Metro Pucks: Rangers Are Perfect, Henrique Shines, the Coliseum Leaks

Our weekly review of the metropolitan area’s three N.H.L. teams.

Grades

Rangers: They played four home games this week and won them all, out-scoring opponents, 15-6. The Rangers beat Montreal and Winnipeg in regulation in back-to-back games over the weekend. Young centers Derek Stepan and Artem Anisimov, whose development is crucial to New York’s success this season, improved with each game in the homestand. It wasn’t always perfect – see the third period against Anaheim on Thursday – but it was a very good week for the Rangers. Grade: A

Devils: Like the Rangers, the Devils have mastered the craft of “finding ways to win.” After a loss to Toronto Tuesday in Martin Brodeur’s return from the injured list, the Devils played in Philadelphia 24 hours later, scored late in regulation to tie the game and won in a shootout. They reversed the scene Saturday at home, blowing a 2-0 third period lead to Winnipeg before winning in overtime. As a team expected to be in the battle for the final playoff spots in the East, the Devils do not want to give away points to clubs like Winnipeg. Still, wins in two out of three this week isn’t bad. Grade: B plus

Islanders: Thanks in part to trio of terrible goals allowed by Tomas Vokoun, the Islanders ended a six-game losing streak Saturday by beating Washington, 5-3. The victory was crucial for the young and confidence-challenged Islanders, who play three straight on the road this week, starting Monday night in Boston. Coach Jack Capuano was wise to rattle his forward lines after his team’s 3-0 loss to Winnipeg on Thursday. Win or lose, there’s no better way to identify the best competitors on your team. Grade: B

Metro Player of the Week

Adam Henrique, Devils – The 21-year-old returned from a recent skills-polishing stint in the minors to center a line featuring Ilya Kovalchuk and Zach Parise. Henrique scored his first N.H.L. goal Wednesday in the win in Philadelphia. With Kovalchuk sidelined with an injury Saturday, Henrique scored twice – including the game-winner in overtime – against the Jets. The Devils’ third round pick from the 2008 draft probably won’t see the American Hockey League again this season.

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Up: Metro New York Hockey – On Saturday, the Rangers, Devils and Islanders played home games to a combined audience of more than 47,000 – and they all won! No, the good attendance has nothing to do with the N.B.A. lockout. As evidenced by the passion in the stands shown in these early-season games, plenty of people in the tri-state area care about this sport.

Down: Henrik Tallinder – The Devils’ defenseman is 6 foot 4, 210 pounds and gifted with on-ice smarts, vision and mobility. But he has no goals and just one assist through 12 games this season and is a team-worst minus-6 (minus-4 this week). Pete DeBoer needs a lot more from Tallinder.

Up: Devils’ Outreach – As part of a national program called “Try Hockey For Free Day,” Devils alumni Ken Daneyko, Bruce Driver, Grant Marshall and President Lou Lamoriello hosted a clinic for 40 inner-city youths at the team’s practice facility Saturday. Willie O’Ree, the first black player in N.H.L. history, also took part. The Rangers and Islanders conducted clinics as well.

Up: P. A. Parenteau – The Islanders’ right wing is the personification of the “Moneyball” player on ice. Scouts may pick his game apart, but all Parenteau does is produce. In Capuano’s lineup shakeup, Parenteau was taken off John Tavares’ line. He responded with two assists and the game-winning goal against Washington. Parenteau has 11 points in 11 games.

Down: Al Montoya’s Playing Time – He was the Islanders’ starting goaltender for the season opener and was outstanding, posting a 2.02 goals-against average and .930 save percentage. But the team wanted to give Evgeni Nabokov some work and Rick DiPietro came off the injured list to play the last three games. Montoya has not seen a minute between the pipes in 17 days.

Down: Nassau Coliseum Roof – The roof of the old barn on Hempstead Turnpike on Long Island sprung another leak on Saturday, which meant relocating two sections of fans to other seats during the game against Washington.

Up: Marian Gaborik – Never mind the impressive stats (7 goals and 6 assists in 13 games), Gaborik has been outstanding this season in every aspect of the game. With or without Brad Richards, he has been the Rangers’ best forward regardless of the identity of his linemates. “He’s coming,” said John Tortorella.

Up: Michael Del Zotto – The 21-year-old defenseman, who spent most of last year in the minors after a solid rookie season, has regained his confidence. Since his defensive positioning has improved, Del Zotto feels more comfortable joining the play in the offensive zone. At plus-6, he is tied for the team lead with Ryan McDonagh.

Prospect Watch

In the sixth round of the 2009 N.H.L. draft, the Islanders selected Anders Lee, a 6 foot 3 forward from Minnesota. The team’s scouts received a tip that Lee, a star quarterback in high school, was going to give up the gridiron to focus solely on hockey. As a sophomore under Coach Jeff Jackson, Lee has ten goals in the first nine games of this season.

Rangers left wing prospect Carl Hagelin is off to a good start in his first year as a pro after playing four years at the University of Michigan. Hagelin, a 23-year-old left wing from Sweden, has 4 goals and 4 assists in 12 games with the Connecticut Whale of the American Hockey League.

The Devils signed Keith Kinkaid as a free agent in April, after the goaltender completed his sophomore year at Union College in upstate New York. Considered one of the best goalies in the E.C.A.C., Kinkaid has impressed from the start of his professional career. In his first five games with the Albany Devils of the A.H.L., Kinkaid has a 1.98 goals-against average and .930 save percentage.

Metro Pucks: Brodeur Aches, DiPietro Returns and Lundqvist Shines

All three marquee goaltenders of the New York metropolitan area N.H.L. clubs made news on Wednesday.

Martin Brodeur will be sidelined 7-to-10 days as he rehabilitates a shoulder injury he sustained in the Devils’ 2-1 shootout win over Los Angeles on Thursday. According to a statement released by the team, Brodeur will not need surgery. In the absence of the 39-year-old Brodeur, Johan Hedberg — who won in relief in the game against the Kings and beat Nashville on Saturday — will start when the Devils host San Jose at Prudential Center Friday.

Rick DiPietro has resumed practicing with the Islanders and accompanied the team on its two-game trip to Florida. DiPietro sustained a concussion last week when a shot by one of his teammates, Brian Rolston, struck him near the temple and shattered his goalie mask. The Islanders have received strong goaltending from Al Montoya and Evgeni Nabakov, their other two experienced pros on one-way N.H.L. contracts. In the team’s first four games of the regular season, the Islanders (3-1-0) allowed just 6 goals. They play the Lightning in Tampa, Fla., on Thursday and the Panthers in Sunrise, Fla. on Saturday.

If league custom would have allowed it, Henrik Lundqvist would have been named the first, second and third star in the Rangers’ 4-0 victory in Vancouver Tuesday night. Lundqvist made 40 saves for the shutout, keeping the game scoreless through two periods while his teammates were badly out-played by the speedier Canucks. Mike Rupp, Brian Boyle, Ryan McDonagh and Marian Gaborik scored in the third period to give the Rangers (1-1-2) their first victory of the season.

“Henrik gave us an opportunity and we found a way,” Rangers Coach John Tortorella said after the game. “Hank was outstanding. That’s the way it works. I was watching a game earlier today where a team was getting spanked and they ended up winning the hockey game. So hopefully we can at least find something good and try to regain some of our confidence here, with just a little bit more juice. That’s what we’ve been lacking.”

Metro Pucks: Report Cards, Awards and Analysis

The Rangers did not win a game. The Islanders and Devils did, but not after enduring the embarrassment of getting shut out before capacity crowds at their home openers. What was learned from the first six games of the season for the Rangers, Devils and Islanders? Not much in the 82-game big picture. But for the faithful who couldn’t wait for the second weekend in October, hockey provides plenty to analyze.

Grades

Rangers: Their two-game stand in Stockholm was nothing to write home about. The Rangers failed to protect a 2-1 lead Friday against Los Angeles and lost in overtime. Brad Richards scored late to tie the game against Anaheim on Saturday, but the Rangers lost in a shootout. Without Henrik Lundqvist’s heroics in net, they would have returned to New York pointless. Next up: a week of workouts in Westchester before facing the Islanders on Saturday at the old barn on Hempstead Turnpike. C-plus

Devils: They played their opener Saturday against the Flyers as if they were still in the exhibition season. “It looked to me like we were at practice speed and they were at N.H.L. game speed,” said Devils Coach Peter DeBoer said. Their 4-2 win over Carolina on Monday was imperfect, but important because they were led by their best forwards. Zach Parise had two goals and Ilya Kovalchuk scored the game-winner. Johan Hedberg was solid in goal. The Devils host the Kings on Thursday. B-minus

Islanders: They weren’t ready to play their home opener in front of a Nassau Coliseum crowd on Saturday packed with true believers. An injury-prevention preseason schedule – with most of the Islanders’ best players participating in only two games – may have been the reason the Panthers skated circles around them. But they got off the mat to beat Minnesota, 2-1, on Monday. The Islanders’ penalty-killing units were exceptional. Still, the team played only one strong period – Monday’s first – over the first six of the regular season. They’ll need to do a lot better when they host Tampa Bay on Thursday and the Rangers on Saturday. B-minus

Metro Puck Player of the Week(end)

Al Montoya, Islanders: Jack Capuano’s No. 1-for-now allowed a combined three goals over two games and none of them were softies. He may not have made the spectacular stops Lundqvist made in Sweden, but he was poised and in control of his rebounds – exactly what the Islanders’ defense needs. Among the appointed No. 1s, including Lundqvist and Martin Brodeur, only Montoya earned his team a win. In this era of shootouts, when standing points are handed out in the N.H.L. like Snickers on Halloween, a win still has to mean something.

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Up: Zach Parise, Devils – In a positive development for a team that badly needs him back at his best, Parise scored two goals in the Devils’ win over Carolina. “He was everywhere on the ice,” DeBoer said. Parise has shown no ill effects from the torn meniscus that kept him out of all but 13 games last season.

Down: Evgeni Nabokov, Islanders – The longtime first-string Sharks goalie said and did all the right things in training camp, but still finds himself sitting in a luxury suite during games as the No. 3 behind Montoya and Rick DiPietro. You have to wonder how long the 36-year-old Nabokov will stand for getting fewer reps in practice as he makes barely over the league minimum while his family stays in California. Right now it looks as if it will take an injury to one goalie and substandard play by another for Nabokov to get regular action. Let’s see how patient he is.

Theories

It took Adam Larsson all of, well, about two shifts to establish himself as the Devils’ No. 1 defenseman. The assistant coach Larry Robinson provided the 18-year-old from Sweden an average of 23 minutes 10 seconds over his team’s first two games of the season – most among Devils defensemen. Especially since New Jersey has plenty of capable defenders, this seems like too much, too soon for Larsson. The N.H.L. season is 82 games plus playoffs. Not including his work for the national junior squad, Larsson played a combined 86 regular-season games over the last two years in the Swedish Elite League.

After 65 games this season, count up the games lost to injury by the Islanders’ top three defensemen: Mark Streit, Travis Hamonic and Andrew MacDonald. If the combined total is fewer than 20, the Islanders will still be in the playoff hunt.

The Rangers waited a year to get Richards to center Marian Gaborik. They will now probably spend the better part of this season finding the most effective left wing to play with Gaborik and Richards. John Tortorella will grow tired of thinking and talking about it, and he will not be alone.

Spin vs. Straight Talk

Spin: In explaining to Howie Rose of the MSG Network why the Islanders were carrying three goaltenders on their roster, Capuano used a football analogy:

“Look at the Indianapolis Colts.”

The Islanders coach was referring, of course, to the Colts’ lack of depth at quarterback with Peyton Manning probably lost for the season. But there is no comparison between the talent pools of N.F.L. quarterbacks and N.H.L. goaltenders. The Lightning reached the Eastern Conference finals last season behind Dwayne Roloson, acquired on Jan. 1 from the Islanders for the low cost of a minor prospect. The Flyers reached the Stanley Cup finals in 2010 with two goalies, Brian Boucher and Michael Leighton, who have been regular residents on the waiver wire. When the Islanders ran out of healthy goaltenders in February, General Manager Garth Snow acquired Montoya from Phoenix for a sixth-round draft pick. Now Montoya is the starter.

The N.F.L. doesn’t have 32 first-rate quarterbacks, let alone backups skilled enough to take a team to a title. Capuano has three goaltenders because the Islanders already had two when they decided to take Nabokov off waivers after he signed with the Red Wings. Montoya, Nabokov and DiPietro are good goalies, but are replaceable. Manning is not.

Straight Talk: When the Rangers had completed their 12-day European trek through the Czech Republic, Switzerland and Sweden, Tortorella had some lovely words in praise of the cities they visited, arenas they competed in and people they met. But he also did not hold back his feelings on Saturday about getting back to New York and a more typical practice routine and travel schedule:

“I just want to leave.”

Metro Pucks: Tavares and Isles at Head of Class

Our weekly review of the performances of the three local N.H.L. teams.

Grades

Islanders: In their two games after Columbus Day weekend, the Islanders won one by blowout, the other in a nailbiter, and both impressively. They put away Tampa Bay early on Thursday, 5-1, by jumping out to a 4-1 lead after the first period. The Islanders beat the Rangers on Saturday, 4-2, by carrying play in the third period of a game tied at 2-2 after two.

Coach Jack Capuano’s first line of John Tavares centering Matt Moulson and P. A. Parenteau was the difference in both games. The Islanders also received quality goaltending —Al Montoya against Tampa Bay, Evgeni Nabakov against the Rangers —and committed team defense. After the big dud in their home opener against Florida, the Islanders ran off three straight wins at the Coliseum. The road schedule begins this week with games Thursday in Tampa Bay and Saturday against the Panthers. Grade: A

Rangers: The loss to the Islanders gave the Rangers a record of 0-1-2 to start the season. The European trek may have disrupted their preparation and the Rangers are without top defenseman Marc Staal, but no one is going to feel sorry for Coach John Tortorella and his winless club. Staal is not coming back any time soon and the club had a week at home to prepare for the Islanders.

They weren’t terrible in Uniondale, but their forward lines have not been able to string together effective shifts. Their best all-around player on Saturday was Derek Stepan, the second-year pro out of Wisconsin who does everything well and without the flash. Brandon Dubinsky, among many others, needs to be a lot better. Wins will not come any easier as the Rangers leave the country again for a Canadian swing that begins Tuesday in Vancouver. Grade: C-minus

Devils: After a shootout win at home over Los Angeles on Thursday, the Devils really demonstrated guts and spunk two nights later by coming back from a 2-0 deficit after two periods to win in a shootout in Nashville. New Jersey tied the score when Mattias Tedenby threaded a perfect pass to David Clarkson, who scored with 2 minutes left in regulation.

Since they’re relying primarily on Ilya Kovalchuk and Zach Parise for goal scoring, the pressure is on the New Jersey defense. So far, it has been solid. The front six on the blue line — Adam Larsson, Mark Fayne, Anton Volchenkov, Andy Greene, Henrik Tallinder and Bryce Salvador — are among the league’s most underrated. The Devils do not play a game until Friday, when they host the San Jose Sharks. Grade: B-plus

Metro Puck Player of the Week

John Tavares, Islanders: He was the best player among the three locals in a landslide and deserving of consideration for player of the week in the N.H.L., awarded on Monday. Tavares had five goals and three assists in the victories over Tampa Bay and the Rangers. The highlight of his hat trick Saturday was his game-winner on the power play early in the third period to break a 2-2 tie. The best illustration of how far this elite talent has come in just over two seasons of pro hockey came later in the third as he bounced off a big check from a Ranger, kept his balance and set up yet another scoring chance for his linemates. If Tavares plays this way on the road, New York will have a new hockey superstar. Here’s the hat trick:

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Up: Devils’ Shootout Prowess – How’s this for a fast and simple recipe to earn the second standings point in the postgame skills competition? Have Kovalchuk and Parise score on world-class moves and sit back and relax as Johan “Moose” Hedberg stops both opponents. In the Devils’ shootout victories on Thursday and Saturday, the third inning was never needed. For his N.H.L. career, Hedberg is now 20-7 in the shootout.

Down: Rangers’ Toughness – So maybe Sean Avery has lost enough of his edge for the pesky wing to no longer merit a job as one of the Rangers’ top 13 forwards. But something is amiss with the Blueshirts. It’s one thing to be winless in three games to start the season; it’s unacceptable to be an easy team to play against. The Rangers need to upgrade their toughness quotient or opponents will continue to skate into their end without a care in the world. Calling up Kris Newbury and demoting Mats Zuccarello to the minors, as Glen Sather did after the loss on Long Island, is not enough.

Up: Capuano’s Gut – The likeable Islanders coach often describes his decision-making process by saying, “I had a feeling in my gut.” Lately, his tummy is on fire. Capuano is a perfect 4 for 4 in his starting goalie selection this season, making the surprising decision to give Evgeni Nabokov his first game as an Islander against the Rangers on Saturday. He and his staff have also made wise in-game adjustments, like placing brawny fourth-line forward Matt Martin just outside the crease to distract Henrik Lundqvist during an Islanders power play.

Theories

The Rangers need to return from their four-game Canadian trip with more than just their first win of the season. They do not want to finally open at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 27 with a sad record and no momentum. Anything less than five points earned from the games in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg — the last three  are especially winnable games — should be considered a failure.

The Islanders should be pleased with winning three of the four games of the season-opening homestand. When they take their act on the road, however, they will need production from players other than the members of their first line. Through four games, Tavares, Moulson and Parenteau have a combined 8 goals and 11 assists for 19 points. No one among the Islanders’ other forwards has more than one point. Just two, Michael Grabner and Frans Nielsen, have scored.

Kovalchuk’s Good Deed

Like many in the hockey community, Ilya Kovalchuk lost a lot of good friends when the airplane carrying the K.H.L. club Lokomotiv Yaroslavl crashed in Russia on Sept. 7. Kovalchuk is raising money for a victims’ family fund by sending autographed photos to supporters who contribute at least $17.

“This was a big tragedy that affected so many lives,” Kovalchuk said. “We should do everything we can to help.”

Those interested in donating and receiving a signed photograph of Kovalchuk should send an e-mail to info@puckagency.com. You will receive a response with details on how to make your contribution.

Metro Puck: Report Cards, Awards and Analysis

The Rangers did not win a game. The Islanders and Devils did, but not after enduring the embarrassment of getting shut out before capacity crowds at their respective home openers. What was learned from the first six games of the season for the Rangers, Devils and Islanders? Not much in the 82-game big picture. But for the faithful who couldn’t wait for the second weekend in October, hockey provides plenty to analyze.

Grades

Rangers: Their two-game stand in Stockholm was nothing to write home about. The Rangers failed to protect a 2-1 lead Friday against Los Angeles and lost in overtime. Brad Richards scored late to tie the game against Anaheim on Saturday, but the Rangers lost in a shootout. Without Henrik Lundqvist’s heroics in net, they would have returned to New York pointless. Next up: a week of workouts in Westchester before facing the Islanders on Saturday at the old barn on Hempstead Turnpike. C-plus

Devils: They played their opener Saturday against the Flyers like they were still in the exhibition season. “It looked to me like we were at practice speed and they were at N.H.L. game speed,” said Devils Coach Peter DeBoer. Their 4-2 win over Carolina on Monday was imperfect, but important because they were led by their best forwards. Zach Parise had two goals and Ilya Kovalchuk scored the game-winner. Johan Hedberg was solid in goal. The Devils host the Kings on Thursday. B-minus

Islanders: They weren’t ready to play their home opener in front of a Nassau Coliseum crowd on Saturday packed with true believers. An injury-prevention preseason schedule – with most of the Islanders’ best players only participating in two games – may have been the reason the Panthers skated circles around them. But they got off the mat to beat Minnesota, 2-1, on Monday. The Islanders’ penalty killing units were exceptional. Still, the team played only one strong period – Monday’s first – over the first six of the regular season. They’ll need to do a lot better when they host Tampa Bay on Thursday and the Rangers on Saturday. B-minus

Metro Puck Player of the Week(end)

Al Montoya, Islanders: Jack Capuano’s No. 1-for-now allowed a combined three goals over two games and none of them were softies. He may not have made the spectacular stops Lundqvist made in Sweden, but he was poised and in control of his rebounds – exactly what the Islanders’ defense needs. Among the appointed No. 1s, including Lundqvist and Martin Brodeur, only Montoya earned his team a win. In this era of shootouts, when standing points are handed out in the N.H.L. like Snickers on Halloween, a win still has to mean something.

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Up: Zach Parise, Devils — In a positive development for a team that badly needs him back at his best, Parise scored two goals in the Devils’ win over Carolina. “He was everywhere on the ice,” said DeBoer. Parise has shown no ill effects from the torn meniscus that kept him out of all but 13 games last season.

Down: Evgeni Nabokov, Islanders – The longtime first-string Sharks goalie said and did all the right things in training camp, but still finds himself sitting in a luxury suite during games as the No. 3 behind Montoya and Rick DiPietro. You have to wonder how long the 36-year-old Nabokov will stand for getting fewer reps in practice as he makes barely over the league minimum while his family stays in California. Right now it looks like it will take an injury to one goalie and substandard play by another for Nabokov to get regular action. Let’s see how patient he is.

Theories

It took Adam Larsson all of, well, about two shifts to establish himself as the Devils’ No. 1 defenseman. Assistant Coach Larry Robinson provided the 18-year-old from Sweden an average of 23 minutes, 10 seconds over his team’s first two games of the season – most among Devils defensemen. Especially since New Jersey has plenty of capable defenders, this seems like too much, too soon for Larsson. The N.H.L. season is 82 games plus playoffs. Not including his work for the national junior squad, Larsson played a combined 86 regular season games over the last two years in the Swedish Elite League.

After 65 games this season, count up the games lost to injury by the Islanders’ top three defensemen: Mark Streit, Travis Hamonic and Andrew MacDonald. If the combined total is less than 20, the Islanders will still be in the playoff hunt.

The Rangers waited a year to get Richards to center Marian Gaborik. They will now likely spend the better part of this season finding the most effective left wing to play with Gaborik and Richards. John Tortorella will grow tired of thinking and talking about it, and he will not be alone.

Spin vs. Straight Talk

Spin: In explaining to Howie Rose of the MSG Network why the Islanders were carrying three goaltenders on their roster, Capuano used a football analogy:

“Look at the Indianapolis Colts.”

The Islanders Coach was referring, of course, to the Colts’ lack of depth at quarterback with Peyton Manning lost for the season. But there is no comparison between the talent pools of N.F.L. quarterbacks and N.H.L. goaltenders. The Lightning reached the Eastern Conference finals last season behind Dwayne Roloson, acquired on Jan. 1 from the Islanders for the low cost of a minor prospect. The Flyers reached the Stanley Cup finals in 2010 with two goalies, Brian Boucher and Michael Leighton, who have been regular residents on the waiver wire. When the Islanders ran out of healthy goaltenders in February, General Manager Garth Snow acquired Montoya from Phoenix for a sixth-round draft pick. Now Montoya is the starter.

The N.F.L. doesn’t have 32 first-rate quarterbacks, let alone backups skilled enough to take a team to a title. Capuano has three goaltenders because the Islanders already had two when they decided to take Nabokov off waivers after he signed with the Red Wings. Montoya, Nabokov and DiPietro are good goalies, but are replaceable. Manning is not.

Straight Talk: When the Rangers had completed their 12-day European trek through the Czech Republic, Switzerland and Sweden, Tortorella had some lovely words in praise of the cities they visited, arenas they competed in and people they met. But he also did not hold back his feelings on Saturday about getting back to New York and a more typical practice routine and travel schedule:

“I just want to leave.”

30 Seconds With Clark Gillies: Ex-Star Hopes Isles Shine

Clark Gillies, a former Islanders star, rang the Nasdaq closing bell recently, and the bell survived. In fact, the market jumped after Gillies, a rare player who could fight as well as shoot and skate skillfully, performed the honors. Gillies, 57, was a key player when the Islanders won four consecutive Stanley Cups from 1980 to 1983. A member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, he was recently honored at the 26th Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner to benefit The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis.

Do you think the Islanders are ready to become a force in the league again?

I hope so. With the players from last year and (Kyle) Okoposo and (Mark) Streit coming back healthy with John Tavares, and the addition of Brian Rolston. On paper, they don’t look too bad. They just have to stay healthy. They had more injuries the last few years than just about any other team. The goaltending will be fine with competition between (Al) Montoya, (Evgeni) Nabokov and with Rick DiPietro.

How do you think the Rangers and the Devils will do?

I think the Rangers are going to be pretty good. Adding Brad Richards to go with Marian Gaborik, that’s going to be a very tough line. I’m sure (Rangers Coach John) Tortorella is going to be working them pretty good. He doesn’t like missing the playoffs any better than anybody else. It’s important for the Devils to have Zach Parise back. That was the biggest hole in their lineup. You can’t lose a guy that like him, with his offensive abilities and leadership qualities. That should rejuvenate the team.

Do you have a sleeper team?

I was talking to Bobby Nystrom about his son Eric, who plays for Minnesota. They made some nice changes. I like Minnesota. And I’ll be rooting for Eric, too.

What players do you enjoy watching?

I’ve always been a big fan of Sidney Crosby. He’s a very exciting player. And Alexander Ovechkin. I went to watch Washington play the Rangers at the Garden last year. The only reason I went was to just see what Ovechkin can do. He just dominated the game and totally impressed me. I enjoy (Zdeno) Chara in Boston. He’s such a big physical presence.

What do you think about the possibility that the N.H.L. might prevent players from competing at the 2014 Olympics?

I think that would be a bad decision. Now you see the best of the best. Before, you had the Red Army team, which pretty much dominated the whole thing. The majority of the best players from the countries are N.H.L. players. The Olympics would miss something without them. We’ve all gotten spoiled by how intense the games are and the quality of the games.

Q.

You were a minor league baseball player in the Houston Astros organization. Do you wonder what your career would have been like if you had chosen that sport?

I was signed by a young scout by the name of Pat Gillick at a tryout in Saskatchewan. I gave it a try. They gave me three years to develop. Then they said we think you have a future in baseball. We like what we see. But I had to decide between baseball and hockey. At that time, I was playing baseball two months a year and hockey 9 or 10 months. I was excelling more in hockey than baseball. I said thanks but no thanks. Hockey was always first and foremost. If you could have told me I was going to play on the Yankees and win four World Series, it would have been a different story.

What do you think about the possibility that the Islanders might relocate if their arena problems are not solved?

It would obviously be very disappointing. We’re celebrating our 40th anniversary this year. I think Charles (Wang) will ultimately step up to the plate. It sounds like he wants to keep the team and stay on Long Island. We’re keeping our fingers crossed. Life would go on but it would be a lot different without the Islanders.

What are your thoughts about the recent deaths of Derek Boogaard, Rick Rypien and Wade Belak?

The players need to be monitored more closely by people that are close to them. If they see something going on, if they see some depression, friends and family have to step up and ask the question what can we do to help these kids before it’s too late.

With the N.H.L. studying concussions and the recent deaths, do you think all head contact should be penalized the way it is in the Ontario Hockey League, college hockey and international hockey?

There’s some situations where it’s not totally intentional. You go to hit someone one way, and all of a sudden you’re thrown off balance and you wind up hitting someone in the head. It has to be looked at on an individual basis. I don’t think you can penalize any hit to the head.

You were known as a skilled player but also as an enforcer and a fighter. A lot of former players who fought in games now realize they had concussions. Do you think you sustained any concussions when you played?

Possibly. There’s nothing that stands out in my mind that would indicate that I lost the ability to play because of a blow to the head, although a lot of my friends would disagree with that. I’ve gotten hit in the head with sticks, but never by an elbow that debilitated me in any way. I never hit my head on the ice. I was probably pretty lucky.

Are you concerned about your memory after so many years of contact and fighting?

I’m 57 now, and I have my moments of, Geez I can’t remember that guy’s name. But those instances are few and far between. I think it’s an age thing. We all have to live with it.

Riley Cote, a former N.H.L. enforcer, said painkillers are too accessible for players. What are your thoughts about painkiller use?

If guys are having migraines because of concussions, I guess the team is going to supply them, rightfully or wrongfully, with painkillers to take care of their anxiety or whatever. I don’t know. I can’t answer that. I suppose if the team doesn’t give them to them they’re going to get them another way. If they want to take them that badly they’re going to get them.

Rangers, Devils and Islanders Set Their Opening Night Rosters

Although the waiving of Sean Avery by the Rangers made headlines, there were few surprises among the three local N.H.L. teams when final rosters were submitted on Wednesday afternoon. In a league of one-way contracts, in which veterans are compensated equally whether they are in the N.H.L. or demoted to the minors, training camp competition is largely a myth.

The 2011-12 regular season starts Thursday night, with the Rangers debuting first among the locals with a 1:00 EST matchup on Friday against the Los Angeles Kings in Stockholm. On Saturday, the Islanders host the Panthers and the Devils play the Flyers at Prudential Center. Here are the final rosters for each team, followed by some news and views.

RANGERS

Goaltenders: Martin Biron, Henrik Lundqvist, Scott Stajcer

Defensemen: Brendan Bell, Stu Bickel, Michael Del Zotto, Tim Erixon, Steve Eminger, Dan Girardi, Ryan McDonagh, Michael Sauer, Marc Staal (injured)

Centers: Artem Anisimov, Brian Boyle, Erik Christensen, Brad Richards, Derek Stepan

Wings: Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubnsky, Ruslan Fedotenko, Marian Gaborik, Brandon Prust, Mike Rupp, Wojtek Wolski, Mats Zuccarello

Notes: The Rangers may have been in denial or just employed wishful thinking in the case of No. 1 defenseman Marc Staal, who continues to suffer from concussion symptoms and has not been cleared for contact. Staal is not joining the team for the games in Europe and is out indefinitely. General Manager Glen Sather recalled Tim Erixon, resulting in a nice story as the New York-born, Sweden-raised defensive prospect may make his N.H.L. debut at home. Sather is reportedly in discussions with the representatives for Paul Mara, at this point in his career a third-pair defenseman but a capable puck-mover.

Coach John Tortorella is opting to put Dubinsky to the left of Richards and Gaborik on the first line to start the season. Christensen is expected to start the season as the Rangers’ extra forward. If Wolski cannot get his game together – he failed his first audition to play with Richards – Tortorella won’t hesitate to call on Christensen and his shootout prowess.

Stacjer remains as the third goaltender, allowed by the league for all teams opening the season in Europe. When the Rangers return home on Sunday, the young goalie will be bound for the minors.

DEVILS

Goaltenders: Martin Brodeur, Johan Hedberg

Defensemen: Mark Fayne, Andy Greene, Adam Larsson, Bryce Salvador, Henrik Tallinder, Anton Volchenkov

Centers: Adam Henrique, Jacob Josefson, Bradley Mills, Travis Zajac (injured), Dainius Zubrus

Wings: Eric Boulton, David Clarkson, Patrik Elias, Cam Janssen, Ilya Kovalchuk, Nick Palmieri, Zach Parise, Mattias Tedenby

Notes: Sykora was signed to a one-year contract after attending camp as a tryout. He will start his comeback on a line with his longtime teammate, Elias, at center and Parise at left wing.

Anton Stralman, also a tryout, is still with the team but has yet to be signed to a contract. The Devils will have to remove a roster player if they decide to sign the big defenseman.

The Devils named Parise captain on Wednesday. The selection was made by General Manager Lou Lamoriello and Coach Peter DeBoer.

ISLANDERS

Goaltenders: Rick DiPietro, Al Montoya, Evgeni Nabokov

Defensemen: Mark Eaton, Travis Hamonic, Milan Jurcina (injured), Andrew MacDonald, Mike Mottau, Steve Staios, Mark Streit

Centers: Josh Bailey, Frans Nielsen, John Tavares, Marty Reasoner, Ryan Strome

Wings: Blake Comeau, Trevor Gillies (injured), Michael Grabner, Matt Martin, Matt Moulson, Nino Niederreiter (injured), Kyle Okposo, Jay Pandolfo, P. A. Parenteau, Brian Rolston, Ryan Strome

Notes: The Islanders signed Strome, the 5th overall pick in the 2011 draft, on Tuesday. At 178 pounds, the gifted 18-year-old center is not ready for regular action at the N.H.L. level, but the Islanders will keep him around for a while to watch and possibly substitute since Niederreiter is sidelined with a groin injury.

The Islanders’ acquisitions for this season are all over 33 years of age: Reasoner (34), Pandolfo (36), Nabokov (36), Staios (37) and Rolston (38). The team’s youngsters required mentoring by experienced players. The first half of the season should tell whether the Islanders added the right ones.

According to the website Capgeek, the Islanders have a salary cap number of $52.6 million. But take away buyouts (Alexei Yashin, Brendan Witt) and bonuses – many highly unattainable – and the Islanders have a payroll of $38 million.

2-on-1: Do the Islanders Have the Defense and Goaltending to Make the Playoffs?

In the first of three conversations previewing the upcoming seasons of the tri-state area’s hockey teams, New York Times hockey writers Jeff Z. Klein and Christopher Botta discuss the chances of the Islanders qualifying for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 2007.

Botta: Jeff, some of our colleagues around N.H.L. press boxes have selected the Islanders as the team most likely to surprise this season in the Eastern Conference. A few have picked them to make the playoffs, while the rest have only gone so far as predicting that they’ll push for a spot. What do you think?

Klein: I think there are likelier teams to surprise than the Isles, but they should improve. Simply having Mark Streit back on the blue line after he missed all of last year should do wonders. The guy’s a horse — look how he made Switzerland competitive at the Olympics, where he was easily among the top four blueliners in the tourney. (I love saying “tourney.”) And they’ve got Michael Grabner, Matt Moulson and of course, John Tavares.

Botta: A healthy Kyle Okposo from game 1 should help, and Frans Nielsen is an effective checking forward capable of scoring 40-50 points. The forward corps gives Islanders supporters reason to be optimistic.

Klein: No question, Chris. Goal scoring should be the last of their worries.

Botta: Defense appears to be a weakness, however, even with Streit back. Andrew MacDonald is very underrated in my opinion and Travis Hamonic has top-pair potential, barring a sophomore setback. But General Manager Garth Snow acknowledged a need for a top defenseman when he traded for the negotiating rights to Christian Ehroff and was unable to sign him. He signed Steve Staios off his training camp tryout and he’s a quality vet, but a third-pair guy. Do you think the Islanders can get by in the back end with Milan Jurcina, Mark Eaton and Mike Mottau and Staios?

Klein: You’ve got a point, Chris. Outside of Streit, there’s not a whole lot there. I’m not as keen on MacDonald and Hamonic as you are. But I’ll say it again: Streit by himself can make even an anonymous defense … acceptable.

Botta: Streit is a terrific player and good choice as the new captain. Keep an eye on Hamonic the next time you see the Islanders live, Jeff. You’ll be converted. MacDonald needs to stay healthy. It’s not easy because he’s got a thin build. But he’s such a smart defenseman.

Now for the real brain-teaser, Jeff. Is it possible to predict what will happen with the Islanders this season in goal? They’ll start the season with Rick DiPietro, Al Montoya and Evgeni Nabokov at the N.H.L. level and three good prospects — Kevin Poulin, Anders Nilsson and Mikko Koskinen — in Bridgeport.

Klein: Even if DiPietro is healthy, he is just not a good goalie, despite the millions the Isles have heaped upon him. Since getting drafted in 2000 he’s had only one good N.H.L. season (2006-7). Nabokov bombed out at SKA in the K.H.L. last year, does not want to be on the Island, and at 36, has all the earmarks of a player fading into retirement.

The club’s best hope is for Montoya to be No. 1 and continue the strong play of his 21-game 2010-11 campaign. Then maybe one of those prospects can be brought up. But really, considering the way the Islanders have handled their goalies over the last 20 years or so, I wouldn’t hold my breath that they’ll handle them right this year.

Botta: Let’s hope they give Poulin all the starts he needs in the minors to develop properly. He’s an under-the-radar prospect, the real deal if he’s ever allowed to come out of DiPietro’s shadow.

On a positive note, I think we can agree it would be a welcome sight if the Islanders can stay in the race. There’s a lot of exciting young talent, especially up front.

Klein: Agreed.

Botta: And that’s with recent top-5 picks Nino Niederreiter and Ryan Strome on the way, plus a few intriguing prospects like the Russians Kirill Kabanov and Kirill Petrov. O.K., Jeff. So where will the Islanders finish in the East?

Klein: I see them improving by about 10 points and moving up from last year’s 14th to 10th or 11th. You?

Botta: They must have an excellent start. This is a franchise that needs positive momentum after the loss of the arena referendum in August and all the uncertainty about the club’s future. They open the season with a four-game homestand against Florida, Minnesota, Tampa Bay and those world-traveling Rangers, so it’s very possible. I’m confident they’ll be in the thick of the race in March for the final two playoff berths.

But in the end, they’ll have a hard time clinching a spot. There’s always a chance of an early-season acquisition or important waiver wire pickup, but I was surprised they didn’t do more this summer to improve the team. Upgrades from Zenon Konopka and Trent Hunter to Marty Reasoner to Brian Rolston are not enough and neither is Staios. I also question whether this team is tough enough. They have enough players to scrap, but are they big enough, durable, able to battle through more than six months against so much size and skill in their conference?

The East is getting stronger. Unless Snow makes a key move, it will be an exciting season – an above .500 season – for an up-and-coming team on the Island, but they’ll finish in 10th place.

Rangers Set Lines in Prague; Staal Resumes Skating

In a game far, far away from Manhattan, and not even available to the faithful via Web stream in North America, Rangers Coach John Tortorella decided to play his projected top forward lines together for the first time in training camp. Well, almost.

The Rangers defeated Sparta Prague HC, 2-0, on Thursday at Tesla Arena in the Czech Republic. They did so playing three and two-thirds of the four lines Tortorella would like to have when the regular season opens Oct. 7 with a game against the Los Angeles Kings in Stockholm. The trios:

Wojtek Wolski – Brad Richards – Marian Gaborik

Brandon Dubinsky – Artem Anisimov – Ryan Callahan

Ruslan Fedotenko – Derek Stepan – Mats Zuccarello

Mike Rupp – Erik Christensen – Brandon Prust

Eleven of the 12 forwards in Prague figure to be the Rangers’ regulars at forward. The lone exception is Christensen, a slippery puck-handler who is money in the shootout but not as consistent when six players from each team are on the ice. The 6-foot-7 center Brian Boyle, who scored 21 goals in a breakthrough season in 2010-11, is much more likely to be in Christensen’s place.

In the victory over Sparta Prague, Anisimov and Fedotenko scored second-period goals and Martin Biron stopped 23 shots for the shutout.

Progress for Staal: The Rangers said that defenseman Marc Staal (concussion symptoms) would practice on Friday with the Connecticut Whale, the club’s American Hockey League affiliate in Hartford. The Rangers hope Staal can rejoin them in Europe for the start of the regular season. “We’ll see how he reacts,” Tortorella said. “If it’s positive results, we’ll get him here.”

THE GAMES

The Rangers will play Friday against Frolunda, Henrik Lundqvist’s former Swedish Elite League team. The goalie is expected to start the game, which will be broadcast live at 1 p.m. Eastern on MSG Network. The Rangers will complete their preseason schedule with games Sunday in Slovakia against HC Slovan and Monday in Switzerland against EV Zug.

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The Devils lost, 2-1, in Philadelphia on Thursday on a game-winning power-play goal by Jaromir Jagr with just over 7 minutes left in the third period. The good news for the Devils was the strong play of Martin Brodeur, the 39-year-old goaltender for three Stanley Cup champions in New Jersey. Watch Brodeur slide post-to-post on this save on Jagr off a feed from Braydon Coburn.

New Jersey closes out its exhibition schedule this weekend with a pair of games at the Prudential Center in Newark, Friday against the Islanders and Saturday against the Flyers. Coach Pete DeBoer will likely make his final roster decisions on Monday so he can put the chosen 22 players through a full week of practice. The Devils open the regular season Oct. 8 at home against Philadelphia.

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After the matchup in New Jersey on Friday, the Islanders play their final exhibition game on Saturday in Bridgeport, Conn., against the Boston Bruins. Coach Jack Capuano has his top two lines virtually set:

Matt Moulson – John Tavares – P.A. Parenteau

Michael Grabner – Frans Nielsen – Kyle Okposo

Capuano is still giving 19-year-old Nino Niederreiter a look in Parenteau’s place on the third line. With the exceptional puck-moving defenseman Mark Streit back after missing all of last season with a shoulder injury, the Islanders should have no problem scoring goals at even strength and on the power play. The challenge will be keeping opponents from scoring. Veteran defenseman Milan Jurcina, a 6-4 stalwart in his team’s end who played only 46 games last season because of an assortment of ailments, is sidelined with a groin strain suffered in the Islanders’ 2-0 loss in Calgary on Tuesday.

Metro Pucks: Final Roster Decisions for the Rangers, Islanders and Devils

In the N.H.L. world of guaranteed one-way contracts – by which established veteran players make the same salary even if sent to the minors –the notion of widespread competition for jobs in training camp is primarily a myth. There are, however, a few spots still open on the rosters of the Rangers, Islanders and Devils with a few exhibition games remaining.

Here is a position-by-position breakdown of which players are safe and who needs to make a stand to crack the opening night lineup.

New York Rangers

Forwards

Set for Lineup (11 of 13 available spots): Artem Anisimov, Brian Boyle, Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky, Ruslan Fedotenko, Marian Gaborik, Brandon Prust, Brad Richards, Mike Rupp, Derek Stepan, Wojtek Wolski

Veterans Pushing: Sean Avery, Erik Christensen, Mats Zuccarello

Prospects Competing: Ryan Bourque, Carl Hagelin, Dale Weise

Notes: As the Rangers play the first of four European preseason games Thursday in Prague, Zuccarello is the front-runner for a spot in the starting 12. The coaching staff is pleased with his off-season workouts and the Norway native provides a bonus with his efficiency in the shootout. Avery, as is his style, will not go quietly. Bourque, Hagelin and Weise are among a group of youngsters to please Coach John Tortorella in camp and will be utilized during the season when injuries hit.

Defensemen

Set for Lineup (5 of 7 available spots): Steve Eminger, Dan Girardi, Ryan McDonagh, Michael Sauer, Marc Staal

Veterans Pushing: Brendan Bell, Stu Bickel

Prospects Competing: Michael Del Zotto, Tim Erixon

Notes: Del Zotto had a very good rookie season in 2009-10, but regressed last year and was sent to the minors. The former first-round pick must improve his play in the defensive zone. Erixon, the son of former Rangers forward Jan Erixon who was born in New York, was acquired in an off-season deal with Calgary and has the most upside of the youngsters. Especially with the uncertain status of Staal (recurring concussion symptoms), the Rangers will consider signing an available free agent for depth.

Goaltenders

Set for Lineup (2 of 2 available spots): Martin Biron, Henrik Lundqvist

Notes: Prospect Scott Stajcer is with the Rangers in Europe for the balance of the exhibition season, but Lundqvist and Biron are entrenched as the team’s tandem in goal.

New York Islanders

Forwards

Set for Lineup (11 of 12 available spots): Josh Bailey, Blake Comeau, Michael Grabner, Matt Moulson, Nino Niederreiter, Frans Nielsen, Kyle Okposo, P.A. Parenteau, Marty Reasoner, Brian Rolston, John Tavares

Enforcer: Trevor Gillies

Veterans Pushing: Matt Martin, Micheal Haley, Jay Pandolfo

Prospects Competing: David Ullstrom, Rhett Rakhshani

Notes: The Swiss rookie Niederreiter will make the club, so the only open jobs are on Coach Jack Capuano’s fourth line. Gillies will be the 13th forward, shuffling in and out of the lineup when a heavyweight fighter is required. Pandolfo, the longtime Devils grinder, has yet to stand out in camp. Martin, young and tough on the wing, is an incumbent and currently the leader to stick. The organization’s most talented prospect, Ryan Strome (the fifth overall draft pick in 2011), needs another year of first-line ice time and bulking up in the Ontario Hockey League.

Defensemen

Set for Lineup (6 of 8 available spots): Mark Eaton, Travis Hamonic, Milan Jurcina, Andrew MacDonald, Mike Mottau, Mark Streit

Veteran Pushing: Steve Staios

Prospect Competing: Calvin de Haan

Notes: The uncertain status of McDonald, the steady two-way defender coming off hip surgery, should prompt General Manager Garth Snow to add a veteran or two to this very thin corps. The 37-year-old Staios is in camp on a tryout agreement. He is gritty and experienced and will likely be signed, but cannot be Snow’s only answer. The talented de Haan is only 20 years old and just out of the Ontario Hockey League. Although he’ll see games with the big club this season, he would be best served by some development time in the minors.

Goaltenders

Set for Lineup (2 of 2 available spots): Rick DiPietro, Al Montoya

Veteran Pushing: Evgeni Nabokov

Prospect Competing: Kevin Poulin

Notes: DiPietro and Montoya got here first, so they will be given the first cracks by management at the No. 1 job. It’s up to Nabokov, the longtime Sharks netminder who sat out most of last season, to steal a job and not let go. (A three-goalie rotation has rarely worked in the N.H.L.) Of all the goaltenders in the Islanders’ system, the Quebec League-developed Poulin is arguably the most talented. He’ll get his chance to lead the position in the next year or two.

New Jersey Devils

Forwards

Set for Lineup (10 of 13 available spots): Eric Boulton, David Clarkson, Patrik Elias, Jacob Josefson, Ilya Kovalchuk, Zack Parise, Rod Pelley David Steckel, Mattias Tedenby, Dainius Zubrus

Injured: Travis Zajac (out until at least December with a torn Achilles’ tendon, suffered during an off-season workout)

Veterans Pushing: Cam Janssen, Petr Sykora

Prospects Competing: Adam Henrique, Adam Mills, Nick Palmieri, Vladimir Zharkov

Notes: Boulton, a rugged wing with a willingness to fight, signed a two-year, one-way contract with New Jersey after playing the last six seasons with the departed Atlanta Thrashers. Janssen is also on a one-way deal, making them a leading contender to stick, but first-year Coach Pete DeBoer may prefer to add skill in Sykora, who is in camp as a tryout and has performed well. The void created by Zajac’s injury may have to be filled with a trade or waiver wire acquisition. Henrique (a playmaker) and Mills (a workhorse) have been standouts in camp.

Defensemen

Set for Lineup (6 of 7 available spots): Mark Fraser, Andy Greene, Adam Larsson, Bryce Salvador, Henrik Tallinder, Anton Volchenkov

Veterans Pushing: Peter Harrold, Anton Stralman

Prospects Competing: Matt Corrente, Mark Fayne, Matt Taormina

Notes: Devils management will do its best to manage expectations for Larsson – the brilliant fourth overall pick in this summer’s draft – but there is no doubt he’s making the team. Stralman, who played the previous two seasons in Columbus, is in camp on a tryout agreement and has made a solid bid for a contract. Fraser, who turns 25 on Thursday, will be pushed for ice time by the trio of prospects.

Goaltenders

Set for Lineup (2 of 2 available spots): Martin Brodeur, Johan Hedberg

Notes: Keith Kinkaid and Jeff Frazee are still in camp, but even they could tell you the Devils are Brodeur’s team and Hedberg will be the backup.