NEW YORK, August 10, 2010 -- With less than two months to go before the start of the 2010-11 regular season, the summer is winding up on Broadway. Players are beginning to return from their off-season haunts, and pre-camp workouts are underway. The summer free agency period was "a semi-active one," according to Rangers GM Pat Webber. "We needed to fill some holes, but didn't have a ton of cap space available, so we had to be judicious with our signings." In other words, no six million dollar contracts to the Wade Reddens of the league.
The team signed four players, three of whom are penciled in already in the lineup. The Blueshirts welcomed back winger Vaclav Prospal, and added veteran center Mike Peca and young netminder Daniel Larsson. In addition, winger Marc-André Cliche was signed as added insurance up front, and will likely start the season in Hartford. Prospal will find a home on one of the two scoring lines, while Peca brings a veteran presence to the checking line and the penalty killing units. The Rangers were a top PK team in the league last year, and figure to continue that success in the coming season. Larsson, although inexperienced, will back up starter Henrik Lundqvist, and is an immediate upgrade over the other options on the roster.
Although the team did not sign any defenseman, Webber cautioned fans to expect some changes on the blueline shortly. "We're looking at some options, but it's too early to say what, if anything, may happen. Maybe nothing."
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Re: NewYorkRangers.com Press Releases
New York Rangers 2010-11 Season Review
To paraphrase Yogi Berra, the 2010-11 season was déjà vu all over again on Broadway. Rangers fans could be forgiven for confusing this season with the previous one, given that the team duplicated its efforts in win-loss record and points, standings, and playoff record. As if having identical season-long results weren’t enough, other aspects of the second EHEC go-round also matched the first, including:
...A streaky (i.e., bad) October, with multiple multi-game losing streaks;
...Improved play in the middle third of the season;
...A blistering home stretch, this time with a 13-1 tear in March;
...Capturing the division crown on the final weekend of the season;
...And a first round playoff victory over the Flyers.
When asked about the similarities between the two seasons, GM Pat Webber laughed but then dismissed reading too much into the numbers. “Coincidental but mostly insignificant,” was his exact quote. “It’s more important that we’ve been consistently one of the top teams in the EHEC for both seasons. Getting 53 wins each season, making the playoffs twice, those are positives. And no, I don’t think we’re treading water!” Webber also pointed out that despite losing in the second round of the playoffs for the second year running, the team arguably went farther this time around. “We forced a seventh game against Pittsburgh, the conference champs. Each year we’ve played the conference winner in the second round. Maybe next year will finally be our turn.”
Doing so will be difficult in an Eastern conference that seems to get tougher every year. Like the Penguins last season, one year’s bottom dweller can be next year’s champ. “There’s new GM blood in the league, and already we’re seeing some moves by teams looking to move up the standings. Plus with the draft coming up, and free agency really just right around the corner, there’s no telling who’ll come out with all guns blazing this fall. Hopefully, we’ll be right there.” Having said that, here’s a look back at the who and the how of the 2010-11 season:
Player Grades
Right Wings
Cory Stillman – his production dropped (76 to 65 points), but he remained an integral part of the offense, and provided invaluable leadership and consistency. At 37, age may be coming an issue. Grade = B+
Artem Anisimov – might be a more natural center, but registered career highs as a full-time RW. Defensive play picked up, but he slipped during the playoffs. Grade = A-
Dane Byers – saw significant time on both wings, as the Rangers were fluid with their bottom two lines. Played well on the backcheck, but needs to bring more than the 5 goals he registered. Grade = C+
Pat Rissmiller – another quiet, simply played season. Played well enough, but not so well that he’s not replaceable. Grade = C
Others: Jamie McGinn (had a GWG in the playoffs = Inc.), Sebastian Wannstrom (saw a few playoff games; could be a top-six winger next season = Inc.)
Centers
Patrick Marleau – led the team in scoring most of the season, but seemed to score in streaks. Needs to be better on faceoffs. Picked up his play in the playoffs. Grade = A
Chris Drury – got a ton of ice time, but his numbers were way off (77 to 60 points). Still a high-end two-way center, but his age and contract are working against him. Grade = B
Chris Higgins – quality faceoff guy, and was a +9 with mostly third line ice time. He needs to score more, but is a dependable and valuable two-way guy. Grade = B
Jim Slater – acquired at the deadline from Atlanta, registered three points in 15 games (after just 1 in 50 with the Thrashers). Not a big physical presence, but consistent and a good faceoff guy. His injury at the end of the regular season hurt during the playoffs. Grade = B
Others: Wayne Primeau (saw his ice time diminish during the season but still led team with 98 pim and 16 fights = C- )
Left Wings
Simon Gagné – statistically it was a down year for Simon, yet he never sulked and turned in a solid playoff performance. Plays well at both ends, and could be the next captain, if Drury is moved. Grade = A-
Vaclav Prospal – is a moody bugger but managed to finish second in team scoring and tied for first with 41 assists. Prone to defensive lapses and streakiness. Grade = B+
Ryan Callahan – struggled to find his groove all season, rarely seeing time on the top two lines. Got his head busted open in April and missed the playoffs. We probably missed his grit and defensive play against Pittsburgh. Grade = B
Brian Sutherby – missed a month of playing time, and spent some nights in the press box as well. Didn’t score much, but was solid on the PK. Grade = C+
Others: Mikael Salmivirta (played well in two brief call-ups and again in the playoffs; figures to be a regular next year = B-), Fredrik Modin (only saw 13 games and figures to be on his way out = D).
Defense
Michael Del Zotto – is developing into a solid #1 D, and figures to take the reins from Timonen soon. Only six goals was something of a disappointment. Grade = A
Kimmo Timonen – old as as the hills but still getting it done at both ends. Had over 100 hits. Grade = A
Ryan McDonagh – improved as the season went along and is now a solid second pair guy; not a standout, but a very good part of a solid unit. Grade = B+
Rostislav Klesla – another quiet year for Rusty, who just gets it done night in and night out. Went down with a groin injury in March, and was seriously missed in the playoffs. Grade = B+
Marc Staal – another quietly efficient Ranger blueliner. Not flashy, but hardly makes mistakes. Grade = A-
Brett Clark – one of those afterthought players, who gets traded around the league and never fully appreciated. But he played exceptionally well all season, and finished with a +29 somehow. Grade = B+
Others: Daniel Tjärnqvist (filled in capably when injuries struck; never quite good enough to play full-time = B-); John Erskine (late-season waiver pickup turned out to be a boon when Klesla went down. Was solid in the playoffs = B-).
Goalies
Henrik Lundqvist – what really needs to be said? The backbone of the team, and the #1 reason we’re as competitive as we are. Might dress him as Larsson next year and play him 82 times. Grade = A+
Daniel Larsson – looks great in practice, but sulks on the bench. Inconsistent, but probably played well enough down the stretch to come back for another year. Grade = C
Coming up next: My Big Fat Draft Preview.
To paraphrase Yogi Berra, the 2010-11 season was déjà vu all over again on Broadway. Rangers fans could be forgiven for confusing this season with the previous one, given that the team duplicated its efforts in win-loss record and points, standings, and playoff record. As if having identical season-long results weren’t enough, other aspects of the second EHEC go-round also matched the first, including:
...A streaky (i.e., bad) October, with multiple multi-game losing streaks;
...Improved play in the middle third of the season;
...A blistering home stretch, this time with a 13-1 tear in March;
...Capturing the division crown on the final weekend of the season;
...And a first round playoff victory over the Flyers.
When asked about the similarities between the two seasons, GM Pat Webber laughed but then dismissed reading too much into the numbers. “Coincidental but mostly insignificant,” was his exact quote. “It’s more important that we’ve been consistently one of the top teams in the EHEC for both seasons. Getting 53 wins each season, making the playoffs twice, those are positives. And no, I don’t think we’re treading water!” Webber also pointed out that despite losing in the second round of the playoffs for the second year running, the team arguably went farther this time around. “We forced a seventh game against Pittsburgh, the conference champs. Each year we’ve played the conference winner in the second round. Maybe next year will finally be our turn.”
Doing so will be difficult in an Eastern conference that seems to get tougher every year. Like the Penguins last season, one year’s bottom dweller can be next year’s champ. “There’s new GM blood in the league, and already we’re seeing some moves by teams looking to move up the standings. Plus with the draft coming up, and free agency really just right around the corner, there’s no telling who’ll come out with all guns blazing this fall. Hopefully, we’ll be right there.” Having said that, here’s a look back at the who and the how of the 2010-11 season:
Player Grades
Right Wings
Cory Stillman – his production dropped (76 to 65 points), but he remained an integral part of the offense, and provided invaluable leadership and consistency. At 37, age may be coming an issue. Grade = B+
Artem Anisimov – might be a more natural center, but registered career highs as a full-time RW. Defensive play picked up, but he slipped during the playoffs. Grade = A-
Dane Byers – saw significant time on both wings, as the Rangers were fluid with their bottom two lines. Played well on the backcheck, but needs to bring more than the 5 goals he registered. Grade = C+
Pat Rissmiller – another quiet, simply played season. Played well enough, but not so well that he’s not replaceable. Grade = C
Others: Jamie McGinn (had a GWG in the playoffs = Inc.), Sebastian Wannstrom (saw a few playoff games; could be a top-six winger next season = Inc.)
Centers
Patrick Marleau – led the team in scoring most of the season, but seemed to score in streaks. Needs to be better on faceoffs. Picked up his play in the playoffs. Grade = A
Chris Drury – got a ton of ice time, but his numbers were way off (77 to 60 points). Still a high-end two-way center, but his age and contract are working against him. Grade = B
Chris Higgins – quality faceoff guy, and was a +9 with mostly third line ice time. He needs to score more, but is a dependable and valuable two-way guy. Grade = B
Jim Slater – acquired at the deadline from Atlanta, registered three points in 15 games (after just 1 in 50 with the Thrashers). Not a big physical presence, but consistent and a good faceoff guy. His injury at the end of the regular season hurt during the playoffs. Grade = B
Others: Wayne Primeau (saw his ice time diminish during the season but still led team with 98 pim and 16 fights = C- )
Left Wings
Simon Gagné – statistically it was a down year for Simon, yet he never sulked and turned in a solid playoff performance. Plays well at both ends, and could be the next captain, if Drury is moved. Grade = A-
Vaclav Prospal – is a moody bugger but managed to finish second in team scoring and tied for first with 41 assists. Prone to defensive lapses and streakiness. Grade = B+
Ryan Callahan – struggled to find his groove all season, rarely seeing time on the top two lines. Got his head busted open in April and missed the playoffs. We probably missed his grit and defensive play against Pittsburgh. Grade = B
Brian Sutherby – missed a month of playing time, and spent some nights in the press box as well. Didn’t score much, but was solid on the PK. Grade = C+
Others: Mikael Salmivirta (played well in two brief call-ups and again in the playoffs; figures to be a regular next year = B-), Fredrik Modin (only saw 13 games and figures to be on his way out = D).
Defense
Michael Del Zotto – is developing into a solid #1 D, and figures to take the reins from Timonen soon. Only six goals was something of a disappointment. Grade = A
Kimmo Timonen – old as as the hills but still getting it done at both ends. Had over 100 hits. Grade = A
Ryan McDonagh – improved as the season went along and is now a solid second pair guy; not a standout, but a very good part of a solid unit. Grade = B+
Rostislav Klesla – another quiet year for Rusty, who just gets it done night in and night out. Went down with a groin injury in March, and was seriously missed in the playoffs. Grade = B+
Marc Staal – another quietly efficient Ranger blueliner. Not flashy, but hardly makes mistakes. Grade = A-
Brett Clark – one of those afterthought players, who gets traded around the league and never fully appreciated. But he played exceptionally well all season, and finished with a +29 somehow. Grade = B+
Others: Daniel Tjärnqvist (filled in capably when injuries struck; never quite good enough to play full-time = B-); John Erskine (late-season waiver pickup turned out to be a boon when Klesla went down. Was solid in the playoffs = B-).
Goalies
Henrik Lundqvist – what really needs to be said? The backbone of the team, and the #1 reason we’re as competitive as we are. Might dress him as Larsson next year and play him 82 times. Grade = A+
Daniel Larsson – looks great in practice, but sulks on the bench. Inconsistent, but probably played well enough down the stretch to come back for another year. Grade = C
Coming up next: My Big Fat Draft Preview.