Rangers Younger Player Performance Reviews @ 19 Games

November 13, 2009 | Posted by Leslie Treff

Okay, I’ll admit that 19 games seems like a strange number after which to do performance reviews, but patterns have certainly emerged, so I decided that now is as good a time as any.

First, the parameters. Only the players through age 26 are included. While this too may sound totally arbitrary, in fact, its the age until which Hockey’s Future covers players that are former collegians and those drafted out of Europe. So, when I began this blog, that is the age I decided to use for NHL coverage. It may change at some point, but for now, 12 players on the Rangers roster during the 2009-10 season will be included in the evaluation.

Second, before I start, I want to let you know how I determined the rating letters. The evaluation in the letter is based upon how the player has performed compared to expectations when the season began (meaning prior to the October 2nd game against Pittsburgh).

Finally, a quick note that PA Parenteau was recalled this morning and Dane Byers returned to Hartford. Neither Parenteau nor Byers has really played with the Rangers enough to evaluate in depth (or give a rating to), but I will start with a quick mention of them. The rest of the players will be discussed alphabetically.

PA Parenteau, LW, Age 26

Parenteau, who was second overall in scoring in the AHL this season, has only appeared in two games for the NHL team this season. He will suit up for his third contest tomorrow afternoon against Ottawa. There is no question that Parenteau has the hands and offensive instincts to be in the NHL. But his skating is only fair at best, which, when combined with bad decision-making makes him a borderline NHLer. So, I don’t see Parenteau being a Rich Peverley or an Andrew Brunette, if only because his decisions on the ice are so questionable. Remember, this is not a 21 or 22 year-old, or even a 25 year-old in his first year as a professional; its his seventh season as a professional.

Dane Byers, LW, Age 23

Byers looked good in three of the five games in which he played for the Blueshirts this season. But the past two games, he has not played well and he just doesn’t have Parenteau’s upside, which is what the Rangers need right now. Basically, Byers looks to be a third to fourth line grinder with some offensive upside, but not a top six forward, which is what the Rangers projected him to be when they drafted him (before Byers showed some unexpected offensive abilities three seasons ago). His overall performance was okay, and he should see more time in a Rangers uniform before the end of the season.

Artem Anisimov, C, Age 21, Rating: B

Anisimov was a top scorer in the AHL last season, and was expected to carry some of that offensive prowess into the NHL this season. He was also known as an excellent two-way player, who could be used in all situations. It was not surprising that Anisimov did start slowly, which was not helped by the fact that his ice time was limited and the minutes he did get were bottom six. It is only in the last six games that Artie has been on the ice for more than ten minutes a game on any consistent basis. The problem is that he still does not play on a consistent basis for 60 minutes. There is no question that Anisimov is still adjusting and learning, but, despite the fact that he is in his third professional season, he is still only 21 years old. With the injuries to Chris Drury and Brandon Dubinsky, Anisimov is expected to get a lot more opportunities. If he can contribute on a more consistent basis during this time, Anisimov will make it alot harder for Head Coach John Tortorella to send him back to the third or fourth line when the team is healthy. But even if he does not, Anisimov will get better and better as time goes on, and will be a top six player in the NHL.

Brian Boyle, C, Age 24, Rating: C-

Boyle has been a disappointment in this, his first, season as a Ranger. He was expected to center the fourth line, add size, some toughness and have a better offensive upside than that which was produced by last year’s fourth liners. However, that has not come to pass. Very poor on face offs, Boyle has not been very effective along the boards, nor has he shown much scoring ability.

Ryan Callahan, RW, Age 24, Rating: B-

Callahan deserved to be given an “A” for alternate captain before the season. Known for giving maximum effort every time he is on the ice, Callahan has been an example of hard work helping a player to exceed his skill level since he joined the Wolf Pack in his first professional season. Generally considered to have third-line player potential prior to last season,  Callahan’s half point per game production made many (including his head coach) feel that more might be possible from the young winger. What has happened since the beginning of the season though is that Callahan has performed in the manner originally expected. He is  a typical third line player in the new NHL–a grinder who can put up 30-40 points a season, a character player who is reliable at even strength and on the PK. As the season moves on, expect him to take on more of that role.

Brandon Dubinsky, C, Age: 23, Rating: C

Dubinsky began the season centering the first line, and for just a little over the first two weeks, the experiment looked like a success. He had 8 points in as many games, but from October 17th through last week, Dubinsky only managed two assists in nine and a half games, and it was clear that Dubinsky was not a first line center. He did contribute in other ways, killing penalties and taking the body, as well as making some plays, but the team had hoped that he would be the first line playmaker that Marian Gaborik and Vinnie Prospal needed to score at even strength. That did not come to pass, and as Dubi recovers from a broken bone in his wrist that he sustained while blocking a shot last week in the game against Calgary, where to play him is still an open question.

Christopher Higgins, LW, Age 26, Rating: C+

When the Rangers traded for Higgins, they were hoping that he would be a solid second line player, a little over a half point per game forward, who might even break out into more. What they have gotten instead is a player who makes some very intelligent plays that don’t show up on the scoresheet, but almost no offensive production. And although its great that he is a smart player, the Rangers needed secondary scoring that they counted on from Higgins. But Higgins has started to turn it around, and, if he can continue, it was make the Gomez trade with Montreal even sweeter for Rangers management.

Enver Lisin, RW, Age 23, Rating: B-

Originally, it was unclear whether Lisin would be a fourth line energy player or a top sixth forward. For the most part, he has played with skill players, and for the first month, he did well in that role.  But with no points in the last six games (despite getting good TOI and lots of opportunities), Lisin may be showing that he is not a top six forward. Time will tell, but unless he shows more consistency, Lisin may find himself relegated to the fourth line permanently.

Michael Del Zotto, D, Age 19, Rating A

Del Zotto is a legitimate early contender for the Calder Trophy for best rookie. Named Rookie of the Month by the NHL, and top candidate for the Calder by Hockey’s Future, Del Zotto has impressed everyone with his vision, passing skills, and confidence. His abilities on the power play are fun to watch as he is the first real quarterback the Rangers have seen in years. He is, however, still learning the defensive game, and often makes costly mistakes. Part of the problem is that his defensive partner Michal Rozsival has not played up to par and is often not there covering, and part is just Del Zotto’s lack of experience. There is plenty of time for him to learn the game though, and, although Del Zotto is not on the scoring tear that he was early in the season, he has been the most pleasant surprise on the Rangers this season.

Matt Gilroy, D, Age 25, Rating: B

With the rise of Del Zotto, folks forget that Gilroy was supposed to be the offensive wizard on the blueline this season. Although that has most definitely not come to pass, he has generally been a steady defensive presence on the blueline. Don’t get me wrong, he makes lots of mistakes, but, given how he looked in his own zone before the season, Gilroy has grown by leaps and bounds in this area. He regularly plays on the PK and generally does a more than adequate job. He is learning his trade, and doing it well, however, it’s not clear that he will be the offensive defenseman that he was touted to be. Gilroy is still adjusting to this level of play and its hard to know now what his career trajectory will be. What we do know is that he will be able to play defense at this level, and its something that was not clear two months ago.

Marc Staal, D, Age 22, Rating: C

Staal has always been a defensive blueliner and at each level, he has excelled at that.  For the past two seasons, Staal has been a pleasure to watch as he developed at the NHL level and became one of the top younger players at his craft. Not so this year, as Coach Tortorella has changed his duties. Under the current system, Staal has been asked to jump into the play more and become a complete two-way blueliner. As a result, Staal has abandoned what he does best and often misses assignments on the ice, fails to properly position himself, and makes some poor decisions that are out of character. What will happen long term is not yet clear–either Staal will adjust or the Rangers coaching staff will direct him back to what he does best–but watching him struggle on the ice right now is very sad.

Dan Girardi, D, Age 25, Rating: B-

At first I left Girardi off, my apologies. I think there was something Freudian about it, because he is the hardest to rate. The most extremes to his performance. He has shown off his good shot and gotten goals, and then completely disappeared in his own zone. Of late, however, he is playing well defensively, and in the final analysis, that is what is the most important. Points will come, but his defense must be reliable for Girardi to be a success.

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