During the past week, there's been a ton of talk, but not much movement in the Ranger camp. Everything from the invite of Petr Nedved to the possibility of a gigantic three-way deal to eventually bring in Mats Sundin has been discussed.
It seems that the majority of Glen Sather's work has been done, and unless something ridiculous occurs, I'm going to assume the Rangers are going to stand relatively pat for the next two months until the beginning of training camp. Taking that into consideration, here are eight quick predictions for the upcoming Ranger season:
1. Captain Chris Drury
Yes, I do believe that Connecticut's own Chris Drury will be given the captaincy of the New York Rangers.
There are multiple reasons why this makes sense.
First, he's been a captain. On his last team, Buffalo, he co-captained with Danny Briere, and was widely considered, as Stan Fischler once said, the "straw that stirs the drink." Not sure what that exactly means, but I'll agree.
Drury also has a Stanley Cup on his resume from his time in Colorado, and is known as one of the best clutch goal scorers in the game today. That's the guy you want as captain—one who comes through in the clutch.
On top of that, many people consider his 25 goals last year to be an "off year," but if you look at his numbers, that's basically on par with his career average. I think he will improve this year, probably around the 30-goal range, but I see his assist total going way up.
That's where he really had his decline. If he can get back to the 40-assist range, that'll help to create more offense for the team in general. He does a lot of little things on the ice, and one of them this year will be to wear the C.
2. No Mats Sundin
I'm not going to talk about this too much, but unless the Rangers do something drastic, like trade Scott Gomez, I'm not sure where he can fit.
Plus, we don't need him! Let him linger in Vancouver or Toronto.
I'm sorry, he won't fit in Ranger blue, and there's no need to destroy any chemistry we might be building. Forget him and move on.
3. The Career Plateau of Brandon Dubinsky
I'll start by saying I love this kid. In my opinion, he was our best player last year.
However, when you play with two of the best players to ever come out of Europe, I'm going to say that you won't get a lot of attention from checkers or the opponents' defense. This year he'll have neither on his wing, and almost certainly will suffer for it.
I was as surprised as any to see how well he played with Jagr last year, but who are they going to put on his wing now? Sjostrom? I like him a lot, but you can't compare him with his linemates last year.
Dubinsky will continue to play hard, but will he match the 40 points he got last year? Big maybe on that.
I hope I'm wrong though. I also hope Tom Renney just lets him work through it, and doesn't send him back to Hartford.
So, a sophomore slump for the kid. I like him a lot though, and Ranger fans will give him a break.
4. The Disappointment of Nik Zherdev
13 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Scott S 11 months ago
Good article. You said something I've been trying to explain to rangers fans for awhile. Zherdev will dissappoint before he impresses. As a jackets fan, I've seen his talent and ability, but I've also seen his work ethic and its definitly questionable. He may surprise, but I doubt it. Have fun with his frustrating, toe dragging antics.
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Chris Hoeler 11 months ago
yes but in columbus the management and coaching staff didn't exactly love Zherdev and vice versa. In NY he will be loved by the organization and Tom Renney. If he is comfortable, he will definitely make the impact ranger fans think he can.
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Alan Bass 11 months ago
hmm some very good predictions. i disagree with the dubinsky one, though. i think he will improve even more this year
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Greg Caggiano 11 months ago
Mark my words, FORTY GOALS FOR ZHERDEV this season.
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Michael Stein 11 months ago
That's a friendly bet. My 20 to your 40.
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PJ Edelman 11 months ago
Good article. Gomez is the SHIT. He gains the zone better than anyone ive seen in years--maybe Straka. Probably the best skater on the Rangers. Maybe Zherdev will click with him, and not turn into an Alexander Daigle
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Andrew Mason 11 months ago
i think the rangers r going to disappoint this year and miss the playoffs. their defense is very questionable.
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Greg Caggiano 11 months ago
Questionable?
Their defense was third in the eastern conference last season in goals against and they improved much better this season. if you ask me, the defense is the most stable thing on this team, it's the offense that's questionable.
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Andrew Mason 11 months ago
I think that is more a testament about Henrik than it is about the defense in front of him.
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Nate Santoianni 11 months ago
I'm going to miss Z, but I've got to say that it's kind of a relief to be rid of him. We never knew what to expect - turnover goal against or coast to coast. He's a delicate kid. I would not be surprised to see him go to Russia after his contract is up next season.
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Jason Klau 11 months ago
very good read. i disagree with some of your points, but it was definetly a good read. some points i disagree with is Zherdev, Redden. I could also see Dubinsky getting atleast close, if not equlling his totals last year. You used Zubov and Kovalev as examples, and both guys played great on their new teams. I think playing in a big city will offer a lot more motivation and keep a player a lot happier then playing in Ohio. Redden might not go back to his top numbers, but he will still put up very good numbers. We needed a guy to run the PP, and with Rozsival so reluctant to shoot the puck, or pass to anyone not named jagr, it was a good move to sign a guy like Redden, who can start the breakout, put up good points, and set up everyone on the PP. With Dubinsky, i can definetly see your point. He will be a better player, and while he wont be playing with the same linemates, he still might play with some good players. I see him on a line with Fritsche and Callahan. He might not put up the same numbers, but he will probobly contribute a lot more off the stat sheet as well. Maybe I'm just optimist though.
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Chris Bouthillier 11 months ago
Wade Redden never actually played any games with the Islanders, so I don't know where you get that from.
And if he was turtling in a fight with Beukeboom I wouldn't lose respect for Redden, I'd lose it for Jeff. A veteran player trying to pummel a rookie defenseman, it sickens me.
I'd personally suggest you look into facts first, and see that Redden never played a regular shift with Zdeno Chara. On some occassions they would play either PP or PK together, but that's it. Chara spent most of his time as a Senator playing shut-down with Chris Phillips.
Other than that good read, and I also happen to think that Redden won't be the player he was in Ottawa.
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Michael Stein 11 months ago
As I'm sure you know, he was an Islander draft pick, and was basically traded to Ottawa for Bryan Berard. The play I'm thinking of was probably during a preseason game. He was involved in a melee, and the two of them squared off. You know how hockey melees get...
In regards to Chara and Redden playing together, you just admitted they played SOME shifts together, especially on the power play. That was Redden's bread and butter, so yes, Chara was a part of Redden's biggest success. Whoever he was with in Ottawa was a bruising type of player (any of those defenseman aforementioned), and in New York, there really is no one who could play that role. That was my point, that I feel he'll be somewhat out of his element. There's no one to watch his back on the blueline.
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