Why Drury Deserves to Be on Team USA

Greg Wyshynski at Puck Daddy gives five reasons why Chris Drury deserves to be on the United States Olympic team.

Wyshynski's reasons include leadership, his salary not counting in the Olympics, more than numbers, versatility and pissing off Jeremy Roenick.

...not sure why there is so much vengeance towards Drury. As seen with U.S. Olympic basketball teams, to be successful you can't just have a group of superstars and expect to win. You need versatile players who can fill certain roles. And Drury can play a huge role on the pk and in the locker room. As Team USA GM Brian Burke said you don't need to be wearing a letter to show leadership.

Zipay Live Chat @ 1pm

Steve Zipay at Blue Notes will host his weekly live web chat today at 1 p.m. To participate click here.

Rangers Shoot Up in Power Rankings

ESPN.com bumps the Rangers up eight spots to #14 in their latest Power Rankings...

14. Rangers - The Rangers are finding their groove and have collected points in 11 of their past 12 games, including a solid 3-1 win in Boston on Saturday. New York still can't score, but maybe it doesn't matter.

CBS Sports, The Hockey News, and TSN also have the Rangers climbing in their rankings.

Tuesday Headlines

New York Post - Prospal's back for streaking Rangers

Daily News - Rangers' Prospal to return tonight

Newsday - Rangers' Prospal will return vs. Devils

Bergen Record - Rangers welcome back Vinny Prospal in time to face Devils

No Letter for Drury (Updated)

Update, 4:55 p.m.:
Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants has this quote from Team USA GM Brian Burke on why Drury didn't get a letter...

“Leaders lead,” Burke said. “Leaders don’t need letters to lead. Ron Wilson and I were co-captains together in college and it didn’t change one thing on how we acted when they put a C on us. So, to me leaders lead. If you need a letter to lead, then you’re not a leader anyhow. We know what Chris Drury can bring. He doesn’t need a letter. We’ve got a number of guys who are wearing letters in the NHL that aren’t going to wear a letter on this team. I wasn’t defensive at all about picking Chris Drury. In fact, every single guy — this will be illuminating for the people in the media that are skeptical about Chris Drury — every single guy on the selection committee had him on the team. So, I wasn’t defensive at all."

Original Post:
Mike G. Morreale at NHL.com reports that New Jersey Devils forward Jamie Langenbrunner has been named captain for the U.S. Olympic Team headed to Vancouver next month.

Langenbrunner will be assisted by alternate captains Zach Parise, Dustin Brown, Ryan Suter and Brian Rafalski. Meaning Chris Drury will not be wearing a letter during the Olympics.

...a bit surprising as you figured Drury was brought on for his leadership. God knows it's not for his scoring.

...while I'm sure he's disappointed, you have to assume Drury's going to have a leadership role on the team regardless.

Steve Zipay at Blue Notes has Team USA roster with jersey numbers.

Prospal Returns Tomorrow; Dubinsky to 2nd Line

Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants reports that Vinny Prospal will return to the Rangers line-up tomorrow night against the Devils on the left wing of the first line.

Prospal's return means that Brandon Dubinsky has been dropped to the second line with Drury and Callahan.

Kotalik, Lisin and Brashear seem to be the likely candidates to be the healthy scratch with Prospal back in the lineup.

...hate to see Torts mess with the top line, but Prospal played so well wih Gaborik at the beginning the season it's hard to criticize the move.

Gross also reports that Chad Johnson lead the Hartford Wolfpack to a 2-1 overtime victory last night and should return to back-up Henrik Lundqvist tomorrow night.

Steve Zipay and Michael Obernauer have more.

Gaborik Contender for Rocket Richard Trophy

Sam McCaig at The Hockey News takes a look at the competition for the Rocket Richard Trophy for most goals in a season...

1. Marian Gaborik, NY Rangers (28 goals in 42 games)

He’s missed two games due to injury, but that was back at the end of October. Along with goalie Henrik Lundqvist, Gaborik has been the main reason why the Rangers remain in the playoff conversation. The blazing left winger has goals in 23 games – he’s scored in more contests than any other NHLer this season – including five two-goal games. His longest scoring drought this season is three games (twice) and Gaborik is on pace for his first 50-goal season (he had 42 goals in 77 games in 2007-08). Rangers coach John Tortorella likes to ride his star players, so Gaborik will be expected to continue carrying the offense. Not that that’s anything new to the former Wild lone gunner.

Rocket Richard outlook: As always, it’s all about his health. If he stays groin-strong, Gaborik will remain in the trophy hunt to the end.

...in my opinion this is Gaborik's to lose. Like McCaig points out Tortorella is going to ride Gaborik giving him ample opportunity to win the crown.

Christensen Getting a Chance with Rangers

Michael Obernauer at the Daily News has this quote from Erik Christensen on getting a chance with the Rangers...

"I think my opportunity here has been different than anywhere else I have played - getting a chance to play the last minute of the game (on Saturday), protecting the lead," said Christensen, who is a plus-5 over the last six games. "Anyone who plays for a coach who is confident with you on the ice, it's a great feeling. I know I'm not the best defensive player in the league, but to be given a chance in those types of situations feels good. I haven't had that anywhere else. I've had a lot a fun so far."

...like I said after the Bruins game Christensen has earned a spot on this team, if not on the top line, for the rest of the season.

Brooks: Rangers Need to be Sellers at Deadline

Larry Brooks at the New York Post pleads for Glen Sather to be a seller at the trade deadline...

"Because even though the Blueshirts seem to be a playoff caliber team in a conference overloaded with deficient squads, this run against a succession of terrible opponents should not and must not interfere with the real business at hand of constructing a Stanley Cup contender.

To that end, no matter the standings, no matter the "game with points streak," no matter the revenue the Garden would stand to derive from a few playoff home dates, Sather has the responsibility to be a seller rather than a buyer as the trade deadline approaches."

...no matter how smart selling players at the deadline is for the Rangers future there is no way the Dolans would be willing to give up the extra revenue from a possible playoff birth to improve the team. Period.

Lost Weekend for The New York Rangers Blog

Between my house issue, football and taking down my Christmas decorations the blog was majorly neglected this weekend. So here are some quick updates:

- Chris Drury will be an alternate captain of Team USA. (I wonder what Roenick thinks about this).

- Rangers attendance is up this season.

- The Rangers feel prospect & WJC gold medalist Derek Stepan needs another year of development before he's ready to turn pro, but want Ryan McDonagh -- acquired from Montreal in the Scott Gomez deal -- into the organization following at the end of this his junior season at Wisconsin.

- Chad Johnson back down, Matt Zaba back up.

- I guess John Tortorella didn't get the no profanity memo.

Rangers to Send Redden to Hartford?

Bruce Garrioch at the Ottawa Sun reports that Wade Redden could be on his way to Hartford soon...

"There has been talk the Rangers are going to place D Wade Redden on waivers and then send him to the their AHL affiliate in Hartford. There is nothing to stop the Rangers from doing that because Redden has a limited no-trade clause, but he doesn’t have a restrictive no-movement clause. Signed to a six-year, $39-million deal on July 1, 2007, the Rangers have tried to deal Redden, but haven’t been able to find any takers. Even if New York GM Glen Sather did want to deal Redden, he’d have to get a list from the defenceman of eight teams where he doesn’t want to go."

...while Redden is never going to be worth his contract, he has been solid since returning to the line-up after being a healthy scratch and the Rangers are playing too well to think Sather is going to shake-up the roster like that.

...the only way I see this happening is if the Rangers go into another tailspin.

Sunday Headlines

New York Post - Rangers continue domination on road

New York Post - Prospal making progress

Daily News - New York Rangers ride Henrik Lundqvist, Brandon Dubinsky to 3-1 drubbing of Boston Bruins

The Bergen Record - Rangers stay hot with 3-1 win over Bruins

The Bergen Record - Ranger notes: Prospal making progress

Newsday - Lundqvist, Rangers stop Bruins, 3-1

Rangers Talk Win vs. Bruins

Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants has these post game quotes...

Eric Christensen...
“I’m getting chances to play in the last minutes of the game, that’s an opportunity I never had anywhere else.”

Ales Kotalik on the penalty shot call...
“It was a little hook, just a little one. He embellished it.”

Michael Del Zotto on getting his first goal in 21 games...
“I’m not one to talk about it but it is frustrating,” Del Zotto said. “Especially with the power play not clicking right now. It definitely feels good to get one. I have a bit more confidence now. I think that as the game went on I felt better with the puck. Hopefully that helps me out.”

Michael Obernauer at the Blueshirts Blog has more quotes including this one from Henrik Lundqvist...

“That extra goal was huge,” Henrik Lundqvist said. “You’re going to win a lot of games if you can score three goals. It’s such a huge difference, two vs. three goals. A lot of games as we’ve gone along, we’ve lost 2-1 or 3-2, but lately we’ve been able to squeeze in an extra one.”

Video: Highlights, Torts & Duguay on Win vs. Bruins

Rangers @ Bruins highlights here.

John Tortorella speaks to reporters after the Blueshirts' 3-1 win over the Bruins here.

Ron Duguay talks about the Blueshirts' impressive 3-1 victory over the Bruins here.

Rangers 3, Bruins 1

The New York Rangers (22-17-6) defeated the Boston Bruins (22-14-7) by the score of 3-1, today. For a recap and box score go to Yahoo! Sports and newyorkrangers.com.

...this nice run is almost good enough for me to forget how bad the Rangers were last month.

...looks like rest suits Lundqvist quite nicely.

...the fact that Del Zotto is only 19 makes his goal today that much more amazing.

...Brashear has basically become that old boxer who hangs on a little too long. It's become embarrassing.

...Christensen has just solidified a spot on this team for the rest of the season.

...Dubinsky is really showing he deserved that nice contract.

...couple days off then the first place Devils are in town on Tuesday.

Home Improvement

Sorry guys, I have some major home improvement issues going on, so I won't be able to post most of the day.

I'm hopeful to have a game recap of today's contest against the Bruins later tonight.

Rangers Denied Chance to Practice @ Fenway

Larry Brooks at the New York Post reports that the Rangers were denied permission to practice on the Winter Classic ice at Fenway Park this afternoon by Hockey East commissioner Joe Bertagna.

Chris Drury, a former Boston University standout, made the request while the Rangers are in Boston preparing to take on the Bruins tomorrow afternoon...

"The Blueshirts, who face the Bruins here tomorrow afternoon, had requested about a half-hour of outdoor ice time early this afternoon, prior to the Hockey East outdoor doubleheader at Fenway commencing at 4 with a women’s game between UNH and Northeastern before the 7:30 men’s nightcap between BU and BC.

But though NHL ice-making specialist and facilities manager Dan Craig had given his approval — the rink originally made for the Jan. 1 Winter Classic has remained in place through the week for a variety of events — Hockey East ultimately was fearful that the practice would damage the ice surface."

...that's a pretty weak move by Hockey East.

Dinner with Ranger Legends

On Dec. 15, 2009, a select group of Rangers fans, including Blueshirts United Legends Club members, were invited to a special dinner with the all-time greats here.

...wow, wonder how you get invited to that?

Avery Just as Important as Gaborik, Lundqvist?

Ryan Dixon at The Hockey News looks at the importance of Sean Avery to the Rangers success...

"Then there’s the wild card behind the wheel, Sean Avery. Can Avery’s impact consistently match that of Gaborik and Lundqvist? Of course not. Still, there’s no denying he can be and has been a difference-maker for the Rangers."

...i've always said that Avery, despite not being an elite player in the NHL, is by far the most important player on the Rangers. The problem this year has been consistancy from Sean. He looked like an MVP candidate Wednesday night then last night he is barely noticable. For the Rangers to be successful he needs to bring his 'A' game every night. And by 'A' game I don't necessarily mean scoring I mean a sandpaper effort that throws the opponent off their game.

Also at The Hockey News, Edward Fraser named Marian Gaborik the midseason Hart Trophy winner.

Friday Headlines

Daily News - Atlanta Thrashers top New York Rangers in shootout in goalie Chad Johnson's first NHL start

Newsday - Rangers fall in shootout to Thrashers, 2-1

Newsday - Rangers' Prospal on solid road to recovery

Bergen Record - Rangers fall to Thrashers, 2-1, in rookie Chad Johnson's first start

Bergen Record - Rangers notes: Vinny Prospal on ice

New York Post - Rookie goalie, Rangers fall in shootout

Video: Highlights & Torts on Loss vs. Thrashers

John Tortorella speaks to reporters after the Blueshirts earned a point with a 2-1 OT shootout loss on Jan. 7 at Atlanta here.

Rangers @ Thrashers highlights here.

Thrashers 2, Rangers 1, SO

The New York Rangers (21-17-6) lost to the Atlanta Thrashers (19-18-6) by the score of 2-1 in a shootout, tonight. For a recap and box score go to Yahoo! Sports and newyorkrangers.com.

...missed opportunity for two points by the Rangers tonight. You get a heck of a game by a rookie goaltender making his first start and can't score more than one goal for the kid.

...speaking of the kid, man did he make even the most difficult saves look easy. Including this one. Valiquette shouldn't be making plans to return any time soon.

...why is Del Zotto going ahead of players such as Anisimov or Dubinsky in the shootout? He shouldn't even be the first defenseman going. Gilroy has that honor.

...can the Rangers please score on Hedberg. In three games against the Blueshirts this season, he's now stopped 108 of the 114 shots against him. All Atlanta wins.

...if anybody is looking for the Rangers to drop Drury just go back and watch the diving block he took off the chest at the buzzer in OT.

...nice to see Lisin use his superior speed to get one tonight. His foot must be getting healthy because he's been much better recently.

...Staal has been a monster lately.

...off tomorrow then a matinee in Boston on Saturday.

Rangers @ Thrashers (Game 44)

The New York Rangers (21-17-5) visit the Atlanta Thrashers (18-18-6) tonight at Philips Arena starting at 7:00 p.m. For a preview go to Yahoo! Sports.

TV: MSG+; Radio: WNYM (970 AM)

Probable Lines:
Dubinsky-Christensen-Gaborik
Avery-Anisimov-Kotalik
Higgins-Drury-Callahan
Brashear-Boyle-Lisin

Staal-Rozsival
Del Zotto-Girardi
Redden-Gilroy

Goaltenders:
Chad Johnson - 0-0-0, 4.50 gaa, .850 sv%, 0 so.

Johan Hedberg - 9-6-3, 2.62 gaa, .910 sv%, 1 so.

Opponent Notes:
- Atlanta has lost nine games in a row (0-6-3).

- Ilya Kovalchuk has six goals and six assists during the losing streak, but has 14 goals and 15 assists in 28 games against the Rangers, including two goals and five assists in the last three.

- Johan Hedberg made 46 saves in a 3-2 Thrashers victory against the Rangers at MSG back on December 14.

Opponent Blog:
The Blueland Chronicle

Johnson to Start Tonight vs. Thrashers

Steve Zipay at Blue Notes reports that sources tell him that rookie Chad Johnson will get his first NHL start tonight in Atlanta.

Zipay also reports that Vinny Prospal will test his knee for the first time today.

...Rangers better bring their 'A' game defensively to start the game as I'm sure the kid will have plenty of butterflies in his stomach.

Rangers on PIX11

MSG.com reports that MSG will partner with PIX 11 in New York to air two Rangers games in January.

PIX 11 will televise games against the St. Louis Blues and Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, January 16th and Saturday, January 23rd, respectively.

Avery #1 Star

Sean Leahy at Puck Daddy names Sean Avery as last night's #1 star for his four points (1g, 3a) against the Dallas Stars...

No. 1 star: Sean Avery, New York Rangers
You think Avery as geared up to face his old team? The Rangers agitator stuck it to the Dallas Stars by scoring a goal and assisting on three others during New York's 5-2 win. Aside from torturing Marty Turco, Avery also collected 12 penalty minutes, including a 10-minute misconduct as he mixed things up with Nicklas Grossman, Jere Lehtinen, and Brendan Morrow. A Dallas Star for all of 23 games last season, Avery didn't make many friends in Big D and after the game, Turco had the second best quote of the night: "I would have loved to have seen that delinquent do that for us last year". The quote of the night? That would go to Mr. Avery himself who responded to a question about what was different about tonight's game with, "I was getting paid by two teams".

NHL.com also names Avery #1 Star.

...that Turco quote is f-in' classic.

Voros a Tough Guy

Aaron Voros is #3 in this week's Fox Sports Tough Guy Tracker...

3. Aaron Voros vs. Tom Kostopoulos
Times Square wasn't the only place in New York that was rocking on New Year's Eve. Inside Madison Square Garden, Ranger fans got to watch Carolina's Tom Kostopoulos drop quicker than the New Year's Eve Ball when he got his bell rung by New York's Aaron Voros in the second period.

...maybe Voros should start giving Brashear some lessons.

Yankee Stadium Out for 2011 Winter Classic

Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants says with ESPN soon to announce a deal to televise a Yankee Stadium bowl game possibly on Dec. 30 with a 2 p.m. kickoff, the idea for a 2011 Winter Classic at Yankee Stadium is done...

“The Yankees are still telling people it can happen but the NHL knows it can’t happen,” one source said.

Gross adds that Citi Field is the only other New York site that will be considered as the NHL is wary of placing the game in a football stadium and conflicting with the NFL schedule, eliminating the consideration of the new Meadowlands stadium. And even Citi Field poses problems as the NHL has no interest in televising a regional match-up as Rangers-Islanders which would be a likely scenario at the home of the Mets.

...looks like unless the Rangers are going to be the visiting team Ranger fans will be locked out of seeing their team in next year's 'Classic.'

Thursday Headlines

New York Post - 'Delinquent' busts out against his former team

New York Post - Torts has something to shout about

Daily News - Sean Avery gets revenge on old team with four point-game as New York Rangers defeat Dallas Stars

Newsday - Avery helps Rangers top Stars, 5-2

The Bergen Record - Sean Avery's four points lift Rangers

The Bergen Record - Ranger notes: Johnson waiting for his chance

New York Times - Avery Comes Alive Against the Stars, His Ex-Team

The Journal News - Real Avery emerges to annoy, destroy

Video: Highlights, Avery & Torts on Win vs. Stars

John Tortorella speaks about the play of Sean Avery and the Rangers effort against the Dallas Stars here.

Rangers vs. Stars highlights here.