Rangers’ 2024 wishlist includes pressing trade deadline need

The NHL-leading Rangers have had a heck of a run in the 2023 portion of the 2023-24 season, but with 47 games left in the regular season, so much has yet to happen.

Parading a 25-9-1 record into the New Year, the Blueshirts have set themselves up for success.

Theres still a long way to go until the playoffs begin April 22.

The Rangers will first have to get through the All-Star break in early February and the trade deadline March 8, through which anything can happen if a team takes its foot off the gas.

They havent even seen the Islanders yet this season.

All four of those highly anticipated matchups, including the Stadium Series at MetLife on Feb. 18, will unfold in 2024.

Still, the Rangers surely have some wishes for the New Year.

Lets look at the top five:

1. Jonathan Quick continues drinking from the Fountain of Youth

Whether its something in the water in New York or the Benoit Allaire Effect, Quick looks like hes rewound the clock to 2012 when the American netminder led the Kings to their first Stanley Cup.

Hes given the Rangers a chance to win every night hes stepped between the pipes in Igor Shesterkins stead.

Posting a 9-2-1 record, a 2.41 goals-against average, a .916 save percentage and two shutouts through 13 appearances, Quick has unexpectedly played a major role in the Rangers success so far this season.

3Rangers need a scoring upgrade from what Blake Wheeler is giving them right now. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con## 2. A scoring, top-six right winger before the trade deadline

The Rangers havent had too many issues scoring this season considering their 120 total goals are tied with the Lightning and Maple Leafs for the sixth most in the NHL entering Sunday.

But its clear the first line needs more than the four five-on-five goals Blake Wheeler has contributed so far this season.

Injuries to Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kakko have bumped Wheeler up and drawn Jonny Brodzinski and Tyler Pitlick into the lineup.

The Rangers body of work with those adjustments has proved they are a deep team, but reinforcements and upgrades in those spots will be necessary to advance in the postseason.

3. Artemi Panarin stays hot and then carries it over into playoffs

There arent enough adjectives in the dictionary to describe the style with which Panarin has impacted the Rangers this season.

Captain Jacob Trouba may be the one selling canvases of his artwork for charity, but the star Russian wing has been the real artist with the puck.

Panarin has yet to crack 100 points in a single season over his nine years in the NHL. The closest hes come was during his third season in New York in 2021-22 when he posted 96 points in 75 games.

3Artemi Panarin celebrates his hat trick against the Lightning. NHLI via Getty ImagesThe 32-year-old is piecing together a legitimate case for the Hart Trophy as the Blueshirts mostconsistent offensive player with 50 points through 35 contests.

Nevertheless, nothing counts until the playoffs.

4. Chytil and Kakko return to the lineup

Amid The Posts report of Chytil returning to his home to Czechia to continue his ongoing recovery from a suspected concussion, the Rangers have likely prepared themselves to be without the 24-year-old center through at least the All-Star break.

Still, No. 72 is apparently committed to playing again this season.

If the Rangers were to get Chytil back in, say, March, it would feel like a free trade-deadline addition.

The same can be said for Kakko, who continues to skate on his own and work his way back from an apparent leg injury.

The Finnish wing wasnt happy about his two goals and one assist through 20 games, so he will be looking to make more of an impact in his return.

3 Kaapo Kakko USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con## 5. Sixteen wins in the playoffs