September 7, 2010, New York Rangers 2010-11 season preview for HockeyPrimeTime.com

2010-11 preview: New York Rangers

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Written by Denis Gorman

Tuesday, September 07, 2010 00:00

The Rangers picked up some scoring, dropped some muscle, and are waiting for their top defenseman to re-sign. Where does that leave a team that just missed the playoffs? • 2009-10: 38-33-11, 87 points, missed playoffs • Key additions: G Martin Biron, LW Alex Frolov, D Steve Eminger, F Tim Kennedy, C Todd White • Key losses: LW Jody Shelley, RW Aaron Voros, LW Donald Brashear, LW Patrick Rissmiller • Overview: It would be easy to claim the 2009-10 Rangers were one shootout win away from a playoff berth. Though true, it bears noting that they were a thoroughly unimpressive 24-31-9 in the middle of the season. Players, coaches and management all lamented the team's inconsistency and have vowed that will not be the case this season. • What they're missing: Marc Staal. The RFA defenseman and his representatives have butted heads with general manager Glen Sather over contract terms. It goes without saying that the Rangers need their No. 1 shutdown defenseman on the ice, especially in a conference populated by lethal snipers such as Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Steven Stamkos, among others. • Players to watch: D Ryan McDonagh, C Derek Stepan, RW, Mats Zuccarello Aasen and C Evgeny Grachev. Sather and John Tortorella spent the summer telling anyone who would listen that the organizational mandate is to get younger while competing for a playoff berth. The franchise has high hopes for McDonagh, Stepan, Zuccarello Aasen and Grachev, and believes that one or more will make the NHL squad this season. White is 35 years old, but one of just seven former 20-goal scorers on the roster. Twitter: @DenisGorman

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