2011-2012 Preview: New York Rangers

Last season: 44-33-5, 93 points. 8^th East, lost in first round to Washington (4-1).

Additions: D Tim Erixon, C Brad Richards, LW Mike Rupp

Losses: LW Derek Boogaard, C Chris Drury, D Matt Gilroy, LW Alex Frolov, D Bryan McCabe, F Vinny Prospal

Offense:  The Rangers’ offense got a huge punch when they signed Brad Richards.  Richards should be a good playmaker for Marian Gaborik, provided both guys stay healthy.  Their linemate could be Wojtek Wolski, who was traded midseason for the second year in a row.  The second line consists of team points leader Brandon Dubinsky (54), new team captain Ryan Callahan and young Russian Artem Anisimov.  The trio combined for 65 goals and 146 points.  Derek Stepan started off hot in his rookie year, scoring 14 goals by the All-Star break, but tailed off after.  In rookie scoring, he finished fifth in both goals (24) and points (45).  Brian Boyle was an unlikely contributor, scoring 21 goals, shattering his full season career high of 4.  Ruslan Fedotenko is a reliable veteran who can fill any hole in the lineup.  Tough guy Brandon Prust had 13 goals to go along with his 18 fights.  Sean Avery might have played himself off of the team.

Why I love the Rangers

Finally, after much nagging from Dan, as well as a Spanish lesson involving blogs, I decided it was finally time to share the story as to how my love of the Rangers came to be.

I, like my “compartment” Dan, was born into my fandom. My dad, being a Rangers fan since 1967, passed his love of the game onto me. In fact, the first time he dressed me, he put on a New York Rangers 1994 Cup Champions shirt.

The Shirt That Started It All

My first game, I whooped and hollered all through the first period, and was out cold with by first intermission. As I got older, I attempted to find my favorite Rangers line (now a pseudo-symbol of my youth); the “Czech Mates” line of Jan Hlavac, Radek Dvorak and my then-favorite Petr Nedved. After Petr was traded in 2004, a new Czech entered the bright lights of Broadway. A man by the name of Jaromir Jagr. Though he was considered a prima donna, his scoring touch on the ice made me forget of anything outside the rink.

After “Jaggy’s” 2008 departure to Russia, I was left Czech-less once more (because there was a better chance of a Red Sox fan surviving in Yankee Stadium than me adopting Michal Rozsival). As the season started last year, I was in search of someone to root for. That opening night I found what I was looking for in a 6’4’’ red haired stay-at-home defenseman by the name of Marc Staal. Marc made me embrace and realize the importance of a strong defensive corps is for a team. It’s been like that staalways afterwards.

I must say though, my favorite moment as a fan came in February of 2009 at a charity event the Rangers hosted called “Skate With The Greats” at Rockefeller Plaza. There, I had the fantastic opportunity to meet the likes of Paul Mara, Lauri Korpikosi, Pete Stemkowski, Aaron Voros, Ron Duguay, Erik Reitz, Brandon Dubinsky and Rangers play-by-play caster, Sam Rosen. Everyone there was courteous and more than willing to chat and take photos. Pete Stemkowski (“The Polish Prince”) and I had spoken, at length, twice that night. He retold a few of his favorite stories with such a smile on his face as he signed my book and player card, and was probably the most entertaining person I met that night. Paul Mara and Lauri Korpikoski (who are both around 6 feet) looked like tanks, and laughed when I told them that I was the tallest one in my family, and they made me feel tiny. Sam Rosen and I also chatted and he wished me luck as I pursued my career in sports journalism.

Autographs from “Skate With The Greats"

The tradition that was in attendance that night, and the guys there; old, young, famous or just starting off, were cordial and great company to have. They were class acts, and that’s one of the main things I love about the Rangers. They always honor their history.

Captaincy Conundrum

Today, word out of Rangers camp is that Captain Chris Drury will be out for four weeks with a broken finger. While some are more concerned as to who will fill his spot on the roster, I’m more concerned as to who will be the team’s captain for the month while he’s out. Normally I wouldn’t be bothered as to who is named captain if the injury happened in the middle of the season. However, this is a new season and the tone has to be set early, and the league has to know who the Rangers are and what they’ll bring to the table. Picking the new temporary captain is like me searching for a mid-afternoon snack; you have a bunch of options, each with their own appeal. I’ve narrowed it down to seven choices, unique in their own way.

Most likely candidates:

✧Ryan Callahan. Callahan is like the peanut butter sandwich; always something you know will never disappoint you. You can mix it up a few ways, too, with crunchy or creamy peanut butter. Cally is a candidate for captain mainly because he already has a letter on his jersey, and because he plays like there’s no tomorrow. He is already the first member of the ‘core’ to be bestowed with any type of captaincy.

✧Valclav Prospal. Vinny is the bran muffin of the situation, and I’m not making him the bran just because he’s the veteran of the group. The muffin is a good choice because you know that it’s been good in the past. However, if you hit a burnt spot, you feel like you’ve bitten off more than you can chew.

✧Marc Staal. Number eighteen is like the ever-popular New York fall treat Mallomars. (For those unfamiliar with the munchies, they’re essentially small moon pies.) Just like Mallomars, Staal’s captaincy would be a limited time engagement; one that New Yorkers will sink their teeth into once the opportunity arises again. Staal captained the Sudbury Wolves before coming to the Rangers, and is the leader of the defensive corps. Some form of captaincy is in the future for Staal, so why not start now?

Other options:

✧Sean Avery. Would it surprise anyone that Sean Avery is like the chips and salsa? Though a favorite amongst many, it doesn’t go without risks. Will the salsa be too spicy? Will the chip break under the salsa’s chunky goodness? It could be a gamble, but it could be one that you can reap the benefits of if it works in your favor.

✧No Captain/Alternate captain rotation. Of course there’s always just water. Coach Tortorella might opt for a three-assistant captain rotation (in which the “most likely candidates” will in all likelihood, rotate.) It’s a very likely option, but I’d love to see a captain named for opening night.

Please Don’t Pick Them:

✧Henrik Lundqvist. It didn’t work for Vancouver & Roberto Louongo. Please, please, please don’t take the bread and butter and make him captain. You got Biron to take the weight of of Hank’s shoulders, so don’t put it back on with the captaincy.

✧ Marian Gaborik. While being the top scorer and captain usually go hand-in-hand, this shouldn’t be in Gaborik’s hands. While pita crisps and peach vinegar sound like a sexy option, it may not work out so well in the end.

In the world of John Tortorella, you never know what you’re going to get. Just savor the meal no matter what you end up with.

Around The League in Four Staals

Where would I be without the Staal boys? In all likelihood, pretending that Evander is Patrick’s half brother. There’s nothing better than a familial link in hockey; the Cooks, the Richards, the Sutters, the Hansons, and now the Staals. Today, I’m just going to re-cap what’s going on with everyone’s favorite Thunder Bay brothers.

This is the first full year as captain for Hurricanes center Eric. The triple-gold club member is aiming for another All-Star season, and to bring his team (11th in the East last year) back into the playoff picture. With a mix of youth and veterans, Staal is going to be the bridge that connects the team, and will aim to bring back the trophy they won four years ago.

Things are not looking so bright for Jordan. The Selke Trophy nominee will miss the first 5-6 weeks due to a tissue infection received after tendon surgery. (The tendon injury occurring during the playoffs against Montreal.) Staal was not able to skate at all this summer, and will miss the entirety of training camp as well as miss his first NHL games since he entered the league four years ago.

My favorite Staal (for obvious reasons) had me checking every major hockey source for any information on him throughout my summer. The Restricted Free Agent Marc finally let me breathe a sigh of relief when he signed a 5 year, $19.875 million dollar contract on the 15th. Now the Rangers have their top defenseman locked up for a good period of time, but have a balancing act to work with in regards to the cap.

The baby, Jared, also made a splash this summer, signing a three year entry-level deal with his big brother’s Carolina Hurricanes. If Jared makes the ‘Canes, it won’t be the first time he’s played on a team that his brother captained. In the 2006-07 season, Jared joined Marc’s Sudbury Wolves, where he easily adjusted to the OHL under his brother’s guidance. Hopefully the same will be said this year with the Hurricanes.