Rosen Ranked Among All Time Best NY Sports Announcers

Neil Best at Newsday lists his 25 best New York Sports announcers of all time and Sam Rosen checks in at #17...

17) Sam Rosen
It is sometimes said that there are 25,000 hockey fans in New York and they’re all watching the Rangers. Yet, 26 years on the same job says a lot. And doing it with style and with an inimitable flair fosters an indelible bond.

Rosen is a play-by-play addict. If he’s not doing the Rangers, he’s broadcasting football for Fox or hockey for the NHL Radio Network. He’s also done boxing, “Giants Journal” and has ably filled in on Knicks games. And if he’s doing neither, he’s calling someone for another gig. Rosen has had a cherished and glittering career.

But if you ask him about his most memorable interview, he’ll say it was with Jimmy Carter after he won the Oregon primary in 1976. Rosen was then working for the UPI Radio Network.

...being able to watch games on Versus and NBC as well as Islander and Devils telecasts reminds me of how lucky we are to have a talent like Rosen calling Ranger games. He will forever be the voice of winter for me the way Bob Murphy was in the summer.

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The Avery Rule Rulz

In the wake of all the NHL rule change talk, Greg Wyshynski at Puck Daddy looks at the 10 best player-inspired rules changes including the Sean Avery Rule.



...please Sean, on behalf of every Ranger fan I beg you to return to the form shown in this video. We can't take another year of Avery Lite.

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Frolov's Playing for His NHL Future

Wes Goldstein at CBS Sports takes a look at 11 contract year players who need to make their moves this year including Ranger newcomer Alexander Frolov...

Alexander Frolov: He's a talented forward who many believe can get better, even if Frolov has had a couple of 30-goal seasons and five more with at least 20 in seven years with the Kings. But Los Angeles is building something special and really didn't want the 28-year-old around. So Frolov was left to walk and drew more interest from KHL teams than NHL clubs. The Rangers took a $3 million chance for one year. Frolov could turn out to be a steal for New York, or he could be in for a long year under coach John Tortorella. Either way, he's playing for his NHL future.

...i'm in the camp of Frolov having a comeback season. He has too much to lose not to be at his best. The fact that the Rangers were the only team interested this off-season shows that the league is down on him, so if he wants that big contract next year he's going to have to prove he deserves it.

Goldstein also lists former Rangers Nikolai Zherdev (PHI) and Chris Higgins (FLA).

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Del Zotto's New Crib

Jennifer Gould Keil at the New York Post tells us about 20-year-old Michael Del Zotto's new plush Manhattan apartment...

"He just rented a spacious one-bedroom with a wraparound terrace at the Alfred building for around $5,000. If Del Zotto feels like working out at home, the building has a 75-foot lap pool, a racquetball court and a gym."

...besides Derek Jeter is there any other athlete from New York you want to be right now. Young, talented and rich. Not a bad combination.

...h/t to reader Snuser for the link.

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Shanahan Leads NHL Research Camp

I've been negligent on posting about this but former Ranger and current NHL's Vice President of Hockey and Business Operations Brendan Shanahan has been heading the NHL's Research Camp this week in an attempt to try-out different rule changes with prospects.

Some of the new rule proposals include:
*Hybrid icing rule
*No line change for team committing an offside
*Crease reset rule
*Face-off variation (face-off controlled by whistle in place of traditional puck drop)
*Overtime: three minutes of 4-of-4, three minutes of 3-on-3, three minutes of 2-on-2, followed by shootout (5 players per team).
*Bigger crease
*Verification goal line (additional line situated behind the goal line)
*Wider blue lines
*Line changes zone in front of each bench
*Face-off variations (infringement results in the offending player moving back further, three face-off dots down the middle of the ice)
*No icing the puck while shorthanded
*OT - three minutes of 4-on-4, three minutes of 3-on-3, three minutes of 2-on-2 with long line changes; followed by three shooters per team in the shootout (if tied after three shots, then players who have shot previously can shoot again)

For everything going on this week check out the NHL's Camp Research Blog. For pictures from the camp with some of the changes click here.

...i don't really like any of the ideas except for maybe the no icing the puck while shorthanded. That's very intriguing.

...the one I absolutely hate is the three face-off dots down the middle of the ice (see pic from Chris Johnson above, via Puck Daddy). Huh?

...almost all of these rules will significantly alter the game of hockey. Did I miss something? I love the sport the way it is. Please, I beg you Gary do not ruin the game I am so passionate about.

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Zipay Live Chat at 1pm

Steve Zipay at Blue Notes is back from vacation and will be hosting another live webchat today at 1pm. To participate click here.

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Guest Blogger Contest Winner to be Announced Monday

I'm in the middle of going through all 24 guest blog entries in my quest to pick a winner of the Glass Bangers T-shirt.

A lot harder than I thought as all the participants did an awesome job.

The winner will be announced on Monday morning.

Again, my thanks to everyone who submitted a post and for all the readers who added so much by commenting on them all.

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Why the Rangers Will Make the Playoffs

Adam Kimelman at NHL.com looks at the teams that failed to make the playoffs last season and why they could make it this year...

Rangers
Why they could get in -- Despite their offensive struggles, the Rangers still went into Game 82 with a chance to make the playoffs, so the talent clearly is there. Frolov should be hungry to return to the goal-scoring form he had earlier in his career with the Kings, plus he's working on a one-year contract. The biggest acquisition, however, could be Biron. While his numbers didn't look good last season with the Islanders, Biron is a competent, veteran goaltender who will make the locker room a better place just by his presence. Also, coach John Tortorella will have the confidence to play Biron 15-20 games during the season, which will make for a more rested Lundqvist -- and when Lundqvist is on his game, there aren't many better in the League.

...the East will again be up in the air so expect the Rangers to be battling for the last two or three spots. Assuming health will be the biggest factor as to whether they make it or not. No Gaborik for a long stretch will mean no playoffs.

While Greg Wyshynski at Puck Daddy writes about why the Rangers won't make it.

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Lundqvist in Next Month's Vogue

@thenyrangers tweets this picture of Henrik Lundqvist in September's issue of Vogue...

...i wonder if Avery's not only going to be jealous that Lundqvist is in the magazine but is pictured with his friends the Olsen twins.

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Rangers Inception Highlight Video

Inception hockey highlight videos are all the rage lately (check out Bruins one here) and now TheNYRBlog reader Hutch (who's highlight video I posted the other day) has created a Rangers version set to the theme of the popular movie. Found video via NYRangers 360.



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Rangers to Share ECHL Affiliate With Flyers

From Andrew Gross...

#NYRangers and #Flyers to share #ECHL affiliation with Neil Smith's Greenville Road Warriors.less than a minute ago via webAndrew Gross
AGrossRecord

...i find this very odd. How can either team feel good that their own ECHL affiliate will be helping a rival's prospects get better? I just don't get this.

...assuming this has to do with cost savings unless someone has another explanation.

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Messier, Leetch, Graves & More at Iona College on Sept. 25th

For Immediate Release
Contact: John Cirillo, 212-972-5337, johnnycigarpr@aol.com
Kevin McCarthy, kevinmc.cirilloworld@gmail.com

Jerry Milani, gbpackjerry@yahoo.com

MESSIER, LEMIEUX, HOWE, LEETCH, GRAVES, HULL AND MORE TO APPEAR AT IONA COLLEGE’S MULCAHY GYM SATURDAY, SEPT. 25TH AT 10 AM FOR STEINERFEST IV: HOCKEY GREATS
HOCKEY HEROES AND LEGENDS TO SIGN AUTOGRAPHS, MEET FANS

NEW ROCHELLE, NY – It will be like a summit meeting of the Hockey Hall of Fame when Rangers’ Stanley Cup hero Mark Messier, two-time Penguins Stanley Cup champion Mario Lemieux and “Mr. Hockey” Gordie Howe are among the ice icons convening at Iona College on Saturday, September 25, for Steinerfest IV.

Steiner Sports (www.steinersports.com) will present its fourth fanfest, which has grown in popularity with hockey zealots. In all, 14 stars of the ice will be on hand to meet fans Iona’s Mulcahy Gym, beginning at 10:00 AM through 5 PM. Joining Messier, Lemieux and Howe, an elite trio which has amassed a staggering 6,199 total career points, will be fellow-Hall of Famers Brian Leetch, Brett Hull, Paul Coffey, Andy Bathgate, Harry Howell and Scotty Bowman, as well as past standouts Adam Graves, Ron Greschner, Jeremy Roenick, Chris Chelios and Mike Keenan.

Admission is $10, and $5 for children 12 and under. Fans will be able to purchase player autographs, win raffle prizes, participate in silent auctions, take pictures and more. Tickets can be purchased at the Steiner Sports Store and at Last Licks locations. For more information contact Steiner Sports at 914.301.1000 or www.steinersports.com. Mulcahy Gym is located at 715 North Avenue in New Rochelle, NY 10801.

Guest Blogger #24: Heir to the throne?

By Seniorpumas38

Ranger fans have nothing to worry about when it comes to goaltending, at least not for the next 10 years or so.

But who will take over between the pipes after Hank retires?

Let's take a look at the possible replacements that are up and coming, or could be traded for.

First up is Chad Johnson who we've already see play and win.

Known for his calm demeanor between the pipes he's already stolen the starting job in Hartford from Matt Zaba, who at this point is a backup at best.

Johnson's got alot of talent, he's athletic when he needs to be, and has great positioning but still has to mature for another year or so before he's ready.

Further down the line you have goalies Cam Talbot and Scott Stajcer both who had great seasons on not so great teams.

While I Was at the Museum

Sorry for the lack of updates today. Hit the Museum of Natural History with the family.

The Hockey News thinks Artem Anisimov will have a breakout season.

E.J. Hradek at ESPN.com looks at what's next for Marc Staal. (FYI, you need to have ESPN Insider to read, which I don't have).

Jess Rubenstein at The Prospect Park tells us what he expects out of the Rangers prospects in training camp.

@thenyrangers gives us a pic from the Rangers rock video. Which apparenty is a band covering the goal song.

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More Ranger Hating

Allan Muir at Sports Illustrated gives us his offseason rankings and has the Rangers at #22...

22. Rangers - If nothing else, the long-suffering Blueshirt faithful have to be thrilled that Glen Sather didn't spend his summer handing out goofy, unjustifiable contracts to aging, over-rated...oh, wait. Alright, the inexplicable Derek Boogaard deal aside, Slats actually won some points for nabbing intriguing free agent Mats Zuccarello-Aasen (top scorer in Sweden last season) and the low-risk contract he gave to Alex Frolov. Neither is a sure thing, but both bring hope of improvement. Adding Martin Biron to lighten Henrik Lundqvist's load was another solid move.

The Rangers are the #12 Eastern Conference team.

Last week The Hockey News ranked the Rangers #13 in the 15-team Eastern Conference.

...keep the hating coming. I love it!!!! I just can't see how this team can be ranked lower than #10. Until the season starts no way teams like Atlanta (who made some nice moves this summer), Carolina and Tampa (also a nice offseason) can be ranked above the Blueshirts.

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Guest Blogger #23: Does Sather's Patch Up Job Work?

By Richie

Instead of writing a long blog about how I feel about this team and the signings/trades lets take a look at the lines for next year.

I'm upset the Rangers younger forwards won't get a chance to make the team. With the resigning of Prospal, Christensen, and the trade for White, the Rangers really took away any chance of the younger guys making the team on the 3rd and 4th lines. Frolov was a great signing to sure up the weak offense.

The following lines is what I would like to see..

Frolov - Prospal - Gaborik
Duby - A.A - Callahan
Avery -White - Drury
Prust - Boyle - Boogey Man

4th Line vs non tough teams
Prust - Christensen - Mats Zuccarello/Byers

Extra Forwards:
Christensen
Mats Zuccarello
Byers/Weise/Dupont

Del Zotto - Staal
Rosy - Girardi
Ryan McDonagh - Steve Eminger/Gilroy

21 Years Ago Rangers Hire Neilson

From @NHLDigestcom...

Aug. 15, 1989 - #NYRangers hired Roger Neilson as their new coach, replacing Phil Esposito. #NHLless than a minute ago via HootSuitehttp://twitter.com/nhldigest
nhldigest

...the late Neilson had three and half years of great regular season success with the Rangers including a Presidents Trophy in 1991-92. Unfortunately he couldn't get the Blueshirts out of the second round of the playoffs and was fired during the 1992-93 season. And we all know how that worked out the next season.

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Something to Get You Going this Sunday Morning

Since there's absolutely no Ranger news this weekend here's a highlight video put together by TheNYRBlog reader Hutch...



...always tough watching a highlight video for a season the Rangers didn't make the playoffs. But hey it's nice to watch something hockey related nonetheless.

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I Got Nothing

Nothing doing Rangers wise today, so go out and enjoy your Saturday.

Assuming Larry Brooks will have something interesting in his Sunday column in the Post so stay tuned.

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Girardi's Glad Core is Back Together

In a feature at newyorkrangers.com, Dan Girardi had this to say about the Rangers keeping their core together...

"There are a couple of new faces, but I'm also glad the main group is still together," said Girardi. "We can try to jell and improve every season going forward."

...anyone who thinks chemistry isn't important should go back and look at all the interviews I've posted this offseason. In every one the player interviewed says how happy they are that the main core of players is back.

...after years of changing the entire roster, I'm sure it will be refreshing for the players to have familiarity with each other coming into camp.

Girardi also discusses how happy he is to re-sign with the Rangers.

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Torts: Redden's Got to Beat People Out

In part II of his interview with Stan Fischler over at MSG.com, John Tortorella had this to say about Wade Redden...

"For starters," said Tortorella in our interview, "Wade is a great and proud guy. But I don't think he played well last year and I told him so. I also told him that if he expects to be in the top six of the defensemen, he's got to beat out people."

...it sounds like the Rangers are going to give Redden one last chance to prove himself in camp. Which I've said all along.

...not sure what the Rangers are going to do cap wise if Redden is able to beat guys out or god forbid Staal isn't signed by opening night.

Torts also says he wishes he was able get Michael Del Zotto more rest last season (that's what you get for not having a 7th defenseman all season) and Chris Drury is going to get a chance to redeem himself offensively this season.

Torts added this on prospects Derek Stepan and Ryan McDonagh...

"We have to keep adding to our (young) core," Torts pointed out. "That's our philosophy and (forward) Stepan showed during our camp in June that he has the kind of offensive instincts we can use. He'll get a long opportunity at center.

"As for (defenseman) McDonagh, I'm glad he got into the pro game right away. Since our blue line is in a state of flux (much depends on Marc Staal's contract situation) we'll give Ryan a long look."

...i think McDonagh has a much better chance of making the team out of camp strickly because of numbers.

The Rangers coach also gives us his thoughts on Staal, Dan Girardi, Matt Gilroy and Todd White.

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Kreider: I'm Not Ready

In an outstanding feature by Julie Robenhymer at HockeyBuzz (yes HockeyBuzz) Rangers 2009 first round pick Chris Kreider talks everything from being drafted to playing in the World Championships.

Here is Kreider on where he is in his development as an NHL player...

"What I learned is that i'm not ready...at all and I was ready to go back to school and I was ready to get back in the gym and ready to just keep working, especially on my hands." he said. "If there was one thing that I figured out that I had, it was my skating ability and my size, but I still don't know how to use my size the best that I can and I could still definitely get faster and take off at the right times, but the skill side of it needs so much work it's not even funny. I couldn't tell you how much I learned from those guys and what I took away from that experience."

...with all the success Kreider has had so early in his career it is refreshing to see him so humble and dedicated to getting better.

...i highly recommend reading the entire article.

...h/t to reader Richter.

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Who'll Be Better? Rangers or Islanders

Justin Bourne (Former Islanders prospect and son of former Islander Bob) wonders who will finish higher this season the Rangers or the Islanders...

"So this NYR vs. NYI debate is legit because…. did the Rangers somehow get a ton better? I got messages about Lundqvist and Gaborik (72 and 76 GP respectively last year, BTW), but…. weren’t they there and healthy last year? So is Frolov going to be enough to push that team above and beyond? I dunno, but when you only have a few cogs to count on (same goes for the Isles), it really comes down to which team has better injury luck.

I think the Rangers will probably finish higher, but not by much."

...i've got agree with Bourne that the Rangers will finish ahead of the Islanders, but it won't be by a lot. The teams in the middle to bottom portion of the Eastern Conference are so similar (lots of weaknesses) I can see 10 teams fighting for the final 3-4 playoff spots.

...let's hear what you guys think and why. Including from my Islander trollers.

...h/t to Puck Daddy.

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Fan Blog Roundup

Jess Rubenstein at The Prospect Park tries to build a Rangers team out of draft picks and prospect free agents.

In the wake of James Dolan re-hiring Isiah Thomas, Scotty Hockey looks at other possible Dolan re-hirings for the Rangers.

Inferno at the Rangers Review feels the Blueshirts have done their best to put together a championship caliber team…for the Hartford Wolfpack.

Puck Central continues their "Getting To Know The Newest Rangers" series with MZA.

Greg Caggiano at From New York to San Francisco wonders where all the openings for the youngsters Glen Sather has been talking about are.

Rose over at the Henrik Lundqvist Blog has pics of the Rangers goaltender at his Gold in the Net Hockey School this summer.

Do you think Sean Avery and Avatar’s Sam Worthington look alike? DJ over at seanavery.net does.

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Guest Blogger #22: Stuck in Mediocrity

By John from Philly

As a rabid New York sports fan, living in Philadelphia is like being behind enemy lines. I’m forced to watch the hated enemy rise to great highest but then relish its slide back to reality.

Like the Flyers, the Rangers have been handcuffed by the salary cap. Unlike the Rangers, the Flyers found a way to squeak into the playoffs and run all the way to the Stanly Cup Finals.

Like the Rangers the Flyers didn’t make any notable moves on March 3rd (but I must applaud Mr. Slather for his genius movement of Ales Kotalik and Chris Higgins about a month before the deadline date) but they still had a successful year all in all.

We all know who the Rangers are handcuffed by, and we all know the effects that it has on the team year each year. The organization can’t bring in top end scoring or even quality roll players each year during the free agency period.

Buying out these contracts would be more costly then just letting them play out for the next 4 years. So whom does Mr. Sather bring in to help the team out? None other than Todd White.

Now I’m sure Mr. White is a nice guy but I’ve heard that he is in the discussion for our number one center. He really wouldn’t stand a chance playing along side offence talents like Marian Gaborik and Alex Frolov.

Callahan: We're A Lot More Hungry

In an interview at newyorkrangers.com, Ryan Callahan has this to say about the team bouncing back from not making the playoffs last season...

"I think we're all definitely a lot more hungry. It was tough and I know, personally, it has been a long summer. I think the biggest thing is coming back and not looking at not making the playoffs as a negative, but to turn it around and take it as a positive and as a learning experience."

...they better be. It's going to take a complete team effort for the Rangers to make the playoffs. Hopefully they learned from last year that they can't just depend on Gaborik and Lundqvist to carry the team. Those two need help and without it the Blueshirts are looking at a second straight playoffless season.

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Smith, Rangers Officially Back Together

Last week I posted that the Rangers were in talks with ex-Ranger GM Neil Smith’s Greenville Road Warriors about becoming the Blueshirts ECHL affiliate, today it became official according to Mitch Beck at Howlings...

“We are all very happy and proud to be the ECHL affiliate of the New York Rangers,” said Neil Smith, Road Warriors owner and president. “Glen Sather and Jim Schoenfeld are committed to player development and we will work hard to develop future Rangers here in Greenville.”

...nice to see Smith back with the organization.

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Callahan Likes to Golf (Updated)

Updated, 3:56 p.m.:
In other ridiculously useless news, today is Sam Rosen's birthday. Happy Birthday Sam!!!

Original Post:
From @thenyrangers...

Caught up with #NYR RW Ryan Callahan. Said his fav sport to play in the off-season is golf, fav sport to watch is baseball (@Yankees)less than a minute ago via TweetDeckNHL New York Rangers
thenyrangers

...i officially can't wait for the season to start after posting something like this.

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Torts: I Put No Handcuffs on Avery

In Part I of an exclusive interview with Stan Fischler over at MSG.com, John Tortorella talks about Sean Avery's lack of consistency last year...

"After I benched him against the Thrashers, he played his best hockey but I don't know why it came down to that. Despite what some have said, I put no handcuffs on him. I want Sean to show his personality. Last year I gave him a lot of opportunities and now that I think about it, I may have left him in too long. The bottom line is that if he's not involved, he won't play."

...i'm not so sure I believe Tortorella here. What other reason could it be that Avery all of a sudden after two great years under Renney suddenly doesn't play his game under Torts. Especially after what happened duing the Caps series back in 2009.

During the interview Torts also says that Brandon Dubinsky will be playing wing this season and that he hopes Artem Anisimov will be able to move up in the lineup.

Regarding the goaltending situation, Torts says he hopes that Biron will play between 17 and 20 games next season.

...i'd like to see Biron get closer to 25 games, but that's just me.

And finally here's Torts on why Rangers fans should be optimistic about the future of the Rangers organization...

"I feel good about what we did so far this Summer," he shot back. "We didn't deal any of our kids and the foundation for the team is in place. We have to build a club without relying totally on free agency.

"We want to keep our youthful core and keep adding to it."

...amen.

Part II of the interview will be posted tomorrow.

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Photos: Valiquette & Jagr in Russia

Laurie Carr at Beyond the Blueshirts tweeted out these two photos today of Jaromir Jagr at a gas station grand opening in Russia and Steve Valiquette practicing with his KHL team CSKA Moscow.



...gas station re-opening? How the mighty have fallen.

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