NHL 2010-11 Preview: Taking an In-Depth Look at the New York Rangers Roster

Yesterday’s waiver-wire was a quiet one for the New York Rangers, as they were unable to add anymore players to their roster. The Rangers did get Tim Kennedy and Todd White back from waivers after neither were claimed by another team. The Rangers seem to have their roster planned out, with 14 forwards, seven defensemen, and two goaltenders for a total roster of 23 players.

The Rangers recently placed veterans Chris Drury and Vinny Prospal on the injured reserve list, allowing both Tim Kennedy and Todd White to keep their spots on the roster. This season's Rangers team looks better, younger, and tougher than last season’s team. Sather did all the right things over the summer to improve the New York Rangers.

Offense

Marian Gaborik—The Rangers' superstar forward, will continue his show on Broadway in 2010-11, as he tries to do better than he has ever done before. Last season, he scored a career best 86 points, a career best 44 assists, and a career best tying 42 goals. He will have the assistance of Alexander Frolov this season, as he tries for 50 goals.

Alexander Frolov—One of Sather’s better additions this offseason, Alexander Frolov will be shooting for the 30 goal mark again, which he hasn’t reached since 2008-09. Playing with Marian Gaborik may be the boost Frolov needs, and he has a chance to be a 35 goal-scorer for the first time in his career. He will be a huge help on the Rangers power play.

Erik Christensen—A midseason waiver-wire pickup, Christensen became the Rangers No. 1 center playing with Marian Gaborik and Vinny Prospal. The preseason was not a very impressive one for Christensen, but coach John Tortorella has decided to place Christensen on the top-line between Marian Gaborik and Alexander Frolov for season's start. If he can find a way to click with the two superstars, he may have himself a career season.

Brandon Dubinsky—The former center has adapted to the left wing position and will continue to play as a solid two-way forward. He has been a big part of the Rangers' penalty kill for the previous two seasons and will be an asset once again on the penalty kill this season. Do not expect him to score 30 goals this season, but his average of 20 goals is very likely.

Ryan Callahan—The hardest working forward on the Rangers roster may be headed for a career season. He will find himself on the second line with Dubinsky and Anisimov, and that will be excellent for him. A line of young, gritty, multitalented forwards will be a popular one with Rangers fans.

Artem Anisimov—Entering his sophomore season, Anisimov may be headed towards a breakout season. He will likely center between wingers Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan, and that should work well for him. He will get a chance to carry the puck and make decisions for himself as he crosses the blue line. A 20-goal season is not far out of Anisimov’s reach.

Sean Avery—If Avery can be Avery, all will be well in Rangerland. If Avery falls off his nut, he will get himself into trouble with the officials, the NHL, the Rangers, and John Tortorella.

The type of play that Rangers fans would love to see from him game-after-game is the type of game he played last January in Dallas. Coming off an injury, Avery scored a four-point game for the Rangers. It was one of the best in his career, if not the best, and he must find a way to play like that on a daily basis.

Derek Stepan—My prediction is that he wins Rookie of the Year. Hands down, he is the best rookie going into this season, and he will start on a line between veteran forwards Sean Avery and Ruslan Fedotenko. I am setting my sights high on this kid, whether you like it or not, and I firmly believe he will have an excellent rookie season.

Ruslan Fedotenko—An excellent last minute signing by Sather, veteran forward Ruslan Fedotenko will add some scoring, another penalty killer, and he is a very clutch player. He always shows up in those close-goal games, and he is great in the playoffs. For now, he is viewed as a small addition. But he has the potential of being an offseason steal for the Rangers.

Brandon Prust—He had a great end to the 2009-10 season for the Rangers and earned himself a fresh contract with them in the offseason. Prust will play fourth-line minutes with the Rangers this season, and he will get chances to play on the penalty kill throughout the season.

Brian Boyle—Finally, Boyle learned to use his huge body, and he has become a tough, gritty center. He stood up for his teammates throughout preseason and earned himself a roster spot. He skates faster, hits harder, and has found some offensive talent within himself. He has been given another opportunity to play in the NHL, and he will not let it slip through his hands again.

Derek Boogaard—Quick and easy for the Boogeyman. As long as he stays on his game, stays away from dumb penalties, and stands up for the Rangers superstars, he will quickly become a fan-favorite.

Tim Kennedy—An excellent small signing by Sather, the gritty young forward will likely swap in-and-out of the lineup in the center and left wing positions, and he will play a key role in the Rangers penalty kill when given the chance to play.

Todd White—The odd man out on the Rangers roster, it is believed he will be sent to Hartford when Chris Drury returns. But if he happens to play a game for the Rangers, he will be an asset on one of the bottom two lines and play on the penalty kill. For the time being, Todd White will be a solid locker room veteran for guys like Artem Anisimov, Derek Stepan, and Tim Kennedy.

Defense

Marc Staal—He was the best defensive player the Rangers had last season, and after a long-lasting offseason of bickering between Staal’s agent and the Rangers, they finally got a long-term contract sealed. Staal will remain a Ranger for the next five seasons, unless traded, and will likely remain the Rangers No. 1 defenseman (unless a trade or big free agent pickup occurs).

He is a solid shutdown defenseman, and every so often, he finds an offensive spark to his game. He will remain a fan favorite throughout his Ranger career unless he comes down with something bad, like the Redden syndrome. Expect a very good season from Marc Staal.

Dan Girardi—The No. 2 defenseman on the New York Rangers, Girardi also signed a new contract over the summer. His was one year less then Marc Staal’s, but as long as he plays a solid shutdown game, and continues to block shots on the penalty kill, he will remain a Ranger throughout his career.

If he continues to play a solid shutdown role, continues to block shots, throws a few pucks in the back of the net, joins the rush, and sticks up for Marian Gaborik when he gets into a fight, he will have a solid season. Girardi will be relied on as a veteran presence in the locker room for the younger players like Michael Del Zotto and Michael Sauer.

Michael Del Zotto—After an excellent rookie season, Del Zotto will be determined to make his sophomore season even better. As long as he continues to play the way he has been playing, he should be fine. He is a very good at joining the rush and quarterbacking the power play, and every so often, he throws a huge hip-check along the boards. If he could solidify his defensive game a little bit more as the season approaches, he will be in for a very good season.

Michael Rozsival—Whether you like it or not, Rozsival is the Rangers' fourth-best defenseman. He has lost his skill of carrying the puck into the offensive zone, but he still has a lot of defensive talent. Sure, there are holes in his game, but he became a very solid shutdown defenseman late in the season, and I believe he will begin the season playing well on the second defensive pairing with Del Zotto.

Matt Gilroy—Another Rangers sophomore, Matt Gilroy had a brilliant start to last season (his rookie season), but at the midway part of the season, he struggled to the point where he was sent down to Hartford. He has come back ready to play for the Rangers and hopes to remain there throughout the season. He is a very good offensive-defenseman, but his problem last season was his defensive work. Hopefully he solidified it to stay a Ranger for the whole season. But, if he fails to meet coach John Tortorella’s standards, he will quickly be shipped to Hartford (or Connecticut) for another prospect defenseman.

Michael Sauer—The lone prospect Ranger on this season’s defensive corps, Michael Sauer found a way onto the Rangers roster. He is a solid shutdown defenseman, and he enjoys blocking shots. He also has a bit of an offensive touch to his game, as he showed in the preseason. His job is not safe in the NHL, but as long as he plays his game, and gives 100 percent throughout the season, he will remain in the NHL.

Steve Eminger—This veteran will find himself as a seventh defenseman for most games this season, swapping with one of Michael Sauer and Matt Gilroy every few games. He will bring another veteran presence to this young defensive group, and when he gets a chance to play, he will be key on a power-play unit, and he brings an edge to his game.

Goalies

Henrik Lundqvist—The Rangers “King” will continue his dominant play in net and may have his career season ahead of him. With a clear backup goalie on the team, Martin Biron, the Rangers will not have to play Lundqvist so often, which means Hank will not get so tired as often as he did last season. If less is more for Lundqvist, the Rangers will be in for a great season.

Martin Biron—The Rangers have finally found a solid backup goaltender, and when Biron gets his chances to play, he will not upset. He played very well in the preseason (beside the finale), and expect him to win one-half to three-quarters of his games played, which will be around 15-20 (games played).

The Rangers are in for a fun season with a team as young as this one. The team will hold two rookies and six sophomores, making for a young and energetic lineup.