The New York Rangers Re-Tool Their Roster For a New Approach

Almost a week after free agency began, the Rangers roster seems to be near completion. The Rangers have moved on leaving their captain behind and have entered a new era, a Jagr-less era. The team has a completely revamped roster following the mass exodus that included Jagr and fan favorite Sean Avery.

The team has several new faces; Wade Redden, Nikolai Zherdev, Markus Naslund, Dimitri Kalinin and Dan Fritsche. The likes of Michael Rozsival, Paul Mara and Stephen Valiquette returned for another season with the Blueshirts. Although the make up of the salaries and contracts are not ideal for a number of players, I think I like this team.

Although Jagr has left for Russia and Avery is heading to Dallas, the new team has promise and just may be better than it was when Marian Hossa ended the Rangers Cup dreams a few months ago.

The young players like Marc Staal, Brandon Dubinsky, Nigel Dawes and Ryan Callahan are no longer rookies hoping to stay on the roster. The front office and Rangers fans a like have high hopes for this group that also includes Artem Anisimov and Lauri Korpikoski who spent last season with the Wolfpack.

Brandon Dubinsky has the most potential of all the Rangers young guns. I just hope that without Jagr at his hip he doesn’t forget everything he learned from him.

Some may say that Markus Naslund is washed up after two poor seasons in Vancouver, but I disagree. Naslund was playing in a Devils like system with the Canucks after Crawford left and his production decreased.

He also didn’t have a highly talented center like Scott Gomez or Chris Drury to play alongside. I fully expect Naslund to solidly contribute to the team. Hopefully he won’t have that meet and greet period that slows his play because he has played for Renney in the past.

Im not expecting him to score over 40 goals and return to his prime, but if he could notch 25 or more he would fulfill his role in my eyes. Canucks fans are heartbroken that he is no longer in Vancouver, there must be a reason.

I personally have extremely high expectations for Nikolai Zherdev, very very high. It would be a true shame if he doesn’t realize his full potential as a hockey player. He has the most upside of any new acquisition to the team and maybe even more than Staal or Dubinsky.

Zherdev has the talent to be a perennial all-star, but he also has the attitude that can forever hide that talent. It’s known that he did not enjoy playing for Ken Hitchcock, maybe Renney will help him develop.

The defence on paper is stronger than it was last season. Girardi and Staal have a full season under their belts and they now have the power play threat they’ve desperately needed in Wade Redden. He may be overpaid but a change in scenery will do him good and he can elevate his play.

Rozsival is better suited to be number two or three defenceman (even though his contract is as if he is a true number 1) and with Mara re-signing it gives the blue line great depth. Although currently there is no open spot for Sanguinetti, it may be best for the moment.

It removes any added pressure that may be put on him to perform and if he does make the team, it only adds to the defences great depth. There is no true bruiser on defence, but that is a mindset that every D-man should adopt. Mara and Staal are both big bodied players they should try to incorporate that into their game more this season.

This team is new and it will take awhile to get use to the loss of Jagr. Rangers fans should be forever thankful for what he as done for the organization. But the team has real potential and that’s all one can hope for at the end of free agency.