New stars on broadway

There have been plenty of surprises in the early going thus far, but is there a better story than the New York Rangers?

I don’t know how coach John Tortorella is doing it, but he has his Rangers riding a six-game winning streak and their next game in Toronto should be a gimmie. This season’s edition of the Rangers may present Tortorella with his toughest challenge yet as an NHL coach. When he looks down his bench there’s no Vinny Lecavalier to tap on the shoulder to leap over the boards. No Martin St-Louis, or Brad Richards, or Dan Boyle.

True enough, right winger Marian Gaborik has been a pleasant addition to the club and could be a top 10 scorer in the NHL, but with his history of injuries, we’ll reserve judgment on what kind of a season he’ll have.

For Mike Brophy’s full column click here