NEW YORK RANGERS 2008-09 SEASON PREVIEW
GOALTENDING:
Not to worry. Henrik Lundqvist starts slowly before getting into Vezina-contending form. He's not perfect – still drops down too often when not necessary – as high shots attest. But, then again, who is perfect? (Certainly not me!)
Henny has been around the NHL enough now to know the shooters and styles. Matter of fact, he should be nearing his career peak this semester. His sidekick, Stephen Valiquette, used to give fans anxiety conniptions when he took over the crease in bygone years. No more. The Long One has proven as capable as any Ranger backup since Gilles Villemure.
CONCLUSION: Goaltending is A-OK.
DEFENSE:
Two pillars are emerging on the blue line. Marc Staal is not far from All-Star status. He's getting stronger, knows when to attack and is developing leadership skills. Dan Girardi, with little fuss or fanfare, is putting together a two-way game not unlike Harry Howell of yesteryear. Talk about moving from Nowhere to Somewhere, this lad has done it.
Glen Sather paid dearly for Wade Redden who plays a cool, calm, collected game and can fire a blueline laser. His experience should be an asset, but fans should not expect Nik Lidstrom.
Mike Rozsival, Dmitri Kalinin and Paul Mara add to the vet presence.
Of the prospects, Corey Potter and Brian Fahey showed to advantage at camp.
If anyone can be moved, it would be Mara. With Redden able to quarterback the power play, the D is well-rounded but without a mighty physical presence. Whether that becomes a debit remains to be seen.
CONCLUSION: The D is better-than-average.
OFFENSE:
The fact that Brendan Shanahan became irrelevant and several worthies were vying for one spot before camp broke indicates that the attack will be well-balanced. Potency will depend on how well the lines jell and, especially, whether Nikolai Zherdev blends his multi skills into the mix the way I think he WILL.
Scott Gomez and Chris Drury on the top line will be a nifty one-two combo with whomever Renney chooses to add.
Markus Naslund appears revived after a desultory couple of years in Vancouver. He's a legit threat using his speed and skill as a catalyst to linemates.
On The Kid side, Brandon Dubinsky – shorn of worrying about Jaromir Jagr's wants and needs – now will fly freely up a notch, en route to superstardom.
Ryan Callahan disappointed early last year; he won't this time around.
Still "Iffy" are Petr Prucha and Nigel Dawes. Prucha requires a month of steady work – which he did not get last year – before a final determination on his ability can be made. The energy is there, but it must be combined with purpose and results.
From what I saw in camp, Lauri Korpikoski MUST make the varsity and Dan Fritsche's speed and shot put him in contention as well.
Aaron Voros will be camping around enemy creases looking for rebounds and sticking up for his buddies, but the guy is not a heavyweight any more than Sean Avery was.
Tom Renney likes Blair Betts for what he provides on the defensive and penalty-killing sides, and The Maven has no issue with that.
Fredrik Sjostrom, Colton Orr and Pat Rissmiller round out an attack unit that should give the high command some intense discussion time before final cuts are made. Somebody has to do the fighting, so figure Orr to stay.
CONCLUSION: More balance than last year. A bust-out year for the lads.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Rated sixth overall (84.6 percent) on the penalty-kill last year, the PK could get even better if Scott Gomez is used regularly and given the option to rag the puck as long as he sees fit.
If anything, the Rangers should be better in shorthanded situations. However, the power play lagged in 22nd place during 2008-09 and has to improve now that it no longer is incumbent for anyone to keep passing the puck to the ever-demanding Jaromir Jagr.
Expect more PP versatility and a climb into the top ten in that sector.
CONCLUSION: This time two assets, not one.
COACHING:
Tom Renney and the rest of his general staff have been together long enough to have developed positive chemistry and consistency; more than any Ranger coaching staff in recent memory. My buddy, Dan Akeson, believes that the current roster will enhance the high command's effectiveness, and I agree.
Jaromir Jagr and Brendan Shanahan were too dominant a dressing room force, and that could only have cramped Renney's style, whether he'd admit it or not.
Now, at last, Tom has a team to coach all by himself and he'll be all the better for it, as will his skaters. Without Sean Avery, et. al. around to cause distractions galore, the Rangers will be on the same page with a committed style and system. (Thanks, Monsieur Akeson.)
The club is in good hands – and brains.
MANAGING:
Wisely pro-active, Glen Sather did not wait for either Sean Avery or Jaromir Jagr to ruin what looms as a good team. Brendan Shanahan simply couldn't cut it, and the proof will be whether anyone signs him to a contract.
Slats has built through the system, as promised, while exploiting the free agent market. He understands the value of change.
INTANGIBLES:
Lauri Korpikoski looms as the Brandon Dubinsky of the new season.
My braintruster, Michael Smith, adds, "Lauri buzzes about, creating chances on nearly every shift."
In a totally different way, he'll become as popular as Sean Avery was.
Not to be overlooked is the long-shot – but still possible – of all, Mats Sundin. Some intellects believe that the swift Swede will pull a Scott Niedermayer in December and return to the NHL once more. Well, Mats always has said that he loves The Big Apple. And you know what that COULD mean, don't you!
