Blog Archives
Rangers Player Grades: Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi
Bobby Bevilacqua
Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh have been the two top defensemen in New York for a few years now. It was another solid year for the duo, both dealing with adversity throughout the season. Photo courtesy of Bruce Bennet/Getty Images North America.
Even with the hiring of Alain Vigneault, who brings a more up-tempo style of play to New York, he did not forget about defense. Instead, the Rangers now have a system where they create offense off of their defense, stopping plays first and then countering on the rush.
That defensive focus came through at the trade deadline as well, when Glen Sather made a move to acquire Keith Yandle, an elite puck moving, offensive defenseman from the Arizona Coyotes, forfeiting top prospect Anthony Duclair, John Moore and two picks. That gave the Rangers one of the best defenses on paper, and that was their strength heading into the playoffs.
Despite dealing with injuries and change throughout the season, the Rangers were pretty strong throughout the season at the blue line. There’s a nice mix of defensive players and guys with a bit of offensive flare, and if they all stay healthy next year, Alain Vigneault should have himself another year of shutdown defensive play. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers Player Grades: The Goalies
Bobby Bevilacqua
Cam Talbot and Henrik Lundqvist combined to form one of the best goaltending duos in the entire league, with each goalie reaching the 20 win plateau and playing a major part in the Rangers’ success. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Throughout the offseason, I’m going to be writing articles, giving my opinion on a player’s performance throughout the regular season and the playoffs. I’ll be starting from the back end out, which means goalies first, then defensemen, and finally the forwards.
To avoid super long posts, I’m going to split up the defensemen and forward groups. For defensemen I’ll probably do the plays who are paired with each other, and I’ll try and separate the forward lines. This will allow me to talk more in depth about each person, and talk about how they played together.
Without further ado, let’s get going on the 2014-15 player grades. Read the rest of this entry
Fourth line clicking when Rangers need them most
Bobby Bevilacqua
Tanner Glass, and the rest of the fourth line, have stepped their game up in the playoffs when the Rangers need their production most. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
In the playoffs, there may be nothing more important a team looking to make a long run than depth. Depth in the forward lines, defenseman and multiple quality goaltenders gives a team the best chance for success.
Last season, the Rangers embodied this mentality, rolling four lines that were a threat to score at any time. Everyone knows about the third line of Benoit Pouliot, Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello, which was arguable the team’s best and most consistent line throughout the playoffs.
But the fourth line Dominic Moore, Brian Boyle, and the rotating wing of Dan Carcillo and Derick Dorsett did a lot of things right too. It was a great defensive line, but could just as easily spend some pinning their opponents back in their own end. Don’t forget, it was Dominic Moore that scored the game winning goal in Game 6 against the Canadiens to send the Rangers to the Stanley Cup Finals. Read the rest of this entry
Why Anthony Duclair belongs in the NHL
Bobby Bevilacqua
Anthony Duclair has been one of the Rangers better forwards, and the 19 year old has done enough to prove that he belongs.
Anthony Duclair, the exciting 19 year old rookie making headlines with the New York Rangers, may only have a few games left with the Blueshirts before being sent back to juniors.
Let’s clear up a few things first. The “9 game rule” that applies to 18 and 19 year old players allows them to play 9 games in the NHL before being sent back to their respective clubs and “slide,” or delay, the first year of their entry level contract.
However, this rule does not apply to Anthony Duclair. Duclair signed his ELC on January 2nd, 2014, missing the December 31st cutoff to be considered 18 under the CBA.
This means that the Rangers can use Duclair for as long as they like, because he signed as a 19 year old and only maintained one “slide.” The Rangers will burn a year of his ELC whether plays in the NHL or with his junior team. Read the rest of this entry
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