The leaves are turning, the weather is getting colder, and baseball season is thankfully ending. Yes folks, hockey season is here again, which brings to mind the same question I ask myself every October – are the Rangers going to make the playoffs this season? I know there are a lot of games that need to be played before we even start thinking about the playoffs, but ultimately, that is the goal right?? Well, the real goal is to win the Stanley Cup, but let’s not get too ahead of ourselves when talking about the Rangers. To answer that question, I think a solid 50/50.

But, how could I start talking about the current Ranger roster and playoff aspirations without first discussing my favorite Ranger executive, the lovable Glen Sather. Like off-season clockwork, Sather has once again refaced the team with a spending spree and added a roster full of new players, the most notable being Marian Gaborik, Christopher Higgins, Donald Brashear, Matt Gilroy, Ales Kotalik, Artem Anisimov, and Vinny Prospal. Although I would rather admit that the Pittsburgh Penguins deserved to win the Stanley Cup last season than give Sather any credit, I do have to admit that I’m partially happy that he managed to dump the expensive duds he signed the past few seasons (yes GOMEZ, I’m talking about you) and actually signed one guy that can put the puck in the net (who knew a hockey team could win any games without scoring?). I say I’m only partially happy because it was his genius that brought them here to begin with.

I don’t usually use preseason as a true indicator of what how a team will play during the regular season, but I must say I wasn’t totally horrified when I watched them play those games. We all know what the concerns are with the Rangers (lack of offense, power play, centers, Wade Redden) so let’s focus on the positives. The pace of their play has definitely improved due to the system coach John Torterella uses and the additions of Gaborik, Gilory, and Anisimov, to name a few. They also seem to be quicker than last season and I didn’t find myself losing my voice by yelling “Shoot!!” as much when they had the puck. Gaborik, when actually healthy, is a proven goal scorer. For the Rangers to improve their offensive dramatically he needs to play…a lot. The rookie center man, Anisimov brings size and goal scoring skills which the Rangers desperately need. Higgins, although not the most gifted goal scorer, is hard-working and scrappy (similar to that of Callahan)….another aspect to their game they need.
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