There have been several discussions about who should be the player that fills the spot on the top line alongside Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards. Wojtek Wolski was given the first crack at the spot in training camp and has shown some good chemistry in the early scrimmages with the aforementioned players.
Originally I wanted Wolski to fill that spot in order to keep the second line of Dubinsky, Anisimov, and Callahan--who exhibited very good chemistry at times last year--together. However, after watching Brad Richard's first preseason game with Wolski on the line they showed good chemistry but they left a lot to be desired defensively. There were several instances when that line got trapped in the defensive zones for long periods of time. In the offensive zone they showed good puck movement at times with that expected to increase as the familiarity grows.
Another popular candidate to take that spot has been Brandon Dubinsky. I was originally opposed to breaking up the "Pack Line" for reasons mentioned before, but after watching some action I think Dubinsky would help the line incredibly defensively, as well as be more willing to go into the corners and fight for the puck. Wolski's lesser defensive talents would easily be covered up by the strong two way games of Ryan Callahan and Artem Anisimov.
Yet another player that may be able to take that open spot is Brian Boyle. Though some worry that Brian Boyle's offensive output last year was something of a fluke, and many are uncertain if he can continue to put up as many goals as he did last year, Boyle is similar to a Dubinsky type player with less skill. Boyle loves to use his size in the corners to win the puck, as well as set up in front of the net to try to screen the goalie. Some argue given more of a offensive role on the team, Boyle could match, if not improve, upon his totals from the previous year.
Another possible candidate, although this reaches more in the realm of fantasy then actuality, is Zach Parise. Now I know many will say the Devil-Ranger connection has failed multiple times in the past, however Zach Parise is in a whole class above players like Holik and Gomez. The Ranger's have some $15 million in cap space this coming summer with only players like Brandon Prust, Michael Del Zotto, and possibly Mats Zuccarello needing to be resigned. Zach is the perfect type of player to fit the spot vacated at the moment. He has elite offensive talents to be on par with Richards and Gaborik--both his goal scoring abilities and playmaking abilities, as well as he loves to fight in the corners for the puck and position himself squarely at the side of the net for tip-ins and deflections.
There are quite a few other options out there via trade, but those are the type of players that may be too costly to try to acquire at this time. However, given the Ranger's defensive depth, should a trade come about dealing some of that depth they should definitely look into the opportunity as another way to better the team. There have even been some discussions about possibly moving center Derek Stepan to the wing, or Ryan Callahan on that line.
Ultimately, I'm sure there will be several players given the opportunity to play with Richards and Gaborik. The one that takes advantage of their chance will likely wind up sticking there for the long haul.
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