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