Camp Depth, Defending Glen and Hartford Stacked.

Dave has begun to break down each specific area going into training camp but I can’t help wondering what kind of camp battle to expect amongst the forwards. With yesterday’s addition of Tim Kennedy the bottom 6 – already an area of ‘depth’ for the Rangers – got a whole lot more confusing. When you tally up the likely candidates vying for bottom 6 spots it’s hard impossible to see how they can all fit. Competition for jobs is one thing, having to go ‘top and tail’ with team mates at camp because there’s too many people for beds is quite another.

All the moves Sather has made to address forward depth make fans wonder if it’s all a pre-curser to a bigger move or just an attempt to throw mud at a wall and see what sticks. Todd White, Tim Kennedy, re-upping Byers, Prust and Dupont, bringing back Christensen, bringing in Boogaard;  all of these guys are likely fighting it out for jobs in the bottom 6 with Chris Drury, Sean Avery, Brian Boyle, Dale Weise and the prospects who may or may not be ready including Derek Stepan and Ethan Werek. How it plays out is anyone’s guess but without considering any unexpected standouts that’s already 13 names for 6 or 7 spots.

You have to wonder what the Rangers told Kennedy prior to his signing. It’s unlikely to be along the lines of ‘Hey, come in and compete with Brian Boyle for a job – sign here’ or he wouldn’t be here. The one-way contract he received firms up the notion he has a job. With the top 6 pretty much locked up (other than the positions for certain players such as Dubinsky and Prospal) it’s hard to see what Sather and Tortorella have in mind with all this quantity.

I refuse to criticise Sather for signing guys like Kennedy. He’s young, versatile, had a good AHL career, a solid college career and has upside. Given the contract he signed there’s no risk either. I don’t buy into some fans on twitter and various websites complaining about guys like Dane Byers not getting a chance because of ‘another Sather signing’. If Byers deserves a spot, if he blows away everyone at camp he’ll get a spot, I truly believe that. If he doesn’t earn it then he doesn’t deserve it. The best available players should be dressed in Rangers blue. If that’s Dane Byers, Tim Kennedy or another non draftee then so be it. In an ideal world the team would be full of Rangers picks but if the team is successful and it isn’t full of home grown picks big deal. Let the outcry begin if certain players get jobs and don’t deserve them until then there’s no point in crying about it.  

Another thing to consider is that part of a successful franchise is a successful farm system. We have seen a good Hartford side the past few years (last year being an exception) and no coincidence a regularly playoff bound Rangers team. It helps prospects who do begin their pro career in Hartford to begin it in a winning environment. As it stands right now, potentially there will be a lot of good players making the way to Hartford after camp and although some players may get moved or waived some will no doubt end up in Hartford. Derek Stepan, Evgeny Grachev and co. will only benefit by being involved in a good strong side.  

If Hartford features Dupont and Byers again, NHL’ers like Brian Boyle and even a guy like Todd White all complimenting Stepan, Grachev and guys like Kris Newbury and Jeremy Williams (good AHLer’s) then it promises to be an offensively impressive team. Think of the numbers Stepan and the kids may put up. Maybe a guy like Byers doesn’t make the NHL with New York but don’t underestimate these kind of guys impact on prospect development in the AHL. Some guys are worth ‘sacrificing’ if they can expedite a legitimate prospect. Look how Artem Anisimov benefited from PA Parenteau. For that reason alone PA deserves an applause when he comes to the MSG as a fish stick.

Grading Glen

This probably won’t be a popular post because of the end result. Seeing as camp isn’t far away and with the off-season all bar over (Marc Staal aside) I thought it would be worth grading everyone’s favourite hockey recluse, Glen Sather.

Good Glen

• Addressing needs: signing Alex Frolov and Marty Biron to address flaws on the team with low risk, low cap deals.
• Drafting to need; the 2010 draft featured size and players were picked by organisational need. Not every need was addressed in the draft but many were.
• Something for Nothing; Brashear’s cap headache was removed, and Todd White a potentially useful part was added. If White doesn’t pan out he doesn’t affect the cap like Brashear.
• Being pro active and getting Ryan McDonagh and Derek Stepan under contract quickly while making a play to get Chris Kreider under wraps. Sather seems to be backing up his word by trying to bring in the youth.
• Sensible deals for Prust and Christensen.

Bad Glen

• The Girardi deal; Dan Giardi got too much dollar, even if it bought into his UFA years. A bad season prior should not warrant a 100% pay rise regardless.
• Marc Staal; yes Glen, we appreciate there was a ‘chasm’ but the team’s best defenseman shouldn’t still be without contract. Sather’s consistent mishandling of RFA’s is baffling and unnecessary.
• Derek Boogaard’s contract. Hate the deal, not the player.

The Jury’s out Glen

• Eminger for Voros; another case of acquiring something for nothing, if Eminger plays well this is a good move but if rumour is true, adding Eminger meant missing out on solid bruiser Shane Morrisonn which counts as a negative.
• Did we really need to share an affiliate with the Flyers?
• If PA Parenteau becomes Matt Moulson II on long Island, consider it egg on face.
• Will much sought after Mats Zuccarello-Aasen be another Euro flop (see Ambuhl, Andreas) or the next free agent Euro to make an NHL impact?

And the Grade is?…

Players were allowed to leave, relationships were forged (welcome Greenville), and camps were held with the underlying theme of roster transformation. Competition seems legit and not a single move Sather has made this summer burns the team long term. If certain players do well (hello Frolov) they have the opportunity to become core parts of the Rangers going forward.

This has been Sather’s best off season for a very long time, perhaps ever as Rangers GM. There seems to be a plan in place and reasoning behind every move. Sather gets a B+ at the moment. This may have been higher had he already resolved Staal’s situation and paid less for Dan Girardi’s renewal. If Sather really does admit to the biggest mistake of his managerial career and banishes Redden in camp then Sather will have redeemed himself to a degree.

Training Camp Hot Seats

Less than a month to go before Camp. Who is in danger of missing out? Which players need a strong camp to make the club and fight their way up the depth charts? For the first time in several seasons the Rangers go into training camp with a lot of competition for places. How many places are really up for grabs remains to be seen but there are a few spots seemingly up for grabs.  On Tuesday we considered the Sean Avery scenario however Avery is not alone in needing a good camp. For varying reasons, here are a few more guys under pressure.

Brian Boyle; Boyle may be one of the more frustrating Rangers of recent times. A massive body that was very good at the AHL level for Manchester and who had a good college career, Boyle simply hasn’t done it at the NHL level. Doesn’t play physical given his size and hasn’t finished well when the opportunities have been there. He’ll start the camp without a spot and needing to win one back. It’s hard to see how he fits into the equation at present. His NHL career is in jeopardy so it’d be nice to see some desire and passion in camp.  

Dane Byers; The talented Byers could be a useful player for the Rangers if only he could stick and stay healthy. Having been repeatedly overlooked it’s hard to imagine he’ll get another chance if he doesn’t make the team this time around. Good size, aggression and decent scoring ability are all facets of Byers’ game and in theory he’d make an ideal bottom six player. With the signings of Prust and Boogaard, the presence of Boyle and the threat of Weise it’s looking cluttered in the bottom 6. If another year in the AHL beckons, surely it’s either a trade or a change of scenery after his current 1 year deal expires.

Erik Christensen; Yes, EC has a new 2 year deal in his pocket. However, a deal that pays less than 1m annually is easy to move (or rid) and Christensen has by no means secured anything at this stage. Flashed his tantalizing skill set enough last year to equally impress and frustrate the coaching staff (‘why couldn’t he do it more’…) but his spot will be under threat if Anisimov wins a top 6 spot and Prospal, Dubinsky and Todd White battle for the other centre spot. That’s without mentioning X factors such as Ethan Werek and Derek Stepan who come to camp with little pressure. It’s hard to imagine Christensen thriving enough lower down the order, to stick. Top 6 or bust?

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The Problem with Sean Avery

People keep saying Wade Redden needs to be in Hartford, that the Rangers don’t have a plan B if he plays well. There are concerns that Redden could be a bad influence on the kids in the A if he does go there. Well, there’s another player that maybe the Rangers haven’t accounted for and that’s Sean Avery. The Grate One has never seemed to click with Tortorella; left wing seems crowded with Prospal, Frolov and Dubinsky all competition at the spot and then there’s Avery’s infamous personality.

It needs to be repeated that Avery can be a very effective player for the Rangers. It could be said that Avery needs to be effective for this year’s club to be a playoff team. The problem is, where will he play? Avery needs minutes. Tortorella banished him to the 4th line once before and he was ineffective. Avery is best when he’s on the 2nd line making a nuisance of himself, going to the corners and being pro active. A line featuring Avery and Callahan on the flanks makes for a nice two-way, forechecking compliment to the Gaborik/Frolov line. Will it get a chance? Time will tell.

Avery needs to make the team or surely he won’t be in New York. Regardless of Redden’s cap hit going to Connecticut it’s hard to see how the Rangers can afford Avery’s cap hit to linger if he isn’t playing. It’s also hard to imagine they want his personality to linger if he’s not playing but right now there really doesn’t seem an opening for him. This is an issue that potentially won’t go away until either Avery plays on opening night or he’s moved (an unlikely scenario). The Coach keeps insisting he sees Dubinsky at wing, Frolov wasn’t brought in to be anything less than a primetime scorer and Prospal won’t be outside the top six (regardless whether that be at center or wing) so really it seems Avery is being tabbed, at best, for a 3rd line job however there seems to be an awful lot of players competing for spots on that line. If Avery doesn’t play do we really see him making his way to Hartford? It’s not a good scenario for any party involved.

Sean Avery and everything that he is, is a distraction. When it’s to the opposition it’s a good thing and the Rangers are better for it but if he doesn’t play, doesn’t play well and often he will become a distraction to the Rangers, and the NY media. It would be an unwelcome distraction.

The Importance of Marty Biron

On July 1st, the Rangers made perhaps their best signing in years. Yeah, Marian Gaborik has been terrific. And signings like Marty Straka and Michael Nylander a few years back were golden. But Marty Biron brings something that the Rangers haven’t had in a while: A backup goalie

We all know Henrik Lundqvist is one of the top 5 goalies in the world. It’s the reason we’re competitive every single year.  As long as he’s healthy, the Rangers will be in the hunt. But, without a competent backup the past few years, Henrik has had to shoulder the load all by himself. Since 2007: 72 games, 70 games, 73 games. It’s a lot.

The reason he’s had to play so much is because the guy behind him hasn’t been capable of winning games consistently. That changes with Marty Biron.

The 33 year older veteran has had a pretty good career. Even playing with the horrible Islanders last year, Biron put up a 3.27 GAA. On a pretty good Philly team the year before, a 2.76 GAA. The guy can play.

Even though Steve Valliquette was a good guy, he wasn’t the best goalie. A long time starter, Biron can get hot over a stretch of games. Or, he can come in and give Hank a rest.

Marty Biron is not the best goalie in the world. But, he’s an important Ranger. Giving Henrik 15-20 games off will keep him fresh for the stretch run. A fresh Henrik is a good thing for the Rangers. With a lot of young talent around him, Henrik can carry this team to the playoffs. He’ll get an assist from Marty Biron.

Looking Ahead: Chris Kreider

Every Friday we look ahead to a different aspect of the future of the Rangers organization. This week we take a look at what may be the Rangers #1 prospect. There’s a very good chance that Massachusetts born Chris Kreider is the best offensive prospect the Rangers have even though the Rangers are fortunate to have a few  very promising ones coming up the system.

Drafted 19^th overall (and looking every bit the steal) Kreider has developed at a rapid pace to the point where he was a teen college player invited to play for the senior USA world championship team and to the point where GM Glen Sather declared Kreider ready for NHL play. On top of that Sather admitted he tried to sign the blue chip talent this summer. The fact Sather even commented publicly on a negotiation of this kind is compliment enough. So where is Kreider at right now and when will Rangers fans a) see him in Ranger blue and b) see him as an impact player?

Kreider has gone on record that he intends to turn pro a year from now. This was backed up by Rangers beat writer Jim Cerny on twitter. Kreider already has the pro physique standing a solid 6’2 220lbs while he is genuinely regarded as one of the most explosive skaters around. His size and excellent speed could, should prove to be a deadly combination.

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Difference Makers?

While studying the Rangers current NHL roster the other day (and not considering who might make the roster from the minors/juniors/Europe) it was interesting to note who may be the most crucial influences in making the club a playoff team again. Not considered were Gaborik, Lundqvist, Frolov and Del Zotto. Those players will obviously have a big say on the season ahead and until Marc Staal signs on the dotted line its hard to consider him. Let’s have a look at three players that can make a huge difference.

Chris Drury. The captain’s goal output in the last 4 years: 37, 25, 22, 14. That’s a worrying trend. He also took 71 shots less last year than the year before. Everyone knows the defensive skills he brings on the PK but if Drury can ‘just’ get back to the 22 goal form of 2 years ago then he will have a huge influence on the secondary scoring of this team. Simply put Drury needs to get into dangerous positions more and shoot the puck. He’s never been a plus player as a Ranger and his ice time may be limited given the additions to the roster but thanks to his captain status and cap hit it’s hard to imagine Drury wont atleast get an opportunity to make an impact. We should know early into the season whether Drury has anything left in the tank offensively. If he does, it bodes well for the Rangers.

Artem Anisimov. The lanky Russian is hugely talented and has progressed a lot since his rookie year in Hartford. Defensively proficient and with the ability to both score himself or make a play it’s unclear just where on the depth chart Anisimov will start the year. If Anisimov grabs a top 6 centre spot it serves the Rangers well in the long term. Given his solid totals from last year in limited ice time it’s fair to expect progression from the Russian. Anisimov’s play also hugely affects other roster players. All of Brandon Dubinsky, Eric Christensen and Todd White’s ice time may be affected by AA so his training camp performance directly affects a lot of players careers. Training camp competition at center should be fierce which can only be a good thing.

Dan Girardi. Girardi wasn’t very good last year yet he got more than a 100% rise in salary. It’s time to earn the pay rise Dan. Given the potential change and lack of experience on the blue line Girardi needs to step up. If Girardi can show the composure that highlighted his early Rangers career, can show more consistency and score a little heavier then Girardi can become a key cog for this team. A good Dan Girardi allows Del Zotto and any rookie such as McDonagh to not have their development rushed. The Ontario native isn’t great at any one facet of the game but can make positive contributions in several areas. Stepping into a senior role this season would benefit the Rangers long term development massively.

Thinking About The Power Play

Ever since Jaromir Jagr left, and even a bit before, the power play has sucked. The Rangers have offensive stars like Marian Gaborik, but they just can’t put the biscuit in the hole. This is extremely frustrating.

The one thing that the Rangers don’t do well is setting up. From the rush to setting up in the zone, the Rangers can never get settled. Any good power play has to be set up in the zone. You can’t have one shot and have to set up again.

Once they get set up, they have trouble hitting the net, or after a few attempts, the puck will be cleared. There’s no consistent attack.

You want a power play that, as a fan, makes you jump out you seat because they get so many good chances, and then, after a while, they capitalize on it. That’s a good power play. Rangers don’t have that.

So how can we fix this? Let’s dive right in.

The first problem is getting set up. Usually, MDZ will start with the puck behind the net. He’ll skate up the middle of the ice, and right past his own blueline, he’s fire a pass to a streaking Gaborik or Callahan. This works some of the time. When it does, it’s great. But it can’t be used every single time. It becomes predictable. Defenses can pick off the pass. And you’re not setting up.

The Rangers don’t do well with dump and chase, either. Here’s what they need to do. Have a defenseman bring it up. Have his partner next to him. Let’s get a center leading two wings in the pursuit. D drops it in, center and wings chase after it, not just a wing. Get the puck, walk it out, and get it to the point.

Now that it’s on the point, what next? Well, let’s talk spacing and layout. I love the drawing feature on Google Docs, and since you can share it and embed it, all the more fun. Here’s how the Rangers PP should look like:

That’s just some sample players. But let’s break it down. We’ll start with MDZ

MDZ should move either to his right, or in a bit. Moving in to his right brings the defense over. He can the rifle a pass off to Frolov, who’s streaking to the net. If he moves in a bit, defense collapses, pass it back out to Rosy, and he takes a bomb from the point. Rosy follows the same pattern.

Drury stays in front of the net. The Rangers never have this. Pluck his ass right in front of the goalie. Take a defender away from the box. Give Gabby and Frolov more room to operate. And gobble up loose pucks.

I want Frolov and Gaborik mirroring each other. Moving without the puck a lot. Let’s say Frolov has it. He’s by the boards, holding. Now, Gaborik shouldn’t stay still. He should break for the net. Frolov can pass it. He can shoot it. Or, as the defense collapses, pass it back out to MDZ. Gaborik can do the same. These two can fish for rebounds as well.

Moving a lot, with and without the puck, is key. The spacing here allows them to do this. Penalty killers usually stay in a box, or a square. The box moves with the puck. But, with movement, especially without the pick, the box has to collapse. The Rangers spent too much time standing still. No more. Move around. Make the defense move. Fire shots off. Get bodies in front of the net. And shoot the puck, dammit!

Reasonable Expectation: Alexander Frolov

The recent signing of Alexander Frolov has left the Rangers faithful divided. Many see the name, and declining stats the past two seasons, and instantly scream Nikolai Zherdev. Others see the 27 year old UFA as much needed secondary scoring to compliment Marian Gaborik, and a very shrewd signing by General Manager Glen Sather. Regardless of your personal opinions of Frolov, the fact is that he will be on the team next season.

So what can anyone really expect from the winger? When looking at his raw numbers, Frolov only failed to score 20 goals twice, with once being his rookie year. He also routinely puts up 50 points per season, which is something the Rangers are fairly hard pressed to find on their current roster. His point totals, and goal totals, slipped recently due to a drop in powerplay time. On the Rangers, Frolov will not run into that powerplay issue, as he will more than likely be placed on a powerplay unit with Marian Gaborik. The combination of Frolov and Gaborik gives the Rangers a potent 1-2 punch on the powerplay, and will force each penalty killing unit to spread themselves out. This creates more opportunities for both Gaborik and Frolov, and hopefully leads to more pwoerplay efficiency from the Rangers.

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Looking ahead: Why all the Fuss?

Every Friday here at BSB we’re going to Look ahead. We’ll be looking ahead at various aspects of the New York Rangers, this week starting with how the prospects are not being blocked. Not now, not going forward – Its all about them being ready.

I appreciate that there is some negative sentiment and pessimism floating around, that with additions such as Todd White, the Rangers are not sticking to their word by leaving roster spots open for prospects. I can see why people would be concerned but let’s be honest here; as it currently stands (yes, it may – hopefully – change by the end of camp) how many forward prospects are ready to make a legitimate impact at the NHL level?

Who can truly say Derek Stepan, Ethan Werek, but especially Evgeny Grachev wouldn’t be better served with major minutes in either the minors or in junior? Would Stepan’s development not be stunted if he was receiving between 7-10 minutes per night in NY as opposed to 16-18 mins in Hartford? Carl Hagelin, Chris Kreider, Ryan Borque and Roman Horak are all atleast a year away, Christian Thomas and Andrew Yogan more so.  Mats Zuccarello-Aasen may also benefit from major minutes in the AHL though that is still to be determined. As it stands, the apparent logjam at forward is ‘only’ a concern for Dale Weise and Dane Byers but specifically Weise is highly thought of by the coaching staff so it can be assumed he’ll atleast get a shot at making it New York. Right now however, none of the ‘blue chip’ forward prospects are in danger of getting lost amongst the forward shuffle in New York.

Things are a little clearer on the blue line. Sort of. Maybe? It looks as though Wade Redden will be waived. The current cap situation dictates it (yay!). That leaves atleast one spot open to open competition. If that’s grabbed by Steve Eminger so be it. If it’s Matt Gilroy, Ryan McDonagh or even Pavel Valentenko even better.  There are opportunities on the blue line and quite frankly if Matt Gilroy can’t beat out Steve Eminger he doesn’t deserve a spot. Fans shouldn’t see Eminger as a road block to the prospects. He basically cost the Rangers nothing, has neither a significant commitment from the club or a prohibitive cap hit so he won’t be given a job because of those factors. If Eminger is patrolling the blue line opening night it can be assumed he deserved it ahead of the competition.

McDonagh and co will get their opportunities; it’s up to them to take them. Whether that is the start of the coming season, mid season or next season we’re yet to see. Which brings me to my final point. Within the next 2 years, 16 contracts and $35.27m from the current roster come off the books. That doesn’t include Redden. Of those 16 deals it is safe to assume Prospal won’t be back after 11/12 (at the latest), same goes for Todd White and unless Sather wants a fan revolt Michael Roszival will be gone the latest in two years. Barring a great season it’s hard to imagine Eminger coming back and the same goes for Marty Biron in two years, with the caveat that Chad Johnson develops in Hartford. Brian Boyle seems to be an odd man now let alone when his deal expires in 12 months time…

The point here is that there are plenty of opportunities for the prospects on the horizon. If, during this time, Sather then fills the vacating roster spots despite the prospects truly being ready then by all means let him have it, but until prospects X, Y and Z are banging the door down with their play then it’s hard to moan – just yet. Why rush a prospect into a position just because he’s a prospect? How did that pan out for Jamie Lundmark and Manny Malhotra? By the way, a 12 goal season (Mr Grachev) is not banging the door down.