Why The Rangers' New Blueliners Will Lift The Rangers Into The Playoffs

You don't need Chris Drury to tell you that  defense was his club's Achilles heel in this past disastrous season. The Maven saw it; you saw it and K'Andre Miller made it happen.

Drury's most recent  actions – trades, acquisitions – underline the point and he has beefed up the blue line. The questions are, how much and how well? The Fischler analysts -- Maven, son Simon and Grandson Ariel – have X-rayed the new formations.

Our conclusions are surprisingly upbeat. See if you agree.

ADAM FOX-SLAVA GAVRIKOV: This not only will be the top pairing but also the one with the most long-term value. It comprises two distinctly separate parts. Part One: is the resurrection of Adam Fox back into Norris Trophy contention. Fox is in his NHL prime but his game has significantly slipped and must be improved for the overall good of the team, the man himself and the power play which he quarterbacks. A reinvented Fox could mean the difference of a playoff berth or not. (Maybe even more, if his pals cooperate.)

Gavrikov is a whole other story. He brings the brand of beef and experience which once had been Jacob Trouba's trademark when he was in his New York prime. Slava has all the equipment to be a solid partner for Fox and also to give the blue line corps some

sense of solidity. He may evolve as the best Chris Drury get of the off-season.

URHO VAAKANAINEN-BRADEN SCHNEIDER: Don't let Urho's spelling stump you. Drury unearthed a potential plus-version of departed K'Andre Miller and then some. As for Schneider, he has matured gradually into a dependable blue liner whose resume keeps getting better by the month. The balance wheel in this case will be Urho. As for Braden he fits fine; the onus is on Vaakanainen to prove he belongs.

CARSON SOUCY-SCOTT MORROW: This juet is the most IFFY of the bunch. There are plenty of legitimate doubts about Soucy belonging among the starting six although he was third-rated in Vancouver. (It's a 50-50 shot that he holds on to the position. On the other hand, we Fischers like Morrow's possibilities. There's  little doubt that he never had a fair chance to make it in Raleigh, but Manhattan is another story. Don't be surprised if this kid is a diamond in the rough.

Incredible But True Rangers Story: A New Yorker Starts A Blueshirt TrendNicky Fotiu was not your normal New Yorker since normal New Yorkers had never before earned a spot on the Blueshirts roster.

IN RESERVE: There are those who were impressed with Will Borgen's work after he arrived from Seattle. He seemed like a reasonable recruit for the third unit; sometimes even better. It's a good bet that if Soucy or Morrow fail, Borgen will be back in the lineup.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: Tomorrow we examine why the upcoming season is so vital for Igor Shesterkin's career and we'll discuss the possibilities of Jonathan Quick retaining his edge at age 39).