• By Brian SCS, March 22, 2011 @ 8:41 am I don’t want to undermine the importance of faceoffs but Dubinsky has become a much more dominant player on the wing which allows him to play his game. Barring injuries I would keep him there. Anisimov’s FO% sits at about 44% which isn’t great and Stepans is 37% which is quite poor but these are young centerman and I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect that these numbers will improve with more experience in the circle. There has been so much to like about the two-way games of Stepan and AA that I would be satisfied with allowing them to take O-zone draws and having Dubi take draws in key defensive situations. This won’t work for Stepan if he continues to play with Zuc and WW. It’s been quite a while since the Rangers have had this much potential and versatility at center so I’m okay with some faceoff hiccups along the way. Assuming there is gradual improvement of course.

• By Section 121, March 22, 2011 @ 9:44 am I still like Dubi as a center but considering log jam at center, I guess he should stay on the wing (the wing position is not responsible for his increased production – last year he was on pace for 52 pts over 82 games – this is just the trend he was already on, wing or center) Anyway, next year’s lineup; Dubi-AA-Gabby Wolski-Stepan-Cally MZA-Boyle-Prust Boogie/Avery-Drury-Dupont/Weise Move Cally up for the 15 to 20 games Gabby will be out, MZA to RW with Stepan, and Avery up to LW with Boyle. Kyleoreily22 Reply: March 22nd, 2011 at 1:57 pm what about christensen

• By Mikeyyyy, March 22, 2011 @ 9:46 am No one says he can’t take draws. Then work out back to wing after. After his move to wing he became less Scott Gomez and more dubi

• By Mark, March 22, 2011 @ 9:55 am I don’t see a next year without Brad Richards in a Rangers jersey. I really think Torts will push for him and get him barring an unexpected run by the Stars… I think we have 3 lines of solid chemistry and do not like breaking that up… Add Richards to the mix with Gabby and we have a true top line no matter who is on the wing… i think Wolski would be a great guy there, but i love his chemistry with MZA and Stepan…and i think fedentenko is back for one more year so that is our 4th line Boogie healthy scratch Avery probably not even here… Maybe Christian Thomas gets the chance or Kreider but Thomas is dominating Juniors… he clearly has a scoring touch and it’s not like we didn’t open last year with a Rookie on our first line (Stepan)… i wouldn’t mind… Thomas(if he makes it)Richards Gabby Dubi Anisimov Cally Wolski Stepan MZA Feds Boyle Prust That is a team with great depth… maybe Prospal comes back for another year… or i know no one likes the idea, but EC could still be in the mix and play along side Richards and Gaborik either way this team has some great depth and this is just the offensive game… Dubi’s faceoff skills can be maximized playing along side Cally ont he Penalty Kill when faceoff wins are even more magnified I have one question… with the way this team has battled, if you add Richards are we a Cup Contender? Tim Reply: March 22nd, 2011 at 11:14 am At 950k a year, I wouldn’t mind seeing Christensen back at all. I know the fans get on his case but it’s a big team, people get hurt, and somebody’s gotta sit in the pressbox. Good teams usually have someone in that box who knows how to put a puck in the net. RangerSmurf Reply: March 22nd, 2011 at 11:47 am Especially considering Richards hasn’t played a full season in 4 years, having EC around is good because you know he has ‘chemistry’ with Gaborik Brian SCS Reply: March 22nd, 2011 at 11:51 am Totally agree, EC is a solid depth center who comes cheap and can bounce around the lineup in case of injury. He won’t be guaranteed anything and should have to work for every bit of playing time he gets. If he doesn’t work you just sit him. Brian SCS Reply: March 22nd, 2011 at 12:01 pm I’d have to think Grachev will have a much better chance at making the squad than Christian Thomas. No knock on Thomas but he is one guy in particular that shouldn’t be rushed. I think Richards is enticing but a lot will depend on what the Rangers intentions are with Drury – I doubt Slats will buy him out – but if he can be nudged to retire by a briefcase of $ under the table ala Markus Naslund then now we’re talking. DavidEfrem Reply: March 22nd, 2011 at 4:28 pm I think Grachev plays with the big club nxt yr. CThomas and Kreider will get a shot but no rush.BRichards at a reasonable price no Drury like contract. Vinny,Ruslan and Drury done cut ties now better 1 yr than 1 to late.

• By jurgenno88, March 22, 2011 @ 11:59 am EC is the kind of depth that every good team needs. He is skilled, is a SO option and is a cap bargain, or at least certainly doesn’t hurt your cap. To answer Tim’s question. NYR a contender with Richards? Yes, but not in year 1. Year 2 they should be. You have to factor all the kids need one more year of experience before this team is perhaps mature enough to go deep. Richards makes this team a ‘dark horse’ next year though…a team that no one wants to face. Zack Reply: March 22nd, 2011 at 12:16 pm Next year lineup if I’m Glen Sather Dubinsky Richards Gabborik Kreider Anisimov Callahan Wolski Stepan MZA Kolarik Boyle Prust Staal Girardi Sauer McDonaugh MDZ McCabe DavidEfrem Reply: March 22nd, 2011 at 4:47 pm Keep Dubi w/ AA and Callahan put Kreider if he’s ready on top line. w/his speed Richards passing Gabby speed and shot. Grachev nstead of Kolarik.Wouldn’t resign McCabe,Pavel Valentenko is tough has a hard shot soild D-men like 2 see him with the big club.

• By Fotiu is God, March 22, 2011 @ 2:19 pm Damn, let’s get through this season before we christen next year’s battleship, eh. Much as I’d like to see Brad Richards suit up alongside Gaborik come 11-12, I’d also like to see Lanny Barbie show up at my door in leather boots and black fishnets. For those dream-weavers and fantasy fanciers: you really believe Joe Nieuwendyk allows his franchise forward to simply walk away? As for Dubinsky–that was the fulcrum of this post, right?–a la David Backes and The Stewart Brothers–not Jon–his game is down low, along the wall. The boy’s a winger. Full stop. Sure shot.

• By Justin Fassberger, March 22, 2011 @ 2:22 pm Next years line up….. Dubinsky Richards Callahan Prospal Anisomov Gaborik Wolski Stepan Zuccarrelo Fedotenko Boyle Prust This teams got Championship written all over it. I think Richards is going to be a Ranger no matter what he want’s to play for Torts. The 1st line has got to be dubi richards callahan, after that I think you can’t really descide till u see these guys in training camp. But I like everyone in there minus Prust but I keep Prust in there over Avery because Prust is a solid PK guy. Avery is never going to win the Cup so get rid of him. Get rid of Drury. You need to keep prospal and fedotenko they are solid rangers in torts system. As for all the young talent coming up I think they will all prob need another year in the AHL.

• By Steve, March 22, 2011 @ 3:01 pm *If* the Rangers sign Richards next year, I’d rather find a way to put Callahan on their top line. I know they both play RW, but Callahan does all the little things that would free up Gaborik and Richards – board work, banging rebounds in front of the net, backchecking, etc. It’s a much more balanced line.

• By Mark, March 22, 2011 @ 4:01 pm i don’t think it is a matter of Nieuwendyk letting him walks as much as ownership not wanting to doll out the amount of money to pay for him. The amount of home games they get may determine keep or let leave from their rocky ownership

• By steakman, March 22, 2011 @ 4:31 pm i think they will end up with richards but will have to cut some money as well duby richards gabby zuck aa cally wojek stepan mz boregard boyle prust staal girardi mcdoungh saur del zotto mccabe boregards money not going anywhere

Other links to this post