Weinman to Hold 2nd Video Web Chat @ 1 pm

Sam Weinman at the Rangers Report will be holding his second video web chat today at 1 p.m. Click here to participate.

...i'll be out all morning and into the afternoon so for the latest Ranger news visit The Rangers Report, Blue Notes and Ranger Rants.

Friday's Headlines: Home Opener Edition

Newsday - Naslund, Rangers excited to play in home opener

The Journal News - Garden opener special for new Rangers

New York Times - Rangers Raise the Curtain at Home With a New Cast

New York Post - RANGERS GLAD TO BE BACK HOME

New York Post - PALIN'S PUCK DROP SHAMEFUL (When did the Post turn into the NY Times?)

New York Post - LEETCH, RICHTER HALL BOUND

Daily News - Great expectations for Rangers as new season approaches

Bergen Record - Rangers prepare for bash

New Daily News Beat Writer Holds Live Web Chat

I missed this, but earlier today Daily News Ranger Beat Writer Michael Obernauer held a live web chat on everything from Brendan Shanahan to who's going to fill-in for Sean Avery. For a transcript click here.

Sjostrom May Get the Start Against Blackhawks

Steve Zipay at Blue Notes says that Freddie Sjostrom 'might dress for the first time this season against Chicago on Friday' and that 'Tom Renney said he wasn't committing to any lineup changes, nor if he would have a seventh defenseman to dress Friday "at this point."' Zipay thinks this opens up the possibility of a transaction late today or tomorrow.

Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants has more here. Including when Stephen Valiquette may start.

Even more analysis from Josh Thompson at The Rangers Report.

...looks like Prucha is the odd man out.

Islanders Named Top 10 Franchises Most Likely to Move

Forbes.com has named the New York Islanders as an America's Top 10 Franchises Most Likely to Move...

"The Islanders market size is a bit misleading, since sharing the New York stage with the Rangers and Devils keeps the fan base mostly limited to Long Island. And the passion of that fan base has taken a turn south since the club's glory years of the 1980s. The team desperately needs the amenity-filled new arena it's pushing for to draw the casual fans who aren't coming to plain old Nassau Coliseum. If it doesn't happen, a franchise that was once among the greatest ever (four straight Stanley Cups Cups from 1980 to 1983) could bite the dust."

...man it just gets worse and worse if you're an Islander fan.

Who Said Avery Can't Help Us

Len Ziehm at the Chicago Sun Times reports that Blackhawks left wing Ben Eager drew a three-game suspension from the NHL on Wednesday for a stick-swinging incident with Sean Avery in a preseason game last Thursday at Dallas and will miss Friday's game against the Rangers...

"Eager, on the Hawks' bench at the time, swung his stick at Avery, who was on the ice. Eager was given a match penalty and drew the suspension after a hearing Wednesday."

...hat tip to the Blueshirt Bulletin for the link.

...not that Eager is a great player, but hopefully the Rangers will be able to exploit the lack of toughness in the Blackhawks line-up.

Thursday Headlines

Newsday - Renney juggles forward lines prior to home opener

The Journal News - Rangers still working on roster moves

Daily News - Wade Redden ices any worries about transition to Rangers

Daily News - Rangers prospect Carl Hagelin developing in a different 'Blue shirt'

Bergen Record - Shanahan waiting on the Rangers

Gov. Palin to Drop Puck before Ranger/Flyer Game

Yahoo! Sports is reporting that Vice Presidential nominee Gov. Sarah Palin will drop the ceremonial first puck when the Philadelphia Flyers open the regular season against the New York Rangers on Saturday.

Flyers owner Ed Snider, who has donated money to Republican presidential nominee John McCain’s campaign had this to say...

“Because of the tremendous amount of publicity she has brought to our sport, we invited the most popular hockey mom in North America to our home opener to help us get our season started,” Snider said in a team statement Wednesday. “We are very excited she has accepted our offer and we are very proud of the publicity she is generating for hockey moms and the sport of hockey.”

Matt P. at The Level 700 wonders if the Flyers are 'running the risk of starting their season off to a chorus of boos.'

...hat tip to reader Nathan and Puck Daddy for the links.

...hopefully the Flyers season will tank as quickly as the McCain/Palin campaign has recently.

Shanahan's Return a Real Possibility

Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants says that Brendan Shanahan's agent Rick Curran is more optimistic than ever that Shanahan will be returning to the Rangers. Curran, who will again meet with Glen Sather later today, hopes 'by the end of the day, we'll be able to sign with the Rangers.'

Gross notes that to open up cap space 'Trading Petr Prucha or sending down Patrick Rissmiller might do the trick.'

Sam Weinman at The Rangers Report has more on this development here.

...it's amazing how much I'm against bringing back a future Hall of Famer. Please Glen, don't do it!!!!

3 p.m. Deadline

Daniel Akeson at The Hockey News says that the Rangers will make a transaction by 3 p.m. today. He notes it could be the release of a player such as Rissmiller or Sjostrom, a possible trade involving Prucha or Dawes, or the demotion of Korpikoski. Regardless, Akeson says 'we will know a whole lot more come 3 p.m. EST, including some inkling about Brendan Shanahan and Mats Sundin.'

...this is a pretty bold statement from Akeson. If it comes true he will be my new source for rumors.

...my best case scenario would be the release Rissmiller and his $1 million salary. Sather made a terrible mistake bringing in too many 3rd and 4th line players. I wouldn't have minded Rissmiller if Sather didn't also sign Voros.

Voros Moved Up to Second Line

Steve Zipay at Blue Notes is reporting that Tom Renney moved Aaron Voros up to the second line with Dubinsky and Zherdev, while dropping Nigel Dawes down a spot to the third line with Korpikoski and Callahan during practice today. The fourth line consisted of Orr and Betts practicing with each of the following Prucha, Fritsche, Rissmiller, and Sjostrom.

...maybe I'm over-rating Frische, but I can't believe he's not getting more of a shot. He looked great during the preseason and would love to see him in the line-up.

Clearing Up Fahey Cap Confusion

Yesterday Sam Weinman at The Rangers Report informed us that defenseman Brian Fahey would have to clear waivers if the Rangers wanted to recall him from the Hartford Wolfpack. However today Weinman says...

"Now I’m told that isn’t the case, and that Fahey could spend the season flowing freely between Hartford and New York without exposure.."

...this is great news for the Rangers as you would assume, with the way Fahey performed this preseason, a team would probably claim him off of waivers. Plus the Rangers now have more flexibility on defense which they didn't last year when both Pock and Hutchinson needed to clear waivers to be recalled.

Hurricanes Would Talk to Shanahan

Carolina Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford had this to say to Luke DeCock at Lord Stanley's Blog about a report speculating his team's interest in signing Brendan Shanahan...

"It’s not something we’ve pursued. We’ve been under the understanding that he wants to stay in New York. If he is interested, it’s something we’d have to talk about. But I would be surprised to get that call knowing that he wants to play in New York."

...you all know my feelings on this.

Wednesday's Headline

Daily News - Rangers return from Europe, hope there is no baggage before opener

Daily News - Rangers score with GAG liners

New York Post - RANGERS IN CAP TRAP

The Journal News - European trip good for Rangers in many ways

Newsday - Rangers back from Europe, ready to play

New York Times - Rangers Bonded on Trip to Europe

Bergen Record - Rangers building team unity

Lundqvist: Rangers Emerging as a Team

According to Steve Zipay at Blue Notes, Henrik Lundqvist has 'sensed the emergence of a team from one---while not naming names----dominated by the clout of Jaromir Jagr, Brendan Shanahan and the presence of Sean Avery.' Zipay quotes Lundqvist as saying...

“It’s not about the first line anymore, it’s about four lines, or at least three lines who can score, and a really good fourth checking line,” Lundqvist said. “It’s easy for people to maybe feel comfortable in taking a bigger role, and good players get better with more responsibility for what’s going to happen this year.”

...wow that's a bit of a dig at the guys the Rangers decided not to re-sign. It's 100% true, but a bit of a put down.

Here's another great quote on the team coming together from Chris Drury...

“Everyone’s heard about trips where you have a chance to come together as a team. There’ve been trips where it's been said and it hasn’t happened; seemed like this time, it was said and it happened right from the start.”

...not sure I agree with Drury that it started from the beginning of the trip. More like the beginning of the third period against Mettalurg.

...and I guess I was completely wrong about how this trip was going to doom us (see here). I'm so happy when I'm wrong.

Roster Rules the Day

Yesterday Brendan Shanahan was the topic of conversation, today its the line-up. Renney had this to say to Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants regarding the decision to carry 15 forwards and only 6 defensemen on the roster 'hoping we might be able to do something else,' meaning he would have preferred to choose between Corey Potter and Brian Fahey as a seventh defensemen rather than keeping an extra forward.

Gross also reports that Renney suggested 'Aaron Voros' play was strong enough for promotion off the fourth line' and that 'with six games in nine days starting Friday there will be a chance to get the healthy scratches - Patrick Rissmiller, Dan Fritsche and Fredrik Sjostrom - rotated into the lineup.'

...i seriously think Renney reads this blog.

Also regarding the roster, Sam Weinman at The Rangers Report added 'While Brian Fahey didn’t have to clear waivers on the way down to Hartford, he would have to clear on the way up. And should he be snagged by another team, the Rangers would be hit for half the cap charge.'

The More Things Change...Hollweg Suspended

One of the main reasons Ryan Hollweg was shipped out this off-season was his panache for taking boarding penalties (see Game 3 of Eastern Conference Semi-Finals last year). Well, as TSN reports, it looks like a change of scenery hasn't changed a thing as Hollweg was suspended for the first two games of the season for boarding...

"Hollweg was assessed a boarding major in a pre-season game against St. Louis and because he had two boarding majors last season, there is a provision for an automatic two-game suspension as a result of the accumulation."

...while i would never question the heart and determination of Hollweg, I would, however, question his smarts. You would think after what happened in the playoffs last year he would try to tone it down.

Scratches Should Play on Friday

With the Rangers taking all four points from Tampa Bay this weekend, looking very impressive while doing so. Most Ranger fans would probably say if it ain't broke then don't fix it when it comes to the line-up.

To that I'll have to respectfully disagree. Scoring only four goals on 80 shots is more than alarming and when our line-up more often resembles a casting call for Vernon Troyer's stunt double than an NHL team we need to worry.

But scouring the waiver wire for the likes of Mats Sundin and Brendan Shanahan are not the answer. For that the Rangers only need to look skyward. No not towards God, but to the press box.

So far during the two games in Prague and the entire preseason the undersized Petr Prucha and Nigel Dawes have combined for zero goals. While regular season scratches Dan Frische and Freddie Sjstrom combined for three goals during limited time this preseason. Add Patrick Rissmiller's size and the Ranger's could have a very imposing line-up.

So who are the casualties and what would the line-up look like? As I mentioned Prucha and Dawes (I love Dawes by the way) have underperformed and should sit on Friday. The other player is Colton Orr.

In my opinion Aaron Voros has showed enough toughness to compensate for Orr sitting.

This would be my line-up for Friday:

Naslund-Gomez-Drury
Frische-Dubinsky-Zherdev
Voros-Korpikoski-Callahan
Sjostrom-Betts-Rissmiller

While Frische is a center, if he wants to play for the Rangers this year he's going to have to move to the wing. I think his north-south style will mesh well with Dubinsky. And his hard nosed play will help set-up screens and hopefully score some rebounds off of Zherdev shots. Plus they have a familiarity from their time in Columbus.

Voros moving up to the third line will bring some much needed size to that line, while Sjostrom and Rissmiller will bring offense as well as defensive responsibility to the fourth line.

Opinions or thoughts?

Linda Cohn Loves the Rangers & Lundqvist

Over at ESPN.com, their so-called experts try to predict this year's Cup winner and who will take home the major awards, including a tight MVP race. One of those experts is Linda Cohn who picked the Rangers to win the Stanley Cup and Henrik Lundqvist to take home the Vezina.

...you go girl!!!

Tuesday's Headlines

New York Post - $ATHER NEEDS THINKING 'CAP'

The Journal News - Sulliman thrilled to be back in the NHL

The Blue Seats - European four-pointer

Blueshirt Bulletin - Q & A with Rozsival

MSG.com - Rangers: Up, Up and Away!

Shanahan Back to Detroit?

With the Rangers only scoring four goals this weekend it looks like Brendan Shanahan has become the topic of the day. Sam Weinman at the Rangers Report notes that Shanahan's agent Rick Curran told him 'that the door with the Rangers hasn’t been closed,' and that 'there remains considerable interest from teams around the league' including the Detroit Red Wings.

Weinman also says that Carolina GM Jim Rutherford, who knows Shanahan from his Hartford days, has also expressed interest.

Curran had this to say about the Rangers first two games in Prague 'It’s not like they went over to Europe and dominated.'

...i'd drive Shanahan to Detroit if it meant he won't sign with the Rangers. Maybe that's a tad over-the-top. But you guys know what I mean.

...dissing the team your client wants to go to publicly probably isn't the best way to get him signed Mr. Curran.

Shanahan Expects to Hear from Rangers in 48 Hours

Andy Strickland of ESPN 1350 in St. Louis and HockeyBuzz says that Brendan Shanahan will know within a couple of days after the Rangers return home from Europe whether he will be playing for them this year. Strickland was told that Shanahan 'expects to hear from the Rangers within 48 hours of the club returning to the United States.'

Strickland adds that if the Rangers decline, Shanahan 'will turn his attention to other Eastern Conference teams with New Jersey and Philadelphia on the top of the list.'

Either way Strickland thinks Shanahan will have a contract to play hockey by the end of this week.

...i still think, given the right circumstance, Shanahan can contribute to the success of an NHL team. But that team is not the Rangers. His style of play does not suit the Rangers new speed game. Period.

...because I still think he has something left in the tank, I'm hoping he signs with a team out West and not with the aforementioned Devils or Flyers.

Avery Still At It

Chris Kuk at Tribune Icing (Chicago Tribune Hockey Blog) reports on a verbal altercation between Blackhawks Head Coach Denis Savard and Dallas players Steve Ott and, you guessed it, Sean Avery during a recent preseason game...

Between periods of the game that featured 141 penalty minutes, five fights, three misconducts and a match penalty, Savard got into an oral altercation in the tunnel to the dressing rooms with Dallas' Steve Ott and known agitator Sean Avery.

"It was one of those things where Ott said to me, 'I'm going to go after [Hawks forward Jack] Skille,'" Savard said after practice at the Edge in Bensenville. "I answered back to him, 'If you go after Skille I'll send everybody after you.' Then Avery jumped in there kind of mouthing off.

...man even NHL Legends aren't off limits for Avery.

...hat tip to Slap Shot for the link.

In other ex-Ranger news Jason Strudwick bolstered his chances of getting a regular spot with the Edmonton Oilers. See here.

Comeback Kid

Sean McCaig at The Hockey News gives his list of players primed for a comeback this year...

Markus Naslund, Rangers

It wasn't a lot of fun in Vancouver for the former Canucks captain the past few seasons – his offense slipped and so did the Canucks down the standings. Now Naslund has a fresh start on the Atlantic Ocean side of things and he's more of a support player than the go-to guy, which should take the pressure off. Plus, he'll be skating with Scott Gomez or perhaps Chris Drury most of the time, so the scoring opportunities should be a-plenty. A return to 35 goals and 70-plus points is within Naslund's grasp.

...wow Sean you really went out on a limb naming Naslund a come back player the day after he scores in his first game as a Ranger.

Redden Does Himself a Favor

From viewing Ranger message boards and other Ranger blogs this off-season not many fans were excited with the signing of Wade Redden. Myself included. He looked like a player on the decline and Sather giving him a six-year deal seemed ridiculous.

Redden further enraged Rangers fans by a having a less then stellar preseason. But just when you thought he was another in a long line of high priced free agent busts for the Rangers, Redden looks like he finally found his game in Prague. And the anemic Rangers power play is benefiting because of it.

Sam Weinman at The Rangers Report adds that Redden probably did himself a favor 'Because rather than head into the MSG opener in front of a skeptical home crowd, he can now return with some confidence.'

Weinman also looks at a few other things that came into focus this weekend including Naslund still having gas in the tank and that Kalinin is going to drive Ranger fans nuts.

Monday Headlines

Daily News - Rangers edge Lightning 2-1 to earn sweep success in trip to Prague

Newsday - Rangers get four points in Prague

Newsday - Redden begins to show why Rangers signed him

New York Times - Rangers Please Crowd and Satisfy Themselves

Bergen Record - Big-name players earn keep in Rangers' 2-1 win

ESPN - Who are these Rangers? Drury, Gomez providing some answers

Video: Analysis & Post Game Reactions

Rangers 2 Lightning 1

The New York Rangers (2-0-0) defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning (0-2-0) by the score of 2-1, today in Prague. For a recap and box score go to Newyorkrangers.com. For video highlights go to NHL.com.

...i guess we're going to have to get used to 2-1 games. Like a fellow Ranger fan said to me today, if you're a betting man take the under all year long with the Rangers.

...despite the lack of scoring you still have to be encouraged with the overall team play. Heck, even the fourth line had numerous scoring opportunities. How many times did you say that last year.

...i've already seen some Ranger fans calling for Shanny because of the lack of scoring in the first two games, but with the speed of this team there is no way he could keep up with any of these lines.

...congrats to Wade Redden on his first Ranger goal. Loving him on the power play so far.

...not happy about the defensive shell Rangers went in during the third period, which according to Dubi at the Blueshirt Bulletin Tom Renney said wasn't by design. Let's hope not.

...Rangers PK is now 9 for 9 on the season.

...Rangers were out face-offed again 17-29.

...not only were these four points big to get a Ranger team with a lot of new personnel headed in the right direction it was big because you figure we'll be fighting Tampa for either a playoff spot or playoff positioning at the end of the year.

...can't wait for the home opener.

Line-Up Stays the Same for Game 2 with Lightning

Like I said in my game preview, Tom Renney usually sticks with what works and today's game is no different as he will stay with the same line-up that lead the Rangers to a 2-1 season opening victory against Tampa yesterday. This means Fredrik Sjostrom, Patrick Rissmiller and Dan Fritsche are again healthy scratches. Renney had this to say to Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants...

"Most often coaches will leave a winning lineup alone and come back with it," said Renney, who gave his team a light, optional skate this morning.

...i would have liked to have seen Fritsche get a chance today, but who am I to argue with success.

Sunday's Headlines

Newsday - Naslund scores in his Rangers debut

Newsday - Season Preview Links

New York Times - Rangers Open Season With a Victory

Daily News - Brandon Dubinsky scores in third as Rangers beat Lightning in Prague

Bergen Record - Rangers start season on high note