Earlier this week John Tortorella talked about how he wanted to see Carl Hagelin take on a bigger role both as a penalty killer and as someone who is confident that he can score.

Hagelin told the Daily News that he wants to be/needs to be more of an offensive threat by shooting more and not just try to create by passing.

Brad Richards told Ranger Rants that Hagelin is already a much better player than he was last season, “I think he’s already better, just what I’ve seen in the fall and what we did last week. Obviously, his speed, we know that. But he’s starting to calm down with the puck and make plays.

Richards added that having Hagelin on a line with himself and Rick Nash could be an exciting line for the Rangers,”he learned a lot and already you see him trying things and making more heady plays and looking for me and Rick and doing things like that. With his speed, if he plays a give-and-go type of game, no one is going to be able to slow him down if he doesn’t have the puck and he gets into holes because he’s so fast. I think that’s a big step for him and I’m excited to play with him because he’s already better than he was last year and with that speed, it’s just so dangerous.”

Adam Rotter: It seems like the Rangers want Hagelin to assume the role that most people thought Chris Kreider would have this season. Hagelin doesn’t have the offensive ceiling that Kreider does, but right now he is a better player and a better fit for the top line while Kreider continues to learn the pro game.