Preface: I've learned to hate the preseason.
Granted you get a look at some of your team's young up-and-comers, but waiver movement will kill you, guys get injured, guys get surgery, and you just can't win.
It's only slightly frustrating.
The New York Rangers were the envy of the league last season, as two of the most sought after free agent forwards—Chris Drury and Scott Gomez—ended up wearing Ranger Blue last season.
This offseason, the Rangers were a little more quieter about their business, but they still looked to make changes through free agency and trades, in hopes that those moves will put them over the top in the tough Atlantic.
Roster Additions: Markus Naslund-F (F.A.), Dmitri Kalinin-D (F.A.), Patrick Rissmiller-F (F.A.), Wade Redden-D (F.A.), Fredrik Sjostrom-F (F.A.), Nikolai Zherdev-F (Trade), Dan Fritsche-F (Trade)
Roster Subtractions: Jaromir Jagr-F (Europe), Brendan Shanahan (Status Unknown), Marek Malik-D (F.A.), Darius Kaspiritus-D (F.A.), Ryan Hollweg-F (Trade), Christian Backman-D (Trade), Fedor Tyutin-D (Trade), Thomas Pock-D (Waivers)
2007/08 Outcome: 42-27-13, 97 points, fifth in conference, third in division, lost in second round of playoffs
2008/09 Goal: First in Division, Make it to conference finals
Let's break'er down...
With an All-Star goalie, and revamped group of defenders, and a group of forwards that have something to prove to the division, the Rangers look to have the attitude of a team pining to compete for a division title.
In any other year, the Pittsburgh Penguins would stand firmly in the way. However the two injuries on the back end have left them vulnerable to the New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers, and your New York Rangers.
It's all in who can capitalize.
That's a Valiquette answer, so stop Lundqvist(ing) at the wrong ones...
We're going to send you the most entertaining New York Rangers articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
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