NEW YORK RANGERS: 08-09 Season Preview

07-08 RECORD: 42-27-13 97 points
DIVISION: 3rd
CONFERENCE: 5th
RESULT: Lost in 2nd round

OFF-SEASON:
ARRIVALS: LW Markus Naslund(VAN), RW Nikolai Zherdev(CBM), LW Patrick Rissmiller(SJ), C Dan Fritsche(CBM), LW Aaron Voros(MIN), D Wade Redden(OTT), D Dmitri Kalinin(BUFF)
DEPARTURES: LW Sean Avery, D Christian Backman, LW Ryan Holloweg, RW Jaromir Jagr, D Marek Malik, RW Brenden Shanahan, LW Martin Straka, D Jason Strudwick, D Fedor Tyutin

There was no bigger make-over than there was in New York. The Rangers have a completely new supporting cast after they let go of Jaromir Jagr, Martin Straka, Sean Avery and Brenden Shanahan just to name a few. The fill their spots the Rangers signed long-time Canuck Markus Naslund and long-time Senator Wade Redden and traded for disgruntled winger Nikolai Zherdev from the Blue Jackets. The Rangers also acquired C Dan Fritsche in the Zherdev trade and signed LW Patrick Rissmiller, LW Aaron Voros and D Dmitri Kalinin. All these new faces will have to mesh with the Rangers core of Chris Drury and Scott Gomez who themselves have only played one season with the blueshirts.

CAP HIT: 55.72 million

FORWARDS:
My Projected Lines:
1- M.NASLUND-S.GOMEZ-N.ZHERDEV
2- N.DAWES-C.DRURY-P.PRUCHA
3- L.KORPIKOSKI-B.DUBINSKY-R.CALLAHAN
4- P.RISSMILLER-B.BETTS-F.SJOSTROM
E- A.VOROS-D.FRITSCHE-C.ORR

There will have to be alot of meshing going on this season for the Rangers will so many new faces. Naslund and Zherdev will join Gomez to form the Rangers #1 line. All three have proven they can handle top line status it is just a matter if they can do it together. Drury, the Rangers new captain centers the second line and could see a variety of players of his wings throughout the season. Nigel Dawes had some good chemistry with Drury last season so he is a good candidate to start of the left wing while the Rangers need Petr Prucha find his touch from his rookie season where he scored 30 goals. The Rangers third line could be their line of the future. Lead by Brandon Dubinsky, the Rangers have three potential top-6 forwards along with Ryan Callahan and Lauri Korpikoski. Patrick Rissmiller, Blair Betts and Fredrick Sjostrom bring the grit while Aaron Voros, Dan Fritsche and Colten Orr should all see playing time throughout the season.

DEFENSE:
My Projected Pairings:
1- M.STAAL-M.ROZSIVAL
2- D.GIRARDI-W.REDDEN
3- P.MARA-D.KALININ
E- C.PORTER-I.BARANKA

The Rangers have a good mix of young and old in their top six. Lead by Michael Rozsival who has revived his career since going to the Rangers and newly signed Wade Redden, the Rangers dont lack any experience. Both with be looked to play in all situations and Redden will be looked to improve the Rangers 22nd ranked PP. Marc Staal and Daniel Girardi bring the youth to the group and both look like they are going to have long successful careers. Paul Mara and Dmitri Kalinin round out the top-6 adding some more leadership. The only problem here is depth with the Rangers loosing Tomas Pock on waivers.

GOALIES:
1- H.LUNDQVIST
2- S.VALIQUETTE
3- M.WIIKMAN

The Rangers have no problem here with Henrik Lundqvist. Lundqvist has turned into an elite goalie in this league, falling just short of winning the Vezina trophy the last three seasons. He has had a few moments of inconsistency but nothing to be too worried about. He is a top-5 goaltender in the league. Stephane Valiquette has proven he is a capable back-up whenever Lundqvist needs a rest.

OVERALL:

Even with all the new faces, the Rangers should easily be a playoff team. Naslund and Zherdev could be new players in a their new surroundings and being on a line with Gomez doesnt hurt either. It will be up to Gomez, Drury and Naslund to help all the young guys up front. Redden should help the Rangers PP and the Rangers wouldn't have any problems keeping the puck out of their net.

PREDICTION: 3rd Division, 7th Conference