In the long run, Chris Kreider’s extended absence because of his right-arm blood clot could complicate matters as the Rangers simultaneously battle for a playoff spot and devise an approach to the Feb. 26 trade deadline.
In the short run, replacing him in the lineup with AHL recall Vinni Lettieri will change the club’s complexion. That is because the 22-year-old right-handed shot is a gunner on a team that desperately needs someone whose first instinct is to put the puck on net anytime and from anywhere.
“I think that would be an asset,” coach Alain Vigneault said. “We have a lot of guys who [want to make a play], and it’s funny, it’s been part of our strength. We’ve been able to score on a good percentage of ‘low-ratio’ shots. The game happens so quick, you don’t want to take that [creative] instinct away, so we’ve got a lot of guys who a lot of times think pass-first.
“Probably if you’d ask the coaches and some of the players, sometimes, the coaches would like the crew to shoot a little bit more and have a shoot-first mentality, but at the same time you’re always walking that fine line.
“In Vinni’s case, he’s a shoot-first mentality. Everybody remembers his skill set from training camp.”
Lettieri, who recorded 21 points (12-9) in 31 games for the Wolf Pack following an eye-opening training camp, is not shy about advertising his intentions to fire away. Fact is, the 22-year-old is not shy about much at all.
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“It’s good to have a little swagger,” said Brady Skjei, a teammate of Lettieri for seasons at the University of Minnesota. “He’s got tremendous skill, he’s a great skater and a lot of confidence.”
The Blueshirts, who are in Detroit on Friday before facing the Sabres at Citi Field in the Winter Classic on Monday, can use swagger in addition to a shot generator. And they could use a right shot in the left circle on the second power-play unit, which is the job for No. 95 in his NHL debut.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to showcase my skill,” said Lettieri, signed late last March as an undrafted free agent after the conclusion of his collegiate career and who will skate on the line with Boo Nieves and Paul Carey. “I’m going to take what I did in Hartford, not change anything, and keep shooting the puck.
“You never know what happens. Just shooting the puck has been a major difference, I think. If I didn’t take as many shots, I don’t think I would be as successful.”
As Vigneault alluded, the Rangers unleash the 10th fewest shot attempts in the league but own the eighth highest shooting percentage. They are not quite as east-west as their teams the last few years, but a bigger dose of meat and potatoes couldn’t hurt.
“I feel it’s [the coaches’] obligation to give our players the percentages,” Vigneault said. “You’re on a bad angle, throw pucks into the blender, as we like to call it, hit the goalie’s pads and the puck spits out from there. For me, that’s as good as a direct pass.
“Sometimes guys see … how many times have we seen Mats Zuccarello put pucks through guys’ feet to a guy on the open side who’s got an open net? Sometimes when we’re watching the plays, as coaches we’re thinking, ‘Throw it in there, throw it in there.’ But sometimes guys see things and our scoring percentage is one of the highest in the league.”
Vigneault cited Jimmy Vesey as one of the players who will be given the opportunity to step up in the absence of Kreider, who last was out long term when he missed the final nine games of 2013-14 and the first 10 games of the playoffs with a broken hand.
“Stuff happens. There are other opportunities for other guys to get a bigger role,” said the coach. “Jimmy Vesey has been wanting more ice time. This is an opportunity for someone to step up to the plate.”
Lettieri, 5-11 and 181 pounds, gets his first swing Friday in front of a crowd that will feature family members, including his grandfather, Lou Nanne, the US Hockey Hall of Fame member.
“It’s very exciting; the best Christmas present possible,” he said. “I’ve waited for this opportunity for a long time.”