The returnees (NYR defencemen)

By all accounts, the Rangers really did try to take a run at it all last year and as a result they had five 20 year olds out of the seven defencemen on the regular roster. Therefore, while the returning guys, and the ones they have brought in are quite capable Junior 'A' defenders in my opinion, there are bound to be lingering question marks surrounding them until they prove themselves as a unit.

With that said, here are the returning North York defenders.

The fact that the Rangers had some of their best days when Jeremy Szabo was in the lineup last season was no fluke: he was outstanding. The offensive state sheet  - one goal, six points - won't jump out at you, but the way he played with passion, with intelligence and with physicality truly lifted the club and provided elements that were sorely missed when he was hurt during the first round of the playoffs. Jeremy is the type of kid that cares a ton and though it is unknown how much his game on the puck will develop, the foundations of character and composure are there in spades. He'll be a key leader on this year's club.

Christian Zanetti found his way into 44 games last year (including playoffs) and quietly went about his business developing into a steady defender. I could tell he had a bit of difficulty keeping his game sharp while being thrown in and out of the lineup, but he can skate and has an attitude of doing whatever the club needs him to do. Where he fits in the grand scheme of things is really up to him, though through limited summer viewings I have definitely seen improvement in his lateral mobility and confidence on the puck.

That brings me to Max Novick, who I will call a returnee because he's been part of this club for the past two years, despite spending the majority of his time with the midgets. I have always loved Max's confidence level, he has never been daunted by any task the coaching staff gave him, and that kind of attitude is something coaches love. On the ice, Novick's tool kit is absolutely full. He can skate like the wind, he has some nice vision and just like his off-ice attitude, he is fearless. If he can digest the systematic elements of the game, and work to understand when to freelance and when to keep things simple with the puck on his stick, he can be a premier talent in this league. He has the pluck to make a real difference for this club.