Little in the middle

That’s what’s left for the New York Rangers after Saturday’s loss to the Calgary Flames. Chris Drury and Brandon Dubinsky suffered significant injuries that will leave them shelved for two different amounts of time. Chris Drury suffered the third concussion of his career early in the first period, with a late and cheap hit by Curtis Glencross. Not here to discuss if this should be penalized or not, because any hockey fan that has a pair of two good eyes knows that hit was dirty. Brandon Dubinsky, on the other hand(no pun intended) broke a finger in his right hand blocking a shot from the point on a second period penalty kill. He will be out at least six weeks.

Two different plays, one crushing result for the Rangers, who now, despite the lack of production from either center, are left scrambling to fill the voids left up the middle. They were considered thin an center, even with these two in the lineup, now Tortorella has to fill square blocks into round holes by shifting the forwards around to fill out a some semblance of an N.H.L. roster.

Vinny Prospal is guaranteed to move back to center the first line, with Artem Anisimov almost certain to get a chance at the second line role. After that, it’s a crap-shoot. Ryan Callahan or Sean Avery will most likely get a look at this spot, which means someone will definitely be summoned from Hartford to fill the wing positions. Evgeny Grachev, who is averaging almost a point per game in his first professional season in North America could, and in my opinion, should be the guy to send up and give a look. He has tremendous potential and now with the injuries will be given a decent look, if called.

This all spells doom for Aaron Voros though, due to cap issues and not necessarily being in the good graces of the head coach. Donald Brashear is slated to return as well. The proverbial writing on the wall is signifying that Voros could be the odd man out.

There is one blessing in disguise though, the Rangers schedule is starting to lighten up, as they only play four games within the next twelve days. Another sign of great news is that the Henrik Lundqvist mysterious minor injury issue(apparently it was tightness in the groin or thigh) will not stop him from playing in the Rangers next game against the Atlanta Thrashers on Thursday night. As significant as the loss of Drury and Dubinsky are, they pale in comparison to the effect of a lengthy Lundqvist injury would have to this team. He is the most valuable Ranger, with Gaborik right behind him. Both are needed to play at their customary high levels and to remain healthy in order for the Rangers to make the playoffs for the fifth straight season.

On the lighter side of the news, Peter Forsberg, who the Rangers are apparently are scouting, went scoreless in the three game tournament he played in. The Rangers(thankfully) aren’t in a position to overspend for his services, so if he does come to NY, he won’t be because the Rangers shot the moon and opened the checkbook. Stay tuned, because these injuries might open the door for #21 to show up at the front gates of M.S.G.