New York Rangers: Impact Players

By Doug Fischer - www.nyrnation.com

Last season, every Ranger fan saw just how important it was to have young talent come from within the organization and not just free agency. Ryan Callahan, Nigel Dawes and Brandon Dubinsky gave it everything they had night in and night out and all three became staples of the team and the fans while Marc Staal enjoyed a solid rookie campaign. 

All that said, those guys now know what is expected of them this coming season.  As their stars continue to rise and shine bright in MSG you can’t help but wonder who will be this years Dubsinky?

The Rangers have a solid group playing in Hartford amongst other places, many of whom may get a shot on Broadway this year. I can’t help but highlight 6 particular players who could very well get their shot on Broadway this coming year…

Greg Moore: Yeah, we all saw bits and pieces of Moore in 2007-08, where he played six games and did not register a point, but frankly that wasn’t what we were asking of him when he played.  When he played with the Wolf Pack last year, the offensive numbers shined, Moore netted 26 goals and added 40 assists in 72 games.

The Rangers current roster looks like all four lines will have some offensive ability, unlike it did with “H-B-O” last season and Moore could provide a spark,if needed, on the third or fourth unit.  While he still may need time to grow, Ryan Callahan did as well last season and he was one of our best performers in the postseason, was he not?

Lauri Korpikoski: Just a glimpse. That’s what Ranger fans got of this guy a year ago, when he made his NHL debut in game 6 of the playoff series against the Pens. A member of the ‘taxi-squad’, after Hartford’s early exit from the playoffs, Korpikoski probably never expected to dress in a game, let alone get ice time; That said, boy did he take advantage scoring a goal that helped get the Blueshirts back in it. 

When the Rangers took the Finland native in the first round of the 2004 draft, they knew what they were getting.  His 50 points in Hartford and his playoff goal against Marc-Andre Fleury were no fluke, this guy has what it takes to make it on Broadway and be an everyday player, all he needs is a shot. 

Hugh Jessiman:  People talk about how the newly acquired Nikolai Zherdev is somewhat of an enigmatic player, well for a while the description filled the void of Jessiman, who was a huge disappointment in his first few years with the club after being drafted in 2003 he played at Dartmouth before joining the Wolf Pack, where he struggled and ended up sharing time with both Hartford and Charlotte of the ECHL.

For Jessiman, a guy who Glen Sather thought very highly of, the past better be the past.  After the two bad years in the minors, he had somewhat of a breakout year with the Wolf Pack last year where he had 42 points and 154 penalty minutes in 71 contests.  His efforts this past year garnered him a new contract with the Blueshirts and if he is given an opportunity to play for the parent club, he could be the “grit guy”. He stands at 6’6 and weighs 224lbs, those 154 PIM a year ago aren’t too shabby either. 

Alexei Cherepanov: The Rangers 1^stround pick in 2007, Cherepanov had dreams of playing with one-time Rangers captain Jaromir Jagr. Well, as of now, Cherepanov is still in Russia and will get that chance as he plays for Avangard OMSK, the same squad Jagr will be suiting up for.  However, if the Rangers can get him out of Russia he could be a stud. 

Cherepanov put up 57 points in 97 games with OMSK in his two years with the club, but frankly he is still young at only 19 years old and has a lot left in the tank.  While some say he isn’t ready for America, the Rangers or with a full year of NHL hockey I think he could come in handy if we use him in the right situations. Get him to Hartford, see what he can do and then give him a shot, can’t hurt and will be a great stepping stone for the future. 

Those are the forwards, now there were a pair of defensemen who could make an impact but with Ivan Baranka’s recent defection to Russia (the Rangers still hold his rights), that leaves one…

Bobby Sanguinetti:  The 21^stoverall pick in 2006, fans have been salivating over this guy as they can’t wait to see him make his Broadway debut. Last year, his best numbers came as a member of the OHL’s Brampton Batallion where, in 61 games he scored 29 goals and added 41 assists, which aren’t bad at all considering he is a blue-liner. 

He still has room to grow but if you ask me, or anyone who has seen clips of this guy play, he is ready to step up and contribute to this team.  You also have to take into consideration that the Rangers, after the trade with Columbus only have six defensemen on their roster, Rozsival, Redden, Kalinin, Girardi, Staal and Mara so the seventh spot seems like Sanguinetti’s to lose.  Let’s see what he does in camp. 

Well, youngsters seem to be key these days and that is no exception, hopefully some of these guys can step up and contribute, if not them. The Rangers still have even more talent yet to make their NHL debuts.

Visit Ranger Nation @ www.nyrnation.com