TSN Looks at Rangers Off-Season Game Plan

TSN takes a look at what the Rangers need to do this off-season to bounce back...

"With a decent core of young talent, the Rangers will count on internal improvement as part of the reason that they could be better next season, but there will be a temptation for the Rangers to sign proven talent; it's what this franchise seems to do every summer."

...the Rangers no doubt need to bring in a sniper or top line center, but cap restraints are going force the Rangers to look within the organization for help.

Moore Watch

Dominic Moore and the Montreal Canadeins got off to a rough start in the Eastern Conference Finals as they were tattooed by the Flyers 6-0.

Moore was a -1 and 2-for-3 on faceoffs.

The Man Behind the Curtain

If you haven't noticed already I have ditched "nyrfan" and will have my real name (Kevin DeLury) attached to the bottom of every post.

I was never happy using the pseudonym (I felt like Eklund) and hope this will make the blog a little more personal.

Plus most of you who have e-mailed me knew my name already.

If you have any other ways to better the blog shoot me an e-mail at nyrfan94@yahoo.com.

Lindsay Lohan Attacks Voros' Girlfriend; Del Zotto Gets More Stiches

Page Six at the New York Post reports that Lindsay Lohan started a fight with Aaron Voros and Sean Avery at 1Oak by throwing a drink at Voros' model girlfriend, Jessica Stam, and then tried to get all three thrown out.

Apparently, Lindsay threw a fit because she wanted to be at their table near the DJ, but said she didn't want to sit with Voros because he was her ex-boyfriend. Voros denied knowing her.

...first Avery and Voros get a mural of themselves at The Palm and now they're fighting with Hollywood celebs. Hope they have time for hockey come September.

In other news...

Team Canada's Michael Del Zotto required four stitches to his forehead after a soccer game. http://twitpic.com/1oekg9 http://bit.ly/bF3aTeless than a minute ago via FacebookHockey Canada
HockeyCanada

Here's the pic...

...c'mon Mike gotta keep that face pretty for all the BC coeds.

Weekend Catch-up

Team USA has found their offense at the Worlds. (newyorkrangers.com)

Anisimov gets an assist as Russia rolls on. (newyorkrangers.com)

Chad Johnson talks big win over Norway. (newyorkrangers.com)

Blair Betts heads to Eastern Conference Finals as Flyers complete historic comeback. (ESPN)

Anisimov talks Sean Avery and a whole lot more. (Beyond the Blueshirts)

Scotty Hockey looks back at the seasons of each Ranger player in his "The NYR Facts of Life" series. (Scotty Hockey)

...don't forget to participate in my poll to the right on who is to blame for the Rangers lack of success during Scott Gomez' tenure with the Rangers.

Worlds Accelerating Kreider's Development

Rangers prospect Chris Kreider responds to fans questions at newyorkrangers.com. Here's an excerpt...

Nick from Northport, N.Y., asks:
How much do you think playing in the World Championships against NHL competition will help your game progress and ease your eventual transition to the NHL?

Kreider's response:
I think that it has been a fantastic opportunity in terms of accelerating my development. There is just so much I can still learn, and need to learn, and playing with and against this level of competition has really been an eye opener. I have been able to acknowledge how hard they work and what it takes to compete at their level, and I hope that I can bring back some of what I have learned to the college game.

Zuccarello-Not So Awesome

In his first game against real competition at the World Hockey Championships, Norwegian phenom Mats Zuccarello-Aasen was a -2 and held without a shot during Canada's 12-1 whitewash of Norway.

Zuccarello-Aasen, the Swedish Elite League MVP, is rumored to be signing with the Rangers after the tournament.

...i have had concerns about the kid since hearing of the Rangers interest last month. And I've received numerous e-mails from readers bashing me for it. But today's game against bigger, faster players than he is used to facing will hopefully quell some of the excitement for the 5' 6" European.

...i'm sorry to sound like such a hater, but until this kid can show me he can compete at the highest level I'm going to be skeptical.

Scotty Hockey also offers a word of caution on Zuccarello-Aasen.

For Team Canada, Marc Staal had an assist in 15:29 of ice time, Michael Del Zotto was held scoreless in 8:40 and Chad Johnson stopped all seven shots he faced in relief of Chris Mason.

Ideal Playoff Opponents for Rangers

Adam Proteau at The Hockey News looks at the the ideal conference and Cup final opponent for each NHL franchise...

New York Rangers
Ideal Conference Final Opponent: New York Islanders
Ideal Cup Final Opponent: Detroit
Why? One hopes the Isles and Blueshirts could meet again just to bring closure to the “Potvin Sucks!” chants. But who’s kidding who – Rangers fans are never letting that crap go.

...i would love to hear Proteau's reasoning on why Red Wings in the finals? I guess the whole "Original Six" thing.

Richter a Traitor?

Philabright catches Mike Richter shaking hands with Flyers owner Ed Snider after last night's huge Game 6 victory by Philadelphia to force a Game 7 in Boston.

...i know Richter is from Philadelphia but c'mon man. What's next Ulf Nilsson taking Denis Potvin out to dinner?

...h/t to Puck Daddy.

Gomez or the Rangers?

With Scott Gomez and the Montreal Canadiens headed to the Eastern Conference Finals and the Rangers on the golf course it got me to thinking about Gomez' time with the Blueshirts.

Before he signed with the Blueshirts he helped the Devils qualify for the playoffs every year and won two Stanley Cups. During his two years on Broadway he underperformed and couldn't help the Blueshirts get out of the second round.

Now that he was shipped to Montreal it looks like Gomez has rediscovered that winning formula. And Brian Gionta.

So who's to blame? The Rangers for not surrounding him with snipers he could distribute the puck to or Gomez for not playing up to his normal level of play?

Poll is to the right?

Anisimov Scores as Russia Advances at Worlds

Newyorkrangers.com reports Artem Anisimov scored his first IIHF World Championship goal as Russia coasted to a 3-1 win over Belarus to remain unbeaten and moves on to the qualification round.

...Anisimov, it seems, has benefitted the most from the Worlds so far.

Norway's Mats Zuccarello Aasen, who is rumored to be signing with the Rangers after the Worlds, had a goal and an assist on a pair of third-period power plays to break open a 1-1 tie and give the Norwegians a 5-1 win over France.

...this kid makes me look worse every game.

Johnson, Dubinsky Talk Worlds

Rangers prospect goalie Chad Johnson talks about yesterday's loss to Switzerland in his journal at newyorkrangers.com...

"Game is over, and it was 4-1 Swiss. Switzerland played really well. They play a really solid defensive game, and they make it hard to generate scoring chances. It was a disappointing loss, but we will regroup tomorrow and be ready to go for Friday."

While Brandon Dubinsky answered fans questions including this one...

Nick from Jackson, N.J., asks:Do you like playing on the larger ice in Europe or would you rather be playing this tournament on the smaller NHL ice?

Dubinsky's response:Definitely the smaller NHL ice, because I think the big ice plays tricks on you sometimes. You sometimes feel like you have more time than you really do with the puck.

...look at Dubinsky already making excuses.

Dubinsky also talks about moving from center to wing.

Moore Watch Heads to the Eastern Conference Finals

After going scoreless in the first six games of the series, Dominick Moore scored his second straight Game 7 goal of these playoffs to help the #8 Canadiens defeat the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 last night winning the series 4-3.

The Canadiens, who also knocked off the #1 seed Capitals in the first round, will face the winner of the Bruins-Flyers series in the Eastern Conference Finals.

...did I just write that?

Moore was also a +2 and 2-for-10 on faceoffs.

Team USA Finnished; Canada Moves On

Newyorkrangers.com reports that Team USA lost to Finland 3-2 today dropping their three-game round robin record to 0-1-2 at the World Hockey Championships.

With the loss, the U.S. finished fourth in the four-team Group D and will move into the 16-team tournament's relegation round, where they can finish no higher than 13th overall.

...in other words they are in the LOSER'S bracket.

...no offense to Dubinsky, but when he is the #1 center you know Team USA didn't send their best squad.

Prospect Chris Kreider was the only Ranger to pick up a point (an assist) while Matt Gilroy had just 2:41 of ice time the entire game. Brandon Dubinsky had four shots on goal in 18:31 of ice time.

...so much for the Kreider magic.

...i wonder if there was any 1998 Team USA hotel trashing after the game?

Despite losing to Switzerland 4-1 today, Marc Staal, Michael Del Zotto, Chad Johnson and Team Canada advanced to the qualification round.

Staal saw 10:57 of ice time and had two shots on goal with a minus-1 rating. Del Zotto skated 10:39 with no shots on goal and was even for the game. Johnson did not see any action.

Torts Rehabbing After Hip Surgery

Steve Zipay at Blue Notes reports that John Tortorella is back home in Florida rehabbing following hip replacement surgery. He'll be ready for camp.

...good to hear.

Worlds Will Improve Staal

Over at newyorkrangers.com Marc Staal answers questions submitted to him on his World Hockey Championship experience. Here is an excerpt...

Amy Herman from Bayside, N.Y, asks:How will this experience at the World Championship help prepare you for next season?

Staal's response:I think any time you get to play at an elite level in a tournament like this, where you're playing elimination games and when the stakes are high, you improve as a player. This tournament has been intense so far, and that intensity will only go up.

...that's a major plus for having so many young Rangers playing in this tournament.

Fans can now submit questions to Rangers prospect Chris Kreider by clicking here.

Jokinen Trade Was Worth It

Andrew Rothstein at Puck Prospectus looks at a number of trade deadline deals and says the Olli Jokinen deal was worth it for the Rangers...

"When Flames fans found out Sutter was dealing Olli Jokinen and Brandon Prust for Ales Kotalik and Christopher Higgins, they were stunned by the lack of value they were receiving in return. Despite New York making yet another move for a veteran to patch a team weakness, they actually did well to only surrender a guy, in Kotalik, who has been horrific at even strength and gets by on chances only because teams love his size, hands and cannon of a shot."

...Rothstein mentions every advantage for the Rangers except for the two biggest. Opening of cap space by getting the remaining two years of Kotalik's contract off the books and Brandon Prust. The other factors aren't even relevant as far as I'm concerned.

Team USA Fights for Worlds Life

Team USA will face Finland today at 2:15 pm in what amounts to a play-in game for the Americans. Win and they move on to the qualification round. Lose and head home with your tail between your legs.

Kevin Allen at USA Today says Brandon Dubinsky stepping up is a key for the Americans to beat Finland.

Coach Scott Gordan has tinkered with his lines a bit to jump start Team USA's anemic offense...

Oshie-Dubinsky-Okposo
Galiardi-Potulny-Moss
Foligno-Carter-Hanson
Kreider-Nystrom-Kennedy

...big time game for USA Hockey as a loss here would be a huge embarrassment.

The game can be viewed at universalsports.com.

USA Hockey has a Q&A with Matt Gilroy.

Also, Team Canada looks to stay undefeated at the Worlds against Switzerland today and Michael Del Zotto is fired up...

From Del Zotto this morning: #DZ Looking to go 3-0 to start tourney.less than a minute ago via webOfficial NY Rangers
thenyrangers

Video: Rangers Summer Road Tour

...as soon as dates and locations are made available I'll post them for you.

Under the Bridge

Neil Best at Newsday reports on a quirk in the MSG renovation plans...

The final phase, due for 2013-14, includes an expanded, modernized lobby and the most distinctive feature of all: "bridges" suspended above the playing surface from which fans can watch games.

"It's pretty wild," Ratner said. "It's like no other viewing experience in professional sports."

...sounds pretty awesome. That is until some drunk idiot leans over the railing and crashes into center ice.

Messier's Leadership Skills Being Put to the Test

The Canadian Press, via The Hockey News, reports that Mark Messier's leadership skills are being put to the test as GM of Team Canada...

"The general manager of Canada's entry at the IIHF World Hockey Championship is facing a couple unexpected decisions less than a week into the tournament. Chief among them is figuring out what to do with a roster that includes just 11 forwards after captain Ryan Smyth was sidelined with a fractured left ankle."

...i like that something has come up. It puts Messier in a tough situation which he might face down the road when he is, hopefully, the Rangers GM. I'm interested to see how this turns out.

Gilroy, Dubinsky Get Interactive

Matt Gilroy is writing a journal, similar to Chad Johnson's, over at newyorkrangers.com regarding his time during the World Hockey Championships...

"We came back to Cologne and played Denmark, a game which we lost in overtime. We need to get some offense going. One goal a game is not going to do it. Once we get the puck to go in a few times, we’ll get some confidence going and be fine. We have a big game tomorrow against the Finns, which will decide if we’ll advance to the qualification round."

...and Gilroy has plenty of experience playing on a team that only scores one goal a game.

While Brandon Dubinsky will be taking questions from fans on his Worlds experience.

Anisimov, Russia Win; Rozsival, Czechs Lose

Newyorkrangers.com reports that Russia defeated Kasakhstan by the score of 4-1 in their second game of the World Hockey Championships. Russia is now 2-0.

Artem Anisimov finished with four shots on goal in 15:20 of ice time.

In today's other game, Norway upset the Czech Republic team 3-2. The Czechs are now 1-1.

Michal Rozsival skated on the top defensive pair and registered an assist and two shots on goal in 21:51 of ice time. While Jaromir Jagr scored both Czech goals.

Norway's Mats Zuccarello Aasen, who is rumored to be headed to the Rangers, scored the game's first goal.

...while I've been down on Aasen there's no denying that the kid has been good in both the Olympics and now the Worlds.

Watch Anisimov take on Kazakhstan

To watch a live feed of the Russia/Kazakhstan game at the World Hockey Championships click here.

...h/t to Laurie Carr at Beyond the Blueshirts.

Tweeting @ the Worlds

Here are a couple of interesting tweets on various subjects coming out of the World Hockey Championships...

Just in from Germany, Team Canada Capt, Ryan Smyth, leaving today w/ injured ankle. #DZ : Heartbroken to see Smytty leave, what a great guy!less than a minute ago via TweetDeckOfficial NY Rangers
thenyrangers

...great job by the Rangers using social media to keep fans informed on the Blueshirts playing in the Worlds between Del Zotto tweeting, Johnson's journal and asking Staal questions.

#NYR Artem Anisimov and Russia play their second game at World Championships this morning against Kazakhstanless than a minute ago via webOfficial NY Rangers
thenyrangers

Czech nat. team was in minor accident in Germany yesterday when bus failed to yield to a VW. No injuries.(Hokej.cas.sk via Sport-Express)less than a minute ago via webLaurie Carr
byndblueshirts

...glad to hear everyone is ok. Especially Rozsival and Jagr.

Moore Watch

While Dominic Moore was held scoreless for the sixth straight game his line (Tom Pyatt & Maxim Lapierre) was the Canadiens best of the night and saw increased ice time as the game went on as Montreal forced a Game 7 with a 4-3 victory over the Penguins last night.

Moore was a -1 and 5-for-7 on faceoffs.

Staal, Del Zotto & Johnson Lead Canada Over Latvia

Team Canada moved to 2-0 at the World Hockey Championships by defeating Latvia 6-1 last night.

Marc Staal finished the game with two shots and a plus-1 rating in 12:04 of ice time. Michael Del Zotto saw 14:23 of ice time but did not register a shot on goal. And Ranger prospect Chad Johnson played the third period stopping 11 of 12 shots.

Johson wrote about his first international experience in his journal at newyorkrangers.com...

"I thought the third went well, and the guys battled hard in front of me, killing of some penalties. It was nice having a 6-0 lead to work with. Had a tough one go in around the 10-minute mark to wreck the shutout for Mason and the guys, which sucks. I felt a little rusty at the start but got into the flow of things later on."

...love the honesty from the kid when he said it "sucks" to lose the shutout. This experience should go a long way in his development.

Jagr's Pissed

Chris Johnson of the Canadian Press, via Yahoo! Sports, reports that Jaromir Jagr is disappointed by the number of young Czech players who declined an invitation to attend the IIHF World Hockey Championship...

"It's the national team — we didn't really have any success lately and a lot of guys said no in our country," he said Monday. "Probably the top 25 guys said no and I think it's too much. I understand the guys are injured or they feel tired after the season, but look at guys like (Alex) Ovechkin or (Ilya) Kovalchuk.

"I think you've got to be a little bit more proud of your country."

On his game at age 38...

"The speed is not there anymore, but I still love the game," he said. "Of course, I wish I could be faster than I was when I was younger. It doesn't work anymore.

"As long as you stay healthy and work hard and you love the game, I think you can play a little longer — maybe not at the same level I was before, but it's still OK."

...really would have liked one more go around in the NHL for Jagr. Oh well guess I'll have to wait till the 2014 Olympics to see him again.

...h/t to Puck Daddy.

USA Loses in OT Again

Newyorkrangers.com reports that Team USA lost their second straight 2-1 OT game of the World Hockey Championships this time to Denmark.

...oof that's another tough loss.

Brandon Dubinsky, Matt Gilroy and Chris Kreider were again held scoreless and Gilroy was on the ice for the overtime goal against.

Team USA has two points in the round robin and can still get into the medal round as Steve Zipay at Blue Notes points out.

In more Hockey Championship news, Ranger fans can send questions to Marc Staal by clicking here and Michael Del Zotto sent out his first tweet from the tournament...

Update from #NYR Michael Del Zotto: 3 hour nap because of the late 8:15pm game…boys will be flying! #DZless than a minute ago via webOfficial NY Rangers
thenyrangers

Canada plays Latvia tonight.

Pics of New MSG

MSG.com has these renderings of what the new MSG will look like..




MSG.com adds that the lower bowl is expected to be ready for the 2011-2012 seasons and upper bowl for the 2012-2013 seasons.

Renovation will be done in phases with the majority done in the summer months to minimize disruptions. Building will remain operational throughout the NHL and NBA seasons

For more renderings click here.

Back in 2008 Garden officials said the renovations were going to be completed by 2010.

...a couple of years late but it looks awesome.