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| Rangers Report Card Dec. 30th |
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| Offense � B The revamped Rangers lineup has shown quite an improvement from the low scoring team from Rok4. The team has scored 47 goals through 24 games for an avg. of just under 2 goals per game. Not an amazing figure but above and beyond all expectations. The first line of Kovalchuk, Drury, and Marchant are leading the way. They have combined to 15 of the team�s goals. The offense is much more lethal this season as 19 different players have lit the lamp this season with at least one goal. A good offense is a diverse one. The team also introduced two new rookies who have shown a hot hand this season. Stephen Weiss and Vaclav Nedorost have played surprisingly well and fit in nicely on the third and fourth lines. The team has been ravaged by injuries. At the one quarter mark 9(!) players are sitting in the training room receiving treatment including team captain Mark Messier. The team has also gone to a more aggressive attacking style offense. This has led to the defense being left alone in their own end to fend for themselves, which has resulted in some uneven play by the defense. The grade for the offense should be lower because of the risky play some of the forwards have taken but with the injuries taking their toll, it is amazing the team has scored this many goals. Defense � C+ The Rangers defense was totally reworked prior to the start of Rok5. The team welcomed the additions of veterans Scott Stevens, Alexei Zhitnik, and Lubomir Sekeras. They have added much needed toughness and grit to a young Defense corps. The addition of these players has allowed the team to leave young Jordan Leopold on the farm to get acclimated to the faster pro game. The team has gone through some rough defensive lapses but has hung in under tremendous pressure at times from opposing offenses. The team needs to concentrate more on holding leads. Not allowing opponents to sneak back into games. The vets should know better than to pinch when up by one late in the game but it has happened one time too many. Leaving goalie Jose Theodore alone to face multiple odd man rushes. But overall, the unit is playing with confidence with the possible exception of young dman Jeff Jillson. He seems to have lost his way abit. The Rangers have recently asked former Ranger Ron Greschner to coach him after practices. Maybe Jeff is enjoying the Big Apple abit too much???? Let�s hope he gets back on his game and develops like we believe he can. Goaltending � A Simply put the stellar play of both Theodore and Konstantinov have resulted in keeping us in many games. They have been the solid backbone this team needs. Konstantinov has surprised many in the league posting a sub 2 GAA in his backup role. Teams have actually begun asking if he�s available. Jose Theodore has stood tall under the weight of his $4 mill per year deal signed over the summer. He has handled himself like a true professional and has never complained when left to fend off the odd man rushes the d seems to give up. Although he does let in the occasional soft goal which needs to be corrected if the team hopes to challenge for a playoff spot. Intangibles The Rangers have displayed a courage about them so far this season. Weathering the storm of injuries to stay in the hunt. This can only help as the team heals and becomes whole once again. They have learned to play out of position and to utilize teammates they otherwise would not have played with. Only time will tell if this will help them close on that elusive playoff berth. Biggest Surprise The play of Scott Stevens. Team leading +9 with 60 PIMS. He has thrown the body with ease night after night, clearing the net of unwanted predators. He has played like a 29 yr. old not the 39-yr. old that he is. He is the team leader in minutes played with 550. He has done it all and has worn the captains "C" in Mark Messiers absence to injury. Biggest Disappointment How can there be any disappointments when at the same point last year we had only won 1 game??��..The team is in the playoff hunt and that�s all that can be asked this soon in the rebuilding project. The farm is jam packed with talented youngsters learning under the tutelage of Coach Keith Meade. Only time will tell if they will all make an impact at the Garden. But the future looks bright to |