Approximately a year ago, Blair Betts scored a goal that helped to propel the Rangers past the Philadelphia Flyers in the second game of the regular season. Now it has been officially announced that the Blueshirts top penalty killer last season was invited to participate in the Philadelphia Flyer's training camp at the end of this week. He could be a great addition to an already very skilled Philly team (exclude Emery), and will be a difference maker on the penalty kill.
After hearing this, I thought I would address the Rangers Penalty Killing unit for the upcoming season. With our two top penalty killers in Fred Sjostrom and Blair Betts departing, the Blueshirts coaching staff is now faced with a question going into camp. Who exactly will fit into our penalty killing unit, that was one of the best in the league last season?
Well, I certainly do not believe that the Rangers will have as good of a penalty kill as they had last season, but it will always be one of the better in the league, and that is for one reason: Henrik Lundqvist. Hank received a lot of help between Betts and Sjostrom, as both were superior at blocking shots. They worked as a tag team. When the puck went to one side of the ice, Betts would go down to block the shot, and Sjo would support, and vice versa.
This season, in my opinion anyway, our candidates for the penalty kill would be; Chris Drury, Brandon Dubinsky, Brian Boyle (If he makes the team), possibly Higgins, and either Voros, Arnason, or Byers, depending on who makes the cut. You may even want to consider P.A. Parenteau.
ADDITION: Ryan Callahan
Drury and Dubi have always been counted on while down a man, Boyle has size and is aggressive, Higgins seems like he is defensively responsible, and then any of the four players I mentioned for the final spot are mostly defensive minded grinders, so they would be fitting to throw on the pk as well.
Again, it all depends on how Torts and Sully see things, but those are my picks for the penalty kill as of now. This could change very quickly if players impress me, or the coaches for that matter, with great defensive abilities as a forward in training camp/pre-season. So as of now, there is your 2009-10 Rangers Penalty Killing Unit in a nutshell.
More Later....
(Photo courtesy of Getty Images)
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31 minutes ago
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2 comments:
you forgot callahan, he saw some PK time last year during injuries. He could see the same this year. He is fast, hard working, and led the team in hits. Seems like a good fit, cause we know gabby won't PK and neither should kotalik. I don't know much about prospal's defense, so I don't know how he would work either. All-in-all, we will probably wind up around 10th in the league in the PK, lets just hope the PP can be there as well.
Oh yes, excellent point. I totally forgot about Cally, he will definately be on the pk. Thanks!
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