|
|
|
|
|
|
| CAMP ANALYSIS |
|
| CAMP INFORMATION
|
Location
Greenburgh, NY
|
| CALENDAR
|
| Sep 11-15 |
| Traverse City Tournament |
| Sep 17 |
| Players report to camp |
| Sep 23 - Oct 2 |
| Preseason games |
| Oct 9 |
| Season opener |
| Oct 15 |
| Home Opener |
| PRESEASON RESULTS
|
 |
4 - 3 |
 |
|
|
5 - 4 |
|
|
|
3 - 5 |
 |
|
|
5 - 1 |
|
|
|
5 - 4 |
 |
|
|
5 - 8 |
|
| |
|
| Projected Forwards - First Line |
 |
 |
 |
| Alexander Frolov |
Vinny Prospal |
Marian Gaborik |
The only obvious first liner on the team going into camp is of course Marian
Gaborik. After that and it becomes very much a case of mix and match. Vinny Prospal was most successful,
particularly at the start of the season when he was paired with Gaborik last season, and seems a
logical choice as a linemate on opening night. His positional flexibility also means John Tortorella
will be able to explore several options at either center or left wing.
With Brandon Dubinsky not embroiled in a contract impasse going into camp this year, there's a possibility
he enters the season as the so-called #1 center. His size and strength certainly add something to
the line, but the Rangers may elect to use him on the wing where he was able to do some good work
along the boards. Dubinsky's ability to distribute the puck may also not be quite as good as Prospal,
though his ability to generate offense of the rush might be worth considering with Gaborik on the
ice.
Your Russian Artem Anisimov has earned praise from John Tortorella, but probably is still a year
away from the top line, while another alternative might be to try the recently acquired Todd White,
who played with Gaborik on the Minnesota Wild a few seasons ago, though not often on the same line.
The undersized pivot is probably a longer shot though, coming off an injury impaired sub-par season
in the latter stages of his career. Likewise returnee Erik Chistensen could get a shot during camp,
but is probably more likely to be destined to the second or third lines.
If Prospal ultimately wins the nod at center, then free agent signing Alexander Frolov looks a good
chance to take the #1 left wing spot. Frolov is coming off a down season, and has signed on with
the Rangers for a one year deal, likely hoping to get a chance to play with Gaborik and put some
bigger offensive numbers up. Frolov doesn't have the best reputation coming to the Rangers, and
one wonders whether he'll be able to stay out of Tortorella's doghouse long enough to win the starting
role.
|
|
| Projected Forwards - Second Line |
 |
 |
 |
| Brandon Dubinsky |
Artem Anisimov |
Ryan Callahan |
Perhaps the toughest decision facing John Tortorella this training camp
will be finding a second line that can score. If Frolov doesn't win a spot on the top line,
then he is pretty much a guarantee for the second line. His disappointing total of 19 goals
last season trails just Gaborik, Dubinsky and Prospal, the latter two having managed just 20.
If Frolov does indeed fall to the second line, then that might open the way for 21 year old Artem
Anisimov to snatch the second line center position. Anisimov has drawn positive comments from
Tortorella so far in his tenure, and the coach is obviously expecting his young Russian center to
continue his progress forward.
If the coach decides that Anisimov isn't ready, or there's no chemistry on the line, then an alternative
might be returnee Erik Christensen. For his part, Christensen finished last season strongly,
and was one of the better Rangers in the closing stages of the season. The 26 year old was
coming off a significant injury last season, and managed to pick up a modest 8 goals and 18 assists
in 41 games after starting the season without a point in his first seventeen games with the Ducks
and Rangers.
Another alternative will be to keep Dubinsky on the wing and play him on the second line.
Some within the organization felt he played better in that position, though as a leading face-off
guy for the Rangers, it'd be hard to keep him out of the circle.
Veteran acquisition Todd White could also factor into the equation, as could captain Chris
Drury, though both are coming off disappointing seasons and might benefit from facing off
against the lesser lights of the opposition, and Tortorella stated recently that he's going to
give Drury another chance at an offensive role.
A real wild card might be Derek Stepan. The Rangers have been hinting that they've been
very impressed with the former Wisconsin Badger, and his performances in Traverse City won't
have hurt his chances.
Over on the right wing it appears that Ryan Callahan has the best shot of securing the spot behind
Gaborik. As the only other specialist right wing on the team, and with 19 goals to his credit
last season, the Rochester native will nevertheless be improve and top his career high of 22 set
two seasons ago.
|
|
| Projected Forwards - Third Line |
 |
 |
 |
| Todd White |
Erik Christensen |
Chris Drury |
If Sean Avery is to make the roster on opening night, then his best bet
looks to be on the third line. With the team's shortage of specialist wingers, the biggest
threat to him making the team will be Todd White and perhaps rookie Mats Zuccarello Aasen.
While Avery brings potentially more grit, his inconsistency last season, combined with ill-discipline
landed him on the wrong side of Tortorella. This might be enough to keep him out of the line-up,
leaving open an opportunity for 35 year old Todd White.
White is known more as a center, but has played left wing and could potentially pair with Drury
as an effective defensive duo. The veteran also could potentially chip in some useful offensive
from the third line, but including him the line-up would sacrifice some of the fire that Avery could
bring.
As for Zuccarello Aasen, it is likely to be a case of needing time to adjust. The 5-7 forward
has played his entire career on the larger European surfaces, and admitted that he was finding the
adjustment taking longer than he expected.
Although he's becoming a fan favorite Brandon Prust is unlikely to challenge for a spot on the third
line, with just 6 career goals in 115 NHL games - albeit 4 goals in 26 games as a Ranger.
Invitee Ruslan Fedotenko has a chance to make an impression as well, and could potentially be a
cheap option if the Rangers elect to give the Ukrainian free agent a contract.
In the battle for center, it will Christensen will be duking it out with Anisimov with White,
Stepan and
Tim Kennedy also in the mix. There's also perhaps an outside chance that the Rangers move
Drury back to his natural position to further complicate matters. As it is, the Rangers have
few other options on the wings and may be forced to continue to use their captain on the right wing
to simply fill out the roster.
|
|
| Projected Forwards - Fourth Line |
 |
 |
 |
| Brandon Prust |
Tim Kennedy |
Derek Boogaard |
With the top twelve forwards pretty much set, that leaves everyone else
fighting it out for the final three spots. Brandon Prust and Derek Boogaard look to have the
inside track on the wings. They're used to playing 4th line minutes and Prust in particular
could pick up an extra energy shift here and there if called upon.
The center position is far less settled. Todd White could be pushed down here if he doesn't
beat out Avery, while Brian Boyle held the position last year. The recent signing of Tim Kennedy
though, makes the equation a whole lot murkier. Boyle's performance in the spot last year
wasn't earth shattering, and while he did contribute a little on the PK, he's a step down from his
predecessor Blair Betts.
Kennedy brings a little more flexibility, in that he can play center and left wing. He also
had 10 goals and 18 assists last year - versus 4 and 2 respectively for Boyle - but he'll need better
line mates and ice time to match those numbers. Thinking at this stage that he edges out the
competition to take the spot.
Veterans Jeremy Williams and Kris Newbury will almost certainly be heading to Hartford, as too will
be Justin Soryal. Stepan is likely to get a long look, but seems more likely to be sent
down to start the season.
Chris Chappell and Devin DiDiomete (injured) were not invited to camp.
|
|
| Projected Defense - 1st Pair |
 |
 |
| Marc Staal |
Michal Rozsival |
Defense is hardly ever something that draws accolades from the masses, in
fact the Ranger faithful are more prone to taking out their frustrations on an unfortunate defender
than they are likely to cheer them. There is one exception, and that's physical defensemen
who can lay hits, and if they have that aspect to their game, then the fans are happy to overlook
many of the other shortcomings in their game.
It's therefore not with great fanfare that we present the likely top pairing for the 2010-11 season.
Marc Staal is clearly the best defenseman on the Rangers. He's not the biggest offensive contributor,
and he did not progress as much last year under John Tortorella as one would have hoped, but he's
still the #1 guy. Capable of eating up plenty of minutes, and playing against the biggest
opponent, his long reach and above average balance is coupled with good skating for a taller player.
Paired with Staal will likely be Michal Rozsival. While Rozisval is clearly overpaid, and
prone to inconsistent stretches, he has managed to take a beating while staying healthy, and can
play competently for big minutes within a game. We chose him over Dan Girardi, primarily because
Girardi is needed to provide a stabilizing influence for others on the team.
|
|
| Projected Defense - 2nd Pair |
 |
 |
| Dan Girardi |
Michael Del
Zotto |
Fresh off a Summer in which Girardi picked up a lucrative contract, we're
expecting better things from him this year. He perhaps suffered a little having to play as
Michael Del Zotto's defensive partner in his rookie season, but this year we're figuring the two
will have better chemistry and the defensive side will be greatly improved. His offense will
continue to suffer as a result of lack of power play time, and so we're not expecting a return to
his best figures, but a modest improvement this year is not out of the question.
Entering his sophomore season, Del Zotto has already proven he can contribute offensively, but he'll
still be looking to improve his consistency. We also are hoping that he's been working on
his defensive game, particularly his ability to read the play. The 20 year old struggled at
times last year in his own zone, and finished a team worst -20 plus/minus, but he did show some
good strength and laid some of the biggest hits from the Rangers blueline.
If Del Zotto fumbles, then Matt Gilroy or perhaps even Steve Eminger could earn the minutes here.
|
|
| Projected Defense - 3rd Pair |
 |
 |
| Matt Gilroy |
Steve Eminger |
Matt Gilroy trained in the off-season in an effort to build up his strength
after going through his rookie season looking overmatched by the more physical forwards. The
26 year old is amongst the best skaters on the team, and was often able to overcome his mistakes
simply by skating back into the play. For this season he needs to make better decisions defensively
and offensively, otherwise he'll end up a healthy scratch once again.
Over the Summer the Rangers added Steve Eminger from the Anaheim Ducks, trading spare forward Aaron
Voros in exchange. A free skating defender, Eminger has struggled to move his game forward
since a promising start to his career with the Washington Capitals. His best asset at this
stage might be that he's cheaper than Wade Redden, and provides only a limited drop off in ability.
The biggest competition for his spot might actually come from one of the rookies, with Ryan McDonagh
in particular a potential option, while Pavel Valentenko and Jyri Niemi might have an outside chance
with a strong camp. Invitee Garnet Exelby may also get a chance if the Rangers decide
they'd like to be a little tougher on the back end, while fellow invitee Alexei Semenov won a
contract last year at this time, but ultimately elected to go to the KHL. One of the pair
is likely to be signed, and Semenov might have a slight advantage.
Veteran Wade Redden looks at this stage to be a victim of his salary, and will likely be left off
the roster so the Rangers can go into the season under the cap.
Of the remaining blueliners, Michael Sauer looks the best bet to remain in Hartford, with Lee Baldwin,
Sam Klassen, Tomas Kundratek, and Nigel Williams battling it out for limited spots.
Try-out Blake Parlett will join them...at least in camp.
Matt McCue and Tysen Dowzak were not invited to training camp.
|
|
| Projected Goaltending |
 |
 |
| Henrik Lundqvist |
Martin Biron |
No mystery in goal for the Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist is the starter,
and Martin Biron will backstop him. The only thing left to work out is how much each of them
will play.
Down in Hartford, Chad Johnson looks a lock for the starting spot there with off-season signing
Cameron Talbot getting time as the backup. Without a third option, don't be surprised if the
Rangers opt to bring in a third goalie on an AHL contract, and perhaps send Talbot down to the ECHL
to get more playing time.
Scott Stacjer will head back to the OHL in an attempt to earn a pro contract in the final season
that the Rangers own his rights, while Jordan Parise will be hoping to earn a pro contract.
|
|
|
| |
|
| May 1st, 2023 |
| PRUDENTIAL CENTER |
| |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
August 19th, 2021
Earlier this year the Rangers won by a margin of nine goals as they beat the Flyers 9-0. How many times has the margin been bigger?
Answer...
|
|
|
| ► METRO STANDINGS
|
| |
Team |
GP |
W |
L |
OT |
Pts |
|
| |
Hurricanes |
82 |
52 |
21 |
9 |
113 |
|
| |
Devils |
82 |
52 |
22 |
8 |
112 |
|
| |
Rangers |
82 |
47 |
22 |
13 |
107 |
|
| |
Islanders |
82 |
42 |
31 |
9 |
93 |
|
| |
Penguins |
82 |
40 |
31 |
11 |
91 |
|
| |
Capitals |
82 |
35 |
37 |
10 |
80 |
|
| |
Flyers |
82 |
31 |
38 |
13 |
75 |
|
| |
Blue Jackets |
82 |
25 |
48 |
9 |
59 |
|
| FULL STANDINGS |
|
|
| ► RANDOM RANGER |
|
 |
MIKE ROGERS
(1981-1986)
|
| |
Born: |
Oct 24 - 1954 |
|
| |
Position: |
Center |
|
| |
Games Played: |
316 |
|
| |
Goals: |
117 |
|
| |
Assists: |
191 |
|
| |
Points: |
308 |
|
| |
Penalty Minutes: |
142 |
|
|
|
|
|
