Stepan Could Make Some Noise

Bob McKenzie at TSN takes a look at 10 rookies who were not in TSN's Top 10 rookies that could make some noise this season...

1. Derek Stepan of the New York Rangers. Really, really like this kid. Great pedigree, a Minnesotan who played at Wisconsin and was one of the best players at last year's World Junior Championship. Hockey smart, with and without the puck. He's a hockey player's hockey player and while it may be a little much to expect him to be able to centre Alex Frolov and Marian Gaborik on the Rangers' No. 1 line, I keep wondering if he's not the Rangers' best option there and just allow him to grow into the position. The only thing I don't like about the kid is that I hear Ranger voice Sam Rosen calling him Stuh-PAN. I had always assumed it was Step-in. Sam would know. I find Stuh-PAN difficult to say quickly. I'm sure I'll get over it and hope to say his name many times this season. If Stepan can step up -- and really, it's tough to forecast with rookies -- the 20-year-old second-rounder could be a major impact player for a Ranger team that may be on the cusp of the playoffs.

...we really, really like him too.

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Boogaard, Prust Named Tough Guys

Fox Sports previews this year's tough guys and includes Derek Boogaard and Brandon Prust...

Derek Boogaard (NYR)
They don't call him the "Boogey Man" for nothing. Derek Boogaard has the ability to scare the bejeezus out of the opposition without even dropping his gloves. While Boogaard only took part in nine fights last season, it wasn't from lack of trying — it was from lack of willing opponents. No NHL Tough Guy wanted any part of the former Minnesota Wild forward. But with a division filled with pugilists such as Philly's Daniel Carcillo, Ian Laperriere and Jody Shelley, New Jersey's David Clarkson and Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond, Pittsburgh's Arron Asham and Michael Rupp and Islanders forwards Zenon Konopka and Trevor Gillies, expect Boogaard to get his hands dirty a lot more often this coming season.

Brandon Prust (NYR)
Rangers' forward Brandon Prust is an in-your-face type of player any team would love to have. But Prust doesn't only like to get in the opposition's face, he also likes to smash it in when the opportunity calls for it. The gritty 26-year-old finished third in the NHL in fights (25) and major penalties (25). Prust appeared in 69 games with the Rangers and Calgary Flames last season, registering career-highs in goals, assists, points, plus/minus rating, penalty minutes and game-winning goals.

...i tell you what, I am itching to see Boogaard pound on someone after not even sniffing a scrap in the preseason.

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Thursday Headlines

Daily News - Vinny Prospal placed on injured reserve by Rangers, likely out for extended period of time

New York Post - Rangers lack star power to compete

New York Post - JAY GREENBERG: For local teams, Cup half empty

Bergen Record - Rangers by position

Newsday - Rangers set for opener; but change looms

New York Times - Beyond the Usual Contenders

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Expect A Lot Of Lundqvist Early

Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants says the spread out schedule to begin the season for the Rangers means a lot of Henrik Lundqvist.

John Tortorella on whether Marty Biron will get some early games...

“Oh I doubt it,” Tortorella said. “Again I haven’t looked at the schedule, it’s so spread. I’m certainly not going to go too far the other way and not let Hank get into a groove. You’ve got to be careful there, you’ve got to allow him to play and get himself going also. I never go too far ahead as far as the goaltending is concerned. You guys (the media) will hold me accountable I’m sure if I say something so I don’t know. I know Hank’s going to be there early on here because it’s spread out and then we’ll see where it goes from there.”

...makes sense. If Lundqvist is going to get ample rest between starts there's really no need for Biron. However, he will become very useful as the season rolls on and Lundqvist needs a break.

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Video: Kennedy Talks Clearing Waivers

Tim Kennedy talks about the experience of getting through waivers after the team placed him there to gain some roster flexibility here.

John Tortorella speaks to reporters about the upcoming season after the Blueshirts' Oct. 6 practice at the MSG Training Center here.

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Leetch Talks Torts, Redden & Rangers

Joe Brescia at Slap Shot was lucky enough to sit down with Rangers legend Brian Leetch to discuss numerous issues from John Tortorella to predictions on the season. Here's an excerpt...

Q. How do you think John Tortorella is doing as the Rangers’ coach?

A. I think Torts has been great. He was an assistant while I was there and actually was head coach for a few games. I liked his direct approach. His style of play is fun for most players. I loved playing his style, pressuring the puck and not allowing any space to the opposition. You have to be in great shape but it also eliminates standing flat-footed, trying to read and react. It’s more initiate and react.

Leetch also thinks the Rangers could finish anywhere from 5th - 10th this season, says he'd like to get back into hockey at some point in a number of different capacities and talks Wade Redden's struggles.

...always great to hear from Leetch. Would be real excited to see him join the Rangers organization again. He's already done some post game with MSG Network, so you have to assume the Rangers are already interested in bringing him in.

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Gaborik, Lundqvist In TSN Top 50

TSN released their top 50 NHL players and both Marian Gaborik and Henrik Lundqvist made the list...

20. Marian Gaborik - The Ranger has averaged one goal for every two games since the lockout ended.

30. Henrik Lundqvist - The impact goalie is a star on and off the ice in Gotham City.

...no complaints about where these two land on the list.

...surprisingly no Islanders made the cut. ;)

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Drury, Prospal Placed on IR (Updated)

Updated, 2:55 p.m.:
Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants has this quote from Tortorella on the Prospal injury...

“I don’t expect him for a little bit here,” Tortorella said. “We’re going about our business. It’s a player that adds enthusiasm to the locker room, he’s an important guy for us. But we can’t depend on that. That is such an iffy situation right we can’t depend on that, we need to move on. Not to disrespect Vinny but we need to understand that we need to be playing without him right now.”

...well that's not very encouraging.

Original Post:
@thenyrangers tweets...

#NYR have placed veteran forwards Chris Drury and Vinny Prospal on IR to reach 23-man roster limitless than a minute ago via TweetDeckNHL New York Rangers
thenyrangers

They also tweet that John Tortorella says that another player will be selected to wear an alternate captain's A in Prospal's absence.

...got to go with Gaborik.

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Stepan Named Top Rookie In Camp

Steve Zipay at Blue Notes reports that Derek Stepan has been named the winner of the 2010 Lars-Erik Sjoberg Award, given to the best Rangers rookie in training camp, as voted on by the members of the media.

Stepan played in five preseason games, registering three goals and two assists for five points. He tied for the team lead in goals, ranked first in shots (14), and tied for second in points. His one shorthanded goal was tied for the league lead.

...was there any doubt. Would love for him to win another top rookie award that's given out at the end of the year.

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TheNYRBlog Fantasy Hockey League Update

All eight divisions are filled, all 80 teams have been drafted and the NHL season starts tomorrow. Which means only one thing....

LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!!!

TheNYRBlog fantasy hockey league is ready to begin and I couldn't be more pumped.

Just wanted to let everyone know that I was able to secure prizes for all the division winners. I received from the Rangers (who says they're not good to bloggers) two signed Sean Avery pucks and two Rangers retired numbers memorabilia card in a glass casing. Also one of my great sponsors Glass Bangers T-shirts will be donating three shirts. At the end of the season I will pick out of a hat which division winner gets which prize.

Remember the division champ who wins the whole thing will not be getting a division prize as the grand prize (also donated by the Rangers) is just too ridiculous.

This is the first year of the league, so there may be some bumps along the way, especially in the championship round, just bare with me and I think everything will be alright.

And just so you know, if I don't win the championship, I'm shutting down the blog.

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White, Kennedy Clear Waivers

Update, 12:55 p.m.:
Steve Zipay tweets that Kennedy is "relieved" that he cleared waivers...

"I want to stay here...have to keep working to show you belong."

Original Post:
Larry Brooks tweets...

Another surprise. Kennedy clears.less than a minute ago via webLarry Brooks
NYP_Brooksie

...nice to see that Kennedy is still part of the organization. I really think he is going to contribute at some point this season.

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Zipay Live Chat at 2pm

Steve Zipay of Blue Notes will host his weekly live web chat today at 2pm. To participate click here.

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Q&A with Sam Rosen

Rick Carpiniello at the Rangers Report was able to sit down with Rangers announcer Sam Rosen. Here is an excerpt...

Q: Do you think this year’s Rangers team is better than last year’s team?

Sam Rosen: I do think the Rangers team is better because they’ve added some skilled players who have a chance to make an impact. One is Alex Frolov, who has been a good forward, he’s a highly skilled player, scored over 30 goals twice in his career and if he plays most of the season with Marian Gaborik, has the chance to put some pretty good numbers up. With a one-year contact, the motivation is there for him to play well, and playing with a guy like Gaborik, he has to know that he can put up some good numbers. Ruslan Fedotenko, veteran player, two-time Stanley Cup champion comes in as a guy that can play in the corners and in front of the net, passes the puck well and if he’s motivated by his one-year contract, which he should be, he should make an immediate impact. I think we’ll see the Rangers get a little more from their third and fourth lines this year, players like Brandon Prust and Brian Boyle. And you bring in a player like Stepan, a very highly skilled player, who so far hasn’t been overwhelmed by the NHL game, it’s another player that can add to the team. Then you look for growth in players like Michael Del Zotto and Artem Anisimov, and the Rangers have an overall talent level that’s been raised. If they can put it together and be consistent, they have a chance to be, not only a good team, but a good playoff team.

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Prospect Goaltender Has Hot Start

Ryan Kennedy at The Hockey News takes a look at some of the top prospects of the week including Rangers goaltending prospect Scott Stajcer...

Scott Stajcer, G – Owen Sound Attack (OHL) Although this is likely the first time Owen Sound has scored two nods on The Hot List in the same week, it would have been impossible to ignore Stajcer’s start to the season. The fourth-year OHL netminder has been lights-out for the surprising Attack, boasting a 1.00 goals-against average and .969 save percentage in three undefeated starts. Drafted 140th overall by the New York Rangers in 2009.

...the goaltending depth in the Rangers organization is ridiculous, between Lundqvist, Johnson, Talbot and now Stajcer.

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Rangers Goalies Ranked #5

SI.com ranks the league's goaltending tandems and Henrik Lundqvist and Marty Biron rank fifth...

5. New York Rangers Henrik Lundqvist and Martin BironLundqvist is a proven commodity at this point -- durable and dependable. So, too, is journeyman Biron. Yet, Lundqvist's down and deep approach might need a little spiffing up this season, as shooters around the league seem to be finding some cracks in King Henry's once almost impenetrable armor -- not a good development for a team that often struggles to score.

...i hate seeing any criticism of Lundqvist b/c of what he means to the Rangers, but this analysis is spot on regarding the league funding some cracks. Cough glove-side high cough.

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CBS Sports Has Rangers at #18

CBS Sports has their first preseason ranking of the season and put the Rangers at #18...

18. Rangers - Goalie Henrik Lundqvist and winger Marian Gaborik can carry this team to a point. But you don't win without a front-line center and the Rangers don't have one.

...can't argue with that assessment. Unless you guys think EC is a front-line center. Me neither.

While Fox Sports has the Rangers at #24.

...just to show you how ridiculous this is, Fox has the Islanders at #25. C'mon man.

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Redden's $ Comes Back on Offseason Cap

In Larry Brooks article this morning in the NY Post he mentions this about Wade Redden's salary...

"Remember, Wade Redden's $6.5 million comes back onto the cap for the offseason. The Blueshirts currently have $52.49 million committed to 12 players (plus Redden) next summer, not counting likely meaningful increases off qualifiers for restricted free agents Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov."

The summer cap allows teams to go 10% above the current salary cap.

...thought this was very interesting and something I didn't realize. This could be a potential problem for the Rangers next season as they try to add parts or resign Frolov.

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Defense Possibilities

Steve Zipay at Blue Notes starts churning the rumor mill by looking at possible defensemen the Rangers could be interested in...

"We've already mentioned waiver posssibility (sp) and lefty D Ryan Parent, with Staal, Girardi connections....

Nothing solid, but hearing that former Dev D David Hale (now in Ottawa) might be a waiver pickup, despite GM Glen Sather's saying nobody today intrigued him. Gotta be honest, Hale doesn't do much for me unless someone's moving out in a deal. Not sure picking will be that great on waivers today, so....

On trade front, don't discount Florida, which is on a very tight budget. Bryan Allen, 30, he's 6-4, 220, a lefty D, 99 PIM last year, perhaps a little pricey at $2.9 mil though."

...Parent, 23, is a guy I've heard about a few times. He's former first round pick by the Predators.

...not really sure why the beat writers are talking defensemen so much. I'm more than excited (with the exception of Rozy, who I think will be better this year) about our defensive core this season. Nice mix of youth and veterans.

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Six & the CT

From Puck Daddy's SI Cover contest...


...this is f'n great!!!!

...thanks to reader Jack for passing this along.

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Over/Unders

Greg Wyshynski at Puck Daddy takes a look at the top players from each team and their over/under for point production for this season...

Marian Gaborik: 85.5 pts.

Alexander Frolov: 59.5 pts.

Vaclav Prospal: 52.5 pts.

Brandon Dubinsky: 46.5 pts.

...i think it's pretty safe to say you can take the under on Prospal to the bank.

...as far as the others I'd like to hope Frolov and Dubinsky would be over, although Dubinsky I think had just one point in the preseason, and Gaborik might end up being under. Just slightly.

...h/t to reader Chef Dave.

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Wednesday Headlines

Bergen Record - Rangers continue juggling roster as cap deadline nears

New York Post - Rangers let Kennedy go

Daily News - Scary new Ranger Boogaard punches in

Daily News - Kennedy, White placed on waivers

Newsday - Rangers place White and Kennedy on waivers

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Cap Flexibility; Erik's #1; MDZ Learns to Fight; Stepan Gets New # & More

Jesse Spector at the Blueshirts Blog does an outstanding job recapping the day and starts by offering quotes from Glen Sather on the waiving of Todd White and Tim Kennedy...

"Let's say somebody's got a cap problem, and they put a real good player on waivers tomorrow, then we have the room to take a real good player," Sather said. "Maybe in a different position -- maybe you're looking at a defenseman that could be there, somebody can't afford to keep him. Then, by opening up this space, we would have room to absorb it. It's just giving us a chance to do something like that, to exercise an option."

If the players clear waivers, Sather explained that the Rangers would have 30 days to send them to the minors.

...this obviously makes a lot of sense.

Spector also reports that John Tortorella said Erik Christensen is the #1 center, MDZ received fighting lessons from Brandon Prust, Derek Stepan is changing his number from 57 to 21 which he wore in college and that Derek Boogaard hasn't heard from the NHL regarding his spear of Ottawa's Chris Neil on Saturday night.

...would love to see MDZ throw down this season.

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Rangers Put White & Kennedy on Waivers

Update, 2:20 p.m.:
Jesse Spector tweets that Glen Sather said White and Kennedy were put on waivers to give Rangers flexibility if opportunity presents itself to acquire someone expensive. However, he doesn't expect to make an addition, but wants to keep options open.

Sather also expressed no interest in any players who hit the waiver wire today. He wouldn't tell media if he was talking trades.

Update, 1:12 p.m.:
@thenyrangers tweets that Drury was not taking shots on the ice.

Update, 1:00 p.m.:
Gross now tweets that Tortorella says despite being waived Kennedy and White will not be going to Hartford and expects them on the ice tomorrow.

Update, 12:41 p.m.:
Andrew Gross tweets that Chris Drury (broken left index finger) is on the ice in full gear with Marty Biron and assistant Mike Sullivan taking shots.

...and here's your reason for the waivings.

Update, 12:30 p.m.:
Larry Brooks tweets that this move likely means a deal for a defenseman is in the works.

Original Post:
Bob McKenzie tweets...

NYR put Tim Kennedy and Todd White on waivers.less than a minute ago via webBob McKenzie
TSNBobMcKenzie

...sort of shocked to see Kennedy waived. Thought he had a solid camp and could help the Rangers at some point. This may mean Drury won't be IR'd or are going to make a move.

...pretty disappointed with White's performance. Thought he would put forth a better effort. Obviously, the Rangers needed to waive him and his salary.

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Stepan: For Some Reason We Seemed to Click

Jesse Spector at the Daily News has this quote from Derek Stepan on playing on a line with Sean Avery and Ruslan Fedotenko...

"I feel prepared, and I've got linemates to help me out - I've got Feds and Aves, two veteran guys that know how to work it," Stepan said. "Like I've said from Day 1, wherever they feel is the right fit, is where I'm prepared to play. I feel this is a good spot, and I'm excited. For some reason, me, Aves and Feds just seemed to click the first game we played together."

...while I'd love to see Stepan on the top line, I think playing on the third line will take some of the pressure off of the kid and allow him to play his game.

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Third Jersey Helmets

Jesse Spector at the Blueshirts Blog tweets this pic of Mike Sauer wearing the third uniform helmet during practice this morning...

Last month Sean Avery posted a pic of himself wearing the third jersey.

...sort of boring if you ask me. Maybe they could have used an older Rangers logo.

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Staal Back at Practice

Steve Zipay tweets...

Marc Staal (hip) back on ice after missing yesterdayless than a minute ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®Steve Zipay
stevezipay

...awesome news. Let's get this season started!!!!

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Christensen in Trouble When Drury Gets Back?

Arthur Staple at Staple's Center Ice gives us his thoughts on what might happen when Chris Drury comes back from his broken finger...

"Best guess is that Erik Christensen, who will open the season as the No. 1 center, is in the most trouble. If Christensen can't duplicate his chemistry with Marian Gaborik over the first couple games, once Drury returns, either Stepan or Brandon Dubinsky (now a LW) moves up, and Drury either slots in as the No. 3 center or on the wing with Stepan and Fedotenko, with Sean Avery up to play the left side with Artem Anisimov and Ryan Callahan."

...can't say I disagree, but not sure Drury fits on that first line either. Hate to see all the lines jumbled up when Drury comes back. Especially if there's some chemistry going on.

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ESPN Ranks Rangers #22

In ESPN's first power ranking of the season they have the Rangers at #22...

22. Rangers - I actually don't mind what this team did during the offseason, but my biggest concern is the division in which it plays. The Atlantic is the toughest in the East.

...i'm officially never posting anything from ESPN.com ever again. Could these guys know any less about hockey? Unreal.

...although this most definitely means the Rangers are going to have a great season.

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Tuesday Headlines

Newsday - Rangers sign Fedotenko after impressive camp

New York Post - Rangers, Fedotenko OK $1M deal

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Rangers Moment of the Preseason

The Rangers have brought back their moment of the week feature this year and as a warmup are asking fans to vote on their favorite preseason moment.

Each Monday during the regular season, beginning on Oct. 11, fans will be invited to vote for the newyorkrangers.com Moment of the Week from among three finalists.

Here are this week's choices...

- Gaborik's OT Goal vs. New Jersey at MSG
- Del Zotto's OT Goal on Road at New Jersey
- Staal's Game-Tying Goal vs. Sens at MSG

To vote click here.

...got to go with Staal's tying goal. That was a sick move.

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