Team USA Goes Retro & Rangers

Chris Drury, Ryan Callahan and the rest of Team USA unveiled its new look jerseys during Day 2 of Olympic Camp and Greg Wyshynski at Puck Daddy does a great job of braking them down...

"Gone is the wavy red-and-white "flag" on the "S" from the logo (because it had to go, per the IOC); in its place on the Nike-designed sweater is a logo that harkens back to Olympic hockey glory in Team USA's history: Including a third jersey that resembles the one worn during the team's gold medal run during the 1960 Games in Squaw Valley."

On the third jersey having a Ranger look Wyshynski says...

"They do have a bit of that "Miracle On Ice" no-frills vibe, and we appreciate the more prominent display of "USA" on the front; although we imagine the "third jersey" is giving Islanders and Devils fans the willies with its strong resemblance to the New York Rangers' gear."

...first the Avalanche, now Team USA. Can't anyone come up with an original jersey concept anymore.

...in all seriousness, I like to new duds.

Rangers Don't Get Bertuzzi

Despite a number of Todd Bertuzzi to Rangers rumors over the course of the summer, TSN is reporting that he has signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings.

The Grand Rapids Press, The Detroit Free Press and MLive.com claim the Red Wings were offering a one-year, $1.5 million contract.

...i would have liked to have seen Bertuzzi's big body in a Rangers uniform, especially at that price, but you've got to assumed the Prospal signing signaled the end of a possible Rangers pursuit of Bertuzzi.

Messier Denies Being Interviewed By Oilers

In Sunday's New York Post article announcing the Rangers hiring of Mark Messier, Larry Brooks wrote that Messier was interviewed by the Edmonton Oilers for their head coach position this summer, which Messier is now denying...

Jim Matheson at the Faceoff.com has this quote from Messier...

"That's not necessarily true," said Messier. "I talked to Kevin about working in the Oilers organization in some regard . . . not just this summer but for the last few years. We never really talked about the coaching, per se. We explored every possibility."

"I have a lot of respect for (Oilers owner) Daryl Katz and Kevin, but with my family moving up to New York (from Hilton Head, S.C., and the Bahamas where he also has a hotel) . . . my son Douglas is going to start school (this fall) and we wanted him to go there, it seemed to make sense to be closer to home this year.

"I had an ongoing dialogue with Kevin about coming back to Edmonton, but wasn't able to make any sort of commitment to them."

...Larry Brooks wrong? C'mon.

...h/t Rangers Report.

Tuesday Headlines

Daily News - Former Lightning Vinny Prospal glad to sign with Rangers

Newsday - Rangers sign Prospal to one-year deal

The Bergen Record - Rangers sign Prospal

The Journal News - Prospal signs with Rangers

The Colorado Rangers?

David Driscoll-Carignan at Mile High Hockey (via Puck Daddy) leaks possible Colorado Avalanche third jersey.

...this jersey looks similar to the jersey of a certain team from New York. C'mon get original.

Nylander Contacts Jagr About KHL

Over at the Examiner, Dmitry Chesnokov reports that former Ranger Michael Nylander has contacted Jaromir Jagr to inquire about playing for Omsk...

Here's Jagr on the conversation...

"Negotiations about player transfers is the business of club managers. But if my consultation is needed, how can I refuse? Actually, Nylander himself dialed my number. [He was] asking me about Omsk, about the team. I replied that Avangard is a strong team with a huge devoted army of fans. In the West KHL is not that well known. You have to explain to a lot of players that the Russian championship is serious."

...despite playing terrible hockey since leaving the Rangers, I've always felt that the Rangers made a mistake by not pushing harder to re-sign Nylander. He had such great chemistry with Jagr and neither player was the same after he left.

...i think the Rangers would have been much better off the last two years with Drury and Nylander rather than Drury and Gomez. And I guarantee you that Jagr would have been brought back last year if Nylander was still on board.

...h/t Puck Daddy.

Prospal: Big Chance to Prove People Wrong

Steve Zipay at Blue Notes was able to interview the newest Ranger Vinnie Prospal today.

On some of his countrymen succeeding in New York he said...

Marty Straka, Petr Nedved, Jaromir Jagr, Radek Dvorak..."had great runs with the Rangers, some of them had career years, basically. For me, this is a big chance to prove people wrong."

Prospal also talks about last season in Tampa, Tortorella's coaching style and having no preference on a position.

...sounds like Prospal's coming in as a player trying to redeem himself. Nothing wrong with that.

Rangers Officially Announce Prospal Signing

Newyorkrangers.com reports Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with unrestricted free agent forward Vinny Prospal.

Here's a quote from Sather...

"Vinny is a highly-skilled player with good offensive instincts and the ability to play on the wing or at the center position,” stated Sather. “We think he will give us added flexibility and brings a veteran presence to our lineup.”

...this signing is getting a lot of praise in the media. I'm not 100% sold on Prospal, but I guess at the price I can't complain too much. Plus he's nice insurance if Dubinsky can't rediscover his rookie season magic or god forbid is traded.

The Rangers also officially announced the Mark Messier hire here.

Messier Hire Putting Heat on Tortorella?

Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants takes an interesting look at the Mark Messier hiring...

"Here's another thought: Does Messier's hiring put any more pressure on John Tortorella to show results quickly? Messier has indicated he's more interested in a front office position than one in coaching. However, per Messier, Sather already asked him to coach the team once - before Sather had to take over for the fired Bryan Trottier while Messier was still a player - and Messier apparently was disappointed not to get a call from Sather about the job when Tom Renney was fired."

...i think Gross has a real legitimate point here. If the Rangers struggle out of the gate this season, you can be sure that the fans will be calling for Messier. If I'm Tortorella, I can't be too excited about this hiring. Hopefully, the Rangers will have a great season and this point will be moot.

Steve Zipay at Blue Notes takes a look at what the Vinnie Prospal signing does for the Rangers line-up.

Monday Headlines

Daily News - Messier returns to Rangers

The Bergen Record - Messier rejoins Rangers as special assistant to GM

Newsday - Messier returns to Rangers as Sather assistant

Newsday - Report: Rangers sign Prospal to one-year deal

New York Times - Rangers Hire Messier to Assist G.M. Sather

Ranger Prospects Shine in Series Vs. Russia

According to newyorkrangers.com, in the final game of the American Under-20 team's four game series versus Russia, Derek Stepan had a goal and an assist, giving him 1 goal and 7 assists in the four games.

Other Ranger prospects starred as well, as Ryan Bourque ended the series with two goals and an assist and Chris Kreider improved throughout the series.

...dare I say the Rangers have a number of legit prospects. Unfortunately, it's only a matter of time till Sather drains that talent to bring in an over-priced, past-his-prime superstar. I kid Glen.

Rangers Could Be Interested In Oilers Defensemen

David Staples at the Edmonton Journal says the Oilers depth of puck-moving defensemen could draw a deal for a scoring forward and lists the Rangers as a possible trade partner...

New York Rangers
The top guy here, Michal Rozsival, got just 30 points. A player like Brandon Dubinsky is interesting, as is Ryan Callahan.

...man I hate that Dubinsky's name is mentioned in every trade rumor.

Rangers Hire Messier

Larry Brooks at the New York Post reports Mark Messier is rejoining the Rangers' organization as special assistant to club president Glen Sather.

Messier said this about the opportunity...

"I couldn't be more thrilled with the opportunity to move back to New York with my family, to learn from Glen and to work for the Rangers," Messier said yesterday by phone from the Bahamas. "I'm going to come in and get my feet wet and get an overview of how the business runs and how the team runs and take it from there."

Brooks adds that coach Tom Renney approached Messier last season about the possibility of working with the coaching staff this season. It also has been learned that Messier interviewed this summer for the vacant coaching position in Edmonton that ultimately went to Pat Quinn.

...great job by the Rangers bringing The Captain back. While Brooks says the "move should not be interpreted as Sather hiring his successor," why else would he do it?

Rangers Sign Prospal; Dubinsky, Rangers Far From Agreement

Larry Brooks at the New York Post reports that the Rangers have signed Vinnie Prospal to a one-year, $1.1 million deal...

"The plan at the moment is to give Dubinsky the opportunity to claim the center position on the first line that will feature Marian Gaborik on the right and either Sean Avery or Christopher Higgins on the left. But if Dubinsky cannot handle the assignment, Prospal, who is strong on the puck, probably would get the call."

...similar to the Kotalik signing the Rangers are hoping for a rejuvenation out of Prospal. Would rather the Rangers give a younger guy a chance, but what was I expecting from Sather.

Brooks also reports it seems that Brandon Dubinsky and the Rangers are not going to reach an agreement on a multi-year contract and that unless Dubinsky can attract an offer sheet on which the Blueshirts would have the right of first refusal, it appears as if he will play the season on his one-year qualifying offer of $698,500.

...how can the Rangers justify throwing money at Kotalik and Prospal and not Dubinsky. Mind numbing.

Rangers Storyline Equals New Forwards

Sean McCaig at The Hockey News puts together team-by-team storylines for the upcoming season...

RANGERS
Two-thirds of the forwards will be new faces, including oft-injured Gaborik and oft-injuring Donald Brashear.

...with the major overhaul at the forward position, chemistry is going to be a big theme this pre-season.

FDNY & NYPD Support Higgins

Micheal Obernauer at the Daily News has a nice piece on Chris Higgins' father being a member of the FDNY and his brother a NYPD cop...

Here is a message on the website of his father's company...

"Congratulations," the message reads, "to the newest member of the NY Rangers - Chris Higgins, who happens to be the son of Captain Bobby Higgins E231!" And finally: "The men are hopeful in anticipation of a 'Stanley Cup visit to Brownsville' sometime in the near future!"

...being from Long Island I'm really looking forward to rooting for a hometown guy.

Stepan Continues to Shine

Newyorkrangers.com reports Rangers prospect Derek Stepan of the Team USA Under-20 squad picked up his fifth and sixth assists of the USA/Russia series during the third period of USA's 6-4 loss to Russia in game 3 of the four game series.

Rangers 2009 first round pick Chris Krieder was held scoreless, while third round pick Ryan Bourque was a healthy scratch after scoring two goals and an assist in the first two games.

For more go to NHL.com and Beyond the Blueshirts.

...nice to have a playmaker like this in the Rangers system.

Rumor: Rangers Show Interest in Richards, Prospal & Bertuzzi

William DePaoli at The Insider on Pittsburgh Sports says that the Rangers continue to show strong interest in Dallas' Brad Richards, but the sides are not close to a deal...

"The two sides have agreed on Brandon Dubinsky being involved but there's a major snag in the trade talks.

The Rangers are trying to move Michal Rozsival in any deal for Richards. The Stars have no interest in Rozsival."

...and I have no interest in Richards.

DePaoli adds that the Rangers have reached out to free agents Vinny Prospal and Todd Bertuzzi.

...i know nothing about this site (it could be the HockeyBuzz of Pittsburgh for all I know) so I wouldn't put too much stock into these rumors. Especially when a website with the title "The Insider on Pittsburgh Sports" is giving inside information on New York sports.

...h/t to The Manic Ranger on Twitter.

Drury Talks Youth Hockey Days

Rangers 17th in SI Power Rankings

In their first power rankings of the year, SI.com has the Rangers at #17...

17. New York Rangers (43-30-9)
The second-lowest scoring team in the East swapped the salary spent on Scott Gomez (Montreal) for a legit sniper in Marian Gaborik. If he stays healthy, no sure bet, he could be the summer's best UFA signing. They also ditched the frustratingly erratic Nikolai Zherdev and brought in feisty wingers Chris Higgins and Ales Kotalik. Neither is without flaws, but both compete, making them better fits under coach John Tortorella.

...i'm going to have to agree with the ranking here. Especially when you look at the whole list and see that despite the #17 ranking, the Rangers are the 7th Eastern Conference team mentioned meaning SI has them in the playoffs.

...however, how can SI not even state that the Rangers have Hank in goal?

Rangers Still Linked to Bouillon

Richard Labbe at Cyberpresse reports that three teams are still in the running for D Francis Bouillon including the Rangers...

"Depending on what the Press has learned Thursday, the New York Rangers, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Chicago Blackhawks have all shown an interest in the defender of 33 years."

There was a rumor earlier this week that the Rangers had signed Bouillon but was unfounded.

...if he comes cheap I would love the defensive depth going into a wide open competition for the sixth and seventh defensive spot.

Rangers Ranked 113th Most Valuable Sports Property

SportsPro magazine has published the world’s first ranking of sports properties and puts the Rangers at #113...

113. New York Rangers Cablevision Systems Ice Hockey US - $291 million

The NFL is ranked as the world’s most valuable sports property, with a value of US$4.5 billion. The NHL is ranked 33rd ($760 million).

For the New York fans the Yankees are 12th ($1.19 billion), Giants 19th ($932 million), Jets 20th ($927 million), Mets 49th ($665 million), Knicks 80th ($405 million), and Islanders (NR).

...it's amazing that the Yankees, Giants and Jets are all more valuable than the entire NHL.

Fischler: Vailquette to Get More Starts, Youngsters Will Get a Chance

Over at MSG.com Stan Fischler answers some fan questions, including this one...

Ken M.: Stan, do you see Steve Valiquette playing more games this year or do you feel King Henrik will again get the brunt of the playing time? Does Torts have an idea on how many games he would like to see Henrik play and still be strong come playoff time? Thanks Stan!

The Maven Responds: Dear Ken M. – Based on my recent interview with John Tortorella, the coach wants to lessen Henrik Lundqvist's workload SOMEWHAT. How much will be determined by Henny's performance and the state of the team. I do expect Valiquette to get more games – but ONLY if he pleases the coach with wins.

Fischler also responds to questions about youngsters getting a chance to make the team by saying John Tortorella told him that he plans to give all the youngsters a good chance to make the big club on merit.

...Valiquette absolutely needs to get more games this year as Lundqvist seems to break down at some point every year. And with the Olympics this year it is even more necessary.

More Virtual Subway Signs on the Menu

Remember at the end of last season when virtual Subway ads where placed on the end board glass (see here) during Ranger games, well Michael McCarthy at USA Today tells us they'll be back...

"The NHL has discussed how to use virtual ads during the upcoming season with its national TV partners in the USA and Canada. At least four NHL clubs are working with their regional sports networks to sell virtual ads next season — the Colorado Avalanche, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders and New York Rangers."

McCarthy adds that the Rangers and MSG Networks only got a "handful of complaints" after placing the virtual ads during several game telecasts last season.

...i guess nothing is sacred anymore in Bettman's NHL. Plus the Dolans know they're getting this extra revenue and still jack-up ticket prices this year. Disgusting.

Ranger Prospects Continue to Shine for Team USA

USAHockey.com reports that Rangers prospects led the way as Team USA captured a 6-1 victory over Russia in the teams’ second matchup at the 2009 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid.

Derek Stepan had three assists and Ryan Bourque had a goal and an assist. I erroneously reported earlier today that this year's first round pick Chris Kreider was a healthy scratch in the first matchup, but he was in fact in the line-up. Kreider has been held scoreless in the first two games.

Team USA was also victorious in the first game 8-1. Bourque now has two goals and an assist and Stepan has four assists in the two games.

NHL.com has more on the victory here.

...loving what I'm reading about our prospects at this evaluation camp.

Jagr, Brendl Need to Come Back to NHL

John Grigg at The Hockey News lists 10 KHL players he’d most like to see in the NHL, whether that means a return or a maiden voyage across the professional pond including former Ranger top prospect Pavel Brendl and Jaromir Jagr...

10. Pavel Brendl, RW, Nizhny Novgorod Torpedo - Brendl is one of the biggest busts in NHL draft history. The fourth-overall pick in 1999 by the Rangers set the Western League on fire during his draft season with 73 goals and 134 points, tops in both categories. He flamed out with 22 points in 78 NHL games with Philadelphia, Carolina and Phoenix, but is still just 28 and has averaged 33 goals the past three seasons in notoriously low-scoring Russia. In 2008-09 his 18 power play markers led the KHL.

9. Jaromir Jagr, RW, Avangard Omsk - Jagr was rumored to be on his way back to the NHL via the Edmonton Oilers last season, but that never materialized. Although definitely well past his prime, Jagr is still tantalizingly talented and, if willing to give 100 percent, would be a boon to any team. A good Olympic performance in February could portend an NHL return sometime this season for the 37-year-old Czech.

...Brendl epitomized the Rangers terrible drafting during the late 90s and early 2000.

Callahan Talks About Eventful Summer

Ryan Callahan talks new contract, new teammates, and a U.S. Olympic tryout...



Anyone interested in more Aaron Voros video (not sure why you would) click here to see him discuss Marian Gaborik.

Dubinsky for Richards Not Likely

Mike Heinka at the Dallas Morning News answers a question from a Rangers fan about the recent trade rumors that would send Brad Richards and another player to the Rangers for Brandon Dubinsky, Michal Rozsival and a prospect...

"But the Stars, I believe, have simply asked: Are we better with Rozsival on defense and Dubinsky as the No. 2 center or are we better with Brad Richards as our No. 2 center and the current defense? They have decided, I believe, they would be better with Richards as the No. 2 center and the current defense."

...can we please end all these rumors and friggin' sign Dubinsky already please.

Rangers Ranked 12th in NHL in Yahoo! Sports Power Rankings

In Ross McKeon's NHL Power Rankings for Yahoo! Sports he has the Rangers ranked 12th...

12. New York Rangers – Rumor has it Chris Chelios wants to play on Broadway. OK, he probably doesn’t have a lot left, but he is a coach on the ice and mentor in the dressing room a la Jeremy Roenick the last two years in San Jose.

...in the guy's first power rankings of the season he decides to justify the Rangers 12th spot by talking about a Chris Chelios rumor? I have no words.

Drury: I'm Excited

That's what Captain Chris Drury told Stan Fischler of MSG.com in a recent interview on the upcoming season...

On why he's excited...

"This is our first training camp under John Tortorella. So even though we had him as coach for a short period last season, this really is like a fresh start for every guy on the hockey club. When I think back to the change (from Tom Renney to Tortorella), it seems as if it happened so fast and with so few games to go in the regular season.

Let's face it, coming in the way Torts did had to be hectic for him, and I know that there were times when the guys on the club simply were overwhelmed by his new system. Now we're going to have so much more time to learn so much more from the coach."

Drury also answers questions about Donald Brashear, being a Captain and Marian Gaborik among many other topics.

...great insight into what our Captain is thinking going into the season.