New York Rangers Should Give Petr Nedved a Chance

Prucha is a fellow Czech who loves to use his speed to drive to the net. Sjostrom could very well be the fastest player on the Rangers, and has the skill to go with it. If Nedved can get back to being as a fast skater as he was during his second stint with the team, he would play very well when centering these two.

As for Brandon Dubinsky, the current third-line center, I would put him on the second line wing, even though he's never played there before. The second line would then be:

Markus Naslund - Chris Drury - Brandon Dubinsky

We all know Naslund likes to drive to the net. Drury will do the same, and will shoot from almost anywhere—which is why Dubinsky would play an important part here. He is the biggest and strongest player on the line, and if he parks himself in front of the net while Drury and Naslund fire away, scoring chances are bound to come fast and furiously.

Overall, the entire lineup would look something like this:

Line 1: Nigel Dawes - Scott Gomez - Nikolai Zherdev

Line 2: Markus Naslund - Chris Drury - Brandon Dubinsky

Line 3: Petr Prucha - Petr Nedved - Fredrik Sjostrom

Line 4: Aaron Voros - Blair Betts/Artem Anisimov - Patrick Rissmiller/Colton Orr

The final lineup looks much more balanced than before, because now there are three solid lines that can score and bring speed. The fourth line is also vastly improved, with Voros and Rissmiller much more talented than Ryan Hollweg and Colton Orr were last season. Orr in this case would be a healthy scratch in games where the Rangers do not need an enforcer.

Betts would also start the season with the Rangers and Anisimov in Hartford. After a few weeks, the Rangers could then move Betts if he doesn't improve, while Anisimov continues to develop and get plenty of ice time in the AHL.

Ryan Callahan essentially becomes the odd man out, because I really see no need for him. Yes, he checks—but he really has no offensive or special-teams ability. To Hartford he should go.

Well, there you have it—my reasons why Nedved and this new-look lineup should be given a chance as the preseason winds down and the new season begins.  It should be an exciting one.

(Fun Fact: In Nedved's Ranger career, he tallied 149 goals, 202 assists for 351 points. In Jaromir Jagr's career in New York, he recorded 124 goals and 195 assists for 319 points.)

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?