The Spittin Chiclets podcast gave their Metropolitan Division predictions for the 2023-24 season on their most recent episode with New Jersey Devils captain, Nico Hischier.
Everyone that covers the game of hockey has different perspectives, but Spittin Chiclets seems to have a love/hate relationship with the New York Rangers.
Former NHL'er Ryan Whitney, claimed that he doesn't know what to expect from the group this season, but he was clear about one aspect "The main thing about all of this is Igor Shesterkin. It's actually incredible how hot he can get, he goes on these runs where he's unbeatable. He's pretty much...not their entire team, but without him you don't even consider the Rangers as a playoff favorite or a top team in the league. The team relies on him so much."
There's no denying the fact that Shesterkin is a top three goalie in the NHL. In the 2021-22 season, he was inhuman as a he boasted a +34.1 goals saved above expected along with a .935 save percentage and a 2.07 goals against average. Last year he came back down to earth a bit, but was still very strong as he skated to a .916 save percentage, a 2.48 goals against average and a +28.1 GSAx. It's evident that the team goes as far as he will take them.
Whitney's biggest concern was the same as most people that cover the league. Can Alexis Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko have a breakout year and become elite players in the NHL? Because if they do, this team has a ton of weapons throughout their lineup. He stated "I'm going to pick them to make the playoffs, but I wouldn't consider them Stanley Cup contenders, unless those two guys make huge steps up and start lighting it up and producing offensively."
Now onto Paul Bissonnette, another former NHL'er who is now a part of the NHL On TNT crew. He has been pretty vocal over the years about being a Rangers hater and while sticking to his brand, he has the Rangers missing the playoffs this season. Bissonnette definitely loves mixing it up with the New York fans, so Whitney was quick to call him out on his take. Whitney's counterargument was how much of a difference the new coaching staff is going to make. He started by saying "that guy's a winner", about Peter Laviolette, and he continued by defending Shesterkin "with a goalie like that, he's too good!" in regard to the Rangers missing the playoffs.
Matt Murley, another former NHL player on the show, wasn't showing much love to the Rangers as well. Although, he wasn't as animated about his opinion of the team. He thinks they'll finish third in the Metropolitan Division, and ninth overall in the league. He did speak very highly about K'Andre Miller and some of their offseason pickups like Nick Bonino and Jonathan Quick. Murley had the Rangers making the playoffs, as well as the Producer of the show, Mike Grinnell, who has them getting in as a wildcard team.
Rear Admiral, better known as "RA" was on Whitney's side, showing praise to Blake Wheeler as well as the Rangers top four defensemen. RA seemed confident that they will make the postseason.
It's always fun to see how the preseason predictions play out and it could be a good thing for Rangers fans if the Chiclets Crew is against them, since they have been known to mush teams in previous years.
It appears that the Rangers fan base and Bissonnette will continue the chirping once again this coming season.