2010-11 New York Rangers Preview: Grit, Gaborik and Goaltending

Filed under: RangersThe New York Rangers have some serious problems. Although they have a roster with few stars, they are up against the salary cap. New York has depth at center, but not a legitimate first-liner. As for the defense, let's just say it's a long way from 1994.

Still, the Rangers have plenty of reasons to believe. Like many 'tweener teams this season -- not a contender on paper, far from a lost cause on the ice -- New York can point to the 2009-10 Montreal Canadiens and declare with integrity, "Yes, we can." Get in the playoffs and you never know what can be accomplished.

Why not? In Henrik Lundqvist, the Rangers have a top-10 goaltender who keeps them in almost every game. For the first time in a while, Lundqvist will be backed up by an established veteran in Martin Biron. The jovial former Sabre, Flyer and Islander will push Lundqvist while laughing with him.

In a bit of sorcery last summer that reminded us he still has something left, Rangers GM Glen Sather unloaded his over-priced free agent acquisition Scott Gomez on Montreal, picking up a pair of solid defense prospects (Ryan McDonagh and Pavel Valentenko) in the process. Freed of his commitment to Gomez, Sather signed scoring threat Marian Gaborik. The third overall pick in the draft a decade ago, Gaborik led the Rangers with 42 goals and 86 points. His teammates finishing second place on the scoring charts had 20 goals and 58 points. That's extraordinary production from one man without a lot of help. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

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