| CAMP ANALYSIS |
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|
CAMP INFORMATION |
Location
Greenburgh, NY
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| ROSTER |
| Count: |
25 |
| Remaining Cuts: |
2
(Minimum) |
| CALENDAR |
| September |
|
x |
Traverse City Tournament |
|
x |
Traverse City Finals |
| 16 |
Training Camp |
|
x |
Preseason Starts |
| October |
|
x |
Final Rosters |
|
12 |
Season Opener |
| PRESEASON RESULTS |
 |
1 - 2 |
 |
|
4 - 3 |
|
|
3 - 5 |
 |
|
2 - 0 |
 |
|
4 - 2 |
 |
|
4 - 1 |
 |
|
4 - 8 |
 |
|
| Projected Forwards
- First Line |
 |
 |
 |
|
Wojtek Wolski |
Brad Richards |
Marian Gaborik |
Two thirds of the top line looks set for the
Rangers over the next couple of seasons, with the addition of Brad
Richards to center Marian Gaborik. The duo will look to establish
some quick chemistry and go into the season as the Rangers'
undisputed go-to guys on offense.
The only question that remains, is who will get the first opportunity
to line up next to them. The most logical choice appears to be
Polish born Wojtek Wolski. There was plenty of speculation that the
Rangers would buy-out the remaining year on his contract, but the 25
year old will get one more reprieve and the chance to impress.
Wolski's offensive talent makes him a logical choice, but it's not his
talent that's in question. His work ethic has quickly disappeared
in past seasons, but we're betting he'll show enough early on to get
the nod to start the season...whether he stays there is up to him.
Perhaps another option under normal circumstances would be Sean Avery,
but with Tortorella in charge, it's unlikely the Grate One will get
much serious consideration unless Wolski falls completely flat.
|
|
| Projected Forwards
- Second Line |
 |
 |
 |
|
Brandon Dubinsky |
Artem Anisimov |
Ryan Callahan |
We projected this line last year, and they
eventually united as the Blueblood Line - a testament to their
development in the Rangers' system. All three signed new contracts
in the off-season, and look to be the backbone of the team for the
next few seasons. There's little reason to think they'll be broken
up during camp unless there's an injury.
The only possible changes might come if the Rangers decide to move
Dubinsky up to the top line to play with Gaborik and Richards, or if
they decide they would rather have Stepan play second line center
instead of Anisimov. Ultimately we think that Tortorella will
prefer to keep this previously successful line together.
|
|
| Projected Forwards
- Third Line |
 |
 |
 |
|
Ruslan Fedotenko |
Brian Boyle |
Derek Stepan |
As so often the case with the Rangers, the
third line looks to be the players who don't really fit in with the
top two lines. The most obvious choice is that of returning UFA,
Ruslan Fedotenko. The Ukrainian native was consistent if not
spectacular, but his history as a steady performer under Tortorella
is likely a contributing factor to his return.
Center Brian Boyle signed up for another three years on the back of
last year's breakout season that saw him score 21 goals. It'll be
hard for him to repeat, but his offensive success last year will get
the inside track on the third line center spot.
With few options on right wing, it looks most likely that the Rangers
will try last year's star rookie Derek Stepan in the open spot.
While Boyle figures to be the center to start with, there's always
the chance that Tortorella switches things up, and switches the two.
If the pairing doesn't work, they may also be tempted to push Boyle
down to the fourth line and use either Sean Avery or Mike Rupp on
the right, but we're betting this will be the starting trio.
|
|
| Projected Forwards
- Fourth Line |
 |
 |
 |
|
Brandon Prust |
Erik Christensen |
Mike Rupp |
The addition of Mike Rupp and Brandon Prust
give the Rangers a fourth line that has toughness and the ability to
score a few goals. Both figure to be in the starting line-up, it
just remains to be seen who will center them. With Stepan moving
over to the wing, and Boyle moving up, it gives Christensen a chance
at moving into the line-up.
This means there'll be no place for Sean Avery and Mats Zuccarello,
without an injury opening a spot. Avery will likely get the first
seat, while Zuccarello's position is a little more complicated, and
could see him traded or claimed off waivers if the Rangers try to
reassign him to Connecticut.
|
|
| Projected Forwards:
Reserves |
 |
|
 |
|
Sean Avery |
|
Mats Zuccarello |
It wouldn't be surprising for the Rangers to
keep two extra forwards on the roster to start the season. Sean
Avery is certainly a capable NHL forward with utility value, and
will likely be the first call up should the experiments of Wolski on
the top line and/or Stepan on the wing fail, with Christensen
getting pushed out of the line-up if the latter happens.
Likewise Zuccarello provides Tortorella another potential option on the
top-line to pair with Richards and Gaborik, should they be unable to
develop chemistry with Wolski.
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| Projected Forwards:
Connecticut Whale (AHL) |
 |
 |
 |
|
Ryan Bourque |
Andre Deveaux |
Tommy Grant |
 |
 |
 |
|
Carl Hagelin |
Chad Kolarik |
John Mitchell |
 |
 |
 |
|
Kris Newbury |
Andreas Thuresson |
Dale Weiss |
There's not a lot to be excited in this bunch
but Swedish born Carl Hagelin might get a longer look at camp before
being reassigned to Connecticut. Last year's call-ups Chad Kolarik,
Kris Newbury and Dale Weiss all look set to bide their time once
again, while John Mitchell will be looking for a chance to return to
the NHL following a late season trade with the Maple Leafs last
year.
Joining the queue will be Andreas Thuresson - acquired in exchange for
Brodie Dupont this summer - and tough guy Andre Deveaux. Neither
are expected to be called upon to start the year.
Of the new guys, Ryan Bourque should get a good long look for the AHL
roster, and we think he'll make it, while former Anchorage-Alaska
forward Tommy Grant might see a little more competition before he
ultimately makes it too.
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| Projected Forwards:
Greenville Road Warriors (ECHL) |
 |
 |
|
Chris Chappell |
Jason Wilson |
Heading to Greenville will be forwards Chris
Chappell and Jason Wilson. Chappell has seen his career go pretty
much nowhere since signing a contract with the Rangers, and will
likely being playing his last year with the Rangers. 21 year old
Jason Wilson will join the pro-ranks after signing a contract with
the Rangers, but will likely have to battle it out first in the ECHL
in the hopes of making a big enough impression to get a call-up.
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| Projected Forwards:
Canadian Juniors |
 |
 |
 |
| Shane McColgan |
J.T. Miller |
Christian Thomas |
2011 1st round pick, J.T. Miller elected to
switch from the NCAA to the Plymouth Whalers of the OHL, and will
attend camp as a result - the NCAA doesn't allow any payments to
players, and thus prospects would have to pay their own way. It'll
be his first taste of what it's like to be a pro, before he heads up
to Canada.
Christian Thomas - son of former NHLer Steve Thomas - is another
story. The 19 year old Thomas could well get a long look at camp
after an impressive couple of seasons in the OHL. Thomas can't play
in the AHL this season because of eligibility issues, but the
Rangers will likely want to see how he does against some bigger
opponents before they send him back down.
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| Projected Defense -
1st Pair |
 |
 |
|
Marc Staal |
Dan Girardi |
The Rangers will continue to look for ways to
generate offense from the blueline in 2011-12, but there doesn't
seem to be any reason why Tortorella will split up the pairing of
Marc Staal and Dan Girardi. The two young d-men have been separated
several times in their Ranger career to date, but ultimately seem to
find a way to come back together. With Michal Rozsival no longer in
the picture, there doesn't seem to be any reason why they won't
start off the season together as the first pairing.
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| Projected Defense -
2nd Pair |
 |
 |
|
Ryan McDonagh |
Mike Sauer |
Going into camp last year, Mike Sauer looked to
be caught in the no-mans land of having to clear waivers to play in
the AHL. There was speculation that the Rangers might try to trade
him, rather than lose him for nothing, but ultimately he remained on
the team as a healthy scratch to start the season. It didn't take
long for the rookie to leapfrog Matt Gilroy and Steve Eminger on the
depth chart, and Sauer would ultimately form a strong partnership
with fellow rookie Ryan McDonagh after the Minnesota native was
recalled following an initial assignment to Hartford.
This year the duo appear all but destined to be in the starting line-up
on opening night, and it would take a catastrophic camp for them to
be overlooked.
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| Projected Defense -
3rd Pair |
 |
 |
|
Tim Erixon |
Steve Eminger |
The final pairing for the Rangers will be the
one that most people will be paying attention to. Steve Eminger
played well enough after coming over in a trade last year to earn
another one year contract, but is far from being considered a lock.
Eminger adds a bit of physicality to the team, but looks to be a
fill-in until one of the younger prospects picks up their game.
Leading the battle for the remaining spot is former first round pick
Tim Erixon, son of former long-time Ranger Jan Erixon. Tim couldn't
come to terms with the Calgary Flames, because it appeared unlikely
he'd make the roster. The Rangers picked him up the day before the
Flames' right's expired and will look to make a case for being the
only rookie in the opening night line-up.
If Michael Del Zotto can have a strong camp, then he could push for
a spot, as could rookie Pavel Valentenko - a late camp cut last
season. Journeyman Brendan Bell might also get some consideration,
but is perhaps more of a long shot.
|
|
| Projected Defense -
Reserves |
 |
|
Brendan Bell |
The final pairing for the Rangers will be the
one that most people will be paying attention to. Steve Eminger
played well enough after coming over in a trade last year to earn
another one year contract, but is far from being considered a lock.
Eminger adds a bit of physicality to the team, but looks to be a
fill-in until one of the younger prospects picks up their game.
Leading the battle for the remaining spot is former first round pick
Tim Erixon, son of former long-time Ranger Jan Erixon. Tim couldn't
come to terms with the Calgary Flames, because it appeared unlikely
he'd make the roster. The Rangers picked him up the day before the
Flames' right's expired and will look to make a case for being the
only rookie in the opening night line-up.
If Michael Del Zotto can have a strong camp, then he could push for
a spot, as could rookie Pavel Valentenko - a late camp cut last
season, or perhaps even Czech rookie Tomas Kundratek. Journeyman
Brendan Bell might also get some consideration, but is perhaps more
of a long shot.
|
|
| Projected Defense -
Connecticut Whale (AHL) |
 |
 |
 |
|
Stu Bickel |
Michael Del Zotto |
Tomas Kundratek |
 |
 |
 |
|
Jyri Niemi |
Blake Parlett |
Pavel Valentenko |
Unlike the forward ranks, the depth on defense
is a little more interesting. Michael Del Zotto will continue to
look for a way to return to the form that saw him propelled into the
NHL ranks at the age of 19, but he's lost Tortorella's trust and
he'll need a very strong camp to convince the coach that he's worth
the risk.
By contrast steady performances by Pavel Valentenko following a good
camp last year will make him one to watch this time around. His
heavy shot from the point, and willingness to use his body will also
be appealing, though he may still need a little more time to
convince the coaching staff he's ready.
Tomas Kundratek has been a reliable performer down in Connecticut
and should get a longer look before being sent down, while the trio
of Blake Parlett, Jyri Niemi and Stu Bickel figure to be early
assignments to the AHL.
|
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| Projected Defense -
Greenville Road Warriors (ECHL) |
 |
 |
|
Lee Baldwin |
Sam Klassen |
Both Lee Baldwin and Sam Klassen were UFA
signings by the Rangers, and both are yet to see their pro careers
take off. Baldwin, a former Alaska-Anchorage blueliner appeared in
21 games for the Whale last season, but failed to register a point,
while Klassen - who played in the WHL - appeared in 3. Both players
will spend time in the ECHL trying to build a case for moving up to
the AHL on a more permanent basis.
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| Projected Defense -
Canadian Juniors |
 |
|
Dylan McIlrath |
2010 1st round pick, Dylan McIlrath will
probably get a chance this year to stick with the Rangers a little
longer, perhaps up until the team departs for Europe. At any rate,
McIlrath is not making the team this year and so will be heading
back to Moose Jaw in the WHL.
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| Projected Goaltending |
 |
 |
|
Henrik Lundqvist |
Martin Biron |
No mystery in goal for the Rangers. Henrik
Lundqvist is the starter, and Martin Biron will backstop him. The
only thing left to work out is how much each of them will play.
Down in Hartford, Chad Johnson looks a lock for the starting spot there
with off-season signing Cameron Talbot getting time as the backup.
Without a third option, don't be surprised if the Rangers opt to
bring in a third goalie on an AHL contract, and perhaps send Talbot
down to the ECHL to get more playing time.
Scott Stacjer will head back to the OHL in an attempt to earn a pro
contract in the final season that the Rangers own his rights, while
Jordan Parise will be hoping to earn a pro contract.
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| Projected Goaltending -
Connecticut Whale (AHL) |
 |
 |
|
Chad Johnson |
Cam Talbot |
Chad Johnson had a relatively successful rookie
season after being acquired from the Penguins, but struggled with
form and injuries last season. He'll need to bounce back with
better performances this year if he hopes to return to the NHL. By
contrast, the relatively raw Cam Talbot got some good games in for
the Whale last year, but needs more seasoning before he can be
considered a legitimate threat to the NHL ranks.
|
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| Projected Goaltending -
Greenville Road Warriors (ECHL) |
 |
 |
|
Jason Missiaen |
Scott Stajcer |
It's unusual for the Rangers to have six
goaltenders under contract, which means that free agent signing
Jason Missiaen and 2009 fifth round pick Scott Stajcer will have to
battle it out for playing time in the ECHL. Neither goalie
particularly impressed during the prospect camp back in June, and
they'll likely just fill out the numbers until such time as they are
reassigned to the Whale training camp on the way to the Road
Warriors.
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