At the same time, perhaps not the best news for Brian Boyle. John Tortorella said minutes ago Artem Anisimov has the "inside track on that position," which, based on where he's been skating recently, would be the fourth-line center. Also, asked about Enver Lisin, Tortorella said "I'm pretty sure he'll start here, we want him around us to teach him."
There are, of course, caveats. As for Anisimov, Tortorella said he had to weigh what was better for Anisimov's development, nine to 10 minutes per game at the NHL level (by the way, I'd be shocked if Tortorella regularly played his fourth line 9-10 minutes per game. More likely, Anisimov would pull extra shifts elsewhere in the lineup) or 20 minutes consistently with Hartford (AHL). As for Lisin, while Tortorella likes what he's seen offensively from Lisin, noting the puck sort of follows him around (which is the same phrase he used to describe Marian Gaborik), Tortorella noted one glaring hole in Lisin's game. "He doesn't have a club away from the puck," Tortorella said.
Tortorella said he hopes to have the opening-game roster finalized by Tuesday. The Rangers conclude their preseason schedule Sunday at Washington and Monday is an off-day.
Today's lines (defense pairs were constantly shifting with seven out there)
Christopher Higgins-Brandon Dubinsky-Marian Gaborik
Enver Lisin-Vinny Prospal-Ryan Callahan
Evgeny Grachev-Chris Drury-Ales Kotalik
Donald Brashear-Artem Anisimov/Brian Boyle-Aaron Voros
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it almost seems like a waste having anisimov on the 4th line. Trading for Boyle seems like a mistake. Albeit not an expensive one.
Posted by: KV | September 25, 2009 at 02:27 PM
Andrew,
Any comments on Grachev? I like his game, but this he needs to spend some time in Hartford.
Posted by: NYR351 | September 25, 2009 at 02:32 PM
I think Grachev's time in New York for now will be dictated by how long Sean Avery is out. Grachev is incredibly talented but he's still a boy playing in a man's league. His body is going to fill out in the next couple of years and that would make him a top six forward.
Posted by: Andrew Gross | September 25, 2009 at 02:44 PM
Like a club to beat someone with? When did they start carrying those? When did a hockey stick stop being enough?
Guys, apparently we need to buy Lisin a blunt weapon. Bob?
Posted by: Rogan | September 25, 2009 at 02:44 PM
Torts seems to like skill over size. I give Grachev a decent shot, since he has both.
Posted by: TK | September 25, 2009 at 02:44 PM
Anisimov belongs on the third line. And when Avery comes back, who loses their spot? I guess Lisin will play on the 4th line with Anisimov, and Voros and Brashear will rotate in and out of the lineup. And if Lisin and Anisimov start lighting it up, we'll move some really unhappy veterans down to the 4th line -- or essentially bench them. Hmmm. Okay.
Posted by: Rogan | September 25, 2009 at 02:52 PM
I don't know that Grachev did enough in the preseason games to warrant an extended stay in NY. He did have a couple of primary assists, but my feeling after watching him some is that he probably needs one full year in Hartford. Great skater, great shot, big kid, but for the time being, let's give him time since we already have a logjam of forwards on the current roster.
Posted by: CP (Chris) | September 25, 2009 at 03:04 PM
AA on the 4th line???? His he kidding!!! He's a 2nd or 3rd liner from his pre-season performance. Drury has shown himself to be a decent 4th liner so far...
Posted by: Kathy | September 25, 2009 at 03:05 PM
I think Anisimov can get 12+ minutes a night as the 4th line center and it is worth having him in the line-up. He and Gabby as one of the three PK pairs along with Dury & Higgins and Cally & Duby works well.
Maybe try Boyle on the wing instead of Voros....guy can play C and D in the NHL i am sure he can play on the wing as well.
Not crazy about these lines but who knows....
Posted by: Blue | September 25, 2009 at 03:07 PM
I agree with Torts on teh fact that Lisin is a bit weak away from the puck, spefically on defense. We saw it last night on Semin's goal. Lisin sort of just stuck his stick out half-heartedly, instead of going for the body.
Posted by: Rangers Tribune | September 25, 2009 at 03:07 PM
As far as Anisimov, I have no problem with him skating on the 4th line. Torts already likes what Brashear can offer, so he will get some time on top of his PP and PK minutes. His big body in front of the net is desperately needed on the PP. Plus, he obviously has finesse hands like Zherdev around the net to replace his skill.
Posted by: CP (Chris) | September 25, 2009 at 03:09 PM
kathy great insight. lets put a consistent 25 goal scorer on the 4th line based on exhibition season. WOW
Posted by: LI Joe | September 25, 2009 at 03:10 PM
Yes but let's hope Anisimov can hit the net a little more than Zherdev -- is Kathy related to Bob?
Posted by: Rogan | September 25, 2009 at 03:12 PM
I completely agree, LI JOE. I don't want another string of posts cricizing Drury, Rozsival, and Redden in meaningless preseason games. I'll make a bold statement right now that Drury will have one of the best years of his career this year. He is one of the most clutch guys in hockey in the past decade, and this year he has added weight on his shoulders with Gomez gone. Can we not wait and see what he does in the first couple of months before the outrageous comments start flying from the cheap seats wanting him out of NY?
Posted by: CP (Chris) | September 25, 2009 at 03:15 PM
I was just thinking, wait till Joe reads what Kathy wrote.
Posted by: Rogan | September 25, 2009 at 03:15 PM
Just by having a better power play and more consistent wing play, Drury's numbers will be better this year.
And with Betts gone, he's our best penalty killer -- which once counted for something around here.
Posted by: Rogan | September 25, 2009 at 03:20 PM
Why not just move Drury to the fourth line with Brashear and Voros. Drury is terrible no point to waist Anisimov on the fourth line. I can care less how much Dreary makes if Torts is serious about treating players on play and not salary then he best stick to his word. Screw Drury he just plays for the money and his "heart/desire" is just a bunch of propagandist bull.
Posted by: Joe | September 25, 2009 at 03:21 PM
Joe i guess 25 goal scorers in the nhl just grow on trees. i can see that some of the lohud crew found this blog - which used to be an oasis away from some of the insanity.
Posted by: LI Joe | September 25, 2009 at 03:28 PM
JOE, not LI JOE, how are you wasting a kid by adding scoring to a 4th line and playing him on the PP and PK? He's 21, and has played TWO NHL games. He's had some great plays in the preseason, but let's not put him on a pedestal, yet. THERE WILL BE A TRANSITION PERIOD THIS YEAR WHERE EVERYONE SAYS "SEND HIM TO HARTFORD". I don't know why the contract issue keeps coming up, either. It's an old and ridiculous argument.
Posted by: CP (Chris) | September 25, 2009 at 03:28 PM
I would move Prospal to wing and have Anisimov center the third line. I think using Anisimov on the 4th line is wasteful enough but having his play with guy like Voros and Brashear is even more wasteful. I can't believe they gave up a 3rd round pick for dreck like Boyle.
Posted by: graves9 | September 25, 2009 at 03:31 PM
Gotta disagree Rogan. imo the three best pkers are Cally, Staal and obviously Hank.
Posted by: graves9 | September 25, 2009 at 03:33 PM
Even though Betts and Sjostrom were great penalty killers, i think Drury, callahan, dubinsky and anisimov, and even higgins can be just as good as Betts and Freddie and they can even score a couple of goals.
Sjostrom when deking could never EVER elevate the puck on a goaltender.
Last year we had no finishers...ie. Korpikoski, Sjostrom, gomez, betts. Just watching preseason Higgins gaborik Lisin can all pick corners in front of the next not shoot at the goaltenders pads.
Posted by: KV | September 25, 2009 at 03:39 PM
What I love, is that some fans seem to think that Anisimov will put up more points than Drury. Even with Drury having a sub-par year, he still put up 56 points. Rookies just do not score that many points. Go look at last year's crop. Anisimov will have a great year if he can put up 40 points. Anisimov may deserve a look as a 3rd line centre, but no way he should be playing ahead of Drury until he outperforms him during the season.
Posted by: ntb | September 25, 2009 at 03:46 PM
No one is really calling for Drury on the 4th line. Okay, Kathy -- but it was her first post. And maybe Bob, but have you seen Bob's trade proposals? Okay, and then there's the new Joe (not to be confused with LI Joe). But he's possibly from the lohud crew. And have you met any of the guys over there? They're like that one family member you'd rather disown. Seriously, spend some time on that blog, and you'll consider rooting for a different team.
It's funny. Drury grew up a Ranger fan. He's one of us, who hit the lottery. And some people think he's like Quintall, and doesn't care. I'll bet because of his background, no one wants to be more loved by Ranger fans than this guy.
Posted by: Rogan | September 25, 2009 at 03:56 PM
rogan at 3:56 man did you call it correct on many fronts. thanks to you and cp and of course Andrew i still have a small amount of hope for my sanity. yes there are other good ones too and i can' name them all so won't even try.
Posted by: LI Joe | September 25, 2009 at 04:06 PM