Stock Watch for Top Six Forwards for the New York Rangers

Financial analysts monitor the Dow Jones and Nasdaq with a keen eye every day. I do the same with the New York Rangers. While these financial analysts can tell you what companies are trending up, down or remaining steady, I try to do the same with players.

There are a lot of variables to consider when it comes to making player projections, and some use different metrics than others. I won't be able to tell you what is going to happen with Sony's stock in the next few weeks—I could venture a guess, but that is neither here nor there—but here's a look at the stock watch for the Rangers' top-six forwards.

Rick Nash: Steady

Rick Nash has been one of the NHL's top forwards this year, and he could contend for the Hart Trophy if he continues to put up quality numbers. The biggest reason why people are cautious in terms of looking at Nash and his offensive surge is because of his shooting percentage.

Nash has scored 20 goals on 101 shots, and he has a 19.8 shooting percentage as a result. Some look at that as a very unattainable figure, and while that may be true, all the leading scorers right now have a rather high shooting percentage.

For comparison, Tyler Seguin has scored 23 goals on 119 shots, and he has a 19.3 shooting percentage. Vladimir Tarasenko has scored 20 goals on 114 shots, and his shooting percentage is 17.5. I could go on, but the point has been made.

Another thing to consider in regards to Nash is that 15 of his 20 goals are at even strength, three while short-handed and only two on the power play. If Nash can get hot on the power play, there is a chance his second half of the season could be pretty explosive.

Nash is on pace to finish the season with 57 goals and 37 assists for 94 points. I think the Brampton, Ontario native could push for Jaromir Jagr's Ranger single-season record, but he may end up just short.

While I feel Nash's goal-scoring will drop, I think his assist totals will allow him to continue producing at a steady pace for the rest of the season. Nash has shown that he's more than willing to shoot the puck, but he has also been very good when it comes to setting up teammates as well. 

Derick Brassard: Drop

Derick Brassard has been one of the most pleasant surprises for the Rangers this season, and it is a shame that he is currently out of the lineups with the mumps. Brassard has recorded 24 points through the first 27 games, and he really stepped up when Derek Stepan missed the start of the season with a broken fibula.

Despite his early success, I think he will trend slightly down for the remainder of the 2014-15 campaign.

While you may think my analysis is looking at Brassard in a negative light, I can assure you it isn't. Brassard is on pace to finish with 71 points, and that's 24 points more than his career high of 47. I think Brassard will have a career year, but look for him to finish in the 60 to 65-point range.

Brassard is a quality top-six center, but 71 points seems to be a high projection.

Marty St. Louis: Steady

Rich Lam/Getty Images

Marty St. Louis' play this season has been light-years better than when he joined the team last March. The grey-bearded, grizzled vet has 23 points in 29 games, and that is a solid stat for a 39-year-old.

After a slow start, St. Louis has really taken his game back to the level he is known for, and he's tallied 17 points in his last 19 games played. Early on, St. Louis just couldn't get the puck in the net, but after he buried one goal in his first 10 ten games, he went on to score eight goals during a 12-game stretch.

His stick has been cooled off as of late, but he's still been a solid all-around player who has contributed in other areas. St. Louis is on pace to finish the year with 28 goals and 37 assists for 65 points, and that is a figure right in his wheelhouse.

Derek Stepan: Up

Jared Silber/Getty Images

Derek Stepan has 16 points in 17 games, but I think he is capable of more. Right now he only has three goals to his name, and he's never finished a season with fewer than 17.

This season, Stepan has been an assists machine, as 13 of his 16 points have been helpers. Over the last 15 games, Stepan has 15 points, and his consistency shows that he's ready to take the next step forward as a player. 

I look at Stepan's 2014-15 season as a huge plus for him as a player, because he's really hit the ice running after recovering from a fibula injury. He is on pace to finish with 66 points, but I think he can push for 70.

Mats Zuccarello: Up

After a very slow start to the season, Zuccarello is starting to look more comfortable, and that is a good sign. At times, Zuccarello struggled because of the additional coverage he was receiving from the opposition, but he has found ways to get into the right spots on the ice.

In addition to that, Zuccarello looks more sure of himself, and he is making better decisions when it comes to shooting the puck instead of passing it, and vice versa.

The Hobbit has four points in his last four games, including two goals and two assists. Last season, Zuccarello emerged with a 59-point season, and while I think he will fall short of that mark this year, I predict him to trend up during the rest of the season. 

Chris Kreider: Up

Dave Reginek/Getty Images

At this point, there is no place for Chris Kreider to go but up. The Rangers' 2009 first-round draft pick went 13 games without scoring a goal, but he found twine after going to the net versus the Calgary Flames. There are a number of reasons why Kreider was struggling, and he looks like he is getting over them.

One was the earlier game misconduct he took for boarding Jonas Brodin during a game versus the Minnesota Wild, as the event seemed to have an impact on how he played for a few weeks.

After returning to the lineup, Kreider wasn't as hard on 50-50 pucks, and as a result he struggled to use the biggest elements of his game to put him in a position to score.

In addition to that, Kreider's grandfather died a few weeks ago, and it is unknown if the death was expected or not. Kreider had a close relationship with his grandfather, and if his health was poor, it could have been weighing on the former Boston College star's mind.

At this point, Kreider is on pace to have a decrease in production from last year, but anything he does can only be looked at as an improvement. There is no doubt that he is a good player, but it appears that he was just going through a rough time.

Stats via NHL.com and The Hockey News. 

Tom Urtz Jr. is an NHL columnist for Bleacher Report who also covers the Detroit Red Wings. 

Follow @TomUrtzJr