The New York Rangers’ bottom-six forwards group took a big hit when Filip Chytil missed all but 10 regular season games with a suspected concussion last season. Now that the young center is healthy and the team also has a lot of gritty forwards and some prospects who could contribute in the NHL next season, head coach Peter Laviolette will have to make some tough choices about who he decides to play on the third and fourth lines.
The Rangers’ Third Line
Chytil missed almost the entire 2023-24 campaign but played well as the Rangers’ third-line center in 2022-23 and finished with career-highs in both goals (22) and assists (23.) Young winger Kaapo Kakko also missed extended time last season due to a lower-body injury. He struggled when he got an opportunity on the top line to begin last season but did a nice job on the third line and finished with 13 goals and six assists in 61 games.
Both Chytil and Kakko are likely candidates to play on the third line and have chemistry playing together. Chytil provides speed and offensive skill, while Kakko is reliable defensively and very strong on the puck. Unfortunately, both have been injury prone but if they can stay healthy, they can be big contributors on that line.
Related: Rangers’ Filip Chytil Faces Career-Defining Season
Laviolette has a few options for the third spot on the Rangers’ third line. Brennan Othmann, one of the team’s top prospects and their first-round pick in 2021 could play on the line if he makes the opening-night lineup. The 21-year-old has a combination of skill and grit and he had 21 goals and 28 assists in 67 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL) last season.
If the Rangers decide to put Othmann in the AHL to start the season, Will Cuylle could get a shot on the third line. The 22-year-old winger had 13 goals and eight assists in 81 games as a rookie last season and led the team in hits with 249. He plays with physicality, drives hard to the net, and is also a good skater.
The Rangers’ Fourth Line
This offseason, the Rangers lost one of their fourth liners as they waived Barclay Goodrow to free up cap space and the San Jose Sharks claimed him. Winger Jimmy Vesey has one more season remaining on his contract, had 13 goals and 13 assists in 80 games last season, and has established himself as one of the team’s key penalty killers. He will likely get a shot in the lineup to start the season. Cuylle may…
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