Training Camp Preview: Defense

Training camp is right around the corner, and in our next training camp preview series –goalies were done last week– we are going to look at the defensemen vying to make the roster for the 2010-2011 season. Defense isn’t as cluttered as the forward position, but there are going to be some interesting battles in camp for those final two spots in the top six. The battle for that seventh defenseman spot, should there be a seventh defenseman, is also going to be interesting. The Rangers have four players battling for those three spots, and there are some other rookies that may be off most people’s radar, but could be dark horses to make the team.

Marc Staal: The unsigned defender is the Rangers best defenseman. Seeking a big raise from his $800,000 salary last year, the Rangers are going to need Staal signed and playing in order to compete this year. Staal logs all his minutes against opponents top lines, and does a great job at shutting them down. At the end of last season, he showed some offensive prowess, scoring in three straight games as the Rangers made a desperate push for the playoffs. Staal’s 10.4 GVT was third on the team last year, and second among skaters (Marian Gaborik was tops). His 6.4 DGVT was tops on the team by a full goal. Staal’s value to the team is almost immeasurable, and many fans are starting to get worried about when he will sign.

Dan Girardi: Girardi is an interesting conundrum. On one hand, all fans see is that he didn’t stand up for Gaborik as he got pummeled by Dan Carcillo. On the other hand, Girardi’s 5.0 DGVT (second on the team) and 6.8 GVT (fifth among skaters) shows just how valuable he really is. To put those numbers in perspective, Girardi had a better GVT than Fedor Tyutin (who some fans want back), Jay Bouwmeester, Dennis Wideman, Dion Phaneuf, Anton Volchenkov, and Zbynek Michalek. His 5.0 GVT is good for 32nd in the league, better than all those guys just mentioned, and other guys like Dan Hamhuis. Sure, Girardi may be a little overpaid at $3.325 million per season, but he’s a top four defender on almost every team in the league.

Read more after the jump

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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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.

Rookies Rated

TSN recently looked at the top 100 rookies in the NHL this season that included both Michael Del Zotto and Artem Anisimov. Using a measuring system they explain here this is what TSN had to say about our kids. Make sure you read the methodology/scoring first….

 16. Michael Del Zotto, D, N.Y. Rangers
Age: 19
Stats: 9-28-37, minus-20, 32 PIM in 80 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 69.16
Comment: Has to tighten up defensively, but there aren’t many teen defensemen who have put up more than 35 points as a rookie. Aside from Myers, the last one to do so was Bryan Berard with 48 in 1996-1997.

MDZ came in at 16th in their ‘scoring’ but their analysis reveals something that speaks volumes for MDZ.  He had the 2nd best (teenage) scoring season for defenceman since 1996-97. That’s an impressive performance though TSN are right in saying that his defence will need to be improved upon. Hopefully that comes with age and experience. A very good first year, personally, for the Rangers’ future star PP QB.

 Next was AA:

 35. Artem Anisimov, C, N.Y. Rangers
Age: 21
Stats: 12-16-28, minus-2, 32 PIM in 82 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 65.38
Comment: Not a huge offensive year, but solid enough for lanky pivot who can still get faster and stronger.

The further down the list the less analysis TSN do so not much to read here. However looking deeper ourselves consider this: on a non playoff team, a low scoring team and anchoring the 4th line at 12mins/game, 28 points may not sound a lot but factoring all that in, it was an excellent year for AA. Defensively sound and with room to grow this was also a great start to an NHL career.

 Almost an afterthought at the end of the season was Matt Gilroy. He made TSN’s list at 39:

 39. Matt Gilroy, D, N.Y. Rangers
Age: 25
Stats: 4-11-15, even, 23 PIM in 69 GP
TSN.ca Rating: 63.72
Comment: Hobey Baker winner saw ice time decrease as season progressed and didn’t play at all in April.

No analysis here that we don’t know already but allow me to add a little: Defensively still developing, I was most disappointed by the offensive numbers. I was hoping for around 20-25 points off Gilroy who at 25 should have come in less phazed by it all (the rookie year). He did, at times, show enough to indicate he could have a bright future but the way his season ended indicates he has an uncertain immediate future and may have lost the coach’s trust. Can he get it back? Long term for the Rangers it would be good if he could.

Rick Carpiniello in particular often talks about how the Rangers lack top end talent compared to most teams but going forward do most teams have Henrik Lundqvist and Marian Gaborik? Do most teams have two future D studs like Staal and MDZ? I know I harp on about it but (Gilroy’s struggles aside) its hard to be too negative when we have such a young core growing together featuring AA, MDZ, Staal, Dubinsky, Callahan, Lundqvist and Gaborik. The Magnificent 7? Could be…

Dubinsky, Gilroy, Staal, Anisimov Headed to Worlds

As per Kevin Allen of USA Today, Brandon Dubinsky and defenseman Matt Gilroy will be representing Team USA in the World Championships. Both players have something to prove, as Gilroy was a healthy scratch for the final eight games of the Rangers season, and Dubinsky battled inconsistency all year. Ryan Callahan would have participated, but will sit out to help his knee heal.

Bob McKenzie is reporting that Marc Staal will be named to Team Canada. Staal, who was left off the Olympics roster, is a solid addition for Team Canada.

Larry Brooks is reporting that Artem Anisimov will play for Russia. Anisimov was impressive all year in minimum ice time, and should be able to build on this experience and come to camp next year to take the #1 center position.

No Lineup Changes for Tomorrow

As per the beat writers on Twitter; Ryan Callahan, Sean Avery and Brian Boyle did not skate at practice today and will not play tonight. Also, it looks like coach John Tortorella will be keeping the same lineup as he did against the Islanders, with Matt Gilroy and Enver Lisin being sent to the Prucha Box. So despite playing a combined 15 minutes in the last game, Anders Eriksson and Corey Locke will remain in the lineup tonight tomorrow against Tampa Bay. It is safe to assume the lines will look the same as they did against the Islanders on Tuesday:

Dubinsky-Christensen-Gaborik
Prospal-Locke-Drury
Voros-Jokinen- Parenteau
Shelley-Anisimov-Prust

Henrik Lundqvist will be in net todaytomorrow, for his 800th start in a row.

Gilroy/Lisin Scratched, Cally Out

As per Steve Zipay, Ryan Callahan is out tonight with his leg injury, being replaced in the lineup by the recently called up P.A. Parenteau. The other player called up, Anders Eriksson, will be in the lineup tonight, replacing Matt Gilroy. Gilroy only played 10:05 in the shootout win against New Jersey on Thursday night.

The other minor lineup change for tonight is that Aaron Voros will indeed return tonight, and Enver Lisin will be the additional healthy scratch.

Rangers Call-Up Parenteau And Eriksson

The Rangers have called up P.A. Parenteau and Anders Eriksson from the AHL, for Saturday’s game against Toronto. The Parenteau call-up is presumably for Ryan Callahan, who re-injured his leg against the Devils.

As for Eriksson, there are a couple potential reasons for the call-up. The Rangers may want a seventh defenseman for the rest of the road trip (which would be odd, since they haven’t carried seven all year). Or, it may be to replace Matt Gilroy, who played only 10:05 in the shootout win against the Devils. Do the Rangers want a veteran presence for the last playoff push? We’ll see what happens.

The Hunt for the Veteran Defenseman

It is no surprise that the Rangers are in the hunt for a veteran defenseman. The defense has been inconsistent at best, and there are many gaping holes, particularly a blue liner that hits on a regular basis. General Manager Glen Sather is looking at low risk, high reward type players to help fill this gap. To be more specific, Sather is looking for a player that won’t cost a high-end prospect/pick, and will be a UFA at the end of the year. Unfortunately, that is what everyone and their mother wants.

But the real question here is this: Who sits when that new defenseman arrives? Of the most notable players available (Garnet Exelby, Christoph Schubert, Denis Seidenberg), none are seventh defensemen. Each of them is capable of playing top-six minutes, and none will want to sit in the press box, keeping Donald Brashear and either Aaron Voros or Enver Lisin company.

The player every Rangers fan wants to sit is Wade Redden. Redden barely plays 15 minutes a game, and it is mostly due to the fact that he simply cannot skate with the above average players anymore. But this raises another question: Does Rangers brass have enough balls to sit Redden continuously? If not, then the most likely candidate to get the axe will be Matt Gilroy. Here’s why. (Update 12:15pm: This is strictly from a business standpoint, not stats/results.)

Matt Gilroy has not played 60 games this season, he has played 54. Matt Gilroy can be optioned to Hartford without passing through waivers or re-entry waivers, because he has not reached teh the 60 game threshold. Dumping Matt Gilroy in Hartford also clears enough cap space to take on a more expensive contract. It will also give the Rangers some additional time to evaluate how the new acquisition adjusts to his new team. If he can’t adjust, then Gilroy is simply recalled and inserted back into the lineup, with zero repercussions.

Some may not like this thinking, some will. The bottom line is that if the Rangers do not want to sit Redden, then Gilroy is the most likely candidate to go. Sometimes, it’s not about who is playing the worst, but who is the safest to get to Hartford.

Gilroy Called Up

Matt Gilroy has been called up to the Rangers after his stint in Hartford. He will be the sixth defenseman, replacing the recently sent down Ilkka Heikkinen and Bobby Sanguinetti. This isn’t really a surprise, as Heikkinen and Sanguinetti didn’t play much in yesterday’s game against the Flyers.

This again leaves the Rangers with just six defenseman and 14 forwards.