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Arizona Coyotes 2015 Opponents: New York Rangers

By William Grigsby

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The Arizona Coyotes have a chance to see if the Yandle for Duclair trade was worth it.

Today we look at: New York Rangers

2014-15 record: 53-22-7, 1st in the Metropolitan. Lost in seven games to Tampa Bay in the Eastern Conference Finals

How the Arizona Coyotes did against the Rangers last season: 2 games, 0-2-0

Schedule this year against the Arizona Coyotes: Thur  10/22 at New York, Sat 11/7  Home

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Team Newcomers:  LW Viktor Stalberg, C Jarret Stoll, RW Emerson Etem, G Antti Raanta, D Keith Yandle for a full year.

Now Ex-Players: D Matt Hunwick, C James Sheppard, RW Martin St. Louis, LW Carl Hagelin, G Cam Talbot

Coached by: Alain Vigneault (3rd year)

Who’s in Net:

Henrik Lundqvist is so good they traded last year’s backup goalie Cam Talbot to Edmonton. They replaced him with Antti Raanta, who was not fond of being  in Chicago, and made that well known. Goaltending will be solid again.

Quick thoughts about the Rangers:

  • Their frustration of not winning it all has got to be getting to them. Two years ago they were dumped by the L.A. Kings in the finals, and then last year Tampa Bay did the same thing. Winning the President’s trophy was nice, but it’s not the Cup.
  • They are starting to age a bit, like other teams, with Rick Nash at 31 and Lundqvist 33. Losing Hagelin and Talbot may have messed with their team chemistry, hard to tell till the season gets under way.
  • They are trying to get on top and stay there, but time is starting to run out on them. It’s time to be put up or shut up.

Why the Rangers will win the Stanley Cup:

This team has talent and it all begins at goaltending. Their experience is awesome, and they are getting used to playing in the playoffs. Now they just need to “get er done.”

Why the Rangers won’t win the Stanley Cup:

They seem to find a way to NOT win in the finals, and that must stop. Perhaps it’s HC Vigneault’s style where he doesn’t use his players to their best potential. In any case, the New York press will grill them if they keep getting close to the hilltop, but falter in the end.

Three Things We Like About You:

  1. You actually gave our team a shot in the arm when you agreed to give us smooth skating Anthony Duclair. He will be part of a rebuild which will put us in the level of teams as yourself. So, thank you for that. Losing Yands was painful (for some), but it had to be done.
  2. We hope some of King Henrik’s success can be emulated by Mike Smith who needs a rejuvenation year more than any goalie this season. If he fails miserably again, well… not sure what will happen then.
  3. That you were the first American team to win a Stanley Cup, let’s hope that trend continues, and heads down to the desert. We could be the Canadian team who moved to the U.S. and wins it all.

Three Things We Don’t Like About You:

  1. That whole New York attitude that you’re better than anyone else. Can you tone that down a bit?
  2. That YOU have the best goalie in the NHL, and we did… for one season anyway.
  3. That you still play in that wretched old MSG. The place has history, but get some new digs, guys.

Prediction:

With the improvements that the Caps and Pens made you may have a longer journey this season to get back to the Finals. Still, we are not saying you won’t, you have a very talented team.

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