Eastern Muscle and More Heatley Thoughts

from Shawn P. Roarke of NHL.com,

Toronto, once the epicenter of hockey, has missed the playoffs the past four seasons, including last season’s 81-point debacle. Nobody knows if the near-term future holds a playoff berth for the Leafs, but Burke promises that his team will give its all to return the Original Six franchise to its former glory.
“Our goal is to make the playoffs next year; we’re going to have to make some changes to do it. We’re going to be a different team,” Burke said this summer. “I like a lot of hitting. I like a lot of fighting. We have a passive group. All year long, when a trainer was on the ice—it was always our trainer—that really bothered me.
“It will be a more hostile group in the fall.”

With New York Rangers John Tortorella's speed skating system in place, certain members of the Blueshirts (Gaborik, Avery, dare I say Brashear) will be competing against a much tougher class of competition this season -- the most obvious being Brian Bionic Burke's Leaf Muscle Machine he has assembled this off-season, including our once very-own-enforcer Colton Orr (who will be looking to accumulate more PIMs than Avery has words).   The Philadelphia Flyers with the addition of Chris Pronger has added some fire and brute on the blueline, making them one of the biggest contenders in the Atlantic Division (still looking forward to that Chris Pronger slamming Sidney Crosby into the boards highlight reel).  Our Blueshirts need to 'look out' and hit back and defend their own. 

As to the rumors of Dany Heatley going to the Los Angeles Kings -- talk has been muted and no one appears to be spilling anything further. We seem to have caused enough panic on both coasts and up north as our post Dany Heatley To The Kings? drummed up more hits and page loads than ever before on this site.  It goes to show you that people do care where Heatley lands.  I think this Heatley-trade-me-because-I-am-Not-Appreciated off-season debacle is something comparable to watching Britney Spears.   We are sick to death of her and her antics, but as the hockey equivalent we cannot get enough --- all waiting for the next misstep, to find out who is stupid enough to engage in Murray's trading tactics, bow our heads as Edmonton continues to display inferiority in their own roster, etc...  More, more, more....   If you are sick to death of hearing about it and it is getting all blown out of proportion, then stop reading about it you sycophants!!!  (and also, The Dark Ranger welcomes sycophants)

tdr

Dany Heatley To The Kings?

This was sent to us last night from a Toronto source --- this by no way is the guess-work or insider-work of THE DARK RANGER or anyone affiliated. What do you think?

*******************************************

KINGS TO ACQUIRE HEATLEY IN BLOCKBUSTER DEAL
I am going out on a limb and declaring the Los Angeles Kings the winner of the Dany Heatley sweepstakes. The Kings has the cap room and more than enough young talent to satisfy the Ottawa Senators.

The deal will go down as follows –

To the Senators
Alexander Frolov (32 goals last season) - 2.9 million cap hit
Oscar Moller (2nd round pick in 07 draft – 19 years of age 7 goals 8 assists in 40 GP)
Thomas Hickey (1’st round pick 07 draft – 4th overall)
A conditional pick based on Frolov resigning or not resigning with the Senators

This deal opens the door and cap room to sign Sykora for 1.5 million on a 2 year deal. (similar money as Bertuzzi)

To the Kings
Danny Heatley – a top player in the NHL who brings baggage but scores 40-50 every year.

So here is how both teams will look at the beginning of the season:

Senators Lineup 2009-2010
Frolov Spezza Alfredsson
Foligno Fisher Kovalev
Sykora Kelly Neil
Ruutu Moller Shannon

Phillips Volchenkov
Campoli Kuba
Lee Smith

# Erik Karlson (1’st rounder 15th overall 2008) and Thomas Hickey (acquired through the LA deal) have an outside chance of making the team out of training camp. Along with Jared Cowen (9th overall 2009 draft) the Senators are deep on defense paving the way for their future. Look for Brian Lee (1’st rounder 2005 – 9th overall ) to make a huge step forward this season. Nick Foligno and his 17 goals last season is a sure bet to hit 20-25 goals playing on the second line with more ice time and better offensive players. Frolov will score 35 goals and help make fans slowly forget Heatley. Sykora adds playoffs experience, secondary goal scoring, winning attitude and multiple Stanley cup rings. He is good for 10-15 goals this season. This team makes the playoffs and could be a dark horse in the East.

LA Kings Lineup 2009-2010

Heatley Kopitar Brown
Smyth Stoll Williams
Simmonds Handzus Purcell
Ivanans Lewis Richardson

Doughty Greene
Johnson Scuderi
Harrold O’Donnell

# The Kings are a team that is young, fast and talented. They are ready to take the next step and join the upper echelon in the NHL. The emergence of Jonathan Bernier between the pipes is vital for the future of this franchise. Taken in the first rounds 11th overall in 2006 he must take the next steps. Brayden Schenn 5th overall this year could play next season on the third line and is captain material in the NHL. Heatley, Kopitar, Brown, Smyth, Doughty, Johnson and Bernier clearly establish the Kings as perhaps the best team this season out of California! Welcome back to the playoffs Los Angeles.

BlueNationLeafs

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

If Burkie Were In Charge Of The Rangers

The Dark Ranger and clan arrived back from Paris and London, ready for hockey and for training camp to begin 'Amen to that'. Much has happened in the last couple of days and I suspect more is to come in terms of the NYR roster shakedown that is consistently happening on Broadway this off-season; no one can say it has been a boring summer in the hockey world across the NHL. Just ask Patrick Kane!! (what is THAT about?). I know the economy is tanking, but from 'Dollar Bill' to "Twenty Cent Kane", I'd say that is a horrible return.

Anyhoo...One of our regular readers - BlueNationLeafs - is sharing his own version of what the Blueshirts lines will look like after Jedi Glen Sather finally makes some additional changes (for the good or bad) this off season, much like Brian Burke is re-shaping the Toronto Maple Leafs this summer and as we read this post. I titled this in the spirit of 'Burkie' because if you believe the Toronto hockey trades, you'll know that Burke is attempting every and any trade angle to rid the overburdening salary cap of the Leaf's Tomas Kaberle (sound familiar?) -- and my Toronto buddy BlueNationLeafs conveniently dumps Kaberle into our roster as a good thing for NYC (see below).

So hang in there with this post...it may get you thinking. What do you think?

tdr

Scenario #1: The Rangers lineup for 2009-2010

Prospal - Higgins - Gaborik
Avery - Drury - Kotalik
Lisin - Betts - Callahan
Brashear - Anismov - Voros
* Bertuzzi (25 goals – 20 assists and strong on the PP)

Kaberle - Redden
Staal - Girardi
Rozsival - Gilroy

This lineup is conditional on the NYR being able to resign Betts (required for the PK) and trading Dubinsky and Bobby Sagnuinetti for Kaberle. This will open the door allowing the NYR to trade Rozsival for a 2nd line forward (Hecht?) who can score 20-25 goals and with the cap room now available sign *Bertuzzi (1.5 million on a one year term) who would provide additional secondary scoring. Buffalo could use a puck moving defenseman - this deal would benefit both teams. Hecht and Kotalik also know each other well from their playing days with the Sabres.

Lashoff unsigned in Tampa should also be acquired for a draft pick to offset the loss of Sagnuinetti. Lashoff is a former first rounder of the Bruins with a bright future and would be affordable. He was brought in for Mark Recchi at the deadline last season.

This following Scenario #2 lineup would be affordable and provides youth, skill, grit, veteran presence and scoring depth to challenge for the cup.

Scenario #2: The Rangers lineup for 2009-2010

Prospal - Higgins - Gaborik
Avery - Drury - Callahan
Bertuzzi - Hecht - Kotalik
Brashear - Betts - Voros

Kaberle - Redden
Staal - Girardi
Lashoff - Gilroy

Slats wake up and make my vision and reality!

- BlueNationLeafs

Prospal And Torts Back Together Again? and Sather Says To His New Apprentice "You're Hired"

Some interesting New York Rangers news today:

TSN: It appears as though Vaclav Prospal's time on the unemployment line was a brief one as the New York Post is reporting the veteran forward has signed with the New York Rangers.

According to the Post, the deal is for one-season and is worth $1.1 million.

The 34-year old Czech Republic native became a free agent earlier in the summer when the Tampa Bay Lightning bought out the final three years of a four-year, $14 million contract. He had 19 goals and 26 assists in 82 games for the Bolts last season.

The move will reunite Prospal with John Tortorella who Prospal coached Prospal in two separate stints with Tampa Bay.

THE DARK RANGER SAYS: This is a great signing for one year and just over one million bucks - please tell me why half of our signings are not this reasonable and fair?, not to mention this is a guy that can (will) deliver 50-55 points a year -- there is chemistry with the up-tempo-coaching methods of Coach Tortorella and they have history and trust together. Works for me --- plus I cannot help that some major trade will be happening with all these signings....Dubi is in limbo with this team as Slats is shopping his ass and looking for one of the big rumored trades out there. Richards later in the season, Heatly, Bertuzzi -- who the hell knows, but this we do know.....DUBINSKY IS NOT SIGNED (something is happening here in Rangerland, folks) AND ONE WOULD THINK THAT DUBI'S AGENT IS IN TANDEM WITH SLATS TO GIVE HIS CLIENT THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A LARGER AND MORE LUCRATIVE CONTRACT, WHILE SATISFYING THE RANGERS NEED TO SEEK A MORE EXPERIENCED GABORIK PLAYMAKING CENTER.

Mark Messier is returning to the New York Rangers and will serve as special assistant to president Glen Sather, the team announced on Sunday.

"I couldn't be more thrilled with the opportunity to move back to New York with my family, to learn from Glen and to work for the Rangers," Messier told the New York Post during a phone interview. "I'm going to come in and get my feet wet and get an overview of how the business runs and how the team runs and take it from there."

According to the Post, former Rangers head coach Tom Renney asked Messier about working with the team's coaching staff last season. The newspaper went on to say Messier interviewed for the Edmonton Oilers head coaching position earlier this summer. The Post was the first media outlet to report Messier was taking the position with the Rangers.

The 48-year-old is hoping to learn more about the front office side of hockey with his new position.

"I think I have a pretty good eye for talent, but really, there are so many things about the management and business side of the game that I've never been exposed to. So I'm going to soak it all in and learn as much as I can about what it takes on that end to build a champion."

For his part, Messier believes his playing career will provide valuable experience in his new position.

"I think I bring a little different perspective to the organization after and playing in the NHL for 25 years and playing in New York for 10 years," Messier told the Post. "I understand what a player needs to succeed in this environment that's riddled with pressure to win."

THE DARK RANGER SAYS: It's about time. Though, I hate being second fiddle to Edmonton as that job was already filled.

Cablevision To Spin Off MSG

via CBS Sports.
Cablevision Systems Corp. said Thursday that its board has approved a plan to spin off as a separate company its Madison Square Garden business, owner of the New York Knicks, Rangers and the famed sports arena where they play.
Advertisement

In a widely anticipated move, the Bethpage, N.Y.-based company said the unit will be spun off to existing shareholders by the end of the year. The Dolan family, which controls Cablevision through a special class of shares, will retain control of the new company. More here.

So what else is new? Saw this one coming a mile away.

tdr

I Am A Dark Ranger!

So, with little to look forward to over the next couple of weeks in Blueshirtland - with the exception of the much anticipated arbitration day for that overpriced Russian kid Friday - The Dark Ranger has decided to escape to Paris for a couple of weeks.

So, no posts from me criticizing the texture and quality of the new jerseys, no posts mentioning Dany Heatley, Brad Richards, Brendan Shanahan at camp, Gaborik's potential for injury, or Sean Avery's bar downtown. My dear readers, you need a break from 'tdr', but don't count out our residents J_Undisputed and Graying Mantis - who have always been there if there's 'news worth reporting'.

But before I depart, I'd like to invite you all to check out our new site, I AM A DARK RANGER - a counterpoint to what the folks at The Garden would like us to see -- hopefully, a place that the readers of DARK can contribute and playfully make fun of our beloved Blueshirts.

If you want a FREE PIN & STICKERS with I AM A DARK RANGER, drop us your name & address ( srel1229@gmail.com ) and AT NO COST TO YOU, you'll receive them at the end of the month. Wear them to the games and we'll TAKE BACK THE GARDEN!

Let's Go Dark Rangers and have a great August. See you in a couple of weeks.

tdr

'A Wolf In Wolf's Clothing' Named Brashear

The criticism of Donald Brashear must come to an end.

We know what and who he is and he will serve an important purpose on the Rangers roster this season.

For fans of professional hockey in North America, Donald Brashear is an imposing 6-foot-3, 235-pound forward, one of the sport's most recognizable enforcers, a man whose skating and stick skills have been dwarfed by his ability to pummel opponents with his fists.

For now, he is wearing Blue on Broadway for the next two seasons and is the NYR resident enforcer. Not since before the lockout has the Rangers had a full-fledged fear-factor on the roster; we’ve had years of watching our star players get destroyed without collegial retaliation - let us not forget Jaromir Jagr getting man-handled year-after-year without anyone stepping in to send the right message. Let us not forget that Tom Renney relied on rookie enforcers and the NHL’s new rules to referee the physical misdeeds of the game.

We have watched Colton Orr grow into our enforcer over the last couple of seasons – it has been fun getting to know him, to watch his early Rangers years ‘enforcer-training’ getting his ass kicked to becoming a more confident low-salary-cap-eating player who had his heart in the game first. This past year he became a hard-working, okay-dokey hockey player, but mostly, a solid enforcing fighter. The new coach didn't like his level of play, so he left for free agency. What now Rangers fans?

We get one of the scariest of enforcers on the team during free agency, though Rangers' media and bloggers have spent the last three weeks labeling him a criminal, unwilling to accept the signing to our beloved Blueshirts. They have seen this as a bad thing and yearn for the Orr days of past and refuse to accept the ‘free agent Tortorella deterrent’ named Donald Brashear because he’s too brutal.

3 words: Get Over It!

For the redundant background, if you recall during our 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the April 26, 2009 game against Washington, Caps enforcer Brashear was given a 6-game suspension for both a pre-game altercation with NYR enforcer Colton Orr and a very obvious late hit on Rangers center Blair Betts (of which Betts suffered an orbital eye socket fracture as a result of the hit). Not cool.

But all is fair in 'love & war', as this past month Brashear agreed to a free-agent contract with the Blueshirts for two-years at @$1.2 million per year to fill our need of an enforcer after Colton Orr signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs for four years at just over four million dollars.

After the altercation with the Rangers in the previous post season, NYR General Manager Glen Sather was asked why he chose to sign Brashear. He said, "Donald is a great player and we need a guy to fill the tough role. He is a tough guy and the man we need. He certainly will be the man his teammates can go to and I have no doubts in my mind his new teammates will accept him."

This I do not doubt, as for many hockey fans, “the fist” is an essential part of the game. Sean Avery has been an important component of the verbal necessity in the game, and distracted our opponents in a mental and physical fashion --- and in some strange way, he satisfied the fans need for blood & smack-talk (excluding crude non-hockey ex-girlfriend comments) and he won over the fans because his antics helped us to win games. He is our on-ice verbal enforcer. Donald Brashear, on the other hand (the left one specifically) serves the physical necessity in the game and distracts our opponents through fear and force. He is on the ice to protect our key players. He is our on-ice physical villain. He, too, will help us win games. No one can dispute this.

Every New York Rangers fan should expect our first home game against Ottawa to be an 'all-out fist-ballet' between Chris Neil and our very own Donald Brashear, and the Don will win in the eyes of Rangers’ fans everywhere. This has to happen and Donald knows he needs to win over those blood-thirsting 300 & 400 section die-hards. Just as Shanny dropped his gloves to then Washington Caps Brashear to win the hearts of the Garden faithful seasons ago, “The Donald” will find his audience in NYC. Some critics and purists will continue to curse his name and label him, but when it all comes down to it – we know what he is and he is one that we’d rather have on our team than face him with fists flying. This is a guy who has trained with boxing legend Joe Frazier and continues to train with legendary UFC Champion James “Hoss” Skelton.

As Donald Brashear was quoted as saying during this year’s playoffs, "To tell you the truth, I never liked fighting. I always wanted to be the type of player that plays hard, hits, body checks and scores some goals. But that's not what they wanted me to be."

And we wouldn’t want him to be anything other than what he is. Our enforcer.

The Dark Ranger embraces “The Donald” with a platonic, non-threatening bear-hug and welcomes this thug as ‘our thug’. Onward…

tdr

Rangers Regular Season Announced

The Rangers open the 2009-201 regular season in Pitt on October 2 and then open home schedule next night vs Ottawa in back-to-back.

Press release here.

Direct link to the schedule here.

Quick thoughts:

Opening night in Pittsburgh to watch the Stanley Cup Flag get hoisted. I wonder how close any of these Rangers will ever get to participating in such a ceremony.

Home opener is vs. Ottawa -- how bizarre would it be for the Rangers to have Heatley in their lineup for that one?

The overall schedule is compressed because of the Olympics' 15 day break. Looks like 7 games in first 12 days with 2 back-to-backs.

The Rangers have 14 games in October. Overall, they will have 13 back-to-back sets (including the opening 2 games).

Rangers have a 6 game road trip and seven 3-game homestands. So there will be less traveling during the season which will be a good thing for the team to rest and to work on things that may be out of sorts (PP and/or PK especially).

Pacific division teams are visiting MSG.

Prucha returns with the Coyotes on October 26.

Red Wings pay a visit on December 6.

Rangers conclude regular season with a back-to-back series vs. Philly. Who knows how important those games may be this time. . . .

--- Tony

What, no trip to mars on the space shuttle to play for The Intergalactic Supremacy Cup?

THE 2009-2010 Schedule is here.

And our first game is against those Cup smuggling B*tches from Sh*tsburgh. Nice, we get to sit through 30 minutes of them raising their cup banner and little Cindy doing his teary eyed prom queen acceptance speech to the delight of their obnoxious (mostly)fans and their cheerleading douche of a Commissioner. So set your Tivo's and don't miss this chance to witness the circus that surrounds the success of Bettman's "product"!!!!

The rest of will join you shortly after @ 7:30 when hockey (well, the diving, slew footing,headhunting and penalty dodging-- we are playing the Pens afterall) starts.

Some dates of Interest...

*Mon Oct 12, 2009 Maple Leafs @ Rangers 7:00 PM
- Possible Return of Colton Orr (Bout with Brashear?)
*Thu Oct 22, 2009 Devils @ Rangers
- Return of the Lemaires Devils & the Trap. Bring a pillow. zzz....
*Sat Oct 24, 2009 Rangers @ Canadiens 7:00 PM
- First look at the overhauled Habs Team and Gomez/Mara's shot at revenge?
*Wed Oct 28, 2009 Rangers @ Islanders 7:00 PM
- Look at the highly regarded Taveres
*Fri Oct 30, 2009 Rangers @ Wild 8:00 PM
- Gabbys return to Minnesota -- if he lasts that long
*Thu Nov 5, 2009 Rangers @ Oilers 9:30 PM
- Tom Renney's first chance to send a dozen pizzas to our hotel room as a prank.
*Tue Nov 17, 2009 Capitals @ Rangers 7:00 PM
- First time playing Cap since we got hosed in the playoffs. Brashears Reunion.
*Wed Dec 30, 2009 Flyers @ Rangers 7:00 PM
- First time we play the Fly girls and Chris Prongers Elbow.
*Thu Mar 18, 2010 Blues @ Rangers 7:00 PM
-Annual Visit from JD-- can I get a "Whoah baby..."?

- J

Could Broadway be calling again?

There seem to be some rumors circulating out of Philly that Brendan Shanahan not accepting an offer from the Flyers, saying the he will play for the Devils or Rangers. Who knows if this is pure speculation on Shanny's behalf that either club is in the market for his services after deciding to play one more season or.. if he has indeed spoken to Reps from each club that have confirmed the interest.

The proverbial door swings open yet again? It wasn't too long ago that Shanny seemed to be getting the runaround from Sather on whether or not he could be signed to play in New York. Finally after missing half a season, Shanny returned to where he started... in Jersey. (Forgive us, Shanny). It remains to be seen if we have actually shown interest... but in the interest of getting the most of my door analogy (humor me, I'm still in the deep stages of Hockey withdrawal)... I will say the door swings both ways.

- On the negative side. Yet another year older, Shanny's hardly built for the fast paced attack style that Torts is pushing in an effort to get some offense out of this club. There will be young legs abound in camp and perhaps a seemingly endless amount of energy. Hardly a comfort zone for the aging vet. Plus could you really imagine Brashears and Shanny swapping recipes while gearing up for the game?

- On the positive side. With all the young legs, come young minds... and a veteran presence could be the best thing for the development of these young kids. Now I would like to say we have plenty of that.. but I can't really do so with a straight face as I recall the endless string of clutch jokes and sarcasm that trailed Drury like a Rattling Chain in the afterlife. Ever since, captain clutch made the infamous, "I won't let a losing streak ruin my holiday" remark... Many fans have turned on the somewhat timid captain. That leaves just 7 million dollars worth of Wade Reddens leadership influence and veteran presence *wince* and our newest role model, Mr. Brashear. We have a hard coach that wants honesty and gives honesty (however painful) to his players. If theres one thing, you could count on Shanny for, it was an honest assessment in the post game. Could Shanny be Broadway's answer to Tort's Tampa version of Andreychuk? Who knows? When the dust clears on this season, I say it would great to have someone like Shanny in the organization bringing these kids along after this season. Not in the swell guy sense, that we have Ranger Alumni staples Gilbert, Graves, Dugay and others... but in the Hockey sense. Not that the formers don't have the hockey sense, but they have been long removed from the ice and their personas have overshadowed their once legendary desire and hunger for a Stanley Cup. I think Shannys got a lot to teach and pass on from his mentoring under Bowman and others. Perhaps the 1 Million, it would take to give him the head start of a season on the ice (limited TOI, of course) with these kids, will be worth it in the long run.

- J

Preseason Schedule Announced

A sign that autumn is in the future. . . .

HOME GAMES -- All are 7:00 p.m. starts

Sept. 15 Bruins

Sept. 21 Red Wings

Sept. 24 Capitals

AWAY:
Sept. 16 Devils in Newark
Sept. 18 Red Wings in Detroit
Sept. 19 Bruins in Boston
Sept. 27 Capitals in D.C.

Tomorrow -- NHL regular season schedule is announced.

Ryan Is "In" & Lauri Is "Out"

Readers of Dark....this just in.

Ryan Callahan is in....

Associated Press
NEW YORK -- The New York Rangers are bringing back forward Ryan Callahan, coming to terms with the restricted free agent on a multiyear deal.The deal was announced Monday by the Rangers, who were scheduled to have an arbitration hearing with Callahan on July 23.The 24-year-old right winger set career highs with 22 goals, 40 points and 81 games played last season.Callahan ranked second on the team with a career-high 237 shots, first with a plus-7 rating and fourth in goals. He was tops on the Rangers and fourth in the NHL with 256 hits.He reached the 20-goal mark for the first time in his three seasons and tied for the team lead with two goals in New York's first-round playoff loss to the Washington Capitals. In 147 NHL regular-season games, Callahan has 34 goals and 25 assists.The Rochester, N.Y., native was one of 34 players invited to next month's U.S. Olympic hockey orientation camp.The Rangers also announced Monday that they agreed to terms with 23-year-old goalie Chad Johnson, acquired from Pittsburgh at last month's NHL draft.

And Lauri Korpikoski is out.



Associated Press
The New York Rangers have traded Finnish left winger Lauri Korpikoski to the Phoenix Coyotes for Russian right winger Enver Lisin.The deal was announced Monday in Glendale, where the Coyotes are being funded by the NHL while a U.S. Bankruptcy Court determines who will own the team.Korpikoski, 22, played in 68 games as a rookie for the Rangers last season and had six goals and eight assists. He added two assists in New York's seven-game loss to Washington in the first round of the playoffs.Korpikoski was New York's first-round draft pick in 2004, the 19th choice overall.

Lisin, 23, was a third-round pick of the Coyotes in 2004, recorded 13-8-21 and 24 PIM in 48 games with the Coyotes last season. In 78 career NHL games, all with the Coyotes, Lisin has registered 18-10-28 and 46 PIM.

ALSO:
The Rangers also announced Monday that they agreed to terms with 23-year-old goalie Chad Johnson, acquired from Pittsburgh at last month's NHL draft.

THE DARK RANGER SAYS:

Ryan Callahan is Coach John Tortorella's favorite player on the team, with the exception of Henrik Lundqvist, and it was inevitable that a deal would be made prior to the scheduled salary arbitration hearing. He is a strong hard working fast-skating hitting machine, not to mention he can put the puck in the net....a lot for a newbie. No terms were announced at the writing of this post (11:20pm), so I would guess his 2-year term is in the $2.5 - 3M range total. Throw me your guestimate....

This is a short-term sad day for those of us familiar with Korpokoski's potential as a Ranger -- one of the hardest working guys with this new Torts system -- I appreciate the relationship NYR management has with a losing, bankrupt, unsellable franchise and I am not familiar with Lisin's level of play, but I cannot imagine that Korps would have cost the Rangers a lot to keep him on the squad this season. I hope this Coyote bozo has the chops --- I like his PIM stats from last year. Obviously a little muscle has been added to the team.

And who said there wasn't much happening in Ranger-land? Good-night.

tdr

Gaborik Looked Healthy This Game

Well fellow Rangers fans, time to get pumped! It's been a long season without a goal scorer, and if we experience a healthy Gaborik this upcoming season we could experience a new love for our Blueshirts.

I remember this game -- I didn't like it one bit. How differently I now feel with him wearing Blue.

tdr

Grizzly Bear Moves North -- Habs Nab Mara

Just announced today. Very sad. I will miss him but room must be made for the youngsters.

One year contract. No financial terms disclosed.


In Wikipedia, this should be the picture accompanying the entry "PLAYOFF Beard."


Paul bear-hugging Clarkson into submission.


Mara showing Alex Tanguay how much he will enjoy being his teammate.

Canadian teams raided the Rangers for Mara and Orr.

---Tony V

In other news, the Flyers lost Antero Niittymaki (which was a foregone conclusion) as he ends up with Tampa Bay. No terms announced at this time. He will compete with Mike Smith for the #1 goalie position. Smith missed the final half of the season with a concussion.

The Devils picked up a backup to replace Clemmenson by taking Yann Danis from the Isles. No financial terms announced. Dannis probably earned a bundle of Metro-North frequent rail miles with his numerous trips to Bridgeport during the past season. Provided that Brodeur is healthy, Danis will be a capable backup.

Ales Kotalik: Courtesy of Outside the Rink

Bargain Price on Kotalik..

Per TSN.ca:

The New York Rangers signed forward Ales Kotalik to a three-year, $9 million contract on Thursday. The 30-year old split last season between the Buffalo Sabres and the Edmonton Oilers, putting up 20 goals and 23 assists.

In the 2005-06 with the Sabres, Kotalik had his best season in the NHL, scoring 25 goals and adding 37 assists. The 6'1, 227-pound native of the Czech Republic was selected 164th overall by Buffalo in the sixth round of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.

At least we can now start piecing together a few of our lines for next season. Let's say we don't sign a center and and we were starting the season tomorrow:

Kotalik-Dubi-Gaborik

Cally-Drury-Higgins

Avery-Anisimov-Zherdev(? Korp)

Brashear-Boyle-Voros(? Rookie)

Now, as unappealing as that looks right now, one must assume that Sather is trying to spread the talent around so that our opponents don't just have to focus on shutting down Gaborik to get the 'W'. With at least two solid lines that can score, any way you look at it, Gaborik should have enough space to put 40 or so in the net. Not a bad outlook, considering free agency isn't over, the season isn't starting tomorrow, and we still have King Lundy holding down the fort. Also, you can't count out the trade rumor that keeps popping up: Zherdev, Roszival for Heatley..Wow, I don't care about the cap hit Heatley would bring on, because that squad would be so much fun to watch. Especially since we won't miss Fatty, I mean Roszy back there..I would much rather see Sanguinetti or Potter for that matter gaining experience and earning far less as well as having Heatley and Gaborik up front.

Of course this is all speculation at this point, but one cannot argue that the Blueshirts will have a different look and game altogether next season, and whatever happens, it should at least be extraordinarily entertaining watching them compete.

'SYR11

Kotalik a Ranger

Yes, you heard it here first on the Darkest Gotham site out there. Ales Kotalik, a talented winger who has averaged over 20 goals per season over the last four seasons with Buffalo and the Oilers, has signed on to play wing for the Blueshirts. Details to follow...

'SYR11

Brian Boyle The Ranger

Rangers Report says:

RANGERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH BRIAN BOYLE
New York, July 8, 2009 – New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with restricted free agent forward Brian Boyle.

Boyle, 24, was acquired by the Rangers on June 27 from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a third round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Boyle appeared in 28 games with the Kings last season, registering four goals and one assist for five points, along with 42 penalty minutes. He established career-highs in games played (28) and penalty minutes (42). Boyle notched three goals in a four-game span from March 28 at Nashville to April 4 vs. Phoenix. He also skated in 42 games with the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League (AHL), recording 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points, along with 73 penalty minutes. He collected two points (one goal and one assist) in his season debut with the Monarchs on December 5 vs. Worcester. In addition, Boyle posted two, four-game scoring streaks – December 13 vs. Providence to December 17 at Manitoba (one goal and four assists) and March 4 vs. Springfield to March 8 at Worcester (two goals and two assists).

The 6-7, 252-pounder has skated in 36 career NHL games with Los Angeles, recording eight goals and two assists for 10 points, along with 46 penalty minutes. He registered two points (one goal and one assist) and a plus-two rating in his NHL debut on February 2, 2008 at New Jersey. Boyle has also appeared in 114 career AHL contests with Manchester, collecting 41 goals and 42 assists for 83 points, along with 162 penalty minutes. In 2007-08, he established AHL career-highs in games played (70), goals (31), assists (31), points (62), and penalty minutes (87). That year, he led the Monarchs in goals, ranked second on the team in points and fourth in assists. His 31 goals also led all AHL rookies and ranked 10th in the league overall, while he finished second in the league among rookies with 62 points. Boyle also tallied three goals and five assists for eight points in 16 postseason contests with Manchester during the 2007 Calder Cup Playoffs.

The Hingham, MA native was originally Los Angeles’ first round choice, 26th overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

The Rangers Sign Murray Heatley!

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with retired and aging WHA free agent Murray Heatley.

Of course this hasn't happened, but maybe Slats & Co. should start thinking about how to truly get the much ridiculed and mocked Ottawa Senator left-winger Dany Heatley in a Rangers uniform this season.

Sign his Dad, Murray Heatley.

What Daddy says, Dany does. Where Daddy says to go, Dany goes (see Eric Lindros). Some suggest that it is Father Heatley that has decided that his ideas of how to play his son conflict with Senator's management, which has led to this cluster-f**k of a negotiation.

While Senators GM Bryan Murray has maintained the price has gone up after the unhappy winger refused to waive his no-movement clause to be dealt to the Edmonton on July 1, Heatley's Calgary-based agent J.P. Barry has said his client hasn't closed the door on playing for the Oilers or the New York Rangers. Receiving more than appropriate criticism for the way things have been handled, J.P. Barry apparently is following the rules of the player's association and they have done nothing wrong.

That is...except, piss off every single ticket buying patron in Ottawa, piss off every player in his own locker room and embarrass the NHLPA.

A trade of Nik Zherdev and Rozsival plus a couple of draft picks for Heatley is probably more attractive now then it was in late June, as Bryan Murray obviously would like to get rid of Heatley and his $7 million a year circus.

My advice: Offer the Senators the above players and draft pick trade. Offer to pay the Senators an additional $4 million to cover the bonus he received on July 1 - and make the deal with (Papa) Murray Heatley first, who will then dictate to agent Barry...and The Dark Ranger guarantees that Dany Heatley will be a Blueshirt.

Slats can send my commission check to the fans.

tdr

In other news:
Christopher Higgins has inked a one-year deal with the New York Rangers. We couldn't be happier, especially for the price ($2.25M). The Manic Ranger says is best.