New York Rangers' Offseason Rebuild Yields Positive Intial Results

This offseason saw the departure of 25 percent of the Rangers' scoring production from 2007-08. This included Jaromir Jagr to Russia, Sean Avery to the Stars, Martin Straka to the Czech league, and Brendan Shanahan, who is still waiting in the wings for the Rangers.

Initially, I saw bringing back Brendan Shanahan as a necessity, rather than an option. Regardless of his age, the intangibles he brings to the ice were, in my mind, necessary to lead this team.

However, without him in the lineup through the first three games of the preseason, I like what I have seen.

There is a truly different dynamic to this team. The Rangers roster now only had six—yes, six—players who are or will be in their '30s this season. Two of those six have Stanley Cups.

Being relatively young, at 23, I have now realized with this change the majority of the Rangers roster are my peers, similar to the guys I play hockey with weekly at open hockey on Friday nights.

That revelation made me realize how different the Rangers are this season from any other in the last ten years.

The Rangers were NOTORIOUS for being old, and loaded with stars—or former stars—at every position on the first three lines. The concept of players my age—who have talent that my hockey-ridden mind can't even fathom sharing a rink with—all wearing Ranger jerseys sets a new tone.

That being said, the Rangers looked out-manned, out-skilled, and outplayed in Ottawa Saturday night.  The only noteworthy player in the lineup that night was Chris Drury. The Senators were rolling with an almost fully-dressed roster—including Spezza and Heatley who both had goals that night.

Dubinsky showed both his talent, and what he learned from Jagr, by scoring both goals for the Rangers. Considering the rosters, a 3-2 loss was pretty good, I thought.

Monday night was a different story, and featured very different lineups from Saturday. The Rangers were clicking, scoring chances were coming regularly, and Henrik was solid through the two periods—not letting a single shot in.

The Rangers outshot the Sens 30-12 through the first two periods. Fritsche, Voros, Weise, Anisimov, Nedved, and Korpikoski all turned in noteworthy performances.

However, although 2006 first-round Pick Bobby Sanguinetti was hitting hard, he made a few mistakes, turning the puck over a few times in his own end.

Redden also managed to let his man slip to the slot to score Ottawa's only goal. But it was really nice to see a New Yorj defenseman finally take a shot from the point!

Tuesday, the Rangers looked good as well. They lost 3-2, but definitely played on par with the night before. Tampa Bay goaltender Mike Smith turned in a really nice performance. I believe he made the difference in the game.

Through the three games, the biggest difference I notice from the last three years is that the Rangers are really playing like a five-man unit. Previously, there was a clear difference when Jagr or Shanahan had the puck, as opposed to anyone else.

These young players have played together in Hartford and you can tell they are peers in the way they play together. The chemistry of these big, talented, young players, combined with solid veterans in Drury, Naslund, Gomez, Redden, can prove to be a very powerful squad adept in the style of the "new" NHL—if they keep moving in the right direction.

Even though Shanahan isn't currently signed, he might not be necessary. He could just throw off the balance that has been seen in the start of the preseason. So far, I like what I see!