Game On!

No matter how you shake it, the Rangers open the season with as much focus on the past as they do with the present and future.

One simply cannot analyze the NEW New York Rangers without a glance in the rear-view mirror, where we find three players conspicuous by their absence today; namely Jaromir Jagr, Sean Avery and Brendan Shanahan.

Each was productive and beloved during his sojourn on Seventh Avenue; all you have to do is check the video clips for further proof. But the bottom line with the Three Caballeros – individually and collectively – is that their departure equates to addition by subtraction.

Without a doubt, the Blueshirts are a better TEAM without them and, for the first time since he moved behind the bench, Tom Renney will be able to coach the club HIS way, with no deference to future Hall of Famers or, in Avery's case, an individual more intent on promoting himself than the hockey club.

Replacing Jagr's virtuosity, Shanahan's savvy-stick and Avery's presence was the challenge presented to Glen Sather and the bossman responded with new faces in many places.

No less than five meaningful varsity members were acquired for the offense, along with the two acquisitions on defense, Wade Redden and Dmitri Kalinin.

Neither Markus Naslund, Nik Zherdev, Aaron Voros, Pat Rissmiller nor Dan Fritsche will replace the Three Caballeros, but that is neither the issue nor the point.

And the point is that they are TEAM players who will be led by Chris Drury and Scott Gomez, either of whom qualifies as captain material although the former will logically accept the "C" when presented by Renney.

Further to the point, this Rangers sextet – for the first time in many a moon – will be carried by youth; specifically Brandon Dubinsky, Ryan Callahan, Marc Staal and Dan Girardi in the more prominent roles with a few others ready to ripen on the vine.

Considering that he's a regular Vezina Trophy nominee, Henny Lundqvist should reach his peak as a pro this season and if, for any reason the No. 1 stopper has to be rested for any reason, back-up Steve Valiquette has demonstrated – beyond any shadow of a doubt – that he can capably handle the crease, any time, any game anywhere.

Enough with the small talk. Suffice it to say that this club will be faster, more creative and – in the end – better than Jagr, Avery, Shanahan & Co.

Now The Maven will analyze the Blueshirts, position-by-position, before detailing their end-of-season location in April.

[Go to MSG.com for my full breakdown]

MORE:

• Rangers Edge Metallurg
• Bern, Baby, Bern!
  
• Trautwig Tours Bern