The New York Rangers have been on a roll this season. Sitting atop the Metropolitan Division with a six-point cushion and third in the league standings, there's not much to complain about. Rangers head coach, Peter Laviolette, has impressed a quarter into the season and has made names of unsung heroes.
After a disappointing first-round exit last season to the New Jersey Devils, there was a lot of blame to pass around. Artemi Panarin wasn't producing. Patrick Kane disappeared. The "kid line" lost its juice. Besides Igor Shesterkin, there was no spark in the lineup. This season has been different.
Names such as Jonny Brodzinski, Jonathan Quick, Erik Gustafsson, and Jimmy Vesey have exceeded expectations thus far. After the Rangers' 5-2 win versus the Anaheim Ducks on Friday, it looks like there's another name to add to the list.
Adam Edstrom made his NHL debut in the absence of Nick Bonino. There wasn't the traditional rookie lap for Edstrom that rookies make in their first NHL game since he was put in the lineup following warmups. In his nine minutes played, he was impressive.
Edstrom is a hard guy to miss with his six-foot-eight frame. He showed his puck control, passing skill, and even a spin-o-rama move on a defender. Watching his game gave flashbacks to former Rangers centers, Brian Boyle and Kevin Hayes. Boyle and Hayes are both immensely tall and they carried enough skill to produce on both sides of the ice.
Also, he meshed nicely with his linemates on the third line, Will Cuylle and Brodzinski. He netted his first NHL goal with three seconds left in the game. Combining Cuylle's and Edstrom's physicality with Brodzinski's speed and puck skill makes a solid third line. It makes a case for Edstrom replacing Bonino.
Bonino is a valuable asset to keep on the team as he was brought on as a defensive workhorse similar to Barclays Goodrow. However, Edstrom shows more offensive upside. Down the line, splitting Bonino's and Edstrom's games wouldn't be a bad idea.
After being a healthy scratch in a 2-1 OT win against the Boston Bruins, the Rangers sent Edstrom down to the Hartford Wolf Pack in the AHL. In his first game back in Hartford, Edstrom scored a goal.
Down the line, Filip Chytil will return from injury to take back the third-line center spot, but until then, Edstrom should be considered. Either way, this is a good problem to have as a Rangers fan.
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