Inside look at New York Rangers

NHL.com is providing in-depth roster, prospect and fantasy analysis for each of the League's 32 teams from Aug. 8-Sept. 8. Today, the New York Rangers.

The New York Rangers have the Stanley Cup as a goal and realistic optimism about their chances of winning it for the first time since 1994.
The Rangers finished second in the Metropolitan Division last season with 110 points and got to the Eastern Conference Final before being eliminated in six games by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
"We're in a great spot," coach Gerard Gallant said. "I love what we did last year. We had a great season. Everything was perfect until we lost out in Game 6 against Tampa Bay. Now we have to get better, be better. We want to have the chance to win the Stanley Cup like 31 other teams, but I legitimately think we're a good hockey team."
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Gallant's optimism starts with knowing the Rangers have the reigning Vezina Trophy winner.
Igor Shesterkin blew away the field last season for the award that goes to the best goalie in the NHL, receiving 29 of 32 first-place votes after going 36-13-4 in 53 games and leading the NHL with a 2.07 goals-against average and .935 save percentage. He was also third in voting for the Hart Trophy, which goes to the NHL's most valuable player.
Shesterkin won 10 of 20 games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 2.59 GAA and .929 save percentage that led all goalies who appeared in at least eight games.
"It's a great thing to have this guy in the pipes and we expect the same type of goaltending from him this year," Gallant said.

The Rangers' success in front of Shesterkin could be determined by the growth of several young players that took significant steps last season, particularly in the playoffs.
Kaapo Kakko (21 years old) and
Alexis Lafreniere
(20) could fill out the top-six forward group that already features left wings Chris Kreider and Artemi Panarin, and centers Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck.
Barring a surprising change, Kreider will start the season on a line with Zibanejad, and Trocheck and Panarin will be together too.
"We've got to put people on the right side that are going to play on the top lines," Gallant said. "We like those kids [Kakko and Lafreniere]. Both had tremendous seasons. Last season, from the second half on I thought they were excellent. They took big steps. That's what we're going to expect from them again. The opportunity is there for them to have big years."
New York signed Trocheck to a seven-year contract on July 13. The 29-year-old, who had 51 points (21 goals, 30 assists) in 81 games last season with the Carolina Hurricanes, replaces Ryan Strome, who signed with the Anaheim Ducks as an unrestricted free agent.
Filip Chytil, who turns 23 on Sept. 5, is expected to resume his role as the third-line center after a breakout postseason.
Chytil had seven goals in 20 playoff games after scoring eight in 67 regular season games.
"That was more what I expected from myself during the season," Chytil said of his playoff success. "Finally in the playoffs it clicked and I finally play on a level that I expected before the season. That was a great experience to play with confidence."

A big part of Chytil's success in the playoffs came when he was playing with Kakko and Lafreniere. Gallant said New York's "Kid Line" could be reunited this season.
Sammy Blais and Vitali Kravtsov are also candidates to play with Chytil on the third line or anywhere in the top-nine forward group. Barclay Goodrow is an option too.
Blais didn't play after tearing his right ACL against the New Jersey Devils on Nov. 14, when he was on the top line with Kreider and Zibanejad.
"He looks great," Gallant said. "They say he's 100 percent."
Kravtsov, the No. 9 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, spent last season playing in Russia after failing to make the NHL roster out of training camp.
"He's going to get an opportunity to come in here and be a good player for us," Gallant said.
The Rangers' top two defense pairs are set with Jacob Trouba, named their new captain this offseason, expected to reunite with K'Andre Miller, and Ryan Lindgren back with Adam Fox.
Braden Schneider, who turns 21 on Sept. 20, became a top-six defenseman last season after he was recalled in January. New York has an opening for a third-pair partner for Schneider.
Zac Jones (21), Nils Lundkvist (22), Libor Hajek (24) and
Matthew Robertson
(21) will compete in training camp for the job, Gallant said, adding he doesn't care if it's a younger player as long as he's ready for the NHL.
Jones (22 games), Lundkivst (25) and Hajek (94) have NHL experience. Robertson does not.
"Let's go to training camp and fight for that job," Gallant said. "That's what it's all about. Make us want to keep you there."