NY Rangers 2010-2011 Season Preview
With training camp well underway, let’s take a look at a team gearing up for another season and a return to playoff contention.
After a disappointing end to the 2009-2010 campaign, the New York Rangers look to bounce back from a heartbreaking, playoff eliminating loss in the final game of the season and continue to push forward to claim a top eight spot in the Eastern Conference.
As the core of last season’s team remains intact, the Rangers and Coach John Tortorella believe the key additions they have made in the off-season will give them the support they need to stake their claim in the Atlantic Division. With several of the Eastern Conference teams making solid improvements this summer, the Rangers will have to keep focused on out-working and out-playing the opposition.
One man who can’t wait for October is franchise goaltender, Henrik Lundqvist. After another upsetting end to the season, Lundqvist remains optimistic about the season to come as he puts his reputation on the line in a recent interview. “Absolutely. We will (be in the playoffs). I promise, we will bounce back”, Lundqvist said in an interview with WFAN last week.
One thing all Rangers fans can be sure of is that King Henrik will have more rest this season. With management bringing in veteran goaltender Martin Biron this off-season, Coach Tortorella finally has a solid backup he can rely on. With nothing more than experimental backups last season, Lundqvist started 72 exhibition games, second only to Martin Brodeur’s 76. Without a trustworthy backup to take the load off, for at least 20 games throughout the season, there’s only so much one man can do before fatigue kicks in and performance staggers.
Moving to the offensive side, All-star forward Marian Gaborik looks to pick up where he left off with his team-leading 42 goals last season (20% of the teams’ goals scored all season). The question remains: who else will escalate their game and put goals up on the board? Last season that question went unanswered as the team relied heavily on Gaborik’s dominating shot throughout. This summer saw some new faces arrive at the Garden. Bringing in forwards Alexander Frolov from the L.A. Kings, grinder Todd White from Atlanta, and Norwegian sniper Mats Zuccarello-Aasen, seems to be the answer for the upcoming season, or at least that’s what they hope. The burden still falls on the underachieving likes of Captain Chris Drury, Sean Avery, and Brandon Dubinsky to pick up the slack. If only every player would play up to their potential and undeserving salaries…
Another concern for another consecutive season is the Rangers dismal, undisciplined defense, which remains young and learning. With the summer resigning of both Marc Staal and Dan Girardi, both look to get back on the ice with fellow youngsters Michael Del Zotto and Matt Gilroy. The youth on the Rangers defense has put a huge chip on every one of their shoulders. Staal and Girardi must grow into their new contracts and make their names known as a premier defensive pairing in the NHL. The potential is sky high for 20 year old Michael Del Zotto as he gets ready for his sophomore year and Matt Gilroy will be looking to secure his spot as an every game player this year.
Only time will tell what the future holds for the Broadway Blueshirts. I know I’m ready for another exciting year of hockey as opening night at Madison Square Garden inches closer and close.
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