The New York Rangers have been wrestling with a strategic conundrum all season: how to effectively deploy their trio of top-6 centermen. Coach Mike Sullivan and his staff have been navigating whether to shift one to the wing to accommodate all three on the top two forward lines or to keep them in their natural positions, which would mean slotting one onto the third line.
Sullivan has mostly opted to move captain J.T. Miller to the wing, pairing him with either Mika Zibanejad or Vincent Trocheck. However, when rookie Noah Laba was sidelined with a lower-body injury, Miller was shifted back to center, flanked by wingers Tye Kartye and Conor Sheary, and the chemistry was undeniable.
Upon Laba’s return on March 29, Sullivan chose to keep the Kartye-Miller-Sheary line intact, resulting in Laba being reassigned to the fourth line. This decision, while strategic, isn’t ideal for Laba’s growth as a promising 22-year-old talent.
Sullivan acknowledged the developmental impact of reduced ice time, saying, “It's probably fair to say that when you play more, you have more of an opportunity to develop.” Despite this, Laba remains focused and positive, concentrating on what he can control and expressing gratitude for his opportunities.
As the season winds down, the Rangers are also looking to the future, giving young players like Drew Fortescue, Jaroslav Chmelar, Adam Sykora, and Dylan Garand more ice time, energizing both the team and its fans.
Laba, who has recorded nine goals and 13 assists over 67 games, continues to contribute on the penalty kill and the second power play unit, though his role has shifted with Miller’s return to center. Miller, for his part, feels more effective in the center position, stating, “I think I'm a better center.
I've been playing center for a long time... I definitely am playing better when I'm at center.”
This presents a challenge for Sullivan: balancing the immediate needs of veteran players like Miller, who has battled injuries this season, with the development of younger talents like Laba. The goal is to optimize both current performance and future potential.
On the goaltending front, Sullivan has been non-committal about whether Dylan Garand, who has impressed in his NHL debut, will see more action before the season concludes. Igor Shesterkin, eager to play, started against Montreal.
Ultimately, Sullivan is striving to juggle multiple objectives, aiming to bring out the best in both Miller and Laba. As he puts it, “We're trying to help J.T. capture his very best game... and help ‘Labs’ continue to develop as a young player. We've got multiple objectives in mind that we're trying to accomplish.”