Who is the New York Ranger's current superstar, top defenseman, goaltender, sleeper, and rookie to watch?

Star: Artemi Panarin

Panarin is the New York Ranger's playmaking engine. The wheels go as far as his talents can take the chassis. The Panarin era possesses a prototypical New York Rangers roster. A great defenseman (ex. Greschner, Leetch, McDonagh, Fox), an all-league netminder (ex. Giacomin, Richter, Lundqvist), and hard-nosed forwards and rookies that chip in (ex. Kreider, Miller, Kakko).

The difference, Panarin is the one factor the club has rarely possessed outside of a handful of truly outstanding forwards. The Russian mega-star is entering his fifth season in New York. The time is now for one of the most electric regular-season NHL players to translate his talents into the Stanley Cup playoffs.

“The Bread Man” currently is third in assists over the last three seasons with 178 and fourth in points at 428, trailing behind Connor McDavid (594), Leon Drasaitl (537), and Nathan Mackinnon (456).

Top Defenseman: Adam Fox

The last time the New York Rangers had arguably the best defenseman of their generation was Brian Leetch in the 1990s. Ryan Mcdonagh was fantastic as a Ranger.

Jacob Trouba was signed to be “that guy”, but adopted a new and effective style as the team's captain. Adam Fox has taken the mantle.

The Jericho, New York native won the Norris Trophy in 2021 in his second NHL season and helped the Rangers ascend to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2022.

 Adam Fox currently ranks fourth in points by a defenseman in the last 4 seasons (235), second in assists (199), and averaged 24 minutes of ice time in the last two seasons.

Goaltender: Igor Shesterkin

Igor Shesterkin took Henrik Lundqvist’s throne by storm. Shesterkin provides the goaltending security any franchise in the NHL desires and won the Vezina Trophy as the league's best keeper in 2022.

Shesterkin ranks first in wins in the last two seasons (73), second in save percentage (.928), second in goals against (2.29), and fourth in shutouts (9). In the post-season, the Russian machine has posted a career .929 save percentage and 13 wins in the post-season

Sleeper: Kaapo Kakko

In a boxing undercard, there is always the fighter that steals the show. Kakko has the potential to be in the big apple next season with an increased role as a supporting winger for Broadway stars.

Kakko has played well on “The Kid Line”, a checking line that could punish opponents on the forecheck and deliver flashes of brilliant secondary scoring.

The Fin did not have ample power-play time and may see time on the flank as he had in his rookie season under Dave Quinn.

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Kakko is poised to take the next step without Kane and Tarasenko clogging up the top six minutes, this will be the 22-year-old opportunity to earn a roster spot playing in a full-time role.

His defensive play has excelled tremendously, improving from his -26 rookie season to a +12 in 2022-2023.

Kakko’s style of play will allow him to grow in the top six and continue to further his development as a possession monster and play facilitator.

Rookies to Watch: Brennan Othmann/Gabriel Perrault

Othmann may be a dark horse to make the roster out of camp. The prospect has lit it up in the OHL and in national tournament play. 

If the 20-year-old winger doesn’t make the team out of camp in surprise fashion like K’Andre Miller had in 2021, keep an eye on the Toronto native who will likely suit up for the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack.

Gabe Perrault, the Rangers first-round pick in the 2023 draft looks like a player that slid right into their lap. Perrault will play for the Boston College Eagles with United States teammates Will Smith (drafted by San Jose), and Ryan Leonard (drafted by Washington).

 It may be a few years before Perrault has a crack at the big leagues, but he will be one of the most exciting Rangers prospects to follow this season.