2009-10 NHL Season Preview: New York Rangers
by James Mirtle on Sep 23, 2009 7:00 AM CDT
8 comments
Who's in: Tyler Arnason, Brian Boyle, Donald Brashear, Marian Gaborik, Matt Gilroy, Christopher Higgins, Ales Kotalik, Enver Lisin, Vinny Prospal
Who's out: Nik Antropov, Blair Betts, Scott Gomez, Doug Janik, Lauri Korpikoski, Paul Mara, Derek Morris, Markus Naslund, Colton Orr, Patrick Rissmiller, Fredrik Sjostrom, Nikolai Zherdev
Outlook: Another off-season, another overhaul for Glen Sather and the Blueshirts.
The biggest move involved sending No. 1 centre Gomez to Montreal for Chris Higgins and prospects, then forking out $37.5-million over five seasons for brittle Wild superstar Marian Gaborik in free agency.
Other changes saw Markus Naslund retire, Nik Zherdev become an unrestricted free agent after Sather walked away from an arbitration ruling and Nik Antropov, Paul Mara, Derek Morris and Blair Betts head elsewhere. By way of replacement, the Rangers signed the likes of Ales Kotalik, Vinny Prospal and Donald Brashear, leaving the blueline without a significant addition outside of rookie Matt Gilroy.
Even with all the personnel losses, having John Tortorella around as coach for a full season should help cure some of the teams goal-scoring woes. (New York finished as the league's third lowest scoring team and second worst power play club.) Where there havent been any improvements on that front, however, is on the back end, as the majority of the minutes will again fall to Wade Redden, Michal Rozsival, Marc Staal and Dan Girardi.
Henrik Lundqvist should keep New York competitive, but if Gaborik missing significant time with yet another injury, it could be a very long season. The Rangers really need a few offensive breakouts from unlikely sources to keep pace in the Eastern Conference.
X-factor: Marian Gaborik
For a more in-depth Rangers preview, visit Blueshirt Banter
For more NHL analysis, check out the McKeen's Hockey Yearbook
0 recs |
8 comments
| Add comment
|
Email
Print
Comments
I honestly think they miss just barely. Gaborik going down is the main reason why.
by red army line on Sep 23, 2009 9:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I love Drury’s face in that pic.
He’s all: “Holy shit!! We signed Arnason?!?!?”
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche: Nothing Inspirational Comes to Mind
by Mike @ MHH on Sep 23, 2009 10:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
“I’ve got a Hobey Baker and a National Title. What the hell has St. Cloud State ever won?”
by J. Michael Neal on Sep 23, 2009 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He also won the Little League World Series, a peewee hockey national championship, a state hockey championship, and a Stanley Cup.
Recently, in spite of some very hurtful things he said to me personally during restraining order proceedings, I decided he’s also won my heart.
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche: Nothing Inspirational Comes to Mind
by Mike @ MHH on Sep 23, 2009 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
“i still can’t believe they actually paid me $7M a year”
Glen Sather is a Hockey Genius.
http://glensathersucks.com/
http://twitter.com/ThGeneralissimo
by poploser on Sep 23, 2009 6:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Marian Gaborik is a big question this season
If he is back to his old form, the Rangers should be a playoff team
by Ebscer on Sep 23, 2009 12:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
If by old form you mean “broken” I don’t see how that would help the Rangers.
2009-2010 Colorado Avalanche: Nothing Inspirational Comes to Mind
by Mike @ MHH on Sep 23, 2009 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Join the community and dive in!
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
