The Rangers Tribune Applicattion Paper

            The New York Rangers 2011-12 season was an emotional roller coaster for the fans of the Boys in Blue. They came into the season with a fresh new face in veteran forward Brad Richards who, along with third year sniper Marian Gaborik, was expected to produce more offense for a team that was buoyed by goaltender Henrik Lundqvist for the past few seasons. That much was expected, but it’s safe to say not many people were expecting the kind of success that would ensue in the months following the signing of Richards.

            Derek Boogaard was a fan favorite in the Big Apple. He was not an offensive force, but nobody took liberties with the Rangers, because they knew they would have to answer to him. On May 13, he was suddenly gone. He was found dead due to a fatal combination of painkillers and alcohol. The fans lost a favorite player, and the team lost a teammate, and a friend. It was a tough time for the organization, and they wore his number 94 on the back of their helmets this season as tribute.

            The season started out awful, with no wins on the team’s season opening European tour (part of NHL Premiere). They then played a game at the Nassau Coliseum against the hated New York Islanders. They lost the game, and then boarded a flight to Vancouver, where they won their first game of the season (a 4-0 shutout of the Canucks).

            The Rangers had great success throughout the regular season. Highlights included a come-from-behind win over the Philadelphia Flyers in the Winter Classic, three players representing the team in the All-Star festivities in Ottawa (Lundqvist, Gaborik, and defenseman Dan Girardi), a first place finish in the NHL’s Eastern Conference, making it to the third round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, and Lundqvist winning the Vezina Trophy for best goaltender.

            As stated in the previous paragraph, the Rangers finished in first in the East, meaning they faced the eighth seeded Ottawa Senators in the first round. The Blueshirts fell behind 3-2 in the series, but won two straight games, including a 2-1 game 7 thriller, to advance to the next round against the Washington Capitals (who eliminated the defending champion Boston Bruins).

            The Rangers took game one of the series, with Chris Kreider (signed before the playoffs started) again stunning viewers with his slap shot goal. The series was back and forth, with each team alternating wins. The Rangers took game 7 (again by a score of 2-1), which set up a match with the hated New Jersey Devils.

            The Rangers again started their series of strong, with a 3-0 shutout victory at Madison Square Garden. The Devs took game two, and then the Rangers pulled out another 3-0 win in game three, this time in Newark. Despite being up in the series two games to one, the Rangers lost to the cross-river foes. The Devils took the next three games, and capped off the series with an OT goal by rookie Adam Henrique in game 6 to send the Rangers home, and the New Jersey based team to the Stanley Cup Finals.

            Rangers GM Glen Sather made some impressive moves in the off-season. One key piece of the team, power forward Brandon Prust, left due to the fact that he wanted more then the team was willing to pay him, but Sather replaced him (at least the toughness part) by stealing Michael Haley from the Isles. None of the moves that Sather made could compare to grabbing the biggest name on the trading block. One July 23^rd, Sather shipped Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, Tim Erixon, and a draft pick to the Columbus Blue Jackets for power forward Rick Nash, and Steve Delilsle. The Rangers are looking to add Phoenix captain Shane Doan via free agency, which would add more talent to a roster that is already holding the “team to beat” name.

            I am expecting nothing short of a Stanley Cup Finals berth for the Rangers in 2012-13. They made it to the conference finals this past year, but will only be better this time around. Even without Rick Nash, the Rangers would be a better team. Player would have more experience, and a majority of the roster is just now entering their prime. Not to mention players like Kreider, Stepan, and McDonagh already have people knowing that they are future stars in the league.

            With the addition of Nash, the Rangers seem to be the favorites, barring injuries, for the need to plan a victory parade come June. He should nicely address the team’s need for a more physical presence down low, and he can bring some life to an offense that was bone-dry in the postseason.