As I've done in the past, I graded each player based on expectations, performance all season long and performance when it counted. I am, admittedly, a tough grader. If you feel so inclined, you can refer back to the report cards for the last few seasons: '07-08, '08-09 and '09-10. Explanations are brief, if only because I already hit upon each player in the Facts of Life.By my math the grades worked out to a 1.85 GPA, which is between a C and a C- in my system but the overall grade was a C+ because the team was more than the sum of its parts at times. There were some great performances by a handful and there were great disappointments by a few more. A reminder that these guys are graded against themselves and their own limits, not against other players.
Forwards
#42 Artem Anisimov: Skilled to be sure but all too inconsistent. C
#16 Sean Avery: Sean wasn't Sean for too long. C-
#94 Derek Boogaard: Yes he scored that goal that time but he fought for no reason and got hurt. D
#22 Brian Boyle: Incredible start but goals dried up midway through. B-
#24 Ryan Callahan: Heart and grit, injured in the line of duty. A
#26 Erik Christensen: Mr. Softie the Backstabber? D
#23 Chris Drury: See the Sad Commentary. C-
#17 Brandon Dubinsky: Career numbers but should be so much better. B-
#39 Brodie Dupont: Wasn't given a real shot. Inc.
#19 Ruslan Fedotenko: Training camp invitee turned invaluable third liner. A-
#31 Alex Frolov: The wrap-around king was an all-around failure. F
#10 Marian Gaborik: Lackadaisical, lackluster and just plain lacking. D
#91 Evgeny Grachev: Showed he could skate and defend but pointless in eight games. D
#25 Chad Kolarik: Ice time was too limiting for a full assessment. Inc.
#45 Kris Newbury: Won some faceoffs and played bigger than his size. C
#20 Vinny Prospal: Vet proved his value when he finally returned. B
#8 Brandon Prust: Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award winner. A
#21 Derek Stepan: Accounted himself well for a rookie. B+
#32 Dale Weise: Dane Byers 2. D
#12 Todd White: Could be an A just for not being Brashear but no. F
#86 Jeremy Williams: Four minutes of ice time. Inc.
#86 Wojtek Wolski: Where was the guy who starred in Phoenix in the playoffs? D
#36 Mats Zuccarello: Skillful but still transitioning to North America. B-
Defensemen
#4 Michael Del Zotto: Utterly disappointed on both side of the ice. F
#44 Steve Eminger: Had a few good stretches of solid defense. C
#97 Matt Gilroy: Never took that next step. D
#5 Dan Girardi: Shot blocker extraordinaire. A
#28 Bryan McCabe: Power play actually got worse with him on it. F
#27 Ryan McDonagh: Midseason call-up showed he could play. B+
#33 Michal Rozsival: Injuries didn't help veteran get his game back. F
#38 Michael Sauer: Steady and dependable as a rookie. A
#18 Marc Staal: Overworked but still the best of the blueline. A
Goaltenders
#43 Marty Biron: Blew away expectations before getting hurt. B
#29 Chad Johnson: Not good that the coach didn't trust him. Again. INC
#30 Henrik Lundqvist: Vezina-caliber season with career-best .923 save %. A
ChatGPT
Title: New York Rangers' 2010-2011 Season Report Card: A Season of Progress and Promise
Introduction
The New York Rangers, one of the NHL's most storied franchises, embarked on the 2010-2011 season with high hopes and a renewed sense of purpose. After a series of offseason moves and a commitment to a youth movement, the Rangers aimed to build a competitive team that could contend for the Stanley Cup. This report card takes a detailed look at the team's performance during the 2010-2011 season, highlighting key players, key moments, and the overall progress made by the franchise.
Table of Contents
Introduction: A Season of High Expectations
Setting the Stage for 2010-2011
Roster Overview
Key Players and Acquisitions
Regular Season Performance
Highlights and Lowlights
Playoff Push
The Quest for the Stanley Cup
Key Moments and Turning Points
Highlight Reel Plays
Coaching and Leadership
The Role of Coach John Tortorella
The Youth Movement
The Emergence of Promising Young Stars
Conclusion: Building a Bright Future
The Promise of the Rangers
1. Introduction: A Season of High Expectations
Setting the Stage for 2010-2011
The Rangers entered the 2010-2011 season with high expectations, driven by a desire to reclaim their status as Stanley Cup contenders. The offseason saw significant changes to the roster, signaling a new direction for the franchise.
2. Roster Overview
Key Players and Acquisitions
The Rangers' roster featured a mix of seasoned veterans and promising young talent. Key players included Henrik Lundqvist, Marian Gaborik, and Ryan Callahan. The team also made strategic acquisitions to bolster their lineup.
3. Regular Season Performance
Highlights and Lowlights
The regular season was marked by impressive victories and moments of frustration. The Rangers showcased their defensive prowess but faced challenges in scoring goals consistently.
4. Playoff Push
The Quest for the Stanley Cup
The Rangers' playoff journey was marked by determination and resilience. They faced formidable opponents in the postseason, and their performance ignited hope among fans.
5. Key Moments and Turning Points
Highlight Reel Plays
The season featured memorable moments and highlight-reel plays that demonstrated the team's potential. These moments showcased the Rangers' skill and determination.
6. Coaching and Leadership
The Role of Coach John Tortorella
Coach John Tortorella played a pivotal role in shaping the team's identity and instilling a winning culture. His leadership and coaching strategies were essential to the Rangers' progress.
7. The Youth Movement
The Emergence of Promising Young Stars
One of the season's most significant storylines was the emergence of young talent like Derek Stepan, Michael Sauer, and Ryan McDonagh. These players represented the future of the franchise.
8. Conclusion: Building a Bright Future
The Promise of the Rangers
As the 2010-2011 season came to a close, the Rangers had much to be proud of. Their journey showcased the progress made and the promise of a bright future. While the Stanley Cup remained elusive that season, the foundation for future success had been laid.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What were the Rangers' strengths during the 2010-2011 season?
A1: The Rangers' strengths included their strong defensive play, the stellar goaltending of Henrik Lundqvist, and the emergence of promising young players.
Q2: What were the key acquisitions made by the Rangers during the offseason?
A2: The Rangers made key acquisitions like Alexander Frolov, Martin Biron, and Tim Erixon to strengthen their roster.
Q3: How did the Rangers fare in the playoffs during the 2010-2011 season?
A3: The Rangers made a playoff push but were ultimately eliminated in the first round by the Washington Capitals in five games.
Conclusion
The 2010-2011 season was a significant chapter in the New York Rangers' history, characterized by progress, promise, and the emergence of young stars. While the ultimate goal of a Stanley Cup eluded them that year, it set the stage for future successes and continued to fuel the passion of Rangers fans.
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