Rangers Analysis: Rangers rookies making a difference (in a good way)

by Joe Fortunato on Dec 8, 2009 7:00 AM EST in Rangers Analysis Comment 37 comments

Rookies are generally the "weak links" of a sports teams. They are generally the youngest players on the teams, guys who are incredibly inexperience and who's ability to handle play on the big stage is questioned often. On the flip side rookies are the future and their flashes of brilliance excites fans for what can be. The Rangers currently have three rookies starting every night in Artem Anisimov, Michael Del Zotto and Matt Gilroy. Let's take a deeper look:

Michael Del Zotto has already proved everyone who doubted him wrong. He is leading all defensemen on the Rangers in points and he is easily the most physical defenseman on the blue line. Currently John Tortorella is giving him more and more ice time, and against Detroit he lead all players in the TOI category. Del Zotto has been the quarterback of the power play since game one and his 5 goals and 12 assists for 17 points. While Del Zotto is sporting a -9 his defense has increased massively and he is currently playing 19 minutes a night. That's pretty impressive for a 19 year old kid.

Artem Anisimov has also made a pretty positive impact for the Rangers, although his was more expected. Currently Anisimov has seen time on every single line but with the injuries to Brandon Dubinsky and Chris Drury he is starting to see some top line minutes. His 5 goals and 8 assists for 13 points are good for 5th on the team in points, and his two way play has really come along quite nicely. Many expected him to make the team last year and when he didn't he responded by having a point per game effort for Hartford, now that he has made the team he is showing that he belongs here.

Matt Gilroy was another player that Ranger fans were wondering if they were going to see on Broadway this year. Signed from Boston University Gilroy has made pretty instant dividends for the Rangers. His speed allows him to pinch in on every rush and find a way to get back in time to make the defensive play. His hockey IQ is off the charts and once he gets better accustomed to the game he should start putting up awesome numbers.

P.A Parentenau, Bobby Sanguinetti and Dane Byers have all seen time but not enough to do a full report on. Thoughts on who has surprised you thus far?

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Del Zotto definitely surprised me. I didn’t think he was going to make the team this year.

I also think that Bobby S. and Ilka Heikinnen will make the team next year and hopefully Grachev, too. All in all even though we are currently struggling, we have some good young players in the system so the future is bright.

by MattPwrcf1 on Dec 8, 2009 8:53 AM EST reply actions

If you are correct, then you are counting on/praying for the Rangers to find a way out of the Redden/Rozsival situation. I hope you are right, I just don’t know if it will happen.

I am fairly certain at least Girardi’s spot will be open next year. Honestly, I don’t even think he survives the trade deadline

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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Dec 8, 2009 8:56 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah I agree on Girardi, he is decent but with the dmen we have in the system he is expandable.

And yes, somehow I think Rozsival will be out of here by next season:)

by MattPwrcf1 on Dec 8, 2009 8:59 AM EST reply actions

Parenteau hasn’t surprised me, but he’s been pretty solid. DZ is the surprise of the year so far. His numbers have fallen off enough to take him out of the Calder talk, but he ~~is quickly becoming~~ has already become one of the more solid defensemen in the division.

by DJ Wuss on Dec 8, 2009 9:07 AM EST reply actions

Del Zotto’s numbers have fallen off, because the team around him sucks. We can barely score 2 goals per game, so that’s why his numbers are down, too.

by MattPwrcf1 on Dec 8, 2009 9:12 AM EST up reply actions

Well that and the surprise is gone

Teams have scouts, and they are really focusing on MDZ on the PP, they’re taking away his passing which was lethal for the first ten games or so.

As he continues to grow as an NHL player he’ll figure out how to get his shots off and back them off, and he’ll go back to being the PP QB we need.

I’m not worried about him, kid is going to be really good.

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by George E. Ays on Dec 8, 2009 9:23 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah you’re right, teams have noticed MDZ , but I also think he will adjust. He just needs some time. Also, teams are definitely not focusing on Michael R. and he still manages to put up no points LOL

by MattPwrcf1 on Dec 8, 2009 9:30 AM EST up reply actions

not really

his numbers are down A) Because the beautiful feeds that he is making are not getting put home and B) because he is focusing more on defense right now

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by Joe Fortunato on Dec 8, 2009 11:10 AM EST up reply actions

agreed

He has been getting the most minutes out of our defensemen recently because of his physical game and because he is improving dramatically on defense. Once he finds his balance it will be really fun to watch.

by Rangerguy on Dec 8, 2009 2:52 PM EST up reply actions

I think Parenteau is in baseball what they call a “4A” guy. A guy who is a little too good for the minors, but not good enough to contribute consistently at the NHL level. He’s a guy you can call up when you need a fill in, but I just don’t see him as an everyday player who is going to be successful in the NHL

A “tweener” if you will.

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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Dec 8, 2009 9:15 AM EST up reply actions

thats exactly how I view him A

4A guy is such a great term

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by Joe Fortunato on Dec 8, 2009 11:12 AM EST up reply actions

While I don't know if hey're technically rookies

I’m going to use rookie as “less than one year’s worth of NHL games,” and in that I’ve been surprised (in a good way) at Boyle and surprised (in a bad way) at Lisin.

Boyle has been surprisingly useful as the 4th line PK player and seems to have a nose for the net, if he wasn’t a complete trainwreck as a faceoff guy I think he could develop into a solid 2-way 3rd line center. He also needs to learn to use his size better.

I knew the book on Lisin was that he was basically a dynamic offensive skills w/ no identifiable defensive ability, and he hasn’t disappointed in that regard. But I expected more than 3 goals in 26 games out of a guy with a 22 goal pace with Phx in 1/2 a season last year. But not scoring seems to be plaguing this team, so maybe he too will come around.

And I want to see Heikkenen get more time even when Redden comes back, sit down Rozsival. Oh wait, Rozsival is our go to guy when we pull the goalie, he’s too valuable for that. Blech.

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by George E. Ays on Dec 8, 2009 9:36 AM EST reply actions

I thought Lisin would score more, too. He will probably be gone next season.

But there is a good chance that our MVP Rozsival will be back. Not to mention that “the best first passer in the game” (Glen Sather’s words of wisdom) will be back too :)

by MattPwrcf1 on Dec 8, 2009 9:43 AM EST up reply actions

agreed on Boyle, I think he has performed well with just about everything they’ve asked him to do, and he impressed the hell out of me when he dropped the gloves against…..PIttsburgh I think? He is admittedly not a fighter, but was taking one for the team there.

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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Dec 8, 2009 9:59 AM EST up reply actions

I would love to have a Boyle's size Dman willing to hit hard

by MattPwrcf1 on Dec 8, 2009 10:01 AM EST up reply actions

6'7" 250 and SOFT

Come on. Can you imagine a less intimidating player of his size whom opponents do not fear? Sad.

by glen2813 on Dec 8, 2009 10:21 PM EST up reply actions

I like PA’s style of play a lot, I just wish he was younger. He drives to the net hard, and loves to mix to up after the whistle. He’s got that grit that you just can’t teach.

by goodieNY on Dec 8, 2009 11:22 AM EST reply actions

yeah

but 26 isn’t that old. It’s not like he is going to lose his legs any time soon.

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by Joe Fortunato on Dec 8, 2009 11:26 AM EST up reply actions

This is all non confirmed and just random ranting but, do you see PA being included in the trade for Demitra… Glen Sather has a reputation for trading these Petr Prucha type players to get high value for a year.

by Dougee on Dec 8, 2009 1:12 PM EST up reply actions

Maybe Sather will send him to Phoenix for Pru.

by DJ Wuss on Dec 8, 2009 3:15 PM EST up reply actions

where did Demitra come from?

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by Joe Fortunato on Dec 8, 2009 3:33 PM EST up reply actions

What do you mean Joe?

by Dougee on Dec 8, 2009 5:08 PM EST up reply actions

where did your trade for Demitra idea

come from? If anywhere? Or was it just a guess? I’m just curious.

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by Joe Fortunato on Dec 8, 2009 5:18 PM EST up reply actions

there was an article in the Toronto Sun yesterday talking about how desperate

Glen Sather is to make a trade for a forward who can score to complete our top line. And Gabby and Demitra are ex-teammates in Minny, not to mention best friends……..but he’s injured right now.

by giantsNYrangers on Dec 8, 2009 6:19 PM EST up reply actions

http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2009/12/06/12055606-sun.html there ya go

by Dougee on Dec 8, 2009 6:19 PM EST up reply actions

Oh sorry and they were talking about Sathers interest in Demitra specifically

by giantsNYrangers on Dec 8, 2009 6:20 PM EST up reply actions

Thts what i was talking about............thanx Dougee.

by giantsNYrangers on Dec 8, 2009 6:20 PM EST up reply actions

ok sweet I love rumors

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by Joe Fortunato on Dec 8, 2009 10:28 PM EST up reply actions

What do you think about that potential trade for Demitra Joe?

by giantsNYrangers on Dec 9, 2009 2:19 AM EST up reply actions

Seems Demitra is a rumor on Sather’s wish list either through trade or FA at some point every season… I’m not sure what’s injured or how long he’s expected out, and I have no idea how he’d get under the cap.

by NYdemo on Dec 9, 2009 4:56 AM EST up reply actions

It's his shoulder and he's been out all yr.

by giantsNYrangers on Dec 9, 2009 10:19 AM EST up reply actions

I don't like it

we would have to give up too much for too little. Unless they take a heavy contract I don’t feel it

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by Joe Fortunato on Dec 9, 2009 9:23 AM EST up reply actions

I agree..........And he has a cap hit of around 4.4 mill I think.

So I hear what your saying on that demo…….At this point I would rather have a crease clearing, physical, stay at home d-man………….like an Orpik. Oh man this team is so flawed, it really is!

by giantsNYrangers on Dec 9, 2009 10:19 AM EST up reply actions

Definitely true… I just mean in terms of him developing into a better player.

by goodieNY on Dec 8, 2009 2:01 PM EST up reply actions

The rookies are better then the oldies, BUT why no locke?

Isn’t he worthy?

by Toad McGee on Dec 8, 2009 5:12 PM EST reply actions

Where would he fit in?

by goodieNY on Dec 8, 2009 6:09 PM EST up reply actions

trade rumor ??

i heard the toronto sun reporting that sather is hot and heavy trade talks about trading for pavol demitra from the canucks i,snt this guy injured does anybody know if this is true …

by lohaus#54 on Dec 9, 2009 6:33 PM EST reply actions

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