New York Rangers First Quarter Report Cards: Forwards

It's that time of year again! The 2010-11 season is 19 games old for the New York Rangers, and it is report card time.

Today, I will grade the New York Rangers forwards based on the following criteria: Stats, Offensive Contributions, Defensive Contributions and Special Teams.

Each of those categories will receive a separate grade (from A+ to F), and a final grade will be averaged out for each player.

Thanks for the read, hope you enjoy. Feel free to leave a comment at the end.

Note: Players that will NOT be included are Marian Gaborik, Chris Drury, Vinny Prospal, Jeremy Williams, and Evgeny Grachev.

Link to Defense/Goaltending/Coaching Report Card:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/522556-new-york-rangers-first-quarter-report-cards-defense-goaltending-and-coaching

Artem Anisimov: B

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Artem Anisimov #42 of the New York Rangers scores the game winning goal at 1:32 of overtime against the Buffalo Sabres at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2010 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Sabres 3-2 in overtime.

Stats

Games: 19

Goals: 6

Assists: 8

Points: 14

Grade: B+

Offensive Contribution

Grade: B+

Defensive Contribution

Grade: B

Special Teams

C+

Final Grade

B

Anisimov has been a pleasant surprise for the New York Rangers this season. After a strong rookie season in 2009-10, Anisimov has had an excellent start to his sophomore year. Playing alongside Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan has been huge for Anisimov, and if he can continue to score at the pace he is scoring at right now, he may reach the 25-goal mark.

Sean Avery: C+

Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 14: Sean Avery #16 of the New York Rangers throws his gloves and starts to fight with Ladislav Smid #5 of the Edmonton Oilers after they had words during the third period of a hockey game at Madison Square Garden on November 14, 2010

Stats

Games: 19

Goals: 1

Assists: 8

Points: 9

Grade: B-

Offensive Contributions

B

Defensive Contributions

C-

Special Teams

N/A

Final Grade

C+

What can I say, Avery has been "Avery" this season. He has been a huge help to the Rangers this season, and he has found a way to be his pest self, and play a strong game of hockey. His lone mistake this season, which he should have been suspended for, was his two-handed slash earlier in the season on Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman, Mike Komisarek.

He has been more of a help than a nuisance to the Rangers this season.

Derek Boogaard: D+

Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 14: Steve MacIntyre #33 of the Edmonton Oilers fighting with Derek Boogaard #94 of the New York Rangers during a hockey game at Madison Square Garden on November 14, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

Stats

Games: 15

Goals: 1

Assists: 1

Points: 2

Grade: D

Offensive Contributions

Grade: D

Defensive Contributions

Grade: C

Special Teams

N/A

Final Grade

D+

What did you expect?

Brian Boyle: B+

Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 14: Goalie Nikolai Khabibulin #35 of the Edmonton Oilers sits on the ice as the puck comes out of the net on a goal by Brian Boyle #22 of the New York Rangers during the second period of a hockey game at Madison Square Garden on Novem

Stats

Games: 19

Goals: 8

Assits: 0

Points: 8

Grade: B+

Offensive Contributions

Grade: B+

Defensive Contributions

Grade: B+

Special Teams

Grade: A-

Final Grade

B+

Brian Boyle has been one of the best players for the Rangers this season, and he has already crushed his previous season-scoring-high (four goals) with eight goals this season. Boyle has also surpassed his season-high for points with eight so far this season. If Boyle can continue to score at this pace, he will hit the 25-goal mark for sure.

Ryan Callahan: A

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 27: Ryan Callahan #24 of the New York Rangers skates against the Atlanta Thrashers on October 27, 2010 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Stats

Games: 18

Goals: 5

Assists: 12

Points: 17

Grade; A

Offensive Contributions

Grade: A+

Defensive Contributions

Grade: A

Special Teams

Grade: A

Final Grade

A

The two-time "Steve McDonald Extra Effort Award" winner has become a true leader on this season's team. He has been excellent on offense, tremendous on defense and superb on the penalty kill. Callahan has stood up for his teammates, and he has played as a role model to some of the younger forwards on the team (Example: Derek Stepan). He deserves an "A" for the first quarter, and that's what he gets.

Erik Christensen: C+

Nick Laham/Getty Images

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 09: Erik Christensen #26 of the New York Rangers falls to the ice against the Washington Capitals at Madison Square Garden on November 9, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Stats

Games: 18

Goals: 3

Assits: 5

Points: 8

Grade: B

Offensive Contributions

C+

Defensive Contributions

C

Special Teams

C+

Final Grade

C+

Christensen has struggled this season, and he has not been deserving of his first line play. Rangers head coach, John Tortorella, has removed Christensen from the first line in the Rangers previous two games, and I expect his time on the first line is coming to an end. He has to play better, and I think a "C+" may be a little to high for him, but nevertheless that is what he will receive.

Brandon Dubinsky: A

Al Bello/Getty Images

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 17: Brandon Dubinsky #17 of the New York Rangers celebrates scoring a goal against the Boston Bruins during their game on November 17, 2010 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Stats

Games: 19

Goals: 11

Assists: 7

Points: 18

Grade: A

Offensive Contributions

Grade: A+

Defensive Contributions

Grade: A

Special Teams

Grade: A

Final Grade

A

Dubinsky has been the best Ranger so far this season, and his hot start has been outstanding for him, and the team. If Dubinsky can continue to score at this pace he will definitely hit the 30-goal mark for the first time in his career.

But, again, it is only the beginning of the season, and Dubinsky is known for his hot starts.

Is this season for real? We will have to wait and see.

Ruslan Fedotenko: B-

Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 14: Ruslan Fedotenko #19 of the New York Rangers celebrates scoring a goal during a hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers at Madison Square Garden on November 14, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

Stats

Games: 19

Goals: 3

Assists: 7

Points: 10

Grade: B

Offensive Contributions

B-

Defensive Contributions

B-

Special Teams

C+

Final Grade

B-

Fedotenko earned his spot on the Rangers roster during training camp, and he has not disappointed. He has contributed well on offense and defense, and he has been helpful on the penalty kill. I think Fedotenko has been a bit underrated this season, and he may be this seasons Vinny Prospal.

Alexander Frolov: B-

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 15: Alexander Frolov #31of the New York Rangers looks on during warm ups before play against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Consol Energy Center on November 15, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Stats

Games: 19

Goals: 4

Assists: 6

Points: 10

Grade: B

Offensive Contributions

Grade: B-

Defensive Contributions

Grade: B

Special Teams

Grade: C

Final Grade

B-

Frolov struggled during the absence of superstar forward Marian Gaborik, but since Gaborik's return Frolov has scored two goals and two assists in three games. Frolov will get better as the season goes on as long as he plays on a line with Gaborik. Also, it may help if he would get more power play time.

Brandon Prust: B+

Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 14: Zack Stortini #46 of the Edmonton Oilers fights with Brandon Prust #8 of the New York Rangers defends during a hockey game at Madison Square Garden on November 14, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

Stats

Games: 19

Goals: 0

Assits: 4

Points: 4

Grade: C

Offensive Contributions

Grade: B

Defensive Contributions

Grade: A-

Special Teams

Grade: A-

Final Grade

B+

Prust has become a fan favorite, team favorite and a top player for the New York Rangers. The "Olli Jokinen Trade" no longer exists—it is now the "Brandon Prust Trade."

Prust has become a leader on the Rangers, and he continuously stands up for his teammates. His stats are not the best, but he is always the first player into the offensive zone, and his play on the penalty kill has been excellent. So far, so good for Prust.

Derek Stepan: B-

Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 14: Derek Stepan #21 of the New York Rangers passes the puck during a hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers at Madison Square Garden on November 14, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

Stats

Games: 19

Goals: 3

Assists: 5

Points: 8

Grade: B

Offensive Contributions

Grade: B-

Defensive Contributions

Grade: B-

Special Teams

Grade: C+

Final Grade

B-

Stepan has played well in his first 19 NHL games. He has struggled to score a goal since the first game of the season, when he notched a hat trick in his debut, but he has continued to play well for the Rangers. Maybe some time on the first line with Gaborik and Frolov will be good for him.

Todd White: C-

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

BOSTON - OCTOBER 23: Todd White #12 of the New York Rangers skates against the Boston Bruins at the TD Garden on October 23, 2010 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Rangers won 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Stats

Games: 10

Goals: 1

Assists: 1

Points: 2

Grade: D

Offensive Contributions

Grade: D+

Defensive Contributions

Grade: C

Special Teams

Grade: C-

Final Grade

C-

Maybe the grade is a bit generous of me, but he does not deserve an "F." No, he has not played very well, and his days with the New York Rangers are numbered, but he is not deserving of an "F."

Rangers Offense: B-

Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 14: Erik Christensen #26 and Marian Gaborik #10 celebrate Gaborik's third goal of the game in the third period of a hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers at Madison Square Garden on November 14, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Pau

Stats:

Games: 19

Goals: 57

Grade: B+

Three goals a game on average, not bad.

Power Play

Percentage: 15.7%

Rank: 20

Grade: C

Too much passing, they must shoot the puck more often.

Final Grade

B-