"It's the most wonderful time of the year!"
Alas, my friends- as the days get shorter, the temperature drops lower, and baseball season continues to be boring, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Hockey season is here!
The return of bone-crushing hits, wicked wristers, blazing speed, glove saves, breathtaking breakaways, power plays, blocked shots, one-timers, odd-man rushes and ridiculous dangles is mere hours away. God there's a lot to love about this game.
Now as fans of the New York Rangers, we are used to the notion that with a new season comes many new (expensive) faces, a lot of question marks, and the usual reliance on Henrik Lundqvist.
I introduced many of the newest Blueshirts in my most recent post (back on July 1st), but lets get a quick recap of the team's offseason additions and subtractions.
ADDITIONS: RW Marian Gaborik, RW Christopher Higgins, RW Ales Kotalik, C/LW Vinny Prospal, LW Donald Brashear, RW Enver Lisin, C Brian Boyle
SUBTRACTIONS: RW Nikolai Zherdev, LW Markus Naslund, C Scott Gomez, RW Fred Sjostrom, C Blair Betts, LW Colton Orr, RW Nik Antropov, D Paul Mara, D Derek Moris, LW Lauri Korpikoski
Wow. Talk about a roster turnover. Let's just say that GM Glen Sather was a busy man this off-season. And that's not to mentioned that he was rumored to be in trade talks about both Dany Heatley and Phil Kessel.
So what can you expect from your New York Rangers this season? Here is your 2009-2010 season preview!
FORWARDS
Artem Anisimov, Sean Avery, Brian Boyle, Donald Brashear, Ryan Callahan Chris Drury, Brandon Dubinsky, Marian Gaborik, Christopher Higgins, Ales Kotalik, Enver Lisin, Vinny Prospal, Aaron Voros
It's no secret around the NHL that the Rangers have not had the most potent offensive attack in recent years. Under the tutelage of Tom Renny, New York played a defense first, mistake-free style that relied on the team capitalizing on their opportunities and limiting scoring chances for the opposition. In essence, Renney's strategy was to win 1-0 or 2-1 games while being backstopped by one of the top 5 goaltenders in the league.
Things will certainly be different under John Tortorella. Torts is notorious for sending his squad into an all-out attack in the offensive zone. He preaches puck possession, something that was very foreign to this team during Renny's reign.
The Blueshirts are certainly much younger and faster than they have been in decades, but it remains to be seen if they can maintain the up-tempo pace that Torts will demand over the course of a long season. This forward group has lots of scoring potential, but there are many if's and maybe's that will eventually determine the fate of the team.
#42 Artem Anisimov
08/09 stats: (AHL) (37G 44A)= 81 points
Projected 09-10 stats: 15 G 18 A = 33 points
Artie showed in the preseason that he can use his 6'4 frame effectively, while maintaining speed and fabulous hands. If given the opportunity to play a top 6 role, Anisimov could potentially put up bigger numbers and compete for the Calder (Rookie of the Year).
#16 Sean Avery
08/09 stats: 41 GP (8G 14 A) = 22 points
Projected 09/10 stats: (15 G 31 A) = 46 points
After a regretful stint in Dallas, Avery is back on Broadway where he belongs (with the Stars paying half of his salary). When on the ice, "The Grate One" is a difference-maker for New York. The guy can skate, shoot, pass, and talk with the best in the league. However, Avery has a penchant for the dramatic, and is often in street clothes due to suspension (by team or league) or injury. It will be interesting to watch his relationship with the volatile Tortorella all season, as the two may be destined to bump heads at some point. A bum knee held Avery out of the last few pre-season games, but he should be ready for the home opener on the 3rd.
#22 Brian Boyle
08/09 stats: 28 GP (4G 1A) = 5 points
Projected 09/10 stats: 45 GP (7G, 2A) = 9 points
The 6'7 Boyle, a former first round pick by Los Angeles, skates very well for his size. When paired with Brashear on the 4th line (where he likely will play), they make for a large duo who can provide some energy by throwing their weight around. Boyle has some offensive potential, but is yet to prove it at the NHL level. If he struggles early on, look for him to be sent down to Hartford.
#87 Donald Brashear
08/09 stats: 63 GP, (1G, 3A) = 4 points
Projected 09/10 stats: 70 GP (3G, 3A) = 6 points
This man was given a 1.2 Million dollar contract to do one thing: mix it up. Brashear is among the best tough guys in league history, but he can skate as well. Whether or not the Garden Faithful warm up to him after his numerous encounters with many Blueshirts (including Blair Betts) remains to be seen.
#24 Ryan Callahan
08/09 stats: 22 G, 18 A = 40 points
Projected 09/10 stats: 26 G, 21 A= 47 points
Cally became a fan favorite last season due to his relentless work ethic and his nose for the net. His numbers only improved after Tortorella and his aggressive system took over behind the bench, so look for more of the same from Ryan. If he gets PP time with Gaborik, Cally could reach the 30 goal plateau. However, I think he's a couple of seasons away from really exploding offensively.
#23 Chris Drury
08/09 stats: 22G 34 A = 56 points
Projected 09/10 stats: 24G 36A= 60 points
Captain Clutch has yet to display his game-breaking ability thus far in his career as a Ranger. While playing with a broken hand in the playoffs was certainly admirable, the Rangers are going to need much more from their captain. Still, at 33, it is likely that Drury's best years are behind him. Perhaps being reunited with former Sabre linemate Ales Kotalik will help him produce.
#17 Brandon Dubinsky
08/09 stats: 13G 28A = 41 points
Projected 09/10 stats: 18G, 35A = 53 points
Dubinsky, despite a horrendous sophomore slump for the better part of last season, still managed to produce points at a decent pace. We saw two years ago how he could produce alongside a star (Jaromir Jagr), and he may be given the chance to center another one in Marian Gaborik. If so, Dubinsky could put up big assist numbers. Even if he is relegated to the third line, Duby still has the ability to create plays for himself and his linemates. Another player who was born to play the up-tempo style of Torts.
#10 Marian Gaborik
08/09 stats: 17GP(13G, 10A)= 23 points
Projected 09/10 stats: 70 GP (41G, 35A) = 76 points
The oft-injured Gaborik has the game-breaking ability that has not been displayed at the Garden since Pavel Bure's short tenure. When healthy, Gabby is a top-5 player in the league. He possesses a lethal shot, a quick release, and skates as fast as anybody else in the league. He makes the dreadful NY power play a threat by his lonesome, and can penalty kill as well. Finding him a center remains an issue for Sather & Co., as he may play with any of the centers on the roster. The Rangers will be very careful in monitoring the sniper's health, and making sure that he is ready to light the lamp at MSG early and often this season.
#21 Christopher Higgins
08/09 stats: 57GP (12G, 11A) = 23 points
Projected 09/10 stats: 24G 28A= 52points
Before an injury-plagued campaign last season, Higgins had compiled three straight 20+ goal seasons in Montreal. Higgins, who came over in the Scott Gomez trade, is tough as nails around the net, and knows how to finish- something that the Rangers have been missing in recent seasons.
#12 Ales Kotalik
08/09 stats: 20G. 23A = 43 points
Projected 09/10 stats: 20G, 22A= 42 points
Kotalik will likely be reunited on a line with former Buffalo teammate Chris Drury- a player with whom he had his best offensive season playing alongside in '05-06. Kotalik has a cannon for a shot, and will surely be used on the point on the first Power Play unit. Ales looked a step slow in the pre-season, and may have trouble keeping up with Torts' demands. Look for him to be merely average at even strength this year.
#81 Enver Lisin
08/09 stats: 48GP (13G, 8A) = 21 points
Projected 09/10 stats: (16G, 14A) = 30 points
Lisin, acquired from Phoenix for Lauri Korpikoski, could be a great steal for the Rangers in the near future. However, with the makeup of this roster, I don't see him getting the ice time he would require in order to be productive. Lisin showed great speed and a nose for the net in the pre-season, and is well known for his stick-handling abilities. If the Rangers are stung by the injury bug, Lisin could step in nicely. However, at this point he is looking at a 3rd-4th line role.
#20 Vinny Prospal
08/09 stats: 19G 26A = 45 points
Projected 09/10 stats: 21G, 28A = 49 points
If Prospal's off-again on-again career trend continues, he is due for a strong season on Broadway. If he centers Gaborik, he has the potential to put up 60 points. However, I think that the Rangers will make a move for a #1 center at some point, and that will side Vinny down the depth chart. Prospal is a good, crafty veteran forward for the Rangers and should have a productive year playing for John Tortorella once again.
#34 Aaron Voros
08/09 stats: 8G. 8A 16 points
Projected 09/10 stats: 6G, 5A, 11 points
Voros, if he is able to maintain his spot on the roster, will be playing on the 4th line with Brian Boyle and Donald Brashear. That trio showed some promise as a very, very large forechecking unit. Still, because Tortorella likes to rotate his top 3 lines for the most part, Voros will see his ice time diminished, which is not all that heartbreaking for fans who watched his performance last year. Just as a side note, Voros may be the worst fighter in league history.
CALL UPS: Evgeny Grachev, Dane Byers
DEFENSE
Michael Del Zotto, Matt Gilroy, Dan Girardi, Wade Redden, Michal Rozsival, Marc Staal, Alexei Semenov
Perhaps the Rangers achilles heel, this defensive corps has a little bit of everything, and a lot of nothing. There are the over-paid veterans (Redden and Rozsival), the young supposed studs (Girardi and Staal), the large, slow depth defenseman (Semenov), and the young and promising (Del Zottto and Gilroy).
This group needs a lot of things to go right for them in order to be successful. Lucky for them there is a Swedish King behind them who is capable of erasing the many mistakes they are bound to make.
#4 Michael Del Zotto
08/09 stats: (OHL) 13G, 50A = 63 points
Projected 09/10 stats: 6G, 13A = 19 points
Del Zotto, 19, becomes the 2nd youngest defenseman to ever make the Rangers' roster (Maloney), and the first teenager to do so since Brian Leetch. Del Zotto will be counted on to help run the power play- a job that should be his right out of the gate. Expect growing pains, especially defensively, in the beginning, but the youngster is bound to become a bright star on the Broadway blueline for years to come.
#97 Matt Gilroy
08/09 stats: (Boston College) 8G 29A = 37 points
Projected 09/10 stats: 10G, 20A= 30 points
The reigning Hobey Baker Award winner as College Hockey's best player was given a big contract from the Rangers following Boston College's national championship run (in which he was played an integral role). After a great pre-season, Gilroy made the NHL roster and, like Del Zotto, will be thrown right into the fire. Gilroy loves to jump into the rush, and will be counted on to contribute offensively from the blue line. Gilroy is another young Ranger who has the potential to compete for the Calder trophy.
#5 Dan Girardi
08/09 stats: 4G 18A = 22 points
Projected 09/10 stats: 5G 18A = 23 points
Girardi will be relied upon to play a more defensive role for a New York team that lacks physicality on the back end. Danny has been steady thus far in his NHL career, but is prone to being beaten 1-on-1 and losing battles along the boards. Girardi recently drew criticism from Coach Tortorella after having a below-average camp and pre-season. The Blueshirts will need Girardi to have a strong season in order to be successful.
#6 Wade Redden
08/09 stats: 3G 23A = 26 points
Projected 09/10 stats: 5G 23A = 28 points
After signing an enormous 6-year deal last July, Redden had a season that he and all Ranger fans would like to soon forget. The weight of that contract bears down on Redden every time he is beaten, slips, or makes an errant pass on the ice. Unless Wade suddenly rediscovers the game that made him an all-star a few years back in Ottawa, the boo-birds will follow him around all season long. Redden did play a bit better after Tortorella took over, so look for him to get another chance to contribute on the 2nd power play unit.
#33 Michal Rozsival
08/09 stats: 8G, 22A = 30 points
Projected 09/10 stats: 7G, 20A = 27 points
Rozsival is a solid #4 defenseman who is thrust into a top-pairing role on this team. Rozsival has the skills to be a very good defenseman, but rarely displays any of them. He is shies away from contact and loose-puck battles on the ice, and although he has a great shot, he rarely attempts to use it. Rozsival is prone to the lazy shift, and that is not likely to sit well with Torts.
#18 Marc Staal
08/09 stats: 3G, 12 A = 15 points
Projected 09/10 stats: 5G, 15A= 20 points
Staal has officially taken the title of #1 defenseman on this team. He is still green, but is fast becoming one of the premier shut-down defenders in the league. Torts has said he would like to see more of an offensive game from Staal, but that will come with experience and confidence (see: Chara, Zdeno). Staal will rack up the ice time this year, matched mostly against the top lines of opposing teams.
#55 Alexei Semenov
08/09 stats: 47GP (1G, 7A) = 8 points
Projected 09/10 stats: 1G, 5A = 6 points
Semenov was invited to camp this season on a tryout basis, and due to the Rangers lack of funds to pick up a talented veteran D-man, made the team after a decent pre-season showing. The 6'6 Russian gives the Rangers another huge body and some toughness in front of Henrik Lundqvist. Look for Semenov to play a limited role for the team this season, if he even lasts that long on the roster.
CALL UPS: Bobby Sanguinetti, Michael Sauer, Corey Potter
GOALTENDING
#40 Steve Valiquette
08/09 stats: 15GP, 5-5-2, 2.84 GAA, .907SV%, 1SO
Projected 09/10 stats: 19 GP 7-7-3, 2.96 GAA, .894SV%, 1SO
Valiquette is a backup goaltender who knows his role on the team. He is a nice guy and a good teammate, but whenever he is in net I can't help but worry and doubt his overall skill set. With Torts looking to keep Henrik more fresh for the post-season, Vally could very well see more playing time. However, with the new system in place this also means that he will see more shots- which is not a good thing for NYR.
#30 Henrik Lundqvist
08/09 stats: 70GP, 38-25-7, 2.43 GAA, .916SV%, 3 SO
Projected 09/10 stats: 64GP 37-23-5, 2.51 GAA, .912 SV%, 4 SO
The King is the heart and soul, the brains and backbone of the New York Rangers. Without the Swede's heroics the Rangers certainly would not have been a playoff team last season, let alone almost upset the #2 seed in the East. This season the Blueshirts will once again lean on Hank, as Tort's system is one that promotes defensemen pinching deep into the offensive zone and often leaves the team's goalie out to dry. If there is any backstop in the league who can handle such pressure, it is Henrik Lundqvist. I mean hey, they guy has been playing without a defense in front of him for the last three seasons anyway! Bottom Line: as Henrik Lundqvist goes, the Rangers will go.
CALL UPS: Chad Johnson, Matt Zaba
And with this new season of New York Rangers hockey comes a new attitude. John Tortorella begins his first full season as Head Coach, and he brings with him a Stanley Cup ring, and a new, winning culture. The Rangers will be an entertaining team to watch this year, and you can be sure that you will see the kind of effort in this cast of characters that has been lacking in recent years. There are lots of question marks up and down this roster, but with Henrik Lundqvist between the pipes, if they buy into the system and find a way to band together, the Rangers can be among the league's elite.
Let the quest for Lord Stanley's Cup Begin!!
PREDICTION: 44-30-8, 96 points, 6th in East, 2nd Round of Playoffs.
LETS GO RANGERS!
-Rif
