Daniel Girardi

After every game of the 2011-12 season, each Rangers player will be assigned a letter grade based on his individual performance, impact on the game and outlook going forward.

Tonight marked Henrik Lundqvist's first shutout of the 2010-2011 NHL season and it was a well-deserved one at that.

Big Brian Boyle scored his fourth goal of the season off of a beautiful backhand (his third against the Leafs) and Ryan Callahan continued his goal scoring streak to four games after scoring on a penalty shot giving him four goals and seven assists in nine games. 

I would like to welcome Rangers beat writer Andrew Gross. His work can be found here , and he can also be found on twitter @AGrossRecord .

On July 27, 2010 the New York Rangers filled their roster and their cap by signing left winger Alexander Frolov. 

At present time the Rangers, are in the rears, meaning they are in the negative by $-796,667 with a cap pay roll of $60,196,667. 

Where do you begin when you look at this New York Rangers team? How about we start with the many interviews we have heard with someone from this organization saying we need to better our defense—or was it we need to be tougher? Or maybe it was the one on how we need to get Henrik Lundvist some help so he does not have to play every game. Maybe it was all of the above that made me think, "hey, they finally got the hint on what to do... NOT!"

The New York Rangers signed Brandon Prust today to a two-year deal for $1.6 million. Prust, who quickly became a fan favorite in New York, will be looking to reconnect with Artem Anisimov after last year's great performance.

I really like this kid. He skates really well, and he has pretty quick hands and decent puck control. He attacks the net, and as he showed last year, he has what it takes to score some nice goals. He brings toughness, and Brandon can easily play on any line. I personally am pleased to see him return.

As proven by the type of players the New York Rangers Drafted this year, it is quite obvious they went into the draft with a game plan, and as usual, the clueless Ranger fans are unhappy.

We need offense they scream, we want goals, goals and more goals. For years, over a decade actually, its been the same chant, the same tears, the same people , with the same boo hoos with the same results. No Cup!

The Rangers General Manager heard all your screams and answered them.

In a recent study conducted by Phil Kocher, of Dissension Media , on a New York Rangers message board that will remain anonymous for the time being, he meticulously created 25 poll threads, one for each of the players who played for a substantial amount of time on the Rangers this season.

The New York Rangers had their backs against the wall tonight. One loss, and they would be eliminated from playoff contention. One win in overtime, and it would make things interesting. One win in regulation, and they would tie the Flyers in the standings and make Sunday’s game a do-or-die for both teams. The Rangers forced the latter.

Even if the New York Rangers manage to slip into the playoffs, they must begin to look to the future, starting with their own free agents. The blueshirts must decide who they will bring back and let walk when the off-season begins.

1. Olli Jokinen (C)

2009/10 salary: $5.500 million