Rangers Gal: 2009 BlueShirts Preview - Here We Go Again

The leaves are turning, the weather is getting colder, and baseball season is thankfully ending. Yes folks, hockey season is here again, which brings to mind the same question I ask myself every October – are the Rangers going to make the playoffs this season? I know there are a lot of games that need to be played before we even start thinking about the playoffs, but ultimately, that is the goal right?? Well, the real goal is to win the Stanley Cup, but let’s not get too ahead of ourselves when talking about the Rangers. To answer that question, I think a solid 50/50.

But, how could I start talking about the current Ranger roster and playoff aspirations without first discussing my favorite Ranger executive, the lovable Glen Sather. Like off-season clockwork, Sather has once again refaced the team with a spending spree and added a roster full of new players, the most notable being Marian Gaborik, Christopher Higgins, Donald Brashear, Matt Gilroy, Ales Kotalik, Artem Anisimov, and Vinny Prospal. Although I would rather admit that the Pittsburgh Penguins deserved to win the Stanley Cup last season than give Sather any credit, I do have to admit that I’m partially happy that he managed to dump the expensive duds he signed the past few seasons (yes GOMEZ, I’m talking about you) and actually signed one guy that can put the puck in the net (who knew a hockey team could win any games without scoring?). I say I’m only partially happy because it was his genius that brought them here to begin with.

I don’t usually use preseason as a true indicator of what how a team will play during the regular season, but I must say I wasn’t totally horrified when I watched them play those games. We all know what the concerns are with the Rangers (lack of offense, power play, centers, Wade Redden) so let’s focus on the positives. The pace of their play has definitely improved due to the system coach John Torterella uses and the additions of Gaborik, Gilory, and Anisimov, to name a few. They also seem to be quicker than last season and I didn’t find myself losing my voice by yelling “Shoot!!” as much when they had the puck. Gaborik, when actually healthy, is a proven goal scorer. For the Rangers to improve their offensive dramatically he needs to play…a lot. The rookie center man, Anisimov brings size and goal scoring skills which the Rangers desperately need. Higgins, although not the most gifted goal scorer, is hard-working and scrappy (similar to that of Callahan)….another aspect to their game they need.

I’m still a little unsure about Kotalik because he didn’t really show much during preseason but he has an excellent slap shot and will end up benefitting the team. I got laughed at when I said signing Vinny Prospal was going to be a surprise positive for the Rangers (have to take that with a grain of salt though because it was coming from a Devils’ fan), but I’m sticking to my word and think he’s going to be a very important aspect to their game. He may be older, but he can still score, and move the puck well. I’m not convinced Dubinsky will be able to handle the first line so I’m happy he’s on the team, but either way, he’s definitely starting the season on the first line.

The Rangers’ defense definitely improved with the additions of Gilroy and Del Zotto. Gilroy, who won the Hobey Baker award and was a NCAA champion in his senior year at Boston University and Del Zotto who was their first round draft pick in 2008 have had impressive preseasons. They are both very talented defensemen that can move the puck well up the ice and join the attack. I can only hope that Michael Del Zotto gets the chance to play more than nine games this season because he, along with Gilroy, are the future of the Ranger defense. Those two already deserve more money than Redden and Rosival combined. The last, and most certainly, MOST important positive aspect of the Ranger team, is the goaltending of Henrik Lundqvist. He’s one of, if not the best, goaltender in the league and will certainly need to play his best if the Rangers even have a hope of doing well this season and making the playoffs.

I’m hoping for the sake of the team and my sanity that all of these new additions actually improve the team. I say 50/50 on the Rangers making the playoffs this year because I have a feeling they are either going to be much much better than expected, granted their expectations are pretty low at the moment, or they’re not making the playoffs. Period. I’m hoping it’s the first of the two.

Tonight should be a good test for them playing those obnoxious banner-raising Penguins……

..….and I thought I was going to be able to pretend that their championship never happened. Oh well.

LET’S GO RANGERS!!