NHL 2011-12 Preview: Projected Lines and Roster Cuts for the New York Rangers

The New York Rangers are going to have some decisions to make before the regular season starts in a little over a month. The Blueshirts have their upper lines filled up with players like Brad Richards, Marian Gaborik, Ryan Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky. 

However, as you look further down the depth chart, the Rangers basically have many carbon copies of role players that could fill out their lineup. We all know that Brad Richards will skate on the top line, but who will fill in on the third and fourth lines?

Here is how the Rangers' roster currently looks:

Guaranteed

• Artem Anisimov
• Brian Boyle
• Ryan Callahan
• Brandon Dubinsky 
• Ruslan Fedotenko
• Marian Gaborik 
• Brandon Prust
• Brad Richards
• Mike Rupp
• Derek Stepan
• Wojtek Wolski

On The Block

• Sean Avery
• Erik Christensen
• Mats Zuccarello

Rookie Hopefuls

• Christian Thomas
• Carl Hagelin

There are 11 players with guaranteed spots. Out of the 11, there are four centers, three right wingers and four left wingers. 

Sean Avery is on the block because he is in the last year of his contract. John Tortorella has also grown tired of Avery and his antics, so sending Avery to the AHL would give the Rangers some cap relief.

Erik Christensen is on the block because there is a major log jam at the center position. He is the most likely player to either be traded or sent to the AHL.

Mats Zuccarello is on the block because of his size and the style of game he plays. Zuke is a shootout specialist but that is all he really brings to the table. He was never really consistent in his play, but some more time in the AHL could help him find his game.

The rookie hopefuls include Christian Thomas and Carl Hagelin. Carl Hagelin is the most likely player to make the team out of training camp.

Hagelin has been described by prospect specialist Jess Rubenstein as almost a carbon copy of Derek Stepan. He is a two-way forward who is more defensive minded and can keep up with Stepan.

Line Combinations

1) Wolski—Richards—Gaborik

2) Dubinsky—Anisimov—Callahan

3) Fedotenko—Stepan—Hagelin

4) Prust—Boyle—Rupp

I think this will be the most likely line combinations to start the season. Early on, I completely wrote off Wolski. I said he would most likely be a third liner if he even made the team at all. He really worked hard this offseason, so it's a no-brainer that he will most likely complete the top line trio with Gaborik and Richards.

The second line is the A,B,C line that has been together for years. No reason to shake up a line that has had amazing chemistry.

The third line would be an amazing two-way line. It has the veteran presence of Fedotenko, the impressive rookie prospect Carl Hagelin and sophomore Derek Stepan. Hagelin and Stepan compliment each other well, and Fedotenko can only tutor these young forwards.

The final line of Brandon Prust, Brian Boyle and Mike Rupp would probably be the best fourth line the Rangers have seen since Freddie Sjostrom and Blair Betts graced Broadway.

In turn, it is quite obvious that both Erik Christensen and Sean Avery have out-served their usefulness. They are players that don't have contract restrictions, so they can be easily sent to the AHL. Their cap hits will also save the Rangers close to $2 million, which will give them wiggle room if someone succumbs to an injury.

The Rangers are a team that is gradually getting younger. Players like Carl Hagelin, Christian Thomas, Dylan McIlrath, Chris Kreider, Ryan Bourque, JT Miller and Andrew Yogan are waiting in the wings behind the curtain of Broadway. Soon their time will come, but for now, some will have to sit and wait.

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Tom Urtz is an NHL Featured Columnist and New York Rangers Featured Columnist,

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