By Alexander Monaghan
President 

Last night, the New York Rangers proved they can stand up to the so-called elite. Their 4-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins was broadcast on Versus for the entire country to see, putting the team in the spotlight for perhaps the first time since the mid-90s. While Versus, and NHL on NBC for that matter, have pushed the big-market Rangers on hockey viewers for years, this instances is one of the few where the team deserved the honor. Then again, last night was Sidney Crosby‘s fifth game of the season and any game he plays in remains the game to watch; somehow they chose an ISO cam on him over the coaching debuts of Dale Hunter and Kirk Muller.

Anyways, the win had it all. It had penalty kills, power plays, late surges, fights, Matt Cooke AND Sean Avery not to mention a few controversial goals. The end result was the Rangers coming away with a regulation win over a team that only sits three points above them with four games in hand. At the quarter point of the season, the Blueshirts have only 21 games in the books, tying the San Jose Sharks with the lowest games played in the League.

Following the victory, alternate captain Brad Richards stopped short of calling the team elite. See the video for yourself, courtesy of BlueShirts United.

Henrik Lundqvist‘s comments were more of the same. Yes, they acknowledge their current success but at the same time they know they still have another 61 games to play at this level in order to make the playoffs. That mentality is exactly what turned this team from an up-and-coming team to a playoff team last season and what will propel them into a true contender.

Let’s fast forward for a second. We just called the Rangers a team — a term you would not describe them during the pre-lockout era and you would cringe to say during the Jagr/Renney years. GM Glen Sather failed to create a ‘team’ which had players in their roles and featured a good mix of young and old. Nowadays, the team under fiery coach John Tortorella, has earned that distinction through and through.

Their captain Ryan Callahan is homegrown, as is the impressive young back-end of Dan Girardi, Michael Sauer, Michael Del Zotto and Marc Staal. Ryan McDonagh never played a game with another organization despite being a first rounder of the Montreal Canadiens. Offensive weapons Derek Stepan, Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov and rookie Carl Hagelin all were drafted and groomed in the system as well. Needless to say, the team also stole Lundqvist as the 205th overall pick in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

These homegrown skaters coupled with elite talent like Richards and Marian Gaborik have created a strong, winning environment on Broadway — one that has not existed since Mark Messier came from Edmonton.

Statistically, this team has been among the elite as well. Their goal plus-14 goal differential is higher than only the Pens, Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings. Does that rank among the elite? Yes it doesn and it’s no mirage as they finished last year with an equally impressive plus-35 rating. In addition, they rank first in goals allowed with 44, leading those same Bruins by two tallies. And while their offense may be on the lower end of the pack, they’ve scored three-or-more goals in seven of 11 November contests.

Experts like Rob Vollman of Puck Prospectus labeled the Rangers as lucky due to a smattering of metrics. They claim Lundqvist’s save percentage is unsustainable and the team’s lack of offense will come back to hurt them. While that was true on November 15th, their corsi percentage — a ratio which measures the shot differentials — was 44.8 percent at the time and a better 46.9 percent over the past month. We understand there is still a need for improvement but it certainly is not 27th in the League anymore. A continuation of their added pressure will make the advanced stats align to their current play.

This team, as currently compiled passes the eye test. They’ve defeated tougher foes like the Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals in each their last three games. You can also add the Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks to their resume. They have the star power and mix of grit, skill and make-up to be the next big team in this League. All they need now is some recognition.

By Alexander Monaghan
President

The New York Rangers have won their past six games while tonight’s opponent and natural rival New York Islanders have lost their past three games. Nevertheless, if there is one team that the Isles could wake up against, it would be the Rangers.

This Ranger team is playing at a higher level, one that New York City has not seen in a number of seasons. While offseason acquisition Brad Richards has not been the team’s savior, his presence in the lineup actually has helped the club field three scoring lines. It seems like the pressure on him has helped almost every other player elevate their game to a higher level.

Tonight’s expected starting goalie Henrik Lundqvist has won his past four games. Backup Martin Biron has won three straight of his own. The power play is hot with a 20 percent efficiency rate over the past nine games. Ryan McDonagh is tied for seventh in the League with three goals himself. Four members of the top six — Ryan Callahan, Artem Anisimov, Derek Stepan and Marian Gaborik — are all scoring at a point-per-game pace or more over their past couple of games. Even Dan Girardi looks like an All-Star candidate, helping the team forget about the loss of leader Marc Staal.

However, all of those accolades change against the Islanders, who are desperate for a win. In their last meeting, the Isles delivered a debilitating, 4-2 loss to the Rangers in a game where the team moved away from their game. The Isles have the reputation of going hard out of the gate which is a surge coach John Tortorella and company are going to need to prevent in order to win. From Ranger Rants:

“We’re going to play our game, that’s what we’re looking to try to do,” Tortorella said. “What’s happened here before or what you guys want to talk about, we’re going to continue to try to play our game.”

Clearly doesn’t sound like Tortorella is overly concerned in their early start but he does have their most recent loss in the back of his mind.

In the loss, John Tavares potted a hat trick can be broken down into two power play goals and an empty netter. Over this six game streak, the Rangers penalty kill is 93.3 percent which would be second in the League over a full season. If you exclude their first three games (which includes the loss to the Isles) the team holds an even healthier 90.2 percent kill rate.

On paper, these Rangers should dominate the Isles as they have outscored them by 13 goals, out-defended them by 12 goals and essentially outplayed them in every other counting stat. However, you simply cannot predict a rivalry game and a wildcard, young team like the Islanders.

The big problem with the club has been their top six. Head coach Jack Capuano will not disclose his lineup prior to tonight’s game but it is believed that red-hot, blue-chip prospect Nino Neiderreiter will draw back in tonight. The rookie skated with Tavares during the preseason to better results, so he may jumpstart a line that has previously dominated.

One thing is for sure, these Rangers will need to defeat the Islanders by continuing their current pace and not sitting back. If they chose the latter, then this current hot streak will be a distant memory.

By Alexander Monaghan
President

By Resolute (Own work)

The New York Rangers certainly bolstered their blue line today, agreeing to terms with unrestricted free agent Anton Stralman. After not receiving a qualifying offer as a restricted free agent of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Stralman hit the market as a UFA. He then failed to sign with the New Jersey Devils following their preseason, returning home to Sweden while he mulled over options. Although talks remained open between the two sides, Stralman ultimately decided on the Rangers due to their need on the blue line.

Injuries to Marc Staal and previously Michael Sauer severely hurt the team’s depth, forcing them to claim Jeff Woywitka and dress minor leaguer Brendan Bell; their next option was Stu Bickell. Due to their relatively inexperienced blue line, coach John Tortorella ultimately decided to play Wotwitka in favor of rookie Tim Erixon, leaving their NHL-capable depth somewhat barren. This signing helps the team rotate defensemen as Steve Eminger, Woywitka and Stralman figure to play on the third defensive pairing.

In addition, Stralman could help the team offensively as he has shown promise on the power play with the Blue Jackets. The Rangers have displayed a better power play than in year’s past but continue to mix around their point men. With Michael Del Zotto and Brad Richards mostly playing on the top unit, look for Stralman to spell second power play unit with either Dan Girardi, Sauer or Ryan McDonagh.

Most importantly, he’s Swedish — so we like him. Considering the team had no other Swedish players following the demotion of Erixon, it should be nice for Henrik Lundqvist to scream in his native tongue every once in a while. See below the team’s official press release.

New York, November 5, 2011 – New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with free agent defenseman Anton Stralman.

Stralman, 25, has skated in 212 career NHL contests over four seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets, registering 11 goals and 63 assists for 74 points, along with 97 penalty minutes.  He enjoyed his most productive season in 2009-10 with Columbus, establishing career-highs in games played (73), goals (six), assists (28), points (34), power play goals (four), power play assists (18), power play points (22), shots on goal (121) and penalty minutes (37).  He led all Columbus defensemen in points, assists, power play goals, power play assists and power play points, and tied for second among team defensemen in goals that season.  He also led the team in power play assists, tied for second in power play points and fifth in power play goals.  Stralman posted a career-high, four-game point streak from January 16, 2010 vs. Chicago to January 21, 2010 at Boston, tallying five assists over the span.  He also registered a career-high, six multi-point performances.

Last season, Stralman registered one goal and 17 assists for 18 points, along with 22 penalty minutes in 51 games with Columbus.  He tallied a career-high, three points (three assists) on April 1 vs. Chicago.  The 5-11, 193-pounder made his NHL debut on October 23, 2007 vs. Atlanta, and recorded three goals and six assists in 50 games as a rookie with Toronto in 2007-08.  Stralman registered his first career NHL point with an assist on January 10, 2008 at Los Angeles, and notched his first career NHL goal on March 21, 2008 at Buffalo.

The Tibro, Sweden native was originally selected as Toronto’s seventh round choice, 216th overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

By Patrick Powell

Through Wednesday night’s action, every NHL team save the New York Islanders has reached double digits in games played for the 2011-2012 campaign. Every team is beginning to develop an identity, and General Managers are watching closely to determine whether it may be time for a trade.

Perhaps the biggest surprise in the early stages of the season is the young Edmonton Oilers. 2011 first overall draft pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, 18, has taken a firm hold of the club’s first line center position through eleven games. Nuge, as he is known, recently earned NHL Rookie of the Month honors for his stellar play in October (five goals and 11 points) while playing with fellow youngsters Taylor Hall, 19, and Jordan Eberle, 21. The entry-level contracts of Hall and Eberle will expire after the 2013 season. Currently, the Oilers have approximately $3.5 million in available cap space (per CapGeek).

Despite being in first place in the Northwest Division, the Oilers are getting paltry contributions from forwards other than the young first liners and 35-year-old perennial fan favorite, Ryan Smyth (five goals, 10 points). Oft-injured Ales Hemsky has dressed for only two games thus far, but he may be available sometime during the Oilers’ current road trip. Hemsky is a dazzling player when healthy, but his $4.1 cap hit through next season may render him expendable this season. Team captain Shawn Horcoff has done well in the faceoff circle, and lead the team’s penalty killing efforts (Oilers rank fifth in the NHL entering Thursday’s action). Horcoff is an interesting story because despite his effectiveness in the faceoff circles and in the dressing room, he carries a humongous $5.5 million cap hit. His contract runs through the spring of 2015, so given that the top trio will probably be in the market for substantial raises, the Oilers may have to make some tough decisions over the next couple of years.

The Oilers have allowed an NHL-low 18 goals through Thursday’s games. A big reason for Edmonton’s early success is the play of goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin, who leads the NHL with a 1.12 goals-against average.

Despite their limited number of offensive threats, the Oilers seem to believe that they will get a boost from Hemsky, and that Ryan Jones will begin to emerge as a threat on the third line. Given that Edmonton’s most coveted trading chips are young forwards Sam Gagner and Linus Omark (who was demoted to the AHL’s Oklahoma City Barons on Wednesday), rumors have swirled that the Oilers are talking to teams such as the Blue Jackets and Rangers about a blueliner.

Speculation from league sources is that the Oilers are eyeing Marc Methot ($3 million cap hit) of the Blue Jackets and Ryan McDonagh ($1.3 million cap hit) or Daniel Girardi ($3.325 million cap hit) of the Rangers. Mathematically speaking, a straight up trade involving Sam Gagner ($2.275 million) and any one of the aforementioned players would keep the Oilers under the cap.
The Oilers may be wise to acquire a young blueliner in exchange for an extraneous forward.  

Given GM Steve Tambellini’s tricky cap situation in the next couple seasons, he needs to be careful to avoid creating further difficulties in re-signing Hall, Eberle, and Nugent-Hopkins when their entry-level deals expire.

By Alexander Monaghan
President

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By Bridget Samuels from College Park, MD (IMG_8730.jpg) [CC-BY-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/ licenses/by/2.0)

At this point it simply depends on how long he plans on keeping these tandems together. If past history is any indication, he likely changes these lines again and again until finding the perfect combination. Considering the current configuration places young pivots Derek Stepan and Artem Anisimov on the fourth line, more moves will be made before finding the right fit.

But these line changes do a few necessary things. First, it reunites the bread-and-butter line of Ruslan Fedotenko, Brian Boyle and Brandon Prust, giving the Rangers a true checking line capable of shutting down top lines and chipping in offensively. Second, it puts a true playmaker between two finishers in Callahan and Dubinsky as the uneven play of third-year center Anisimov has helped the two wingers to only two goals (both Callahan’s markers), further accenting their sluggish start.

Furthermore, it gives useless forwards Wolski and Christensen some purpose in the lineup.  Although useless is an extreme word in this situation, it definitely applies as the team has no need for bottom-line players who don’t generate scoring chances and who don’t hit everything that moves (or really anything for that matter). Through their combined nine games, the two enigmatic but skilled forwards registered one shot on goal. Put them with the team’s most efficient scorer and the tides should change, right?

Probably not, but at least coach Tortorella expresses urgency in his juggling lines. He commented today that although Gaborik and Richards may appear destined for each other on paper, their combination may not be a perfect fit for this team. If the Rangers played with the same energy as they did last season, they likely would have fit Richards into the lineup in an easier way but their style of play continues to adapt. Gaborik, for that matter, barely fit in with last year’s system but has found the back of the net just fine this year.

Earlier in the year, Tortorella conveyed his team’s lack of identity on a North American sheet of ice. To say the least, they have been more timid and less timely. Perhaps last season was a factor of good bounces and their luck ran out in October. Maybe the offseason additions made them a bit too cocky. Most likely, the entire team is feeling the effect of Marc Staal‘s injury. Losing such an important piece for the puzzle has been dibilitating despite Ryan McDonagh‘s strong play and Dan Girardi playing half of every game. Starting goalie Henrik Lundqvist holds less room for error where depth players like Steve Eminger and Mike Sauer step into the forefront, where they may be over their head.

 Eventually Gaborik and Richards will find each other. Anisimov and Stepan won’t be fourth liners forever either. Nevertheless, as this team currently stands, they need help and Tortorella is doing everything in his power to give them that before they slip farther down in the standings.

By Alexander Monaghan
President

Photo Credit: vipeldo

Following two overtime losses, the New York Rangers will return from Europe with a potentially clean slate, in hopes of getting off to a better start. While they remain technically undefeated at 0-0-2, one would imagine they hoped for a better outcome, perhaps a win while playing in Henrik Lundqvist’s homeland. In fact, these two games represented losses where there are usually wins, where the Rangers usually get off to a fresh start.

Facing tough competition in the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings was a good test for the new-look Rangers. It was an even better test for free agent acquisition Brad Richards, who scored the game tying goal yesterday in dramatic fashion and was vital to a third period goal in Friday’s game. From the sidelines, he appears well worth the investment and more-than-capable of being the team’s go-to player.

Don’t believe me? Well, this highlight reel goal should be shown on MSG commercials for a while.

As another bright note, newly-appointed captain Ryan Callahan was all over the ice. In Game 1, when the team failed to find their legs, Cally was there to save them by scoring the game tying goal as well as firing a remarkable 11 shots on goal. This season he will prove to the Rangers and the rest of the NHL that he is a player worth watching. If he and Richards remain on two separate scoring lines, then the team will appropriately split defensive pairings, which will in turn create more opportunities for each unit.

In the crease, Lundqvist looked as good as he ever has, flashing leather with more frequency than usual. Over the years, opponents learned to go high glove while he was sprawled on the ice but at no point did he seem weak on that side. However, if this weekend’s scores were any indication on a season, then Lundqvist will be in for another long, hard-fought season.

Outside of the three aforementioned players, these Rangers lacked drive, discipline and most importantly their identity. Despite almost the entire supporting cast returning for another season, they simply lacked that go-get-’em attitude of last season. In fact, they seemed lost, similar to their eventual five-game loss to the Washington Capitals.

You could even make the arguement that they tried to do too much. Brian Boyle and Brandon Prust were hurting without their offensive-minded linemate Ruslan Fedotenko while Brandon Dubinsky tried to do a bit too much while on the top line. Plenty of failed outlet passed, defensive-zone turnovers and pucks in the skates; perhaps they simply gripped their sticks too hard.

Part of this could be blamed on the team’s current injuries, which is somewhat scary. Wojtek Wolski was unable to suit up due to his cranky groin, which forced Dubinsky to the top line, Fedotenko to the second and Erik Christensen into the lineup to center the third line. None of the three were able to find chemistry, which created yet another game with scoring woes. After acquiring a point-per-game player in the offseason, the team should in theory add another goal per game. So far, three tallies in over 120 minutes sounds shabby.

Another reason for this lack of output seems to be the team’s defense. Ryan McDonagh has filled in admirably for Marc Staal the overall situation forces coach John Tortorella to use the top pairing with too much frequency. With McDonagh moved up a pair, Michael Del Zotto also moves up, making the third pairing of Steve Eminger and Tim Erixon untrustworthy enough to not eat up minutes. The top four, which is makeshift and essentially just covering for Staal, was noticeably fatigued by the end of both contests, which forced them to look worse than their actual play.

If the team can’t get Staal back, they need to find a top-4 defender capable of pushing everyone down a line. Otherwise, this Rangers defense will rely on Lundqvist much more than ever.

At this point in the season, the team is simply experiencing growing pains. Several players experienced out-of-nowhere career seasons which could put unnecessary pressure on them to try and further top those totals. What they need to realize was they succeeded because of their effort and contributions to a hard-working, blue-collar system. If they stray away from that system, they will not play as well as they did, which is what we are experiencing right now.

Look for Tortorella to get his team back to square one: get them hitting harder and chasing down the puck. The identity is still there, just buried beneath their lofty expectations.

With less than a minute left in overtime Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jack Johnson scored on a power play to lead the Kings past the New York Rangers by a score of 3-2. Johnson tallied the game winner after receiving a swift pass from the Kings newly acquired center Mike Richards.

The Kings started their 2011-2012 season overseas by facing the Rangers in Stockholm, Sweden on Friday. While the team wore their home jerseys, they were far from being the home team. The sold-out arena fully supported the Rangers mainly to support goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, a living legend in Sweden. While it may have been a home crowd for Lundqvist, he had to share the spotlight with a King.

Kings center Anze Kopitar put his team on the board first halfway through the first period and silenced any doubts about overcoming last season’s ankle injury. While in the Rangers’ zone, right-winger Justin Williams capitalized on a turnover and fed the puck to Kopitar, who rifled it past Lundqvist. Kopitar would continue on to play a solid two-way game with multiple chances and eventually snagging an assist in Johnson’s overtime goal. It appears the “Slovenian Superstar” is picking up right where he left off last season before his injury.

While the Kings dominated most of the first period, setting quite an impressive tempo for them compared to last season, the Rangers regrouped and tied the game five minutes after Kopitar scored. Rangers’ captain Ryan Callahan was able to cash in on a bad-angle shot, beating Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick who wasn’t square with his post.

Photo Via JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images

The second and third periods saw a much different game however as both coaches began the chess match of line-swapping. Both teams took to their strong defensive games until halfway through the third period, Marian Gaborik put the Rangers up 2-1 with a shot from just outside the crease. Richards would tie the game for the Kings with under five minutes left in regulation with a center-line drive that has only further excited Kings fans to see how he’ll fit in this season. He would earn his first goal and assist as a King in his first game as a King.

Johnson would earn the game-winning goal in overtime while on the power play. Rangers’ defenseman Ryan McDonagh opened the door for the Kings at a critical moment when he was called for holding. While the game winner was scored on the power play, the Kings still need to tweak their power play system. Going 1 for 4 on the power play seems to show signs of last season’s issue of having trouble with special teams scoring.

The Kings traveled to Berlin, Germany directly after the game in order for Saturday’s game. Awaiting the Kings in Berlin are Ryan Miller and the Buffalo Sabres.

Chris Van Deusen
NHLHS Los Angeles Kings Correspondent
Twitter – @TheCrazyWhls

By Alexander Monaghan
President

By kaatiya (2742468020077758815) [CC-BY-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by /2.0)

The New York Rangers’ nine-year, $60 million investment tweaked his groin during yesterday’s intra-squad scrimmage and did not feel the need to push himself during Camp Torturella. Knowing fully well how much strain he would put on his groin during such a trying endurance test, Richards and John Tortorella have no problem keeping him off the ice while he recovers.

Tortorella sounds a bit more optimistic about his pivotal center, and getting him back on the ice. From Ranger Rants:

“It’s nothing really bad, just precautionary so we kept him off,” Tortorella added. “I think he’ll be able to skate tomorrow. Him and Rammer (trainer Jim Ramsey) talked to me after the scrimmage. I’m the one who told him to get off. He said he felt it. I’m not interested this early in camp, with the amount of work we have to do, to make that into an aggravation. I’d really like to get him into that next game.”

On Friday, the Rangers take on the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center; interesting to see whether Richards finds his way back into the lineup. More importantly, who will play on his left side? The first player to audition on the top line was Wojtek Wolski, who apparently impressed. After Wolski, Tortorella reunited Ruslan Fedotenko with Richards, starting the two veterans together. Nevertheless, Richards and Marian Gaborik will remain attached at the hip.

If Richards does miss some time, the team actually has kept a contingency plan. They decided to keep enigmatic forward Erik Christensen — who at times displays the talent level of a top liner, and at other times can’t be found on the ice with a GPS locator. While the team went out and signed Richards mainly because they needed a true number one, they have used Christensen in that spot before.

One thing that most importantly jumps out to us is this team has depth. If Marc Staal can’t suit up, Ryan McDonagh takes his place as the shutdown player. If Richards can’t play, look for Christensen. These options simply were not there last season when the team found Chad Kolarik, Kris Newbury, Jeremy Williams and Brodie Dupont donning the blue, red and white. The signing of Mike Rupp gives the team yet another option as does Sean Avery or Mats Zuccarello on the bench (or in the press box).

Richards will be fine, but if not, this team can still compete when the puck eventually drops.

By Bridget Samuels from College Park, MD (IMG_8794.jpg) [CC-BY-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/ licenses/by/2.0)

Despite the regression of Michael Del Zotto, the team got a good season out of journeyman Steve Eminger while rookies Michael Sauer and Ryan McDonagh proved ready at the NHL level. Their readiness helped the team form a solid top-4 with young vets Marc Staal and Dan Girardi manning the top unit. Furthermore, the acquisition of Bryan McCabe both helped a hapless power play in addition to rounding out six solid NHL d-men.

Fast forward one season and there are questions, starting with the top down.

Can Girardi maintain his high level of play, blocking everything that moves? Is the blue line leader Staal healthy enough, or Is he concussed? Will McDonagh and Sauer experience sophomore slumps? Add Del Zotto back into the mix as well as the team’s new top prospect Tim Erixon and there become even more questions; but we can try to find answers.

If Staal can’t play at the beginning of the season, Erixon most definitely makes the team out of camp. The 20-year-old impressed among men with Skelleftea of the SEL last season while also dominating at this year’s Traverse City Rookie Tournament. While players like Blake Parlett and Dylan McIlrath showed spurts of potential, the soon-to-be second generation Ranger showed he could handle the play on both ends of the ice.

McDonagh played in Staal’s absence when he originally missed time (due to his brother’s hit). He would likely pair with Girardi while either Erixon or Del Zotto scoot into the top-4. If neither can impress, look for a call-up like the previously discussed Pavel Valentenko, Parlett or even Tomas Kundratek or Jyri Niemi. If you don’t know those names already, we won’t hold it against you.

Should Staal or Sauer start the season on injured reserve, the team will definitely need to make a move for a veteran defender. With roughly $1.4 million available on their cap, their options or limited, which begs the question: Can the Rangers defense hold up? And more importantly, What are we to make of this team’s defense?

By Alexander Monaghan
President

Photo Credit: HockeyPictures.se

First day of September which forces us hockey die-hards to ask: Is it October yet?

No, not it is not. If it was October we would be focusing on the actual games, who should be deserving of more playing time, what is working /not working and how the kids on the farm look.

However, since it is not October, we can focus on small mundane matter such as a throw-in fringe prospect who, in baseball terms, is out of options.

Dave at BlueSeatBlogs.com, an affiliate of ours through Yardbarker, was kind enough to dissect the current New York Rangers roster, indicating which players would and would not have to go through waivers. Five players — Pavel Valentenko, Chad Kolarik, John Mitchell, Dale Weiss and Kris Newbury — all need to pass through waivers to either join the Rangers via the Connecticut Whale, or vise versa.

All four forwards, in theory, have a chance of making the team. Weiss, Newbury and Kolarik all joined the team briefly during last season and all three probably see some playing time due to injuries. All but Weiss would likely clear waivers, so perhaps Weiss makes the team by default or has figured his way out of the team’s plans.

Putting that in perspective, Valentenko has a very small chance of making the Rangers out of training camp, but his lack of options could actually raise his stock.

Following two seasons with Moscow Dynamo, Valentenko returned to North America to play for the Whale last season. In 79 games, Tank produced five goals and 17 points through 79 games. Signed for one more season at roughly $850K, What would be the harm in using him as a seventh defenseman?

At the moment the Rangers hold seven defenseman on the roster, which includes both Michael Del Zotto and Tim Erixon. Assuming one of the two start the season in the AHL, which would give them the appropriate amount of playing time, the team would then hold three left handed defenseman and three right handed defensemen with the need to add a #7. Valentenko could spell Erixon or Del Zotto when they are tired or give Steve Eminger a night off, should he look like a revolving door.

By the end of October, Valentenko will be 24-years-old — somewhat old for a prospect trying to break into the League. Nevertheless, he already has played professional hockey since the 05′ – 06′ campaign and showed last year he could stay healthy in North America.

Back in August of 2010, Scotty Hockey via The Prospect Park, discussed the merits of Valentenko making the team. His assessment further strengthens my argument that proper asset management dictates he gets a shot at a roster space. From The Prospect Park:

If he can stay healthy then his edge comes from previous NHL experience but first he has to prove he can remain healthy. If PV shows up like the player who wowed the Canadians in 2007 then he will allow the Rangers to let the younger defensive prospects time to develop while raising his own value.

He has more professional experience than Erixon, at least more North American experience. If Del Zotto can’t regain his mojo, using Valentenko– whose game best fits a 5th through 7th defender– would give the Rangers more time to develop both players. In addition, it would only raise his value, especially since the CBA essentially considers him a NHL player despite his lack of any NHL games played.

Last season saw a great competition between veteran and youth blue liners. Alexei Semenov, Wade Redden and Garnett Exelby all failed to make the team out of camp, conceding their spots to Del Zotto, Michael Sauer and eventually Ryan McDonagh. Valentenko, who by all means looked decent in limited playing time, will find himself on the cusp of making the  team should he put forward his best effort.

If he fails, it likely will be his last chance to become a member of the Rangers.