How do you feel about the signings of Brad Richards and Mike Rupp?
"Brad Richards was a needed sign. Rangers have not had a play making center since Nylander, granted Nylander played with Jagr and Straka, but a #1 center was definitely needed. Gaborik will benefit the most because they will most likely play on the same line. Richards will also help the PP since he can play the point. I think if he plays forward on the PP that will help more. Richards is an underrated defensive forward and defense is not looked at much in Hockey but Hank will like his back-check. Since the line he centers will get the most attention, Dubi, Double A, and Cally lines should thrive." -John Yun, South Korea *salute to the troops*
"I'm a little hesitant on the Richards signing primarily because of the length of it - we've seen how the DiPietro contract has worked out to date, so if it turns out to be a Very Bad Signing, that's a lot of dead weight cap space wise. That said, I think the Richards contract has more benefits than drawbacks overall. For Rupp, I think it was a solid move - its not overpriced considering the market this year, and having better depth in the back six is never a bad idea if it won't be a hardship. I am worried about his heart condition, but he's been dealing with it since 1998 (his entire professional career) so its probably a non-issue." - Dan Sweikata, Cincinnati OH
Well, my opinion on Richards is that coming off an injury bothers me a little bit. He still has some juice left in him but I really don't think he is the "saver" of obtaining the Stanley Cup this year. Although he will be a great asset and help out a lot but he is NOT the whole team - it is a group effort. However, I also think the he can help Gabby get out of slump and work well together. Time will tell." -Andrea Sherman, Ocean Township NJ
"I love the additions of Richards and Rupp. Richards fills the two most glaring needs (the third being a crease clearin D) as he is a true #1 play-making center, and powerplay QB. Rupp is a mean S.O.B who will add grit and chip in offensively, but I see our third line of Prust, Boyle, Rupp / Fedetenko as the best in the NHL. I'm excited about having a top line finally since the Nylander/Jagr/Straka days". -Dan Van Bomel, Bronx NY
How do you feel about the Rangers losing players like Matt Gilroy and Vinny Prospal?
"Matt Gilroy was, I felt, the odd man out but he should have gotten another chance to grow with the team. But remember, he was a forward until he got to college. Vinny Prospal should have stayed with us. His age did not show at all, his edge was amazing, he wanted to always get the job done. He really showed his true colors when he came back he got a goal in the first game when he came back he was all around a great player for our organization." Lauren Siggs, Plainview NY
"Both Vinny and Gilroy are, straight up, expendable. Vinny's career is coming to end and Gilroy just doesn't fit into the system now that Tim Erixon and MDZ may have a shot at cracking the 7 defensemen spots. We also cannot count out the up and coming Pavel Valentenko". Raymond Szypulski: Alexandria VA
"I am most excited about the Rangers playing in the Winter Classic. I have been waiting for them to get a chance in the NHL's showcase event since it's inception. I am also looking forward to the debut of Brad Rihcards and hopefully he can generate some great chemistry with Gaborik and get the offense going so they can win by more than one goal or a shoot out." Alex Lecza, Daytona Beach FL
"Matt Gilroy was, I felt, the odd man out but he should have gotten another chance to grow with the team. But remember, he was a forward until he got to college. Vinny Prospal should have stayed with us. His age did not show at all, his edge was amazing, he wanted to always get the job done. He really showed his true colors when he came back he got a goal in the first game when he came back he was all around a great player for our organization." Lauren Siggs, Plainview NY
"Both Vinny and Gilroy are, straight up, expendable. Vinny's career is coming to end and Gilroy just doesn't fit into the system now that Tim Erixon and MDZ may have a shot at cracking the 7 defensemen spots. We also cannot count out the up and coming Pavel Valentenko". Raymond Szypulski: Alexandria VA
"Prospal was/is a nice player, but his age is somewhat of a liabilty. Sad to see Gilroy go. He has good talent and looks to have good vision on the ice for a young defenseman". Avi Gombiner, Beacon NY
"I believe Gilroy was expendable. He never really lived up to expectations here, and he was an older rookie. I think sometimes people forget that. But I am going to miss Prospal in the lineup, he brought intensity to the ice on every shift and I'm sure he was a great leader in the locker room. He was also one of the Rangers bigger point producers, they will have to replace his production". -Tommy Martone, East Islip NY
"I believe Gilroy was expendable. He never really lived up to expectations here, and he was an older rookie. I think sometimes people forget that. But I am going to miss Prospal in the lineup, he brought intensity to the ice on every shift and I'm sure he was a great leader in the locker room. He was also one of the Rangers bigger point producers, they will have to replace his production". -Tommy Martone, East Islip NY
What are you most excited for about the upcoming season?
"I am most excited about the Rangers playing in the Winter Classic. I have been waiting for them to get a chance in the NHL's showcase event since it's inception. I am also looking forward to the debut of Brad Rihcards and hopefully he can generate some great chemistry with Gaborik and get the offense going so they can win by more than one goal or a shoot out." Alex Lecza, Daytona Beach FL"Who coach Tortorella is to put with Richards and Gaborik. Also to see if Henrik can win 30 games for the 8th season in a row. The Flyers are interesting with all the changes they have made. Seeing how the Jets do and if Crosby comes back to form". Joseph Ortiz, Bronx NY
"I'm excited to see the Flyers get lit up, I'm excited to exceed expectations, I'm excited for Gabby to be dangerous again, and I'm really really excited to see just how far we can ride this team into the Spring. 1994 was a generation ago". - Chayim Tauber, Rockland County NY
Do you think the home-grown guys will continue to build off of the promise they showed last season?"I'm excited to see the Flyers get lit up, I'm excited to exceed expectations, I'm excited for Gabby to be dangerous again, and I'm really really excited to see just how far we can ride this team into the Spring. 1994 was a generation ago". - Chayim Tauber, Rockland County NY
"Yes. Now that those players received their semi big-money contracts, progression from them, and particularly Dubinsky is crucial to the success of this team. Dubinsky has been plagued by inconsistency after starting hot every season. I think this is the year we will see more consistent production from Dubinsky, especially if he plays on the top line. It's also been nice to see him cool his temper a bit, and focus more on playing, leaving the fighting to the Prust's/Rupp's and Avery's of the world. As constructed, Dubinsky is too valuable for the team to lose for 5 minutes somewhat regularly. Ryan Callahan will be the same player he's always been. I'm honestly not expecting him to score at as high an 82 game clip as he did last season, but adding 20 goals, in addition to all he brings to the table, I would be more than thrilled". -Orlando Macchia, Nutley NJ
"They're gonna be a force to reckon with. Lundqvist will be more rested, hopefully we wont have as many injuries as before, Stepan will have an even better sophomore season. Just everyone will do well and build off of last season". -Muhammad Elbana, Marlboro NJ
"Most definitely. Those players have shown promise from the beginning and have grown ever since. They are really making names for themselves in the NHL and will continue to be the heart of this Rangers team". -Jon Zinter, Saratoga Springs NY
"Yeah". -Ashley Deliso, Brooklyn NY
How do you see the Rangers season playing out this year?
"I think the Rangers will definitely do better come play off time and not be struggling to both make it to the playoffs and stay in them. I think it's going to be a much more exciting season, more high scoring games, more physical play, etc". Blake Corrao, Marlboro NJ
"I see the Rangers starting a little slow simply due to Richards joining the team and the top line needing to find chemistry. Once that happens, I believe this team should finish somewhere in the 4-6 range for a seed. Right now, I'm being conservative as I still don't trust the youth we have on the blue line so I'm going to say they make it to the second round before bowing out. I'll consider that a successful year if the young players continue to mature and take steps forward." -Rob House, Northern VA
"Its really hard to say, the east is improving so much. Last season the Rangers had 93 points for 8th place, whereas that would have been good for 5th/6th. However, I do see them making the places for and as high as 4th place, more realistically 5th-6th. Probably 45-28-9 Right around 99 points the playoffs. Which would have been good for 6th place last season with 99 pts". -Jon Waxman, New Brunswick NJ
Overall, the mood of this team is an optimistic one, as it should be. People are more excited about this team since the days of Jaromir Jagr in the Garden. Let it be known once the puck drops, all of these Blueshirt Faithfuls will be glued to their television sets eagerly waiting to see how this season plays out.
A big thank you to all who participated and took the time out to answer my questions! I salute thee.
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