NYR Training Camp Thoughts

The New York Rangers enter their fifth pre-season game tonight, and I don’t even know where to begin. Should I start with the my bi-polar opinion on Petr Nedved? My head-scratching observations of Henrik Lundqvist? How bout we just kick it off on a happy note with the enthusiastic golfer, Brandon Dubinsky.

Out of all the players that have really brought their game to another level come this training camp, it has been the Rangers Golf Classic longest drive winner Brandon Dubinsky. When I saw him at Brae Burn Country Club in mid-September I thought he had looked a little stronger. When he crushed the golf ball (and Michael Roszival’s dreams, the longest drive leader at the time) 318 yards my assessment was correct. Throughout this pre-season he has shown a confidence that has been escalating since last season. His feistiness and willingness to get his nose dirty combined with his finesse, shot, and strength could make him a star in this league. Look for an a production increase from the Alaskan sophomore…

Let’s be honest. If you cringed when you heard Glen Sather invited Petr Nedved to training camp raise your hand. Now when you saw No. 93 flying down the wing and unload his patented wrist shot (one of which Henrik Lundqvist named as the top three in camp) how many of you were slightly impressed. It’s ok it’s not like I’m asking you to pull that autographed Alexandre Daigle rookie card out and show everyone.

The $1 million question (aka NYR cap space) is do the Rangers sign the Czech forward to his third stint in Ranger blue? He is 36 years old, and wants to play as a top-line forward. With the plethora of young talent in the organization, is it really worth to bring back a player who resembles everything that was wrong with the team in the pre-lockout days. Yes, this “New NHL” is almost tailored to the style of Nedved but aside from a few points against AHL rostered NHL teams, Nedved has done anything more special than Dale Weise. Nedved still has a great wrist shot and some speed, but gets knocked off the puck easier than David Spade in front of Rosie O’Donnell at a buffet. There are plenty of players such as Lauri Korpikoski, or Weise that can contribute the same thing that Nedved does and are much younger. Nedved has played well but his time has passed.

The offense isn’t scoring, and the defense has looked sub-par. Nikolai Zherdev, who I would hope got rid of his pot belly, is trying to do too much with the puck instead of let’s see…pass it. Maybe the stick-banging would work in Columbus when Rick Nash isn’t on the ice, but the Rangers actually have more than two players that can score, so Zherdev needs to start remembering this a team game. Oh, but yeah, he pulls off some ridiculous moves. I’m sure a few Senators felt like Ned Braden after Zherdev was done with them.

Dan Fritsche has been a disappointment. I really thought the 23-year-old was going to challenge for the third line spot, but he may want to go apartment shopping in Hartford. Wade Redden needs to get himself together. I know it is preseason, but how many times can you let someone blow past you, in your own zone. Throw your stick at them or something. Who cares if it’s a penalty at least you may somewhat scare them. Bobby Sanguinetti played in his first pro hockey game. Saying he looked nervous would be an understatement. It would be like saying I suck at math. He fumbled the puck more than George Bush fumbles his words, and seemed lost in his own end. I’ll give the guy a break though. It was his first NHL game ever, playing for the team he grew up idolizing, on Garden ice. The kid has a bright future ahead of him and I’m sure this will be one of those “funny” stories that the MSG personalities will tell when Sanguinetti picks up his first piece of hardware.

I’ll give Roszival a break since he is coming off of knee surgery. And Lundqvist has been getting cortisone shots in his knees, so he gets a pass as well. Aaron Voros has been a pleasant surprise and should fill the agitator role sufficiently along with Ryan Callahan who is fast becoming my favorite Ranger. Callahan, at least to me, resembles the same mold of Adam Graves.

There are so many third and fourth line forwards that could make this team that my head is starting to feel like Eric Lindros’ --- who by-the-way is one of the best athletes ever, with his $5 million donation. Freddy Sjostrom, Blair Betts, Colton Orr, Aaron Voros, Pat Rissmiller, PA Parenteau, Petr Prucha, Dane Byers, and the beat goes on. Betts is not a shoe-in for a job on the team but my money says that Renney and Co. don’t overlook his intangibles. Betts is expected to score more this season but his defense and special team play won’t be overlooked. My left over change, however, says that if Prucha plays well in training camp and the start of the season, he’ll be sent packing. He’s a great guy, but he has become expendable over the last two seasons.
Then there is the anti-Mats Sundin, Brendan Shanahan. You have to love his dedication, but unless cap space opens up (cough-Prucha) I don’t see how Sather can hand him a contract. Noone is really at fault in this situation, but Sather unfortunately is being cast as the bad guy here even if he really isn’t.

There has been some solid play from the Naslund-Gomez-Zherdev line and Dubinsky, Dawes, and Callahan have looked great but more questions will be answered when Renney makes his first cuts.

It’s been an interesting training camp that can be best summarized by Blair Betts: "Training camp is a mind-@!#$."

-Alex Iosiovich

New Jersey Devils Season Preview

Overview

The New Jersey Devils enter the 2008-2009 season with a new, yet familiar look. The new faces Lou Lamoriello brought in are well known in New Jersey and have enjoyed great success with the franchise. After a disappointing playoff performance against the rival New York Rangers, The Devils will look to their past and rely on their present to redeem themselves.

Key Additions- Brian Rolston, Bobby Holik
Key Subtractions – Sergei Brylin, Karel Rachunek, Arron Asham, Vitaly Vishnevski

Coaching

Brent Sutter last season brought a very aggressive fore checking program to The Devils and although it did result in more scoring chances, very rarely did those chances go in the back of the net. Of course Mr. Sutter’s biggest obstacle for this upcoming season is to get the right line combinations going, and get the offense scoring. Of course this has been the task for every Devil’s coach with the exception of Robby Ftorek in the A-Line days.

Offense

Patrick Elias has finally met his match for the team lead in points in Zach Parise. Parise looks like the spark plug of the offense now, with every combination thriving when he’s a part of it. With a breakout season last year look for Parise to keep racking up the points. And while Parise is getting better and better, so should the production of his line mates.

The signing of Bobby Holik and Brian Rolston raises questions on what Sutter will do for line combinations. Does Bobby Holik slide into his old role with the team allowing John Madden to take on a more offensive role after his career year last season? Do Brian Rolston and his 30 goal potential automatically make it to the first line? If so who gets demoted to the second, Elias Gionta or Parise? This is a problem Sutter should be thrilled to have now that New Jersey may have some decent scoring depth and someone to support Langenbrunner and Zajac.

Along with scoring depth, they also have two suitable shut down lines with any mixture of Pandolfo, Madden, Clarkson, Rupp, Zubrus, and Bobby Holik. Zubrus seems to have replaced Sergei Brylin on the Devils as the Russian who can play from the 1st line to the 4th line. He’ll fit in anywhere, use his great size along the boards, but he will never be an offensive weapon on the Devils.

This could be effective lines for The Devils to open the season with.

Parise Elias Gionta

Rolston Zajac Langenbrunner

Pandolfo Madden Zubrus

Rupp Holik Clarkson

Defense

The Devils shed some salary on the defensive side by cutting loose Karel Rachunek and Vitaly Vishnevski and used that cap space to lock up Bryce Salvador. Salvador was a nice addition to The Devils and his solid play and grit will fit in nicely for a full season. Paul Martin and Colin White had the duty of trying to replace a core group of defensemen that nearly built a dynasty. From the looks of things, Colin White will never be a ruthless stay at home defensemen in the Daneyko or Stevens mode, and Martin will never be an offensive stalwart like Brian Rafalski or Scott Niedermeyer.

Regardless of whom Martin and White failed to live up to; they are the back bone of the defense. Martin paired up most of the season with Johnny Oduya who at times showed flashes of great offensive ability. To round out the bunch is Mike Mottau, Sheldon Brookbank, and Andy Greene. With names like those it is rather obvious that The Devils will be relying on their system and Martin Brodeur.

Keep an eye on undrafted Finland born defensemen Anssi Salmela. The 24 year old was signed in the offseason and is projected to have an offensive upside. If Devils are lacking that punch from the blue line, which they probably will, expect a call up to see what he’s got.

Paul Martin- Johnny Oduya

Mike Mottau -Colin White

Andy Green- Bryce Salvador

Goaltending

Regardless of how many goals Brian Rolston scores, regardless of how many people Bobby Holik cross checks, it all starts and ends with Martin Brodeur. Building a resume to rival anyone who ever put on a pair of goalie pads, Brodeur hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down and The Devils success as usual rides on him. I do believe this is finally the year the work load lessens, with playing 78 and 77 games back to back. He is 36 and it’s time to finally put the question to rest ‘Would Brodeur have performed better in the playoffs if he played less games in the regular season’. 70 games are fine, 73 at the max.

Parting Shot

Another upcoming season with the same questions being asked. Can the offense score some goals, and will Brodeur be able to keep this record breaking pace going. The Devils started off last season on the road for weeks while their new arena had the finishing touches put on it. They dug themselves in a hole and had to play above anybody’s expectations in the second half to have a respectable showing in the playoffs.

This season The Devils have to start off better than last year and they must compete against The Rangers. Last season the blue shirts absolutely owned The Devils in the regular season and it spilled over into the playoffs. If The Devils even had a .500 record against The Rangers last season they would have won the Eastern Conference. Things should be easier this time around for The Devils and Marty Brodeur… no Sean Avery.

Sundin Out, Shanny In?

According to NY Newsday, The New York Rangers have informed Mats Sundin that he has until Tuesday (September 16th) to make up his mind on whether he will join the club.

The longer Sundin waits to make a decision the greater the chances are he will end up back with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Canadians have already dropped out of the Swedish sweepstakes by trading for Robert Lang and The Rangers seem ready to move on to other signings which may include sure fire hall of fame winger Brendan Shanahan.

Shanahan has made it obvious that he is most interested in playing with the blue shirts, while turning down offers from other franchises which included The Flyers, Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues. Even more obvious is Sather holding off on that signing while waiting for Sundin to choose where or if he will be playing hockey again.

It's true Ranger fans may feel Shanny's offensive game is easily replaceable at this point but looking at all the new faces in the dressing room it may not be his legendary shot that proves most valuable.

With the changing roster Shanahan's leadership will be more valuable than the 18-22 goals he will probably put in the back of the net. A one year signing to stabilize the new personalities and set up Drury to take over the room in a year will be well worth the investment.