Prior to the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, I posted an article on this blog making the case as to why the 2011-12 season was a success for the New York Rangers regardless of what occurred in the postseason. In terms of franchise development, the Blueshirts jumped ahead of schedule during the regular season, accomplishing all of their goals and then some, meaning any additional success in the playoffs was simply a bonus.
Well, with the Blueshirts currently leading their Conference Final series against the New Jersey Devils, I'd say that bonus has been immense in more ways than one. The team is just three wins away from contending for the Stanley Cup, and just seven wins away from winning it all. If the 82-game regular season was a success on its own, the club's accomplishments here in the playoffs have helped the franchise grow by leaps and bounds.
During the regular season, while all 30 NHL teams were still in action, the New York Rangers were the fourth youngest of them all. Now, with just four remaining, including the Los Angeles Kings, Phoenix Coyotes, New Jersey Devils and of course the Rangers, New York is now the youngest squad still standing. The point of this is not to prove haters wrong by saying that the Rangers are defying all odds with a youth-filled lineup. Instead, it's to show how essential such an experience is for the young guys on the team, and how making it this far will only help the franchise moving forward.
You look at a guy like Carl Hagelin, who was called up early in the season to eventually earn a permanent spot in the lineup. He had the pleasure of going through the whole Winter Classic experience, attending All-Star Weekend, reaching first place in the Eastern Conference and now playing in the Eastern Conference Finals. How many rookies, especially of Hagelin's caliber, can say that they've built up such a résumé in just their first year in the League? Very few, if any, and although he's yet to score a goal, he's gained postseason experience and confidence that will only help him down the road.
Also, Chris Kreider was only added to the roster at the start of the postseason, not having the opportunity to play any prior professional-level hockey beforehand. This past month has most likely been a whirlwind for him, but he was released into the wild from birth and has not only survived, but excelled. If he can perform under the pressure of the Stanley Cup Playoffs as a 21-year-old with not an ounce of experience, imagine what he will do in the regular season in a slightly more relaxed setting.
And all of this does not apply to just the rookies on the team. You have sophomore defenseman Ryan McDonagh gaining experience by defending the League's best night in and night out in do or die situations. Michael Del Zotto is participating in his first playoffs and adding contributions. Derek Stepan has quickly learned what's it is like to center the second line in the postseason, which requires major commitment on both sides of the puck. Even Artie Anisimov, who's been around for a few years now, is benefiting from this long postseason run his team is in the midst of.
I think you have to give the coaching staff a lot of credit here, too. They are giving these younger guys the right exposure in these playoffs, feeding them ice time when they perform, and taking it away when they do not. They have these kids motivated and inspired to succeed rather than nervous and afraid to make costly errors.
Some may say that making it to this point and not winning the Stanley Cup is a disappointment. And to a degree, it will be if the Rangers do not bring Lord Stanley's mug back to New York City in June. But regardless of that, this young team has grown and matured very quickly throughout the postseason, making the run all worth the while whether there is a trophy to show for it or not when all is said and done.
And if this is what 2011-12 brought for this franchise, the sky is the limit in future years for a hockey club that is still growing and looking to get better.
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