New York Rangers: Who Will Brad Richards' Linemates Be?

It is that point of the summer when all hockey-related subject matter is coming to a halt. Marquee free agents have already been signed, restricted free agents are scheduled for arbitration hearings, and schedules are finalized.

Earlier this month, the New York Rangers made the biggest splash when they signed Brad Richards on July 2nd.

The Rangers continued making moves when they signed free agent Mike Rupp, re-signed restricted free agents Artem Anisimov, Brian Boyle, Brandon Dubinsky and Michael Sauer, and signed Steve Eminger for one more tour of duty.

Ryan Callahan is expected to be re-signed sometime before his scheduled arbitration hearing.

With all that in mind one of the biggest questions that remains amongst Rangers' fans is who will Brad Richards team up with?

In addition to that, how could the other New York Rangers' lines shape up?

This is just my take on their current roster and I would love to hear some of your own line combinations.

First Line: Derek Stepan-Brad Richards-Marian Gaborik

LW: Derek Stepan

C: Brad Richards

RW: Marian Gaborik

Before you inform me that Derek Stepan is a center, hear me out.

Brad Richards was brought in to be a mentor to young players as well as being a top center and power-play quarterback.

Richards is a capable passer and playmaker and Stepan would greatly benefit from playing alongside him

It should be noted that Brad Richards spent ample time playing left wing for the Tampa Bay Lightning and he still turned out to be a great center.

Marian Gaborik should have no problem scoring 30-plus goals while playing with Richards and Stepan.

The biggest upside to having Stepan on the left wing for the top line is that it would benefit all of the Rangers' other lines. 

The idea of pairing Brandon Dubinsky with Gaborik and Richards was toyed around with by fans on multiple hockey forums and blogs.

Dubinsky wouldn't make sense because if would break up his already established line with Artem Anisimov and Ryan Callahan. Bringing in Richards would allow this line to stay together and play their own game.

Another upside would be freeing up a center spot for Brian Boyle or Mike Rupp. It is no secret that Stepan is no faceoff ace. Richards could help him develop, but in the meantime this spot would be put to better use with Rupp or Boyle.

Boyle and Rupp are capable centers who can man their own respective lines if John Tortorella required it. 

Second Line: Brandon Dubinsky-Artem Anisimov- Ryan Callahan

LW: Brandon Dubinsky

C: Artem Anisimov

RW: Ryan Callahan

This line has been together for quite sometime now. The line started off in Hartford as members of the Wolf Pack. It was there that they became very close and developed chemistry.

This ABC line will be more effective than ever now that they will not be forced to carry the offense. Last year this line was responsible for fronting the load and was overworked.

This trio of Anisimov, Dubinsky and Callahan is a hard-working bunch of two-way forwards that can score goals, kill penalties and can play effective defense.

Last year Dubinsky led the Rangers in scoring with 54 points. Callahan followed suit with 23 goals and 25 assists for 48 points in an injury-plagued season.

With the pressure off, this line should really be able to shine and put up some quality points.

It is no stretch to expect 65 points or more from Dubinsky and Callahan and at least 50-60 from Anisimov. The trio is a talented bunch of players and they can perform. The big question is will they perform? 

I think this line can be set in stone for the next few seasons once restricted free agent and future captain Ryan Callahan is re-signed.

Third Line: Brandon Prust-Brian Boyle-Sean Avery

LW: Brandon Prust

C: Brian Boyle

RW: Sean Avery

Love him or hate him, Sean Avery was most effective when playing with Brandon Prust and Brian Boyle. This line became an effective energy and checking line for the Rangers down the stretch. 

It was a great two-way line as Boyle and Prust had their share of goals during the season.

Boyle and Prust are two players who are very exciting to watch play with each other. It would seem that whenever Prust would make a pinch in behind the net that a goal was coming. If you were to watch tape on goals involving Prust, they would almost be identical.

Here's an abridged play-by-play: "Pinch in by Prust behind the net, footwork moving the puck along the boards, Prust cuts loose dishes out to (insert player) shoots...scores!!!! Brandon Prust has helped give the Rangers (insert appropriate circumstance phrase)

You can't really script hockey but it seemed to play out in that exact fashion almost every time.

Avery was seemingly set to float out of the picture when Chris Drury was still eating up cap space but recent adjustments show that Avery has a good shot of making the team.

Other potential players to replace Avery on this line include Carl Hagelin and Christian Thomas if they catch lightning in a bottle during training camp.

Fourth Line: Wojtek Wolski-Mike Rupp-Ruslan Fedotenko

LW: Wojtek Wolski

C: Mike Rupp

RW: Ruslan Fedotenko

This line is contingent on Derek Stepan playing the wing as it would open up a center spot. This line could role as the third line as well as the fourth line.

When push comes to shove, Erik Christensen is the odd man out right now on the Rangers roster. With that in mind, Mike Rupp makes the most sense in this role.

While a line of Prust, Boyle and Rupp would be great to watch, I feel Rupp's faceoff abilities would be wasted.

Rupp may be no David Steckl, but he still draws better than Stepan and Christensen.

Wojtek Wolski is the wild card and it seems that he has always been the wild card ever since joining the Rangers.

Rumors have been swirling but they have been day to day. One day he is a buyout target, another day he is safe from being bought out. Just like Don Cherry has a new colorful suit for Hockey Night In Canada, the Internet has a new Wojtek Wolski rumor.

If this line came to fruition it could be an effective one. When you take the chemistry and experience of Rupp and Fedetenko and you throw in a promising player in Wolski, you have a decent fourth line.

I see Wolski on the fourth line because he is one of those players that seems to be in Tortorella's dog house. If Wolski can have a decent camp, he can maybe fill in on an upper line.

Defensive Pairings

First Pairing: Marc Staal & Dan Girardi

This pairing has been a shutdown duo of all-stars for years. The pairing of Staal and Girardi rivals Watson and Holmes, Abbott and Costello, and even Batman and Robin. These two players feed so well off of each other and seem to know where each other are on the ice at all times. 

Second Pairing: Ryan McDonagh & Mike Sauer

This pairing seemed to really flourish last season and both hit their strides. This pairing of rookies seemed to really benefit from each other. Both were players looking to find their niche in the NHL and they stood tall in the face of opposition. At times during the year they were even capable of shutting down Alex Ovechkin.

Third Pairing: Michael Del Zotto & Tim Erixon

It seems each team has a wild-card spot. The Rangers happen to have a few. Michael Del Zotto had a remarkable rookie season but faltered during his sophomore campaign. He is looking to regain coach John Tortorella's trust and learn from the power-play wizardry of Brad Richards.

Tim Erixon, son of former Ranger Jan Erixon, is a diamond in the rough. He was the top defensive prospect of the Calgary Flames and was a great pickup by Glen Sather in a draft-pick trade. Sather also struck gold when he traded Scott Gomez for a similar prospect in Ryan McDonagh. 

Erixon has proven himself oversees in Sweden so hopefully that can translate in New York.

Seventh Man: Steve Eminger

Eminger was a great re-signing by Sather this offseason. Eminger brings a great veteran presence to the team and can be a sounding board for the young defensemen.

Goaltending

Starter: Henrik Lundqvist

Backup: Marty Biron

Henrik Lundqvist will continue to shoulder the load and will be the top netminder for the Rangers.

Marty Biron will also continue in his role as the backup goaltender and the shootout "guru."

This dynamic duo worked very well last year and it should continue to lead the way for the Rangers.

If Hank can get some rest every now and then, he will be fresh come playoff time for the Rangers. Biron will be a vital part of the Rangers.

Power-Play Unit

LW: Brandon Dubinsky / Ruslan Fedotenko

C: Brian Boyle / Artem Anisimov

RW: Marian Gaborik / Ryan Callahan

D: Michael Del Zotto

D: Brad Richards

This unit is intended to combine two puck-moving point men in Michael Del Zotto and Brad Richards. Richards is a capable power-play quarterback who can move the puck with ease. Del Zotto will learn and can benefit from Richards because if he is unsure of himself, he can pass back to Richards who can set up shop.

Artem Anisimov and Brian Boyle are capable centers who fill two different roles. Boyle has size to play in front of the net and Anisimov can move the puck down low.

Marian Gaborik and Ryan Callahan are two players who can score on the power play. Gaborik will feed off Richards and Callahan can feed off Anisimov.

On the left wing, Ruslan Fedotenko was a big part of the power-play unit for the 2003-04 Lightning along with Brad Richards. He has a lethal wrist shot and has chemistry with Richards. Brandon Dubinsky, on the other hand, will mesh with any of the above players.

2011-12 Projected Roster

This is what the roster could look like this year give or take a few players being sent down to Hartford:

Artem Anisimov

Sean Avery

Martin Biron

Brian Boyle

Ryan Callahan (A) 

Michael Del Zotto

Brandon Dubinsky

Steve Eminger 

Tim Erixon

Ruslan Fedotenko

Marian Gaborik

Daniel Girardi

Carl Hagelin

Chad Johnson

Henrik Lundqvist

Ryan McDonagh

Brandon Prust

Brad Richards

Michael Rupp

Mike Sauer

Marc Staal (A)

Derek Stepan

Wojtek Wolski

Mats Zuccarello

Comments, Questions, Concerns

As Rangers fans we know all about John Tortorella and his ice-time philosophy. He believes each player earns their time and he likes to ride the hot hand.

He loves to rotate his line so take my predictions with a grain of salt.

Thanks for reading !

Tom Urtz is an NHL Featured Columnist and is a member of Bleacher Report's Official 2011 NHL Free Agency Coverage Team. For more NHL free agent news, updates and alerts about players:

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