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Get To Know a Ranger: Nik Antropov

By J.P.

[Ed. note: As part of the build-up to the first round playoff series between the Capitals and the Rangers, Japers' Rink will be looking at some of the important but lesser-known players on the Rangers and how they might impact the series.]

Nik Antropov

#80 / Center / New York Rangers

6-6

230

Feb 18, 1980

Ust-Kamenogorsk, USSR (now Kazakhstan)

10th overall in 1998

Via trade from Toronto, March 4, 2009

Strengths Can line up at all three forward positions. Plays with poise and patience. Owns good vision and two-way smarts. Works hard and has impressive size and reach.
Weaknesses Is so big that he could still stand to play more of a power game at the NHL level for a greater impact. Is prone to mental lapses on the ice. Lacks natural goal-scoring ability.
Potential Top six forward.

Regular Season
 GP G A P +/- PIM PPG SHG GWG GTG SOG PCT
1999-2000 66 12 18 30 14 41 0 0 2 0 89 13.5
2000-2001 52 6 11 17 5 30 0 0 1 0 71 8.5
2001-02 11 1 1 2 -1 4 0 0 0 0 12 8.3
2002-03 72 16 29 45 11 124 2 1 6 0 102 15.7
2003-04 62 13 18 31 7 62 1 1 2 0 89 14.6
2005-06 57 12 19 31 13 56 2 1 0 0 113 10.6
2006-07 54 18 15 33 8 44 4 0 4 0 125 14.4
2007-08 72 26 30 56 10 92 12 0 5 0 165 15.8
2008-09 81 28 31 59 -14 30 8 0 4 0 224 12.5

Playoffs           
GP G A P +/- PIM PPG SHG GWG GTG SOG PCT
1999-2000 3 0 0 0 1 4 0 0 0 0 2 0.0
2000-01 9 2 1 3 2 12 1 0 1 0 10 20.0
2002-03 3 0 0 0 -3 0 0 0 0 0 5 0.0
2003-04 13 0 2 2 1 18 0 0 0 0 18 0.0

[We thought we'd ask someone a bit more knowledgeable than us to help out on the analysis for this one, so, without further ado, spring-time Caps fan PPP...]

Why you should know who he is - Antropov has played 207 relatively healthy games mostly in a row. During that time he has scored 148 points (0.72/game). For a guy that was so injury prone before the lockout it's that much more impressive. A large part of his success can be attributed to Nik coming to terms with the advantage that his size provides him and his soft hands. He's played the majority of his time with Chris Drury who has 15 points since the deadline so he has helped increase Captain Clutch's offence.

How the Caps can stop him - The key to stopping Antropov (in my eyes) is a big defenceman that has the strength and positioning to take away Antro's strengths. If he has time to shift and hold on to the puck it gives his linemates time to get open. Looking at the roster the likeliest candidates are Erskine, Schultz, Poti, and Jurcina. From what I remember from last year Erskine and Jurcina are horrible and Poti is really soft so that leaves Schultz. The Rangers' PP hasn't improved but Antropov is amazing at deflections so keep his stick tied up.

Anyway, what are your thoughts Caps fans? Educate a bandwagoner.