STOCKHOLM — It was not so long ago that stability and building from within were alien concepts when applied to the Rangers, but, oh boy, just look at them now.
They’re just about all back, bolstered by the free-agent signing of blue-chip first-line center Brad Richards.
Every upper-echelon player on the roster with the exception of Richards and Marian Gaborik is a born-and-raised Ranger, with the Blueblood Line of Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov and freshly minted captain Ryan Callahan ready to skate in lock step toward prominence.
The clouded prognosis regarding Marc Staal, who had been experiencing intermittent headaches since the summer in the aftermath of the concussion he sustained in Carolina last Feb. 22 on a hit from his older brother, Eric, hangs over the Rangers like, well, a dark cloud. It’s one team with him at full strength; quite another without him.
The group established a Black-and-Blueshirt identity last season with a unified willingness to do all the grunt work required. The plan is to carry that mentality into this season but with an added dollop of talent provided by Richards so that the Rangers won’t have to block as many shots because they’ll have the puck much more often.
OFFENSE
Richards, one of the league’s elite dispatchers for almost a decade, was hired to get the puck to Gaborik, who struggled through an unhappy 22-goal season, a decline of 20, and create a legitimate first line. There is, however, no evidence the Rangers at this point have found a complementary left wing for the dynamic duo. The accelerated development of Anisimov, who had a terrific European portion of camp, should key bookend, straight-line wingers Callahan and Dubinsky to career-bests.
There’s depth below with Brian Boyle needing more offense-intense ice time than may be available at the outset, and with Derek Stepan, a first-line pivot at times last year, perhaps opening on the fourth unit. The Rangers will battle for pucks, but with most of the size in the heart, it will be important for the club’s talent — including Mats Zuccarello — to produce its share of pretty goals.
DEFENSE
If Staal can maintain his health and be the player into which he was developing into last year, the Rangers have two very solid matchup pairs in Staal-Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh-Michael Sauer. If not, it will be a scramble, with every one behind the indefatigable Girardi stepping up in class while being asked to play more and tougher minutes. The Rangers need far more offense created from the back end. This is where a Michael Del Zotto revival would be most valuable.
GOALTENDING
Henrik Lundqvist, who struggled during the early months to accommodate a rotation featuring reliable backup Marty Biron but was at the top of his game down the stretch run, appears energized by the European tour and primed for the best season of his NHL career.
COACHING
John Tortorella has the team and personnel he wants, there is no doubt about that. What we will not have here is a failure to communicate, though it will be interesting to see how much carrot as opposed to how much stick he uses in dealing with Wojtek Wolski.
PREDICTION
Training camp was an endurance test. The club will play its first seven games on the road because of the Garden transformation. The players insist these will not be burdens. The loss of Staal for any significant period would, however, be a huge burden to bear. Assuming Staal’s return to health, the Rangers not only should be good enough to make the playoffs, but to avoid the quagmire between seventh and 12th that connotes a fight to the final day to qualify.
THE ROSTER
Goaltenders: Henrik Lundqvist, Marty Biron
Defense: Marc Staal, Dan Girardi, Ryan McDonagh, Michael Sauer, Michael Del Zotto, Steve Eminger
Left wings: Brandon Dubinsky, Wojtek Wolski, Ruslan Fedotenko, Michael Rupp
Centers: Brad Richards, Artem Anisimov, Brian Boyle, Derek Stepan, Erik Christensen
Right wings: Marian Gaborik, Ryan Callahan, Mats Zuccarello, Brandon Prust
KEYS TO THE SEASON
Most Important Offensive Player: So much is going to fall on Richards, not only because he’s being counted on to provide the talent and creativity down the middle to give the Rangers a legitimate first line, but also because he’s going to be the quarterback on a power play that was dysfunctional so much of last season.
Most Important Defensive Player: If Staal is not healthy enough for a reprise of his matchup, shutdown role, the Rangers’ most important defenseman will be, A) McDonagh, if he moves up to pair with Girardi on the first pair, or, B) McDonagh and Sauer both, if the coach decides to keep that pair intact and use the combination as the No. 1 match-up unit.
Top Rookie: Well, guess what, other than current eighth defenseman Stu Bickel, there isn’t a single one here in Stockholm, though it may not be all that long before Tim Erixon gets the call.
Key Coaching Decision: Two of them, right off the top for Tortorella: How to handle the defense pairings and matchups in Staal’s absence, and whether to shift Brian Boyle to first-line left wing if Wolski is not up to the task, a move that would dilute the team’s depth down the middle.
Five must-see games
1. Oct. 27 vs. Toronto. At long last the Garden opener.
2. Nov. 11 at Carolina. The Rangers pay a visit to the home of the elder Staal brother.
3. Dec. 20 at New Jersey. First Battle of the Hudson.
4. Jan. 2 at Philadelphia. The Winter Classic. Sather’s Guarantee and all that.
5. April 7 vs. Washington. Perhaps this year the Rangers won’t have to gather following the finale to watch a TV game determine their fate.