Pending Free Agents: Blake Wheeler (RFA) Right For Rangers?

The chase for Brad Richards will dominate a lot of the offseason headlines for the New York Rangers when it comes to free agency outside of the organization.  How the Rangers do in those attempts to lure Richards to New York will have a large influence on the money that is left under the salary cap and many of the other roster decisions within and outside the organization in terms of need.  If the Rangers fail to secure Brad Richards, and maybe even if they do get him, depending on the money and other decisions they make there are other options out there in the free agent market.  One such option for the Rangers to consider is restricted free agent Blake Wheeler of the Atlanta Thrashers.

Wheeler, 24, was originally the fifth overall selection in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Phoenix Coyotes.  After attending the University of Minnesota Wheeler opted for free agency rather than sign with the Coyotes.  During the summer of 2008 he was a highly sought prospect and eventually signed with the Boston Bruins.  Wheeler would make an immediate impact for the Bruins during the 2008-09 season when goals and had 24 assists.  Given that strong opening act in Boston the expectations were high for him.  Following that season, his time with the Bruins was somewhat disappointing to the point where in 58 games for Boston this year he only had 11 goals and 16 assists.  At the deadline the Bruins decided to move Wheeler to the Atlanta Thrashers along with Mark Stuart for Rich Peverley and Boris Valabik.  The trade seemed to energize Wheeler as he had seven goals and 10 assists in only 23 games for the Thrashers.  With the strong finish Wheeler has now scored 18 goals or more in each of his three NHL seasons while also playing in at least 81 games each year.

A large cause for why the Rangers would be interested in Wheeler, aside from his individual skill, is the instant chemistry he has shown with Rangers’ rookie forward Derek Stepan during the current 2011 IIHF World Championships.  The two Minnesota natives have combined with Stepan’s former teammate at Wisconsin, Craig Smith, to form the top line for Team USA.  The chemistry between Wheeler and Stepan has been evident from the opening game of the tournament as there is a feel for where one another will be on the ice that usually comes after significant time together.  That kind of feel for another player is something that cannot be discounted by an organization, especially when looking to surround Stepan with wingers who can score and help him continue his own development.  Chemistry is one of those undervalued aspects of the game in terms of line combinations in how it can help to improve the consistency of performance for the players involved.  When you are able to leave lines together it helps all players involved and creates a better foundation for the team on a nightly basis.

Being a restricted free agent and accounting for his strong close to the season as well as good performance in the World Championships it is likely that Atlanta would match his qualifying offer of $2.2 million to retain his rights this summer.  Being a restricted free agent does not preclude the Rangers from pursuing Wheeler either in the form of an offer sheet or through a trade with Atlanta.  With the Rangers likely to have multiple departures from their forward core the idea of adding Wheeler to play with Stepan and possible Mats Zuccarello, who also showed flashes of chemistry with Stepan, is something that should intrigue the Rangers for next season.  Again, a lot of this would depend on the Richards chase, the cost of signing the Rangers own restricted free agents and other roster moves that would be made to create roster spots and cap space, but Wheeler is someone that should intrigue the Rangers for the right price.

Rangers Player Review: Michael Del Zotto

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In a season where many different Rangers’ young players progressed in their development and impact at the NHL level, Michael Del Zotto had a different reaction during the 2010-11 season.  After a strong rookie season in which he was named to the NHL All-Rookie team Del Zotto regressed in year two.  The nine goals and 28 assists of the 2009-10 campaign raised expectations for the 20-year-old defender coming into the season and significantly intensified the frustration and scrutiny over his play.

All of the concerns for Del Zotto coming into the season revolved around his defensive shortcomings that plagued him during his first season in the NHL.  While his defense was still shaky at times in terms of positioning, and reading the play there was overall improvement on that end of the ice.  The problems were with his offensive and mental sides of the game. 

Offensively he struggled, only contributing two goals and nine assists in his 47 games with the Rangers.  One reason for the lack of goal scoring was a significant inability to hit the net with his shot.  In those 47 games Del Zotto recorded 58 shots on goal, which compares to the 42 times he was recorded missing the net.  For a player of Del Zotto’s skill both his number of attempts and successful attempts on goal are discouraging.  The number of attempts delves into his reluctance to shoot the puck in many situations where he had lanes, but lacked the confidence in his shot.  Instead of firing the shot, he would often dump the puck around the boards for yet another cycle play by the forwards.

The mental side of the game struggles manifested themselves in multiple ways.  The repetition of the same mistakes caused consternation and frustration among all involved because it led to wonders if he was really learning from his mistakes.  The biggest source of his mistakes would be from being overaggressive with the puck.  During his rookie season, part of what made Del Zotto so exciting were the stretch passes he would use to spring forwards like Marian Gaborik.  This season those were misfiring on a consistent basis and more likely to come back at the Rangers with a chance for the opposition.  Instead of adjusting to that reality and making the short, simple pass to get out of his end, Del Zotto would keep firing the long pass.  The other major mistake which harmed him significantly defensively would be the over handling of the puck in his own end which led to turnovers in scoring areas.

The regression within his game got to the point where he was a healthy scratch for multiple games and sent to the AHL for multiple stints with the Connecticut Whale to both work on his game and build his confidence back up.  During his time with the Whale he showed both the flashes of offense he had during his rookie campaign, but also the inconsistency that marred year two.  During his final stint with the Whale, Del Zotto would cap his frustrating year with a broken finger that ended his campaign and recently he also had sports hernia surgery that will have him rehabbing for the next month.

Having a regression as a 20-year-old is certainly not unheard of and does not mean that Del Zotto’s days as a key piece to the future of this organization are over by any means.  What it means is that a young player hit some bumps in his development and now the Rangers’ and Del Zotto will find out the type of player and person they are dealing with in how he responds and rebounds from the struggles.  Many very good players have had sophomore slumps in their careers and now it is up to Del Zotto to make sure that is all the 2010-11 season was and not a prelude to the rest of his career.

New York Rangers Become First Pro Sports Organization To Support Marriage Equality

A couple months ago Sean Avery made some news in speaking out about being willing to support an openly gay player in the NHL.  During the past few days a video has been released of Sean Avery speaking out in support of "New Yorkers for Marriage Equality." The campaign commercial spread rapidly and has been considered a boost to the cause of marriage equality in New York State.   

A little over two hours ago the Human Rights Campaign sent an e-mail notifying that the New York Rangers are backing Avery’s stance on the issue as an organization.  The move by the Rangers makes them the first not only NHL, but professional sports franchise to come out in support of the issue. 

The move by both Avery and the Rangers organization is one that speaks to standing up for things you believe in.  I have no doubt that this is a contentious issue for many, as are most political topics, but for both parties to put their name and in some measure reputations on the line is good to see no matter how you fall on the issue itself. 

Here is the official release:

NHL’s New York Rangers Promote Marriage Equality; First Sports Team to Rally Behind Gay Issue

Further proof that America is at a historic tipping point on gay rights issues – and specifically marriage -- came today in the form of two tweets and a Facebook post from an unexpected ally: the National Hockey League’s New York Rangers. The Rangers become the first professional sports team to actively promote marriage equality by advancing a video released on Saturday in favor of marriage equality in New York State by Rangers player Sean Avery. Earlier today, the team tweeted about it and posted news of it on their Facebook page. Madison Square Garden, the home of the Rangers, later re-tweeted the Rangers’ message.

Sean Avery’s video was the subject of this story in Sunday’s New York Times. Avery is currently in his fifth season with the New York Rangers and helped take the team to the 2011 playoffs. The New Yorkers for Marriage Equality campaign is centered on video testimonials from New Yorkers who support the right of committed same-sex couples to marry. To date, HRC has released over 30 videos from a diverse group of New Yorkers ranging from Barbara Bush to Julianne Moore.

The fact that a professional sports team – and from the rough and tumble game of hockey, no less -- would be willing to support marriage equality is clear indication that there’s growing support for LGBT equality issues across the board. Over the last month, three different polls have indicated that a majority of Americans now support marriage equality. In New York, a poll recently released by the Siena Research Institute shows public support for marriage equality at 58 percent. No doubt that there are battles ahead, but today, history was made.

Video: Roenick Calls Marleau 'Gutless'; Analysis Or Personal Issue?

Patrick Marleau was owned during the third period of Game 5 against the Detroit Red Wings by Pavel Datsyuk.  If that was not enough to motivate Marleau to be better in Game 6 back in Detroit, Jeremy Roenick gave him more following the game with his description of the performance.  Roenick, known for being blunt in his analysis, called Marelau's Game 5 performance "gutless" and went on to repeatedly take digs at Marleau during the post game including saying that only 19 Sharks showed up for the game.

Video:


Did Roenick go too far?  Is this about a personal issue between Roenick and Marleau from when they were together in San Jose?

Trade: Rangers Acquire Oscar Lindberg From Coyotes for Ethan Werek

The New York Rangers and the Phoenix Coyotes have made yet another trade with one another.  This time the deal is a prospect for prospect swap with New York sending 2009 second round pick Ethan Werek to the Coyotes in exchange for 2010 second round forward Oscar Lindberg.

At this point Werek looks like the more offensive of the two prospects.  This season he recorded 24 goals and 28 assists for 52 points in 47 games played with the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL this season.  The problem for Werek has been injuries as he has had various injuries in his two seasons since being drafted which made making the decision on signing him more difficult.  Seeing as how the Rangers had to sign him this summer or lose his rights they decided to move him for another prospect who would not require that decision this summer or a contract against the 50 contract limit next year.

Lindberg, 19, played 41 games for Skelleftea HC, in the Swedish Elite League (SEL) this season, scoring five goals with nine assists.  Lindberg is considered a very good defensive forward who is excellent on faceoffs, but has developing offensive skills.  To speak to his faceoff skills he was tops in the SEL at 69.6% this season.  He can be left over in Sweden to develop next year or be brought over to develop here, but the flexibility is very appealing.

Here is eliteprospects.com's profile of Lindberg:

A very smart two-way center. Takes care of his defensive responsibilities, but also contributes offensively with good speed, technical skills and playmaking ability. Not an overly physical player, but he gets involved. Pretty good shot, but not a natural scorer. A team player who is good at face-offs.

Lindberg also participated in the IIHF World Juniors tournament for Sweden this year and despite playing a third line center role was tied for the team lead with when he had four points in six games played.

Rumor: Rangers Intersted In Goalie Viktor Fasth?

One of the few things considered a need, at least at the NHL level, for the New York Rangers this offseason is goaltending.  Having perennial Vezina contender Henrik Lundqvist installed as the starter and backbone of the team along with excellent backup Martin Biron there is little need to look for a goalie.  However, things are murkier beyond the NHL level.  To add to the confusion, according to a Swedish website, the New York Rangers are among five teams interesting in signing Viktor Fasth. 

Fasth is the 28-year-old Swedish goaltender who many saw play against Team USA in the World Championships.  This past season while playing for AIK in the Swedish Elite League (SEL) Fasth won the Honken Trophy as the best goaltender in the league.  The SEL is widely considered the second best league in the world behind the NHL. 

Fasth would be added to recently signed Jason Missiaen along with Chad Johnson, Cam Talbot, Dov Grumet-Morris and potentially Scott Stacjer.  Chad Johnson is a restricted free agent this summer and while he showed potential in his first year in the organization both at the AHL level and as a potential NHL backup he lost his job this season to both Cam Talbot and free agent Grumet-Morris.  Johnson is definitely a candidate to move on this summer. 

Talbot is under contract for next season so he will definitely still be around with the Whale while Grumet-Morris is another goalie they will have to make a decision on.  He came to the Whale this year on a try-out and by the time the season was over he was the playoff goalie. 

If the Rangers are seriously considering Fasth it would likely be for the AHL next season with an eye to making him the backup for Lundqvist after next season if Biron moves along.

Hat-tip to Blue Line Station for finding this story.

Chris Kreider Doesn't Think He Is NHL Ready Yet

Chris Kreider has been pretty clear that he wants to be an impact player when he comes into the NHL and not just another player on the ice.  At times during the 2011 IIHF World Championships Kreider has looked like he could be that player as soon as this coming season.  The problem is that has been against the lesser competition and against the NHL caliber players he has struggled.  The Rangers are still trying to convince Kreider to sign this summer, but according to Arthur Staple of Newsday Kreider seems set on going back to Boston College.

"I don't feel like I'm ready for the NHL," the Rangers' 2009 first-round draft pick told Newsday by phone from Kosice, Slovakia, where he's playing for the U.S. team in the World Championships. "Another year [at Boston College] can't hurt."

Kreider thinks what's best for him is to stay put. "The view I take is, if I'm there, I need to be ready and feel confident in my game," he said. "Whether it's trying to make the team out of camp or being the next guy called up from the minors, I have to be ready or they'll just go with someone else. I don't feel I'm there yet."

It is certainly possible that Kreider could make the adjustment from college to the pro level as smoothly as Derek Stepan and Ryan McDonagh did this year, but both Stepan and McDonagh showed more consistency in college than Kreider has to this point.  It is very encouraging to see Kreider want to be that kind of impact player and not, at least to this point, be swayed by the amount of money he could make as a professional.  Another year at Boston College is likely the best thing for him so he can dominate at that level before moving on to the professional ranks.

2010-11 Rangers Player Review: Marian Gaborik

Following a career year in his first season with the Rangers, Marian Gaborik declined heavily in his second year with New York.  After lighting up Broadway with 42 goals in the 76 games of his initial campaign he would only find the twine 22 times in 62 games during the 2010-11 season.  What made the struggles of Gaborik worse this year is that the secondary players on the Rangers stepped up in ways they did not the year before and a similar performance from him would have seen the team rise to potential contender status.  After getting a pass for much of the first half of the season because of his shoulder injury and 2009-10 season, the fans began to turn on Gaborik during the second half and were all over him down the stretch and during the playoffs.

 

It might not be fair to claim that the injury bug came back for Gaborik this season just because he missed 20 games, but between a separated shoulder (12 games), concussion (6 games), flu (1 game), groin (1 game) the Rangers were without their biggest offensive threat for one-quarter of the season.  Of those injuries the only one that could be conceivably be blamed for his drop in production would be the shoulder.  Players return from shoulder injuries with regularity, but this injury was the first one that Gaborik had to this portion of his body and I do believe that he rushed himself back.  In his play he was tentative to take a hit along the wall and avoided contact at different points in front of the net.  There was also some difference in the quality of his tremendous wrist shot.  So while the shoulder only officially had him out 12 games, the amount of time he spent ineffectively trying to play through that and his concussion was just as significant.  

Let us take a look at the breakdown of Gaborik's numbers by month.

Month	Games Played	G	A	Shots
October	3	0	2	6
November	10	5	4	30
December	11	5	5	34
January	14	6	4	46
February	9	1	6	25
March	11	5	2	35
April	4	0	3	16

Gaborik's overall numbers were inflated by a series of huge games, but that is not unusual for the highest point producers in the league.  The difference is the lack of consistency for Gaborik in putting up numbers, especially goals this season.  As one of the leagues best snipers to have him go through three different stretches of at least seven games with no goals.

The most consistent thing for Gaborik this season was his lack of consistent linemates.  He had games this year where he would click with a new set of partners and then lose it again as there was no sustainable chemistry for Gaborik to find as he had in year one with Prospal and Christensen.  The lack of a true number one center is certainly a valid criticism of the organization, but that is not an excuse for the decline Gaborik had this year because he has produced without a true top line center in the past.  In addition to that fact, if you are a star you find a way to produce for your team and Gaborik simply did not do that enough this year.

The reality is Gaborik made himself easy to defend by not being aggressive and using his skating enough.  When Gaborik skates he puts pressure on the opposing defense and gets many of his “vulture” goals in the slot instead of hanging on the outside.  He got back to skating more towards the end of the season, but still was not finishing.  The fact he was skating again made him more impactful for the team because his threat level increased even without the production going with it.  While that is somewhat comforting on the surface and to look forward to next year, at $7.5 million dollars, Gaborik is paid to score.  Next year he will have to get more than 22 goals or those that started to turn on him this year will grow louder next year.

 
GRADE: D