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

Dr. Jekyll Ranger Shuts Out Thrashing For A Living, NYR 4, Atlanta 0

Last evening the New York Rangers played like a solid hockey team should and blanked the Atlanta Thrashers four-to-zip. In typical Blueshirt fashion - a huge win can always be downgraded by a visit with Mr. Hyde Ranger, who could make an appearance this Thursday as the Rangers play a double-home-header against Atlanta twice in the same week.

The Dark Ranger is reserving comment on last night's victory and will address both games in one shot Thursday evening. Here is the official recap. As it stands the Rangers are last in the Atlantic Division and ninth in the Eastern conference -- but a string of wins could make them a contender, as they are only seven points away from first place in the Atlantic and second in the Conference. As stated before, the Blueshirts need to win 2 of every 3 games generally to insure a playoff run.

One comment worth mentioning is a reserved 'kudos' to the coach (this is hard for me) for finding the Avery-Gomez-Jagr line, as it appeared to have sparked a little speed in our dear Captain Jags. The Beast is Back! (or for a game at least)

tdr

Truth Or Rumor?

Word on Broadway these days suggests that the New York Rangers locker room is divided into two camps, the first being the Jaromir Jagr Lemmings (anyone European including Lundqvist) and the second being the Shanny-Grit Camp (Drury, Gomez, Avery, including Valiquette). Jagr trade rumors are frequent and what will that mean if it's real?

I want to hear from you dear readers of Dark. Is this a bunch of crap? Where is this going? Which camp does Tom Renney support? What does it mean for him?

Maybe we all can collectively figure out what the hell is wrong with this team, as The Dark Ranger has run out of new ways to say "this team is sucking the barrel."

tdr

Buffalo's Woes, Rangers 2, Sabres 1

Two wins out of eight games is certainly better than ten losses in a row.

This was the case as The New York Rangers handed the tenth to the Buffalo Sabres last night, obviously hurting without their now-Blueshirt Chris Drury. Though disappointed in Drury's performance as a Ranger this season, I felt satisfied in that we were able to acquire him (big deal! - double meaning), that we finally beat the team responsible for knocking us out of playoffs last season and contributing to their double-digit loss streak - a horrible achievement for any hockey franchise.

The win leaves a slightly less bitter taste in Ranger fans' mouths, as we take the win with a 'grain of salt', as this team needs to demonstrate more than a win here or there. Three in a row would get some of us back.

I had tickets. I was supposed to be there. Work, work, work. Needless to say, I couldn't be there and I am not able to comment on the game, but was pleasantly surprised by the updating scores through text messages.

I highly suggest you link to the following terrific NYR sites for information on the game, including the next two games against the Boston Bruins back-to-back this Saturday and Sunday. I highly recommend visits to Scotty Hockey, The Ranger Pundit, Pucks on Broadway, Blueshirt Bulletin, or the bias official website NYR. Perhaps one of our guest bloggers will make an appearance on the blog!!?

I will not be posting this weekend as The Dark Ranger will be in Toronto researching and meeting with various hockey spies, seeing family, visiting the Hall of Fame and enjoying the company of certain hockey retirees.

More to come from the Darkest of Hockey Bloggers on the net.

tdr

Their Kids Are Better Than Ours, Rangers 1, Penguins 4

Forget about "my Dad can beat up your Dad" because the Pittsburgh kids took care of it on their own. Not only did the kid-Penguins bitch-slap our rookie-Blueshirts, they virtually immobilized the entire Rangers team, limiting the Rangers to one mercy goal late in the third during last night's meeting. The Rangers have now lost five out of the last six games, including four losses in a row on the road.

Stellar goaltending by newcomer Penguin Ty Conklin and a hat-trick by the amazing 'faster than Scott Gomez' Pittsburgh Penguin rookie Evgeni Malkin handed us another loss on the road, ending our one-game winning streak. "Captain With Training Wheels" Jaromir Jagr scored the only goal in the third period preventing the shutout.

Tom Renney's not happy. Post game he looked spooked. What's next?

Echoing throughout this blog are '500 Ways To Say They Are Bad', and the Blueshirts are on a path of loss, as our coaching staff is back to his old ways: Marek Malik in the starting lineup and a perimeter offense again molded around our crusting and half-speed Captain. Always tough to watch.

The only redemption in the final twenty seconds was seeing Marc Staal stepping up for his team mates and with no reason other than on principle, he launched into retaliation. THIS is a reminder that the team needs to look out for each other and show their strength. We lack 'grit & hit' on the Rangers and if Tom Renney isn't willing to lift their confidence and spirit by coaching, the Rangers may be able to lift it through their fists.

Hit back Blueshirts. The season end point could be near and the 'fight back' might, at least, keep it interesting for the fans.

tdr

TOUCHDOWN!, Philly 6, NYR 2

It keeps getting worse, now five losses in a row. What could possibly be next? Please hit the panic button now!

The Dark Ranger's nemesis the Flyers spanked The New York Rangers tonight at The Garden, peeling off another layer of the Blueshirt's confidence. It appeared that after Ryan Hollweg (the offensive machine!) scored the first two goals of the game ending the first period, the tide was turning as the fourth HBO-line enforcer was the least likely player on the team to score against our rival Flyers - let alone two of his fifth career goals. This was followed by an onslaught of six Philadelphia goals - the hockey touchdown - shutting down any last drop of hope and ending another horrible loss to the New York Rangers. That leaves our boys with one point in five games. Good grief!

Due to unforgivable consecutive Blueshirt penalties at the end of the first and second (Dan Girardi cries, "Throw me your stick, Chrissy!") the Flyers opened the second and third periods with the power play advantage, flipping Henrik Lundqvist into mediocrity & the Rangers' momentum into a wave of 'orange & black.' Everything went downhill from there. As Mother Theresa would say, "we suck."

Objective recap here.

Over forty games past the half-way point, last in the Atlantic Division and All-Stars still unable to play with each other (let alone against other teams) this is a professional hockey team on the outside looking in. It is looking grim. Thinking back to the opening of the season, it is ironic that anything short of first in the division and 'top two' in the Conference would have been an utter disappointment. I am embarrassed to have admitted to friends that I believed a Stanley Cup was in our future. I just wish I never said anything, as it's ringing in my head over and over and over....

It especially hurts losing to the Philadelphia Flyers. Tonight we sadly bow our heads, suck up the loss to a 'town known for cheesesteaks' and understand a little better how they might have felt all of last season. (sigh)

tdr

An Open Letter To Tom Renney

After a surprising New York Rangers' loss to the Tampa Bay Horrible-Hockey Team, 5-3 last night, in the spirit of directly speaking with members of the Blueshirts - I offer a personal letter to Tom Renney, coach of The New York Rangers, this time in a language that is 'most-appropriate' to how NYR fans are feeling these days.......in Pig Latin:

==========================

Earday Oachcay Omtay Enneyray,

Asway ethay esteemedway oachcay ofway Ethay Ewnay Orkyay Angersray, ouyay avehay away esponsibilityray otay otnay onlyway ethay eamtay andway anagementmay, utbay alsoway otay ethay ansfay. Ethay 5-3 osslay otay Ampatay Aybay astlay ightnay, ethay econdsay orstway eamtay inway ethay NHLAY, isway agictray. Ouryay oachingcay ethodsmay areway agictray. Ethay onlyway opehay asway ethay irdthay eriodpay, utbay ywhay adn'thay ethay Ueshirtsblay ayedplay atway atthay "irdthay eriodpay" evellay omfray ethay eryvay eginningbay?

Ultimatelyway, anotherway osslay orway otway isthay eekway illway anghay onway ouryay ouldersshay, Omtay -- andway erethay isway onay easonray atthay otway 600-oalgay orersscay, away eamtay ofway Allway-Arsstay, away Ezinavay-ominatednay oalkeepergay, away NHLAY-atedhay instigatorway andway away unchbay ofway alentedtay ookiesray ouldn'tshay ebay ickingclay ogethertay. Ethay "orkingway onway eamtay emistrychay" orway ethay "eway ayedplay away eatgray amegay" oundbitesay isn'tway orkingway orfay ouyay anymoreway.

Isthay illway allway estray onway ouryay ouldersshay ymay iendfray. Oonsay ouyay illway onay ongerlay ebay away iendfray ofway ethay eamtay, ethay ansfay, andway areday Iway aysay, anagementmay?

Etgay itway ogethertay obray, asway ouryay avygray aintray aymay ebay eavinglay ethay ationstay.

Incerelysay,
Ethay Arkday Angerray

(The Dark Ranger)