As we enter the New Year, the New York Rangers are a vulnerable team. They're undisciplined on defense. They lack any consistent scoring threats. They're turnover prone. Their powerplay is powerless. They're strapped down by the salary cap.
...And they sit atop the Atlantic Division.
What a funny little world we live in.
While tonight's... interesting... 5-4 win over the lowly Islanders manages to keep angry/concerned Ranger fans at bay for the time being, the holes in this team are as prominent as ever. Following the debacles against the Devils, Caps, and Sharks, it's ALMOST admirable how the Rangers can use games like tonight's to "band-aid" their problems so incredibly often.
Maybe they're just delaying the inevitable deal that must be made in order to give this team a spark and the ability to become a contender. Maybe Glen Sather already has his plan set to go. Or, maybe, he's going to try to test this team in battle.
Let's hope not.
39 games into the season, and the lineup is still not set. Players are bouncing in and out of the lineup, lines are still jumbled, the defense has it's issues, and character of this team is yet to be determined. That bothers me.
And now, as we have reached the mid-point of the season, the time has come for...
MIDSEASON GRADES
We'll organize the players by position.
Note: I am grading the players based on their own expectations and execution. All players are on their own scale.
FORWARDS:
Blair Betts (4g, 6a): We all know his role on this team, and I must say that I admire Betts' game. Does he get too much ice time? no question. But he goes out there when his number is called and he gives it his all. He's an elite penalty killer, and a good checking line center. He's also shown some flashes of offense that had been missing from his game previously.
Grade- B+
Ryan Callahan (11g, 4a): I'm beginning to think that Cally is finding his niche in the NHL. He has the potential to be either an above average 3rd liner, or a good 2nd line wing. He fore-checks tenaciously, and is one of a handful of Rangers who never takes a shift, let alone a night, off. This kid should be a perennial 20 goal scorer in this league for a long time. Though he struggled a bit at the beginning of the season, he has begun putting in those garbage goals that made another Ryan- (Malone)- into a star. I'd just like to see consistency.
Grade- B
Nigel Dawes (6g, 6a): After sitting out for a couple of long stretches this season, the vertically-challenged Canadian has begun (in the last 4 games) to remind fans how he won a roster spot out of camp 2 years ago. The fact that his game offensively and defensively was so poor that he deserved to sit for a while is bad. And, even now, his inability to find any consistency thus far is concerning. If he can keep skating hard and filling the net, the points will pile up for him. But that is a HUGE if for a little man.
Grade- C+
Chris Drury (10g, 15a): *sigh*. I was expecting big things from the new captain this season. 10 goals and 15 assists in 39 games is hardly what I had in mind. Still, the number most concerning is the $7 million he is getting paid this season to be a heart-and-soul guy. $7 million is money for game-breakers. Drury has gone long, long stretches without scoring this season, and he has been invisible for many games. He doesn't seem to be stepping up at times when his fans and teammates look to "Captain Clutch" the most. Seems to be a little weighted down by the "C" on his chest. He is going to have to put up points if this team is to be successful. Let's hope for a big 2nd half.
Grade- C-
Brandon Dubinsky (5g, 16a): A great start for the 2nd year forward was quickly halted by.. um.. the actual NHL season. With 1 goal in his last 29 games, there has to be some concern as to where his game has gone. He stopped carrying the puck with the confidence that he showed with Jagr last year, and by himself early this year. He is still very good along the boards, but I thought he might have had the potential to be scoring force in this league rather than a grinder. Maybe that just isn't his game. I wouldn't be against sitting the kid for a little while to spark him. But, if his issue is confidence, that could be dangerous.
Grade- B-
Dan Fritsche (1g, 3a): He looked very good in the pre-season, but has had a lot of trouble claiming a roster spot as the year has gone on. I haven't seen enough of him to make a fair judgement. And, barring an injury, I don't see him really getting into this lineup.
Grade- INCOMPLETE
Scott Gomez (7g, 18a): The Rangers' other $7 million dollar man has been just as disappointing to me as the other guy so far this season. With the same amount of points as Drury thus far, Gomez comes with all the tools to be an elite set-up man in this league, but never puts them all together. I thought Zherdev might be the guy who helps Gomez explode stat-wise, but I was wrong. Though he has shown random flashes of brilliance, Scott has been loose with the puck this season, and has been easy to knock off it to boot. His D-zone coverage has been brutal for a center (he's a -11), and he doesn't seem to have any fire to his game. Lack of chemistry with line-mates? A bothersome ankle? Maybe. But Gomez is also on a career pace for shots on goal, yet has still only found twine 7 times. We need more from him.
Grade- C
Lauri Korpikoski (1g, 2a): The Fin, taken 19th overall in the '04 draft, had a hot start to his NHL career, scoring a goal in his first game (a playoff game at that!). But since then (this season), the Korpedo has only 3 points in 29 games played. To be fair, he hasn't exactly been given a plethora of ice time to work with, and his game is not suited for the 4th line role he has been assigned most of the season. For that reason, I am going to give him a pass. Look for Korpo to get his big chance soon though, as he was put on a "scoring" (LOL) line with Gomez (HAHA) against the Islanders, and played pretty well.
Grade- INC
Markus Naslund (14g, 13a): In Naslund, the Rangers have received exactly what they paid for so far this season. (Or at least what I expected from him). Nazzy leads the team with 14 goals, and is 2nd in total points with 27 so far this season. Clearly not the player he was 5, or even 3 years ago, Markus also disappears from time to time. He has lost a step in his skating for sure, but can still fire a wrister with the best of 'em. He is still a very smart player, and he's on pace for close to 30 goals. The Rangers can't ask for any more than that.
Grade- B/B+
Colton Orr (1g, 2a): It's nice to see a heavyweight who also wants to play the game, and that is what Orr has turned into. He worked diligently in the off-season to improve his skating and his stick-handling, and it has shown during games. Colton has developed a strong game along the boards, and has had some offensive opportunities. He is also, most notably, one of the best fighters in the league- and the only guy on the Rangers who I can watch fight without cringing. He only has 3 points on the year, but he is doing the job he's here to do. Gets waaay too much ice time- but that's Renney's fault.
Grade- B+
Petr Prucha (2g, 0a): What does this guy have to do to stay in the lineup at this point? Sure he had trouble finding the scoresheet the first 10 games this season, but so did most of his teammates. And, unlike many of them, he was at least getting chances. He did his time in the press-box, was dressed, and scored a big goal against the Penguins- only to be out of the lineup again after two scoreless games. Then he sits for another ten games, is finally dressed, and scores ANOTHER goal against the Isles (while being the best player on the ice all night). Forget keeping him in the lineup... PUT HIM BACK ON THE POWER PLAY!!! At least the Garden Faithful gave him some appreciation tonight. 2 goals in 12 games isn't good. But when he's all over the ice like he has been since being re-dressed, he deserves another chance.
Grade- INC
Fredrik Sjostrom (2g, 2a): I like Freddy Shoes. He's fast and he's hard nosed. But again, he he's part of that unit that gets far too much ice time (not his fault). Still, I know this guy has more offensive abilities than the 2 goals and 2 assists he has on the season.. and he needs to find it. He has a solid spot in the lineup because he can penalty kill, but I wouldn't be opposed to seeing Fritsche in his spot for a game or two.
Grade- B-
Aaron Voros (8g,6a): Does he have the potential/ability to put up some decent numbers like he was in the beginning of this season? No. He doesn't. Voros doesn't have enough to get through a whole season with the amount of ice time he was getting, and the expectations he was building for himself. Hes a good 4th liner. He's a big body. Maybe if he can work on his skating and his positioning, he can be a solid NHLer (see: Knuble, Mike). Right now? After weeks of non-inspiring play, he FINALLY earned a spot in the press box for Petr Prucha. I think he may be there for a while. Who knows.. maybe it'll spark him if he returns.
Grade- C+
Nikolai Zherdev (12g, 22a): Ahh a breath of fresh air. As he goes, the Rangers seem to follow. When the puck is finding him all over the ice and he has his handle on it, he just makes things happen. Leading the team with 34 points through 39 games, he is the ONLY Ranger on pace for more than 60 points this season. (Wow. That's really bad.) "Z" is a human highlight reel. His puck-handling is second to none, his shot is a laser, and he is a very, very underrated passer. His tying goal against the Pens was one of the best shots I have ever seen. I'm on the edge of my seat every time he touches the puck, and that is just what the Rangers need. Now, if they can just find somebody (*COUGH* Kovalchuk/Gaborik *COUGH*) who can be on the same page with him, they'll be in good shape. He has the potential to be Alex Kovalev... if AK27 was good at hockey. Should be an all-star.
Grade- A
DEFENSE
Dan Girardi (3g, 13a): After a hot start on the stat sheet, Girardi has cooled off a bit, and still has a respectable 16 points in 39 games this season. Girardi is still young (24), and has been one of the Rangers' strongest defensemen this season (which doesn't say much). He is also a physical leader on the blue-line, and leads Ranger defenders in hits. Still, he has struggled defensively at times (with Redden as his partner), and is atrocious on the point of the power play. Still, he's young, and he's a bright spot on the blue line.
Grade- B
Dmitri Kalinin (1g, 6a): It's been a rough first half for Marek... I mean Dmitri. The turnover machine is a team worst -13 on the season, and has only contributed 7 points offensively. He panics with the puck in his own zone, turns it over, and repeatedly gets beaten like a tied up goat by opposing forwards night in and night out. The boo-birds have already begun, and his stay in NY is likely to be short lived. Corey Potter is much more ready and deserving of this spot in the lineup.
Grade- F
Paul Mara (2g, 10a): Mara has emerged as a solid defenseman and a leader on the blue line for the Rangers this season. While his 12 points are decent, it is his attitude and hustle that have stood out. He is first in line to stand up for teammates, and his episodes on Mic'd up have given us an earful into his professional approach to the game and his important tutoring of Marc Staal. He is doing everything well on the ice, but nothing great. I'd like to see him be more effective on the struggling PP.
Grade- B
Wade Redden (2g, 14a): We all know the 6 year deal was for too long. We just didn't know we'd be feeling the negative effects already. Where is the great first pass we heard so much about? How about that low, hard shot from the point on the power play that was so effective for so many years in Ottawa (1 PPG this year, 16 total poins). Where has the poise and confidence with the puck gone? Wade looks like a scared puppy out on the ice this season. If you ask me, I'd say he's afraid to make a mistake. And that is no way to play hockey. This will be a long 6 years for Wade and the Rangers if this play continues.
Grade- C-
Michal Rozsival (6g, 12a): He's a player with decent skills, and he has shown that from time to time. But I have never seen a player with the skills he has look so terrible and helpless at every other moment. There are times he just doesn't want the puck, and the other team takes advantage. When he gets beat, there's no backcheck what-so-ever. Lazy doesn't even fit the bill. He has a cannon that he uses once every blue moon, and it's not even like he's deferring to Jagr anymore. His mistakes and misplays are the most painful to watch because of the lack of effort he seems to put in. When he tries, however, he can be a pretty good defenseman.
Grade- C-
Marc Staal (1g, 6a): Perhaps a few years earlier than we would have liked, Staal has worked himself into the #1 defenseman on this squad. Though he still makes some positional mistakes, he is learning quickly and will be an elite defender on the MSG blueline for years to come. He is confident and solid with the puck, and is responsible without it. Defensively he is a stud, and he already uses his long reach to poke the puck away from attacking forwards. The offense will come later. Some mistakes will be made now. This kid will be a star.
Grade- B+/A-
GOALIES
Henrik Lundqvist (19-11-3, 2.67 GAA): With all the mediocre grades that I have given out to this team, one has to wonder how they sit atop their division, and near the top of the conference. Here is your answer. Every night that he is in net, the Rangers have a chance to win the hockey game. Early in the season he was simply unbeatable. Over time, the defensive breakdowns in front of him have taken a bit of a toll and he has tired- but even in doing so he has remained more than sharp. He is unbeatable in the shootout, and that has put the Rangers in the favorable position they are in today. The King has to be the favorite for the Vezina so far this season. And hey, with a great goaltender, ANYTHING can happen. No question he's an all-star.
Grade- A
Stephen Valiquette (4-2-0, 2.41): The hulking goaltender (he stands 6'6!) is 4-2 so far this season, doing the usual back-up routine. Vali is solid, but by no means am I confident when he is guarding the cage. The debacle in Toronto earlier this season only confirmed my thinking. Still, he stops the shots he needs to for the most part, and he stands in there to give Hank a day off every now and then.
Grade- B
COACHES
Perry Pearn + Mike Pelino: The power play is a disaster, and has cost the team a number of points in the standings already this season. This is a BIG problem. Good teams in this league are successful with the man advantage. Bottom Line. Pearn ADMITS to being in charge of the power play. So lets see.. Pearn=PP. PP=horrible. Pearn=horrible. What else do these guys do for this team? The penalty kill? That's about players using their sticks in passing lanes and sacrificing bodies to block shots, so I'll give them no credit for that. Oh yeah, both men are very boring interviews between periods.
Grade- F
Tom Renney: Many people are calling for his job. Others are saying he has to go because his assistants have to go. I disagree. While I do think that Tom has mismanaged this group at times during this season, I think he may still be doing the best he can with what he has. He is a defensive coach, and he doesn't have very good defense-first style players at his disposal. Still, his players respect him, and the team he coaches is ten games over .500. You don't fire a coach who is having success, no matter how agonizing that success may be at times.
Grade- B
Glen Sather: He lost the Mats Sundin sweepstakes (which may be a good thing), and he is pretty tied up by the salary cap right now. His off-season moves have been some good (Naslund, Zherdev) and some very bad (Redden, Kalinin). There is still A LOT of work to be done by Mr. Sather before this season is over.
Grade- B/TBD
Have a Happy New Year! Go Rangers!
-Rif
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