Although it seems a little strange that the team would release their leading goal-scorer in preseason, the Rangers just need the room for the younger players.
With that out of the way, we’ll get to the two gems of the blueshirts; their prized acquisitions from last season: Scott Gomez and Chris Drury. Both have Stanley Cup rings, both bring a feisty attitude to the game, and both can be 70-80 point players if surrounded with the right players to compliment their style.
Brandon Dubinsky burst onto the scene last year with a 40-point campaign, and with an increased role, he could quickly become an integral part to the Rangers’ offense. If he gets the opportunity to finish often enough, Dubinsky could finish with 20, even 25 goals, while he could easily settle in the 50-point neighbourhood by the time this season is over.
Dan Firtsche (one of those players acquired from Columbus) could certainly fit in with his two-way potential, but only if he can stay healthy. If he does, then he could reach 35-point level while also offering some solid defense from the center spot.
Blair Betts will also be able to offer a solid option down the middle for the Rangers on one of the bottom two lines if either Fritsche or Nedved ends up on either of the wings.
The wings should be a point of interest for the Rangers this season however with a couple of questions.
Is Markus Naslund going to be able to stop his steady decline over the past three seasons? If Naslund can at least hold onto his 25-goals over the past two seasons (ok 24 in 2006/07) and find a linemate who can convert on his playmaking ability and feed him the puck as well.
How is Petr Prucha going to respond from last season’s shoulder injury? Will Prucha climb back to 30-goal potential or will he be a less-feisty version of the player we once knew, trapped in a limited offensive capacity?
Will Nikolai Zherdev avoid the motivation problems he ran into in Columbus or will he just be an unmotivated, underperformer for the Rangers? If he concentrates on his game, then there could be no stopping him—that is a big if though.
Nigel Dawes could help to fill the void left by Sean Avery in the offseason for the Rangers. If he continues to work hard and bring his all every shift with that tad of goal scoring potential (he could develop into a 20-goal guy at one point), Dawes will soon become an impact player in New York.
Lauri Korpikoski could improve the creativity of the New York Rangers offense as well. The Finnish product has spent the past two years in the AHL and has seen gradual improvement, culminating in a 50-point year last season. Although he may suffer a slow start at the beginning of his NHL career (he struggled in the Finnish men’s league as well as his first full AHL season) Korpikoski should develop into a solid contributor for the Rangers.
Fredrik Sjostrom’s may be one of the bigger surprises this-coming season. If he’s given the opportunity, then it’s possible that Sjostrom could be about a 15 goal scorer with potential for more. If not, he’ll just be a gritty player willing to open up the holes for his linemates.
Just like on defense, the Rangers have some quality depth options. Patrick Rissmiller should be good for 20 points while Ryan Callahan will be a quality energy guy. Colton Orr will be the toughe
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