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Post by Declan on Aug 12, 2009 9:55:06 GMT -5
What do you think are the chances this guy is a regular and a contributor this year?
I actually think it’s a distinct possibility provided they have the cap room. If they need to cut $1 million by opening night, he’d be an easy one to cut, as of now.
But what if he has a good camp? It sure looked like John Tortorella liked him when Voros, after sitting and sitting, got a shot in the playoffs against Washington. We’ve heard he has a relationship with Marian Gaborik, his one-time linemate in Minnesota. And he really seems to be a decent guy. Plus, it can’t hurt that he was willing to fight even against opponents who wiped him out last season. That takes a level of courage (some might call it stupidity).
Voros had a good start last season, and maybe too much was expected as “the poor man’s Sean Avery.” But on a fourth line with Donald Brashear? Maybe it could happen. rangers.lohudblogs.com/2009/08/12/since-you-brought-it-up |
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Post by dbmaven on Aug 12, 2009 10:21:40 GMT -5
So much depends on what Torts is looking for in each of his forward lines - and the performance of "prospects" and AHL level guys who are going to get a shot.
For example, if Grachev is invited to camp, blows the doors off and impresses everyone, and makes the roster - who does that push out ?
If you accept the following as almost certain roster players:
Gaborik - Drury - Avery - Kotalik - Callahan - Higgins - Brashear - Boyle - Dubinsky (presuming he gets signed)
then you've got 3 slots plus one for a healthy scratch (if they decide to carry an extra).
For those 4 slots, you have a group of at least these to choose from:
Anisimov - Arnason - Ambuhl - Byers - Grachev - Lisin - Parenteau - Rissmiller - Voros
plus maybe even a few others.
Most people (as I do) expect Anisimov to make the team, and Byers seems to be a popular choice with Boyle and Brashear as the "New Killer Bs" 4th line. Of those remaining, it boils down to what role Torts sees as a need, and who can best fill it.
He's been working out at the Practice Facility, and as can be seen in the video (posted yesterday) at the Rangers home page - has taken the "fitness/conditioning" thing to heart. So it's clear that he's going to give it his all - which is really all anyone can ask.
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Post by Declan on Aug 12, 2009 10:55:22 GMT -5
If you accept the following as almost certain roster players: Gaborik - Drury - Avery - Kotalik - Callahan - Higgins - Brashear - Boyle - Dubinsky (presuming he gets signed) then you've got 3 slots plus one for a healthy scratch (if they decide to carry an extra). I agree that those players are all pretty much guaranteed to be in the lineup on opening night. Like you said we'll have to wait and see what the two highly touted Russians (Anisimov & Grachev) do in training camp. Anisimov has to be considered likely to make the team. I've read reports saying that Grachev has been overrated by the Rangers & their fans and may not be ready to play in the NHL yet. |
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Post by dbmaven on Aug 14, 2009 10:03:05 GMT -5
I don't know that Grachev is overrated - but I'll agree that he's probably not really NHL ready.
Whether his development is best served at the OHL or AHL level is probably the real debate, and you could probably make a good case either way.
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