The New York Rangers had
tremendous success during the 2010-11 season incorporating rookies into their
lineup and having those players perform at a very high level. It is rare that a team can have significant
contributions from three or four rookies in a season and still be a very
competitive overall. New York had that
last season with Derek Stepan and Michael Sauer performing at very high levels
for the entire season, while Ryan McDonagh and Mats Zuccarello also played well
in their split seasons between the AHL and NHL.
After a season like that it
would be understandable for an organization to lack talented players to step in
as rookies the following season. The
Rangers do not have that problem and over the course of the next week we are
going to look at some of the rookies that have a chance to make an impact on
the Rangers during the 2011-12 season, whether it be in full or partial season duty. First on the list of potential rookies to
look at is LW Carl Hagelin.
Hagelin is coming off a
tremendous senior season at Michigan where he had 18 goals and 31 assists in 44
games to top his stellar Wolverine career.
The transition from college hockey to professional hockey is one that
happens at different rates for different players. A player like Derek Stepan was able to step
in immediately at the NHL level, while Ryan McDonagh needed a half season in
the minors to be ready. Others never
make the transition at all.
Hagelin has the ability to make
the transition as he has an all-around game, high hockey IQ and great speed
which combine to make him especially dangerous on the penalty kill. This issue for Hagelin, at least to start the
season, might not have anything to do with him or how well he performs in
training camp, but the sheer numbers game in terms of the roster. Being a first year professional Hagelin is
not subject to waivers which makes sending him down and easier move than
potentially losing another player to waivers.
Beyond that it is likely that he would not be ready to step in
immediately and would be on a timetable like McDonagh or even Mats Zuccarello
where they go to the minors to start the season, play major minutes while
adjusting to the pro game and get a chance to show they belong in the NHL
around mid-season.
While deemed mainly a third or fourth line type player, the
all-around game that Hagelin brings to the ice will make him a valuable Ranger
for years to come. That said, his chances of him following in the path of Stepan,
Sauer or McDonagh in terms of that kind of impact for this season are limited
at best. However, an excellent showing at Traverse City and full training camp along with one or two roster changes to the existing forwards and Hagelin could get his shot from day 1 to show what he has.
