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DECEMBER 10, 2005 - Wins Spawn
Rumors
Rangers @ Blues on MSG @ 8:00pm
In what was considered by many to be a rebuilding year, the New York Rangers have established themselves as one of the top 5 teams in the league with more than a third of the season in the books. Outstanding play up front by Jaromir Jagr, hard-working checking lines, and superior goaltending from Henrik Lundqvist are all reasons why the Rangers have been glued to first place in the Atlantic Division since opening night.
The situation New York (19-8-4) is now faced with can be rather tricky. Glen Sather has to decide who stays, who goes, and who is to be added as the playoffs draw closer. It is doubtful that Sather himself, and perhaps even the coaching staff headed up Tom Renney, could have predicted the degree of success this team would have. Who knew Petr Prucha would have 12 goals in early December, and add two shootout game-winners to boot? Jagr, as great as he is, was not expected to carry the Rangers offense on his back the way that he has. Jason Ward, Dominic Moore, Jed Ortmeyer, and Blair Betts grinding it out and giving the Rangers the 2nd best penalty killing in the league was not anticipated. Nobody thought Malik and Rozsival would be a legitimate 1-2 on defense. In spite of all pre-season doubt, the Rangers are cup contenders. This is where things gets difficult.
Is it necessary to make changes to a team with such excellent chemistry? The quick reaction might be no, but when taking a closer look it becomes apparent that this team has gaping holes within their lineup. The power-play has two options: a) Give the puck to Jagr and let him score from the half boards b) give the puck to Jagr and let him find Prucha in the slot. However deadly those weapons are, the Rangers need more options. New York is desperate for a legitimate point-man to quarterback the power play, much the way Brian Leetch did for fifteen years. Interestingly enough, Brain Leetch's name has been thrown around in various circles as a player the Rangers should go after. Truthfully, he would take care of their biggest problem. Another offensive defenseman, essentially someone doing what they had hoped Tom Poti could do, is desperately needed. Leetch is also a very underrated defensive defenseman and still considered one of the top 10 in the NHL. The problem is deciding how much Leetch is worth. Leetch, 37, is at the tail-end of his career. When he was dealt to Toronto at the deadline of '04, the Rangers acquired Jarkko Immonen (leading scorer in Hartford), Maxim Kondratiev, and two draft choices. It is doubtful that New York would be willing to part with the same in return for Leetch two years later. If Leetch's price tag is too high, New York could always chase a lower level offensive-minded defenseman such as Sandis Ozolinsh. Ozolinsh, currently on the floundering Anaheim Mighty Ducks, could bring scoring talent to the Rangers blueline that none of their current defenders posses.
Although Jagr has lit the lamp with incredible frequency, and still leads the NHL in points, there have been very few others with enough offensive consistency to give New York the scoring depth they will need to compete with the likes of Ottawa in a seven-game series. Petr Sykora (also on the Ducks) could be a perfect fit. Sykora, who turned 29 last month, is a highly skilled player that has a lot to offer the Rangers. Sykora, a native of the Czech Republic, would fit in nicely with players like Straka, Rucinsky, and Nylander. Again, the Rangers will have to make a decision as to how important particular prospects are when weighing whether or not to make the deal.
Tsn.ca posted an article last night that mentioned Todd Bertuzzi coming to the New York Rangers. Bertuzzi, 30, is arguably the best power-forward in the game, and would bring an incredible amount of toughness and scoring power that could substantially increase the Rangers chances of going far in the post-season. As much as the Rangers would love to hang on to their blue-collar workers, Bertuzzi is the type of player you have to make sacrifices to get. When offered a player of his caliber, you must first decide which players are absolute untouchables. In my view, only Jagr, Lundqvist, and perhaps Prucha, have "untouchable" status. A goaltender would certainly head to Vancouver in this deal, likely Kevin Weekes, but perhaps even Rangers first round pick Al Montoya. With Lundqvist's sensational play, Montoya is seemingly expendable. Young up and coming players like Moore and Ward would have to be on the Canucks want-list. Although months remain before the trade deadline, you can be sure Sather and company are already pondering the possible deals that must be considered by a team on the brink of cup contention.
The Blueshirts are back in action tonight, this time against the worst team in the NHL. Keith Tkachuk and the rest of the St. Louis Blues come into tonight's game with a 5-17-3 record.
- Gord Tep