NOTABLE ADDITIONS
Dan Fritsche, C (Acquired in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets)
Dmitri Kalinin, D (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Buffalo Sabres)
Markus Naslund, LW (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Vancouver Canucks)
Wade Redden, D (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Ottawa Senators)
Patrick Rissmiller, LW (Signed as a free agent, previously with the San Jose Sharks)
Aaron Voros, LW (Signed as a free agent, previously with the Minnesota Wild)
Nikolai Zherdev, RW (Acquired in a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets)
NOTABLE LOSSES
Sean Avery, LW (Signed as a free agent with the Dallas Stars)
Christian Backman, D (Traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets)
Josh Gratton, LW (Signed as a free agent with the Nashville Predators)
Ryan Hollweg, LW (Traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs)
Jaromir Jagr, RW (Signed with Avangard Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League)
David LeNeveu, G (Signed as a free agent with the Anaheim Ducks)
Marek Malik, D (Unsigned Free Agent)
Brendan Shanahan, RW (Unsigned Free Agent)
Martin Straka, C (Signed with HC Plzen of the Czech Extra League)
Jason Strudwick, D (Signed as a free agent with the Edmonton Oilers)
Fedor Tyutin, D (Traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets)
2007-08 Season Finish: 3rd Atlantic Division, 5th Eastern Conference, 97 Pts.
2007-08 Playoffs: Won 4-1 against the New Jersey Devils in Quarterfinals
Lost 4-1 to the Pittsburgh Penguins in Semi-Finals
2008-09 Prediction: 1st Atlantic Division, 2nd Eastern Conference
The New York Rangers were one of the busiest teams during the off-season, revamping their roster through a series of trades and free agent signings. Perhaps the Rangers' biggest loss over the summer was the departure of Jaromir Jagr to the Kontinental Hockey League. To replace Jagr, the Rangers immediately signed long-time Vancouver Canuck forward Markus Naslund via free agency. Naslund brings a wealth of veteran leadership and offensive depth to the team's forward lines. Returning forwards Scott Gomez and Chris Drury give the Rangers a lot of goal-scoring talent and offensive depth. Looking to add another scoring forward to their lineup, the Rangers acquired Nikolai Zherdev from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Zherdev gives the Rangers another solid scorer and plenty of offensive talent. Nigel Dawes, coming off of an impressive rookie season in 2007-08, could likely land a top-six role this season with his fine offensive talent. Brandon Dubinsky enjoyed a decent rookie season in 2007-08 as well with his offensive skills and toughness. Petr Prucha, who struggled offensively last season, will likely see playing time on the checking lines, where he can provide some decent offensive depth, while Dan Fritsche, acquired from Columbus via trade, brings the Rangers good offensive depth. Colton Orr and newcomers Patrick Rissmiller and Aaron Voros give the Rangers lots of toughness and grittiness, while Ryan Callahan and Blair Betts both bring decent offensive depth to the Rangers checking lines. The Rangers have lots of prospects who will look to make the team at training camp with their fine offensive talent, including Lauri Korpikoski, Greg Moore, Alexei Cherepanov, Artem Anisimov, and Hugh Jessiman. The Rangers are still looking for another top-six forward and are rumored to be interested in Mats Sundin, though they would have to dump considerable salary in order to sign him, as they are currently close to the salary cap. Brendan Shanahan has expressed interest in returning to the Rangers, and the team could sign him if Sundin remains undecided on his future in the coming weeks.
The Rangers defense got a lot stronger over the summer with the acquisitions of Wade Redden and Dmitri Kalinin via free agency. Redden brings lots of offensive experience and veteran depth to the team, while Kalinin too brings offensive depth and experience. Michal Roszival provides the Rangers' defense with lots of offensive skill and toughness, while Dan Girardi brings good offensive depth to the blueline. Paul Mara and Marc Staal both provide good defensive depth and plenty of toughness to the team's defense. Prospects Bobby Sanguinetti and Corey Potter will look to make the team at training camp, but could likely spend most of the season in the minors given the Rangers' depth on defense. While the Rangers' blueline is loaded with offensive talent, the acquisition of a physical defenseman could be beneficial to the team.
The Rangers' goaltending was the only part of the team that did not get a facelift over the summer, as Henrik Lundqvist and Stephen Valiquette return as the goaltending tandem. Lundqvist, who is quickly becoming one of the elite goaltenders in the NHL, had a fine season in 2007-08 and will likely improve his play in 2008-09. Valiquette played decently last season when called upon to replace Lundqvist despite his lack of experience. It's likely Valiquette will not play many games next season, but is still a suitable backup goaltender for the team.
STRENGTHS
- Have plenty of quality, goal-scoring forwards.
- Lots of offense on defense.
- Have a very solid and strong starting goaltender in Lundqvist.
WEAKNESSES
- Need more physical bodies on defense.
- Could use a more experienced backup goaltender.
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