Rangers Prospects Continue to Impress

The Rangers’ Prospects are still turning heads throughout their own playoffs this year. In a head to head battle of Rangers picks Christian Thomas and Jason Wilson went head to head Wednesday night as Oshawa took on Niagara in the OHL Eastern Semi’s. Wilson’s Ice Dogs had a surprising 2-1 lead before the game and made it a commanding 3-1 lead after. Both Rangers prospects made an impact. Wilson was named first star on the back of two crucial goals including the game winner (as well as an assist) while Thomas scored the lone goal for Oshawa as his team lost 6-1 to be on the brink of elimination. Thomas’ goal was his playoff leading 8^th goal and 18^th point in just 9 games and has a 4 point lead on the next best scorer in the OHL. Thomas has clearly carried his form right through the year to establish himself as an elite prospect. Wilson too however, is making the Rangers draft team look good. Following a good regular season Wilson has 9 points in 8 playoff games and is playing great hockey. Another Ranger prospect, Dan Maggio of the Generals, was pointless and had an even rating on the night. He remains on 3 points and -1 in 9 games thus far. It will be interesting to see whether some of these players get signed up for the AHL playoffs upon elimination from the junior tournament.

Over in the Quebec Junior league, recent Ranger signee Ryan Bourque is also having a productive playoffs. In 8 games thus far the diminutive forward has 9 points in 8 games as his Remparts team are 3-1 up in their second round series against Shawinigan. Wednesday night saw the Remparts take a 2 game lead with a comprehensive 5-1 victory, the third time in 4 games they have managed to score 5 or more goals. Alternate captain Bourque was actually scoreless in Wednesday night’s game and credited with one hit.

No Rangers prospect extended their seasons over in the WHL, hence players such as Dylan Mcilrath were able to sign on to play in the AHL during the remainder of this season. The fact that Chilliwack’s season is over and Roman Horak had an excellent year does however make you wonder why he wasn’t offered a similar deal to play in the AHL playoffs for the Whale. While Horak ‘only’ had 3 points in 5 games during the playoffs for the Bruins that came on the heels of an excellent regular season which saw the center notch 78 points in 64 games, a big improvement on his first year in the WHL. One can only guess why he isn’t in the AHL right now.

Finally, deserving of the last mention today is goalie Scott Stajcer, back in the OHL. Stajcer opened the season needing a good year if the Rangers were going to sign him. He then opened the year scorching hot before suffering a long injury throwing his future into doubt. Well, he’s found his game once more, in the OHL playoffs. Stajcer’s Owen Sound Attack beat Plymouth 4-1 to sweep their series and move to the OHL West Finals for the first time in over a decade. Stajcer was named first star of the game thanks to 36 saves and won his fourth straight start. Stajcer’s numbers in the playoffs are staggering. He boasts a .963%, a 1.07GAA and has 4 wins in 5 games. The fact Stajcer is playing such good hockey at the most important time of year speaks volumes to his character.

Stacjer’s play also makes you wonder about the Rangers intentions regards to the young goalie. With the Rangers recently signing Jason Missiaen, with Cam Talbot, Chad Johnson and Whale player of the year, veteran Dov Grumet-Morris also all in net, the Rangers have a lot of goalies signed on for next year beyond the NHL team (I must admit to not knowing Grumet-Morris’ contract status). That log jam and the fact the Rangers need to sign Stajcer before June to retain his rights makes you wonder whether Stajcer will be signed up. His play this year seems deserving of an entry level deal. Should be worth monitoring.

With Callahan Out, Prust Personifies The Rangers

When the Rangers lost Ryan Callahan to injury in December, there were many questions about how the Rangers were going to cope with the injury. Callahan was the prime example of the Rangers new mentality of grind it out. He hits, he forechecks, he scores, and he plays great defense. He also does it all against the oppositions top lines. It is very tough to replace all of that. Luckily for the Rangers, they got Brandon Prust from Calgary along with someone else, forgot his name, in exchange for Chris Higgins and Ales Kotalik. Prust has taken over where Callahan left off (minus the offense).

Prust has been one of the best finds in recent memory for the Rangers. He may not score as much as Callahan, but he does everything else just as much, and replaces the missing offense with a good record in fights. He has been someone the Rangers have looked to to invigorate a team decimated by injuries. He is nothing short of a warrior (as line mate Brian Boyle called him), and he does it all with more injuries than some NHL teams. He has been playing stellar hockey with a sore shoulder, a bruised ankle, and a sore hand. One of those is enough to most players out of the lineup.

When the Rangers need a spark, Prust drops the gloves, despite the shoulder and hand. When the Rangers need a good shift, it’s Prust out there to pressure the opposition. When the Rangers need solid defense, it’s Prust out there against the opposition’s top lines. He went from a borderline fourth line player last season to an integral piece of the Rangers core. And he did it in less than one season. The Rangers would be a completely different team without Prust. What a find he is turning out to be.

Boyle Headed For a Payday

No one expected this season from Brian Boyle, especially given his first year in New York. However, on the flip side this surprise season also shouldn’t be that much of a shock when looking back at his pedigree (1^st round pick) and hockey upbringing. Prior to coming to the Rangers, Boyle had a successful college career at Boston as well as a successful period in the AHL with Manchester before seeing his career stalling at LA and then taking his time to ‘arrive’ in NY. However, using a hockey cliché, it often takes power forwards longer to develop and the Rangers now look like they have a gem of a player. A lot of people chastised Glen Sather for giving up a 3^rd round pick for Boyle but right now Sather looks like a genius. Easy to say now but I was pretty happy when the Rangers took a gamble on him. I saw him in Boston College and saw what he could be. I’m just happy he’s becoming it in NY for the Rangers. With his play this year, Brian Boyle looks headed toward a solid pay day at the end of the year which could pose the Rangers a problem financially however at the same time he could also help them answer another. The Rangers have issues (to an extent) at center but with Derek Stepan, Artem Anisimov and the ever improving Boyle, the Rangers look set to be very deep at pivot for a long time, and that’s discounting any other prospects (or Brad Richards) stepping up – or in – next season.

Boyle has proven to be defensively strong, an excellent penalty killer and a scorer of key goals. To prove his clutch play he has 3 short handed points and 2 game winning goals. He’s on pace to score close to 30 goals and is becoming a force on every shift. He is also on course for over 200 hits and shots, smashing previous highs. In Boyle (potentially) I see a little bit of what the Rangers were hoping to get when the traded for Eric Lindros. Boyle has the potential to be an imposing two way center who scores goals and commands the attention of the opposition every time he steps on the ice, he just doesn’t have the top end skill Lindros had (not many do). At the end of the season, if Boyle continues at this rate, Boyle will get at least $2m off the Rangers and that’s a very conservative guess. If he does get that money, his retention could have a rippling effect on the roster including the captain’s future. Boyle is breaking out in a big way and is one big reason for why the Rangers are coping so admirably with their injury crisis. In my opinion, if it wasn’t for a certain Swede once again playing to Vezina standards Boyle would be a serious contender for Rangers MVP and (again, just my opinion) he should definitely get some Selke consideration. In the past it’s often been the Rangers looking at other teams jealously as draft picks develop elsewhere but right now I’m pretty sure the Kings are looking over to NY and are pretty jealous at what he Rangers have on their hands. Good times.

How Does Sean Avery Fit?

It’s a pretty safe assumption that not many players divide opinion like Sean Avery.

Is he a legitimate offensive threat? Is he a threat to the safety of the opposition or is he just a threat to his own team? This coming season is one of transition for the Rangers and despite the likelihood of minimal change to personnel (at least to start the season) it’s not clear where the ‘Grate one’ fits.

Without debate Avery can provide a unique dynamic to the Rangers and when he’s on he’s a valuable tool that a lot of sides cannot deal with. Avery has a healthy scoring total of 96 points in 144 games for the Rangers over parts of four seasons.  That equates to a 54 point season if you crudely looked for an average and we all know about the famously banded-about stats of  the Rangers with Avery in the line up and Avery out of the line up during his first run on Broadway. The way Avery arrived in New York in ‘07 (scoring 20 points in 29 games) showed what he can do offensively. The way he drove Martin Brodeur to despair in the playoffs showed what he can do antagonistically. So why could Avery not do it for Tortorella? Offensively, last year was a poor one for Avery scoring just 0.44 points per game compared to his Rangers average of 0.66 p/g.  Too often he played what seemed timidly and this is a direct consequence of fearing the coaches’ backlash. Too often we didn’t see the abrasive element of his game and this badly affected the Rangers. However we also saw how valuable he can be to the Rangers. In the game 82 decider in Philly – with both Avery and Callahan missing – the Rangers simply couldn’t establish a fore-check, get sustained pressure in the Flyers end and therefore allowed the Flyers the chance to bombard Lundqvist and the Rangers. If it wasn’t for the heroics of the ‘King’ the game would have been over much earlier than it was. Avery’s presence in that game (assuming he was in ‘Avery-mode’) would have helped.

Read more »

Chris Drury’s Role

Chris Drury will never score a 37 goal season for the New York Rangers like he did for the Buffalo Sabres. Unless the absolute perfect storm of a season occurs (aka miracle). Rangers fans have generally come to tolerate the fact that Drury will forever be a 12-16 goal defensive forward who gets remarkably well paid to lead his club.

The problem is; what is Chris Drury’s role (as well as his cause and effect) moving forward? If Sather’s comments are true – that if a younger player wins a spot ahead of a veteran its his job – then Chris Drury’s roster spot could be under threat. The reality though is that Sather’s words don’t ring true for everyone and that $$$ still dictate to some degree.

Consider the current roster; Gaborik, Prospal, Dubinsky, Callahan, Christensen, Anisimov and Avery are probably the main players for top 6 spots right now. That’s 7 into 6 spots without considering Drury. Then factor in Prust, Boogaard, Boyle, Weise, Byers and Zuccarello-Aasen for the other places along with Drury and that’s 7 players for the other 6 forward spots. This is all without considering the merits of Stepan, Grachev and any camp surprises.

Drury’s offensive performance last year was grim. He regressed as an offensive player significantly and players such as Boyle, Prust, Weise and Byers can man the bottom 6 and help the PK for a fraction of the price. Should a $7m ticket and a captaincy title be enough to guarantee a roster spot? No but it is.  Some players will start in Hartford even if their play warrants a spot in New York.

The problem extends beyond the forthcoming season. Drury will still be here beyond 10/11. A lot of the above named players will still be under contract at this time. Will Derek Stepan, Evgeny Grachev or Chris Kreider be blocked because of Chris Drury presence? Very possibly. Right now, for all his likeable personality and experience Chris Drury is Rangers Captain and prospect road block. Drury is the next problem Sather will have to negotiate after he brings to an end the Wade Redden saga.

Where do you think Drury fits on the Rangers right now and going forward?

Matt Gilroy

I wanted to weigh in with my opinion on a great piece Nick wrote at the Rangers Tribune. Nick at the RT wrote about Matt Gilroy getting another shot on the Rangers D this coming season.

I absolutely endorse this ‘2^nd shot’ and agree with Nick’s opinion. Do we all have long enough memories to remember half the league (if not more) clamouring for Gilroy’s signature before he caused celebration amongst Rangers fans by signing in NYC? I remember. I also remember the great start in both the preseason and the regular season that Gilroy made. I remember him scoring his first pro goal against a certain Martin Brodeur. I remember the media hype he prematurely received. I also remember the way his season spiralled into mediocrity.  

John Tortorella likes to come across as a coach that demands a lot from his charges, he likes to hold them accountable – so he tells us. But I wonder if Torts is willing to admit mistakes? In my opinion, he handled the Gilroy situation terribly. He gave up on him too quickly and personally I don’t think he factored in the ‘NCAA Wall’ that Gilroy was obviously going to encounter. Torts has spoken this off season – and during the exit interviews – about going with youth, riding out any mistakes for a better future. Well this wasn’t evident with Gilroy last year. I don’t think Torts appreciated enough how Gilroy is still very much learning the position and I think Gilroy’s age played against the defenceman. Despite his age, he was still very raw and inexperienced, especially at the NHL level.

All this doesn’t however detract from the fact Gilroy has some serious skill. He’s a wonderful skater, stick handler and can pass well. All these attributes are critical components in the ‘new NHL’.  Gilroy deserves a chance for a few reasons. Simply, the Rangers committed to him financially. Also, Gilroy has flashed his talent enough to warrant another chance and I think he’ll get it. Even the Rangers brass now know Redden = epic fail so spots are there for the taking. Gilroy shouldn’t encounter any NCAA wall this coming season and I think the time he served at the World Championships (thus extending his season and adding experience) will stand him in good stead. His year and solid WC should have been good enough to earn him a chance, initially at least, ahead of McDonagh and Eminger. It’s up to him to take it.

I am confident Gilroy will be a better player than he was last season and for a team still looking for any extra offense a more experienced, slick skating player like Gilroy can really add an extra dynamic to this team. Besides, giving the former Hobey Baker winner another chance costs the club nothing but time.

Brandon Dubinsky: Be Careful What You Wish for

Since the moment Brandon Dubinsky skated as a rookie with Jaromir Jagr (and before that) hopes and expectations have followed him. Certain player’s progressions are directly linked with their club’s futures and Dubinsky is one such player. With the problems at centre that have plagued the Rangers (for several seasons) Dubinsky was/perhaps still is expected to be an answer. With Tortorella seeing his future at Left wing however Dubinsky’s future is uncertain, especially as many Rangers fans are unsatisfied with the Alaskan’s play/development thus far. Failure to develop as hoped? Lets see.

From an offensive point of view I often see Dubinsky in the same realm as Travis Zajac. Both are around 24, and both enjoyed solid yet unspectacular starts to their NHL careers. Their paths are similar; Zajac began with seasons of 42 and 34 points and 17 and 14 goals. Dubinsky began with 40 and 41 points and 14 and 13 goals.  

It was in his third season that Zajac took off. In 08/09 Zajac hit 20 goals for the first time and reached 62 points while being excellent both ends of the ice.  Dubi’s third year lagged behind slightly and he ended it with the same 20 goals but 44 points. However with frustration aired by Rangers fans I say be careful what you wish for. Dubi’s stats may not have taken the same leap, and his play was streaky however consider the fact the Alaskan has shown glimpses of clutch. Of his 47 career goals 12 are game winners. 25% is a mighty impressive figure. Throw into the mix that this year Dubi missed 13 games and has been lumbered on a low scoring team and his year could (would?) have projected to over 50 points easily.

Dubinsky is a rarity in the NY franchise. He has a nice blend of size and skill, is willing to use both and is a young player with room to develop. Whether his future lies at center or wing, that’s for the coaches to decide, but the fans need to accept what we have is something a lot of teams would like. Consistency didn’t come to players like Zajac until years 3 and 4, while Jeff Carter also didn’t hit the heady heights until he burst out in year 4 and (no offence Aaron) they didn’t have to play stretches with offensively limited line mates such as Aaron Voros.  You want development? a +9 rating on a low scoring, non playoff team is not bad at all. His shooting percentage in the past 2 years has gone from 8.9% to 12%. Yes Dubi needs to show more consistency but then so does Tortorella with his line combinations, no?

For one more year Dubinsky is a cap bargain. He is also a player the Rangers should build around. If he only ‘maxes out’ as a 50-55 point player that’s not a bad core part, a second line staple. Is it? Be careful what you wish for Rangers fans. You want home grown? This is home grown. Traded away, he may just get replaced by a player like Ales Kotalik……..

Artem Anisimov – What Next?

While Dave is still harbouring some hope for this year, Jeremy and I are looking beyond it already. The draft, the future and so on…. With our obvious flaws down the middle it got me thinking of who (if anyone) on the current roster can address our needs in the spot next season.

Forget Jokinen. I held high hopes he could be an answer but he’s played himself out of any kind of contract unless he enjoys skating for a veterans minimum. Drury should be our 3rd line guy and a special teamer and Torotrella has gone on record saying he sees Dubinsky as a winger. So what now?

It leaves a rather talented kid called Artem Anisimov. Now, 10 goals and 21 points are nothing to scream about even as  a rookie until you dig deeper. The kid ranks only 15th in time on ice and thats not considering Parenteau who got a second more/game. Then I thought of someone else. In 1997 a lanky kid with a similar skill set called Joe Thornton scored a meagre 7 points in 55 rookie games for Boston and we all know how he turned out (at least in the regular season…)   Can AA be our Joe?

I like what I see in AA. He has good skills, is intelligent, has size and room for growth. Anyone who follows the Wolf Pack closely in the AHL knows what he can do. One of the msot frustrating things for me this year has been how Torts has deployed AA. When I see who has got the PP ice time, how guys like Jokinen chew up minutes and AA still gets 12/game I wonder whats going on. Torts should realise that ‘protecting’ AA in his 1st year might not be protecting his own job. Can AA do worse than Jokinen? I dont think so.

Anyone who saw AA’s goal in the Joe Louis in the pre season knows what this kid can do on the NHL stage. Will he get more minutes next year? I see a good 2nd line center and 50 points as possible in year 2…. If Torts allows it.

What do you all think? Can AA help address the Rangers center issue next year? He’d be a cheap option….

Chris Kreider’s Beanpot Goal

For those that missed the Beanpot, or Sportscenter this morning, you missed a great goal by Rangers prospect Chris Kreider. BC, Kreider’s team, was up 2-1 in the 3rd of the Beanpot finals, when Kreider put the icing on the cake, dangling through the BU defenseman and around the goalie to give BC a 3-1 lead, and the Beanpot title.

This is just a glimpse of what he can do. The future looks bright.

Del Zotto’s Leetch-Like Goal

It all started with an innocent clearing of the zone by Columbus. The puck was barely out of the zone by the Columbus bench, and Michael Del Zotto, just 19 years old, picked up the loose puck. Columbus then made a mistake, half the team went for a line change as Del Zotto back skated with the puck, and Del Zotto countered and made them pay.

He carried the puck in the zone, deked out one defender, and used the other as a screen, ripping a shot from the high slot passed the outstretched blocker of goaltender Steve Mason, and the Rangers had a 3-2 lead. Brian Leetch was in the house, and it seems like Del Zotto put on that show just for him.

Ranger fans haven’t seen a defenseman do something like that since, well, Leetch. Del Zotto, in his first 23 games, has shown a poise that most veterans don’t show. As Stas (where art thou?) has seen, I have been raving about this kid since he was drafted (pre-BSB). But even I and my completely biased hyping up of prospects couldn’t have imagined him being this good this early. And how about that ridiculous pass to Ryan Callahan in the first? It was so good that even Cally was stunned.

The Del Zotto effect is seen on the powerplay as well. While Ales Kotalik and his booming shot is getting most of the credit, it’s Del Zotto’s poise with the puck and crisp passing that is making everything click. The last effective powerplay quarterback the Rangers had was, of course, Leetch.

Perhaps the most underrated portion of his game is his defensive abilities. This was something he was doubted on during his days in the OHL. But Del Zotto, while making rookie mistakes, has been a steady defender in his own zone. This was highlighed by those two beautiful plays in the third period to keep the 7-3 (at the time) lead.

We are watching a very special hockey player, who hopefully will become a top-five defenseman in the league as he matures. While it is premature to call him the next Leetch, the comparisons are going to be made for years to come.