Stepan elevated to Rangers' top line

New York Rangers' Derek Stepan (21) takes a shot on... — New York Rangers' Derek Stepan (21) takes a shot on goal past New Jersey Devils' Brad Mills (48), of Canada, during the first period of a preseason hockey game. (Sept. 23, 2011) Credit: AP

By STEVE ZIPAYsteve.zipay@newsday.comOctober 12, 2011

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- It has been a productive two days for Derek Stepan. On Tuesday, he won the long-drive contest at the team's annual golf event with a 330-yard blast. Wednesday, he was elevated to the No. 1 line with Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik as the latest left wing candidate.

"I have to move into the chemistry they have with each other," said Stepan, 21, a center out of the University of Wisconsin who cracked the roster last October with a gangbuster prospects tournament and impressive camp. "I'm trying to see the game the way they do. Brad is one of the best at finding space in the NHL, and I get the feeling that if I can find any open lane, he'll find a way to find me. And vice versa; I need to find him and Gabby. You don't need to rush it or force it. If it's meant to be, it'll work."

The Minnesota native had 21 goals and 24 assists in his first NHL season, but a move to wing isn't out of leftfield. Although named to the All-Rookie team, Stepan struggled on faceoffs and was shifted to the flank for about 20 games last season, where he said he felt comfortable.

Stepan is the fourth player to be so deployed as coach John Tortorella evaluates the mix for his top trio. The coach, who isn't averse to changing lines mid-game, opened camp by pairing Wojtek Wolski (out with a groin issue) with Richards and Gaborik, then moved Ruslan Fedotenko to that spot, and then switched to Brandon Dubinsky, who played there for most of the two losses (in overtime and a shootout) in Stockholm.

The realignment -- if it sticks beyond Saturday's game at Nassau Coliseum -- would allow Tortorella to reunite two effective lines from last season: Dubinsky-Artem Anisimov-Ryan Callahan and Brandon Prust-Brian Boyle-Fedotenko.

"There's no question that would be the best thing to do; that's why we're trying to do different things here. I just think that gives us more balance," Tortorella said. "That's what I'd really like to happen."

Stepan said he already is learning from the veteran Richards as a locker-room neighbor. "To play with him, I would just try and be like a sponge and soak up everything I can. And with Gabby, the amount of talent that guy has, there's always something I can learn from him, too."