Rangers Need More From Noah Laba

Last season, Laba’s line was very effective at getting in on the forecheck, winning battles for the puck, and driving to the net. Though he has continued to forecheck, he is not creating enough scoring chances, and he has yet to break out of this slump. He had one of his best games in a 7-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Oct. 24, as he won battles for the puck and set up linemates, and had two assists. However, he has no goals and four assists in 16 games, while winning 56.1 percent of his faceoffs and averaging 14:43 in ice time per game.

Role Moving Forward

Laba was demoted to the Rangers’ fourth line in their 3-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Nov. 3, but still ended up playing 14:16 as he got a lot of ice time on the penalty kill. Head coach Mike Sullivan moved winger Will Cuylle to center, and he played well, stealing the puck and assisting on a goal by Oliver Bjorkstrand.

The Rangers have Zibanejad and Miller, who are both 33, as their top two centers. Both are capable of contributing on the power play and penalty kill, are strong on faceoffs, and are both off to decent starts this season. Zibanejad has three goals and nine assists in 16 games, while Miller has four goals and eight assists in 16 games.

With Cuylle moved to center, Laba can play on the fourth line for now, but that likely will not be a long-term solution. The Rangers would also be in big trouble if Zibanejad or Miller have to miss any time. Making matters worse, Joe Veleno, who began the season as their fourth-line center, is on long-term injured reserve with a lower-body injury.

The Rangers put their faith in Laba when they traded Trocheck, and this has been a frustrating start. Though he has been solid defensively, they need him to also chip in offensively, and they need all four lines to contribute. He does not have to produce like a star, but they do need him to create more chances and score some goals to be New York’s third-line center.

Importance This Season

The Rangers lack depth at center, and so they are relying heavily on the ones they do have. Laba is off to a slow start, but he has the tools to succeed, and he has played well defensively and won faceoffs. Now, New York needs him to start contributing offensively, and they need him to get back to playing the way he did late last season.