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Rangers Make Changes, Is Holik Next?
By Rob Abruzzese on February 17th, 2008 1:30 PM |
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After a five day vacation the Rangers went back to work yesterday and had a triumphant 5-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.
Brendan Shanahan returned to the lineup and scored a goal after sitting the previous five games to rest his knee, hip, and hamstring. During the game he skated on a line with Scott Gomez and Nigel Dawes.
With Gomez skating on Shanahan’s line Brandon Dubinsky was moved up to the first line with Jaromir Jagr and Sean Avery. This is a move that paid off big time. Dubinsky has improved his overall game in a big way since he was last on a line with Jagr. Dubinsky lead the charge against the Sabres with a goal and a pair of assists, but the change energized everyone as Avery scored a pair of goals and Jagr chipped in with a couple of assists.
Jagr is still stuck on 15 goals and has not scored one in the last 10 games. If he does not pick one up soon the Rangers may make a move for his former Ranger line-mate Bobby Holik. While playing 31 games together in 03/04 Jagr had 29 points and Holik had 22.
Holik is in the final year of his contract and may be available as a rental player. The only catch is Atlanta, despite being tied for 10th place in the league, is actually in a playoff race in the putrid Southeast division.
If the Rangers were able to put together a package for the hard hitting centerman he could be a great match for Jagr again. Jagr’s shot may not be what it used to be, but that doesn’t mean it is downright terrible. Maybe with another Avery type player on the ice, only with a pair of working wrists, Jagr can get some room to maneuver and score some goals.
With Petr Prucha still sitting with a sore shoulder the third-line was made up of Martin Straka, Chris Drury, and Ryan Callahan. That line has some speed and was able to put it together for a goal Saturday afternoon.
The lines have been shaken up a lot this season. It seems that everytime it happens the Rangers respond positively and come out with a big game like the game in Buffalo. Don’t expect the lines to be dramatically shifted again anytime soon though, Tom Renney has expressed an interest in locking in a set of lines for the playoffs. So hopefully the Rangers don’t turn back into pumpkins next week.
Henrik Lundqvist played in his first game since signing a rich extension Saturday afternoon. He faced 30 shots and allowed just one goal. Hopefully this is a sign that he has put his struggles behind him. It was Lundqvist’s third consecutive victory on the road which is his longest streak since he won five in a row from November 14 to December 1.
Rob Abruzzese’s articles can also be read In The Dirt.
There are currently 4 responses to “Rangers Make Changes, Is Holik Next?”
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Who does Holik replace? Duby goes to the 4th line?? Drury moves to wing? I don’t like either move. I fear as far as Jagr goes, it’s either up to him to work with who he lines up with, or get traded…
I suppose the best option would be to move Drury to the wing. You are right though, Jagr has to pull his own weight. If Sather just refuses to trade Jagr then I wouldn’t exactly hate bringing in Holik, but I would rather go after somebody else.
Thanks for the feedback, Rob. One thing I forgot to write though is I think a large reason why the Rangers have not done as well as expected has been chemistry and finding the right fit. Adding 2 topline centers will do that, not a great excuse, but understandable, right? If it is possible (and hopefully probable) that they are gelling and finally playing up to expectations now, do we upset the cart now??
I believe the article eluded to removing Avery from the top line, saying that perhaps Holik could protect Jagr and also give him better looks. It makes sense, because he is getting marked up every game. Just think about the Boston series and how Jagr had a tumor the size and shape of Zedeno Charra on his back the whole time. Plus he’s another Czech and he was a Ranger. Although I think if you’re going to bring in a Flame, you gotta get the Hossa brothers together.