Derek Stepan..A Star In The Making?

We saw hints of it in the preseason last year, but we tried not to go too crazy over it. In fact, most of us just tried to blow it off as another rookie having a strong training camp. However, one could hardly ignore the fact that Derek Stepan had THE best camp amongst all the Rangers last year, tying for the team lead in goals and creating a certain buzz about him as he entered his rookie NHL season. But we tried not overreact, not just yet.

And when he scored a hat trick in his first NHL game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, he became just the fourth player in NHL history to do so in his NHL debut, and the second Blueshirt to do it in a season opener, joining Ron Murphy who accomplished the feat back in 1955. Yet we still tried to temper the enthusiasm, for the time being.

Stepan went on to record 21 goals and 45 points last season, becoming the first Rangers rookie to score 20 goals since Petr Prucha, back in 2005-06. Playing in all 82 games for the Boys in Blue, he earned a spot on the rookie squad of the NHL All-Star team this past January and competed in the skills competition. Yet we still tried not to set our expectations too high for the 20-year-old forward, not just yet.

However, so far this season Derek Stepan is making it hard to continue to ignore him. Hard to temper that enthusiasm surrounding him, and hard not to overreact to his excellent, steady, intelligent play. The 2nd year center seems to be coming into his own, and appears to be developing right before our very eyes. In this young NHL season thus far, Stepan is tied for second on the team in scoring with 3 goals and 10 points, has 7 points in his last three games, and nine in 5 of his last 6. However, that’s not what all the buzz is about. What has Rangers fans so excited right now is the chemistry he has developed playing with Marian Gaborik and Artem Anisimov. The newly formed “G.A.S. line” was responsible for all 3 Rangers goals in last night’s 3-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators at Scotianbank Place, and has accounted for much of the Blueshirt offense lately with 19 total points (six goals, 13 assists) in the last three games, and 7 points (three goals, four assists) in last night’s match alone.

But what has really stood out for me is how Derek Stepan has been in the middle of all of it, not only scoring goals of his own, but also making a few brilliant passes to set up goals by Gaborik and Eric Christensen the last few games. His play making ability is really starting to develop and that being the case, the Rangers may have indeed found a future star in the native from Hasting, Minnesota. It's not surprising though if you think about the fact that Stepan just happens to be a product of the prestigious Shattuck-St Mary's School hockey team, a boarding school with a history of hockey excellence and whose roster of former players includes the likes of Sidney Crosby, Jonathon Toews and Zach Parise.

The fact that Stepan has had success this early in his NHL career should come not come as much of a shock either, actually. In addition to his two successful years at SSM where he totaled 82 goals and 181 points, he continued to shine at the 2010 IIHF World U20 Championships, where he was the captain of the United States team and led the tournament in scoring with four goals and ten assists in seven games, leading the U.S. to their second ever gold medal over Canada.

It is also fitting that his success should come in a Rangers uniform, as Derek’s father Brad was also drafted by the Blueshirts back in 1985. He never played a game in the NHL, but apparently passed his hockey genes on to his son who now has a little over a season’s worth of professional experience under his belt, chemistry with a superstar player, and a ton of confidence and maturity. This can only mean good things for Derek Stepan and the Rangers as they move towards what could be a bright future together in the Big Apple.

But ya know, we don’t wanna set expectations TOO high for the 21-year-old from a hockey state, born into a hockey family, who went to that boarding school with a prestigious hockey background...

Not just yet!

Avery Back With Rangers, But Will Not Play Tonight

Get used to that Rangers fans, cause you'll probably be seeing it a lot. At least for now.

It was not a surprise to learn that after clearing waivers at Noon on Tuesday, and practicing with the Rangers yesterday, Sean Avery would not be in the line up tonight against the Anaheim Ducks for a 7 pm tilt at the Garden. And this really has nothing to do with Tortorella not liking him or me thinking he's not the answer. The bottom line is that Avery is not needed right now. The Rangers played their most complete game of the season the other night, with a 5-2 win over the San Jose Sharks. Tortorella is going right back to that same line-up, most likely with the exception of the goalie, as well he should. And not only do I agree with that decision, but Avery does as well. It just makes sense.

So, the pressing question in Rangerland right now, is when WILL Sean Avery play?

Most likely, and I could be wrong here, not until the Rangers get a little desperate. After they've lost a few in a row, or 3 out of their last 4, or something like that. After dropping their first 2 games at home, if they had played poorly on Monday against the Sharks, then you might have seen Avery in the line-up tonight. But the win against San Jose, coupled with the way the power play has started to come alive lately, negates the need for that at least for now. If they struggle in the next few games, that may change. But look for Avery to sit for the time being, either until such a struggle, or until a game against a big rival such as the Devils or the Flyers. We shall see.

In the meantime, the Rangers DO need to build on Monday's victory, and start developing some consistency. The win over San Jose exemplified every thing about the Rangers that we've grown to love about them the past few years. A hard working, blue collar team, that takes it's lead from Ryan Callahan. There's a reason why he was named Captain before the start of the season, and he did not disappoint Monday night, scoring 2 goals and adding an assist. The second of the 2 goals was an effort of pure hustle on his part as he knocked in a rebound from Brad Richards as he was falling to the ice after being checked by Sharks defenseman Andrew Murray. Derek Stepan and Artem Anisimov also came alive with goals, and Brandon Dubinsky, Dan Girardi and Erik Christensen had 2 assists each. Back up goalie Marty Biron was strong in net with 24 saves, picking up his 2nd win in two starts. Tortorella has not made it official just yet, but I expect Henrik Lundqvist back in net tonight, as the Rangers look to get revenge on the Ducks for their loss in Sweden back in the second game of the season. I also expect Avery to be sitting in the stands...at least for now. When he gets his shot, remains to be seen.