Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Thoughts on the Roster

With the regular season right around the corner a lot of discussion across the internet has been made about what the opening night roster in Pittsburgh Oct 2nd is going to look like. The roster has been reduced from 54 to 24 in a matter of weeks so let's take a look at what I believe will shake out with the Rangers...


Forwards:


- Players such as Enver Lisin, Artem Anisimov, and even Aaron Voros has made strong cases to make the lineup and have the best chance of making it. Lisin has showed excellent speed and a bit of offensive flair. He was traded for Lauri Korpikoski and plays a similar speed game and if he can pot the occasional goal it will help out tremedously. Anisimov has showed periods of brilliance and periods of invisibility (sadly it seems like all young talented Russian players are like this, Zherdev??) But, I like his size and i like his 2-way game, and with the Rangers being rather paltry at center, Anisimov could be an asset. As for Voros, I'll admit he was not one of my favorite players last season. He was misused under Tom Renney, mainly due to a lack of true talent up front. After starting the season of hot (9pts in 8 games) he finished the season with 16 points and, once Tortorella came in as coach, was scratched for 19 of 21 games. However, Voros has come back this preseason with a mission and has played like it. He seems better on his skates, shown a feisty edge, and played with energy. Voros is a perfect fit for a 4th line winger and that's where he should be opening night.


- I'm still on the fence about Brian Boyle and Evgeny Grachev. He hasn't distinguished himself enough during preseason games. He's still young and has good size and likes to mix it up physically, which is needed for a 4th line center. However, part of that responsibility is to be defensively conscience and be disciplined and I think it's those 2 areas where Boyle needs a bit of improvement. Having said that, I think he'll be in the lineup to start the season. As for Grachev, he gives the Rangers a glimpse into the future and it could be bright. Although, he has looked a bit overmatched and hasn't really gotten an offensive game going. Look for Grachev to start the season in Hartford where he can log tons of minutes and valuable experience.


- The new additions have looked intriguing. Chris Higgins will be loved by Ranger fans. He goes in to the areas needed to get the job done and has good speed. Ales Kotalik could be the key to the Rangers success on the PP this year. Kotalik has a cannon for a shot and will start off the season at one of the points during the PP. Vinny Prospal has shown deft passing and could very well be No. 1 center (although Brandon Dubinsky might have something to say about that). Donald Brashear will be one of the key reasons it will be tough to play against New York this season. You don't mess with his teammates without Brashear saying or doing something about it. Finally, there's the prized jewel of the off-season; Marion Gaborik. Hampered with a sore groin for most of the pre-season, he's been taking it slow and has only appeared in 1 game so far. This season's success rides on him; he is the focal point. If he's healthy, which I think he will be despite this groin issue, he can easily pot 40 goals this season.


Higgins-Prospal-Gaborik
Kotalik-Drury-Callahan
Dubinsky-Anisimov-Lisin/Avery
Voros-Boyle-Brashear


Defense:


- This is one of the more exciting parts of the team to talk about for 2 main reasons; Matt Gilroy and Michael Del Zotto. Both have shown up to training camp and done nothing but impress John Tortorella and the fans. Gilroy looks to be a lock for a defensive spot. However, the last 2 spots (Rangers will carry 7 D-men most likely) is where the difficulty lies. Del Zotto has been great (could be the PP QB we need) and has showed you he can play at the NHL level. But is he ready for an entire NHL season? The Rangers have 9 NHL games to answer that question before they need to make a decision; send him to juniors for the season or stay with the big team.


- Alexei Semenov has been a surprise. Invited on a tryout basis, Semenov has provided grit and consistency on the back line and enough so to garner thoughts about him being the 6th or 7th defenseman. The Rangers were looking for a veteran on D as so to not have 2 rookies in the starting 6 and Alexei Semenov could be that person.


- New Jersey native Bobby Sanguinetti in all likelihood will start the year in Hartford. After starting off training camp on the wrong foot (literally, reported to camp out of shape and had trouble with Tortorella's conditioning drills), Sanguinetti hasn't given up and has worked hard. He's another offensive first defenseman but has also been responsible defensively and could QB a PP unit as well. The thought of having Gilroy, Del Zotto, and Sanguinetti all potentially contributing to the Rangers has got to make fans elated.


- Michal Rosival and Wade Redden could definitely take a page out of the younger defensemen in camp. They are the 2 veteran leaders on the blue line, yet, haven't played rather well at all so far in preseason. Hopefully they are shaking off all the bad games now because for the Rangers to be a playoff team this year both Redden and Rosival have to produce and play smart.


- It's true that a defenseman is playing well when he doesn't stand out; he's doing all the little things that go unnoticed. Marc Staal and Dan Giardi, while not getting style points for their play, have been playing solidly.


Redden-Rosival
Staal-Girardi
Semenov-Gilroy/Del Zotto


Goalies:


- There's been some talk about Steve Valiquette not looking as sharp as he should before the season starts. But, there shouldn't be any reason to panic. Valiquette is nothing short of a professional and will be looking forward to more playing time this season due to the Olympic break.


- Chad Johnson stood out in his time here. Acquired by Pittsburgh, Johnson showed poise in the Devils and Bruins games and could make a run at the backup job next season (Vally will be a FA after this season).


- I'm sure Henrik Lundqvist cannot wait for Oct 2nd. He's looked sharp and focused. I think he sees not only olympic gold but the glisten of Lord Stanley's cup as well in his sights. If that is to happen, Lundqvist needs to carry this team all year.


Lundqvist
Valliquette


Next preseason game is Thurs 7pm. vs Washington...let's see who stands out


j.M.w

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