Dive deeper with New York Rangers analysis from the Blueshirt Banter team—where strategy meets stats, trades are teased out, and every roster move gets broken down. Whether it’s youth development, roster depth, or cap-maneuvering, we give you the insight Rangers fans need.
New York Rangers Analysis
With news breaking late yesterday afternoon that Marc Staal would not be making the trip to Europe for the New York Rangers' season opener, Rangers' nation has gone into a semi-panic. But, in our hearts, we had to know this was coming. Staal wasn't skating in
New York Rangers Analysis
Both Michael Del Zotto and Mats Zuccarello walked into training camp this year with their eyes set on a starting role with the New York Rangers in 2011. Well if these past two games in Europe have been any indication, both will get their wish. Let's start with
New York Rangers Analysis
Brian Boyle has come a long way since being acquired by the Rangers in the summer of 2009. He saw his goal total quintuple (yes, that's a word) last season and he also put up 29 more points than he did the previous year. Boyle is no longer
New York Rangers Analysis
Last season Derek Stepan went into the preseason expected to start the season with the AHL affiliate of the Rangers, the Hartford Wolfpack. Stepan instead shined throughout training camp and preseason, and earned a spot on the Rangers' opening night roster. In his NHL debut, Stepan scored a hat
New York Rangers Analysis
We've talked before about how the New York Rangers have never committed to a complete rebuild with their team, but instead have went down the path of what I like to call a "modified" rebuild by slowly infusing more youth into the lineup each year. In
New York Rangers Analysis
The whole purpose of the Traverse City Prospects tournament is for the participating teams to get the chance to evaluate the prospects within their system and judge where they are in their development. Up until now we've heard a lot of good things about defenseman Tim Erixon after
New York Rangers Analysis
The New York Rangers will only go as far as Henrik Lundqvist can take them, and that's not changing anytime soon. However, the Swedish netminder will have more help this season than he's had in any other since beginning his NHL career back in 2005-06. The
New York Rangers Analysis
At this point it is safe to say that we have a good understanding of what rosters will look like when the puck drops for the start of the regular season. In the coming weeks there will almost certainly be a few players who get invited to training camps who
New York Rangers Analysis
Who will play left wing for the first line? Where will Mike Rupp fit? Will Carl Hagelin make the team? Should Michael Del Zotto make the team? Should the Rangers give playing time to Steve Eminger? All of these questions are burning topics in the Rangerverse. (I like to make
New York Rangers Analysis
Sorry for the lack of a post yesterday. My humble abode got the crap kicked out of it by Hurricane Irene, but we're up and running now after a night at my girlfriend's sister's house. Hope all of you made out OK as well.
New York Rangers Analysis
Yesterday, the official NHL website ran a story on the top-10 newcomers being counted on to make a difference. I'll give you one guess as to which New York Ranger made the list. Brad Richards, armed with a new nine-year contract, is obviously expected to make a tremendous
New York Rangers Analysis
When Chris Drury announced his retirement earlier today it brought with it flashbacks of the Markus Naslund situation. Naslund, who at the time had signed a two-year deal with the Rangers, made the decision to hang up the laces and call it a career; saving the New York Rangers precious