Girardi Elects Salary Arbitration

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

Blueshirts Impress With a Loss, NYR 1, Bruins 2

The 'new' New York Rangers opened the pre-season last night against the Boston Bruins and certainly held their own.  Our Blueshirt squad consisted mostly of prospects vying to impress coach John Tortorella in making the starting team, with only three or four slots that may be in question.  Visibly absent was our center Brandon "Dumb-ie" Dubinsky, but they counted on Ryan Callahan to pick up the tempo when necessary.  Most of our starters were a scratch with the exception of our dear Captain Drury, newbie Kotalik (who demonstrated what might become of the power play), Christopher Higgins and the 'much-booed' Donald Brashear.

Official recap here.

Though a loss (that doesn't count), there were impressive performances by both Matt Gilroy and Michael Del Zotto, who if they continue to play throughout the pre-season as they did last night, will certainly find themselves professional Rangers come opening day.  Both were impressive, confident and strong --- and most important to Torts - forward moving blueliners. For anyone not watching the pre-season games, I would highly recommend you watch these two rookies, Michael Del Zotto at 19 years of age plays an aggressive game and wasn't backing down from Boston's Lucic -- "please the coach, please the coach..." - a very different style than former coach Tom Renney.  Matt Gilroy at 25 years of age, looks as solid as Blueshirts Dan Girardi and Marc Staal.  Missing, though, is our "stay at home" defensive stud.  Chris Pronger would have been nice.  Higgins and Kotalik were extremely impressive on the point, and will certainly make a difference in the power play.

As to be expected, the first period was sloppy and dribble - in other words, a pre-season debut - but the Blueshirts picked up the tempo in the second and third periods, controlling the last half of the game. 

I actually enjoyed last night and look forward to tonight against the NJ Devils -- as we've all read that NJ's Jamie Langenbrunner has been scratched in place of Brendan Shanahan tonight (look out for that upcoming trade, folks...ha ah ah aha h ).   MSG at 7pm.

tdr

(D)aaaawes Yeah!

Tom Renney made the wrong decision at the beginning of this season. He sent our redemption back to the minors.

Due to multiple injuries on the NY Rangers bench, Nigel Dawes was sent down from the Hartford Wolfpack for last night"s victory against the New Jersey Devils. The Rangers beat the Devils 2-0. Dawes scored both goals and is sure to become a permanent fixture on the NYR roster. After a stellar training camp performance this summer and his surprising triumph last night, Coach Renney is sure to keep him around. The Rangers are now 3-5-1.

The second star goes to King Goalkeeper Henrik Lundqvist, who again reminded us how flawless he can be. Henrik is the greatest asset to the Rangers, simply, a great goalie.

Shutting out the rival Devils is what the doctor ordered and keeps the medicine man away, or rather, the Blueshirt management from altering the team. "Wins" means everyone stays, so the hot seat may gradually cool down if we see a solid Blueshirt performance against Toronto on Saturday followed by our arch-nemesis rival NY islanders Monday evening.

Maybe reflecting on the last half of the 06-07 season, where we discovered the potential of such players as Ryan Callahan and Dan Girardi, and last night's performance of Nigel Dawes will remind Tom Renney, Glen Sather and the gang that the future of this great franchise relies on this upcoming youth movement. Before leaving for the Phoenix Coyotes, assistant Ranger coach Don Maloney set up the Blueshirts with a new prospect philosophy, creating the possibility of a young team and focusing on building prospects every season.

This is our future in Rangerland, folks. Last night, Nigel Dawes was our redemption, one of many players to come.

tdr

This Is Our Future