Checking in on the New York Rangers

As the 2023 PFHL season nears the quarter pole let’s have a look at the goings on in the Rangers organization. Heading into the season there were plenty of questions surrounding the rebuilding Rangers squad. Conversely the Wolf Pack was gearing up for a big season with plenty of high expectations.



The elephant in the room has to be the Brayden Point situation. Last season’s trade request didn’t bear any fruit and the team is back to square one this year. There are rumblings that the team and player still have the understanding that a deal to a contender will be explored. To Point’s credit he has focused his energy to the ice and is playing at an all-star level yet again. Expect a resolution to this situation later in the season.



Many pundits, along with GM Richter, viewed the Rangers as fighting for a lottery draft pick this season. As it turns out Brayden Point and his line mates Joel Farabee and Oliver Wahlstrom were not going to roll over that easily. The trio have been dragging the team along to a 12-6-1 record eclipsing expectations. Solid contributions from the likes of Trevor Zegras, Victor Mete, and goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen have also helped prop this team up thus far. As the team inevitably comes back down to earth GM Richter will be presented with a conundrum – bolster the team and fight for a playoff slot and added revenue or continue re-tooling and reap the benefit of a higher draft pick. Suffice to say this isn’t exactly where the team thought they’d be this season.



Down on the farm the Wolf Pack is providing less drama and more optimism. The goal heading into the year was making the playoffs and continuing player development. Like the big club the Pack have amassed a 12-6-1 record which is currently good for 5th in the eastern conference. As the year rolls on GM Richter will be bolstering the squad looking for a higher playoff seeding.



The most pleasant surprise of this farm season has to be Mason McTavish. The high draft pick has come in and dominated the first line center spot for the Wolf Pack. He sports a stat line of 19gp, 16-20-36pts, +10, with only 2 pim’s. The sky seems to be the limit for this young man. Other notable performances are being turned in by Peyton Krebs and Ronald Attard. Both players have taken solid strides from last year and are key cogs.



A shortcoming of last year’s Wolf Pack squad was defensive depth and overall skill level. This current group is certainly improved and led by the previously mentioned Attard. Besides Attard, we are seeing solid performances by veterans Holden and Oesterle along with youngsters Bolduc and Harley. Every player in the defensive corps has a positive +/- stat. And speaking of the prized free agent addition Thomas Harley. Although he has put up a very respectable stat line he's expected to take a major leap forward in his development this coming off season.