2023–24 Time On Ice Stats
Ice Time
Power Play
Short-Handed
Past Fantasy Outlooks
More than half the teams in the league tried to convince this silky-smooth passer to come their way this offseason, but Ranger re-upped with the Leafs' franchise. Now it remains to be seen if he'll choose to stay in the AHL with the Marlies or head over the Gardiner to the Air Canada Center. Last season, he returned to the ice after a self-imposed hiatus from hockey and it looked like he'd never skipped a beat. So if he makes the Leafs, Ranger could lock down a top-four gig. Worst case, he'll be a heavy rotation number five guy who outlets the puck almost as well as young Jake Gardiner. His playing time will dictate his fantasy value, though. Wait until camp breaks before taking a chance.
Ranger left the team for personal reasons last October that have been kept hush-hush. The Bolts extended a qualifying offer to the promising puck mover so he has until December to accept it and return to the team. But right now, the odds on that happening just aren't favorable at all.
Ranger is slick and smooth but he was overused early last season and ended up needing reconstructive surgery on his other shoulder (the other one was rebuilt in the summer of 2008). He's a sweet little outlet passer but he doesn't go end-to-end -- he just doesn't have that kind of confidence. He has a 40-point future but he won't achieve that this year -- he won't get top power-play duty. You'll need to wait on him for a few seasons.
Ranger stepped in when Dan Boyle hit the shelf last year and he played well, at least to start. Then the fatigue of trying to shut guys down defensively while still delivering tasty platters to his forwards quite simply wore him down. Then came the shoulder injury. This year, this sublime, Tomas Kaberle-like passer could eclipse the 40-point mark. Just keep an eye on his plus-minus.
Silky smooth and agile, Ranger has been described by his coach as the team's best passer. That's pretty heady praise on a squad with one of the NHL's best playmakers (Richards). This former 183rd overall pick (2002) picked up 19 points in his rookie campaign and could be headed for a 30-point year in 2006-07… and a spot on your keeper roster.
