Welcome to the newly improved, revamped New Blue Review - one fan's take on the New York Rangers and the National Hockey League in general. After attempting to start this last year, I had a few personal things that got in the way of keeping up with it, but no more. This season, you will get a game preview and review for all 82 New York Rangers games and some other tidbits thrown in throughout the year. Even if you are not a Rangers fan, I encourage you to read, because you may find out that there are things about your team I actually respect and admire.
The Rangers season starts on October 9, and it will do so without many familiar faces. Joining Ryan Callahan in Tampa Bay are Anton Stralman and Brian Boyle, After a very surprising season which saw him mesh beautifully with Mats Zuccarello and Derick Brassard, Benoit Pouliot received a (what I feel is) ridiculous offer to jump to Edmonton. Derek Dorsett is now a Vancouver Canuck thanks to a draft day deal, Daniel Carcillo is on a Professional Tryout with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Brad Richards was bought out and is currently a Chicago Blackhawk.
New faces donning the Blueshirt this year are Dan Boyle, who comes to New York as a free agent after stops in Florida, Tampa Bay and most recently San Jose. Tanner Glass takes on the Dorsett/Carcillo role after doing so for Pittsburgh last year, Lee Stempniak also joins New York after his most recent stop in Pittsburgh. Matthew Lombardi returns from Europe to try and nail down a roster spot.
Unfortunately, the Rangers will be starting the season without projected first line center Derek Stepan. #21 suffered a broken leg and is out 4-6 weeks. Stepan has never missed a regular season game in his NHL/NYR career until now, and the only time has missed was in the playoffs last year after the Brandon Prust cheap shot that broke his jaw.
Of course, the King returns to his throne as Henrik Lundqvist will once again be the primary goaltender for the Rangers. After taking the team to the Stanley Cup Final last year, Lundqvist now knows what the biggest stage feels like and no doubt has a renewed focus to get there and take the "Final" step.
As the season opener draws closer, and the roster takes shape, I'll have more in depth reports.
Get your Blueshirts ready - it's almost time to take up residence in Rangerstown once again.
