NHL Season Preview: New York Rangers

New York Rangers




With a month left until the 2006-07 NHL regular season, I'm going to preview one team a day starting in the Eastern Conference Atlantic Divsion and finishing with my Hometown Vancouver Canucks. Here we go.

Last Seasons standings: record - 44-26-12 for 100 points. The Rangers finished 3rd in their division and 6th in the Eastern Conference standings.

In: Brendan Shanahan F (prev. team: Detroit Red Wings); Matt Cullen F (prev. team Carolina Hurricanes); Karel Rachunek D; Daniel Girardi D; Stephen Valiquette G (prev. team Yaroslavl Lokomotiv of the Russian Super League); Aaron Ward D (prev team Carolina Hurricanes); Bryce Lampman D; Jed Ortmeyer F; Thomas Pock D; Adam Hall F; Fedor Tyutin D; Michal Roszival D; Marcel Hossa F

Out: Dominic Moore F (via trade with the Nashiville Predators); Petr Sykora F (new team: Edmonton Oilers); Martin Rucinsky F (new team: St. Louis Blues); Martin Grenier (new team: Philadelphia Flyers); Tom Poti (new team: NY Islanders)

Season Outlook: Fair. The Rangers are a team who are always going to be at the maximum with regards to the salary cap. This off-season proved to be no different as the Rangers opened their checkbooks and signed Brendan Shanahan who should be a good fit on the Jagr line. Speaking of Jagr, he is coming off an MVP-like season where he ripped up NHL goalies and left coaches scratching their heads on how to slow this warrior down. Ortmeyer had a solid season last year and will look to continue to improve this year. Aaron Ward is a solid edition to this youthful defensive crop. Sandis Ozolinsh and Marek Malik will have to show strong leadership skills and help the younger defensemen develop or it could be a long season. Goaltending appears to be the weak link for the Rangers. They will have to be praying that Henrik Lundqvist can repeat his stellar performance from last season. Finally, the Rangers are hanging their seaon on sophomore Petr Pruka who may have played above his head last year.

Season Prediction. The Rangers should finish in second place in their division, 4th or 5th overall in the Eastern Conference.