Definition of essential: Ryan Callahan

Definition of essential: Ryan Callahan

It’s always easier to write the Musings after a win. Last night was a huge relief to many Rangers fans so let’s talk about it.

John Moore: If Moore continues with performances like last night’s against the Capitals, then he could quickly go past Michael Del Zotto in the pecking order. A quick release, a good overall game and solid defensively, Moore still has a ton of upside to be explored. His skating is very good and his upside is exciting. You get the feeling he could prosper under Alain Vigneault.

Mats Zuccarello is a very good hockey player but he’s surely on shaky ground as a Ranger. Yes, the season is but six games old but he’s brought next to nothing to the table, and that’s despite being on a scoring line. He’s averaging close to 17 minutes a game which is plenty. He’s not even averaging a shot/game at this stage. If he’s not producing give a prospect those 17 minutes per game.

Ryan Callahan embarrassed the Capitals on his goal in front of Holtby. He should not be able to get to the net that easily.  That said, Callahan simply has a knack around the net. He is the lifeblood of this forward unit in so many ways.

Yesterday I wrote about Dan Girardi and mentioned Henrik Lundqvist as the two key Rangers heading into the Caps game. Girardi turned in by far his most impressive performance of the season and Lundqvist was very sharp and was the security blanket it for his defense. When those two are on their games the Rangers are never out of a game.

Jersey and Philly are up next. All of a sudden there is a legitimate chance to enter the final game of the 9 game road trip at (at Detroit)  with a .500 record – pretty sure every Rangers fan would be delighted with that outcome.

If the Rangers can control the puck regularly like they did at times against the Capitals, and have Rick Nash/Carl Hagelin to return, this team still has a ton of promise despite the ugly start to the year.

You think Henrik Lundqvist has got into the heads of the Capital’s players?

It’s time to let Jesper Fast get some real ice time with the Wolfpack. Eight minutes a game is not going to help his development at all. He had the least of all Rangers players last night. Rather bring up a guy whose development won’t rely on a minor role. Fast has too much talent to be stuck to the bench.

Derek Dorsett didn’t take a penalty?

You get the sense that Derick Brassard is not quite there yet, but is very close to finding his form. He did some good things against the Caps and played some big minutes in a tough, tight game. If the Rangers can get Brassard, Stepan and Richards all firing at the same time that would be a huge step toward a successful season.

Best news of the week so far: Carl Hagelin has been cleared for contact. Another reason why Jesper Fast will be in the AHL very soon. Worth remembering for Fast is that Hagelin will now be taking up a bigger role in practice, so there’s no upside right now in having Fast with the big club.

I would rather a raw Andrew Yogan than Taylor Pyatt at this stage. Give a big aggressive kid like Yogan ten minutes a night instead of a guy with no future on this franchise. No one can say Pyatt’s experience is a defining factor so why not roll the dice in a non-critical roster spot?

Question Time:

  • What changes would you make (if any) ahead of the Devils game Saturday?
  • Who is in bigger danger of losing their roster spot: Zuccarello, Pyatt or Pouliot?
  • When do you give Talbot his first NHL start?
  • When fit, would you put MDZ back ahead of John Moore on the depth chart or run with Moore?

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