So How Did They Do?

Yes it was only one game but when you have a very short time frame to make an impression on the coach then anyone in the lineup for the New York Rangers on Tuesday night needed to come right out smoking. If reports are to be believed then 24 are expected to be cut after tomorrow's game against the New Jersey Devils.

We are not going to bother talking about the returning veterans as their jobs are basically set. Instead we will talk about the prospects and those from Hartford since they are the ones who are really fighting for jobs. In that case expect Evgeny Grachev to earn himself an extended stay with the Rangers as of all the players; Grachev in our eyes was the best Ranger out there at both ends of the ice.

If Grachev does earn a spot on the opening night roster then we suggest that here is one of the Ranger penalty killers. Grachev never gets enough credit for his play in the defensive zone but there he was staying in position, not getting caught flat footed or not afraid to use his body.

Torts appears to agree with us as Grachev was out there on the PK using his size, strength and skill to his advantage. You had to love his skating out there as that used to be one of his weak areas but we liked how he went to the net on offense.