Young Rangers capable of making noise in NHL East Division

The NHL is employing an unbalanced schedule this season with teams playing only division games. This is the fifth in an eight-part series previewing the Penguins and the seven opponents they’ll face eight times apiece in the East Division.

After a multitude of high draft picks in a short period of time, a consensus has developed that says the New York Rangers are going to be contenders at some point. The question is whether that transformation will come now or later.

There are cases to be made for both timelines.

The case for now:

• Artemi Panarin is one of the game’s elite scorers. Only five players had at least 90 points last season. Nikita Kucherov, Patrick Kane and Auston Matthews didn’t. Panarin did.

• Mika Zibanejad is one of the most underrated No. 1 centers in the league. Only five players scored at least 40 goals last season. Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid didn’t. Zibanejad did.

• Goaltending is young but very talented. The tandem of 25-year-old Igor Shesterkin and 24-year-old Alexandar Georgiev is significantly better than Henrik Lundqvist in the latter stages of his great career.

• A wave of gifted scorers, led by 2020 No. 1 overall draft pick Alexis Lafreniere and 2019 No. 2 overall pick Kaapo Kakko, has arrived.

The case for later:

• They signed Jack Johnson in October.

Well, case closed. The evidence is overwhelming. The Rangers’ resurgence is going to have to wait.

Joking aside, the signing of Johnson represents a serious issue the Rangers are likely to struggle with this season, especially on defense.

To really get to where they want to go, the Rangers will need to suck it up and give the kids playing time, even if it means rookie mistakes and a pile of losses in the short term.

Two problems with that: First, NHL teams are almost always hesitant to do that. Second, they’re the Rangers. They’re going to want to at least feign competitiveness to please their paying public.

Every minute they stick with mediocre veterans is another minute their renaissance is delayed.

RANGERS AT A GLANCE

Last year: 37-28-5 (79 points)

vs. Penguins last year: 1-0-0

Matchup to watch: Jack Johnson vs. Sidney Crosby. It’ll be fun to watch the prep school buddies square off after two seasons as teammates.

Key losses: Jesper Fast signed with Carolina, Marc Staal was traded to Detroit, malcontent prospect Lias Anderssson was shipped to Los Angeles, and Henrik Lundqvist signed with Washington, then stepped away due to a heart condition.

Key additions: In free agency, nothing but Johnson. In the draft, big-time prospect Alexis Lafreniere.

What they’re saying: “He’s going to help us. He’s a big body, boxing people out. He’s good along the boards. He’s not offensive minded by any means. He’s going to help us as we move along here and try to become a better team down the road.” – team president John Davidson on defenseman Jack Johnson

Trophy contenders: Igor Shesterkin (Calder: 5-2), Alexis Lafreniere (Calder: 3-1), Adam Fox (Norris: 35-1), Anthony DeAngelo (Norris: 50-1), Artemi Panarin (Hart: 11-1), Mika Zibanejad (Hart: 37-1).

Odds to win Stanley Cup: +3300

Odds to win division: +650

Smart money: The Rangers have finally collected enough talent to beat anyone on a given night. In the big picture, they’ll make too many mistakes to make the playoffs in a tough division.