2011-12 NHL Predictions: Breaking Down the Rangers' Puck Daddy Rankings

Last week, the Yahoo Hockey blog Puck Daddy has taken a look at all of the players in the NHL.

Accordingly they have ranked the top 20 players for each position. Certain selections have garnered controversy and acclaim from fans off all the teams in the NHL.

The Rangers had players Brad Richards, Marian Gaborik, Henrik Lundqvist, and Marc Staal included in their respective fields. Ryan Callahan was also an honorable mention for top right wingers.

Were the ratings for each player too high, too low, or just right?

Also each slide will take a look at why the rating was justified or undeserved.

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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:

Marc Staal

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"20. Marc Staal, NY Rangers: Physical rearguard is blending in some offense to his no-nonsense game."

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Marc Staal has gradually progressed through the Rangers defensive ranks ever since his promotion from Hartford.

Staal is a hardworking defenseman that gives his best effort at all times. I feel his 20th overall ranking is a bit steep for him.

I fully understand that last year he received his first taste of premium ice time as the team's top defenseman, but he did an exceptional job.

Along with Dan Girardi, Marc Staal was responsible for keeping Alex Ovechkin off the board during the regular season.

Staal hasn't produced consistently in the Rangers offense, and that is something he needs to work on. If Staal can blend in offense to his already solid defensive game, there is no reason why he can't crack the top 15 next season.

Ryan Callahan

Ryan Callahan was named an honorable mention for right wingers in the Puck Daddy rankings. I feel that he was snubbed. While he was not near the top in the major statistical categories, he was an Olympian and was a great two-way forward in the NHL.

Callahan is being groomed to become the next captain. He embodies what it means to be a Ranger. His presence was definitely missed during the playoffs.

Callahan had 23 goals and 25 assists for 48 points in 60 games last season, and it is predicted that if Callahan had played in those extra 22 game he would have eclipsed 30 goals and 30 assists for at least 60 points. And he should be set to have a breakout season.

To be fair, Callahan will never put up Marty St. Louis numbers. St. Louis is a player who comes along only every so often in this league.

Callahan at most can put up numbers similar to what Ryan Kesler put up this season: roughly 65-70 points and a plus-minus around 20 or more.  

Callahan is a nitty-gritty player. He blocks shots, kills penalties, and sacrifices his body. He brings so much to the table overall that makes him an integral part or the New York Rangers. This style of game makes him a valuable asset to his team.

Henrik Lundqvist

This is the blurb associated with Henrik Lundqvist and his Puck Daddy Ranking in the goaltender category.

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"3. Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers: Give Captain Shutout a goal, and he gives you a victory."

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This blurb pretty much sums up Henrik in a nutshell. Throughout his Rangers career thus far, Henrik has had to go out every night onto the ice and has been forced to steal the show with perfection.

This can contribute to the fact that Henrik statistics do not always accurately describe him. His 11 shutouts last season however define his title of Captain Shutout.

The theme of inconsistent offenses seem to be the trend in this town for most sports. The New York Mets for one are also infamous for forcing their pitchers to be perfect due to their lackluster and inconsistent offense at times.

This story reigns true with Henrik and the Rangers. If the Rangers can get on the board early and they give Hank a lead, it is safe to say that he will shut the door most of the time.

I think the ranking assigned to Henrik by Puck Daddy was generous but accurate. There is no disputing that Henrik is an elite goalie and he definitely deserved to be in the top five for the entire league.

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Marian Gaborik

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6. Marian Gaborik, New York Rangers: If this Brad Richards thing works out — and if he can stay healthy — there's no reason Gaborik can't challenge for the Rocket Richard Trophy as the league's top goal-scorer.

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Contrary to popular belief, Marian Gaborik is a good hockey player. He has speed, great vision, and a great wrist shot. He is a natural goal scorer when he is "in the zone". 

Injuries have often been the crux of complaints filed against Gaborik by his main detractors. These injuries have not allowed Gaborik to get "in the zone"

In his freshman year on Broadway, Gaborik netted 42 goals and assisted on 44 others for a career high of 86 points. Keep in mind these totals were generated while playing with Vinny Prospal as his pivot.

No offense to Vinny Prospal but he isn't the elite playmaker Brad Richards is.

Gaborik's sophomore season in the Big Apple was a major disappointment for many fans.

Despite his below average statistics from last season, I agree with this Puck Daddy ranking and feel the description is spot on.

If Gaborik plays true to form and stays healthy, there is no reason why he can't score 45-55 goals with an excellent passer like Brad Richards.

The only downside is that if Gaborik and Richards don't gain instant chemistry, the Garden faithful may not be as forgiving to Gaborik in his junior year as a New York Ranger.

Nonetheless it should be an interesting duo to watch as many fans truly hope they can catch lightning in a bottle.

Brad Richards

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"13. Brad Richards, New York Rangers: No pressure, Brad. It's just New York City and a $60 million contract."

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This blurb at first made me laugh. It seemed to describe what every writer said about Gomez,Drury,Holik, and etc.

Brad Richards has already addressed this point and he makes a good point.

In an interview on WFAN radio, Richards has explained that the last contract he signed was a large one and that at first it was overwhelming. He went on to say that he is now five years older, he is more mature, and that he is in the best shape of his life and he is ready to move forward

Brad Richards has been given a very nice contract but I still feel he will perform to the best of his abilities for a better part of the contract length.

Richards scored 77 points last season despite only appearing in 72 games after suffering a minor concussion. Despite this, he was in the top 10 for total points for the entire NHL.

Realistic expectations to place on Brad Richards for this season would involve him scoring 80 points or more. At 31 years old he isn't likely to score 100 points but if the duo of Richards and Gaborik clicks, anything is possible.

I feel that an overall ranking of 13th overall was a bit unfair for Richards. When looking at No 12 in Mike Richards (12) , Brad Richards has produced on a more consistent level than Mike Richards and there is no guarantee that M.Richards will perform the same on his new team the Los Angeles Kings.

I would have liked to seen B.Richards in the top 10 but I agree with the majority of selections that cracked the top 10. 

Comments, Questions, Concerns?

Thanks for reading and be sure to check out the New York Rangers page tomorrow for my newest piece talking about the Rangers' and their upcoming season.

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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Also check out this photo regarding a potential Rangers' Winter Classic jersey