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New York Rangers not a playoff team |
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Bold-faced type and large hype are not uncommon in “the greatest city the world” that has “the world’s greatest arena”. See what I mean.
And along those same lines, adding Brad Richards didn’t suddenly make the New York Rangers the fourth or fifth seed for the Eastern Conference playoffs. In fact, it’s highly questionable whether they’ll make it in at all.
Like a one-liner failing at Dangerfield’s on 1st Avenue, this one-line team will likely fail to make the playoffs. And it’s not even a one-line team yet. After searching for “a center to play with Gaborik” for two seasons, and apparently finding him in Richards, now they don’t know who the top-line left wing is going to be. Add to that, the left wing may be a center; second year forward Derek Stepan is getting a look.
Meanwhile, depth chart intact or not, “strength down the middle” in Manhattan is tenuous at best. While shattering his previous single-season career high of four, Brian Boyle banged in 21 goals last season. Anyone suggesting this phenomenon happens again? Repeat after first President Bush: “Not-gunna-do-it; wouldn’t-be-prudent.”
Speaking of Stepan, a young player who gives you every reason to love him in terms of attitude and work ethic, there’s still no guarantee history repeats itself. Sophomore slumps seem more likely and more acute under “Big City – Bright Lights”. Just ask Michael Del Zotto, who’s attempting resurgence after a very difficult second year, spent partially in the minors.
Even if fully effective for his age (21), Del Zotto rejoins one of the youngest and most inexperienced D corps in the NHL. Bryan McCabe came and went. Young Matt Gilroy’s touted career went south, literally. Number one defenseman Marc Staal is hurt. While more than pleasant surprise out-of-nowhere Michael Sauer is a 24-year-old entering his dreaded second season. Sixth or seventh D-man Steve Eminger is clearly the greybeard here, turning 28 on Halloween.
Young Ryan McDonagh looks very good. Younger Tim Erixon looks good. All this potential is just that: Potential.
The blueline questions run deeper than an E-train subway platform.
It’s not surprising this team lost more than it won on home ice last season.
The Rangers have three important things running in their favor. 1) Goaltending. 2) Work ethic. 3) Team identity (related to number 2) and buy-in. Wait! Four things. 4) Plenty of weak brothers in the East, including Winnipeg, Florida and Ottawa that won’t contend for anything.
But positives aside, one doesn’t need the Spanish Inquisition to discover the potential multiple shortcomings. For different reasons and to different degrees, here’s a list that includes those likely to be around: Wolski (desire), Anisimov (next step), Stepan (2nd year), Zuccarello (size), Boyle (consistency), Christensen (minutes), Staal (health), McDonagh (experience), Sauer (consistency), Del Zotto (see above), Erixon (opportunity).
Hey, there’s always Wade Redden in Connecticut. Hee hee.
For those on this list, and even those above making it, there’s the ever-present John Tortorella line shuffle. Can't blame him. Where does everybody fit and where are they most effective?
This team is a single major injury away from “fuhget-about-it”.
One thing this organization has been recently, can be, and should continue to be: Patient. Like waiting for an uptown C at 59th street: “It’ll get here eventually.”
Just not this season.
{Yes, that was a Monty Python reference. Follow me on twitter @simmerpuck}
Simmer is presently a correspondent for XM Home Ice and an author
Blogger •XM Home Ice correspondent and author • 
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