When your team does not and has trouble scoring goals, plays inconsistently, does not take advantage of opportunities and plays too defensively, you get the outcome that the 2009-10 New York Rangers did: no playoffs.
Last season, the Blueshirts relied too heavily on Marian Gaborik (42 goals, 44 assists, 86 points) and goaltender Henrik Lundqvist (35-27-10, 2.38 goals-against average, 4 shutouts and a .921 save percentage). Yes, the team and the organization have a right to rely on their two superstars; but at the same time, hockey is a team game and requires everyone to pitch in and contribute.
Unfortunately for the Rangers, that did not happen and the team’s inconsistency led to a playoff-less season for the first time since the lockout. That is the worry when it comes to the upcoming season.
During the off-season, Rangers GM Glen Sather went out and signed free agent backup goaltender Martin Biron to a two-year deal; inked inconsistent yet talented forward Alexander Frolov; and signed enforcer Derek Boogaard to a ridiculous four-year deal at $1.65 million per year.
The Biron signing should allow head coach John Tortorella to give Lundqvist a rest – something he needs more often. Frolov could be a good signing for one year, especially if he can start clicking with Gaborik. As for Boogaard, the team knows that he will provide toughness but that will most likely be about it (he has missed an average of 31 games a year since the lockout).
This off-season also saw the Blueshirts re-sign defenseman Dan Girardi, as well as forwards Vinny Prospal and Erik Christensen. Prospal had a solid first year on Broadway with 58 points while Christensen surprised many by producing 26 points in 58 games. Again, can they be consistent and produce this season? The club also signed Norwegian star Mats Zuccarello Aasen to help out the offense.
The defense is also spotty. Assuming Sather re-signs RFA Marc Staal, he’ll end up being the team’s most reliable blue-liner. The team also hopes that Michael Del Zotto follows up on his successful rookie campaign (37 points), and that Matt Gilroy can get his game together. They also have the promising Ryan McDonough, who could end up making a lot of noise at the NHL level.
Again though, this is the Rangers we are talking about. Their inconsistency hurt them last season and if they continue to struggle scoring goals or showing up on a nightly basis, it will hurt them in 2010-11.
- Patrick Hoffman
Depth Chart:
Additions: Alexander Frolov, Steve Eminger, Todd White, Martin Biron, Mats Zuccarello Aasen, Derek Boogaard, Tim Kennedy
Subtractions: Olli Jokinen, Jody Shelley, Alex Auld, Aaron Voros, P.A. Parenteau, Anders Eriksson
Fresh Faces From the Farm:
- The aforementioned McDonagh will be given an opportunity to make the starting lineup in camp.
- Forwards Derek Stephan and Evgeny Grachev could have a chance to crack the roster, but are most likely a year away.
X-Factor: Brandon Dubinsky
If he gets any time at all as the top-line center, Dubinsky is going to have to do better than he did last year.
Breakout: Artem Anisimov
Without a true number one pivot, could Anisimov jump up and steal the spotlight?
On the Hot Seat: Wade Redden
Redden and his $6.5 million cap hit are on its last leg on Broadway.
Bold Prediction: John Tortorella will be fired prior to season’s end.
The Final Word: The Rangers made some good and not-so-good moves this summer. With all of the changes Sather made, I think the team only made lateral movement. I don’t see the Blueshirts being a playoff team unless they get consistent scoring from its top two lines. Good luck with that.
RLD Staff Predictions:
Anthony- 4th Atlantic Division; 12th Eastern Conference
Patrick- 4th Atlantic Division; 10th Eastern Conference
Ryan- 4th Atlantic Division; 13th Eastern Conference
Photo credit: Getty Images
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