We are only 54 days away from the beginning of the 2011-12 NHL regular season, and ESPN recently conducted a poll asking fans which team has improved the most over the summer. The choices included the Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres, Florida Panthers, San Jose Sharks and our very own New York Rangers.
After 21,000+ votes were submitted, the Rangers came in second just behind the Buffalo Sabres. To be completely honest, I am surprised that the Blueshirts received that many votes. Adding Brad Richards in July certainly filled a need and makes the team better, as did the acquisition of big guy Mike Rupp. However, those are two positions out of a total 19 that take the ice every game. Do those two positions really make the Rangers one of the most improved teams in the National Hockey League.
We would like to think so, but when you say "most improved" you are basically gaurunteeing that they will be a much better team in 2011-12. As we know, there are always many "ifs" when it comes to the Rangers, and depending on how those ifs play out over the course of the season, that will determine if the Rangers are most improved or not.
I have a very good feeling about the team offensively heading into this season because there is quite a plethora of depth on the squad. But what worries me is the defense, whose oldest member is 27 (Steve Eminger), and that is not taking into consideration newly acquired Brendan Bell because I don't think he will be on the team come October. There are a lot of question marks on the blue-line heading into this season; Will Sauer and McDonagh play as well in their sophomore year as they did as rookies? Will Michael Del Zotto be ready to play at the NHL level again? Is Tim Erixon going to be able to make the jump?
Basically what I'm saying is that in my opinion, it is too early to determine whether the Rangers are one of the most improved teams yet. Ask me again in March/April and I will give a straight up answer. But for now, all we can do is hope and wait, and boy, can these 54 days go any slower?
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