NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Head coach Peter Laviolette of the New York Rangers speaks with the media prior to the game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on April 13, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Breaking News: After Hurricanes Beat the Rangers 4-2″ Peter Philip Laviolette Jr Planning Something Huge….
Team chemistry is vital when looking to add players ahead of the NHL trade deadline, especially for a top team hoping for a big push in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Through seven games this postseason, it appears the Rangers nailed the moves they made this season before the deadline.
After chasing big names in 2023, trading for Vladamir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane, and then flaming out in the first round of the playoffs, losing in seven games to the New Jersey Devils, the Rangers reverted to their 2022 trade-deadline strategy. Simply, that was to find the best fits, if not the biggest names.
The Rangers acquired third-line center Alex Wennberg from the Seattle Kraken and forward Jack Roslovic from the Columbus Blue Jackets ahead of this year’s deadline.
Chris Drury’s approach this go-round was similar to 2022, when the Rangers went out and acquired Andrew Copp, Frank Vatrano, Tyler Motte, and Justin Braun. Not the sexiest names available, but each played a role in New York’s run to the 2022 Eastern Conference Final.
Now, the Rangers are one win from reaching the conference final again, off to a 7-0 start in the postseason. And Roslovic and Wennberg have settled nicely into their roles, with each playing a key part in New York’s postseason success to date.
It took time for Roslovic to find his footing on the first line with Mika Zibenajad and Chris Kreider. He had eight points (three goals, five assists) in 19 regular-season games and was scratched for one contest. But Roslovic has been mostly solid in the playoffs.
Roslovic has three even-strength assists in seven playoff games, and has scored two goals on the second power-play unit. His power-play snipe in Game 2 of the first-round sweep against the Washington Capitals was a thing of beauty, not to mention his first playoff goal in 22 career postseason games.
Roslovic has helped Zibenajad play his best hockey of the season during the postseason. And Roslovic’s speed has much to do with that, generating chances for his linemates and himself, as he did during each of the two overtimes in Game 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Alex Wennberg is glue to third line for Rangers
The top six must produce for any team to go deep into the playoffs. The Rangers stars have risen to the occasion, and their third line has been an excellent shutdown unit. Up until Game 3 against the Hurricanes, Wennberg, Will Cuylle and Kaapo Kakko consistently controlled possession in the offensive zone and worked an effective cycle game in the playoffs.
