Where have we seen this before?
A hot start, a brutal December, and an underachieving squad scratching and clawing to remain in the thick of the playoff race. It seems inevitable that this season will ultimately be decided in the final week of the season, with eight teams scrambling to claim the final three seeds in the Eastern Conference.
Such was Gary Bettman's wet dream. Such is now reality. Parody, for better or for worse, is alive and kicking in the NHL standings. And with the loser's overtime point here to stay for the foreseeable future, we best get used to the idea.
Still, for a brief, shining moment (October), it seemed as if the New York Rangers wouldn't have to take part in the mid-April mayhem. A 7-1-1 record had the MSG faithful dreaming of 100 points, and a top playoff seed, and a ticker-tape parade.
Then late November and December did their best Todd Bertuzzi impressions, grabbing the team's high hopes and dreams and striking them down in a really gruesome fashion.
And for a brief, dark moment (December), is seemed as if the New York Rangers wouldn't have to take part in the mid-April mayhem. A 2-8-2 stretch has the MSG faithful dreading a celler-dwelling finish, a long-offseason and considering Taylor Hall for the first overall draft pick.
But today, after some consecutive solid efforts and an impressive stretch in which the Rangers have collected 17 of a possible 22 points, there is hope yet again on Broadway.
Let's touch on a bit of the good, the bad, and the ugly that the Blueshirts have displayed through the first half of the 2009-10 season. We will go more in depth in the Player's grades section.
THE GOOD
-Marian Gaborik.
- Vinny Prospal
- Michael Del Zotto's offensive prowess
- Henrik Lundqvist (Since late December)
- The Penalty Kill (lost Betts, Sjostrom, Korpedo yet hasn't missed a beat)
THE BAD
- Secondary Scoring
- Christopher Higgins
- Gilroy's confidence with the puck
- Del Zotto's defensive ineptitude
- Henrik Lundqvist (Late October- Mid December)
THE UGLY
-Donald Brashear.
-Stephen Valiquette
- Wade Redden/Rozsival/Drury contracts.
Now to the players....
#42 Artem Anisimov
09-10 stats: 44 GP (7G 8A ) = 15 points
Even with limited ice time in his rookie season, Artie has been one of NYR's most consistent skaters in the first half. He is responsible defensively, and has incredible hands for a man his size. The more he plays, the more comfortable and confident he is getting with the puck. As I stated in the season preview, with a top 6 role Anisimov would be putting up some nice numbers. Unfortunately for him, he is stuck behind Dubinsky and Drury down the middle in this lineup.
Grade: B/B+
#16 Sean Avery
09-10 stats: 39 GP (5G 13A) = 18 points
There was a train of thought league-wide that if Avery could cut out his antics and his "detrimental" behavior, that he had the shot, speed, and hands to be a damn good hockey player. Now we know that this isn't really the case. For the majority of the season thus far, Avery has played tentative and "safe" hockey. It seemed as if he were afraid to cross that dreaded line as he had done so many times before, out of fear of either league discipline, or Tortorella discipline. Without his attitude and incessant yapping on the ice, Avery lost his edge and his effectiveness completely. He became a liability defensively and no help in the O-zone. However, during the Rangers' latest stretch of good play Sean has been in the middle of every scrum, altercation, and win. Aves must continue to play HIS game, and when he does that there is no hockey player who is more beloved in NY.
Grade: B-
#22 Brian Boyle
09-10 stats: 42 GP (3G 1A) = 4 points
Boyle has proven to be a useful and effective 4th liner/penalty killer for the Rangers in the first half of the season. The 6'7 center skates well, and has provided a spark for the Rangers with his strong forecheck.
Grade: B
#87 Donald Brashear
09-10 stats: 32 GP (0G 1A) = 1 point
Ranger management knew what they were getting when he was signed to a $1.2M contract this offseason. The problem is that Brashear has failed to mix it up when the Rangers have seemingly needed it most. Now 38 years old, Brash seems to be too slow to catch anybody with a solid body check, and is taking a roster spot that could be filled by a youngster such as Dane Byers.
Grade: F
#24 Ryan Callahan
09-10 stats: 44 GP (10G 12A) = 22 points
Coming into the season, Callahan was expected to provide a chunk of this teams secondary scoring (secondary meaning other than Gaborik). After a promising 22 goal campaign a year ago, Callahan was snake-bitten for a large portion of the first half, including an 18 game stretch in which he only scored one goal. Cally, who was named an alternate captain in the beginning of the season for his work ethic on and off the ice, has (as expected) provided a physical spark for the team night in and night out, and his work on the PK is a large reason why the unit is 5th in the league. Cally needs to rediscover his scoring touch if the Rangers are to be successful in the 2nd half. I wouldn't mind seeing him light the lamp for team USA as well.
Grade: B
#4 Michael Del Zotto
09-10 stats: 44GP (5G 16A) = 21 points
The 19-year-old Del Zotto has been the most pleasant surprise on Broadway in the first half of the season. Just 44 games into his career, he is already the best Power Play quarterback the team has had since Brian Leetch (I know... that's not saying much). His passing is exceptional and his poise with the puck (in the offensive zone) is second to none. His -16 rating is alarming, but his defensive positioning and play will only improve with experience.
Grade: B+/A-
#23 Chris Drury
09-10 stats: 39 GP (6G 10A) = 16 points
It has become clear at this juncture in Chris' career that despite being paid $7M a season, the guy isn't going to score 30 goals. In fact, it would be a shocker if he nets 20 this year. Sure, he is a great penalty killer and shot blocker, as well as a decent faceoff man, but the fact remains that he isn't worth HALF of the money Glen Sather gave him. Gaborik's signing and subsequent success has only highlighted the brutality that is Chris Drury's contract. His work ethic makes him tough to boo, but a 15 goal season just isn't going to cut it
Grade: C-
#17 Brandon Dubinsky
09-10 stats: 31 GP (7G 13A) = 20 points
Since returning from injury, Duby has been a strong first-line center for the Blueshirts. Not-coincidentally, the Rangers have been a much better team since his return as well. Dubinsky has played well in Tortorella's up-tempo style, and he has even managed to come up with the clutch goal or helper in a number of games this season. Consistency has been the issue for Dubinsky in years past, and the Rangers will need him to overcome that and play a pivotal role up front with Gaborik.
Grade: B
#10 Marian Gaborik
09-10 stats: 42 GP (28G 25A) = 53 points
"When healthy, Gabby is a top-5 player in the league." When I wrote this line in the season preview, I literally had folks scoffing. Nobody is laughing now, as Gaborik has already netted a league-leading 28 goals on the season, and has to be considered a leading candidate for the Hart Trophy (League MVP). Gabby's 28 markers account for 24% of the goals the team has scored this year (highest percentage in the league). The guy has ridiculous hands, lightning in his skates, and a cannon on his stick. He has single-handedly (OK a little bit of kudos to Del Zotto) made the Rangers dangerous with the man advantage. Sure I cringe every time he falls on the ice, but I can live with that. Bottom line- the guy is really, really, really good at hockey. Quite possibly the greatest free agent signing in NYR history.
Grade: A+
#97 Matt Gilroy
09-10 stats: 39 GP (4G 3A) = 7 points
After an outstanding preseason showing, Gilroy fell back to Earth as the NHL season began in October. The Hobey Baker award winner suddenly became afraid to handle the puck, and the burdens of the defensive zone seemed to weigh heavy on the rookie's shoulders. A short stint in Hartford helped to boost his confidence, and Gilroy has played much better of late. Still, it would be nice to see him pitch in a bit more from the blueline, most notably while on the second PP unit.
Grade: B-
#5 Dan Girardi
09-10 stats 39 GP (4G 8A) = 12 points
Girardi, who was so revered for his hard work and his ability to make the "easy play" early in his career, has seemingly regressed in all areas this season. Very inconsistent from game to game, Girardi has been a disappointment in his own end thus far, routinely losing battles along the boards and getting caught out of position. I'd like to see Dan show some more grit and step up his intensity on the ice.
Grade: C
#21 Christopher Higgins
09-10 stats: 43 GP (5G 6A) = 11 points
It is hard to believe that Chris has only scored 5 goals this year. Watching him play this season, one can definitely see how he potted 22, 23 and 27 goals respectively for the Canadiens in recent years. The guy is usually in the right spot for a goal on the ice, but "No-Hands Higgins" just can't seem to finish any plays off, and he has unquestionably been a disappointment. While he is likely being shopped around the league, the return for him would not be much, and I would like to see him given some time to re-discover his touch around the net. If he can find it and get on a hot streak, Higgy could be a factor for the Rangers down the stretch.
Grade: C-
#12 Ales Kotalik
09-10 stats: 41 GP (8G 14A) = 22 points
There is no questioning that Kotalik has a rocket from the point on the Power Play. There is questioning, however, about his skating, and his overall ability during all other times of the game (shootout not included). Kotes has been a phantom during 5-on-5 play, often relegated to the 4th line beside Boyle and Brashear. (sometimes being right in my season preview really sucks). Look for Kotalik to remain strictly a man-advantage weapon this season... as well as the next two (forehead slap).
Grade: C-
#81 Enver Lisin
09-10 stats: 39 GP (5G 6A) = 11 points
Even in a 3rd line role, Lisin has shown that he has the skills to be an offensive weapon in this league. The problem for Enver is that he disappears at times, and stretches of games without being a factor. Notably, Lisin played most of the first half with a busted leg- an injury that has gotten much better lately (and it has shown). The youngster has a load of skill, but how high is his ceiling?
Grade: C
#20 Vinny Prospal
09-10 stats: 38 GP (8G 24A) = 32 points
One of the best value signings of Sather's regime ($1.1M), Prospal has emerged as a leader on and off the ice for this team (He was named an Alternate Captain). His chemisty with Gaborik was instant, and the pair was one of the top duos in the league in the first half of the season. Prospal's enthusiasm and work ethic have made him a Garden and locker room favorite. A knee surgery set Prospal back for about 10-12 games, but he has resumed skating and should return in the next couple of weeks.
Grade: A
#6 Wade Redden
09-10 stats: 37 GP (1G 6A) = 7 points
One has to wonder how a person's talents can just vanish in the way that Redden's has over the last 3 years. We knew he was on the downside of his career, but to have 1 goal and 7 points halfway through the season (when you're making $6.5M a year) is just Hechting brutal. Having said that, since he was made an example of by Tortorella a couple of weeks back (he was a healthy scratch), Wade has been pretty solid defensively. Rumors of a buy-out or a demotion to Hartford continue to swirl, but are very unlikely.
Grade: C-/D
#33 Michal Rozsival
09-10 stats: 44 GP (1G 13A) = 14 points
The Garden's favorite whipping boy, Rozy has continued to be the most frustrating, inconsistent player on the squad. Signed to a 4-year deal at $5M per, he is routinely out-hustled to pucks and loses individual battles all over the ice. Still, at times, Rozsival manages to cover up mistakes made by his defensive partners, and can prove to be a solid D-man when he feels like it. Solid play during this recent stretch hasn't gone unnoticed in my eyes, but it may be too late for him to avoid the boo-bird in the Blue Seats.
Grade: C
#18 Marc Staal
09-10 stats: 44 GP (4G 11A) = 15 points
At the beginning of the season, Torts told Staal that he wanted to see more of an offensive game from the young blueliner. As a result of re-defining his game, Marc's normally dominant defensive play stalled (pun! haha!) and his turnovers piled up. Staal has since re-simplified his game and has regained his title as the Rangers' top d-man, playing tons of minutes on the blue line. People often forget that he is only 22 years old, so there are still some growing pains at times. Overall, the future of the NYR backline is bright.
Grade: B
#30 Henrik Lundqvist
09-10 stats: (19-14-5) .920 sv%, 2.40 GAA
After a rough and inconsistent November and December in which he allowed several bad and untimely goals, the King has returned to royalty in the past few weeks. Henrik has allowed 2 goals or less in a remarkable 13 of the last 16 games (empty netters were scored in 2 more of those). His focus is back, and he is on top of his game. The only concern for Tortorella and Co. is wearing the Swede out (he has started 16 of the last 17 games). Surely the olympic games won't help that cause, but knowing Lundqvist he is up for the challenge.
PLAYERS WITH INCOMPLETE RATINGS:
#26 Eric Christensen- Has stood in admirably in Prospal's place on the first line.
#38 P.A. Parenteau- Skated hard, and netted a couple of big shootout goals.
Ilkka Heikkinen- Brought some temporary size and grit to the blueline.
Bobby Sanguinetti- Offensive D-man needs to work on defensive game. Has lots of potential.
Steve Valiquette- Longtime backup is down to Hartford, likely won't be back.
#29 Chad Johnson- After getting lit up in his NHL debut (relief appearance), was spectacular vs. Atlanta.
Head Coach: John Tortorella
09-10 stats: 21-17-6 (48 points)
It is fairly obvious that Torts doesn't have all the pieces that he needs in order to implement his system and see it acted out to its full potential. Still, for better or for worse, he has tried to force it upon this current roster of players. Certain guys, (Gaborik, Prospal, Callahan) flourish under this system, while others (Higgins, Drury, Kotalik) struggle. Still, Tortorella seems to know which buttons to push and when to push them in order to get his players going (Kudos for benching Redden, Kotalik). Changes are sure to be made to the roster in the 2nd half, and Torts will have his hands full in getting this Rangers team past the first round of the playoffs.
Grade: C+
With half a season remaining, and the congestion of their schedule not getting any easier, the Rangers will have to battle in order to make it to the second season. However, if they can remain healthy this squad shouldn't have any trouble playing into late April.
The Rangers are 7-1-3 in their last 11, and are playing as well now as they have all season long. In order to remain successful, Gaborik and Lundqvist must remain on top of their games. The secondary scoring (Callahan, Higgins, Drury, Avery) must continue to pitch in, and the special teams must remain difference makers in close games.
Consistency is the name of the game.
(and while we're on the subject, be sure to check in for CONSISTENT New York Rangers coverage right here)
-Rif
