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More Intriguing Line Ideas for the Blueshirts?
by Patrick Hoffman on 07/17/09 at 07:37 PM ET
Comments (7)
Since there’s really nothing else to do these days in Rangerland, bloggers like to come up with lines based on what the roster looks like as of today. For example, PuckCentral.net came up with the following line for the 2009-2010 version of the Blueshirts:
Gaborik - Dubinsky - Callahan
Higgins - Drury - Kotalik
Avery - Anisimov - Lisin
Brashear - Boyle - Byers
Click here for some more thoughts on the lines from PuckCentral.net. For my thoughts, continue below.
The first line looks pretty interesting. Both Gaborik and Callahan have speed and some goal-scoring ability (especially Gaborik) while Dubinsky has the ability to carry the puck into the zone and do a lot of dirty work. However, the questions remains - is Dubinsky capable of being a No.1 center for this hockey club? Since Rangers’ GM Glen Sather seems intent on doing nothing to remedy the situation, I guess we’ll have to find out.
The second line is also intriguing. Both Kotalik and Higgins can score goals and are not afraid to throw the puck at the net, which could be good for Drury as he has the ability to bang in rebounds. With that said, Drury has yet to live up to his billing on Broadway so how do we know if this season will be any different?
Anisimov and Lisin could prove to be an interesting connection. With 21 points in just 48 games, one has to wonder why Phoenix Coyotes’ GM Don Maloney was so quick to get rid of him and so fast to sign Lauri Korpikoski to a two-year deal. Avery will do his usual thing and give those guys some protection while also providing some offense.
Boyle and Byers could help the Blueshirts have a solid and potentially productive fourth line but how will Brashear fair as a Ranger?
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Tags: New+York+Rangers,
Comments
you guys better sign zherdev.
Posted by Oilers Rock from Edmonton, Alberta on 07/17/09 at 07:45 PM ET
Otherteamfan - a borderline playoff team. We won’t have a Cup contender in NY anytime soon, if ever while Glen Sather is in charge.
Posted by Scotty Hockey from NY on 07/17/09 at 08:00 PM ET
I agree. This strikes me as a one line team (aka Anaheim circa Paul Kariya days...except they were better). I’m not sure even Lundqvist can save this team but it’s not going to be pretty maybe 2 goals a night? Then you have the ultimate problem...none of the guys on the first two lines are physical at all...OOPS!
Should’ve traded GOMEZ for BRIERE...but then again...they’d have 2 injured all the time players not just 1. I have no clue as to why the Rangers think that Gaborik is going to have a non-injured year, the dude has more groin problems than Jaromir Jagr. Too much time at gay bars I’d imagine.
Posted by stoneman from Vegas on 07/17/09 at 08:46 PM ET
I don’t think that you can really project what the lines will be until after we see what happens with Zherdev in arbitration. I have to think that regardless of the outcome, he’s either going to be in that lineup or be moved for a player who would take his spot.
Posted by Buddy Lee from NJ on 07/17/09 at 09:53 PM ET
Then you have the ultimate problem...none of the guys on the first two lines are physical at all...OOPS!
Um, Callahan and Dubinsky are definitely physical. Among forwards, Callahan was 3rd in the league in hits last year. Dubinsky was 6th.
Posted by K24 from NYC on 07/18/09 at 07:56 AM ET
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About Goal Line Report
The Goal Line Report will focus on all things Eastern Conference. Do I have a bias towards the Eastern Conference just because I am a New Yorker? No, but it certainly does make things easier! I’ll make my opinions known on Eastern Conference news bits (as often as I can), big games, hot and cold players, trades (I don’t make things up) and anything and everything else related to the Eastern Conference that I think is important for hockey fans to know. I will, in every sense of the word, be the beast of the East while also making sure to drop my thoughts on other hockey news items.
I, Patrick Hoffman, have covered the NHL since 2003 and have worked for a variety of hockey media sources including: Stan Fischler, Spector’s Hockey, TheHockeyNews.com, HockeyBuzz.com, McKeen’s Hockey, Blueshirt Bulletin, XM Home Ice Channel Hockey Blog, HockeyPrimeTime.com, FantasyHockey.com. NY SportsDay, and HokejaVestnesis.com.
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When I look at these lines I don’t see a playoff team, let alone a serious Cup contender. But then again, I’m not a Rangers fan. Do Rangers fans think this is a playoff team?
Posted by otherteamfan on 07/17/09 at 07:41 PM ET