New York Rangers: How we got to where we are

If we look at the New York Rangers roster since the start of the season we have seen the likes of Ferriero, Bickel, Eminger, Newbury, Segal, and Kreider. All are now either riding the pine or the bus back to Connecticut. With all these move with the Rangers squad, I feel, has finally settled into a roster that Tortorella is confident with. <br /><br />The Rangers have been experimenting with a lot of different lines and have made many roster moves to see what will chalk up wins in the W column. Here is a look into the major events that brought about experimenting by the Rangers organization:<br /><br />Kreider a scratch &#038; acquisition of Ferriero on January 24th: <br />This brought about the experimentation with Kris Newbury. Unfortunately he had to run along side converted defenseman Stu Bickel. Although Newbury has the experience, it did not go well for him and he was left out of the lineup for the new contest. This was also the day that the Rangers acquired Benn Ferriero from the Penguins for Chad Kolarik. <br /><br />Benn Ferriero makes Ranger debut on January 26th:<br />After finding out Kreider is out with and ankle injury and the failed Newbury experiment, Tort's slotted in Ferriero with the third line of Brian Boyle and Carl Hagelin. Ferriero, along side Hagelin, skated very well and earned the right to play a few more games. <br /><br />Ranger sign Jason Arnott on January 26th: <br />Psych. A failed physical void a 1.6 million dollar deal that would have brought Arnott to the Big Apple. <br /><br /><br />Kreider was suppoed to be the guy that was to give the lower end of the lineup some stability but with his injury the Rangers had to look elsewhere to round out the 3rd and 4th line. I think everyone knew that Ferriero was not the guy to fill that void. He would do well for the short term, but was a mere bandaid covering a gaping void that would be exposed in the future. <br /><br /><br />Ryan Callahan out 10-14 days with shoulder injury on January 29th:<br />This expedited the Rangers finding a solution to the lower part of there lineup. This led to sliding Bickel in at forward and giving Gilroy the nod as the 6th blueliner. A Rangers lineup without their captain and shot blocking king would not hold which is why a few days later the Rangers dealt Rupper to the Wild. <br /><br />Mike Rupp trader to Wild for Powe and Palmeri on February 4th:<br />This trade was, in many peoples eyes, ideal. This brought in younger talent and rid the Rangers of a pricy Mike Rupp. While Palmeri headed straight to the AHL, Powe was able to fit into the NHL lineup and provide the desperate stability to the bottom 6 forwards. <br /><br /><br />Callahan's injury, in conjunction with the under performance of Stepan and Hagelin, was bad and exposed the Rangers lack of forward depth. The trade of Rupp, however, brought about the recalling of JT Miller. <br /><br /><br />JT Miller makes debut on February 5th:<br />In the wake of JT Miller's Ranger debut, Chris Kreider makes his return and skates along side each other. These two face brought about the scratch of Ferriero (and Callahan: shoulder injury). The question was then made: who stays when the "C" returns. <br /><br />Brian Boyle scratch February 7th:<br />The answer to that question is neither Miller or Kreider but Boyle. Unfortunately for Boyle, JT Miller notched his first goal of his Ranger career shortly followed by his second in the next period. I think it was safe to say that after seeing Miller skate in this contest, he was worth a long hard look at in the NHL. The question now: Boyle or Kreider. <br /><br />Boyle returns on February 14th:<br />Brian Boyle came out in this contest flying. It was obvious that he was looking to prove something. Brian Boyle and Carl Hagelin skated nearly flawless and created multiple scoring chances in their SO loss to the Atlantic Division and New York rival the New York Islanders. The question now: what to do with Kreider.<br /><br />Kreider sent down to AHL on February 15th:<br />After the brilliant skating display by Boyle in his return, it was JT Miller or Chris Kreider who would be sent down to the Whale in Connecticut. Tortorella and the Rangers thought that JT Miller was the choice to remain in the NHL lineup. Do not be too worried about Kreider though, if someone falls to injury we have him to slide in. Kreider is gone but will be back in the future. <br /><br /><br />This has brought us to where we are now and I am very confident that the Rangers will start stringing some wins together. The moves that GM Glen Sather has made seem to have created a lineup that should be able to win games and more importantly challenge for a Cup. <br /><br />Here is the lineup that the Rangers will now have:<br /><br />Forwards:<br />Hagelin - Stepan - Nash<br />Gaborik - Richards - Callahan<br />Miller - Boyle - Pyatt<br />Asham - Halpern - Powern<br /><br />Defensemen:<br />McDonagh - Girardi <br />Staal - Stralman<br />Del Zotto - Gilroy<br /><br />Now that we have the forward situation solved momentarily, it would be nice if the Rangers could land another defensemen and secure the lineup as a whole. I think looking at the lineup above the Rangers are more than capable to contend for the Cup. Last year was a successful year because of the production from the third line. This year should be no different; I am very confident that Miller-Boyle-Pyatt can provide the scoring that a third line should have. They were expected to be in the mix and now they have the power to do so.<br /><br />by Jared