Gaborik has healthy debut

September 21, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

At least for one night, the Rangers got some encouraging news from their Big Ticket. Finally, Marian Gaborik suited up and looked healthy in his preseason MSG debut contributing a helper in the club’s 4-2 win over the Red Wings earlier tonight.

Wearing his trademark No.10, Gaborik displayed some of the skills that convinced Glen Sather to commit five years $37.5 million to the former Wild superstar. Indeed, the 27 year-old Slovak looked sharp skating freely without any groin issues that kept him out of the first four exhibition games. Playing on a top line centered by Vinny Prospal, who got the scoring started with a power play goal, Gaborik got plenty of ice-time (19:38) while getting five shots through.

His immense skills were on display when he neatly setup Enver Lisin with a no-look backhand cross-ice pass for the Blueshirts’ second power play goal. Rookie defenseman Bobby Sanguinetti added a secondary helper. Sanguinetti received over 15 minutes of ice-time playing mostly with Wade Redden, who at least was tolerable minus nightmarish partner Michal Rozsival.

The 21 year-old former first round pick is still in competition with Mike Del Zotto and camp invite Alexei Semenov for the sixth spot on the blueline. It was again the younger Del Zotto who got more time logging better than 21 minutes. At 19, the ability is there with the 2008 first rounder just missing springing Gaborik for a breakaway with a stretch pass. But the night wasn’t perfect as he did get caught on the Wings’ first goal leading to a two-on-one which talented youngster Ville Leino finished going high blocker on Henrik Lundqvist.

The problem for the Rangers is that Del Zotto is only 19. So, he can be kept with the club for nine games before the organization decides whether to send him back to London (OHL). If they don’t, they’ll be on the hook which will hurt a cap situation that sees them dangerously close to the $56.8 million limit. That’s why retaining both Del Zotto and Sanguinetti seems impossible unless Slats can dump Rozsival on someone.

Semenov, who has looked alright so far looks like he’ll stick. But is the Russian vet a top six guy? Probably not. The organization would be better served keeping him around as an extra between Hartford and New York. He’d have to pass thru waivers.

Also setting up a goal was another 19 year-old Evgeny Grachev, who hasn’t hurt himself in the least. The 2008 third round continues to impress with his size and skill also willing to outwork opponents with muscle as he did in taking a Wing off the puck before finding Ryan Callahan, who went to the forehand deke for his second this preseason. With Grachev, it probably makes more sense to send him down and let the kid develop. He’ll play much more.

Detroit vet Kirk Maltby sliced it to 3-2 one-timing a Justin Abdelkader pass upstairs on reliever Steve Valiquette, who was much sharper stopping 16 of 17. But the Rangers got the empty netter from another kid Artem Anisimov, who looks like he can be used in any situation. No question he should be on the team as should Lisin, who has demonstrated why they traded Lauri Korpikoski for him.

If both Russians are in, what about Aaron Voros, who had a whale of a game playing the kinda physical style needed to stay? He used his strength to draw a penalty and had a goal waved off. Voros also was visible every shift either throwing his weight around or even going to the net where former fan favorite Dan Cloutier didn’t care for it ready to go as he did in a classic whipping of Islander goalie Tommy Salo even challenging the entire bench. At the very least, Voros has earned his keep. He looks more fit and seems to have the right attitude.

With Brian Boyle finally coming on, what does John Tortorella do? It’ll be interesting. Pierre Parenteau also got another game playing over 13 minutes.

With just a pair of games left both against the Capitals, the Rangers will have some tough decisions to make going from 25 to either 21 or 22. They have to be pleased with what they’ve seen from the kids. Matt Gilroy continues to open eyes with his smooth skating able to jump into the attack at any moment while playing his position well. He just might be the best player they’ve had on the blueline since that No.2 guy.

Will he be ready for primetime when it all starts up for real? That’s one of the big questions for a few new faces who could leave plenty of egg on prognosticators who think our D stinks. By next year, it just might be a strength.

In the lone negative, Ales Kotalik took two more minors including another ill advised one in the offensive zone. He’s either going to be boom or bust. If he doesn’t finish, people will be wondering why Sather tied up $3 million over the next three years.