New York Rangers Weekly Report: Redden Waived, Rangers Sweep Devils, and More

Rangers Weekly Report No. 2

Rangers Weekly Review

This week was a big one in Ranger land, beginning early Monday morning when it was announced that Chris Drury would be out for the next four weeks. The Rangers captain will be forced to watch the first week of the Rangers season, maybe more, with a broken finger which he received blocking a shot during training camp. Drury’s importance on the penalty kill will be missed, but John Tortorella believes they will find a way around the injured center.

On Thursday (Sept. 23) the Rangers began their 2010-11 preseason with an overtime victory over the New Jersey Devils. The line of Marian Gaborik-Derek Stepan-Alexander Frolov dominated the game by scoring three of the four Rangers goals. Gaborik tallied twice on the power play, including the overtime winner, and Frolov added a breakaway goal midgame.

Brian Boyle was also extremely impressive in the Rangers win, scoring one goal, and winning a fight early in the game. Other players that impressed were Ryan McDonagh, Alexei Semenov, Tim Kennedy, Martin Biron, and the power play looked much improved also. Players that were less than impressive in the first preseason game were Ruslan Fedotenko, Chad Johnson, and Erik Christenson.

On Friday morning it was announced that both Michael Rozsival and Vinny Prospal had lower-body injuries. Reports say that neither will be out for too long, but it is worth noting that Prospal’s injury was the same injury he suffered last season (knee).

Early Saturday morning Glen Sather announced that veteran defenseman, Wade Redden, would be waived at noon. Redden will likely continue his career in the AHL, erasing his $6.5 million cap hit from books. This also opens a spot on the roster for a prospect or try-out player to take.

The Rangers are off to a good start in their 2010-11 preseason, as they beat the Devils in overtime once again on Saturday night. The three players that most impressed me last night were Michael Del Zotto, Ruslan Fedotenko, and Ryan Callahan. All three of them tallied three points (one goal and two assists) in the win over the Devils.

After that came Artem Anisimov, Alexei Semenov, Steve Eminger, Tim Kennedy, Pavel Valetenko, Matt Gilroy, Kris Newbury, Dale Weise, and Dane Byers who had also had pretty impressive games.

Both Newbury and Byers got into fights, Valetenko had a few crushing hits, Kennedy and Anisimov looked excellent on the power play, and the defensemen (Semenov, Eminger, and Gilroy) played very well in both ends. Dale Weise had a few bone-crushing hits also.

The less impressive players were Garnet Exelby, Evgeny Grachev, and Todd White. Exelby started the game off pretty well, but in the second and third periods he seemed to forget about positioning, which has been a problem for him throughout his career. Evgeny Grachev seemed slow and out of sorts which is normal for younger players to do, but I don’t think Tortorella would have that cross his mind when he is looking down his roster at who to cut next.

Todd White was extremely soft, and never threw hit in the game. It may have been due to his shoulder injury, but I feel he may be headed down the same road as Wade Redden.

The race for a center position on the roster will tighten up as the preseason progresses, and the four that have most impressed me are Derek Stepan, Artem Anisimov, Tim Kennedy, and Brian Boyle.

Rangers Weekly Preview

Tonight the Rangers continue their preseason as they take on the Red Wings at 5:00PM. This game will be huge, as it will decide some of the players’ fates.

The Rangers will make second cuts late Sunday, or sometime Monday afternoon. The Rangers will make decisions on players such as Kris Newbury, Jeremy Williams, Pavel Valentenko, Dane Byers, Dale Weise, and the try-out players Ruslan Fedotenko, Alexei Semenov, and Garnet Exelby will soon get the news on whether or not they have played up to contract standards.

The Rangers will play the Red Wings again on Wednesday the 29th, and follow that up with two games against the Senators on Friday (Oct. 1) and Sunday (Oct. 3).

This week has potential at being a “big one” according to Steve Zipay, who believes the Rangers may make a pretty big trade sometime soon to open roster space.

I agree with Steve, but it is still unsure who the Rangers will attempt to move. Obviously there is a possibility of moving Michael Rozsival to open a defensive spot, and there is also the possibility of the Rangers moving a few forwards and a defenseman for a rough crease-clearer, unless they have Alexei Semenov attempt to take that role (which I think he can).

That’s it for this week’s report. Thanks for the read, hope you enjoyed. Feel free to comment below.

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