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Marian Gaborik was one of the top free agent signings in the NHL during the offseason.

Stanley Cups: 4

2008-'09 record: 43-30-9, 95 points (4th in Atlantic, 7th seed in East)

2008-'09 playoffs: Lost to Washington Capitals 4-3

General manager: Glen Sather (1,062-891-289, 28th NHL year, 2nd team)

Coach: John Tortorella (251-232-77, 10th NHL year, 2nd team)

Captain: Chris Drury

Top returning scorer: C Chris Drury 22 goals, 34 assists, 56 points)

Top returning goalie: Henrik Lundqvist (38-25-7, 2.43, .916)

Key additions: LW Chris Higgins; RW Marian Gaborik; LW Donald Brashear; C Brian Boyle; C Tyler Arnason; RW Ales Kotalik; RW Enver Lisin; LW Vaclav Prospal.

Key subtractions: RW Colton Orr; LW Mark Bell; C Blair Betts; C Scott Gomez; RW Fredrik Sjostrom; LW Markus Naslund; C Nik Antropov; LW Laurie Korpikoski; D Paul Mara; D Derek Morris; RW Nikolai Zherdev.

Top line: LW Ales Kotalik; C Chris Drury; LW Ryan Callahan.

Top defensive pairing: Marc Staal, Michal Rozsival

Goaltending: Lundqvist posted a career-high 38 wins to become the first netminder in NHL history to win 30 games in each of his first four seasons. Superb agility and amazing reflexes make him tough to beat, especially on shots to the bottom half of the net. Incredible patient and poise. Won’t make first move, and combined with his excellent net coverage, this frustrates shooters.

Player to watch: D Michael Del Zotto. Has huge upside. Tremendously skilled with the puck, averaged a point per season in junior. Hard shot and excellent passer.

Icing: Gaborik reached the 30-goal mark five times in eight seasons in Minnesota, including a carrer-high 42 in the 2007-08 season. He was limited to 13 goals and 17 games last season due to injuries.

Outlook: The soft Rangers of recent years are long gone now that hard taskmaster Tortorella is in charge. Lundqvist gives them a chance to win every night and if Gaborik can stay healthy, the offense should improve.

Prediction: 94 points (4th in Atlantic, 6th seed in East)

NHL TEAM-BY-TEAM PREVIEWS Teams listed in predicted order of finish; x-playoff team ATLANTIC x-Penguins x-Flyers x-Devils x-Rangers Islanders Vote: Winner? CENTRAL x-Red Wings x-Blackhawks x-Blue Jackets x-Blues Predators Vote: Winner? NORTHEAST x-Bruins x-Canadiens Sabres Maple Leafs Senators Vote: Winner? NORTHWEST x-Flames x-Canucks Oilers Wild Avalanche Vote: Winner? SOUTHEAST x-Capitals x-Hurricanes Thrashers Panthers Lightning Vote: Winner? PACIFIC x-Sharks x-Ducks Stars Kings Coyotes Vote: Winner?

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