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Grading the Rangers: Dominic Moore

August 3, 2016, 6:37 AM ET [109 Comments]
Jan Levine
New York Rangers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Blog parameters:

Each person covered will be given a rating. Factoring into that rating will of course be his performance but another input is going to be performance versus expectation coming into the season. Much of the background I likely covered in my tear down blogs, so don't expect massive chapter and verse but possibly some quick hitting information if not already covered in those blogs. In addition, to create some parameters, a player will have had to play 20 games to get a grade. Anything less means there isn't a representative sample for which to make a decision, so Brady Skjei and Marek Hrivik, to name two, will not get grades.

Here is where it gets really funky and interactive. I want you the reader to comment on the blog as to the rating. But not just hey I think you are right on or you are crazy but to provide your own rating and rationale for it. So if you agree with what I wrote, great, say that. But if the belief is the rating should be higher or lower, then you have to provide the rationale accordingly. Plus and minus grades are allowed to enable a broader opinion. Before the next blog, we will see if the blog comments consensus rating mirrors mine.

In addition, to shake it up, I will jump around a bit, so not all the players of the same rating are listed in a row, same with positions. So in the immortal words of Forrest Gump, you never know what you're going to get.

Covered in this blog: Dominic Moore

This is what I wrote on Part VI of my Rangers tear down and post-mortem blogs.
Dominic Moore, who just finished the final year of his two year deal, will be gone. He was excellent his first year in New York, providing solid play as a fourth line center who could kill penalties and win draws. In addition, when needed, he could move to a top-six role. The past two seasons has seen his play drop off, especially this year, though part of that was due to who he was on a line with most of the season. Because of that last point, I will say there is a very outside shot he is back.


Overall Grade: D.

Part of Moore's struggles this season may be attributed to the lousy linemates with whom he played. Tanner Glass, Jarret Stoll, Emerson Etem and Daniel Paille all had a whirl on that trio. Viktor Stalberg and Oscar Lindberg were the best of the bunch, but that duo with Moore really wasn't together that often and it did little to help Moore raise his game.

Moore, who is 36, did win 55.3% of his draws; third best in his career. But he like many others struggled on the penalty kill and wasn't particularly good late in games, which is where he is most needed. Moore's ability between the dots could draw him a look-see on a PTO or late in the year, but it wouldn't be shocking if he just up his skates. New York could use his faceoff skills but I think, barring injury, that ship has passed. That is especially true given the other possible fourth line options not on board. However, I could see Antoine Vermette, who also wins draws and is a possible scoring option from the fourth line, added to the roster. Though his numbers took a major nose dive and he is better suited to second rather than fourth line duty.

For comparison purposes, here is Moore vs. Lindberg last year:



Players covered in prior blogs, My grade, Consensus Grade

Ryan McDonagh - C+/C+
Derek Stepan C+/B-
Eric Staal D/D
Antti Raanta B+/B+
Kevin Hayes D/D
Viktor Stalberg C+/B-
Chris Kreider C+/C
Mats Zuccarello B+/B+
Kevin Klein C+/C+
Tanner Glass C/D
Rick Nash C-/C
Assistant Coaches C/C
Dan Girardi D+/C or C-
Derick Brassard, B/ B+
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