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theScore will be giving out fantasy report cards discussing the fantasy value of key players on each of the 30 teams. This edition focuses on the New York Rangers.
ANA | ARI | BOS | BUF | CGY | CAR | CHI | COL | CLB | DAL | DET | EDM | FLA| LA | MIN | MTL | NAS | NJ | NYI | NYR | OTT | PHI | PIT | SJ | STL | TB | TOR | VAN | WAS | WPG
G Henrik Lundqvist
Lundqvist was showing signs of decline in the early portion of the season. There was even a time when Antti Raanta's strong play resulted in the backup seeing regular playing time. He started four straight games in mid-December while Lundqvist was struggling, but the future Hall-of-Famer has bounced back. He has been unspectacular, but good enough for a high pick. Grade: B
LW/RW Rick Nash
Nash is well on his way to a bounce-back season after a disappointing 2015-16 campaign. He has almost matched his goal total from last year, despite playing in nearly half of the games. The 32-year-old is playing a career-low in minutes, but it might be best for the long run considering his injury history. He isn't racking up the points, but he is finding twine with regularity. Grade: B+
C/LW/RW J.T. Miller
Though he has slowed up a bit of late, Miller is on pace for a breakout season. His is one of the few players with C/LW/RW eligibility on the majority of sites. He also isn't afraid to lay hits or block shots, giving him added value in banger leagues. Grade: A-
LW Chris Kreider
Kreider's rare combination of speed, physicality and an ability to finish has made him a prime breakout candidate on a yearly basis. These projections are finally coming to fruition this season. After back-to-back 21-goal campaigns, Kreider has a chance at his first 30-goal season He will need a big second half, but playing a career high in minutes makes it possible. Grade: B+
RW Mats Zuccarello
Zuccarello is such a crafty player. His two-way game is a major reason why he plays more minutes than any other Rangers forward. Expect another season of 50-60 points. Grade: B
C/RW Kevin Hayes
Hayes' high shooting percentage would indicate regression is coming, but it's hard to be angry with his production thus far. He was likely an early season waiver-wire pickup or a late-round pick. The 24-year-old is well on his way to shattering numerous career highs. Grade: A-
LW/RW Michael Grabner
Grabner is one of the fastest players in the entire league. He has been a very frustrating player to watch over the last few years because he probably gets more breakaways than anyone in the league not named Connor McDavid, yet routinely fails to capitalize on these chances. He had 12 goals in the first 20 games of the season, which is more than what many expected all year. Grade: B
C Derek Stepan
While most Rangers started strong and have scuffled a bit lately, Stepan has been the opposite. He has been their most consistent offensive player in the month of December and has a chance at surpassing his career high of 57 points. His lack of statistical and positional versatility lowers his fantasy value, however. Grade: B-
D Ryan McDonagh
McDonagh is on pace to crush his career high in assists. The same would be said for his point total if he were to start getting a bit of puck luck; his shooting percentage is one of the lowest in the league. He plays big time minutes and adequately fills the shots, hits and blocks categories. Grade: B-
Player to watch - LW Jimmy Vesey
Vesey has enjoyed a solid rookie campaign so far, but there's reason to believe it could be even better. According to Corsica.Hockey, Vesey has one of the lowest Avg.DIST (average shot distance) and is among the league leaders in iSCF60 (individual scoring chances for per 60 minutes) at 5v5. Get him on your roster.
