Lets assume that all of our RFA's are resigned come the fall. This is what our roster could potentially look like on opening night...
Wolski Richards Gaborik
Callahan Anisimov Dubinsky
Zucc/Rupp Stepan Fedotenko
Avery/Rupp Boyle Prust
Staal Girardi
Sauer Mcdonagh
Del Zotto Erixon (and lets not forget Mcilrath)
The only other combination I have not listed is moving Avery up to the top line to play with Richards and Gaborik, moving Wolski down to play with Stepan. Avery thus far seems to get the best out of Gaborik, and has a very good relationship with Brad Richards.
It's always interesting to speculate what moves the Rangers will make heading into the regular season, but one option that must be considered is that the Rangers may not make any. Assuming this is the case, lets take a look where we stand amongst the top dogs in the East...
Florida Panthers- While they have lost franchise goalie Tomas Vokoun, they have added a ton of talent including Campbell Fleischmann Kopecky not to mention already having Weiss and Booth under contract. Shaky defenseman and Jose Theodore are this team's real downfall.
Tampa Bay Lightning- Waiting on a Stamkos signing, this team has lost a couple of components that helped them to be so competitive last season. Gagne is now gone, and they have broken up the dynamic 3rd line tandem of Moore and Bergenhiem. Roloson has resigned for 1 year, so they will certainly not be out of any games.
Washington Capitals- This could honestly be their year. Stealing Vokoun for 1 yr $1.5 million while retaining the core of their lineup has the Capitals sitting on top of the East for me. Ovechkin Semin Backstrom Green Laich and Carlson, not to mention one of my favorite young players Johansson. The only reason this team doesn't win the cup is because of the lack of defensive depth.
Carolina Hurricanes- Eric Staal and Cam Ward fell one game short of being the hottest team headed into the playoffs. With one of the most underrated goalies in the NHL, and the emergence of a potential star in Jeff Skinner, it's almost impossible too count the 'Canes out of any game.
Winnipeg Jets- Could be one of the biggest surprises in the NHL. Could this be one of those teams whose hometown advantage makes them unbeatable at home much like the Canucks, or will this be the same old Thrasher team just in a different city? One thing's for sure, they must find a way to get Ladd under contract for next season.
Buffalo Sabres- One of the surprisingly busy teams this off season, the Sabres have softened the blow of losing Connolly to free agency by obtaining Leino Ehrhoff and Regehr. This has become a deep team, and should really start drawing some more attention from teams around the league.
Boston Bruins- Essentially the same cup winner from this season. Recchi is sure to retire and Ryder may be gone, but does any of this really matter when you have Krejci? What an animal he was in the playoffs. Backstopped by Thomas and Chara, you know what to expect from this team.
Ottawa Senators- Oh man. Just saying the name truly makes me want to vomit. This team is just disgraceful and really needs to find an identity. I just don't respect any team that believes Craig Anderson is the answer. Talk about a team that could have done well signing Vokoun. At least Vokoun could hold it down while this very very young developing team comes together. It may be time to move Spezza for the right return.
Toronto Maple Leafs- One of these days this team is going to make the playoffs (NOT). On paper, this team really is not that bad. After missing out on Richards they signed Connolly to play with Kessel, and it' be interesting to see how that works out. They now have Phaneuf and Liles on the point to man the powerplay, and with Reimer in net who knows, maybe Toronto will finally get a taste of what it's like to be out in the first round.
Montreal Canadians- Talk about a team that has something to prove. After receiving a ton of heat, losing his starting job, and being benched in the playoffs, Carey Price had probably his best season as the Canadians should have taken out Boston in the first round. It'l be interesting to see if Price is the real deal or if he is just another bust goaltender coming from Montreal.
New York Islanders- Look, we are all Ranger fans. We all hate the Islanders we were just born that way. Make no mistake about it, the Islanders have a very solid team. Still young and trying to come into their own, this team needs a few years before they will really be a solid playoff team in the East. Only thing this team needs to figure out is who can play goal and how to part ways with Rick Dipietro.
New Jersey Devils- Brodeur is a washed up pro. Arguably the best goalie in NHL history just has not seem to be able to find his game. With an AHL defense, it's tough to say the Devils are an elite team even with Parise (assuming he signs) and Kovalchuk.
Philadelphia Flyers- Anyone else find it hilarious that the Flyers dismantled their entire team in order to get Bryzgalov under contract for $5.6 mil meanwhile Vokoun signed for $1.5? No Richards no Carter and no guarantee that Schenn is ready to play at the NHL level, can finally say with confidence that this is not the Flyer team that I've dreaded playing over the last few seasons... Fuck you Jagr.
Pittsburgh Penguins- What a different post season it would have been if Crosby had been healthy. Over a month after this guy went on the IR he still lead the NHL in points. Same solid team minus a few role players still has the Penguins amongst the best in the East.
New York Rangers- There are two things preventing this team from bringing the cup back to the Garden; a top line LW and an extremely talented Leetch-like defenseman. Del Zotto has the potential to fill the role of that defenseman we need on the powerplay (not to compare him to Leetch just yet but lets not forget he had 37 points his rookie year) and Wolski could possibly mesh with the highly anticipated Gaborik Richards duo ( Wolski had 65 points in 09-10). Of course, these are 2 huge maybes, but this team is built to win in the next 2-3 years.
As of July 5th 2011, this is how I see the East playing out...
1- Washington
2- Pittsburgh
3- Buffalo
4- Boston
5- New York Rangers
6- Tampa Bay Lightning
7- Philadelphia Flyers
8- Carolina Hurricanes
9- Montreal Canadians
10- New York Islanders
11- Toronto Maple Leafs
12- Winnipeg Jets
13- New Jersey Devils
14- Florida Panthers
15- Ottawa Senators
How's that for 1st round matchups? Washington Carolina, Pittsburgh Philadelphia, Buffalo Tampa, Boston NYR. Could be looking at another excellent playoffs.
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