New York Rangers Preview: Marian Gaborik Leads the Way for the Right Wingers

New York Rangers positional preview No. 1: Right Wing

Over the next four days, I will be previewing each position for the New York Rangers. Today it will be right wing, tomorrow center, Wednesday Left Wing, and finally defense and goaltending on Thursday.

I will start with a small review of last season (at the specific position) followed by a “Top Six” of that position, and lastly I will end with a prediction of which wingers will play on which lines.

Last season, the Rangers' right wingers were Marian Gaborik, Ryan Callahan, Ales Kotalik (until traded), Enver Lisin (partial season), Brandon Prust, and P.A Paranteau. Marian Gaborik led the Rangers offense through last season with a total of forty-two goals and eighty-six points.

Ryan Callahan was the next highest on the right wing point rankings, scoring nineteen goals and thirty-seven assists. Callahan played a solid role on the Rangers penalty-kill, though.

Ales Kotalik was terrible in his short season with the Rangers, before being sent to Calgary close to the Olympics.

Enver Lisin played a solid role with the Rangers as a left winger early last season. But after an injury to the foot, Lisin was forgotten by John Tortorella and the Rangers.

Brandon Prust played a huge role on the Rangers from the time he was traded to them, all the way to the end of the season. Resigning him this offseason was a priority for Glen Sather.

P.A Paranteau played well late in the season for the Rangers and helped the Rangers to a couple of shoot-out wins throughout the season. Sather chose not to resign Paranteau, but P.A. didn’t go far. Shortly into free agency, he signed with the rival Islanders.

This season the Rangers didn’t add much to their roster on right wing. The big move at the right wing position was the signing of Mats Zuccarello (Aasen).

My “Top Six” at the Right Wing Position

No. 1—Marian Gaborik

The obvious pick, Gaborik led the Rangers offense last season, and as long as he stays healthy again this season, he should be able to put up the same numbers (maybe better).

No. 2—Ryan Callahan

Callahan is a very skilled player. He has the ability to score 20 goals a season and led the league in hits at the same time. He can play on the power-play or the penalty kill, and he can play a tough-guy role at anytime. Very key player for the Rangers.

No. 3—Mats Zuccarello

Zuke is a scoring asset, and should be able to make a smooth transaction to the North American game. Don’t expect him to be a 30-goal scorer anytime soon, but as he progresses in his development, he could play a key role for the Rangers' offense very soon.

No. 4—Brandon Prust

As I said before, he played an extremely key role on the Rangers last season. Will he be as important this season? Probably not, but he will continue to play hard and stand up for his teammates. That is really all we can ask and expect from him.

No. 5—Evgeny Grachev

Grachev is one of the Rangers better prospects, and he has shown his skills to the Rangers before. He may not start on the Rangers' roster this season, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see him called up for an injured player midseason.

No. 6—Christian Thomas

I know some of you may be thinking “Dale Wiese?” Not me. I think Thomas is going to be a very good player in the future, and I hope it's for the Rangers. It is very unlikely he makes the team in one of the next few seasons, but he will definitely be a key part to the Rangers some day.

Rangers Projected Lines (Right Wingers Only)

Line one: Gaborik

Line two: Zuccarello

Line three: Callahan

Line four: Prust

Midseason call-ups: Grachev, Weise, and Williams

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