Aaron Voros has tweeted that he may find himself back in the lineup on Saturday against Toronto. This is bad news for Ryan Callahan, who re-injured his leg in last night’s thriller against New Jersey. To quote Voros, stay tuned.
What a game. Playoff hockey, playoff atmosphere and end to end stuff. Last nights game was everything you could have hoped for and another occasion our favourite team infuriated me. Again, The Rangers played well offensively, matched their opponents energy and never gave up. Had they done this a few weeks ago I think we’d be arguing over 6th seed rather than potential tee off times.
Last night offered a big glimpse into the future. The games right now are do or die and despite being on the 4th line Anisimov is finding a way to contribute. His goal was a thing of beauty, patience and skill. This kid has the game and skill set to do very well in this league and is making plays at the most important time of year for his team. Gold. His line mate Brandon Prust had a great game and seems to be the most gifted (offfensively) enforcer we’ve had in along time. He can win fights and he can make the occasional play and he hits… Rangers fans, this should be our guy next year.
As with AA, Mike Del Zotto, at this point in the year, has really found his game again and is playing like he did in October/November. He is making plays, running the PP and is playing better defensively too. This kid is really stepping up. Im so excited to see this kid when he matures. People have really forgotten about Bobby Sanguinetti havent they?
Chris Drury; can we call him clutch again? maybe its too soon for that but he was where he needed to be when he scored. His job is to get to the front and score dirty goals and he can do it well. That goal preserved this teams playoff hopes. Sean Avery had another good game, was engaged and was a thorn in the Devils side. If he plays like this every game we have to be happy. Alot of key players for the future contributed last night. Lets hope their contributions also extend the present. Last night was a playoff game in many ways, will it be the last this year?
Another day, another must win game. After an impressive win last night against the Isles, the Rangers are back at it again, in need of another win.
OPPONENT: Devils
RECORD: 43-25-4
LEADING SCORER: Zach Parise, 35-38-73
GOALIE: Martin Brodeur, 2.34 GAA and a .910 save percentage
RANGERS LINES:
Dubinsky-Christensen-Gaborik
Avery-Drury-Callahan
Jokinen-Prospal-Lisin
Shelley-Anisimov-Prust
Hank in net
STATE OF THE BLUESHIRTS: Back up. Great win against the Isles. Dominating, actually. Now, we need it again. Forget about Boston; we just need the Rangers to keep winning. Another performance like the one yesterday from Gaborik wouldn’t hurt. Another performance like the one yesterday from the whole team wouldn’t hurt. Look, we just need to keep winning. Keep winning and hope the rest takes care of itself.
CRAZY THOUGHT: Jokinen scores
ON THE iPOD: Billie Jean, Michael Jackson
FINAL PREDICTION: Rangers 3, Devils 2
So, watch, discuss, have fun. LET’S GO RANGERS!!!
The young, much hyped rookie winger Evgeny Grachev is struggling to get acquainted to the rigors of AHL play. After exploding on to the prospect scene last year with a 40-goal, 80-point season with the Brampton Battalion of the OHL, Grachev has just 12 goals and 26 points in his first season in the AHL. Grachev struggles to score goes are exacerbated by his inability to play defense.
According to Mitch Beck, of Howlings.net, who was interviewed by Jim Schmiedeberg and The Mouth of Blueshirt Banter, Grachev is struggling in all aspects of his game. Part of the problem could be that because of the hype that came with that 40-goal season. But, the kid is just 19 years old, so let’s hope this is just an aberration, and not the norm. Next year could be the most important of this young kid’s hockey career thus far.
Canadian Juniors:
NCAA:
International:
AHL:
Last night infuriated me. Why? Because the Rangers played great hockey. They were first to the puck, the passing was crisp, players had jump and they, above all, wanted it more. Its just a shame that this great game has come too late, in my humble opinion.
Behind Henrik doing what he needed to, guys like Avery and (despite being on the 4th line) Anisimov played very strong games. Avery has been excellent for several games now and one can only hope Tortorella leaves the reigns off next year. If Avery plays like he did last night, there are few in the league that can match his all round package – he can play, antagonize and make a positive difference all over the ice.
Then there was the Rangers main ‘hopes’ for the future. Lets start with Mike Del Zotto. Last night he reminded me of Mike Green. He looked to finish at every opportunity and he was extremely poised and eager. Defensively strong too, it was a great game by MDZ. I for one can ignore the ugly +/- as he’s a teen learning D, playing on a wickedly inconsistent team. This kid will hit 50 points next year if we can actually get Gaborik some consistent offensive help.
Speaking of Gabby - our other main hope for the future – he had his legs, he was involved everywhere and was leading the team offensively in every way you want your stud to.
There really isnt much to complain about from last night (I for one have already written off Jokinen and last night showed why). If anything its perhaps we should have scored 7 or 8 such was the offensive push the Rangers displayed. It was good to see contributions from every angle. Drury was solid, Callahan played well up and down, Christensen and Girardi both played nice games…
So then Rangers, another 9 of those please.
Final thought: Atleast we can say this; The Rangers have the best record in the league……. in 3D.
Another day, another must-win game. This is also the 3-D game, so that makes it even more important.
OPPONENT: Islanders
RECORD: 29-33-10
LEADING SCORER: Kyle Okposo, 16-28-44
GOALIE: Dwayne Roloson, 2.85 GAA and a .910 save percentage
RANGERS LINES:
Dubinsky-Christensen-Gaborik
Avery-Drury-Callahan
Jokinen-Prospal-Lisin
Shelley-Anisimov-Prust
Hank in net. Callahan is playing, despite the leg injury. Boyle is out with an undisclosed injury.
STATE OF THE RANGERS: Not good. They need to win and get help. Boston beating Atlanta last night didn’t help. The Rangers just need to keep winning and hope the rest takes care of itself. As for the tank or go for it argument, I’m on the go for it side, because there’s still a chance. I want to see playoff hockey at the Garden. Granted, their chances keep getting slimmer by the day. The Rangers need to take care of this game. Just win.
CRAZY THOUGHT: Hank gets a shutout
ON THE iPOD: I Want You Back, Jackson 5
FINAL PREDICTION: Rangers 2, Islanders 0
So, watch, discuss, have fun. LET’S GO RANGERS!!! POTVIN SUCKS!!!
With the Rangers seemingly out of the playoffs, thoughts are turning to the future, and how to make the Rangers a better team for both next season and beyond. Unfortunately, the Rangers are in a very bad spot with the salary cap, due in large part to the contract given to Wade Redden. This is not a post to bash Redden, as he would be a serviceable sixth defenseman if signed to the right price. I am sure he is a nice guy. The problem is that General Manager Glen Sather signed him to one of the most absurd contracts in recent memory. The contract, with another four years and $23 million ($6.5 million cap hit) remaining, is simply untradeable. Since NHL contracts are guaranteed, the Rangers are left with few options to rid themselves of this contract and alleviate their current salary cap situation.
Most fans realize that Redden won’t be traded, and that the only way the Rangers will get rid of the albatross contract is to either demote him or buy him out. Buying him out leaves the Rangers with a smaller cap hit (anywhere from $2 million to $4 million, depending on the season), but that cap hit is spread out for the next eight seasons. To make a comparison, the Rangers buying out Wade Redden would be extremely similar to the Islanders buying out Alexei Yashin. For those wondering, the Islanders are still paying Yashin, and will continue to do so for the next six seasons.
That leaves the Rangers with one viable option, and that is sending Redden to the minors. Waiving him will have some immediate positives, including clearing the full $6.5 million on the cap, opening up a spot on the blue line for some youth, or opening up a spot for a different, more effective free agent. What many don’t realize is that there are some negatives to waiving Redden.
Look at the standings, look at Tuesday’s results. If there was still a race to the playoffs (there isnt) then alot of teams made ground, gained points and either stretched away from or gained on the Rangers.
Boston crushed Atlanta to make the gap 7 points from the cut off, Atlanta, depsite the loss, remain 4 points up on the Rangers, Florida beat the Leafs and tied the Rangers on 71, Tampa won and are just a point behind and even Carolina – with an OT loss – are just 2 points behind. The fact that Carolina are just 2 points behind the Rangers has to be a massive indictment of the Rangers in the previous few months as there was one point they were strong favourites for Hall or Seguin. To be honest if I was a Carolina Fan I’d be tearing my hair out. They’re not making it to the playoffs and they’ve cost themselves a marquee talent. But kudos for trying…
Anyway, with the Rangers currently on a death march towards the spring time, wouldn’t a win tonight just delay the inevitable?
Obviously I want to crush the Islanders tonight, but I’m willing to admit (with the lottery in sight) that I wouldnt be devestated or even angry at a loss. Hell, its one loss closer to the top 5 in the draft…
I’ve accepted losing with this team. They no longer have me expecting. Sad isnt it?
With the Rangers still mathematically in the playoff hunt, they took to the ice for practice today without alternate captain Ryan Callahan for a second straight day. Sean Avery participated in practice, returning after a one day absence. Both wingers were injured in the Rangers loss to the Bruins on Sunday.
While Dave is still harbouring some hope for this year, Jeremy and I are looking beyond it already. The draft, the future and so on…. With our obvious flaws down the middle it got me thinking of who (if anyone) on the current roster can address our needs in the spot next season.
Forget Jokinen. I held high hopes he could be an answer but he’s played himself out of any kind of contract unless he enjoys skating for a veterans minimum. Drury should be our 3rd line guy and a special teamer and Torotrella has gone on record saying he sees Dubinsky as a winger. So what now?
It leaves a rather talented kid called Artem Anisimov. Now, 10 goals and 21 points are nothing to scream about even as a rookie until you dig deeper. The kid ranks only 15th in time on ice and thats not considering Parenteau who got a second more/game. Then I thought of someone else. In 1997 a lanky kid with a similar skill set called Joe Thornton scored a meagre 7 points in 55 rookie games for Boston and we all know how he turned out (at least in the regular season…) Can AA be our Joe?
I like what I see in AA. He has good skills, is intelligent, has size and room for growth. Anyone who follows the Wolf Pack closely in the AHL knows what he can do. One of the msot frustrating things for me this year has been how Torts has deployed AA. When I see who has got the PP ice time, how guys like Jokinen chew up minutes and AA still gets 12/game I wonder whats going on. Torts should realise that ‘protecting’ AA in his 1st year might not be protecting his own job. Can AA do worse than Jokinen? I dont think so.
Anyone who saw AA’s goal in the Joe Louis in the pre season knows what this kid can do on the NHL stage. Will he get more minutes next year? I see a good 2nd line center and 50 points as possible in year 2…. If Torts allows it.
What do you all think? Can AA help address the Rangers center issue next year? He’d be a cheap option….
