Continuing with our review of the new Rangers top line, let’s dive into our Vincent Trocheck report card. Trocheck, initially penciled in as the 3C to start the season, jumped to 2C when Filip Chytil’s season ended due to a concussion. With Mika Zibanejad’s struggles and the top line failing to contribute regularly at 5v5, Trocheck was all of a sudden centering the de facto top line for the Rangers, and has fallen into the 1C role going forward.
Trocheck shattered his prior career highs in assists (52) and points (77) while hitting the 25 goal mark for the first time since the 2017-2018 season when he scored 31 goals. Of that 25-52-77 line, 13-39-52 came at even strength, with 11-13-24 coming on the powerplay and Trocheck adding a shorthanded goal. Trocheck also won 59% of his faceoffs.
Beyond the counting stats and the puck possession, which was obviously quite strong, Trocheck’s role evolved as the season progressed. As the 3C, he was expected to be in more of a sheltered role with Will Cuylle and Blake Wheeler to start the season. Naturally we saw how that wound up.
Trocheck himself doesn’t need the sheltered minutes, as shown by his ability to step up into a much more demanding role and setting career highs. He was out there for key defensive zone faceoffs, played an average of 1:38 TOI on the penalty kill, and was used in a primary scoring role. He was an every-man, all for a $5.625 million cap hit, an all time bargain.
Trocheck was something else in the playoffs too. Leading the team in scoring with a line of 8-12-20 in 16 games, Trocheck was again leaned upon heavily as none of the other centers were able to get anything going consistently. Everything he did in the regular season grew in the postseason, and he proved he’s not just an 82 game guy. He’s a 16 game guy as well.
Trocheck was easily the best Rangers skater in the playoffs. He was also a top-3 skater in the regular season. What a year for him.
