New York Rangers Make Few Moves, But Make the Right Moves

(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Last week, I wrote, and the day after draft day, the Rangers were pushed up against the cap with no moves imminent and the outlook looking grim.

The whole process started with shipping Gomez and his contract to Montreal for Chris Higgins, a "regular 20-goal scorer" who would have been one of the tops on the team if he just plays the way he continues to play.

Using the cap space, the Rangers signed the pure scorer in Marian Gaborik that the Rangers and I have been eyeing since last summer. In the past two seasons, the sniper scored 42 goals and 13 goals in 17 games while healthy.

Colton Orr has left, who I'll say was an excellent Ranger. He was a heavyweight who learned to avoid stupid penalties. Taking his place will be Donald Brashear, who I personally can't stand.

I think he is a dirty, almost vulgar player. His late hit on Blair Betts last year in the playoffs epitomizes his style. With that said, the Rangers needed to replace Orr, and they've found someone "effective" for this situation.

The only player who has been let go that I disagree with is Blair Betts. He has been a consistently-amazing fourth-line center. I think the fact that Detroit was trying to acquire him at the trade deadline says a lot.

Otherwise, I think the Rangers' top-12 forwards and defensive options for the year look amazing.

Gaborik, Drury, and Higgins on the first line, and Zherdev, Dubinsky, and Callahan on the second line. Then, the last two lines can fill in with Avery, Boyle, Korpikoski, Anisimov, Brashear, and Voros.

I personally would like it if Betts was in the mix for those last two lines, but that's neither here nor there. Maybe they'll find someone from Hartford to use as a utility player.

On defense, the top-four look like Redden, Rozsival, Staal, and Girardi. The defensive prospects to fill the final two slots are almost endless with Del Zotto, Gilroy, Sauer, Sanguinetti, Potter, Fahey, and Heikkinen.

The Rangers have made a few quick acquisitions and have placed themselves in a better place, which I believe to be at least on par with the rest of the division, especially with John Tortorella behind the bench.

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