What do you get when you add the world’s best goaltender to a team of top level talent? Sprinkle in the world’s largest media market and pour in an excessive amount of hyper-vigilant Tortorella sauce. The answer is a colossal dumpster fire called the 2013 New York Rangers.
With the talent that general manager Glen Sather assembled for the outgoing Tortorella, the Rangers were the prohibitive favorites in the Eastern Conference. As it turns out, the perfect storm was created, turning a favorable recipe into high dollar alchemy.
Rick Nash, Brad Richards, Marian Gaborik, Ryan Callahan, Michael Del Zotto, Ryan McDonagh, and Dan Girardi were all given the instruction, “Just don’t suck, and Henrik Lundqvist will give us a chance to win every game.” Unfortunately the Rangers did just that. They did their collective best to suck and still managed to reach the second round of the playoffs. Coaches John Tortorella and Alain Vigneault played “Trading Places” and the Rangers’ locker room collectively exhaled.
The new philosophy brought in by Vigneault could very well release the talent-laden Rangers into the style of team Sather intended when he constructed the roster. Gaborik has since been shipped to Columbus, but key players were returned in the deal that could prove to be even more valuable that the three-time 40 goal scorer. Derick Brassard and Derek Dorsett are NHL-level contributors who are each at least five years younger than Gaborik. While Dorsett is an agitator who can be productive, Brassard seemed to flourish with the talent on the New York roster.
The same players will take the ice for the blueshirts this fall, but with a new lease on life with the offense-first Vigneault behind the bench. This should spark a breakout performance from Derek Stepan. The slippery young center led the Rangers in scoring last season, averaging just under a point per game. Brad Richards should see a return to form as well after a confidence shattering healthy scratch from his former coach. It should be fun to see what the Rangers can do when they get a chance to stretch their offensive legs.
On the blueline New York has no shortage of talent. Del Zotto, McDonagh, Girardi and Marc Staal lead the way and are as good as any top four defensemen in the NHL. They will certainly have an appreciation for a coach that isn’t going to demand that they hurl their bodies towards every shot on goal this season. If Staal can stay healthy, he can really emerge as the best of the group.
In net there isn’t much more praise you can throw at Henrik Lundqvist. The only variable will be the Rangers new defensive philosophy. Without a player diving in front of every shot, there could be considerably more work for King Henrik. If he wants to keep the unofficial title of best goaltender on the planet, he’ll have to earn it this year more than ever.
Prediction: Second. The Rangers will be as good as they were supposed to be last year. Expect the team to flourish under a player friendly coach with something to prove.