Team Officials and Doctors Banned for Cherepanov's Death

ESPN.com is reporting that....

"Russia's Continental Hockey League has banned five team executives and doctors, four of them indefinitely, for their roles in connection with the death last October of New York Rangers prospect Alexei Cherepanov.

The men -- including the former team president and general manager of Avangard Omsk, the team Cherepanov was playing for, and two team doctors -- were banned following a KHL investigation, which concluded that the parties involved "exhibited criminal negligence" in their duties and knowingly tried to treat Cherepanov's life-threatening heart condition on their own."

ESPN also notes that the league clarified earlier media reports that stated Cherepanov had been using performance-enhancing drugs, explaining that what had been reported as doping was in fact an attempt to treat Cherepanov's heart condition.

...what a mess. It seemed that the team was more interested in winning than Cherepanov's health.

...and to have the public think Cherepanov's death was due to him doping for so long is just wrong. Glad that his name was cleared.

Video: Renney & Players Talk Road Trip & Dads

Scott Gomez, Nigel Dawes and Brandon Dubinsky discuss the trip to Chicago and Pittsburgh, which will include special guests -- the Rangers players' fathers here.

Rangers head coach Tom Renney speaks to reporters about the upcoming road games in Chicago and Pittsburgh after the team's Jan. 15 practice here.

Blackhawk Notes

Steve Zipay at Blue Notes gives us this update on the Blackhawks in preparation of tonight's game...

"The Hawks are 14-2-4 at the Madhouse on Madison and G Nikolai Khabibulin, who has limited opponents to two or fewer goals in 14 of 22 appearances, is 7-0-3 at home.Rangers can compete though, especially if they score early and not let the crowd rattle them.

Defenseman Duncan Keith, leveled by an elbow from Buffalo's Drew Stafford in the Hawks' 4-1 victory on Wednesday, isn't expected to play."

...definitely catching break with no Keith in the line-up.

Rangers Extend Deal With 1050 ESPN Radio

Neil Best at Watchdog reports that MSG Media and 1050 ESPN announced an extension yesterday of the station's contract to carry Rangers games.

The agreement further extends a deal signed in June, 2007 and includes more cross-promotion between the Garden and 1050 ESPN.

...when they say cross-promotion does that mean 1050 ESPN Radio will actually mention the word hockey other than during a Rangers broadcast?

Friday Headlines

New York Post - RANGERS HIT THE ROAD WITH THEIR DADS

Daily News - Shanahan's signed and practices

The Bergen Record - Rangers get quality time with their dads

Rangers Banged Up

Steve Zipay at Blue Notes says that Tom Renney gave the team off today as a few players came away from Tuesday night's victory against the Islanders a little banged up...

"Defenseman Marc Staal and Michal Rozsival were banged up, in Renney's words, and were two of the players who will benefit from the break. I spoke with Staal, who was working out, and said he'll play in Chicago. Rozsival, who appeared to injure his left shoulder/chest from a hit but returned, was sore. But Renney said he didn't expect to call up Bobby Sanguinetti or Corey Potter unless the situation changed tomorrow.

Nigel Dawes, who was wearing a post-game ice wrap on his right shoulder, said that was fine."

Zipay added that Renney remains disappointed in the power play and is considering going back to two units, rather than three.

...what team has three power play units? And why would Renney think a third power play would help, when the first two couldn't do a thing?

Graves Series Looks at 1994-95 Season

Continuing their series on Adam Graves' career, newyorkrangers.com takes a game-by-game look at Graves' fourth year on Broadway, which saw the Rangers start slow with a post-Stanley Cup hang-over, but overcame it to make the playoffs.

Newyorkrangers.com is devoting a dozen weeks to extensive coverage of Graves' 18-years with the Rangers organization with year-by-year reviews leading up to Graves Night on February 3, 2009.

Live Web Chat Replays

Sam Weinman at The Rangers Report held a live video web chat earlier today. For those of you who missed it click here.

While Steve Zipay at Blue Notes also held a web chat (regular variety) here.

Renney's View from the Bench

The New York Times has a pretty cool feature called The Coach's View where Tom Renney describes his view from behind the bench at Madison Square Garden. The feature also includes a panoramic 360 photo of what Renney witnesses every home game.

Lynn Zinser has more on Renney behind the bench here.

Rangers Return to Basics

Dan Rosen at NHL.com says the Rangers are feeling as though they have finally embraced their identity as a blue-collar, disciplined, low-scoring, defense-first team backed by an all-world goalie...

"To get it back, the Rangers had to again believe the selfless system that worked in October was best for them. Considering you're talking about sacrificing goals for defense, that's not such an easy message to hammer home.

The big-money players have to swallow their pride and backcheck for their paycheck. The defensemen have to be grittier, more willing to pay a price and less willing to take a chance. The goalie has to make sure he doesn't have an off night."

...while I don't enjoy it, if the Rangers can continue to play this style of hockey they're going to be a tough to team to beat down the stretch and into the playoffs.

Shanahan Signs Deal With Devils

TSN is reporting that the New Jersey Devils officially signed unrestricted free agent Brendan Shanahan to an $800,000 dollar contract, meaning he will receive about half of that for playing half of the NHL season.

No news was given on when he would begin practicing with the team or when his first game would be.

...i'm sure most of you guys saw this yesterday, but I figured I'd still post it.

Staal Can Hit

John Grigg at The Hockey News give his Top 10 Stars that hit, including Marc Staal...

9. Marc Staal, Defense, NY Rangers - Staal’s 97 hits put him 24th in the league. The sophomore isn’t flashy, but he leads the Blueshirts in plus-minus and plays 20-plus minutes a game.

...in only his second year Staal has become the most reliable defenseman on the team and now that he's starting to open up his offensive abilities, the sky is the limit for this kid.

Rangers Up to #9 in Fox Sports Power Rankings

The Rangers moved up one spot to #9 in the Fox Sports Power Rankings for the week of January 13th...

9. Rangers - Henrik Lundqvist continued his up-and-down play for the Rangers last week. The goaltender was perfect in his two shutout wins over Pittsburgh and Ottawa, but in between those starts Lundqvist was terrible in a 6-3 loss to Montreal, where he gave away the game by giving up three third-period goals.

Thursday Headlines

The Journal News - Rangers' success bittersweet for idle Voros

Newsday - New Yankee Stadium could host NHL'S Winter Classic

New York Post - RANGERS WEAK ON POWER PLAY

Sorry Folks

Been a little busy lately. I'm still here, but won't be able to update much in the next few days.

Rangers 2, Islanders 1

The New York Rangers (26-15-4) defeated the New York Islanders (12-27-4) by the score of 2-1, tonight. For a recap and box score go to Yahoo! Sports.

...man I'm biting my tongue trying not to say anything about the Rangers not being able to score more than two goals on an AHL goalie. Hey we still won and have now taken five out of six points on the road trip so far.

...not as crisp defensively as the last two games, but who can complain about giving up only one goal.

...maybe Ranger management should start telling Drury that every game for the rest of the year is being played at the Coliseum. Three goals in two games on Long Island. Nine in the other 40 games.

...it's a power play goal!!! I figure we don't get to hear that too often so why not repeat it.

...Lundqvist is officially dialed in again. He was the sole reason the Rangers get out of the first period only down 1-0.

...a step up in class as the next four games are @ Chicago, @ Pittsburgh, Anaheim, Carolina.

No Changes; Trap Game?

Steve Zipay at Blue Notes reports that the line-up will remain the same tonight with both Dan Fitsche and Aaron Voros being healthy scratches.

Zipay also notes that Islanders coach Scott Gordon said he will be starting to give more ice team to a core group of young players which makes Zipay wonder if that's a good thing or makes this even more of a trap game.

...i've seen a couple of blogs call this a possible trap game. Don't you need to be playing well or coming off a big win to have the next contest be called a "trap game?" Three wins in their last nine games and a victory against the lowly Senators would hardly qualify in my opinion.

Stan Fischler at MSG.com on the other hand feels this is a statment game for the Rangers.

Adam Graves Night Seat Auction

Ticketmaster and the Rangers are currently holding a seat auction for Adam Graves Night. It started yesterday and will run until Monday, January 19th. To place a bid click here. The winning bidder will receive two tickets.

Here are the available tickets and bids...

1. Section 304 Row N - US $260.00

2. Section 317 Row L - US $240.00

3. Section 325 Row G-H - US $160.00

4. Section 319 Row G-H - US $130.00

5. Section 324 Row A - US $130.00

6. Section 348 Row A - US $110.00

...the Rangers did this last year for Leetch Night. Instead of trying to make money at all costs, how about having a contest to give out free tickets so Rangers fans don't have to bid against themselves driving the cost out of most people's price range? This auction is what's wrong with sports these days. And very typical of the Dolans.

Tuesday Headlines

The Journal News - Persistent Prucha earning respect with Rangers

Newsday - BLUESHIRTS, ZHERDEV TALK NEW CONTRACT

Daily News - Rangers, Isles rekindle rivalry

The Bergen Record - Rangers are scoreboard watching

Video: Post Practice Interviews 1/12

Rangers head coach Tom Renney talks to the media about his team's performance over the weekend and upcoming game on Long Island here.

Rangers players Henrik Lundqvist, Markus Naslund, Brandon Dubinsky and Wade Redden discuss team performance and look ahead to the Jan. 13 game vs. the Isles here.

Shoot the Puck Bar...Er...Zherdev

Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants asked Tom Renney if the Rangers could get by without Nikolai Zherdev stepping up his goal production and here's Renney's response...

"I still have to encourage him to be a shooter himself because when you have the puck on your stick a lot, oftentimes, you're in a pretty good position to work the payoff skill, that's the shot. I'd like him to do more of that. This is a guy that would probably elevate our chances of winning if he continues to play this way, no question."

...with the Rangers lack of scoring they are going to need Zherdev to step up even more if they want to get back on top in the Division.

Upbeat Practice

Sam Weinman at The Rangers Report notes an upbeat practice today from Rye.

The Rangers say they are content to be back to the defensive style that defined the early part of their season. Here's Markus Naslund on the team's recent play...

“The last three or four games we’ve really gotten back to working,” Naslund said. “We weren’t making lazy plays, but now we’re more on our toes. It’s a work in progress, but we’re headed in the right direction.”

Looks like someone is getting a big head as Weinman explains this encounter with reporters and Lauri Korpikoski...

Great line from Lauri Korpikoski when walking past a bunch of us in the Rangers’ dressing room. “Goal scorer coming through,” he said.

...who knew Korpikoski had a sense of humor. Great stuff.

...not exactly excited to hear the team is content on getting back to their defensive ways. I think I just need to give up on my pipe dream that the Rangers will become a high scoring, back and forth team and just accept what they are and support them going forward.

Rangers ECHL Prospects Update

Leslie Treff at Hockey's Future takes a look at three Rangers prospects that have spent most of the 2008-09 season in the ECHL. Two, Mike Busto and Ryan Hillier, are skating for the Rangers affiliate Charlotte Checkers, while Tomas Zaborsky was recently reassigned from the Checkers to the Dayton Bombers.

For more on Rangers prospects visit The Prospect Park.

Moment of the Week for 1/12

Each Monday, newyorkrangers.com's 'Moment of the Week' invites Ranger fans to vote for the top moment from among three finalists. On Wednesday at noon, the winning moment will be posted along with selected comments from fans who voted for it.

This week's nominees are Henrik Lundqvist stopping a Penguins 2-on-0, Paul Mara's late first period goal vs. Sabres, and Lauri Korpikoski making it 2-0 over the Senators.

Last week's winner was the Alex Semin vs. Marc Staal fight.

Eklund: Rangers Looking at Jovanovski & Tkachuk

Eklund at HockeyBuzz says that the Rangers are once again rumored to be interested in Phoenix defenseman Ed Jovanovski as well as Blues forward Keith Tkachuk.

Jovanovski, who still has two years left on his contract at $6.5 million a year, currently has 2 goals, 19 assists and is a -11 on the season, while Tkachuk, who is in the last year of his contract ($4 million), has 14 goals, 15 assists and is a -12.

...i think Eklund has been linking Jovanovski to the Rangers since he was in Vancouver. Let it go man it ain't happening. Especially at $6.5 million per year.

...if the Rangers could get St. Louis to take back some salary (c'mon JD hook your old franchise up), Tkachuk could be a nice veteran pick-up for the playoffs. Plus he's a UFA at the end of the year so we won't need to worry about having an older player under contract beyond this year.

Monday Headlines

Daily News - Renney, Rangers are D-lighted

Blogs: 3 Stars, Blame Sather, Photos & Consistency

Jess Rubenstein at The Prospect Park gives his three prospect stars of the night.

Scotty Hockey blames Glen Sather for allowing Brendan Shanahan to go to the Devils.

Ranger Pundit has a KHL All-Star Game photo round-up. - By the way Marcel Hossa had a hat trick in the game. I don't think he had three goals total during his time as a Ranger.

The Broadway Blues is looking for consistency from the Rangers.

Video: Highlights, Analysis & Reaction to Win Against Senators

Rangers vs. Senators highlights here.

Rangers broadcasters Dave Maloney and John Giannone look back on the Blueshirts' impressive 2-0 victory over the Senators here.

Rangers head coach Tom Renney speaks to reporters about his team's 2-0 win at Ottawa here.

Rangers players Henrik Lundqvist and Lauri Korpikoski discuss the team's 2-0 victory at Ottawa here.

Sunday Headlines

The Journal News - Lundqvist stars in Rangers' win

Newsday - Lundqvist gets shutout in Rangers' win

Newsday - Shanahan agrees to join Devils

New York Times - Rangers’ Lundqvist Shuts Out Senators

New York Post - HENRIK BACK WITH A BLANK

Daily News - Henrik's shutout helps veto Senators

Daily News - Shanny returning to Devils

The Bergen Record - Lundqvist makes sure Rangers' lead sticks

The Bergen Record - Notes: Sanguinetti up, down

Rangers 2, Senators 0

The New York Rangers (25-15-4) defeated the Ottawa Senators (13-21-6) by the score of 2-0, tonight. For a recap and box score go to Yahoo! Sports.

...great defensive effort by the Rangers tonight. I'd still like to see some more offense, especially with a goaltender only making his second NHL start in net . But I'll take three out of four points in these back-to-back road games.

...Korpikoski's goal and assist tonight pretty much ensured another two weeks in the press box for Voros.

...Zherdev, who hasn't scored since the Rangers returned from the West Coast, has been flying these last two games and his assist on Korpikoski's goal was sick.

...if Petr Prucha is a healthy scratch in any game for the rest of the year after the all-out effort he gave on Dubinsky's goal, I will personally start my own fire Renney campaign and won't stop until Sather sends him packing. There's not another player on this team, well maybe Callahan, that would have displayed that type of determination to make that play.

...two shutouts in the last three games for Lundqvist after having zero in the first half. Having a hot Hank is always a good thing in the second half of the season.

...i hope Colton Orr took a note of the cheap shot Chris Neil took on Staal when the linesman was trying to break them up. That's a major no-no. The Rangers don't play Ottawa again until March 22, but be assured of a Orr/Neil bout.

...speaking of Staal, looks like Renney took the offensive muzzle off of him as he's really been jumping into the play lately. Nice to see.

...got to feel good for Dubinsky. He needed that badly. Hopefully he can get a few more before the All-Star break then really pad his confidence with four or five goals in the 4-on-4 Future Stars Game.

...how is it that one of the best offensive players on the Rangers right now, Prucha (five points in the last six games), who scored 24 power play goals in his first two years in the league, can only get 40 seconds of power play time on this team? By the way another o'fer (0-for-3). Hey they didn't give up a shorty tonight. So there's something to build on.

...at least Sanguinetti gave a good interview between periods tonight. I knew he wasn't going to play. Good thing though, because Kalinin was sweet out there. Sarcasm folks, sarcasm.

...two days off then on to Long Island for the third game of this five game road trip.