Season Preview: New York Rangers

Ranger fans better hope Richards doesn't turn out to be Scott Gomez v2. (Photo courtesy of Foxnews.com)

As the 2011-2012 season quickly approaches, I will do an in depth season preview of each team in the Atlantic Division. Today we take a look at a team hoping to make it past the illustrious first round for the first time in a rather long time, the New York Rangers.

Great, terrible, awful, average and terrific are all words that would describe the Rangers 2010-2011 season. Talk about inconsistency. Ultimately in the end, the superb goaltending of Henrik Lundqvist and the hard work of American forward Ryan Callahan was just enough to propel the Rangers into the Stanley Cup Playoffs as the number eight seed.

After avoiding a potential two year hiatus from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Rangers found themselves pinned up  against the Alex Ovechkin led Washington Capitals. However bounces weren't in the Rangers favor, (see link), and everything that could go wrong went wrong, as they were quickly knocked out in a mere five games.

Despite the early first round exit, the Rangers have a lot to look forward to in the upcoming 2011-2012 season.

Young center, Derek Stepan proved he is able to handle second line/third line  duties at the NHL level. He put up a very respectable 45 points in his rookie campaign. Stepan can become a top two-way center in the league if he reaches his full potential; which many believe he will.

As alluded to above, goaltender Henrik Lundqvist put up spectacular numbers once again, the main reason why the Rangers reached the playoffs. At 29 years old, Lundqvist is in his prime, and will be among the top goaltenders for the 2011-2012 season. Can he bring the Rangers to the glory land? He is definitely capable of doing it.

On June 29, the Rangers decided to finally buyout disgruntled center, captain, Chris Drury. Drury's career has been slowed down by numerous injuries, limiting his play and ultimately forcing the Rangers to buy him out. His cap hit of just over seven million dollars was way too much for a guy who put up less than 60 points during his tenure as a Ranger.

Heading into "Free Agency Frenzy", the big name on the market was Brad Richards. Who would be able to sign the playmaker machine to a long term deal? Well whenever theirs a superstar on the market, you can always guarantee that General Manager, Glen Sather and the Rangers will make a push to lockup whoever is available. That was certainly the case this year, and the Rangers came out successful as they signed Richards to a lucrative contract worth 6.667 million dollars for nine years.

Richards should be a good complement to sniper Marian Gaborik, who is looking to have a bounce back season after putting up 48 points in an injury riddled 62 game season.

Following the move the Rangers stayed quiet before resigning the likes of restricted free agents, Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan. These two gritty forwards have shown they are capable of shutting down other top lines, while producing offensively as well.

Expect Callahan to be made captain of this team. During his young career, he has exhibited qualities worthy of a captain in the National Hockey League.

The Rangers have the talent to make the playoffs, however given the tough division they play in, it will be difficult. However I see head coach John Tortorella leading his team to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.