Dobber's offseason fantasy hockey grades – New York Rangers

For the last 14 years (12 with The Hockey News) Dobber has reviewed each team from a fantasy-hockey standpoint and graded them.

This year, due to Dobber’s battle with cancer, he recruited Cam Robinson (of Frozen Pool Forensics fame) to pinch hit. The 15th annual review will appear here on DobberHockey throughout the summer. This is not a review of the likely performance on the ice or in the standings, but in the realm of fantasy hockey.

Enjoy!

Gone – Derek Stepan, Antti Raanta, Oscar Lindberg, Dan Girardi, Kevin Klein, Brandon Pirri, Adam Clendening, Magnus Hellberg, Chris Brown, Michael Paliotta, Chris Summers, Marek Hrivik

Incoming – Kevin Shattenkirk, Anthony DeAngelo, David Desharnais, Ondrej Pavalec, Neal Pionk, Alexei Bereglazov, Dawnson Leedahl, Paul Carey, Cole Schneider, Alexander Georgiev

Impact of changes – Swapping long-time Ranger and front line pivot Derek Stepan for a pick and a prospect was a bold move for a team amid their cup-competing window. Obviously, management was concerned with Stepan’s price tag and likelihood of diminishing returns. But no matter how you cut it, the team is clearly weaker down the middle now. Desharnais will help in that area while Ondrej Pavalec represents a likely downgrade at the back-up goaltending positon if he were to play as he had with the Jets for the last several campaigns. The marque acquisition of Kevin Shattenkirk on a very palatable contract is a win if only for the fact that finally, Ryan McDonagh will have a capable defense partner. Shattenkirk should be expected to produce at the 50-point pace he’s hovered at recently despite not having the same level of offensive talent in New York as he’s enjoyed in previous stops. DeAngelo arrives having displayed tremendous offensive upside at the junior and AHL levels but still needs significant improvement in his own end, something head coach Alain Vigneault will demand.

Ready for full-time – Offensively, Anthony DeAngelo is ready for full-time duty in the NHL. Defensively, he’s not. It’ll be interesting to see where the puck-moving, quick-skating right-shot defender slots into the depth chart at the end of camp. He has another fresh start with his third franchise and with just Kevin Shattenkirk clearly ahead of him on the right side, he’s got a legitimate shot at sticking with the squad. Read more on DeAngelo here.

Fantasy Outlook –This team is built around a core that’s right in the midst or just past its prime. Henrik Lundqvist and Rick Nash are on the wrong side of 30, but Kevin Shattenkirk and Ryan McDonagh have plenty of gas left in the tank to anchor the back end while Kevin Hayes, JT Miller and Mika Zibanejad are all blossoming into 60-point threats up front.  The Rangers also own some nice young players who look ready to step up in Jimmy Vesey, Pavel Buchnevich and Brady Skjei. The addition of onetime first-rounder DeAngelo – who has loads of offensive upside but well-documented baggage is good for the future of the backend, but this team should be expected to revolve around veterans and be expected to score near the 250-goal level as they did a year ago.  They lack a dynamic scorer but own a handful of capable fantasy assets.

Fantasy Grade: B (Last year: B)

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