This man had the best comment of the night. No we didn’t know it till after the game, but we didn’t forget it once we heard it. (Photo: Robert Kowal/flickr)

Throughout the lockout, many blogs are doing fake recaps of the games that should’ve been taking place. I’ve decided to go another route by doing real recaps…of the games that happened on that date one year ago.

Rangers-Flyers, round two of six. The night before, the Rangers had beaten the Islanders 4-2. The Flyers had sat in their hotel rooms or a local NYC bar watching the game. You would think it would’ve helped them. It didn’t.

The preview to the Winter Classic had as much hype as you would expect it to, especially with two crews from HBO taping every move. Surprisingly the game started quietly. In fact, the first fight wasn’t until late in the first period. But before that, we have video of a textbook hip check. Seriously kids, this is how it’s done:

» Continue reading “One Year Ago Today: A Preview Of What Was To Come”

How do you guys feel about scoring against the Lightning? (Photo: Jesse Spector/flickr)

Throughout the lockout, many blogs are doing fake recaps of the games that should’ve been taking place. I’ve decided to go another route by doing real recaps…of the games that happened on that date one year ago.

Over the past few seasons, there are some teams that have just given the Rangers trouble. There usually isn’t a reason for this; it just is what it is. One of those teams was the Tampa Bay Lightning who the Rangers hadn’t beaten since April 2010 going into their game against them on December 3, 2011. A new season and a number of ex-Lightning players added to the roster would finally change that.

» Continue reading “One Year Ago Today: One Streak Continues While Another Ends”

My favorite thing about Ruslan Fedotenko? You never knew when he was going to have a game like he did a year ago. (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Throughout the lockout, many blogs are doing fake recaps of the games that should’ve been taking place. I’ve decided to go another route by doing real recaps…of the games that happened on that date one year ago.

Over their past two games, the Rangers had taken 37 shots…total. Seventeen in Montreal, twenty in Florida. Then they had a day off to sit and eat turkey and all the trimmings before heading to Washington for an afternoon match-up against the team who had kicked them out of the playoffs two of the past three seasons. It would be their first game against the Caps since April.

The guess is Tortorella reminded the boys of that to try and wake them up from whatever slumber they were in.

It worked.

» Continue reading “One Year Ago Today: Revenge Against The Caps”

Two power play assists for this man. Why wasn’t he on the PP all season? (Photo: Robert Kowal/flickr)

Throughout the lockout, many blogs are doing fake recaps of the games that should’ve been taking place. I’ve decided to go another route by doing real recaps…of the games that happened on that date one year ago.

The recap for the Rangers game on October 24th, 2011 versus the Winnipeg Jets started with this sentence:

The New York Rangers found themselves in a familiar position Monday night and ultimately relied on an assortment of unfamiliar weapons to head home happy.

Without looking up the rest of the recap, how do you think the game went?

» Continue reading “One Year Ago Today: A Typical Rangers Win”

Guess who won’t be playing in Europe if the lockout continues and only has himself to blame? (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Some quick updates on the boys who MAY be back together real soon. (We can only hope.)

While Henrik Lundqvist went back to Sweden last week, he announced yesterday that he will not be signing with Frolunda at the moment. Not sure if money or the knowledge of the latest proposal aided in that decision.

» Continue reading “Quick Hits As We Wait Players Response To NHL Proposal”

I didn’t like you before this game. I liked you even less after it. (Photo: Robert Kowal/flickr)

Throughout the lockout, many blogs are doing fake recaps of the games that should’ve been taking place. I’ve decided to go another route by doing real recaps…of the games that happened on that date one year ago.

Coming off a week of practices after arriving back home from Europe, the Rangers hoped to get their first W of the year when they headed out to Long Island. They didn’t get what they wanted.

» Continue reading “One Year Ago Today: Enemy Hat Trick Doomed Rangers”

We’ll miss you Feds! (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

No big news to report for the Rangers just yet. I’m sure that won’t be the case all summer. Although if Scott Howson continues with his ridiculous demands (Skinner? Really?), that news won’t involve Rick Nash anytime soon.

But that doesn’t mean there wasn’t any news today. Remember during prospect camp I said to keep an eye on the invitees? Well at least one impressed the Rangers brass. Forward Kyle Jean signed his first pro contract today. Andrew Gross had this to say about Jean on the last day of prospect camp:

“And then there’s Jean, heading into his junior season at Lake Superior State and who might have done the best job out of anyone at camp in convincing the Rangers to offer him a contract.

Jean said Rangers’ amateur scout Larry Bernard followed him during the season and extended an invitation to attend the prospects camp…

“This is a new experience for me, I’m just trying to take it all in and have fun with it,” said Jean, 22, a 6-4, 203-pound free agent. “I feel good. I play college hockey but this game is different. College hockey is run and gun and kill somebody. Here, you make more smart plays. I like that. I think I need a couple of more years in college for development but I don’t know, we’ll see.””

I expect he will spend the year in Connecticut but nothing wrong with shoring up the pipeline. Plus I never doubt the Rangers scouting staff.

» Continue reading “Comings & Goings For July 5th”

What do you mean there might not be a season next year? What can I do to make sure that doesn't happen? (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Today, the NHLPA completed their meetings in advance of the beginning of CBA negotiations with the league. The end of that meeting brought the announcement of who would be on the 31-member negotiating team for the NHLPA.

As of this writing, the Rangers will have three members on that team. Why do I specify “as of this writing”? Because two of the members are UFA forward Ruslan Fedotenko and UFA goaltender Martin Biron while the third is Brandon Dubinsky, the guy who has been linked to 29 teams for next season (or every team that is not the Rangers since everyone assumes he will be traded). Being that of the 50-something players who were in Chicago for the meetings only one was a Ranger (Martin Biron, although Dubinsky has an excuse since I believe he’s on his honeymoon), I was worried the team wouldn’t be involved. I feel they should be and am glad they are.

The full list of players can be found here. Talks officially begin on Friday. Let the war begin.

Saturday I took a look at the Rangers goalies and defensemen. Today we tackle the forwards.

A couple of things: (1) the stats listed are regular season games as I forgot to mention that in part one. (2) After looking at the forwards numbers, I truly believe plus/minus is a useless stat. How the heck did Callahan have the worse plus/minus at a minus-8? There were only six regulars who were a minus and three were a minus-1! So yeah, even though I listed it, don’t pay attention to that number.

And here we go!

My favorite little Russian (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Artem Anisimov (C, 79 games played, 16-20-36, +12) – While he’s still not comfortable doing interviews, it is obvious Anisimov is more comfortable around his teammates and speaking English which has helped his overall game. We still need more from him but I think he is learning. Would I be surprised to see him packaged as part of a deal? No, sadly I wouldn’t. Do I want that to happen? I’m not sure. He’s played three full seasons with the Rangers and I’m still intrigued by him. Are the Rangers? Again, I’m not sure but I still want to see more before giving up. KEEP

Brian Boyle (C, 82 games played, 11-15-26, +2) – Boyle is a third line player. It’s where he played best this year. Was he spectacular? No. But he didn’t stand out as being horrible either. (This will become a pattern in a lot of our guys.) Before the concussion, he was having a monster playoffs so it’s sad to think what could’ve been both for Boyle and for the Rangers. As for the regular season…I like him, I really do. But we may be able to find someone better to fill his role. That said, he and Prust seem to come as a pair and I want to keep Prust so until the Rangers find someone to fill that role… KEEP

Don't worry buddy, she wants you to stay (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Ryan Callahan (RW, 76 games played, 29-25-54, -8) – Callahan is a horrible player who doesn’t belong on the Rangers. Having the worst plus/minus shows….okay, I can’t even finish this sentence. Seriously, is there any question in anyone’s mind what the organization thinks of the captain? No. I can sit here and talk about his season but it would be like explaining how great Lundqvist is. He’s staying. KEEP

Brandon Dubinsky (C, 77 games played, 10-24-34, +16) – Oh Dubinsky. Sigh. I don’t even know what to say anymore. Last season was horrible. Anyone who thinks that is the player he is hasn’t watched him his entire career. The question is can he bounce back or does he need a change in scenery? I honestly don’t know the answer. But I know how much is heart is with this team (proven by him playing in the ECF with a high ankle sprain) and with Gaborik’s injury, there is a spot open for him to prove himself. Could it end up lowering his value even more if wait and see? Absolutely. But I think we owe it to him to give him that chance because no one in the organization believes we saw the true Dubinsky this season. I know people will disagree with me on this but… KEEP

I'll miss you rosy cheeks! (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Ruslan Fedotenko (LW, 73 games played, 9-11-20, -7) – Fedotenko was brought in as one of Torts’ guys. He knew what he could do and so far he has done everything I expected him to. But as with Prospal, there is a shelf life for these guys and I think it’s time for a kid (Kreider?) to take his spot. I have absolutely no problem with him and would be fine if he were back on the Rangers because they thought the kids weren’t ready or we couldn’t get someone else. But honestly, I think there are other options out there so as much as it pains me to say it… DUMP

Marian Gaborik (RW, 82 games played, 41-35-76, +15) – There are actually fans out there that want to trade our only true goal scorer. Some of you really do amaze me. Gaborik played 82 games for the first time in his career and actually stayed healthy through all of them posting numbers the Rangers haven’t seen in years. Unfortunately an injury in the post season means he won’t be doing it again next year but that doesn’t mean he should be going anywhere. We need to add to our goal scoring, not subtract or replace. KEEP

Carl Hagelin (LW, 64 games played, 14-24-38, +21) – After 64 games, I’m still not sure what type of player Hagelin is. Yes he’s more goal scorer than grinder but his job on the first line with Gaborik and Richards was to grind and he did a pretty good job of it. I do believe he is more a second line player but if he can get those guys going, then put him wherever necessary. Honestly, he’s a kid and I don’t think they have any problem with what they saw in his rookie season (other than that elbow in the playoffs). I’d be surprised if he isn’t in camp in the fall. KEEP

John Mitchell (C, 63 games played, 5-11-16, +10) – Mitchell was one of those guys you didn’t really notice on the ice. He didn’t do anything horribly (that I can remember offhand) but he usually didn’t do anything great either (excluding the face-off win in Game 5 vs. the Caps). Would I keep him around as a spare part just in case? Sure. But also think we can find other guys to fill his role. In my opinion… DUMP

Injured beauties taking in the Yanks-Mets game (Photo: @BrandonPrust8/twitter)

Brandon Prust (LW, 82 games played, 5-12-17, -1) – What can I say about Prust? Yes we need goal scorers and he definitely is not one of those but he does everything else. Honestly, he’s Callahan with less ability to score goals and more ability to throw punches. (Is there anything else that separates the two in style of play?) He is hitting unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career this summer and I have no idea what he is looking to make. He will definitely have interest on the market so the hope is he wants to stay here. KEEP …as long as the money is right.

Brad Richards (C, 82 games played, 25-41-66, -1) – Every season there is a player that drives me completely insane. That player usually does something, good or bad, to make me yell his name at my TV every night. Dan Girardi fits into that category. This year, Brad Richards joined him. The guy is absolutely maddening to watch as one minute he is scoring or assisting on beautiful goals and the next he is attempting to run our power play. Either way, I can’t really complain about his first season in blue, especially everything he did off the ice (helping the younger guys in the room). He isn’t going anywhere so let’s just hope he’s more consistent on the ice next year. KEEP

Mike Rupp (C, 60 games played, 4-1-5, -1) – Rupp is an interesting player to discuss. He was brought in to be a veteran in the locker room and to help Prust with the “heavy lifting”. Due to injuries, he didn’t do much to help Prust and we have no idea what he did in the room so it’s hard to judge his season. Personally I don’t feel one way or another about him but since Torts went out of his way to make sure we got him and he’s signed for another season, I figure he isn’t going anywhere. If he does though, I won’t lose sleep. Can I not make a decision on this one? NO PREFERENCE (Yes it’s a cop out. Deal with it.)

Hi Step! (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Derek Stepan (C, 82 games played, 17-34-51, +14) – Last season, I finally caved in and bought a new jersey. The number on the back? Number 21. (I said I liked hockey players from Minnesota.) So obviously you know how I feel about Stepan. His vision on the ice is something the Rangers haven’t had in a while. I think the sophomore slump hit him a little bit this year (but not in the way it hit Del Zotto last season) so there is room for optimism. Especially since his ability to take face-offs got better (up to 44.5% from 38.5% last season) and his other numbers rose as well. Does he have room to grow? Of course he does. But I think he does that by playing and learning from Richards. He had another disappointing playoffs but I would be shocked if the team gave up on him now. KEEP (or I become a fan of another team…don’t dare me, I’ve done it before…)

Chris Kreider (LW, no regular season games played) – No one is perfect and I will readily admit I was wrong about this kid. I didn’t want him to sign and didn’t want him to play in the playoffs. Oops! Anyway, obviously the kid is staying and has a real shot at making the team out of camp. I wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up in CT at some point in the season (to start or after a few games) but either way, he’s not going anywhere. KEEP

We'll miss you Zucc! (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

Mats Zuccarello (10 games, 2-1-3, even) – Zuccarello is not a Tortorella player and therefore was never given a real chance on this team. I hate to say that but it is what it is. Torts may be right and he may not be an NHL player but I can’t say that from what I’ve seen. That said we know he isn’t coming back so I will just wish him good luck wherever he ends up…be it on another NHL team or in the KHL. (My guess: KHL.)

John Scott (6 games, no points, -1) – I just added this one for a laugh. I honestly have no idea why we traded for him. I’m sure he’s a good guy and he’s definitely good at what he does. But he’s not a Torts type of player and has no spot on this team. DUMP

Yes, I would like to keep most of this team as is. I know we need some help in certain areas but I grew attached to this team and don’t want to see them broken up. The past couple of seasons we’ve added without subtracting and I would like that to continue. It will be interesting though to see how many of these guys are actually in camp this fall. The next couple of weeks might go a long way in answering that question.

Gosh I miss them already.... (Photo: Bridget Samuels/flickr)

As I’m sure everyone already knows, yesterday was break-up day for the Rangers meaning summer is officially here for the boys. Jesse Spector tweeted that he didn’t think it has sunk in for most of them. Pretty sure the fans feel the same way. I’m still looking for the five versions of game notes I get in my three different email addresses. (Seriously…I have no idea why they have so many versions or how they got all my email addresses…)

Anyway, there wasn’t much surprising news out of the day but here’s a quick rundown of what was confirmed.

• Brandon Dubinsky’s injury was a high ankle sprain which still needs another 6-8 weeks to fully heal. They originally thought it was a low ankle sprain but when it didn’t heal, he went for more tests and confirmed it was high ankle instead. Feel bad for the kid but it just goes with the rest of his season. Hopefully next year will be better.
• Ryan Callahan swore he was fine. No one believes him so all we know is he had an injury to his right hand. I give the man credit for not giving an excuse but when you can’t hold your stick, it’s pretty obvious something is wrong. He also finally confirmed his wife had a baby girl whom they named Charlotte and that mom and daughter are healthy. (Side note: I never thought we would get his daughters’ name. Guess the guys told him he was being ridiculous.) Congrats again Captain Cally!
• Brandon Prust has a torn tendon in his left ring finger that will need surgery. He suffered the injury in a regular season fight vs. Konopka on January 12^th. Why this wasn’t taken care of already is beyond me but he said it will be fixed soon.
• Marian Gaborik said he has an injury that might require a procedure but would not provide any further details. Not surprised Gaby is hurt and guessing it’s an upper body injury. We should know more in a couple of days.
• Brian Boyle says his head is fine and he wouldn’t have played if it wasn’t which makes me extremely happy after hearing stories like this. He did admit his conditioning was off when he returned as he felt like he was trying to jump on a speeding train and just couldn’t catch up. It sucks because I honestly believe the boys would still be playing if Boyle and Dubi hadn’t been injured.
• Michael Sauer was at the practice facility but only to speak with the coaching staff. Tortorella said he isn’t ready to start working out and not sure if he will be ready for next season. Sounds like they are planning as if he won’t be which breaks my heart. Most hockey players are good guys. Michael Sauer is one of the nicest you will ever meet. What he is going through right now just isn’t fair. Get well soon Sweet!!!!!
• When asked if he had any injuries, Michael Del Zotto replied “a broken heart”. Being that he lost his grandmother and his season ended in the same week, I’m pretty sure he wasn’t kidding. That said, it gave me a good laugh so thought I would include on the injury list.

As for other free agency:

• Brandon Prust (UFA) said he would love to come back but hasn’t started negotiations yet. Said money is an issue but not the biggest as he wants a good situation. I want Prust back. Make it happen Rangers.
• Ruslan Fedotenko (UFA) said he will take some time to evaluate his future but does want to win another Cup. Sounds like he still wants to play; I’m not sure it will be with the Rangers next season.
• Michael Del Zotto (RFA) hasn’t started contract negotiations or thought about them yet. He’ll be back. I’m not worried.
• Anton Stralman (RFA) said he would love to come back but will consider what’s best for him and his family. Sounds like his family wants to go home to Sweden.
• Mats Zuccarello (RFA) said he wants to be a Ranger but wants playing time as well so will do what is best for him. He mentioned he had other opportunities but wouldn’t specify. Since there was rumor over the weekend he signed with a KHL team I would say he pretty much as one foot out the door. It’s a shame but Torts never really liked the kid. Good luck wherever you end up Zucc!

And with that, the Rangers packed their bags for the last time and headed to their summer vacations. Is it October yet?