Early Rangers Musings: Torts Of Thanks

(Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)

I will fully admit to my skepticism, as it pertains to anything having to do with the Rangers.  But, this writer is beginning to want to believe.

Often as I have watched this Rangers team, I have turned to my mate (a Devils fan, by the way) and said that I want so much to believe in this team.  They play differently. They skate hard. They stick up for each other. Every time that they've lit the lamp, buried the biscuit, left a goalie's undergarments hanging from the Garden rafters, and beaten an opposing blueliner like a rented mule, they celebrate as a team. 

Bottom line? They carry themselves with a swagger and perform with a passion not seen in the Garden for a decade.

These are not your egotistical, overpaid, under achieving Rangers of earlier this decade.  These Rangers...well...they're lovable.

Marion Gaborik has arrived in grand New York style. You know, there's Derek Jeter with the ball on his bat, there's Eli throwing a touchdown pass, and then there's Gabby with the puck on his blade. Sean Avery has returned to take his place as a New York folk hero.  There's Chris Drury doing exactly what he needs to be doing—playing quiet two way hockey and leading with his mouth and demeanor. And then there's that other guy in goal, King Henrik, who bails out his teammates and leads with his play.

That isn't to say that these Rangers are going to win the Stanley Cup; they still have cracks to fill. They must stop taking penalties. They still have serious salary cap issues to deal with.  

But, if anyone in the Rangers organization can be thanked for the new identity and passion to play that has overcome the ice in the Garden, it should be John Tortorella. For the first time since Iron Mike Keenan ruled as bench boss, the Rangers have a system, a group of players who have bought in to that system, and the disciplinarian behind the bench to make sure they perform that system consistently every time they strap on skates.

John Tortorella is a man of great vision and great temper.  He is also a great teacher. I present to you exhibit A and exhibit B: Michael Del Zotto and Matt Gilroy. Neither player had any NHL experience prior to entering the '09 -'10 season. Gilroy had a breakout Hobey Baker season last year and is a bit older at 25, so the maturity assisted in his transition. However, Del Zotto is 19.  This teenager is an early front runner for the Calder trophy.  

All this in a year that has seen Victor Hedman and Peter Tavares make the jump to the NHL instantly.

If you want proof of Tortorella's iron fist, you need to look to none other than Michael Roszival, who has been summarily relegated to defense pair No. 3.  If Torts carried eight defensemen, he would probably be on pairing No. 4.  On the flip side of that, Redden has improved his play dramatically and evened himself alongside his young partner Del Zotto.

I also present to you Chris Higgins who, despite his steady defensive play, has yet to end up in the beloved "g" column on the score sheet.  And as a result has found himself on the third line.  Sean "I'm Too Sexy" Avery was promoted with his play.

The system has worked so far.  Now, the Rangers need to find themselves outside of the penalty box more.  But, then again, it is early. And Rangers Nation wants to believe. 

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