The Dark Ranger

Rangers In The Red(den)

srel1229@gmail.com (The Dark Ranger) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 14:27:00 +0000

(Click on the picture above for a more detailed look)

Simply a classic. Worth the re-post.

tdr

Staal Talks Stalled?

srel1229@gmail.com (The Dark Ranger) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:51:00 +0000

What the hell is holding up restricted free agent defenseman extraordinaire NYR Marc Staal from being signed to the Rangers this season? DARK reader Bill P. shot us a quick note and pondered:

I hear that San Jose is contemplating signing Staal to an offer sheet in the 6 year 30+ million range. The compensation would be a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round pick. They are apparently in love with his game and feel he is the missing piece. The question is: how would Sather respond? If the picks were ...higher than San Jose's typical finish it would be worth considering. Here's one link I caught from another great Ranger website regarding this scenario. As DR points out, something fishy (no pun intended) seems to be going on here. How would you respond if this scenario pans out?

This very realistic rumor is making the rounds on hockey talk radio XM Sirius NHL and various radio shows -- and NY Rangers fans and bloggers are not talking about it.

Let us know. How would you, the fan, respond?

tdr

Frolov Adds Firepower To The Rangers

srel1229@gmail.com (The Dark Ranger) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:15:00 +0000

You've all heard by now that Alexander Frolov, a free agent from the Los Angeles Kings, is now a New York Ranger --- something our fellow NYR bloggers have highly criticized as 'just another Slats acquisition (with the exception of Blueshirt Banter).

The Dark Ranger thinks the nay-sayers are all wrong -- because this was one hell of a signing, especially for one-year at $3 million! If Staal is signed, along with the Frolov signing, this virtually guarantees Wade Redden will not make the roster. (You asked for it, you got it).

Yes - Frolov's stats were declining last season, and because of it everyone jumps on the 'declining stars go to the Rangers' negative bandwagon, but I don't see this as the case at all when it comes to Alexander Frolov. He has been a loyal and constant force as part of the Kings -- yes, there is attitude -- but how different is that from our own management and locker room? He is a two-way player, who scores on the power-play, a dirty-goal guy who plants himself in front of the net (didn't Drury do that for Buffalo?), and throughout his career as a King he averages 20-25 goals a season -- and a plentitude of assists. Furthermore, at half the cost of either Chris Drury, Wade Redden and Mickey Mouse Roszival, I find little to complain about. If anyone questions his motivation as a player in the NHL, perhaps you ought to think about his turning down a multiple-year-20-million-dollar offer in the KHL for a 'one-year for $3mill to play on the New York City stage' as a damn obvious motivating factor --- this guy is hungry and wants to prove himself. That works for me.

Go here for an interview with Frolov and why he chose The Rangers.

And stop it Rangers fans who think youth will not be served this season! Frolov answers the age-old question "who is going to score goals on this squad?" and playing on the Gaborik line will only take pressure off Gabs and limit opposing teams triple-covering him every other game. The goal scorer needed is 'check'.
The young'ens in the system will prove themselves in camp and Torts will allow any Baby Ranger to step up to have their chance to play as long as they're NHL-ready and fit in the system.

With the exception of Staal not being signed and a continued much-needed D-man quarterback, most of the Rangers issues have been addressed this off-season and The Dark Ranger is especially looking forward to camp and the exhibition games to see who fills the missing pieces.

I post all this via Paris, one of the only countries without hockey (makes me so sad, except for a loyal devoted group of Canadian ex-pats), so I'll be off the grid the next couple of weeks as I am painstakingly posting this very post from a Parisian internet cafe'. Everyone around me is looking suspiciously French (and thank God not in a Montreal kind of way).

Hopefully our Dark Ranger brethren, Graying Mantis and J_Undisputed will come out of hockey hibernation and entertain the hockey masses in hockeyland when there is Rangers news to report.

So until camp, Happy Summer Rangers fans and see you soon.

p.s. I am sure Alexander Frolov will be missing many things about being an LA King, or maybe it's just me that would miss certain things below...

tdr

Here's the official FROM TSN if you missed it:

The New York Rangers made it official on Tuesday, announcing they had agreed to terms with free agent forward Alexander Frolov on a one-year deal worth $3 million.

"Alex is a highly skilled player who we feel will play a key role in improving our offense and play in all situations," Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather said in a statement. "He is strong competitor and has the ability to play either wing position."

The 28-year old Russian sniper suffered through a down season in Los Angeles last year, scoring only 19 goals, his lowest total since his rookie season, and adding 32 assists. He was also made a healthy scratch by Kings head coach Terry Murray, who openly criticized Frolov's desire.

In an interview with Russian newspaper SovSport on Monday, Frolov's agent Sergei Isakov blasted the Kings for the way they handled his client, stating that they deliberately spoiled his season.
Frolov reportedly turned down a four-year deal worth approximately $20 million to return to Russia and play in the KHL, as his agent stated that he wanted to play one more season in North America before deciding his long term future.

In 536 career games, all with the Kings, Frolov has 168 goals and 213 assists for 381 points, along with 210 penalty minutes. He also helped Russia capture a silver medal at the 2010 IIHF World Hockey Championship in Germany.

"No MSG" Is Now More Than Just Chinese Food

srel1229@gmail.com (The Dark Ranger) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 20:15:00 +0000

Next time you drop forty five bucks for a couple of beers, a bowl of chili and a pretzel at The Garden, you might want to forget what you're about to read. Over at ESPN there is a "you get the point" study of arenas and how dirty the food they are selling you is. Would you be surprised to know The Garden is one of the worst offenders?

Here's a taste:

But at Madison Square Garden -- home of the NHL's Rangers, NBA's Knicks and WNBA's Liberty -- 61 percent of vendors were cited with violations. At one stand, inspectors found "53 mouse excreta" (38 on top of a metal box underneath the cash registers in the front food-prep/service area and 15 on top of a carbonated-beverage dispensing unit), according an inspection-report excerpt.

So not only are we eating the garbage they put on the ice every game, but we are literally eating garbage food behind the counters. Fun stuff. And to tell you the truth, it probably won't change all my eating habits at The Garden (though, I'll pass on the bowl of chili) and I wouldn't mind a little excreta if the team were better this year -- because we as Rangers fans have been fed crap for about three seasons already --- what's stopping us now? Why would we expect if they weren't putting a superior product on the ice/court that we'd expect a superior product behind the countertops?

Maybe we don't really care, but this study was certainly more interesting to read than another retread on the Ilya negotiations....

(ho hum)

tdr

A Hellava Shootout Goal

srel1229@gmail.com (The Dark Ranger) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:06:00 +0000

Though not a Rangers prospect, this goal by prospect Jarod Palmer in the Minnesota Wild camp is worth the watch: Enjoy.

Most Old School Moment

srel1229@gmail.com (The Dark Ranger) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:55:00 +0000

Puck Daddy this morning released the Alternative NHL Awards proclaiming The Vancouver Canucks and The New York Rangers as the 'Most Old School Moment' of last season. It's nice to watch this because it reminds you that this team does have the capability to defend it's own (someone tell Girardi). On a non-news days, enjoy some old-time hockey....

tdr

The Only Cupcake I Know Is Wade Redden

srel1229@gmail.com (The Dark Ranger) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:45:00 +0000

When there is absolutely nothing to talk about, when free agency seems to have freezed - and we're all resigned to Kovalchuk'ing with indecision and nothingness, hockey fans are crazed with friggin cupcakes? Here is a twitter link about yesterday's craze.

Who has time for sweets and treats when we still have Wade Redden on the roster?

Nothing else to report accept that we are relatively the same team that didn't make the playoffs last April. (sigh)

tdr

Men with Plans | In a Transitional Period

amvassallo@gmail.com (Tony V) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 03:36:00 +0000

Back in the spring of my senior year in college, a loud knock on my door from the captain of the baseball team got my early morning attention. "We have a problem," he began. "Mono has wiped out most of the team and the j.v. We need bodies and I remember watching you pitch a couple of years ago. Can you still?" Such is the life in a league without athletic scholarships that leads the captain to seek out the likes of me.

Eight hours later and nearly 3 years after my last time in a uniform, I was standing on a pitching mound in Connecticut, about to start the 9th inning in relief to preserve a 1-0 lead against a rival. Six pitches later, the bases were loaded thanks to the combination of Roy Smalleys and Bill Buckners that constituted my defense. Nothing had changed since the last time I pitched.

Time to Cry Wolfe. 6 pitches in and carnage everywhere.

I signalled to the catcher for a visit. "Listen," I started, "I have a plan. The key to executing the plan is your catching every frigging

pitch I throw -- wherever it goes. The butchers behind me aren't touching the ball again. If I walk in the winning run, too bad." Reaching back for the remnants of my Bronx accent, I snarled, "By the way, that ain't happening."

My next 2 pitches were knockdown pitches - never miss an opportunity to exact some vengeance at a school that rejected you. My coach looked in my direction quizzically but I never looked over.

My catcher, however, had my back: "It's ok, coach; he has a plan!" Such is life on a cellar-dwelling team. 9 pitches later, or I should say, 9 swinging strikes later (including 3 checked swings), I walked off the mound, my Moonlight Graham college career finished after 17 pitches.

This little bit of summer fluff has much in common with a certain GM of the Blueshirts. Like me, Glen Sather is thrust into an unenviable and potentially untenable position (although his is due to his own ineptitude) of bailing out a team. We both scan the situation to identify and determine how to counteract obvious weaknesses.

For me, it was a leaky defense; for Slats, an overpaid leaky defense that just got more overpaid today. We both institute a plan that is conditioned on plowing ahead, taking no prisoners, and most importantly relying heavily on our backstops, to succeed.

I took care of business easily, with a touch of theatricality (what the hell did I have to lose?) and without comment to teammates or my coach. Similarly, Sather goes with precious few comments of substance to the press and fans, making people wonder if he knows what he is doing when in fact he does, acting with the showmanship of P.T. Barnum as the Rangers drain hard-earned dollars from the suckers known as season subscribers.

Trying to work one's way through the buzz on the Internet is difficult these days.

With the recent contract talks with Marc Staal and then Dan Girardi (now resolved) coming to the forefront -- Rangers bloggers and fans have raised the buzz level to levels unseen since the great Biblical plagues.

Just because you can type does not mean I need to see a jet stream of capital letters shouting your dismay, or ridiculous rumor-mongering so you can perhaps one day say you once scooped everyone else or the endless imperative voice commands to ownership about what to do about management. "Commentators" may criticize me for being so clinical in my analysis but this is sports we are talking about.

The endless drivel that permeated the airwaves, blogs, Facebook and then ESPN about the draft and free agency for the NHL and NBA, all of which culminated in an orgy about some NBA choke artist, has given me a lifetime full of what I can only call "internetual specjaculations."

Please Ranger fans, please bloggers, please anyone with opposable thumbs that bleed blue -- Chillax, baby. It's OK, Slats has a Plan!!!

We have seen the Ranger contract machinations before -- like last year with Brandon Dubinsky. By the way, after all that crying about possibly losing him, how did that all work out? I thought so -- I still could take him or lose him. He's nothing special. Some would argue that he is not even a nice player or a nice person.

Marc Staal? He's a decent defenseman that would anchor a second pair. Staal's misfortune is he is the one player that Slats can fiddle with. Glen's delay with signing Staal enables him to keep the team's overall salary lower -- why commit to raises when you don't have to. He has a greater cushion to chase big game out there thanks to the recently increased cap, the ability to have salaries exceed the cap by 10% until October, and not having a higher contract value assigned to Staal.

So what's the rush with signing Staal? If there is a team out there that wants to pay him more than $4 million, Slats will have to decide whether to keep him (although with the Girardi signing, we know Staal's value may be even higher). The GM postured today that he would match any offer sheet put out there. If another team wants him that badly, I am not so sure that I would not say let them overpay. He's not Beukeboom, he's not Leetch, he's not Park, he's not Pronger. It's likely when push comes to shove, he will be signed just like Dubinsky was. Sather may not know how to spend, but he certainly knows how to free up the money before spending it unwisely. Let's give him his due there.

But I think Slats has a plan and I am going to let it play out. We all know that one (if not 2) defenseman will be off the books come opening night -- either Michal Roszival (who has some trade value after his gold medal efforts in the World Championship) or Wade Redden (Hartford or bust, it appears) or perhaps both. The Rangers are stocking up on defensemen and some of them are coming cheap.

Meanwhile, Del Zotto and Gilroy got their introduction to what major league hockey looks like instead of the softer college and Ontario Hockey League schedules, respectively. As defensemen mature later than other players, both should make a nice jump this season. I am guessing Girardi and Staal will as well. Others are waiting in the wings for the overpaid to be paved over.

Some of the loudest screams have been for the Rangers to sign Kolvachuk. Really? Good grief. At $6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 million per year? I can hardly wait for the fans screaming for him the loudest to turn on him when they see what dreck he is.

Are you kilting me?? I can see Avery & Ilya getting along real well

Just what the Blueshirts need -- another overpaid, defensively impaired Kotalik who cannot take criticism, fades into the woodwork and has not mastered the art of defending -- at twice Kotalik's price? What is his team's playoff record as number 3 seeds in Atlanta and New Jersey? Oh, yeah, 1 and 8. When Ron Greschner puts the kabosh on this idea, I know I am in good company. Such a signing is right up Slats' alley given the dearth of marquee talent at MSG. That petrifies me.

Fans, please buy a ticket to the clue train. This team, even if the latest and greatest soft Russian were to be signed, is going to be at best a 7th place team next season and that may be highly optimistic. There are too many hurdles right now to overcome to join the elite (Pitt, Wash, Philly to name 3 obvious ones).

Rebuilding time is here in earnest for this season. I am hoping for an entertaining team; I am hoping for a team that will develop. I am willing to be patient this year to see what transpires. I may be the only Ranger fan with patience but so be it.

--- The Graying Mantis

p.s.: By the way, while the above game did in fact occur, we were compelled to forfeit the game for failing to get my five ragtag teammates and me properly authorized by the NCAA by game time. As far as the NCAA was concerned, we were technically ringers and thus ineligible.

Rangers Trade Aaron Voros to Ducks for Steve Eminger

amvassallo@gmail.com (Tony V) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 20:17:00 +0000

As first reported by Arthur Staple at Newsday via Twitter, the Rangers traded Aaron Voros (and Ryan Hiller) to the Anaheim Ducks for Steve Eminger. Voros, who started off his Ranger career like a scoring machine at the beginning of the 2009 season, has become expendable with the addition of a more talented Brandon Prust. Sean Avery & Henrik Lunqvist will miss their 3rd Musketeer in their revelry

Eminger is 26, and signed through next season for a salary of $1.125 million, or about 2/3 less than what the Rangers decided to pay Dan Girardi today. He is on his 5th team and is paid like defenseman should be who is at the bottom of the roster.

Presumably, the Rangers are in the process of looking to take care of Marc Staal. You get the feeling that one of the overpaid defensemen will be going soon. Right now, without further moves, there appears to be something in the neighborhood of $4.5 million to take care of Staal.

What's in your closet? Sweater #6 for this guy.

With the fact that Kovlachuk is still unsigned, a couple of roster moves could open up some cap space. I have some thoughts on that which I will share later.

---The Mantis

The Blueshirts Salary Cap Takes It's Toll

srel1229@gmail.com (The Dark Ranger) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 19:28:00 +0000

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

I couldn't help it.

tdr

Dan Girardi A Ranger Again

srel1229@gmail.com (The Dark Ranger) — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 18:45:00 +0000

Daniel Girardi has signed a four-year/$13.3 million contract extension with the New York Rangers.
Girardi filed for arbitration, but it was always assumed that he'd be able to work something out with the Rangers before it came to that. Girardi has scored between 22 and 28 points in each of his last three seasons. You should expect much of the same from Girardi through the life of this contract, providing he doesn't mind bloodying his knuckles once in a while.

One down, one to go...

tdr

If Kovalchuk Was Offered Less Money Than He Wanted....

srel1229@gmail.com (The Dark Ranger) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:54:00 +0000

Here's a random funny clip that made me think of Ilya Kovalchuk being told by his manager that The Devils were offering him less money than he was asking....and his subsequent reaction.

With everyone closing the door on this schmuck, the Los Angeles Kings taking themselves out of the running and now the rumored NJ Devils closing the door -- he is most likely preparing to take a trip to the KHL.

So enjoy my visualization of Kovy getting upset, or maybe it represents a Knicks season ticket holder's reaction to watching LeBron's special at 9:10pm tonight on ESPN....or maybe your crazy Uncle George on the Fourth of July after one too many.....

With no news on the Blueshirt front - enjoy.

tdr

A Defense In The Red (den)

srel1229@gmail.com (The Dark Ranger) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 20:46:00 +0000

Everyone should head over to The Rangers Tribune, as Nick Montemago details the evolution of our current defensive signings and how that probably means Wade Redden is taking a trip north to Hartford, or whatever club we align ourselves with....

Here's a taste:

First off, the Blueshirts currently have approximately $7.89 million in cap space, partly due to the escalator that was approved by the NHLPA a few weeks ago. This is before RFA defensemen Marc Staal and Dan Girardi are re-signed, however, and that is a main priority at the moment. Assuming each player gets the money they want, most of that $7.89 million will be gone rather quickly. What does that mean? Well, it means the Rangers will again be very limited in what they can do as far as roster adjustments go throughout the upcoming season and at the deadline. Waiving Redden would obviously change that.

Poor, poor Wade....don't worry kid, my mother always said don't marry for money, divorce for money. Slats knows all about it. Forget about making lemonade, as you'll always be our' lemon in Blue'.

tdr

Securing the Blueshirt Blueline, McDonagh Signs

srel1229@gmail.com (The Dark Ranger) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 22:10:00 +0000

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with defenseman Ryan McDonagh.

McDonagh, 21, skated in 43 games with the University of Wisconsin Badgers this season, registering four goals and 14 assists for 18 points, along with 73 penalty minutes and a plus-22 rating. He ranked second on the team in plus/minus rating, and ranked third among team defensemen in assists and points, and fourth in goals.

Although he could have returned to Wisconsin as captain of a Badgers team that he helped lead to last spring's NCAA championship game, McDonagh felt the week he spent at the MSG Training Center made his decision to leave much easier.

"The camp was important for a lot of reasons," he said. "First and foremost, I got to meet some of the Rangers staff members face to face and to have them meet me as well. Second, I got to know some of the other players in the organization. I thought it was important to build some relationships with them during a tough week of camp and getting to know them. The third thing was more for myself. I know the pro game is different from the college game, and I wanted to see if I was physically ready and mentally ready and everything like that."

McDonagh was one of the best players on the ice throughout the four days of scrimmaging, and his fitness level was never in question, since Gordie Clark, the Rangers' Director, Player Personnel, still marvels over McDonagh's performance at the NHL Combine three years ago prior to the 6-foot-1, 222-pound defenseman's draft day. Clark was one of the many people that McDonagh spoke with extensively while at the Training Center.

"The camp went really well, and it got better every day," said McDonagh. "I just felt great after the camp and felt like this was definitely a spot for me. And they felt the same way as well. It worked great. It was perfect."

Girardi Elects Salary Arbitration

srel1229@gmail.com (The Dark Ranger) — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:30:00 +0000

Dan Girardi, "our deer in the headlights defenseman" certain that he could make-good on last season's unforgivable non-enforcing performance while Flyer's Daniel Carcillo beat the pulp out of Ranger's star Marian Gaborik, has elected for salary arbitration over the weekend.

Obviously, Sather didn't quite feel he was worth what he was asking for. Girardi is a restricted agent, so once again the Evil General Manager Glen Sather, who feels he has the leverage, will make public why he think Girardi is not worth the money, why he should be making four times less money than Wade Redden (I'd love to be a fly on the wall when that comes up). There aint nothing like airing someone's dirty laundry. And so it goes...

Another restricted agent, Marc Staal remains unsigned too. (ggggrrrr)

I find it strange that anyone would elect to salary arbitration -- such was the case of Sean Avery two seasons ago, Nick Zherdev last season and now for Dan Girardi this season, where the management and team you are negotiating to be part of takes a very loud and visible position as to why you are NOT worth the money; how you are NOT part of the core, why you are NOT being awarded a reasonable contract like those (less-talented) around you on the same team.... The list goes on. But eventually, after public feuds and agents and press people looking in -- you hopefully end with a contract, mutually agreed upon - everyone walks away a little unhappy which makes for a good deal in the end. But here's the rub for the player and management...

You now hate each other.

So may the 'Dan Girardi arbitration' of 2010 be short & sweet. Not sure if this was even necessary, as Slats probably has you mixed up in some random trade with Dallas or Calgary and before you know it, you get that Redden-ish contract and years from now you end of playing for the Bismarck Bobcats, dreaming of the days of playing in the big city in front of the savage fans and big lights.

Girardi may be looking at his options, but I suspect the Jedi has other plans for you, kid!

tdr

Can Our Baby Rangers Win a Cup?

srel1229@gmail.com (The Dark Ranger) — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 17:04:00 +0000

Good, thoughtful reading from Nick M. over at the 'up and coming' The Rangers Tribune --- I have been enjoying his site and insightful commentary, so check him out. He conjectures on how the Rangers organization is on the right track (and even suggests trusting management along the way --- what do you think of that readers of DARK?). Go here for the post, but below is a snapshot:

The Blueshirts have one of the better systems in the NHL when it comes to their prospects. They have more depth than most organizations and the plan is to eventually bring that depth to the professional level where they will have the chance to develop into a solid contending squad. This is the process that the Chicago Blackhawks had to go through. This is the process the Pittsburgh Penguins had to go through. This is the process the Washington Capitals had to go through. Well, look how those teams turned out. Just look at them now and for once, imagine the Rangers finally being that good.

As Herb Brooks once said "Great moments are born from great opportunity." That is what the Rangers have here. They have great opportunity to slowly but surely become a contending team again. One that will actually have fans at the edge of their seats instead of slouched down ashamed to show their faces. Whether management and staff realize that, I cannot confirm for you, but I will say that is the correct direction to move this team in. It is the right way of doing things and it will eventually lead to success on the ice of Madison Square Garden; something we are not used to at all.

I couldn't agree more -- and from your lips to the hockey Gods' ears, may we find the re-building we've all been asking for. Though, it would still be nice to dump Redden in the minors, free up 5 to 6 million in the cap and bring in a Bobby Ryan or untouchable Ilya Kovalchuk, wouldn't it? Remember we still need to score goals...and free agency can allow that to happen.

tdr

Want a Piece of Me? A Look At Our Newest Blueshirt

srel1229@gmail.com (The Dark Ranger) — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:59:00 +0000

Call the movers....First day of Free Agency Post

noreply@blogger.com (J_Undisputed) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:00:00 +0000

The first day of free agency... We'll be checking the Free Agent trackers and rumor mills for signs of life and whats going on around the league.

Lets start this off with some news from yesterday:

Michael Leighton - Resigned in Philly for 2 years averaging out to 1.55 per [TSN's Free Agent Tracker] - Looks like the flygirls want to invest two more year in Leighton to see if he can hone his skills while he splits time with a Vet. Rumors had the Contacting the Nabakov's People and looking into Khabibulin. Affording Nabakov would likely require them to move someone big.

Kris Versteeg - to Leafs with rights to winger Bill Sweatt in exchange for forwards Viktor Stalberg, Chris DiDomenico and Philippe Paradis going to the Hawks [ESPN's Pierre LeBrun via Twitter] -

Martin Biron - From the barn on Long Island to The New York Rangers for 2 years averaging out to 875K per [TSN's Free Agent Tracker] - Looks Like Larry Brooks was right (wow does that phrase leave a bad taste in your mouth or what...) Biron a pick up supports Torts cause in cutting back Henriks work rate. Biron came at a very affordable price for the number of games he can play as a back up... An upgrade over Valiquette and buys time for Chad Johnson to polish his game.

Dan Paille - Re-signed in Boston averaging 1.075 per on a 2 year contract.[TSN's Free Agent Tracker]

Sergei Gonchar- Goes from the Pitts to Ottawa for 3 years averaging 5.5 per.[TSN's Free Agent Tracker] - We knew this was gonna happen. Pittsburgh didn't seem interested in keeping Gonchar. Apparently anyone over 25 creeps out the kiddies. Ottawa gets a vet on their blueline, though there isnt much hope for a return to their defense's heydays. Just for the hell of it. I say they give it a shot. We hear at the the Dark Ranger would like to contend that Redden was the catalyst for that Ottawa defense and they'll need him back if they ever want to get back to those times. Make us an offer... REALLY!

Alex Tanguay - Signed in Calagary for a 1 year deal @ 1.7 mil.[TSN's Free Agent Tracker] - Calgary continues the shuffle and fold waiting for the click that makes the team greater that the sum of their parts.

Zbynek Michalek - Signed with Pittsburgh for 5 years at 4 million per. [TSN's Free Agent Tracker] - Apparently the Yotes were strapped for cash despite prioritizing this kids contract. Clearing Gonchar's money by not re-signing him freed up some cash for the pens.

Marty St. Louis - supposedly resigned with the Bolts for 4 years [ESPN's Pierre LeBrun via Twitter] - Just a rumor at this point as the news was tweeted by the bolts organization. - Not at all surprising seeing as the have seemed quite content to remain stagnant the past few seasons. The latest brass seems to be linked to this mentality.

Alex Auld - Signs with Montreal for 1 year at 1 Million,[TSN's Free Agent Tracker] - I actually liked Auld for the short time he was here. He's not the top guy to have in net, but he won't be the cause of any riots in Hab Land. Don't quote me on that.

Colby Armstrong - Signs with Toronto for 3yrs at 3M per.[TSN's Free Agent Tracker] - Good player that can score or sit back in a team dynamic. It may have finally sunk in that All knuckle draggers all the time won't work for the Leaves in the "new" NHL.

Antero Nittymaki - Signs with San Jose for 2 years at 2M per. [TSN's Free Agent Tracker]. This may be good move for Nittymaki as the bolts were just hanging on at best towards the end of the past season.

Joel Perrault- Goes from the scorching deserts of Arizona to Vancouver for 1 year at 510K. [TSN's Free Agent Tracker]Just enough to buy a sweater and a cup of Tim Hortons in one those resort towns up there.

Sean O'Donnell - To Philly for 1 year at 1 million.[TSN's Free Agent Tracker] - From LA to Philly.. let us know how that sub tastes with wheat grass and a soy latte. On second thought, don't...Blech.

Manny Malhotra - Signs with Vancouver for 3 years averaging 2.5 per.[TSN's Free Agent Tracker]

Derek Morris - back with the Yotes for another 4 averaging 2.75M. Something about the desert and warm weather makes this guy play better. Well that and Jovanowski.

Jody Shelley - After telling Sather to cram his 100k raise, signs with those cheapshot artists in Philly for 3 years at 1.1M per.[TSN's Free Agent Tracker] I knew there was a reason I didn't like this guy. This Rivalry just got uglier, for us anyway. We need a heavyweight who isn't on the slide, can actually skate and patrol the ice and send a message. Instead we'll get someone like that douche, Andrew Peters... Thanks again Slats..$%^#$@%!@

Derek Boogaard - The Boogeyman is a Ranger! 4 yrs @ 1.625 each. Ok, I may have been a little hasty in calling Sather a tightwad that would get us Peters instead of a Name enforcer. No I wasn't, even a blind chicken finds a worm sometime. Anyway, Stogie Face went out and got us the BOOGEYMAN, BOOYAH! At least this evens the odds in the division rivalries a little and reunites Master (Gaborik) and Blaster (Boogaard). Can we hold those preseason bonding exercises at his fight school?

Dan Ellis - Heads to Tampa Bay for 2 years @1.5 each. [TSN's Free Agent Tracker]

Paul Martin - has left the barren industrial wastelands of Newark for the Barren industrial wastelands of Pittsburgh for 5 years at 5M per. [TSN's Free Agent Tracker]If nothing spectacular, Martin has always been a solid defenseman. His transition from trap to run and gun will either highlight him or expose him.

Toni Lydman - To the ducks for 3 yrs at 3M per.[TSN's Free Agent Tracker]

Ray Whitney - Signs with Phoenix for 2 years at 3M per.[TSN's Free Agent Tracker]- Whitney was a sought after guy by a few teams.

Curtis Sanford -Resigns in Montreal for one more year at 550K. [TSN's Free Agent Tracker]. Rumor has it, Hab fans threatened to torch a Cop car if he didn't.

Henrik Tallinder signs with New Jersey for 4 years at 3.375!?!?! [TSN's Free Agent Tracker]umm ok..

Kurtis Foster - is off to Edmonton to be coached by Mr. Rogers err. Tom Renney for 2 years at 1.8M.[TSN's Free Agent Tracker] Kurtis, every time he says "battle level" just nod and smile. If he pisses you off, refuse to shake his hand, he hates that...

Dan Hamhuis - the wait is over and he's headed to the Nucks for 6 years at an average of 4.5M.[Pierre Lebrun, then TSN's Free Agent Tracker]. What, no hometown discount? For that type of money, he better perform for the nuck fans... No pressure though, just ask Naslund.

Chris Mason - is headed out of saint Louis and over to equally obscure Atlanta to tend goal for 2 yrs at 1.85M.[TSN's Free Agent Tracker]

Olli Jokinen - is going home to Calgary, where they apparently have a short memory, for 2 yrs at 3 mil a piece. [TSN's Free Agent Tracker]Yowsa. Glad our name isn't on that deal. Perhaps for him and Iggy the distance has made the heart and hopefully the hands grow stronger. I won't besmirch him. When he first got here, he seemed to quickly grasp the situation that our team didn't have any balls or worked hard enough at playing a well rounded game... and quite frankly, for that its better that he's not here if he wasn't given a role where he could do something about it...those would be big skates for him to fill anyway... Noone shrugs like Drury.

Anton Volchenkov - Signs in New Jersey for 6 years averaging 4.25M per.[TSN's Free Agent Tracker]. Don't really know what to make of this. Its a good sign but considering the mass exodus out of Newark, is this the foundation for a rebuild or case of having the money and desperation at the same time... Considering they brought Arnott back, I'd guess the latter.

Alexander Frolov - Apparently we are singing this guy a song, but he can't hear us over the cash registers sounds in his head.[ESPN'S Pierre Lebrun via Twitter] We're either too hoarse or too broke to sing any louder.

Vinny Prospal - He's back for another season as a Ranger. 1M up front and the other 1.1M in bonuses. - As predicted, he got the Shanny treatment and we'll see how much he has left. With Frolov being a Gold diggin' !@#$@!#$, this is a secure move to make, I suppose... because of how he responds to Torts and as secondary scoring he still elite enough on this team to do some primary scoring.

Johan Hedberg - Licking the spoon in New Jersey with a patchwork contract, that includes bonuses and a no movement clause... amounts to about 1.5M for a year.[ESPN'S Pierre Lebrun via Twitter] Adds another piece to the Newark Puzzle. Could all this be a ploy to keep money free to sign Kovalchuk and bait him with being able to play with Volchenkov?

Does Craigslist have a 4th liner or Defensive Prospect section? [UPDATED]

noreply@blogger.com (J_Undisputed) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:45:00 +0000

OK Its a Fire Sale. Everything must go! NO REASONABLE OFFER REFUSED!!! Ok, so maybe I'm still burning a little about the end of the last season.

As it stands now.. heres whats been making the rounds is the gossip circle as far as I have heard.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

Olli Jokinen, C; 32, $5.5 million - No news, Returned to the Rent-A-Center.

Vaclav Prospal, LW, 35, $1.1 million - No News, Maybe getting the Shanny wait and see treatment.Larry Brooks reports that Sather is trying to resign Vinny. Prospal remains a key part of Tort's plan to get the message to the troops. Yet another guy who could squeeze another few dollars out of us due to his role on this team being bigger than it would be on another team that would be progressing soundly every year.

Alex Auld, G, 29, $1 million - I haven't heard anything. A solid backup, I'd love to get this guy back... I Like Chad johnson, but after the chance we gave him last year, i cant see Auld being an issue with his development opportunities in the yes of the organization. UPDATE: Auld Signed with Montreal after the Rangers picked up Biron.

Jody Shelley, RW, 34, $725,000 -In talks with the team now, 100K raise on the table... His agent is expected to counter offer. I didn't know if we'd be giving this guy an offer at all if someone better or more intimidating was available. His willingness to get his hands dirty coupled with the fact that the organization doesn't want to pay and often can't find the excuse to play an enforcer for more than 5 minutes at a time, made his effort as part of the lunch pail crew valuable in the last games of the season. Shelley rejected the offer of 825k...Shelley found out what Shanahan and others have. Hard work doesn't go unrewarded in NY. It gets you a free ticket out of town. As much as i still had a bone to pick with the guy from the richard scott incident so many years ago, I hope someone noticed his efforts at the end of the season and he can land a spot with a team that can use his skills.

P.A. Parenteau, RW, 27, $500,000 - Last I heard, P.A. was tired of commuting and was looking to be somewhere with more consistent playing time available. His shootout proficiency could be a bonus for a team looking to nab those extra points.

Anders Eriksson, D, 35, $600,000

Corey Potter, D, 26, $550,000 - Haven't hear anything about him, though I can imagine the status of Redden, Rozi palms, and the other d-men positions would have a lot to do with his situation. With Sanguinetti dealt to the Canes, things may not be looking Good considering Sauer is still around and McDonagh rise expected. The door swings both ways I suppose and the question is was Bobby Sangs dealt instead of guys like Sauer and Potter because he wasn't as good or because the other two would bring nothing in return?

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

Marc Staal, D, 23, $765,000 - In talks, his Agent(B. Orr) is breaking balls for more money and the 2 are said to be far apart. See what Dubinsky started with his holdout crap last season. Every kid with an ounce of talent will be bending this team over a barrel when it comes to contracts. They know the predicament our expensive seniors put us in and they know we suck just enough to grasp at anything we have left to hold on to.

Dan Girardi, D, 26, $1.6 million - Hes probably not going anywhere despite the fact I have had enough of this kid already. He can't consistently play a physical game. Aside from his wristers toward the net, his biggest attribute has been his skills in pointing at a defensive hole he'd identified while on the back check... just in time for his defensive partner to go "huh?" right before we get scored on.

Erik Christensen, C, 26, $750,000 - No QO Tendered, then Rejected 2 yrs @ 750k. The story goes that if he was tendered an offer, he would have been qualified to go through arbitration and make our biggest fears come true. Now its hard to pick a side in this. The kid think he deserves more after centering the first line for a good part of the year, despite not being able to stick with any team before he got here. The team really didn't see his value translate into a team overhaul which is a lot to expect. We picked him up. WE put this kid in his position on the first line, We tried to skirt the issue of wether this kid deserves more money. I think a modest raise would have been enough to get this kid to come to the table,but we knew he'd be awarded more. Is he good enough to deserve a bundle of cash, no? Is he good enough to deserve some kind of recognition for the way he played over many of his high priced counterparts on this team.. I think so. UPDATE: Christensen has been resigned for 2 years at 925K per.

Brandon Prust, LW, 26, $525,000 - Recieved a QO, In talks now. Keep Him! Another part of the lunchpail crew that hustle work and seek to not be defined by their 4th line minutes. WE need a solid middleweight anyway. UPDATE: Prust resigned for 2yrs. averaging 800K per.

Enver Lisin, RW, 24, $790,000 - Gone. No offer tendered.Lets hope AA doesn't moap because his buddy is here to pal around with him.

Dane Byers, LW, 24, $500,000 - Rumored to have resigned. I hope this true. I've always liked Byers. While he isn't wiping the floors with guys, the intent is there.He sticks up for his teammates, he chips at the loose pucks and scores a dirty goal now and then and finds ways to be productive. In short, the guy knows the drill.

Ilkka Heikkinen, D, 25, $875,000 - Took a Heik to the KHL, I think. Another young dman who feels he is ready to go, no matter what the team says. Maybe he's right or maybe he's one of 6 guys sitting in a rowboat with a hole in it. Its sink or swim time for a lot of these D-men. If Redden starts the season in Hartford, as expected, there will be a dogpile on a spot on the 3rd pair. Heikkinen will probably read about it in one of the Russian papers.

If you have any word on any of these guys (a source too if you have one) feel free to shoot us a comment.

Wade Redden On The Rocks?

srel1229@gmail.com (The Dark Ranger) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Joe Fortunato over at the stellar Blueshirt Banter dug up some potentially uplifting Blueshirt news:

Arthur Staple wrote this article, talking about whether or not Glen Sather will finally retire his itchy trigger finger. But towards the end of the article Staple writes this
There is more room on defense, where Wade Redden is almost certain to be waived and sent to Hartford when training camp ends. "He's been discussed," Sather said.

This is from a guy who writes for Newsday, remember, which is owned by the Dolan's and Cablevision. Like Staple or hate him, this is information he would be able to obtain; and he certainly wouldn't just spew that little quote out there for no reason at all. Especially since the Redden signing is an embarrassment to this team, and making a statement like this could make Newsday look very, very bad. So this holds some weight with me, even though I'm not believing in miracles just yet.

Now this would be huge news, as camp will weed and filter out those that shouldn't be on the starting roster -- so there is hope Rangers fans, there is hope.

I have a feeling there is much news ahead for us this week. My comrades in DARK, Graying Mantis and J_Undisputed will be covering July 1 - free agency day with ongoing commentary - so be sure to check in often as The Dark Ranger will be updated throughout the day, this Thursday!!!

Let's Go Rangers! and maybe Wade Redden will be reunited with his old comrade Donald Brashear up in Connecticut. Here's hoping...

tdr

Marc Staal Sheds Tears of Blood

srel1229@gmail.com (The Dark Ranger) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 22:15:00 +0000

When I opened the NY Post this morning and read about NYR GM Glen Sather not signing 'getting to know you' fan favorite Jody Shelley, I got a little perturbed, frankly. When Brandon Prust, another free agent, will hit the free market this coming July 1 (Thursday) and command just about anywhere else more money than what Slats is willing to pay, we will see another potential asset flushed down the toilet. UPDATE: as of 6:17pm, Steve Zipay is tweeting that the NYR Rangers are offering Prust a qualifying offer, and not to Christensen.

And now Sather is going to battle with Bobby Orr -- the now manager of many hockey players including our very home-grown Marc Staal. Brooks did a piece on this last week. As a restricted agent, other teams have the option to submit an offer to Staal, giving the home team the first right to match. But it seems to me that as our most valuable asset on the blueline should absolutely deserve half of what you believed in contracts awarded to Chris Drury or Wade Redden.

The future of Staal on the Rangers' blueline is unquestionable from a performance aspect and he wants to be suiting up in Blue every game --- unless he's not making enough. Gone are the days of Slats and the 'buddy system' between General Managers when they historically let their restricted players deal with the home team first, and come in to make an alternate deals when things become hopeless -- Brian Burke has made this abundantly clear in his days at Anaheim. this 'business is business' trend in general managers continues to this day. But it seems to me a Marc Staal request for a 3-year contract for 3.5 - 4 million a year is reasonable; it is essentially a non-cap-issue now that the maximum cap has been raised significantly, and instead of Slats using disparaging phrases like 'there is a chasm between where both parties are at' doesn't help the situation, you might reassure them that you'd like to get this done, speak to the press favorably on how important Marc Staal is to the Rangers organization and negotiate like humans beings that talk to each other (and not through the press you dingbat). Try it. It might be the better way to go?

Slats is living in a dream world. One where he answers to no one. One where no one is looking in. We may not have a consistent roster, but one thing is for certain. Glen Sather is constant.

It is one thing for the fans to be told to wait for the new season to open and let the experts do their negotiating and picking. It is another thing as a fan to sit here paying for your hedge bet and watching you create mediocrity year after fucking year. There is less than half the roster signed for this upcoming season and with free agency approaching this Thursday (noon EST), it will be surprising if there are any significant trades. The NY Rangers are better to not make rash decisions (i.e. Gomez, Drury, Redden) and awarding bad contracts to mediocre or over-valued players, but Marc Staal is part of our Blueshirt future and once you start fucking with the psychology of a player's head -- they don't want to play for you anymore, even if you actually do come to terms with them (i.e Brandon Dubinsky).

The leverage of playing for New York City is huge, unless you are a Hermit introvert that sits with the fat-cats and never listens to the people and you happen to run a hockey organization at MSG. Plus your management upstairs is putting all their eggs in the LeBron James basket on the same day (NBA free agency - noon). It pissed me off to see Mark Messier inviting LeBron to come to New York and joining in on that mess. Speaking of Mess, why isn't he recruiting Kovalchuk to cross the river? Why isn't he calling me the season-ticket holder with four-God-damn-seats thanking me for losing money every year?

You're all pissing me off, MSG. Sign Marc Staal. Sign Jody Shelley. Sign Prust. Get this shit over with, sign what is important to the team and hope for a fruitful free agency day.

..and talk to the press once in a while Fatty Slats. I demand more for my money.

tdr

Hello Rangers? (peep)

srel1229@gmail.com (The Dark Ranger) — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 17:09:00 +0000

Something is in the air.

Only a week away from the moment when everything will be different, the NHL draft followed by free-agency day (July 1), the Blue-sies are washing away for a better feeling, something we always feel this time of year....CHANGE. No, and not another presidential election.

Cross your fingers fans -- because The Dark Ranger suspects we will see some packaged trade dumping of either Rozzy (Redden) with a Brandon Dubinsky and a Bobby Sanguinetti to free up cap space and thrill & anger the entire fanbase simultaneously. Absent in the mainstream, the Blueshirts have not appeared in Spector's hockey, Fox rumors, or the hundreds of rumor sites that blanket the airwaves at this time of year. In other words, 'we gotta nothin''. This is so 'un-like' Glen Sather! So the very fact that there is little buzz and speak, leads me to believe something real could be happening. What do you think of this change conspiracy?

What hasn't changed is the way I feel when the Pre-Season games are announced, because it is the beginning of my having to pay full-price tickets for amateur, minor-league hazing roster hockey at MSG, a time when Hartford shines in the Big Apple, with the occasional veteran making their season debut. So on that high note, may I present to you.....

The pre-season:

RANGERS' 2010 PRESEASON SCHEDULE (All times Eastern Standard Time)
Day	Date	Opponent	Site	Time
Thursday	Sept. 23	New Jersey	Madison Square Garden	7 p.m.
Saturday	Sept. 25	New Jersey	Prudential Center	7 p.m.
Sunday	Sept. 26	Detroit	Joe Louis Arena	5 p.m.
Wednesday	Sept. 29	Detroit	Madison Square Garden	7 p.m.
Friday	Oct. 1	Ottawa	Madison Square Garden	7 p.m.
Saturday	Oct. 2	Ottawa	Scotiabank Place	7 p.m.

Who Is Our Next Big Thing? A 2010 NHL Mock Draft...

srel1229@gmail.com (The Dark Ranger) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:01:00 +0000

	Taylor Hall takes the number one selection after defeating Tyler Seguin in the playoffs. With Jordan Eberle already on board in Edmonton, the Oilers will reunite the tandem which almost singlehandedly won the gold medal in this year’s WJHC.
	Cam Fowler will bring a franchise defenseman to Boston after Hall leaves the map. With Zdeno Chara now 33-years-old they need a blue liner to take over in a few years and can be patient with second Windsor Spitfire to go in the draft.
	Erik Gudbranson will bring another solid young defenseman to the Panther blue line. Even though this team continues to struggle in the scoring department, they still need to build a team from the blue line out and will add to a solid core of Jason Garrison, Keith Ballard and Dmitry Kulikov.
	Tyler Seguin looked like he could take the number one spot but falls in the Blue Jacket’s lap due to organizational needs. Although a natural center, he likely will flank Rick Nash on the opposite wing for years to come and solidify the top 6 forward corps of their struggling offense.
	Nino Niederreiter would look great on a team with another great Swiss player in Mark Streit. The talented left wing could be the best offensive player to come out of Switzerland and would give the Islanders another identity.
	Brandon Gormley makes the perfect compliment to Victor Hedman. With the Tampa Bay blue line looking increasingly porous, this mobile defenseman out of the QMJHL will fit in well with other alums of the Quebec league and solidify a young defensive core.
	Mikael Granlund looks to be the top pick out of Finland this season so the Hurricanes should select him based on their recent success fitting into their system. The young left wing would fit in well with Tuomo Ruutu, Joni Pitkanen and Jussi Jokinen in their core.
	Vladimir Tarasenko will be the first Russian selected in the draft. Which better team to mold a Russian superstar than the one which just traded away Ilya Kovalchuk.
	Derek Forbort grew up in Duluth, Minnesota making him the logical pick of the Wild. Last year they took Nick Leddy, another local boy but traded him to Chicago in the deal which landed Cam Barker. Taking another local kid seems like their MO.
	Alex Burmistrov fits the mold of the past Rangers selection as he certainly possesses the highest upside of the players left on board. With Artem Anisimov already playing a full season and Evgeny Grachev waiting in the wings, this playmaking center will fit right in when he comes to the Big Apple.
	Ryan Johanson comes out of the WHL, where the Stars have found success drafting young forwards. With most of their blue line young, they search for more help in the scoring department. Johanson plays that role and can replace either Brad Richards of Mike Ribeiro down the road.
	The Ducks alternate taking a forward and a defenseman every season, so this season they are due to draft a defenseman. At this point Mark Pysyk seems like the logical selection. He comes out of the WHL, where the team selected Ryan Getzlaf, Joffrey Lupul and Brendan Mikkelson from in the past.
	Brett Connolly falls to the Coyotes after spending the majority of the season injured. The talented left wing fits the same profile of current captain Shane Doan so he should fit right under the veteran’s wing. He may be the steal of the draft at this point and makes the Olli Jokinen trade look that much better.
	Jack Campbell will be the first goaltender selected in the draft and to no better team. Chris Mason and Ty Conklin will not stay for too much longer making the Blues need even that greater. Campbell will make a great addition other US born players like David Backes and TJ Oshie.

The Cup Is All About Jeremy!

srel1229@gmail.com (The Dark Ranger) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 16:10:00 +0000

Kane and Able

srel1229@gmail.com (The Dark Ranger) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:17:00 +0000

So the streak of twenty-something Captains winning the Cup continues as the Chicago Blackhawks doubled the number of wins over the Philadelphia Flyers to take the 2010 Lord Stanley Cup last night. Congratulations to Chicago for earning it, over the course of the entire season and for not allowing thugs to ~~bully~~ take-the-Cup from your grasp!

Official recap here.

Blackhawk's Captain Patrick Kane scored what will be a historic 'under-the-radar' overtime 'goal winning goal', literally under the radar of the goal light, the goal referee - through Flyer goalie Leighton's five-hole undetected by anyone wearing orange & black, while Kane skated theatrically pumping his fists and stick in the air, embracing the hesitating Hawk bench, defying what the officials or the Philly bench deemed "upon further review." He knew. There was nothing to review. It was over for Philly.

NY Rangers fans across the globe felt elated at that very moment toward those responsible for ending our season prematurely - they would not drink champagne from the cup, they would not stand taller in the Atlantic Division, and they would no longer remind us that it could have been us. We lost to Philadelphia in a skills competition and it ended our season, but toward the end of regulation we were on a winning streak, the team started to come together, not all that different than a path the Flyers took which brought them to the finals. We were jealous during the playoffs, we felt down on our Blueshirts - but not now.

Losing the Cup when it's standing before you, in front of the fans that have continued to show up over two horrendous seasons, unable to close the dream and make your home city proud is worse than not making the playoffs. As a fan, you have to live with that 'empty' for the entire off-season. Go home Flyers and enjoy your vacation. Nice job. Now you have more to prove next season because second best doesn't cut it.

We know it hurts. We visualize Lundqvist missing that shootout game to a fifth-stringer goalie named Boucher in the final-deciding-playoff game. But you all probably feel much worse than we do, so have a couple of Yuenglings and cheesesteaks on us. As the City of Brotherly Love, Hartnell and Carter can go back to hugging each other's wives, 'bully-camp' or whatever it is thugs do with time in your hands.

We'll see you at the Garden in October ready to pick it back up where we left things....

Happy Off-Season Hockey Fans and Players. It's been quite the ride and we'll see how things go with the approaching draft and July 1 free-agent day.

tdr