flambers
08-31-2004, 08:21 PM
Thanks to Loob, Jiri Hirdina & Radically Red for their great format!!!
Introduction
The 2003-2004 season was a struggle for the Rangers. The Rangers were a low scoring defensive bunch. Injuries were the main obstacle during the season. Rangers squad just squeaked into the playoffs and pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the playoffs by eliminating Washington the number 1 team. Then the Rangers were eliminated by the Bruins in the second round. Management was happy with the season but lots of changes were required. With this mandate the Summer was extremely active.
The Mess
At the end of last season the line-up for the Rangers was as follows
Forwards
Ryan Smyth (79) - Olli Jokinen (76) - Richard Zednik (75)
Sami Kapanen (74) - Alexei Zhamnov (78) - Mike Knuble (72)
Patrik Stefan (73) - Daniel Briere (74) - Mariusz Czerkawski (71)
Richard Park (68) - Chad Kilger (70) - Mike Grier (71)
Defense
Kim Johnsson (74) Ed Jovanovski (80)
Cory Cross (73) Dan McGillis (73)
Yannick Tremblay (73) Radoslav Suchy (69)
Goal
Nikolai Khabibulin (81)
Pasi Nurminen (66)
The Off Season
The Rangers went to work over the summer with the mandate to upgrade the team or else. With that mission the Rangers acquired the following high profile players, Brad Richards, Mats Sundin, Miroslav Satan, Simon Gagne, Radek Bonk, Brent Sopel, Mike Comrie and the fearless leader Chris Chelios. Plus of course many depth players as well.
Projected New Line-up (as of August 31, 2004)
Bonk (79) – Sundin (86) – Satan (81)
Gagne (78) - Richards (81) - Zednik (75)
Niedermayer (72) - Comrie (75) - Czerkawski (71)
Saprykin (69) - Kilger (70) - Maltby (70)
Johnsson (74) - Sopel (74)
Aucoin (76) - Chelios (72)
Tremblay (73) - McGillis (73)
Thibault (80)
Johnson (71)
Evaluation of New Line-up
The Forwards
The number one line of Bonk-Sundin-Satan will generate allot of points. The top line scored 277 points last season in the CPHL. Sundin leaded the way with 109 points, Satan with 107 points and Bonk with 61 points
The second line of Gagne - Richards - Zednik are another very offensive line. Gagne leads the way on this line scoring 96 points last season in the CPHL.
The third unit of Niedermayer - Comrie - Czerkawski will generate more offensive on this Rangers team. Opposing defence will have a tough time checking all three lines.
The fourth line of Saprykin - Kilger - Maltby are all capable players and can be depended on defensively.
The Defenseman.
The Rangers defence is lead by Adrian Aucoin and Kim Johnsson both will see lots of ice time playing PowerPlay and Penalty Killing duties. Rangers defence is solid but its an area that the management will try to improve.
Goaltending
Rangers Goaltending is lead by Jocelyn Thibault. Jocelyn is coming back from a Season ending injury but he is looking ready to go. Brent Johnson is the back-up and will see plenty of icetime. Goaltending is expected to be an area of strength.
Keys to Success
1. Avoiding the injury bug. - Rangers lost their number 1 goalie last season just 1 month into the year. Hoping not to run into this type of situation again this year.
2. Scoring - Rangers will pile up the goals this year. With Players like Sundin, Richards, Satan, Gagne. The Rangers will play like it was still in the 80's. It maybe a 8-6 game but it will be entertaining.
Season Projections
The Rangers should be a force this year. Of course management still would like to make more changes as the GRETZKY conference is loaded with talented teams.
Prospect Report
Rangers even with the high amount of trades have three top end prospects which are Andrei Kostitsyn, Denis Grebeshkov and Pascal LeClaire. Farm system defiantly has depth to back-up the expected injury bug.
Final Thoughts
Rangers are happy with the Summer and felt the team has made some real positive moves but there is still some glaring areas that need to be improved on.
Introduction
The 2003-2004 season was a struggle for the Rangers. The Rangers were a low scoring defensive bunch. Injuries were the main obstacle during the season. Rangers squad just squeaked into the playoffs and pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the playoffs by eliminating Washington the number 1 team. Then the Rangers were eliminated by the Bruins in the second round. Management was happy with the season but lots of changes were required. With this mandate the Summer was extremely active.
The Mess
At the end of last season the line-up for the Rangers was as follows
Forwards
Ryan Smyth (79) - Olli Jokinen (76) - Richard Zednik (75)
Sami Kapanen (74) - Alexei Zhamnov (78) - Mike Knuble (72)
Patrik Stefan (73) - Daniel Briere (74) - Mariusz Czerkawski (71)
Richard Park (68) - Chad Kilger (70) - Mike Grier (71)
Defense
Kim Johnsson (74) Ed Jovanovski (80)
Cory Cross (73) Dan McGillis (73)
Yannick Tremblay (73) Radoslav Suchy (69)
Goal
Nikolai Khabibulin (81)
Pasi Nurminen (66)
The Off Season
The Rangers went to work over the summer with the mandate to upgrade the team or else. With that mission the Rangers acquired the following high profile players, Brad Richards, Mats Sundin, Miroslav Satan, Simon Gagne, Radek Bonk, Brent Sopel, Mike Comrie and the fearless leader Chris Chelios. Plus of course many depth players as well.
Projected New Line-up (as of August 31, 2004)
Bonk (79) – Sundin (86) – Satan (81)
Gagne (78) - Richards (81) - Zednik (75)
Niedermayer (72) - Comrie (75) - Czerkawski (71)
Saprykin (69) - Kilger (70) - Maltby (70)
Johnsson (74) - Sopel (74)
Aucoin (76) - Chelios (72)
Tremblay (73) - McGillis (73)
Thibault (80)
Johnson (71)
Evaluation of New Line-up
The Forwards
The number one line of Bonk-Sundin-Satan will generate allot of points. The top line scored 277 points last season in the CPHL. Sundin leaded the way with 109 points, Satan with 107 points and Bonk with 61 points
The second line of Gagne - Richards - Zednik are another very offensive line. Gagne leads the way on this line scoring 96 points last season in the CPHL.
The third unit of Niedermayer - Comrie - Czerkawski will generate more offensive on this Rangers team. Opposing defence will have a tough time checking all three lines.
The fourth line of Saprykin - Kilger - Maltby are all capable players and can be depended on defensively.
The Defenseman.
The Rangers defence is lead by Adrian Aucoin and Kim Johnsson both will see lots of ice time playing PowerPlay and Penalty Killing duties. Rangers defence is solid but its an area that the management will try to improve.
Goaltending
Rangers Goaltending is lead by Jocelyn Thibault. Jocelyn is coming back from a Season ending injury but he is looking ready to go. Brent Johnson is the back-up and will see plenty of icetime. Goaltending is expected to be an area of strength.
Keys to Success
1. Avoiding the injury bug. - Rangers lost their number 1 goalie last season just 1 month into the year. Hoping not to run into this type of situation again this year.
2. Scoring - Rangers will pile up the goals this year. With Players like Sundin, Richards, Satan, Gagne. The Rangers will play like it was still in the 80's. It maybe a 8-6 game but it will be entertaining.
Season Projections
The Rangers should be a force this year. Of course management still would like to make more changes as the GRETZKY conference is loaded with talented teams.
Prospect Report
Rangers even with the high amount of trades have three top end prospects which are Andrei Kostitsyn, Denis Grebeshkov and Pascal LeClaire. Farm system defiantly has depth to back-up the expected injury bug.
Final Thoughts
Rangers are happy with the Summer and felt the team has made some real positive moves but there is still some glaring areas that need to be improved on.