Three years ago, the New York Rangers lost to the Los Angeles Kings in the Stanley Cup Finals, four games to one. Two seasons ago, the New York Rangers lost in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Tampa Bay Lightning, four games to three. The 2015-16 season continued to be a downward spiral for the “Blueshirts;” they lost in the first round to the Pittsburgh Penguins four games to one.
They say you can’t rebuild a sports franchise in New York City, but that is exactly what the team that plays hockey in Madison Square Garden is doing, and I like it. The Rangers just signed 23-year-old free agent Jimmy Vesey; the former Hobey Baker award winner (the annual award given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s ice hockey player) has agreed to a two-year deal with a cap hit of $925,000.
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There were plenty of serious suitors for the talented winger; among them were the Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins and defending Cup champion Penguins. Many experts thought Vesey would sign with his hometown team in Boston, but the Rangers won him over. The Harvard standout finished his college career with 80 goals and 144 assists in 128 games. The scouting report on Vesey is off the charts. He is 6-foot-2, about 205 lbs, and will only get stronger. He has the ability to play in traffic and in front of the net. He can grind in the corners, and handles the puck very well. He will certainly be a great addition to the Rangers power play.
Rangers fans were definitely left depressed after the way the season ended last year, and with a few older players on the roster, I wasn’t sure about the direction the team was headed. With the Vesey signing, the Rangers are built to win now and for the future. He joins a young nucleus with Chris Kreider (25 years old), Kevin Hayes (24 years old) and captain Ryan McDonagh ( 27 years old) as building blocks for the team’s future.
The Rangers are taking a different approach to their team. This new style is something that has worked with most successful organizations in any sport; they are building with youth and letting their players grow, evolve and learn on the job. I love this signing and the path they are now on. Excitement and optimism will be back in the Garden with an eye on the future. The Yankees just did this with their team as well. They traded away older veterans and fans started going to the ballpark to support the younger team. I expect the same thing to happen with Rangers fans. It’s a great deal for the team and I wouldn’t be surprised if Vesey becomes an All-Star.
For more from Monte Perez, follow The Sports Whisperer on Twitter @Montetjwitter11.
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