Stat Hockey’s New York Rangers 2023-24 Line Projections

This is a look at the New York Rangers 2023-24 line projections. It will cover all forward lines, defense pairings, goaltenders, and scratches.

Projected Lineup

F

Chris Kreider – Mika Zibanejad – Kaapo Kakko

Artemi Panarin – Vincent Trocheck – Blake Wheeler

Barclay Goodrow – Filip Chytil – Alexis Lafreniere

Jimmy Vesey – Nick Bonino – Tyler Pitlick

S- Alex Belzile, Jake Leschyshyn

D

Ryan Lindgren – Adam Fox

K’Andre Miller – Jacob Trouba

Erik Gustafsson – Brayden Schneider

S- Zachary Jones

G

Igor Shesterkin

Jonathan Quick

Forwards

It’s not surprising that the Rangers are very likely spreading out the talent over the top two lines again. Kakko has shown a good deal of progress, so he once again gets his opportunity on the top line beside Zibanejad and Kreider. Zibanejad may very well be the star of the forward group and is a very good centerman. As for Kreider, he’s not going to come close to 50 goals again, but works hard and gets in the right areas.

To spread the wealth, Panarin will once again line up on the second line with Trocheck. This is a productive duo and they get some easier matchups. On the other wing should be Wheeler to start. He will be a good and interesting addition to this top-six. His leadership and talent is still impressive. I think his presence and Lafreniere’s usage on the right side sets the passing of the torch up perfectly by next season.

Lafreniere can’t be used in the bottom-six for much longer if the Rangers want him to turn into the player they hope. At points this season I can see him sliding up in the lineup to test him out on line two. He does have solid chemistry with Chytil, so the third line can be productive if everything comes together for long periods of time. Their linemate should be Goodrow to provide value on the defensive side of the game. I wouldn’t be surprised if Vesey gets moved up though.

The fourth line for the Rangers will be nothing special. Vesey will provide some good stuff if he’s there, but along with Bonino and Pitlick, they won’t play a ton. The cap is what forced the Rangers’ bottom of the lineup to look this way.

Defense

The defense of the Rangers will be very good this season once again. There’s no discrepancy as to who the third pairing LD is as Gustafsson was brought in. Jones will still have a chance as the Rangers risk losing him on waivers if he doesn’t make the team. Schneider doesn’t have room to move up just yet, but he’ll continue to progress on the third pairing for now.

Fox is one of the best defensemen in the game and can do it at both ends of the ice. Paired with Lindgren again, they are an elite duo. Fox is counted on for a ton of offense while Lindgren is one of the best shutdown defenders in the NHL.

Related: Stat Hockey’s New York Islanders 2023-24 Line Projections

From a smaller pairing to a massive duo, Trouba and Miller are a force to be reckoned with. They are physical and shut everything down while being able to chip in offensively. This is one of the best second line pairings in the NHL and the ceiling is higher than last season.

Goaltending

If the Rangers can get a bit of a bounce back from Shesterkin this season, they are in a great spot. He struggled a bit by his standards, but still provided a lot of games and kept the team in it. If 37 wins and a .916 SV% is a down season, the Rangers are set up very nicely. Quick is also hoping to continue to shake off his season with the Kings. He played much better in Vegas, but will have a good opportunity in New York to bounce back himself.