Despite this meant to be a time for an AHL review, I felt compelled to discuss the injury situation and found plenty of reason for optimism.

Losing Brandon Dubinsky is a massive kick in the nuts to the Rangers and losing Ruslan Fedotenko the same evening is like being speared in the crown jewels from Dan Carcillo. However, these injuries, despite being disappointing provide a glimpse into the Rangers current depth as well as provide opportunity for talented kids like Chad Kolarik and Brodie Dupont.

The first thing the injuries do is allow Rangers fans to appreciate the great timing of Wojtek Wolski’s arrival and the excellent beginning to his Rangers career. Despite being disappointing in Phoenix, Wolski has played pretty well offensively in NY and has gone to the net regularly. He has displayed his obvious skill and with the injuries he should get an opportunity to take his recent momentum and carry it forward. While Roszival was a spare part at the end of his Rangers tenure, Wolski has a chance now, to be a huge factor on the roster. So far (not just cap wise) it’s another great trade by Glen Sather.

Then there are the kids. Mats Zuccarello and Derek Stepan have been on a role recently and have absolutely justified their roles on the team. If the Rangers can play ‘just’ .500 hockey while Callahan and company are out, then one of these prospects may have propelled themselves into the thick of the Calder race. Zuccarello harasses the puck and has proven he is NHL ready, faster than many people thought he would. Ditto for Stepan. We’ll now see what kind of responsibility they are able to carry.

Dale Weise now has an opportunity to take advantage of his fortunate scenario. Benched prior to the injuries and likely headed back to the AHL, Weise may now even be in the situation of getting increased minutes which he has the size and relative ability to take advantage of. Weise needs to play simple and just play as absolutely hard as he can. The 3rd or 4th line, where he’ll likely reside, needs to be physically imposing and he can definitely add to that. He has an opportunity now that he wasn’t likely to have so he needs to use it.

In this situation a big compliment also needs to go to the organisation’s staff. Acknowledging that he is in constant dialogue with the AHL team’s staff (Ken Gernander etc), Tortorella decided to recall the deserving Kolarik and the mentally and physically mature Dupont ahead of the likes of Grachev. Showing that the Rangers really don’t intend on placing talents in positions they aren’t ready for. Grachev clearly isn’t ready but has begun to show some consistency in Connecticut recently. If anything the call ups will give him even more ice time in the AHL and give him the opportunity to truly kick on in his development. The AHL is the best place for him right now and these injuries stand to benefit him, even if he isn’t in the NHL.

The Lines for the forthcoming road trip could be anything but you have to be pleased with the depth despite the injuries. The presence of Wolski (a former 65 point player), Avery, Stepan, Gaborik (obviously), Anisimov as well as Brian Boyle, Prust and Drury show that the Blueshirts still have a solid top 9 even with a host of injuries. If Wolski and Gaborik can lead this club offensively over the next few games the Rangers have a chance to remain in a solid state while they get healthy.

And all this is without even considering Henrik Lundqvist’s peak form and presence….. Yes the situation may not be ideal, but hey, it’s not so bad either. Nothing’s lost just yet.

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