Coming into the season all the buzz was around the Free Agent signings of Chris Drury and Scott Gomez, not to mention bringing Brendan Shanahan back for one more year. Add that to the likes of Jagr, Straka and then toss in the kids and the Rangers looked to be a scoring powerhouse. Only someone forgot to plug them in. From the get go Gomez, Drury, Shanahan and Jagr struggled to score. And when they struggle the team loses. If not for the kids, Dubinsky, Callahan and Dawes the Rangers quite possible could still be mired in last place.
Fortunately, over the last 8 games or so the Big 4 have started to wake up. Gomez and Shanahan seem to finally be getting comfortable and Jagr has blended quite nicely on a line with Dubinsky. The fourth line has done what it is expected to do and Betts, Hollweg and Orr have worked very well together. Perhaps the two biggest disappointments have been Hossa and Prucha. Both have struggled mightily from the get go and both could find themselves sitting and watching when Callahan and Straka come off the IR. So, if I had to give a grade to the Offense at this point, I’d have to go with a B. I’d go lower but the kids have surprised everyone and kept the Rangers winning.
Man, going into the season I looked at the Rangers Defense and bet they wouldn’t stop ME if I came down the ice with the puck. Well suffice to say I was wrong. At the moment (last night not included) the Rangers have allowed less than 2 goals a game.
The biggest surprise on Defense so far? That’s easy, there are three of them. The line of Daniel Girardi and Fedor Tyutin has been outstanding so far, with perhaps their most impressive game coming must recently again the Penguins. And you can’t leave out Marc Staal either. Most didn’t expect him to even make the team this season, including me. Instead he has steadily improved with every game and seems to work well with Roszival. Over all the grade for the Defense is easy – A.
Goaltending:
Well I saved the A+ for last. Henrik Lundqvist has been the Ranger MVP so far. Playing all but one game so far this season he has been phenomenal. Coming into last night’s game against the Islanders he holds a 1.79 GAA and 4 shutouts. The only worry I have is burning him out before the season is over. Fortunately, backup goalie Steve Valiquette has shown promise – more than expected – in his one lone shot in net thus far. He showed the apparent after effects of off-season work, including looking leaner and quicker. So getting Lundqvist some rest shouldn’t be too scary a prospect, as long as he can build on the early promise he’s shown.
Coaching:
I am NOT a Tom Renney fan and I’m not all that impressed with anything he has done so I will admit my grade is a bit biased. I feel he juggles lines way too much and no one ever seems to get a chance to gel. My other complaint is too many times the Rangers will come out sleep walking. Is that the coaches’ fault? Maybe yes, maybe no, but I will say yes. Renney and his staff have YET to find a Power Play that works and don’t seem ANY closer to a solution today. So, over all I give the coaches a C.
Overall, it hasn’t exactly been the start most were expecting for the Blueshirts. There have been surprises both positive and negative, but after stumbling out of the gate and taking a while to find their bearings, the Rangers seem to be locking into a groove of late. If they can keep the positive momentum going, things should only get better, particularly with a few key players scheduled to come off IR imminently. The addition of Callahan and Straka should only strengthen the offense. And with Lundqvist in goal, almost anything is possible, as long as the Rangers don’t start tripping themselves up again.
