In The Hockey News pre-season predictions they put the Rangers at #7…
One of the best defensive teams in the NHL last season backed by one of the game’s elite goalies in Henrik Lundqvist, the young blueline led by Marc Staal and Dan Girardi will take another step forward in 2011-12. The area the Rangers needed improvement on was offense and that was addressed by adding the summer’s top free agent, playmaking center Brad Richards. How much will Richards help the Blueshirts? Well, he doesn’t automatically make them a powerhouse, but the thought of him alongside sniper Marian Gaborik is tantalizing. The Rangers can’t be worse after improving their greatest need, but also won’t jump too far ahead of where they were a year ago.
…i know a lot of you are thinking that the acquisition of Richards automatically puts the Rangers in the top 4 in the East, but I’m with The Hockey News here. I don’t see too big of a jump for the Rangers. I say best case scenario would be the #6 seed.
The Hockey News also feels that Richards and Tortorella’s return to Tampa with the Rangers on December 3rd is a Top 10 game to watch this season.
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