangers’ uniform, but be sure to look for number 12 on the ice tonight.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Henrik Lundqvist –
It’s impossible to have any list of the New York Rangers that doesn’t include our powerhouse goaltender, Henrik Lundqvist. In the second year of his 8 year contract extension, Lundqvist is definitely hungry to get the Stanley Cup that was within his grasp only a few months ago.
Lundqvist had 33 wins and 24 loses in a total of 63 games played. Typically the face of the New York Rangers, it is well known in the world of hockey that Hank is looking for a specific piece of hardware to add to his collection. Will this year be the year he does it? We all hope so.
