Will the New York Rangers Have a Threatning Offense This Coming Season?

Season Preview No. 1: Offense Preview

In the 2009-10 offseason, Glen Sather acquired forwards Marian Gaborik, Christopher Higgins, Ales Kotalik, Donald Brashear, and Vaclav Prospal in hopes of creating a more powerful offense—but, to no avail. Half of his acquisitions failed to live up to the standard he had wished.

After a month with the team, former bruiser Brashear found himself playing in Hartford for the Wolf Pack—never seen again in a Rangers uniform. In early February, both Higgins and Kotalik were sent to Calgary, in exchange for Olli Jokinin and Brandon Prust. Jokenin failed to make a name for himself on Broadway, while Prust became a steal for Sather and the New York Rangers.

After the season was over, the two remaining offseason pick-ups were 42- goal scorer, Gaborik and 20-goal scorer Prospal. Out of the five big offseason additions, only two became successful signings.

So far, Sather has kept his cool this offseason, bringing in forwards Alexander Frolov, Mats Zuccarello-Aasen, Derek Boogaard, Todd White, and Jeremy Williams, while resigning forwards Prospal, Erik Christenson, and Prust. He also signed Derek Stepan to an entry-level contract. He hasn’t made any bizarre signings or acquisitions this offseason—like he does usually. That’s why I say he has kept his cool.

How will the new forwards fair as New York Rangers?

Let’s start with Sather’s biggest acquisition so far—Alexander Frolov.

Frolov should be an aid for Gaborik and the Rangers offense which could use any help Sather can find. Frolov is quick, has an excellent shot, and will be a huge upgrade on the Rangers horrific power play. If Frolov plays regularly with Gaborik, I can see him hitting the 30-goal mark once again. If he is not playing with Gaborik, though, I’d expect him to nail anywhere between 25 and 30 goals this coming season.

Now on to Zuccarello-Aasen. The Norwegian super star could wind up being a steal for the Rangers. The speedy 5’7” forward has electrifying speed and a need to score. Playing on a line with Artem Anisimov could land him a 20-goal season and boost “AA's" numbers from last season.

Derek Boogaard was not added to aid the Rangers offense, but he could still make it better. Boogey will play as a threat to opponents, and he should scare away anyone looking to rock injury-prone superstar Gaborik. Though Boogaard hasn’t scored a goal in four seasons, I’d expect he puts a couple of pucks in the back of the net this coming season.

Both Todd White and Jeremy Williams were also good pick-ups. Though both are probable minor leaguers next season, White because of his cap-hit and Williams because he may not land a spot on the roster, they will both make great call-ups for injured or suspended players, though.

Will the acquisitions be enough to help the Rangers struggle-some offense?

If Frolov is able to return to his old 30-goals scoring self, Zuccarello-Aasen quickly adapts to the North American style of play, Gaborik stays healthy year round, and the Rangers young stars finally gel together, then that would be an upgrade from last season’s offensive roster.

I expect at least two of those four things to happen:

1. I see Frolov getting back to his natural game (or else he will become trade bait very quickly).

2. I think we will see the Rangers youngsters finally start to bond and play a great game of hockey together. They have only been together for three seasons now.

As for Gaborik, I trust that he will stay healthy for at least 90 percent of the season (maybe missing six games), and I cannot promise that MZA adapts quick enough to become a star in the NHL, but I do hope (and trust) that he can.

My Projected Forward lines for this upcoming season (note these lines are subject change as the off-season progresses onward):

Line One: Marian Gaborik/Brandon Dubinksy/Alexander Frolov:

Putting Dubinsky between two proven superstars will only help his NHL development. Doing this should also raise Gaborik’s numbers and help Frolov to regain his old form.

Line Two: Ryan Callahan/Artem Anisimov/Mats Zuccarello-Aasen:

You know the saying “Don’t knock it ‘till you try it” or “Don’t judge a book by its cover?” Well, both sayings would be nice captions to this projected line. I say Torts should try it out in preseason, and if it works out nicely have it become an official line during the regular season.

I trust that Anisimov and Aasen will click while playing together and putting hard-working Ryan Callahan on the line with them will only prove helpful. This would be a young and energetic line for the Rangers.

Line Three: Vaclav Prospal/Chris Drury/Sean Avery:

Again, try it out before saying “No.” Prospal played well last season and could help Drury regain some of his old form. I liked the way Drury played with Avery last season, so I see no reason why Torts wouldn’t have them together again this season.

Line Four: Derek Boogaard/Erik Christenson/Brandon Prust

Yes, this is a down-grade for Christenson, but I see this as a pretty good match. Boogaard is there for the toughness, but while Prust is also tough, he proved to the Rangers last season that he has a lot of talent. Putting him with Christenson may prove to work wonders for the Rangers.

Projected statistical leaders:

Goals: Marian Gaborik (45)

Assists: Alex Frolov (56)

Points: Marian Gaborik (88)

Thanks for the read, hope you enjoyed. Feel free to leave any comment below.

Check out my defense preview: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/445752-why-the-rangers-defense-will-be-nothing-to-brag-about-this-coming-season

(Small FYI) I’m going to try out posting my article later in the day and see how it works out. I may switch back to morning posts again.

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