Franson could be NY bound (Photo: Dale MacMillan/Getty Images)
Welcome to Thursday. It’s finally time for another Musings (not that fake musings Dave did yesterday. What a bum). The Rangers have been better the past couple games without being very good. With plenty to muse over, let’s do it for the final time before the festive season kicks in.
As you’ll have seen; rumours are abound that the Leafs are considering Michael Del Zotto and Cody Franson may come the other way. From the Leafs perspective it doesn’t make sense. You’re essentially swapping one expiring contract for the other but giving up a bigger more productive player who’s better on his feet without being a great defenseman. Seems like a lot of trust in Del Zotto’s ability to turn the corner in his career.
Rick Nash. Oh, Rick Nash where art thou? He was invisible in the Penguins game – a game where I had previously said he needed to make a statement. It’s as simple as this: the Rangers cannot be successful long term unless Nash and Henrik Lundqvist are on or near the top of their games. Right now neither is close, hence the current position in the standings.
I really dislike Dan Girardi’s game this season and I would love it if Alain Vigneault could eradicate his obsession with going to the ice so early. I think Girardi’s fall from grace – since his particularly strong season a few years ago – has been pretty distinct.
The Rangers continuing to tread water isn’t that much of a shock is it? No Staal, no Callahan, an awful Nash and an inconsistent Lundqvist. Four core guys, none of whom are contributing how their team need them to.
I don’t like his salary but I’d definitely want the Rangers to retain Derek Dorsett. This team is too vanilla as it is, and he’s one of the few players that effectively gets under the other team’s skin, plays physical and his effort can never be questioned. If he’ll take a team friendly deal he has to be kept.
So when did this team become soft? Can it be traced back to the Brandon Prust departure is that too easy to use as an excuse?
Consistency: Mats Zuccarello is getting more expensive by the game isn’t he? He’s continuing to contribute offensively, is by far the most productive forward on the power play unit and is slowly starting to finish better too. The Rangers are lucky to have him right now, he truly is one of just few bright lights in a very grey season so far.
If the Rangers had a better record right now and/or had more depth on the backend Anton Stralman would surely have had a game in the press box by now, no? Brutal recently.
I can’t help think about how nice Jaromir Jagr would look in Ranger blue right now.
The Rangers are spinning their wheels but there’s 47 games left in the season. A reason for optimism folks.
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