Thoughts And Musings
Hello all. Let’s dive right in.
-I don’t like these proposed rule changes. Although 2-on-2 hockey would be exciting, it would just be weird. I say to keep it the way it is.
-I know he has absolutely no leverage, and it will probably play out like the Dubinsky situation last season, but let’s get Marc Staal signed. He’s our best defenseman. We need him.
-I’ve said this before, but I don’t believe Wade Redden will be in Hartford until he’s actually wearing a Wolfpack sweater. Then I’ll believe it.
-If Redden does go to Hartford, it opens up the number 6. I’ve always liked that as a number. Good, solid number. Maybe McDonagh will take it?
-What do y’all think the odds are of Stepan making the team? 30%? More?
-Same question for Grachev. 70% Lower?
-Annoyance interlude: I was at the bank today, just to do a quick deposit. I was offered cookies and coffee. While I appreciate the gesture, what were the odds of me accepting? Since there was no line the deposit was going to take 2 minutes, probably less. I wasn’t going to be able to finish a cookie in that time, much less coffee. If there was a line, I’d maybe take them up on their offer. But, she offered it to me as she was depositing the money. Just didn’t make sense. But, deposit lady, if you are reading, I do appreciate the offer.
-The Hockey News came out with which teams won’t make the playoffs. The Rangers are among them. They have them finishing 13th in the East. Their reasoning:
Why: Missing the playoffs on the last day of the regular season must still be stinging the Rangers and it won’t help we’ve slotted them in at unlucky No. 13 for 2010-11. Goalie Henrik Lundqvist is about the only reason the Rangers are still afloat and you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone who believes Marian Gaborik will make it through another season untouched by injury.
Yes, if Gaborik gets hurt, the Rangers are screwed. But is that an analysis? Finding anyone who believes Gaborik won’t get hurt is not a reason why they won’t make the playoffs. If Sidney Crosby gets hurt, are the Penguins making the playoffs? Probably not. What about Ovechkin? Ryan Miller? It’s not an analysis. It’s lazy. I can respect that they don’t think the Ranger will make the playoffs, but at least tell me why. Tell me that the scoring depth isn’t enough, or the defense corp is too young. But saying that they don’t believe Gaborik will stay healthy? Please.
-Personally, I think the Rangers are going to make the playoffs. They’ll sneak in as the 7th or 8th seed, but they’ll be there. Nothing like playoff hockey at the Garden.
-Speaking of nothing like playoff hockey, the one playoff hockey like game at home last year (the one against Philly, the last home game) was awesome. One of the top 5 games I’ve been to. Crowd was electric.
-Every time I think about the Rangers, I think about the need for Sean Avery to produce. Both as a pest and as a scorer. We know he can score. He just didn’t do it much last year. They are a better team when he’s playing well. I think Torts has to let go of the leash.
-Another annoyance interlude: A nail salon opened up in the my town (more on my town later). Nothing wrong with that. Except, it’s right across the street from THE OTHER NAIL SALON!! Literally, right across the street. What’s the point of that? I mean, when they were thinking of opening up a nail salon, did they not realize there is one across the street? Or the fact that there’s another one a few blocks away?And another one a few more blocks away. There’s 4 in my very small town. You only need one nail salon in a town. 4 in a county. 16 in a state. There’s two in one of the neighboring towns, 3 in the other. I just don’t get it. Isn’t one enough? Maybe it’s me, but a nail salon is a nail salon. You just need one. They all do the same thing.
-I do need a new jersey. I have a Drury, but it’s a bit outdated. Who should I get?
-Frolov will score at least 25 goals. You read it here first. Or second. But I think first.
-Callahan will score 25 goals.
-Dubi will score 28
-Boogaard will score zero.
-Personal interlude: So, I’m moving to Allentown, PA a week from today. New job. Excited. But, as I adjust to a new job, new place, new city, new life, etc, I’m taking a little hiatus from BSB. It won’t be too long. I’ll be back mid-to-late September. Knowing how I operate, I need to focus wholly on adjusting, or I won’t. It’s life. Can’t do much about it. But, I will miss the site. It’s great posting here, with a great community. Don’t miss me too much.
By Dave, August 19, 2010 @ 8:25 am
If Staal signs at $4 million, then the Rangers will have to waive White, MZA, and Gilroy to make enough cap space to have both Redden and Staal on the team.
By jurgenno88, August 19, 2010 @ 8:45 am
good luck for the move Jeremy.
A few replies:
Cally will not reach 20.
Dubi will, but not 28.
Get a Frolov jersey but wait to see how the first week goes
Otherwise, Anisimov? he’s here to stay.
Thank you for agreeing with me. i said the thn ‘analysis’ was lazy journalism too. Rubbish actually. There’s also a regular anti Rangers vibe there, specifically off Proteau – just my opinion perhaps.
Grachev/Stepan start in Hartford. Since all of our moves im sure of it, regardless of their camp play. No need to rush them.
I wish our banks in the UK offered cookies/coffee – thats amazing!! i spend too much money on coffee, any for free would be appreciated!
Pens and Caps still make playoffs without Sid/ovie. They’re not as reliant as we are on their #1 offensive guy.
Sean Avery = critical mass.
Dave Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 8:54 am
Yea, the THN thing was crap. “What if” Gaborik doesn’t play a full season? Fine, but what if Sidney Crosby is driving down a highway with Evgeny Malkin in his car, and he gets into an accident with Martin Brodeur, with Zach Parise in his car, and the accident causes a car driven by Mike Richards, with Jeff Carter and Chris Pronger as passengers, to veer off the road and hit a pole?
Section 121 Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
That was great Dave, I just laughed audible and I never do that.
Brian Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Agreed, he had some minor injury issues last year (thigh laceration, tweaked groin) and he still finished the season healthy and with an 86 pt performance.
In fact, we have been one of the teams with the least manpower games lost over the past several seasons.
There definately is an anti-Ranger sentiment amongst many sports journalists – not sure if it is a NY issue, a Sather issue or what.
Regardless, I won’t be buying the THN’s annual NHL preview edition now.
Dave Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
The anti-NY movement stems from the way the Rangers throw money at free agents. Teams don’t like when you unjustly drive up market value of players (see Redden, Wade; Rozsival, Michal). I would include Drury and Gomez here, but market value for them was set by the Flyers and Briere.
By RangerSmurf, August 19, 2010 @ 8:53 am
Stepan’s chance is under 30%. Grachev’s is well under 70%, Stepan has a better chance than Grachev simply because of center depth.
No chance Dubi/Cally reach those totals. There isn’t enough PP time to go around. Dubi’s got the better chance because he’s a better even strength player than Cally, but they’re both way too high. Cally will be 20 again simply because he shoots a ton. Dubinsky probably the same.
MIke Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 9:25 am
Jeremy, What can I say? I love Dubi so much, that you forgot the fact playing for 3 years with top players in the Game, he barely made 20+ last season with tons of icetime and PP. Now you put him on top about 28-30. Where is reality? Desire it’s not real thing. I would be very glad if he does that, but common, he is garbage goal scorer, not a sniper. Just curious, How Frol will score “at least 25″ playing with Gabby and proven 35 goal scorer, but Dubi get 28> Dreaming? Worship?
Dave Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 10:13 am
The talent is there for Dubi, and he has scored 20 despite missing several games the past few years.
Dave Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 10:16 am
Err, I mean got to 20 despite missing several games THIS year. Oops.
RangerSmurf Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 11:48 am
He didn’t have “tons of PP” Yes, he had 146 minutes, but it was 6th among the Rangers forwards. So basically 2nd PP time.
He still had 20 in 69 games (24 goal pace.) 25 is reachable if he progresses, but I think Frolov hurts those chances. It will be interesting to see.
Dave Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Unless Frolov winds up on the first line, it actually helps his chances. It means he will consistently get time with Gaborik and Prospal all year, with Frolov spending time with Cally and hopefully AA.
Of course, if Frolov winds up on the top line, the 2nd line is Dubi-AA-Cally, which I will be happy to see 60 total goals.
RangerSmurf Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Frolov will hurt the chance he gets more PP time, which is what would make a jump to 25 goals alot easier.
By Dave, August 19, 2010 @ 8:56 am
Stepan I’m putting at 5%, Grachev at 10%, I think the plan is to have them both in the AHL to play first line minutes together and get some chemistry.
I have Dubi at 25, if he plays the top line all year and top PP, and Cally at 20. But I also have Frolov at 30, because he will be getting PP time with Gaborik.
By Dave, August 19, 2010 @ 8:58 am
I need a jersey too, I think I’m going with a Staal jersey, as he’s the least likely on the team to get dealt. I need to retire my Prucha jersey.
jurgenno88 Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 10:37 am
When I come to NY later this year I have to get a new one too. I have Lindros/Messier/Jagr jerseys. Im thinking Anisimov, Gaborik or Del Zotto at the moment. Maybe Frolov, but only if he starts well and is kept! ha
By Walt, August 19, 2010 @ 9:44 am
I wish you well in your new job, and new town. We moved to Pennsylvania in 81, raised my family here, and they are well adjusted adults. It’s a bit of culture shock, but when you adjust, you’ll love it.
Both Stepan, and Grachev will be seen at Hershey by me, then next year they go to the mother team, where I’ll be rooting for them big time. I’m excited about Mc Dougnah ( spelling of the name?)kid dislodging Redden, and sending him off to Hartford, this way I can boooooo the hell out of him at the Hershey games.
jurgenno88 Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 10:40 am
dont boo Redden too much, he may get so upset that he forgets he’s making 6.5m to play in the AHL. We wouldnt want that now, would we!
Dave Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 11:25 am
I’d love to play in the AHL and make $6.5 million a year.
Hell, I’d love to make $6.5 million a year. If Slats offered me that, I’d quit my job before I even signed the contract.
Dave Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 11:21 am
McDonagh. He may need a half season in the AHL, but that’s due to confidence issues, not skill issues. He’s the only one that doesn’t think he is ready to play in the NHL.
By MIke, August 19, 2010 @ 11:59 am
DUBI WILL NOT PLAY TOP LINE THIS YEAR. Torts clearly said that he want him on wing. So, how you project his goals from there? at best 20. Talent? Why I missed that. Consistency? I can say Z has talent but inconsistent. Dubi, his best place on 2nd line while working hard. Just observe his game, but not hypo him. Why he missed USA team on Olympics? O, because Burke is stupid and all Dubi fans know in hockey more than he. If Z played whole year with Gabby he would be on “pace” of 35+ goals. You can count pace, but it doesn’t go t stats. How many shots Cally made per/g? Doest it go to “pace”?
Dave Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
He can still play LW with Prospal at C and Gaborik at RW. That line clicked last year, and there’s no reason to believe it won’t this year.
It’s all up in the air now, but I personally believe the Rangers are better served splitting up Gaborik and Frolov at even strength.
RangerSmurf Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
He won’t? Cause he did last year. And the year before that. Seems odd that coming off his best year thus far that they’d decide to demote him.
The talent is there, the consistency isn’t, that can be granted (though this was also his most consistent point producing year, it’s the goals that weren’t consistent)
If you’re arguing that b/c Callahan made the Olympic team and Dubinsky didn’t that Callahan is the better player, you’re lost. Jack Johnson made the Olympic team too, and he’s god awful as an NHL player.
Pace matters in context. 1 goal in one game doesn’t matter. 20 in 69 does.
By Brian, August 19, 2010 @ 12:26 pm
Redden is destined for Hartford, done deal. Although not ideal from a Rangers fiscal management perspective it solves too many problems to not be seen as the ideal solution to the Rangers cap situation this year.
Sending him down allows for all of Gilroy, Eminger, and McDonagh/Sauer/etc to make the squad and addresses our 7th D issue. It also allows for White to replace Boyle on the roster if he’s healthy and makes the squad. It also allows for one of Byers or Weise (both deserving of an opportunity) to either earn a spot to play regularly or platoon on nights when Boogard sits.
Then of course there is the possibility of MZA or one of the kids surprising in camp enough to earn an extended stay similar to MZD last year.
Finally it allows management/coaching staff to save face (not much of course) by the fact that the roster is determined by performance and not by contract. Additionally, it may also improve the locker room which was cited by Tortorella as being a problem area last year.
The Rangers also won’t be the only team with an expensive contract in the AHL. Huet, Ryder or Thomas and likely more NHL vets will be demoted during training camp to allow teams to get under the cap. Last year Witt and Nylander were also demoted. At the very least they won’t be setting a precedent here.
Unless I am missing something, there is no single roster move other than demoting Redden that provides the Rangers with so much flexibility to flesh out the best possible roster this year. The positives heavily outweigh the negatives and it’s not as if the PR from this situation can get any worse anyway.
Dave Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
You make good points, but I think all of us are still on the fence in terms of believing management that Redden will actually be in Hartford. I think it has to happen, but I won’t truly believe it til I see it.
I’m nitpicking here, but Thomas is on a 35+ contract, doesn’t matter if he’s sent down.
Brian Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
My bad Dave, I didn’t realize that Thomas was that old.
As far as Redden is concerned, probably the most telling part of this is that the Rangers have conducted business as if demoting Redden was their intention – particularly by acquiring Eminger and the push to sign McDonagh.
Now, I do think it’s possible that White is sent down but that may not be the best solution because we need all the help we can get at center plus we would still then need to trim another 2-3 million. Like you said, no Gilroy, no MZA.
This scenario is conceivable, but only if Redden plays extremely well in camp/preseason because they can still demote Redden at a later date and then call up Gilroy or McDonagh.
By patrick, August 19, 2010 @ 12:48 pm
Thanks has always been anti ranger. That is to say they despise Glenn sather and have zero objectivity in regards to any of his moves. They picked the rangers to finish 13th last year as well
Dave Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
They were almost accurate with where the Rangers finished last year then lol.
Personally, I like when the Rangers are ranked that low, it should give them motivation.
By patrick, August 19, 2010 @ 12:49 pm
“Thanks” should read “the Hockey news” damn Droid
Dave Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
My iPad does that all the time. It makes all my “fucks” into “ducks”. It makes my aggression seem cute and cuddly.
By Jake T, August 19, 2010 @ 1:02 pm
I was at that game against Philly (the last home game) it was defiantly the most exciting game I had been too the whole year. As soon as you entered the building you could feel the intensity in the atmosphere.
Also, Callahan would be a great jersey. He is the most dedicated and determined Ranger. You can’t go wrong with Cally.
Dave Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
I’m hesitant to get a Cally jersey because I don’t think he will be a Ranger long term. I get the feeling when UFA years hit, one of Dubi or Cally are gone, and if Dubi meets his potential, I’m guessing he stays.
By Mikeyyyy, August 19, 2010 @ 2:49 pm
Don’t feel so bad they always say the rangers will miss the playoffs. It’s the safe bet for reporters. And if they do make it, they say it’s a big surprise, except to the fans. Fact is most reporters are hacks, especially the ones at espn.
I think the fact the press hates the Yankees spills over to hockey too.
By Gleb, August 19, 2010 @ 3:06 pm
I think that the odds of any forward making the team are 25% at best.
Get the Boogaard jersey – he’ll be there for awhile.
P.S. I think Boogaard wil score a goal this season.
By Gleb, August 19, 2010 @ 4:40 pm
Also – I agree on Redden. I would love to see him rocking the “Whalers”? shirt. I would maybe even buy Hartford shirt with his name on it. Just to remind me that his ass is demoted. But I have to see him in that jersey to believe it.