Thoughts on the Rangers powerplay changes

"Now with Chris Kreider gone, a need to get Alexis Lafreniere PP1 time, and a need to load balance a bit better, head coach Mike Sullivan is implementing a few Rangers powerplay changes, and most are for the better. 1. It's not that Rangers powerplay changes were always in the works. They became a necessity with Kreider gone, JT Miller in the mix, a need to get Lafreniere on that"

"top unit, among other smaller things that crept up. Last year's issues that resulted in a bottom-five unit were, to me, a blip that wasn't going to repeat itself. Even running back the exact same unit with Kreider would likely have netted at least top-15 powerplay results, which is passable, but probably closer to top-10 results. That said, the time for Rangers powerplay changes has come."

"2. First and foremost, getting Lafreniere powerplay time is critical. The question is where. He's likely best on his off-wing, as net-front isn't his style and while he'd be a good bumper, it's rare to see a lefty in that role and even rarer to see a younger kid in that role. Inserting Laf on his off-wing alongside one of Mika Zibanejad or Artemi Panarin gives the Rangers a secondary one-timer"

"option, something they've lacked but haven't necessarily needed since they were, for the most part, firing on all cylinders until last season. 3. It's likely the Rangers powerplay changes wind up shifting Panarin and Zibanejad to the other off-wing, with the other serving as the bumper. Both are fine in either role, and honestly it would make more sense to have them continually rotate to keep penalty killers moving"

The Rangers maintained nearly identical power-play personnel for five years, with only Ryan Strome replaced by Vincent Trocheck. Chris Kreider's departure, JT Miller's presence, and the need to integrate Alexis Lafreniere into PP1 made personnel changes necessary. Lafreniere projects best on his off-wing to provide a secondary one-timer rather than at the net front or as the bumper. Shifting Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad between the off-wing and the bumper role keeps penalty killers guessing. JT Miller or Vincent Trocheck can occupy the net-front position while Adam Fox remains the point man. These adjustments aim to improve a unit that regressed last season.

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