The New York Rangers enter Year One of their rebuild surrounded by optimism. They have a new coach, with David Quinn’s hands-on style already earning rave reviews. After going years without a first-round pick, the Rangers picked five times over the past two years, stockpiling high-end skill players like Filip Chytil, Vitali Kravtsov, and Lias Andersson.
Two of those five first-rounders—Chytil and Andersson—have been among the most impressive Rangers during the preseason.
Chytil has shown his explosive talent, utilizing his speed, size, and hands to slice through the neutral zone. Andersson’s two-way game was impressive, especially on the penalty kill (where he stripped reigning MVP Taylor Hall of the puck and scored a gorgeous shorthanded breakaway goal).