New Ranger on the block: Christopher Higgins
by Jim Schmiedeberg on Aug 19, 2009 7:00 AM EDT
in New York Rangers Analysis
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PrintWith less than a month to go before training camp, we want to start taking a look at the new faces around the Rangers heading into the 2009-2010 season.
First up, let's start with Christopher Higgins.
How acquired: Traded to the Rangers along with Ryan McDonagh and Pavel Valentenko for Scott Gomez, Tom Pyatt, and Mike Busto.
NHL Draft: First round pick (14th overall) of the Montreal Canadiens in the 2002 draft.
First NHL game: 10/11/03
First NHL goal: 10/6/05 vs. New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden (Kevin Weekes)
News and Notes:
- Higgins is the first player from Yale University ever selected in the first round of the NHL Draft.
- Higgins scored the Canadiens' 1000th goal in Bell Centre history, on March 28 against the New York Islanders.
- Montreal traded up with Edmonton to select Higgins in the draft.
- Higgins grew up a Canadiens fan, and his favorite player was Patrick Roy.
- Grew up with Mike Komisarek, who recently signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs
Scouting Report: (Courtesy of Bob at Habs Eyes on the Prize)
Chris Higgins and Mike Komisarek share a laugh in Times Square (pic via graphics8.nytimes.com)
In Higgins, you guys are getting a tireless worker, whose worse habit is trying to do too much in one shift. He has a tendency to wear himself down physically by hitting everything all the time, whether neccessary or not. He's a injury prone busybody, and his strength is puck cycling and putting shots on net. He's far from a sharpshooter, but he's solid when it comes to creating scoring chances. It's not uncommon to see him fire between five and eight shots on net on a good night, but come up empty handed. He's an honest player. You, the Ranger faithful, and Torts will all appreciate him. He's an extremely likeable kid.
Oh yeah, and Higgins traditionally kills the Islanders. He's from there, and it shows when he plays on Long Island in front of family. He couldn't have been traded to a better place for himself.
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EVIL LAUGHTER
I see Tort’s big plan this year, he’s making a monster. I expect a great season with Gaborik, Kotalik, Dru, Higgins, Duby and Calla eating up points. I see his motivation in wanting Prospal very clear now. Expect the unexpected.
I was thinking about you this morning, how we hadn’t seen you in a while, good to know you are ok.
Honestly, Chris Higgins is the guy I am most excited about, I think he is going to be a very good player for the Rangers.
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Aug 19, 2009 7:45 AM EDT up reply actions
i am most excited about
Gaborik lol
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by Joe Fortunato on Aug 19, 2009 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Thank's!
I’ve just been working hard out here. I might not be able to read any posts for a while; where I’m going there won’t be computers.
I agree with you, I think Chris Higgins will delight our viewing pleasures with his play ethic. I just see Prospal as only a one year difference maker, he’ll be the one to watch for. He’s going to spark up the rest of the Rangers who are going to stay in NY. Prospals pissed off that Tampa cut him and he has something to prove, more so than Gaborik in my opinion. I just think the whole team in general will perform, and this will be an exciting team all the way into the playoffs.
Keep in touch when you can, stay safe, and as always, you have our admiration and thanks.
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Aug 19, 2009 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions
agreed
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by Joe Fortunato on Aug 19, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions
comparison
Anyone else out there see the 2007 Buffalo Sabres getting re-made into the 09-10 NY Rangers? Not the same personnel (besides Drury and Kotalik), just a wealth of guys up front who can score 20-30 goals, lots of speed, and grit, with solid but no superstar defensemen. All we need is the Brian Campbell-type offensive d-man back there (maybe Del Zotto?) and we’re clones.
I just can’t help but think it’s a very similar team.
i dont expect Gilroy to be too amazing
this year. He is a rook after all
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by Joe Fortunato on Aug 19, 2009 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions
at least offensivley
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by Joe Fortunato on Aug 19, 2009 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions
gilroy 24?
isn’t gilroy 24 and coming off a hobey baker? that might count for some maturity and above normal rise to more minutes on the blueline
offensive? nah
gilroy should be a very, very solid 2-way d-man for us whether its this year or in the next couple of seasons… but i wouldn’t expect him to turn into a dan boyle or mike green anytime soon.
by TheyGotSquid on Aug 19, 2009 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions
there is a HUGE difference between
college hockey and the AHL, let alone the NHL
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by Joe Fortunato on Aug 19, 2009 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions
I would expect to see Potter, Sauer, or Saguinetti on the blue line for the Rangers. They have the most experience of any of our Defensive prospects.
by CrazyRangerFan on Aug 19, 2009 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Crazy
i think Gilroy will take one of the two open spots. As for the other one yeah Potter, Sauer and Sanguinetti all will have a chance but expect Heikkinen to be the darkhorse.
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by Joe Fortunato on Aug 19, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions
skater
Didn’t they say in the prospect reports from the Rangers camp that Gilroy was one of the best skaters? Like blowing past people? I don’t think the AHL guys were there however. So hard to compare. We will see… training camp!! wooo!!
by fromthe51hate on Aug 19, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions
True - but don't be suprised if Gilroy ends up as something special
Upfront disclaimer: I’m not making a direct comparison here.
Brian Leetch played one year of college hockey (at BC), was named an All-American, played for the Olympic Team in ’88, then immediately turned pro and ended up being the last Ranger to be named Rookie of the Year.
Matt played all 4 years of his college eligibility (at BU), earned 3 All-American awards, and the Hobey Baker as the top player in NCAA College Hockey.
Times are different, the game is different. And you’ve got a coach in Tortorella that’s going to be looking for one of each defensive pair to get involved in the offense. I expect that to be Gilroy on one pair, and Sanguinetti on another pair (presuming that they both make the roster).
It’s possible – not likely by any means – but certainly possible – that Gilroy will end up being very much like Brian Leetch.
hey man stay safe while you are
out there. And if you run into Tony Saffiotti hes my boy so say hi for me.
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by Joe Fortunato on Aug 19, 2009 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Higgins could be
the next Fan Favorite at MSG.
New York loves a hometown guy (Nick Fotiu anyone?)
Higgins seems to have all of the things that the MSG crowd will love – plus more scoring and innate hockey ability than the usual blue-collar type player that’s traditionally been a fav.
hopefuly Gaborik is a favorite too
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by Joe Fortunato on Aug 19, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Good comparison to Nicky, as far as being a hometown guy
Brian Mullen too
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on Aug 19, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions
keep him here
asside from callahan and dubinsky, higgins is the one guy on the rangers roster that i would want here for a very very long time; still kind of dissapointed by that one year contract.
I love the optimism!!!
I too am optimistic, but try to realize this MAY be a work in progress. We have a relatively new coach (to the Rangers) installing a new system, assimilating a fair amount of new players, with some very young players assuming fairly important roles. All I’m saying is don’t jump off the bandwagon if we don’t start like last year (I know I don’t have to worry about the Banter Brigade but I hope the rest of the Ranger faithful will stay the course.) Gilroy, Sangs or whoever makes the team out of camp may take a little while to get their feet under them. The lines make take a while to work themselves out. We do have some positives in this regard – Drury & Kotalik are familar, Prospal has played for Torts etc, etc.
I just hope folks stay off the ledge through the first couple of months. Again I know the Banter Brigade will not waver. I believe the team is now positioned to succeed in the long run. Emphasis on long- but even that was not always the case.
See y’all at 7pm
Hey KBrian, I totally agree
with you in regards to Higgins just getting a 1 yr contract. A homegrown kid who is young, talented and primed to succeed on Broadway just getting a 1 year deal? Doesnt make sense to me at all. He will be a UFA at the end ofthe year to boot. I dont know but it sounds risky to me.
by giantsNYrangers on Aug 19, 2009 7:10 PM EDT reply actions
chris higgins
i think he is going to surprise some people i think sather done good on this trade the ranger team is full of youth and speed . the team lacked all of those things the past 3 years . and to that islander fan higgins will score more goals then johnny boy taveres dont worry brashear and avery will welcome johnny boy to the ranger islander rivalry lol lol lol….
agree with dbmaven
higgins has all the tools that the ranger faithful love. blue-collar, big motor, finishes checks and has a scoring touch. if he gets off to even a decent start the ranger fans are gonna fall in love with him(no homo)
im definitely rooting for him to work out, and am also disappointed we only gave him a year, didnt realize that
by Conway on Aug 20, 2009 8:58 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
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| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New York Rangers
|
53 | 35 | 13 | 5 | 75 |
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Philadelphia
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55 | 31 | 17 | 7 | 69 |
|
Pittsburgh
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New Jersey
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New York Islanders
|
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Columbus
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Sun 02/19 | 8:00 PM EST |
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Tue 02/21 | 7:00 PM EST |
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New Jersey
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Philadelphia
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