Blogs: Chemistry, Killin' Time, Dog Pee, Over the Cap & High or Low?

Jess Rubenstein at The Prospect Park emphasizes that no matter what, chemistry is key.

Scotty Hockey kills some time on a Friday night blogging about numerous Ranger issues.

Leedsy99 at Rangersland.net let's his readers know what he'll be drinking if Aaron Voros scores 10 goals for the Rangers this year.

Pucks on Broadway says with the Rangers about $350,000 over the cap they're going to have to make some moves if they want to bring back Shanahan.

Gootzman at the Corner of Section 420 & Glendale feels players' perseverance and determination make low scoring games better than high scoring ones.

Brendl Shining Overseas

Brian Costello at The Hockey News gives his top 10 ex-NHLers shining overseas...

8. Pavel Brendl - Multi-time NHL bust was third in Swedish Elite League scoring after a 30-goal season in Brynas.

...maybe we should try signing him. Just kidding.

Shanahan Wants to Return for 1 More Year

Michael Farber at SI.com has this piece on Brendan Shanahan wanting to return to the NHL...

"Shanahan, a free agent, is seeking a one-year contract. If a deal with the Rangers can't be worked out -- and currently New York is his only focus -- he would be willing to listen to offers from other teams. He already has deflected off-ice offers, including from media outlets."

...i've already stated my position on Shanahan numerous time, see here and here.

York Signed By Columbus

Aaron Portzline at the Columbus Dispatch is reporting...

"The Blue Jackets have signed veteran NHL center Mike York to a one-year contract, The Dispatch has learned.

It's a two-way contract that will pay York $750,000 with the Blue Jackets and $100,000 with the minor-league Syracuse Crunch."

...York was a fan favorite at the Garden who couldn't replicate his success on Broadway with any other team. Good luck resurrecting your career Mike.

Renney on WFAN

Tom Renney was on WFAN's Boomer & Carton radio program this morning. For audio click here.

Rangers Release Liffiton

Mitch Beck at Howlings reports...

Dave Liffiton's time as a hockey player in Hartford can best be summed up in one word...competitor. However, Liffiton told Howlings in a brief conversation that he will not be coming back to the Wolf Pack.

"The Rangers didn't offer me anything they let me go." The 6'2" 210-pounder from Windsor, Ontario said.

...a pretty bad concussion and other various injuries were Liffiton's downfall. He looked like he was going to be a nice physical defenseman in a couple of years. Too bad.

...although, even without the injuries, there was probably little chance he was ever going to get a legitimate chance with the Rangers with all the defensive depth in the organization.

What No Name?

Here's a picture I found of Jaromir Jagr accepting his new jersey for Avangard Omsk courtesy of Puck Daddy.

More Productive Year for Drury?

Ryan Dixon at The Hockey News has this to say about Chris Drury...

"Year 2 on Broadway is going to be more productive for Chris Drury as the Rangers slowly, but surely, become his team…"

...while Drury had a down year numbers wise, I thought he was really good for us in other aspects such as face-offs and penalty killing.

...to me Drury had the typical first year for a big time player coming to New York. Look at A-Rod, Clemens, Beltran and Santana. It takes time to get used to all the media and expectations. Drury should be in for a better year as he'll be more comfortable with his surroundings.

Today's Headline

Here's Steve Zipay's full story at Newsday on Marc Staal being excited about the Rangers off-season moves....

Staal on Michal Rozsival...

"I got pretty comfortable playing with him last year," Staal said, noting that he had no preference for a pairing with either Redden or Rozsival. "It's not up to me, but I want to play as much as I can, so I can probably get the minutes with either of those guys."

...hopefully with a full year under his belt learning the NHL game, Staal will be more confident offensively this year.

Blogs: #9 & Are We Better?

Scotty Hockey feels the Rangers should retire #9 in honor of both Adam Graves and Andy Bathgate.

While Mike Savino at the Ranger Pundit says the Rangers are definitely different, but wonders if they're better.

NHL.com Interviews Messier

Dan Rosen at NHL.com recently interviewed Mark Messier on topics including free agency, the Detroit Red Wings, the Hockey Hall of Fame and the Winter Classic. Here's an excerpt...

NHL.com: And, finally, if you could rewind time and relive one moment of your career — and only one — which of the many would you choose?

MM: Impossible to answer. I have been asked it a lot, but I just can't answer it. The first Stanley Cup was a dream come true. Making the NHL was a dream come true. The Cup in New York was a dream come true. The Canada Cups; to pick one is just impossible.

...c'mon Mark we all know it's the Cup in New York you're not fooling anyone.

Rangers Possibly Looking to Move Prucha

During a live web chat at Puck Daddy today, when asked if the Rangers will Trade Petr Prucha, Lyle "Spector" Richardson of Fox Sports and The Hockey News said that Prucha's name was out there but there were no serious discussions.

...this isn't groundbreaking as most people figured the Rangers weren't done and Prucha seems to be the most likely candidate to be moved.

...Prucha's situation is hard to explain. I've seen the argument on both sides. Some say it's Renney's fault for not playing him enough especially on the power play, while others say Renney wasn't playing him because he wasn't producing. I'm of the opinion that Prucha wasn't given a proper chance to redeem himself. Despite being only one year removed from his 30 goal (16 on the power play) rookie season (his second season wasn't that bad either as he scored 22 goals) Renney refused to insert Prucha on the struggling power play or give him a regular shift on the fourth line. Now I'm not saying Prucha was going to regain the scoring touch of his rookie year, but I don't think he was given a fair opportunity.

...to me Prucha's now lost confidence in himself and probably needs a change of scenery.

Staal Likes Changes

Steve Zipay at Blue Notes has Marc Staal's feelings on the Rangers off-season moves...

"I'm excited about the guys we got," he said. "Redden's an All-Star, a great player, he'll really be good. I know Naslund from watching him when I was growing up (in Thunder Bay, Ontario). He's got experience, he's been on the power play."

Newyorkrangers.com has more Staal thoughts on being a Ranger and his up-coming sophomore season here.

Despite Staal's endorsement of the moves, there are still Ranger fans out there furious with the changes. Adam Protreau at The Hockey News prints this letter from an obviously sarcastic Rangers fan...

Adam,

You are so wrong about the Redden contract. As a loyal Blueshirts fan, I love the idea of Redden and our other elite defenseman Michal Rozsival combining to make nearly $12 million next year.

That No. 1 pair is nothing compared to elite game-breaker Markus Naslund, who is primed to score 18 big goals and 47 HUGE points for us and make us forget that Jagr dude.

If that isn't enough, since those three guys make up, like, I don't know, two thirds of our cap space, you are going to be shocked and awed by the precocious Petr Prucha flying up and down the wing on our FIRST LINE. Watch out, NHL, here come the Rangers.

(I will now drop the radio into my bathtub. God, I hope I don't miss).

Jim Mauceri, Staten Island, N.Y.

...as I've said numerous times on this site I like the moves. Not necessarily the contracts, but I like the look of the team. Nice mix of veterans (Drury, Gomez, Naslund) and youngsters (Dubinsky, Staal, Callahan, etc.). Along with the infusion of some much needed speed (Zhedev). Oh yeah and we have this guy named Henrik Lundqvist in goal.

Column: So Who's Wearing the "A"s?

If you're like me you've come to the conclusion that either Chris Drury or Scott Gomez will end up having the distinction of being named the 25th Captain of the New York Rangers before the start of the season. With the other player being designated as an Assistant Captain. So the question is who gets the other "A"?

Let's look at the contenders...

The Favorites

Markus Naslund
Positives - Naslund was named captain of the Vancouver Canucks before the 2000 season (after the departure of Mark Messier) and held the title for the duration of his career in Vancouver. Naslund is a Lester B. Pearson Award winner (2003) and former Hart Memorial Trophy nominee (2003). He is also a three-time First Team All-Star, chosen in 2002, 2003 and 2004. After being traded to Vancouver in 1996, he became the franchise leader in goals and points. In 11 seasons with the Canucks, he was named team MVP five times and led the team in scoring for seven consecutive seasons — both team records.
Negatives - Naslund finished last season with his lowest points total since 1997-98 and apparently became frustrated with coach Alain Vigneault's defensive coaching style. I guess Naslund didn't watch many Ranger games last year, because if he became frustrated with a defensive coaching style in Vancouver, it's not going to be much different here.

Michal Rozsival
Positives - Rozsival is the longest tenured Ranger defenseman and just recently signed a 4 year, $20 million contract. Rozsival's defining moment with the Rangers was his overtime winner against Buffalo in Game 3 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.
Negatives - Rozsival is coming off of off-season surgery and his worst year defensively. Rozsival frustrated fans all year with his hesitancy to shoot on the power play. While he ended the season with a career high 13 goals, most Ranger fans will tell you he should have had close to 20.

Wade Redden
Positives - In 1999, Redden was named alternate captain of the Senators, a position he has held for nine seasons ever since. Redden scored double-digit goals in five of the six seasons between 1999 and 2006. During which time he was one of the premier power play quarterbacks in the league. He is a two-time All Star and was part of a strong defensive pairing in Ottawa's run to the finals in 2007. He also just signed a 6 year, $39 million contract, meaning he'll be manning our power play for a long time.
Negatives - After scoring double-digit goals in five of the six seasons between 1999 and 2006, Redden has not scored more than seven in the last two seasons. Last year, Redden was an assistant captain on a Senators team that absolutely folded down the stretch and lied to the Ottawa fans when he said he would take a hometown discount to stay in Ottawa right before he signed his $39 million deal with the Rangers.

The Dark Horses

Brandon Dubinsky
Positives - Dubinsky in his first full year as a Rangers rookie ended the season centering the team's number one line. He was one of sixteen rookies selected to participate in the 2008 YoungStars competition at the 56th NHL All-Star Game as well as receiving the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award.
Negatives - Dubinsky is only 22-years-old and this will only be his second full season playing in the NHL. However, the Chicago Blackhawks just named 20-year-old Jonathan Toews the team's 34th Captain, so you never know.

Blair Betts
Positives - Betts has been with the team since the 2004 season and has quickly become one of the teams most reliable penalty killers and face-off men. Betts was also 6th on the team, 1st among forwards, with 98 blocked shots last year.
Negatives - Betts is a fourth line player who was a -4 last year and has yet to show any leadership qualities.

Ryan Callahan
Positives - Callahan personifies hustle on the ice. He was one of the keys to the Rangers run to the playoffs in 2007 as well as last year. His hustle play to score in Game 1 against New Jersey last year encapsulates what Callahan is about. Not to mention his work along the boards in Game 5 against New Jersey which helped clinch the game and the series.
Negatives - Callahan is only 23-years-old and has yet to play a full season in the NHL.

Looking at these contenders my feeling is that Naslund will end up rounding out the assistant captains. I think that Naslund's seven years as a captain in Vancouver can't be overlooked despite coming off his worst offensive season. And his being named team MVP five times says a lot. If one of our assistant captains gets injured, it should come down to Redden and Rozsival. However, Rozsival's three year tenure with the Rangers and my anticipation of a big year from him with Jagr not around clinches it for Rozsival in my mind.

However, if the Rangers end up re-signing Brendan Shanahan this whole article will be for not. What do you guys think?

Young Players Ready to Take the Lead

Jess Rubenstein at The Prospect Park says the young Rangers are going to be the real leaders on this team for years to come...

"We are talking about Marc Staal, Dan Girardi, Brandon Dubinsky, Nigel Dawes and Ryan Callahan as they are the true core of the Rangers and will become the leadership of the team. These are the ones who will step up on and off the ice when the team needs someone too now they have NHL experience under their belts."

...this post by Rubenstein really got me fired up about the future of this franchise.

...no mention of Jessiman as a potential leader. What's up with that Rubenstein? Just kidding of course.

Fans Say Jagr & Avery "No Great Loss"

Stan Fischler at MSG.com has quotes from Ranger fans on the loss of Jaromir Jagr and Sean Avery, including this one...

DAN AKESON, Long Island: "Jagr scored only 25 goals last season and had injury problems. Is he worth the same money as Scott Gomez or Chris Drury? No. His replacement, Markus Naslund, is younger, cheaper and had similar points last year. The team is now in the well-conditioned hands of Gomez-Drury, as it should be.

I like the other replacements: Nikolai Zherdev for Marty Straka. A stud winger for one who is on the way out.

As for Avery, he has never remained with a team for more than a couple of seasons because his 'shtick' gets old. Should a character guy like Drury have to answer for Avery's antics? No!"

...i've said this already, but I actually like the way the team looks right now with Drury and Gomez leading the way. I may be eating those words in December, but right now I'm excited for the season. More than if the Rangers only moves were to re-sign all their free agents.

Jessiman: I am Coming to Make the Team

Mitch Beck at Howlings has this quote from Hugh Jessiman after re-siging with the Rangers...

"I am coming to make the team (the Rangers) right out of camp. If for some reason I don't, then I'm going to the AHL and play so well that they have no choice but to bring me up."

...love the determination Hugh, but unless the Rangers are in a situation that I don't even want to think about you won't be seeing MSG till at least next year.

Blues Interested in Shanahan?

Andy Strickland at HockeyBuzz reports...

"Shanahan is still out there and Blues President John Davidson is observing the situation rather closely.

Don’t confuse this to mean the Blues have thrown Brendan Shanahan an offer, but it might not be long before they do."

...i would love to see Shanahan headed back to the Western Conference. Just so I won't have to see him regain his scoring touch and light the Rangers up with a team from the Eastern Conference.

Hugh Signing

Steve Zipay at Blue Notes reports...

"Hugh Jessiman, the 6-6 right wing and Dartmouth grad who was the 12th overall pick in the 2003 draft---a major disappointment---has apparently accepted the Rangers' qualifying offer. He's coming off his best season for Hartford (18-24-42, 154 PIM) in 71 games. No terms available just yet. Assume he will continue with the Wolf Pack."

The Rangers Report has more here.

...Jessiman actually had pretty solid numbers last year. Maybe he'll be a late bloomer.

Rangers Blogging From Youth Camp

Over at MSG.com, Colton Orr and Marc Staal are blogging about their experience at the Rangers Youth Hockey Summer camp. For more info on the youth summer camp click here.

What Have Our Opponents Done this Off-Season?

Steve Zipay at Blue Notes looks at how other teams in the East changed this off-season...

"Reeling in Sundin, in my opinion, would make Les Habs the favorites in the East.If Sundin goes west, they haven't done much.

Pittsburgh is weakened by the losses of Hossa and Malone; the Flyers will be strong offensively again, perhaps a bit better on defense and uncertain again in goal. Ditto for Washington; I liked Cristobal Huet more than Jose Theodore.

Boston is treading water. The Devs added a winger whom many had hoped the Rangers would land: Brian Rolston; but they need more offense and improved defense, methinks. Tampa's changed the landscape as well. Ottawa's offense is formidable, but goaltending remains a question.

So who can right now say how the re-made, re-modeled Rangers will fare against this lot?"

...if the Rangers can gel early I think we've got a great chance to finish in the top 4. Question marks everywhere. Including Montreal, where, even if they get Sundin, have uncertainties in goal with Price.

Blogs: Shanahan, Gretzky & Bettman's Blunder

Despite being a die hard fan of Brendan Shanahan, Inferno at the Rangers Review says that the Rangers should move on without him.

Adam Rotter at Rangers Blog reminds us that 12 years ago today the Rangers signed Wayne Gretzky.

M hurley at My Blueshirt Heaven feels that Gary Bettman and the NHL made a huge marketing mistake by not scheduling the Stanley Cup champion Red Wings to visit any of our local teams.

Jagrless Rangers Not As Big A Draw in Prague

Tereza Tomíčková at the Czech Business Weekly says that the NHL opener in Prague will be less attractive without hometown hero Jaromir Jagr...

Although his image has been fading over the past season, he has been an undisputed hero for home fans.

Česká sportovní, the organizer of the NHL season openers in Prague in October, worked hard to bring over the New York Rangers. They did so despite it being the most expensive option for them.

“The Rangers have got tremendous Czech appeal as there are a handful of Czech players and mostly [because of] Jágr,” said the company's general manager Miroslav Černošek.

Indeed, the two games between New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning were sold out within hours after the tickets were put in sale last spring. Jagr’s departure caused a blow to Česká sportovní. Karel Tejkal, spokesman of Česká sportovní, admitted that some people could return their tickets. “However, we don’t expect that more than a few dozen tickets will be returned,” he said.

...the Rangers organization must be ruing the day they agreed to participate in this fiasco.

Islander Follies

On this very slow news day, I give you this photo series on the downfall of the Islanders franchise courtesy of Sports Illustrated.

...hat tip to the Blueshirt Bulletin for the link.

Brooks Rips Rangers Again, 1997-98 Redux & Moore Signs

Just some house cleaning as I'm a little late getting started today...

Larry Brooks at the New York Post rips into Glen Sather's head scratching summer here. Sam Weinman at the Rangers Report says this year's addition of the Rangers may resemble the 1997-1998 version here. And finally the Rangers have re-signed Greg Moore, see here.

Column: True Fans Being Priced Out

I've decided to bring in a new feature at The New York Rangers Blog. Writing my own columns. When I first started this blog, I never had any intentions of writing my own column-type blog posts, as there is so much opinion out in the blogosphere on the Rangers, I didn't think that my opinions would add all that much. But over time there's been a few subjects I wanted to tackle, but never had the time. With the dog days of summer here and most of the Rangers news being nothing more than a minor signing, I figured this would be the best time to start. My first column will deal with the excessive cost of going to a Rangers game.

When I was a kid I never went to many Rangers games. I never asked my dad to go. I think I was more interested in playing street hockey in the nearest parking lot than sitting on a train heading into Manhattan. But as I got into high school and college, I went a bit more frequently even attending a few playoff games. After college, a couple of buddys and I bought a 10 game package and despite the fact that the Rangers were awful we had a blast.

After getting married, purchasing a home and having a daughter, I never thought I could afford to go to games. I became very content sitting on the couch with a beer enjoying Sam and JD. But that all changed after the Rangers made the playoffs coming out of the lockout. A friend of mine called the New York Rangers box office inquiring about another 10 game ticket plan, but to his surprise he was told that season tickets were available. Without even consulting with anyone else he said give me two in the 400s. It was probably about $2,400 for the pair. As soon as I got the call, I said I was in. For a quarter share (11 games) it only cost me $280. I was in shock at how cheap it was. I was always under the impression that Ranger tickets were much more expensive.

The 2006-2007 season was amazing. The Rangers started so poorly, and by the middle of February we all but lost hope of a playoff year. We even thought about not sending in our playoff ticket vouchers. But sparked by the Sean Avery trade the team made a run and got into the playoffs. When the playoff tickets were sent, I was a little apprehensive of the cost, as I had bought playoff tickets in the past which cost me in excess of $100. But to my pleasant surprise the tickets only cost around $35 for the first round, $45 for the second, $60 for the Conferense Finals and $75 for the Stanley Cup. Wow now that was affordable.

With a great run in the playoffs that year, we all expected a ticket increase. It turned out to be a little bit more than I had hoped as my $280 for the season ballooned to $350. It may not seem like a lot to some people, but when you've got a mortgage and a kid its not that easy. But I sucked it up. I even started cutting some corners, as I would eat a sandwich on the train from Long Island and sometimes snuck a flask full of Southern Comfort into the game. Once again the Rangers needed a late season run to make the playoffs and we were all excited as we were two for two with the Rangers qualifying for the playoffs. But my excitement was quickly quelled as the prices for our playoff tickets came in. $55 for the first round, $75 for the second round, $100 for the Conference Finals and $150 for the Stanley Cup Finals. Say what?!?!?! What had happened to my affordable tickets from the year before. Between the train, tickets, food and booze I was in over $800 for the season!!! Again it may not seem like a lot to some, but by the look of the very late arriving business types in the lower section of the Garden who seem more interested in checking their blackberrys and seeing who else is at the game than the game itself, I would say most people agree.

The final blow took place two weeks ago when we got this year's ticket prices. The cost for me would be almost $400. I couldn't afford it. The Dolan's had finally priced me out. I begrudgingly told my follow season ticket holders that I was out. Thankfully they were able to find someone to take my place so that no else had to incur extra costs. But there in lies the problem. There will always be someone to pay these astronomical prices. If not a richer fan then most likely a company who will give them out to their clients who aren't even interested in hockey. While the real Ranger fans, like myself, will be priced out and sitting home.

With the Garden due for a major renovation and personal seat licenses all the rage, I can only imagine how expensive tickets are going to be for the opening of the 2010 season. The Blue seats are the last bastion of true Ranger fans at the Garden. But how much longer can these working class fans hang on? Just ask Giants fans. How long will it be before every spectator at a Rangers game is wearing a suit instead of a Rangers sweater?

Maybe I'm just sour because I can't afford to go to the games anymore. Or maybe I'm spot on. But either way don't worry I'll get over it and cheer the Rangers as hard as I can this year. But the next time anyone is looking for me to go to a game with them, don't bother calling I'll be too busy playing street hockey in the nearest parking lot.

Best Ranger Goalies, Part I

In anticipation of tonight's Fans' Most Wanted: Rangers Goalies on MSG at 7:00 p.m., Stan Fischler at MSG.com gives us Part I of his list of best Rangers netminders...

"Over the years the Rangers have been blessed with outstanding goaltenders, starting with Lorne Chabot, who stopped pucks for the first Blueshirts Stanley Cup-winning team.

From then on, such amazing blockers as Andy Aitkenhead — he played for the 1933 champs — graced the Rangers roster.

But the best was yet to come, starting with Davey Kerr, and concluding with the present goalie Henrik Lundqvist."

...I'm wondering if Guy Herbert and Jason Muzzatti are going to be named in Part II of Fischler's list.

Interesting Numbers for the Upcoming Season

John Kreiser at The Hockey News looks at some of the more interesting numbers for the upcoming season. Two of which include the Rangers...

3 — Longest homestand for the New York Rangers, who have four of them. The Rangers are the only team that doesn't have at least one four-game stretch of home games.

40 — Actual home games for the Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning, each of which will play their 41st "home" game during a season-opening two-game trip to Europe. Pittsburgh and Ottawa will face off twice in Stockholm, Sweden, while the Rangers and Lightning will play a pair of games in Prague.

...neither of these numbers seem to benefit the Rangers. Bettman strikes again.

Rangers Report Live Web Chat Transcript

For a transcript of Sam Weinman's live web chat at the Rangers Report click here.

Rangers History is Made

Greg Caggiano at The Bleacher Report reports on the new jersey numbers for Markus Naslund and Dmitri Kalinin...

"For the first time in the 80+ year Franchise history of the New York Rangers, the numbers 91 and 45 will be sewed or ironed nowadays to the back and sleeves of a jersey.

It is all but official that winger Markus Naslund will be taking No. 91 while defenseman Dmitri Kalinin will wear No. 45."

...riveting stuff.