The NEW New York Rangers

It took me a few days to think and reflect on all the movement that's occurred in Manhattan in the past week. 

Some things made sense, and others did not.  However, what can't be denied is this—there is a lot of change, a lot of questions, and a lot to forward to.

I've read articles by people who were upset about the departures of Jaromir Jagr, Sean Avery, Marty Straka, and, in all likelihood, Brendan Shanahan. 

I'm torn.  I personally was done with Jagr and Straka.  They both helped the Rangers change their culture.  Were they a product of the NHL rule changes, or was it just their undeniable skill?  I want to think the first. 

However, things would have been different without them, for sure—and that credit cannot be denied. 

Like most things, though, their time with the team was up, and Jagr was coming off his worst season as a pro.  Time to move on.  I feel similar about Shanny—he wasn't around as long, but I'm sure player development wouldn't have been what it was without his leadership abilities.  He spent a solid two years on Broadway. 

Like Jagr, however, when output dries up, so does your value.  Sorry Brendan, but it's over. 

Sean Avery, however, I would have liked to keep.  When he was there, players gushed over having him in the locker room, with Henrik calling him the funniest of all teammates. 

All of a sudden, upon his departure, there are rumblings of his conflicts with people like Chris Drury.  If it's true and he's having problems with our soon to be named captain, then he had to go.  However, if it's overblown, then he should have been kept. 

The ten games or so he played at Dubinsky's wing I thought was the best the both of those players played all season.  Chemistry like that can't be just found or created.  Solid chemistry's worth $4 million a year—especially with the competitiveness that exists in the East.

On defense, I have always personally liked Michal Rozsival.  People talked continuously about his inconsistencies—however, he's almost always been a plus player. 

Except for this year (when he was at zero), his two years previous in a Ranger uni he was a combined +45!  That's near the top of the league.  He's also put up 108 points in three seasons.  Not bad numbers whatsoever. 

Inconsistent?  I'd argue that he's been our best defender.  If he wasn't taking that primary role, I highly doubt we'd be seeing the production we are out of the other young defenseman. 

Now, keeping that in mind—was Wade Redden necessary?  I'm not sure if I can justify adding Rozsival AND Redden. They both play a similar game, with Redden maybe having a bit more grit and a little better of a shot. 

However, with Jagr not being there, I think we'll see a very solid offensive year out of Rozsival.  If he would have shot at times instead of making the ridiculous impossible pass to his Czech friend, I guarantee his goal totals would have been higher. 

Having him and Redden together seems like a glut to me—too much offense and finesse for a defense corps that needs more grit and strength. 

Staying with defense, thank GOD both Marek Malik and Christian Backman are gone.  How many giveaways in your own zone before you become unforgivable?  If Dmitri Kalinin can come in and be nothing more than steady, we'll be just fine.  

Kalinin is 6'4" and can throw the body at times.  Aside from last year, he was a solid defender in Buffalo, averaging 20 points and +16.  I'll take that from a second- or third-pair man anytime.  He was injured throughout all of last season and couldn't find his form.  Again, if he can only be STEADY, I'll be happy.  

Kalinin should be paired with Paul Mara, whom I truly enjoy watching.  He does a little bit of everything, and does it quietly.  If Kalinin can follow that role, we'll be set. 

We will miss Fedor Tyutin, but I'm assuming that the continued progression of Dan Girardi and Marc Staal will make that gap less obvious.

Looking back to offense, there are tons of question marks for the Rangers this year.  I'm curious to what Nik Zherdev can do for us.  I've looked at highlight reels, and the kid looks like Pavel Bure.  Not in regard to his speed or explosiveness, but in regard to being in the right place at the right time. 

If Scott Gomez can't find him the puck, probably no one can.  That's the potential for an explosive combination. 

It's also the potential for a huge bust (see Jagr, Jaromir).  He is only 23, though, and you have to keep in mind that his entire career is in front of him.  At that young an age, chemistry and skill sets can still be created, formed, and intertwined. 

I've said in previous columns that Zherdev will be a bust in New York.  Personally, I can't see him being a major success in his first year.  I'm pencilling him in for 20 goals.  A casual Ranger fan will probably look at him and assume 40 to 50 goals.  Not happening.  Maybe in a few years—but in 2008-09, he'll be pedestrian.  It's going to take awhile to go from Columbus anonymity to Manhattan spotlight. 

On the first day of free agency, the Rangers signed Aaron Voros and Patrick Rissmiller.  Both of these guys are giants, and that can't ever hurt.  As soon as I heard about them, I knew two things—Avery wouldn't be resigned, and Hollweg's going to be sitting in the press box.  Orr will almost certainly join him. 

Rissmiller—along with Dan Fritsche, who was acquired with Zherdev—is a very hard working center/winger, probably in the mold of Blair Betts, Jed Ortmeyer, and Dominic Moore.  That type of player is always welcome. 

Zherdev, Voros, and Rissmiller could truly make a sharp impact on our team. The Rangers are definitely tougher to play against with them in the lineup. 

Now the real wild card is, of course, Markus Naslund.  This is a guy who was a bona fide offensive superstar the last few years.  As we all know, he's slowed.  I'm curious if he slowed due to age, or Alain Vigneault's system.  We'll soon find out. 

Sean Avery, Brendan Shanahan, Jaromir Jagr and Marty Straka combined for 77 Ranger goals last year.  Can Zherdev, Fritsche, Naslund, Voros, and Rissmiller fill that void?   Well, last year they scored 76 for their respective teams.  They seem like reasonable replacements—if you don't take chemistry into mind, of course. 

The Rangers' offense was horrible last year. They need to change that, while keeping a strong defensive mindset.  It won't be easy to do, but if there is one thing that I have, it's confidence in Tom Renney. 

Redden should help ignite some offensive rushes, and we all believe that Drury's going to have a bounce-back offensive year.  Other young favorites of mine, like Dawes and Dubinsky are only going to get better. Speaking of future captains, how can you not look at Dubinsky for that role in a few years? 

That's without discussing how Petr Prucha plays this year, and what Freddy Sjostrom can do in a full season here.  A lot of question marks—but as I said before, a lot to look forward to.

As every other Ranger fan does, here are the lines to me that make sense:

Naslund - Drury - Callahan

Dawes - Gomez - Zherdev

Prucha - Dubinsky - Sjostrom

Voros - Betts - Fritsche

Redden - Girardi

Rozsival - Staal

Kalinin - Mara

Last, but not least:

Where does Lauri Korpikoski fit?  Or Dane Byers, or Artem Anisimov?  Or Bobby Sanguinetti, Corey Potter, Pierre Parenteau, and Greg Moore? 

Our team has been successful due to an infusion of youth.  Players like Naslund and Kalinin, although they might help in terms of leadership, may make it impossible for new kids to crack the lineup. 

As a Ranger fan—not for just this year, but for all years—I feel that some of these moves have impeded forward progress.  There is no place for rookies to maje th team this year, and that can only hurt us in the long run.  Sather made some wise and interesting moves no doubt—but he also stunted the growth of some of our potentially top prospects. 

Will the gamble pay off?  That's the part that'll have some of us diehards losing sleep until October.