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Why Taylor Raddysh is 3rd-line anchor ahead of 1st season with Rangers
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- Why Taylor Raddysh is 3rd-line anchor ahead of 1st season with Rangers
Peter Casey-Imagn Images Peter Casey-Imagn Images
The New York Rangers head to training camp next month with plenty of questions and not a lot of answers about the makeup of their third line. Perhaps the closest the Rangers have to a sure thing on that line is newcomer Taylor Raddysh .
The 27-year-old signed a two-year, $3 million contract with the Rangers on July 1. His signing flew under the radar because the Rangers made a far bigger splash in free agency that day, signing defenseman Vladisalv Gavrikov to a seven-year, $49 million deal.
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Yet, here we are on the eve of training camp, and Raddysh feels like the anchor of an unsteady third line.
That's especially so because it appears coach Mike Sullivan will start off camp with Mika Zibanejad playing right wing on a line with J.T. Miller in the top six. That creates a hole in the middle of the lineup, since Zibanejad projected to be one of New York's top three centers.
Sullivan flew to Sweden to meet with Zibanejad and the veteran Rangers forward expressed a desire to remain on a line with Miller, which is a spot where he flourished down the stretch last season. Dan Rosen of NHL.com
was first to report this, based on a recent conversation with Sullivan.
Coming off one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history, the Rangers look to rebuild confidence and trust and accountability with their new coach. So, putting Zibanejad in the best spot to succeed is crucial.
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But then the Rangers must figure out how to configure the third line. Right now, that begins with Raddysh.
"We're excited to bring him on board," general manager Chris Drury said about Raddysh. "He had a good year in Washington last year. He's had some good offensive production from the third line at some other stops along the way. We like his size (6-foot-3, 216 pounds). He's a guy that can play both the wings. I think a good, valuable, bottom-six forward and a good value signing for us."
Related: Why Rangers should pay close attention to Connor McDavid contract messaging: 'all options on table'
Taylor Raddysh brings stability to Rangers' third line
Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
Raddysh helped the Washington Capitals finish first in the Eastern Conference last season. Appearing in 80 games, he averaged 12:22 of ice time in a bottom-six role and recorded 27 points — including a career-high 20 assists. Though he struggled to find the back of the net, scoring just seven goals, it's worth remembering that he tallied 20 goals only three seasons ago with the Chicago Blackhawks .
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In recent years, Raddysh has proven himself to be a steady and reliable third-line presence — whether contributing to a playoff-bound team like the Capitals or a rebuilding squad like the Blackhawks. Now entering the prime of his career, he has a strong opportunity to make his mark on a Rangers team looking to add exactly what he offers: work ethic, structure, and consistency.
What makes this signing particularly valuable is how it fits into the Rangers' lineup plans. Raddysh is expected to play alongside two players who are still trying to establish themselves as everyday NHLers. Add to that his modest $1.5 million salary cap hit over the next two seasons, and it's easy to see why Drury saw this as a high-value move in free agency.
Raddysh's north-south style should complement whoever earns the third-line center and left wing spots — potentially a rotating cast throughout the season. Regardless of his linemates, management can feel confident that Raddysh's straightforward game will help simplify the line's responsibilities and bring structure to the bottom six.
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Is this shaping up to be an elite third line? Not as it stands today. But with productive player development and the possibility of a trade deadline upgrade, it could become one. Until then, Raddysh provides a stable anchor in a role he's steadily grown into — giving this unit a clearer identity.
Goals are great, but it's Raddysh's effort and maturity that will provide the biggest boost. He also happens to be the only Rangers forward currently in his prime. Every other forward is either over 30 or under 25 — a factor the team will likely weigh in any future roster moves.
Related: NHL offseason grades for Rangers, Metropolitan Division rivals
Potential linemates for Taylor Raddysh with Rangers
Third-line center options:
Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images
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Parssinen signed a two-year extension May 2 with a $1.25 million AAV, and the 24-year-old is seen as a high-upside gamble. With no young center options currently NHL-ready, the Rangers are betting on Parssinen to seize the opportunity. He hasn't yet secured a full-time NHL role — making this his best shot to prove he belongs.
A journeyman who's found stability since joining the Rangers in 2020, Brodzinski scored a career-high 12 goals in 51 games last season. Though much of his success came on the wing, he's a dependable fallback option if Parssinen struggles as 3C. At 32, his attitude and energy may mesh well with Raddysh until a more permanent solution is found.
Third-line left wing options:
Danny Wild-Imagn Images
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Still looking for his first goal 25 games into his NHL career, the former first-round pick is hoping to change that this season — and become a regular contributor. His blend of skill and grit fits the mold of a prototypical identity line. With a sheltered role, there's less pressure on him to score right away. If he can simply play a noticeable, north-south game, the goals will come. Keep in mind, Othmann scored 50 goals in junior one season and had 21 in the minors as a rookie pro with Hartford in 2023-24.
The 2020 fifth-round pick has consistently outperformed expectations, because Berard plays far bigger than his 5-foot-9 frame. His strong shot and work ethic could earn him a long look for this role, especially if he outworks his competition during training camp. Berard doesn't lack for grit or skill, and scored six goals in 35 games with the Rangers last season.
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The Rangers top prospect, Perreault signed his entry-level deal after his sophomore year at Boston College ended last spring. Undersized but highly skilled, his future may depend on how quickly he can adapt. He's not a gritty, two-way winger like Berard or Othmann, but if the line struggles to score, Perreault's offensive instincts could earn him a shot — especially if he proves he can play with more physical linemates.
Brought in on a professional tryout, Sheary is a backup plan if the Rangers feel the prospects need more seasoning in Hartford or limited NHL minutes early on. His best years came with the Pittsburgh Penguins , when Sullivan coached them, and included Stanley Cup championships together in 2016 and 2017. The 33-year-old's game has declined the past two seasons, when he scored four goals in 62 games (none in five last season) with the Tampa Bay Lightning .
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