Rangers should not lack a new captain, and here's who should step up to the position
As the New York Rangers prepare for their upcoming season, incoming head coach Mike Sullivan faces a series of critical decisions at training camp. The focus of these decisions revolves around optimizing leadership, confidence, and defensive balance within the team's salary cap constraints.
Mika Zibanejad's Position
One of the key aspects under consideration is the position of Mika Zibanejad, a player who will face significant decisions regarding his role. Sullivan may choose to utilise Zibanejad not only as a centre but also in a leadership capacity, potentially even as a candidate for team captain. Zibanejad is seen as a potential captain vote recipient, with the aim of rekindling his confidence. However, Sullivan is leaning towards naming a centre as captain, reflecting his familiarity from his Pittsburgh tenure. The final decision on Zibanejad's exact role will be tied to leadership dynamics, with J.T. Miller, Vincent Trocheck, and Adam Fox being other strong candidates[4].
Braden Schneider's Defense Pairing
In terms of defense pairings, the Rangers have made some significant moves. Vladislav Gavrikov, a seasoned defenseman, is expected to immediately slot onto the top defensive pair alongside Adam Fox. Braden Schneider, currently paired with Urho Vaakanainen on a lower defensive pairing, faces a potential shift. Sullivan may decide to move Schneider to his off-side on the second pair, or he may choose to keep him on the third defense tandem, given that Schneider is a natural righty[1].
The challenge for Sullivan is to develop Schneider’s pairing so it can support the team’s defensive weaknesses while staying within existing salary cap limits that prevent major roster changes[2][5].
In conclusion, Mike Sullivan’s early camp decisions about Zibanejad’s positioning and Schneider’s defensive role will be pivotal for balancing leadership, player confidence, and defensive stability on a team restricted by cap limitations but rich in talent[1][2]. These decisions, considered the most critical for the upcoming training camp, will shape the Rangers' season ahead.
[1] New York Post [2] ESPN [3] The Athletic [4] Daily News [5] NHL.com
Mika Zibanejad's role could extend beyond his position as a center, as Coach Mike Sullivan ponders utilizing him as a candidate for team captain to rekindle his confidence. In the defense department, Braden Schneider's pairing may undergo a shift to address the team's defensive weaknesses while still adhering to the salary cap limits.
