The Maven Responds: (8/13)
Questions about Rangers goaltending and youngsters
Posted on Thursday, August 13, 2009 at 1:00 PMKen M.: Stan, do you see Steve Valiquette playing more games this year or do you feel King Henrik will again get the brunt of the playing time? Does Torts have an idea on how many games he would like to see Henrik play and still be strong come playoff time? Thanks Stan!
The Maven Responds: Dear Ken M. – Based on my recent interview with John Tortorella, the coach wants to lessen Henrik Lundqvist's workload SOMEWHAT. How much will be determined by Henny's performance and the state of the team. I do expect Valiquette to get more games – but ONLY if he 
pleases the coach with wins.
Steven: Hey Stan, I know it might be early to ask this, but give me your gut feeling that when Lou Lamoriello steps down or retires from his GM post with the Devils, who do you think will be his successor? I would assume the front runners are David Conte, his son Chris Lamoriello, or an interesting name would be Ducks director of scouting and former Nordiques GM Martin Madden, or possibly Doug Riseborough.
The Maven Responds: Dear Steven – A decision on a successor to Lou will be decided in tandem with Lamoriello and co-owner Jeff Vanderbeek making the decision together. David Conte is a top possibility; if he wants it and I'm not so sure that he does. After that, it's a tossup.
BiggestRangersfanever: Stan, what are the chances that guys like Artem Anisimov, Bobby Sanguinetti and Corey Potter make the team next season?
The Maven Responds: Dear BiggestRangersfanever – Tortorella tells me that he plans to give all the youngsters a good chance to make the big club on merit. That means that any one of the aforementioned trio DOES have a decent chance should they HAVE THE GOODS.
Eddie10: Stan, do the Rangers have enough cap room to go after an offensive defenseman like Marc-Andre Bergeron from Minnesota or does Torts have that much confidence in Bobby Sanguinetti (good chance) and/or Michael Del Zotto (??) making the team and contributing some much-needed goals from the blueline? Cheers!
The Maven Responds: Dear Eddie10 – In my recent conversation with John Tortorella, he made it evident that the likes of Sanguinetti and Del Zotto would get a very intensive look at camp. He's keen on giving younger players every opportunity. Bergeron played for Jacques Lemaire in Minny and may even be eyed by the Devils if Lemaire thinks Lamoriello should go after him. But he's got major defensive issues; Bergeron, that is.
Sincerely,
The Maven
I'll get to more tomorrow, so if you want to pick my brain, CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A QUESTION.
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