Development: 24-Year Old Prospect Set To Steal New York Rangers Star Forward's Roster Spot
Photo credit: Brad Penner-imagn images
In the eventuality that Head Coach Mike Sullivan decides to keep former 1C Mika Zibanejad on a wing flanking J.T. Miller, he'll have to solve another issue. That would be the 3C role, which would be heavily sought after during training camp. Jusso Parssinen is one candidate the team could select, but should they?
The New York Rangers have an issue that Mike Sullivan will have to solve. After Peter Laviolette shifted Mika Zibanejad to the wing last season when the team acquired J.T. Miller, other issues arose.
Such as the team's lack of center depth, which we thought we're not sure if Jusso Parssinen is the right candidate for the job, given his track record in the NHL.
Juuso Parssinen and the 3C Role
Parssinen arrived in New York after the team sent Jimmy Vesey, Ryan Lindgren, and Hank Kempf to Colorado.
The Rangers were Parssinen's third team in 2024-25, which is a rough statistic for someone who just wants to find a home to play. He'd arrived in New York after making a stop in Colorado via Nashville on December 28th.
Parssinen totaled 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in a career-high 48 games overall last season. He had five points (two goals, three assists) in 11 games with the Rangers, though a closer look is required.
Laviolette would scratch Parssinen a total of 12 times near the end of the year, and would remain scoreless in his first eight games in a Rangers uniform. The Blueshirts would outscore their opponents with Parssinen on the ice, despite his lack of XG share.
The Rangers were terribly out-chanced (77-21) and Parssinen posted an embarrassing 29.1 expected goal share, per Natural Stat Trick.
His experience at the circle doesn't help his cause, as he ended the year with a face-off win percentage of 40.9%. But instead of pausing, GM Chris Drury believed he was worthy of an extension.
He'd get a two-year, $2.5 million extension, with a slew of RFA signings that followed, including defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov.
While Parssinen has a sizable frame, he's performance has declined since his rookie year when he scored 25 points in 45 games.
The Rangers may have to tap into Jonny Brodzinski or Justin Dowling if Parssinen isn't the answer.
For now, we remain skeptical of what he can offer the Rangers.
Previously on NYRangersInsider
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