We’re (finally) just one day away from training camp! There will be a whole lot of real Ranger news coming up, but since we’ve exhausted pretty much every type of camp preview imaginable this summer – allow me just one more random post before the action kicks into high gear.
What would happen if you were to pit the 2014 New York Rangers against the best lineup of former Blueshirts still currently playing in the NHL?
Here’s my take on the best hypothetical roster of ex-Rangers that takes into account positions and logical scoring and checking lines:
Forwards
Pascal Dupuis/Brandon Dubinsky/Marian Gaborik
Benoit Pouliot/Brad Richards/Jaromir Jagr
Chris Higgins/Artem Anisimov/Ryan Callahan
Lauri Korpikoski/Brian Boyle/Brandon Prust
Extras: Olli Jokinen, Ryane Clowe, P.A. Parenteau, John Mitchell, Derek Dorsett, Matt Cullen, Manny Malhotra, Jeff Halpern, Dale Weise, Dan Carcillo, Colton Orr, John Scott, Mike Rupp, Raek Dvorak and Scott Gomez
Defensemen
Anton Stralman-Fedor Tyutin
Michal Rozsival-Derek Morris
Tim Erixon-Raphael Diaz
Extras: Michael Del Zotto, Justin Falk, Corey Potter, Steve Eminger, Bobby Sanguinetti, Stu Bickel!
Goalies
Chad Johnson
Al Montoya
Extras: Jason LaBarbera
And yes, for all those wondering, this faux roster would indeed fit under the salary cap, with a payroll just under $61 million (including the $2.75 million the unsigned but not yet retired Derek Morris earned last year).
So how does that faux roster stack up against what could be New York’s opening night lineup?
Chris Kreider/Derek Stepan/Rick Nash
Carl Hagelin/Derick Brassard/Marty St. Louis
Lee Stempniak/J.T. Miller/Mats Zuccarello
Jesper Fast/Dominic Moore/Matt Lombardi
Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Marc Staal-Dan Boyle
John Moore-Kevin Klein
Henrik Lundqvist
Cam Talbot
The faux Rangers look pretty deep at forward, but their blueline group and goaltending would be blown away by the real Blueshirts. In a best-of-seven series, the faux Rangers would be lucky to steal a game.