Cut Me, Mick...err Torts..

The first major cuts have been made to the team. Some of them could be seen a mile away. Others might seem a little premature. Still others could be seen as borderline. For right now its hard for many of us to complain as we have been screaming YOUTH YOUTH YOUTH for the last couple of seasons... and it could appear that management is listening. At at any rate, it appears Wade will have company in Hartford...

Chad Johnson - I've been pulling for this kid, since I first saw him play. Hes got a great glove hand, but there's no way he'd get enough playing time here anyway. None expected him to outshine Biron for the backup position. That softy let in against the Devils probably didn't help, especially when Torts had no faith in him to begin with. Hang in there "veint y nueve", shine in Hartford.

Dane Byers - Another kid, I've been pulling for to make the team for a while now. Better skills than he usually gets credit for; Stands up for teammates (even though he's not much of a scrapper), and he knows the basics of working around the net. Unfortunately, camp isn't a situation that favors him...Team guys often look lost when everyone's out for themselves and stepping all over each other to impress the coach... The scrap with Clarkson was night the highlight material Torts was looking for. Better to come up later into a more stable dynamic where he knows whats going on, though I will say between the injury bug and cuts like this... its starting to look bleak for Dane.

Evgeny Grachev - Lots of people had high hopes for this kid. Me, I really didn't see what the big deal was about this kid, for the limited time he was in camp. He didn't look that steady on his skates or like he really knew where he fit in. I'll chalk it up to nerves, but color me less than optimistic at this point, based on what I saw so far.

Dale Weise - He seemed to have a lot of energy in the games he played and was kind of all over the place. For as much as much as I saw of him during the game, I hardly remember any of it. He looks like he had an idea of what he wanted to bring to camp, only brought the basics and and tried to oversell.

Mats Zuccarello - For what little I saw of Zuccs, he looked like another young kid with some heart and was trying to play in a way that made everyone forget how small he was. Its the right attitude, but there's a lot of kids that will fill the camps of every team like that in the upcoming years. The best small guys never made anyone forget they were small, but they made everyone see how good they were at using what they had. Like using their size to squeeze through spaces and battle for the puck or go unnoticed around the crease, chip like crazy at rebounds.

Kris Newbury - Not really mind blowing that he got cut. He's an energy guy and not high on the depth chart in terms of skill. I loved watching him pummel Salvador and the fire he showed. Unfortunately, it won't impress Tortorella.

Jeremy Williams - Another no-brainer. I barely even noticed this kid was out there.

Brandon Manning - who? exactly...

Garnet Exelby - Hmm. This is kind of tough. I have to admit that I was never really a fan of Exelby as he always seemed like a bit of a cheap-shotting hick to me... or a better version of Ryan Hollweg. Good for an occasional hard hit, but many times questionable. The reason its difficult is that in the preseason games so far, hes the only Dman that seemed to have a clue about protecting his Goaltender. Ah well I suppose its ok, I mean Jim Ramsey is a really good medical trainer, right? Looking at it for what it was, Exelby was never really brought in as a viable option (it would take him a lot to earn a contract and if he did, he would be asking for more than entry level salary for a kid with that same potential) but more as control subject to up the stakes for the kids playing for a contract or guys paid more than their worth *Cough*Rosival*Cough* but who's salary would raise another red flag if they were waived after Redden.

Alexei Semenov - I don't think he was horrible. Hes a big body and he's fairly agile for a big guy. He's thrown down once or twice to stand up for a teammate last preseason, if I am remember correctly (that already gives him an edge on Girardi-- Yes, I'm still pissed about that) I think Semenov could be a cheaper version of Roszival.

Till the next round of cuts,

J_Undisputed

P.S. - I know noone's got any sympathy for Redds because of his salary, but I have to say I think it was kind of $hitty to not even let the guy get in a preseason game or two. Ok he probably wasn't going to be any different, but at least spare the guy that bull$hit of "its up to Wade, whether he stays or goes.. and he's going to have to show us something...." I understand that its business, and that either way, he's still collecting a hell of a lot of money from the team... but as an athlete, a family man (congrats to him and his wife).. allow him to compete and give the guy a chance at redemption and dignity. Looking at how quickly some of these guys were cut, how hard would that really have been?

Dubinsky Is A Schmuck!

So it's official.  (Questionable) New York Ranger, Brandon Dubinsky, is a schmuck.

For months now, Rangers fans have anticipated a multi-year deal to be locked and loaded with our home-grown Brandon Dubinsky -- though despite his PIMs of last year, he could be one of the most awkward fighters in the league -- but most important, this guy wears his heart on his sleeve and we have watched it dangling for two seasons now.  I remember the young kid under former NYR coach Tom Renney centering Jaromir Jagr adding points to every game, Jagr the proud Papa and his newly found hockey pup.  Brandon represents to us what we expect of all our Rangers:  Aggressive.  Caring.  Loyal.

But hang on folks...

As a restricted free agent this season, we have waited for the contract that never came, even after Brandon's reassurances to the media and fans two weeks ago that the deal would be made and things would be worked out.  Being given another shot at centering a world-class sharp-shooter, this time under the tutelage of the Torts system and our newly minted Blueshirt star-power Marian Gaborik, we had expectations of a much larger Brandon Dubinsky - and even a product of the new New York Rangers youth movement.   And so....the promises....the doubt....the reassurances.....belief again..on again....off again.....but still no contract.

If you are a stranger to the off-season, we are now back in-season as today was the first day of training camp for the Blueshirts, where young'ens got to challenge the veterans for the limited number of spots on the third and fourth lines for opening night - Oct. 1 against the Penguins and the first home game Oct. 2 against the Senators (without the Heat).  And guess who didn't show up?   Our very own 1. Aggressive 2. Caring and 3. Loyal, Brandon Dubinsky.

After two days of last minute sitdowns with NYR General Manager, Glen Sather and Brandon Dubinsky & 'His Agent', things went sour and no contract or agreement came to pass.  Where he has the option to take a minimal salary, prove himself for one more season, and go to town with a multi-year and 'hog-money' contract, he (and his agent) are choosing to bend the Blueshirt organization back 'n forth.  Perhaps Henrik Lundqvist's one-year contract with the Rangers, followed by his six-year re-signing would be good precedent in the Sather Caves.....obviously, Agent Dubie has something else in mind and now it's affecting the team.

This is what our coach John Tortorella, who has been quiet about these affairs until now, had to say about this situation:

“It’s stupid, “ the Rangers head coach said after 50-plus players went through a series of medical tests and wind sprints. “He’s a young man that needs to be here. I think a player needs to be with his teammates. I’m hoping he realizes that. I think his agent’s stupid….I think Dubi understands my feelings. I thought Glen (Sather) was very honest with Dubi a couple days ago---I was privy to that conversation---as a general manager and man-to-man as a friend.”

So now the Coach feels like the fans.  He may be signed one minute after this posting, but I wanted to get the message out there that we all feel Brandon's agent is misguiding him and setting a very bad precedent for his future career as a professional hockey player. And ultimately, this is Dubinsky letting this happen.

...and all of this makes him look like a sore loser.  Not quite Dany Heatley, but something related.   Not what we had in mind from our young hopefuls, 'Dubie'.

tdr

Betts Your Bottom Dollar

So I'll make this a double-Flyers posting day, as everyone is now reporting that Brashear-bashed Blair Betts will be joining the Philadelphia Bullies in training camp next week.  This obviously frees up more cap space for The 2009/10 New York Rangers and our 'alleged acquiring of every important free agent left' mantra (see Dany Heatley, Phil Kessel, Mats Sundin, etc.) as we approach our own training camp.

Gee speaking of which, we sure will miss Tom Renney and the West Point cadets tackling the New York Rangers during pre-season training camp, which always seemed strangely related to the premise in the movie Mystery, Alaska (without the skates and pond hockey) -- big bad professional team comes to local institution and challenges the locals.  Maybe it's just me.   But so I digress...

Wishing Betts the best of luck, as some say Philly has a chance at the Golden Cup this year.  It is not a terrible idea to play for the City of Brotherly Love --- someone named 'The Donald' will be ready for your return to the Garden.  When that moment happens, there will be at least one Rangers fan at The Garden cheering for you Blair Betts....and cursing his own NYR enforcer to hell and back (his name rhymes with Motty Trockey)!!!

tdr

Tortorella Speaks

If you missed it and you're reading this post, go here for mandatory reading. Jeff Klein of the New York Times interviewed 'Coach Torts' and we get honesty like we haven't heard since the days of Mike Keenan (the similarities are uncanny).

I do think Tortorella is a 'tone-setter' for training camp, someone who cares about the team as much as we do as die-hard fans. Even during the playoffs, it felt that Jaromir Jagr and Tom Renney left their marks on the franchise -- inconsistent style of play, tired, lazy, 'looking for the perfect shot', horrible power play, etc.

A month from now, these things will be addressed and we can thank the new coach for the attitude change.

Though, we can only hope this season he'll resist throwing chairs at fans that have a quicker wit than he does...

tdr

Twenty Three

It is a sacred number, according to the Principia Discordia; it is the number of the Illuminati.

"Franklin Delano Roosevelt" contains 23 letters, and...
"William Jefferson Clinton" also contains 23 letters.
The human genome contains 23 pairs of chromosomes.

As of October 1, 2007 the New York Rangers now have 23 players remaining in training camp, including two goaltenders, eight defensemen and thirteen forwards. Coincidentally, our new shared Ranger leader Chris Drury is No. 23. Hhmmm.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
The roster stands as follows:

Goaltenders -- Henrik Lundqvist and Steve Valiquette

Defense -- Dan Girardi, Marek Malik, Paul Mara, Thomas Pock, Michal Rozsival, Marc Staal, Jason Strudwick, and Fedor Tyutin.

Forwards -- Sean Avery, Blair Betts, Ryan Callahan, Chris Drury, Brandon Dubinsky, Scott Gomez, Ryan Hollweg, Marcel Hossa, Jaromir Jagr, Colton Orr, Petr Prucha, Martin Straka, and Brendan Shanahan.

Players Reassigned to Hartford --
Goaltenders -- Al Montoya
Defense -- Andrew Hutchinson
Forwards -- Artem Anisimov, Nigel Dawes
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

New York opens its 2007-2008 regular season vs. the Florida Panthers Thursday, October 4 at Madison Square Garden (7 p.m.).

Is it too much to ask for the first 23 wins? See you Blueshirts this week at the Garden with a beer in hand, good company and a hope of something bigger and more important than what we've seen in seasons' past.

"Let's Go Rangers!"

tdr

Draft beer, not people!

It is only appropriate to insert a 'little politics' and my desire to be holding a large pint of beer at The Garden on the eve of the New York Rangers heading from the training facilities to the United States Military West Point Academy. They will be practicing a series of team building exercises and "living in cots" for a couple of days to bond as disciplined hockey men.

If you recall, Coach Tom Renney sent the Rangers to this prestigious U.S. Army Academy post-lockout two seasons ago, which led to the Blueshirts dominating the division (though due to injuries they were knocked out by the Devils), and making the playoffs for the first time in, I believe, nine years. It worked then. May it work now.

The expectations are huge in New York City for this highly publicized hockey franchise, with Madison Square Garden touting that every single ticket sold-out for all eighty two games - the first time ever for all remaining tickets to be sold in one hour. Tickets prices are skyrocketing and season ticket holders (like me) now possess some of the more valuable tickets for a New York team. Regular season tickets, on questionable sites such as Stubhub and Ticketmaster Auctions, are pricing at 200% the face value. Who ever thought hockey could only be afforded by the financial elite?

Consider some of the following updates, some could be true or false (you be the judge) -- but regardless it means this anticipated season is upon us, people are talking in the blogosphere and that means the ice is freezing in September:

* Twelve players have been cut and transferred back to Hartford camp: goalies Chris Holt and Matt Zaba; defensemen Clayton Barthel, Corey Potter, and Jake Taylor; forwards Joe Barnes, Alex Bourret, Brodie Dupont, Mitch Fritz, Bruce Graham, Greg Moore, and Jordan Owens.

* Darius Kasparaitus - subject of an earlier blog, the Rangers cannot afford and apparently word on the street is that he may be a Buffalo Sabre over the next week or so. Agents are talking and that means the trading season is also beginning to buzz.

* Robert Esche - is in secret discussions with Glen Sather and management to make him a bone fide backup goalie to Henrik Lundquist. Salary room is now an issue, but Esche's history with Philly last year may make him eligible for a low salary with 'bonuses for play'. Infamous Eckland - the secret hockey blogger - has discussed it, but this is an active consideration in the NY Rangers management. Apparently, Stephen Valiquette has not impressed the brass to solidify his 'second goalie status to a cup' contender.

* There are mumblings that Jamomir Jagr will be telling ghost stories to teammates in English and Czech around the campfire Wednesday night at West Point. (the only 'not true')

Around 12 days until opening....

The Blue Army marches.

tdr

Training Camp Groupies Included

The following resources are providing superb coverage of the MSG Training Camp and the potential line combinations and ongoings of this newly improved New York Rangers. The Dark Ranger will pick it up as we get closer to the season, but check in with:
Blueshirt Bulletin ( 'by the hour' coverage), NY Sports Day (daily) and Rangers Report (the word of Sam!).

Enjoy and let's go Rangers! tdr

Meatballs, Part 5

You are suffering from Darius Kasparaitus Syndrome. Take this medicine, call your parents, leave camp early and get yourself back to Hartford for rest.

Sometimes hockey players do not know when to quit. A puck in the head would be an easy way out. Such is the sad case of one of my favorite defensive veterans, Darius Kasparaitus, who in the off-season has given himself a makeover by losing 20 lbs, recovered from an unexpected trip from the NY Rangers starting lineup to the Hartford Wolfpack minor farm team, a divorce, a psychological breakdown and a heart-to-heart with NYR general manager, Glen Sather reminiscing about how the early-years Eric Lindros was once very scared of getting hit by Darius.

Sam Weinman, of The Rangers Report is onsite at training camp this afternoon and had this to say, "The first day for Darius Kasparaitis wasn’t exactly a triumphant one. He may have been quicker, but he also coughed up the puck several times during the scrimmage. Maybe it was first day nerves, but he can’t afford to have a second day like it." Steve Zipay from Newsday adds, "...Kasparaitis, paired with Paul Mara, is quicker, but made some poor passes."

Even if Darius impresses the coaching staff and 'steps it up', there is an impossible $3 million liability looming over his head with the NY Rangers already hitting the maximum cap salary allowed. There are just too many 'up & coming' Ranger young'ens (Marc Staal, Brodie Dupont, Ryan Callahan, Dan Girardi) to consider spending that level of salary for a player looking to prove something mostly to himself.

There would be nothing more exciting seeing Darius a Ranger again showing up against Florida in October - the fans would go bonkers - a house of 'wild', but don't expect it unless you're willing to drive through New Haven and head north straight to the Hartford minors. An expensive dream.

Hey Darius, The Dark Ranger has been cured of "Kasparaitus Nostalgia", a nasty little hockey-fan-disease, so let me offer a simple gesture that will make it all easier.

It's time.

tdr

NY Rangers Training Camp Day

As you know, The Dark Ranger is a great fan of the New York Rangers - and unfortunately, was not able to take advantage of an invitation to training camp -- so I leave the exciting reports to my fellow Blueshirt bloggers who were able to clear their schedules and hit the ice.

Day to day coverage can be found here, here, here, here, here and here.

The season approaches and this is all very exciting stuff. Let's Go Rangers!

tdr

The Little-Champs and Only the Beginning

Our determined team of 22 little-Rangers prospects left Traverse City, Mich., last night with a well-deserved championship in the annual Traverse City Prospects Tournament. One year after finishing fourth in their first trip to this event, the Blueshirts were unstoppable, winning four straight games, including a 5-1 win over defending champ Columbus on Tuesday night.

NY Rangers activities began today with Tom Renney talking to reporters about the prospects and training camp which begins tomorrow (press here for a good recap, Blueshirt Bulletin) -- it will be interesting over the next couple of weeks to see who 'makes-the-cut' and who gets sent to Hartford. Sam Weinman of Rangers Report makes a supporting observation that Darius Kasparaitus is looking fit and fancy (press here), which will bring a little $3 million salary cap dilemma if he impresses the coaching staff, questions of whether Marc Staal will be brought up from the minors as part of our much-needed defensive lines, and questions still abound as to what lines Chris Drury and Scotty Gomez will fit into. Apparently, our Boy-Jagr-Wonder is coming off a summer looking fit and ready to play.

The Rangers of the last two seasons, through the impressive coaching of Tom Renney, have been a team built around it's superstar - Jagr (a European style of system). What will be fun to observe in the first half of the season is whether the team remains a Jagr-centric level of perimeter play, with the roster now having more North American-style players on the team willing to throw themselves into the net. The Dark Ranger thinks the latter.

In regards to the roster at the moment, Steve Zipay On The Rangers Beat (press here), shares the roster of today -- this will change day to day.
Goalies---(6)---Lundqvist, Valiquette, Montoya, Wiikman, Zaba and Holt.
Defensemen---(18)---Rozsival, Malik, Mara, Tyutin, Girardi, Kasparaitis, Pock, Strudwick, Staal, Sauer, Sanguinetti, Hutchinson, Baranka, Busto, Liffiton, Taylor, Potter and Clayton Barthel, a 21-year old free agent who made camp off a surprising Traverse City showing, said coach Tom Renney.
Wingers---(18)--- Jagr, Shanahan, Avery, Straka, Prucha, Callahan, Hossa, Hollweg, Orr, Dawes, Dupont, Bourret, Korpikoski, Jessiman, Byers, Moore, Lessard and Fritz.
Centers---(9)----Drury, Gomez, Betts, Dubinsky, Anisimov, Pyatt, Barnes, Graham, and Owens.

tdr

Knock, Knock. Who's There? Anisimov. Anisimov Who?

The New York Rangers of old is slowly becoming something of the past. A slew of new & young talent is emerging for current and future seasons, most recently the emergence of both Girardi and Callahan as young starters on the roster this fall. Perhaps we might see our 'in the system' brother-behaved Marc Staal (D) hitting training camp fighting for a starting position as well. A mix of young talent from all over the world -- no language barriers in the sport and business of professional hockey for this 'seeing the future' hockey franchise.

This week the Rangers signed 19-year-old centre Artem Anisimov to a professional contract on Thursday. He played in 39 games with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv of the Russian Super League last season and had 10 points (2-8). Anisimov also played on the Russian team that won silver at the world junior championship earlier this year and will be part of Russia's team for the under-20 Canada-Russia Super Series later this summer. A native of Yaroslavl, Russia, Anisimov was the Rangers’ second round choice, 54th overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.Once the Rangers are able to work through a Russian trade agreement of their own (good luck Slats) it will be exciting to see Alexei Cherepanov finally wear the coveted jersey and hit MSG. We may have another Ovechkin on our hands.

No more Avery controversy? No more Salary Cap discussion? Henrik is signed? The Dark Ranger is pleased.....and bored. Bring on the season....please!

tdr