NY Rangers - Line Up

The New York Rangers have become regulars in the Stanley Cup Playoffs again, something that wasn't the case despite high payrolls before the salary-cap era. John Tortorella is gone to the Vancouver Canucks, and Alain Vigneault has arrived in what essentially became a swap of coaches. Brad Richards is still here after much speculation his contract might be bought out. After a pair of major trades with the Columbus Blue Jackets last season, most of the Rangers team that reached the second round before being brushed aside by the Boston Bruins returns. Ryane Clowe proved to be a rental, moving across the river to the New Jersey Devils. The Rangers focused on remaking the depth of the roster in the offseason, adding free agents Benoit Pouliot and Dominic Moore up front, and a series of transactions brought Justin Falk, Aaron Johnson and Danny Syvret to replace Steve Eminger and Roman Hamrlik on defense. This is one of the best rosters in the Eastern Conference, especially if Richards manages a better season with a new coaching staff. How the team plays for Vigneault could be the difference between challenging for a division title and being considered a Stanley Cup contender and just trying to get into the playoffs, like the Rangers did a year ago. Hagelin and Callahan could miss time at the start of the season, and Stepan remains a restricted free agent. Add that to a new coaching staff and there is plenty of uncertainty how the Rangers will be aligned up front. Zuccarello could see time in the top six, and J.T. Miller could make the team during training camp if any of those other three aren't ready for opening night. The defense looks more stable at this point. Staal should be ready after an eye injury last season, and Falk might prove to be a sneaky acquisition. There likely was some bad luck in his performance for the Minnesota Wild last season, but he might need an injury to someone to see regular playing time. Johnson has a one-way contract, and the Rangers could keep eight defensemen, but he could end up in the American Hockey League without penalty against the salary cap. It will be an interesting season for Lundqvist, in part because the Rangers aren't likely to play as protectively in front of him, and because this is the final year of his contract.

In: C Dominic Moore, LW Benoit Pouliot, D Justin Falk, D Aaron Johnson, D Danny Syvret, RW Danny Kristo
Out: LW Ryane Clowe, C Kris Newbury, D Matt Gilroy, RW Christian Thomas
UFAs: D Steve Eminger, D Roman Hamrlik, D Michael Sauer
Prospects: RW Danny Kristo, LW Marek Hrivik

Here is the projected 2013-14 lineup for the Rangers:

Forwards

Carl Hagelin - Derek Stepan - Rick Nash
Chris Kreider - Derick Brassard - Ryan Callahan
Mats Zuccarello - Brad Richards - Brian Boyle
Benoit Pouliot - Dominic Moore - Derek Dorsett
Taylor Pyatt - Aaron Asham

Defensemen

Ryan McDonagh - Dan Girardi
Marc Staal - Anton Stralman
Michael Del Zotto - John Moore
Justin Falk

Goalies

Henrik Lundqvist Martin Biron