New York Rangers First Quarter Report Cards: Defense, Goaltending and Coaching

Yesterday, I published my first quarter report cards for the New York Rangers forwards. Today, I give you my report cards for the New York Rangers defensemen, goalies and head coach John Tortorella.

The defense will be graded on the following criteria: Stats, Offensive and Defensive Contributions, Special Teams Contributions

The Goaltenders will be graded on the following criteria: Stats, Positioning, Ability To Lead a Team

Tortorella will be given a final grade, and a brief description on why I chose that grade.

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

NOTE: My preview for tonight's Rangers-Wild game can be found on a hockey talk show named "Get The Puck Out," which is found on MorencySports.com. The show will air at around 5:00 this afternoon. If you are interested in watching, please write on my Bleacher Report profile or send me an email at [e-mail]

Michael Del Zotto: B

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Michael Del Zotto #4 of the New York Rangers skates 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. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Stats

Games: 20

Goals: 1

Assists: 4

Points: 5

Grade: B

Offensive Contributions

Grade: B

Defensive Contributions

Grade: B-

Special Teams

Grade: B

Final Grade

B

Del Zotto has struggled early on in this season, being his sophomore year in the NHL. His scoring production has been reduced from last season, he has struggled defensively and he has not been an asset on the power play so far this season. Hopefully he can step up his play and return to the Michael Del Zotto he was in 2009-10, his rookie season.

Steve Eminger: B-

Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 14: Steve Eminger #44 of the New York Rangers in action 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: 20

Goals: 0

Assists: 1

Points: 1

Grade: D

Offensive Contributions

Grade: C

Defensive Contributions

Grade: B+

Special Teams

Grade: B

Final Grade

B-

Steve Eminger has been an excellent addition to the Rangers defensive corps, and the offseason trade that was made to acquire him is turning out to be a win for the Rangers. Eminger has stepped into his role as a veteran defenseman, and he has been a huge help to a young defensive lineup. His physical play has been excellent for the Rangers, and his defensive play has been great. So far, so good for Steve Eminger.

Matt Gilroy: C

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Matt Gilroy #97 of the New York Rangers skates 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. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Stats

Games: 13

Goals: 0

Assists: 2

Points: 2

Grade: D

Defensive Contributions

Grade: C-

Offensive Contributions

Grade: B

Special Teams

Grade: C

Final Grade

C

Once again, Matt Gilroy finds himself losing playing time, and becoming the Rangers' seventh defenseman. With rookie defenseman Mike Sauer impressing the Rangers staff and fans alike, Gilroy has lost his lineup spot, and seems to be an odd man out on defense. When he has played this season, his defensive play has been very weak. Luckily, he has played strong offensively, and that is enough to get him some playing time on the Rangers power play.

Dan Girardi: A-

Nick Laham/Getty Images

NEWARK, NJ - NOVEMBER 05: Dan Girardi #5 of the New York Rangers against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on November 5, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Stats

Games: 20

Goals: 1

Assists: 8

Points: 9

Grade: B+

Offensive Contributions

Grade: B

Defensive Contributions

Grade: A

Special Teams

Grade: A-

Final Grade

A-

Dan Girardi has arguably been the Rangers' top defenseman this season. He relentlessly blocks shots, plays very well in the corners, clears the crease and plays pretty well offensively. He has been worth the offseason re-signing, and I look forward to watching him play for the rest of the season.

Michal Rozsival: B+

Nick Laham/Getty Images

NEWARK, NJ - NOVEMBER 05: Michal Rozsival #33 of the New York Rangers against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on November 5, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Stats

Games: 15

Goals: 2

Assists: 6

Points: 8

Grade: B+

Offensive Contributions

Grade: B+

Defensive Contributions

Grade: B+

Special Teams

Grade: B

Final Grade

B+

Rozsival has been another top defensman this season, and that is why his injury is a major blow. Rozsival was playing very well up until the injury (which has forced him to miss five games) and the Rangers have to hope he returns playing the same way. His defensive play was strong, and he stepped up his offensive game early in the season. Hopefully he returns to the lineup soon.

Michael Sauer: C+

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 01: Michael Sauer #38 of the New York Rangers skates against the Chicago Blackhawks at Madison Square Garden on November 1, 2010 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Blackhawks 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Stats

Games: 14

Goals: 0

Assists: 2

Points: 2

Grade: D+

Offensive Contributions

Grade: C+

Defensive Contributions

Grade: B

Special Teams

N/A

Sauer has been a pleasant surprise for the Rangers this season, and the decision to keep him on the Rangers roster has proven to be a strong one. Sauer has played well in his rookie season, and he has been deserving of his ice time. Let's hope he can keep it up!

Marc Staal: B+

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 11: Marc Staal #18 of the New York Rangers skates 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. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Stats

Games: 20

Goals: 3

Assists: 2

Points: 5

Grade: B

Offensive Contributions

Grade: B

Defensive Contributions

Grade: A-

Special Teams

Grade: B+

Final Grade

B+

Staal has been another top defenseman for the Rangers this season, and his hard play is not going unnoticed. On average, Staal logs about 26 minutes of ice time a game. He's played well this season, and his offseason re-signing seems to be worth the wait.

Henrik Lundqvist: A-

Al Bello/Getty Images

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 17: Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers in action against against the Boston Bruins during their game on November 17, 2010 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Stats

Record: 7-7-1

G.A.A (Goals. Against. Average): 2.75

S.P.P.C (Save Percentage): .914

Grade: B

Positioning

Grade: A-

Ability To Lead The Team

Grade: A+

Final Grade

A-

Lundqvist has had his up-and-downs this season, but for the most part he has been solid in net. His positioning has been excellent, and it seems as if he is ready for the puck wherever it may be. His biggest struggle has been soft shots. He has allowed at least five weak goals this season, and most of them have cost the Rangers a win. Regardless, Lundqvist is off to another strong start, and if he can continue to play this well the Rangers should be able to return to the playoffs.

Martin Biron: B+

Paul Bereswill/Getty Images

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 14: Goalie Martin Biron #43 of the New York Rangers keeps an eye on 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

Record: 3-2-0

G.A.A: 2:39

S.P.P.C: .902

Grade: B+

Positioning

Grade: B-

Ability to Lead The Team

Grade: B+

Final Grade

B+

Biron has been exceptional this season as the Rangers' new backup goaltender, and he has come up huge in emergency starts. Last week, Henrik Lundqvist came down with an illness, and he was forced to sit out. Martin Biron was forced to play two emergency games, and he helped the Rangers to two big victories, earning his second and third wins of the season. Biron will be a key asset as the Rangers try to return to the playoffs.

John Tortorella: B+

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - APRIL 14: Head coach John Tortorella of the Tampa Bay Lightning watches his team against the New Jersey Devils in Game 2 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals on April 14, 2007 at Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford

Final Grade

B+

In his third season, and second full one as the New York Rangers bench boss, Tortorella has done a very good job getting this team to win games, play for each other and stick up for each other while making the Rangers an exciting team to watch. He has found ways to put together strong lines (most notably the line of Brandon Dubinsky-Artem Anisimov-Ryan Callahan), and, for the most part, he has kept his line combinations the same and allowed players to gel with each other.

I am not a huge fan of his benching tactics, but I do respect the way he coaches. He has the ability to coach this team to the playoffs, and eventually bring them through a strong playoff run.

He has finally put plan "Rebuild" into start mode, as he allows the younger players to get playing time, and gives call-ups time to prove themselves (Evgeny Grachev).

Good start to the season for the Rangers, and for John Tortorella.

Let's hope they can keep it up...