Since then, the Rangers successfully made the playoffs, gained a three-games-to-one lead on the Capitals, and then quickly lost the next 3, seeing their playoff dreams collapse beneath them. Henrik Lundqvist did all he could in the series (despite being pulled in back-to-back games in favor of S. Valiquette), but his efforts could not make up for the deficiency in the Rangers offense. They could not score goals, and the Capitals played a faster, more passionate game than they did. In the end, had the Rangers had a more offensive team, they probably would have taken the series.
Now today, veteran winger Markus Naslund has announced his retirement from the NHL. At only 35 years of age, it would seem Naslund still has hockey left in him; however, this move has been seen as a class move by analysts, suggesting that Naslund is retiring to save the Rangers several million dollars next season. Regardless of the circumstances, my hat is off to one of the classiest and most talented players the NHL has seen.
Looking forward, the Rangers have lots of work to do this offseason, beginning in-house. For the 2009 offseason, the Rangers need to consider re-signing:
RFA: Nikolai Zherdev, Lauri Korpikoski, Fredrik Sjostrom, Brandon Dubinsky, Ryan Callahan.
UFA: Nik Antropov, Blair Betts, Colton Orr, Paul Mara, Stephen Valiquette, Derek Morris
Each player on that list made contributions to the club this past season, and each player can make an argument for being brought back.
I can't see the Rangers allowing the Summer to go by without signing Dubinsky and Callahan to long-term deals. I'm sure Sjostrom, Antropov, Betts, and Morris will be back, though I'm not sold on Zherdev, Mara, and Orr. The Rangers have some great defensive talent in the system, so I could understand Mara being let go (also, Matt Gilroy, captain of the NCAA Championship winning BU team, signed with the Rangers). Zherdev has not played well under Tortorella, and letting him go opens up space for a bigger name player to come in. Orr contributes as a grinder, but his spot could also be filled from within the organization.
As for big stars, I see the Rangers pursuing a high scoring winger. In my opinion, that's the piece they were missing this past playoff run. A player like Gaborik, though injury-prone, could be worth the money if signed to a short to mid-length deal. He's a prolific scorer when healthy, and he would undoubtedly make the players around him better.
Yes, it was an up-and-down season, but there were several good things to come out of it. Marc Staal, Dubinsky, and Callahan are all developing nicely as future NHL Stars. The penalty kill was incredible, though the powerplay was not. Lundqvist recorded his 4th straight 30 win season, the first time in NHL history for any goalie to start his career with 4 straight 30+ win seasons.
On the downside, Wade Redden and Michal Roszival did not live up to expectations, letting down Rangers fans everywhere and drawing the ire of crowds at every home game. Perhaps 2009-2010 will be better, and the duo looked better in the playoffs. The Rangers offense was among the very worst in the league. They won't survive another season by putting the entire team on the defense and Lundqvist's backs. Without a true scorer, you can bet next year will most likely be a playoff miss for the Blueshirts.
For now, the team will rest and relax; Sather will begin scoping out options for the offseason; and us fans will wait restlessly for signing day to come around. Until then, enjoy the playoffs.
Let's Go Rangers!
