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New York Rangers Daily: Latest Player Cuts, and Two Rangers Ranked

By Patrick Comia

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It’s another Monday, but not all is bad. One more week, and Rangers hockey is back. Just keep that in mind this week, as we head to another finish line.

To help you through the blues, we have some news we wanted to share with you to help keep your mind off those graphs or deadlines:

Second-round of roster cuts made following Saturday’s game, eyebrows raised- Rangers Twitter

After last night’s entertaining 4-3 preseason win over the New Jersey Devils, Alain Vigneault and coaching staff made their next round of cuts. Here were the players demoted to Hartford, in preparation of the AHL season:

The names that stood out the most were defenseman Brady Skjei, Matt Bodie, Ryan Bourque, and Magnus Hellberg.

However, with a little more seasoning with the Wolf Pack can only help them. There may not be space on this year’s roster at the present. But, next year may prove to be a different story. Don’t rule out being called up later this year, either.

A surprise was felt over a couple of players that got sent home a little earlier than expected. However, there is a future waiting for them, when the need arises. As of now, here is the present roster for the Rangers final two preseason games:

Rangers who earned the title of underrated and overated- THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM

An article written by contributor Jared Clinton yesterday, listed the top 10 NHL players who were underated and overrated.

Two Rangers made his list: Derick Brassard and Dan Girardi.

Brassard was named one of the five underrated players, and it seems fitting. For what he can bring to the table, his herorics have been getting overshadowed by the likes of Henrik Lundqvist, Ryan McDonagh, Derek Stepan, Rick Nash, and so on.

However, that perception might change this season. For fans of the team, we all know what Brassard means to us. We’ve followed him since he arrived three seasons ago. Brassard is just now gaining the recognition that we, inside the Rangers bubble, have appreciated in his time here.

His abilities and passion for the game bring a fire to his teammates and fans, that is hard to put out. As an example of Brassard’s rise in New York, watch this clip of his performance in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Lightning, in Tampa Bay:

That was part of a five-point night, where he took over the game. If that was his coming out party, what else does he have in store?

Then, we go to the most overrated Ranger, as ranked by the article, in Girardi.

Known as the “iron man” for the team, there is no discounting his toughness of a hockey player. He seems to take a licking, and keeps on ticking.

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However, being named to the top pair of the Rangers may have been a little much.

There have been several instances of Girardi looking bad when defending in his own zone. Couple that with his contract of $5.5 million per year, and that may have helped Mr. Clinton’s case.

He does not come off as someone is a natural leader. Perhaps, we don’t see it in the locker room or on the bench, but he seems passive a lot of times. He’d prefer to let his actions on the ice do most of the speaking for him.

I just ask that his actions are consistent. some nights, he can be absolutely solid on defense, shutting down players. Then, other nights, he just doesn’t have it.

May 2, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) splits the defense of New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) and defenseman Dan Girardi (5) during the third period in game two of the second round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers defeated the Capitals 3 – 2. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

If Girardi wants to rid himself of the overrated title, he should play to his strengths, and begin showing why he was named one of the team’s alternate captains.

And that’s it from us. Don’t forget the Rangers are back at it tonight for preseason action, as they take on the Flyers from Madison Square Garden. Television coverage starts at 7:00 pm EST, on MSG and the NHL Network.

See you all tomorrow.

Next: Raphael Diaz Steps Up and Fires Against the Devils

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