Musings: Deadline Rentals, Those Damn Regressionists & More

Deadline Rentals

There is a lot of debate going on about whether or not we should acquire a power play quarter back, left wing scorer, or both at the deadline. It seems as though when people finally wake up & realize how slim our chances are of acquiring a Shea Weber or a Bobby Ryan, their next play is to find a cheaper alternative. But there is a flaw in the “deadline rental” logic as well.

Rentals are not going to solve our problems, especially in the long-term. Acquiring one may make sense for depth, but to think getting another erratic 40 point winger or a defensemen with a “cannon from the point” is going to put us over the edge is a bit of a stretch.

What we really need is for some combo of Chris Kreider, J.T. Miller, or Christian Thomas living up to their potential. There may be a time down the road when trading one of these assets for an elite player is the right move, but I don’t think that time has arrived yet given where our prospects are, who is available, and the looming CBA talks.

Those of you who wish to see Dubi get moved, I politely ask who has more value at the deadline? A forward on pace for 25 goals or a forward on pace for 9 goals? I’m not against trading Dubinsky one day, but this is not the deadline to do so.

Stick to the Blueprint

My other issue with all of the names being thrown around is that few if any actually fit within our team concept. I’m tired of acquiring guys like Frolov, Wolski, EC, etc, who have no desire to forecheck or backcheck, and then we wonder why they don’t fit.

The national media doesn’t see the ingredients which makes our team successful on a game to game basis. If we are able to make a move at the deadline, they better be for players who can skate, have succeeded in deep forechecking systems and are defensively responsible. Souray, Hemsky, & Whitney need not apply.

Regression to the mean?

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The Goon; A Hockey Fan’s Must See

If you’re a hockey fan you need to check this film out. Sean William Scott is brilliant as the simple but sympathetic bouncer turned hockey fighter Doug Glatt. There’s plenty to like about the film including some great performances from Scott and Liev Schreiber (normally a serious actor but great as the aging legendary fighter Ross Rhea).

As you’d expect, there’s plenty of great one liners as well as  stupid moments and while the film is slightly clichéd – loser comes good, good guy gets the girl etc – it’s just simply good fun. The story line is certainly a simple one. Glatt is coasting through life and a pivotal moment in his life presents him with the opportunity to use his one skill in life (fighting) in a new role as a hockey player. He takes his opportunity and runs with it serving as protector for the moody, underperforming French Canadian star on his team. There’s plenty of idiocy along the way and the film naturally draws comparisons with Happy Gilmore and Slap Shot.

The film doesn’t do hockey a disservice either. The actual hockey footage isn’t bad and the fighting (which there is plenty of) is pretty comical. It’s a shame they felt the need to use Georges Laraque in the film but I guess no film can be perfect. There’s a nice underlying theme of how respect in hockey is important in the film; both between players (Rhea and Glatt) and how hockey players don’t walk on their team’s logo – you know Tortorella would have approved.

The film takes a light hearted view at some hockey stereotypes beyond just the ‘goon’, as they take digs at the Canadian accent (try and count the ‘eh’s’) and French Canada’s obsession with itself, not to mention the slightly crazy goaltender type (Bryzgalov would be great in this film). There’s also the grizzled veteran who looks eerily like Jaromir Jagr and the slightly awkward Eastern European players.

Jay Baruchel who was also in Tropic Thunder and Knocked Up (equally stupid but fun comedies) is hilarious as the awkward, slightly rotten and off beat best friend while the film is foul mouthed and really serves up to glorify the goon/enforcer role. It’s just funny, doesn’t take itself seriously and is well worth a two hour trip to the cinema.

Watch 24/7 Episode 4

Here’s the video for last night’s 24/7 finale.

H/t to Adam Rotter of SNYRB for finding this.

Watch: 24/7 Episode 3

In keeping up with the posting of 24/7 videos here, enjoy the third episode.

S/t to Adam Rotter of SNY Rangers Blog for finding this.

All Star Worthy?

The Rangers deserve to have multiple representatives at this year’s All Star game. The fact that so many of the roster should be in contention speaks volumes for the way the Rangers have moved up through the standings and developed this season. So which Rangers players should represent the club? Who deserves the nod?

• Marian Gaborik. It goes without saying that when you lead the entire NHL in goals scored you’re doing something right. Gaborik is having a dominant season; scoring important goals, showing tremendous consistency and giving the Rangers an offensive game changer they lacked last season.
• Henrik Lundqvist. The King is doing what he does best. Like Gaborik he’s tremendously consistent, rarely has he given up a soft goal this year and has been the very backbone of the Rangers once again. Despite being on course to play considerably less games this year – thanks to Martin Biron – the Swedish netminder could be in the discussion for league MVP, such is his impact so far.
• Dan Girardi. The amount of time he spends on the ice is borderline insane – not far off a minute/game more than second in the league. Girardi blocks shots, provides the Rangers with immense stability and chips in offensively too. Not a ‘sexy’ player or a dominant offensive blueliner, guys like Girardi (unfortunately) rarely get the kudos of all star games even when they deserve the recognition. Critical to the Rangers.
• Mike Del Zotto. Yes, you read it – Mike Del Zotto. Especially in the past month he has been consistent, increasingly dangerous offensively, physically impressive and has shown great ability to swallow minutes all season. Del Zotto is the league’s leading blueliner in plus/minus and is one three point game away from being in the league’s top 10 in scoring from the blueline. Easily, the most improved Ranger this season.
• Ryan Callahan. Like Girardi and his ‘type’, rarely are the Ryan Callahan’s of the NHL rewarded with all star weekends. Amongst the league leaders in hits, and ice time amongst forwards Callahan has taken his offensive game to another level and is on course for his first 30 goal season. Maybe the best lead-by-example captain in the league today does any player try harder? Guys like Callahan deserve to be officially titled ‘all star’.

Gaborik and Lundqvist surely should get the call to head to Ottawa early next year. Anything other than invites for the Rangers marquee talents would be a travesty. Will any of the others get a call? Unfortunately Rangers players rarely get the exposure around the league due to the blue collar reputation the roster has.

It’s assumed this team does things by committee, which it does. However the above list proves that this team has serious skill and top end players too. All this and we’re forgetting a hot streak from Brad Richards and there could be another candidate. The 2011-12 Rangers, they’re pretty stacked you know.

Watch HBO’s 24/7: Rangers/Flyers Episode Two

Last week after episode one, I wrote that I wanted to see more of Lundqvist, Girardi, Staal, Sather, and of course Torts in episode two. Fortunately, most of my wish was granted. As promised, here is episode two. Enjoy!

(Spoiler Alert)

People’s irrational hate for John Tortorella has finally started to die down. Obviously the Rangers performance is driving this, but I would like to think 24/7 has helped as well.

Last night’s episode definitely revealed different sides of his personality that we don’t usually get to see or read about. The scene in the film room showed what a great teacher he is and that his compliments are just as strong as his criticisms. And obviously we also got to see a more humanitarian side of him.

What about everyone else? What was your favorite moment? Please don’t say it was Sean Avery getting out of his car.

Hockey Hall Of Shame 2011

While others are looking back at positive and nostalgic stories of the year, I thought it would be fun to go the cynical route and take one last dig at some of the more memorable idiots around hockey in 2011.

Enjoy!

#10 Media members who diss bloggers on their blogs.

I never really understood or got involved in some of these wars between actual journalists and fan bloggers, which is as old as the medium itself. Twitter seems to have become the newest battle ground these days and while it’s entertaining, it is also really lame at the same time.

My solution? Settle it on the ice. 

#9 Whoever is in charge of distributing Rangers press-releases

This jab probably won’t win us any favors, but at this point we’ve lost interest in communicating with the organization we cover (pretty objectively I might add).

The sports org I work for distributes our official press releases to fan blogs as most savvy organizations do, but for some reason the team won’t throw us a bone. Hell, we don’t even get a response to our emails. Boo.

#8 Creepy Twitters

I was far from an “early adopter” to Twitter and I am still not a big fan of social networking in general, but I understand its power to promote our site.

Still, one thing I will never get used to is reading tweets from fans begging their favorite athletes to wish them a happy birthday, a wonderful life, or any other sort of motivational nonsense.

Extra creepiness to people who tweet messages of adoration to Sean Avery.   

#7 NHL Marketing Department, if such a department exists…

The Guardian Project was god awful, the NBC contract won’t do anything to grow hockey or promote its stars, and the league’s broadcast restrictions are a joke.

The fact that people who live around Albany have Rangers games blacked out in favor of Sabres telecasts is ridiculous. I know the Sabres are trying to grow their fan base, but seriously, good luck trying to get people to care about a team 6 hours and three snowstorms away.

#6 New York Islanders

Just when you thought the Islanders were turning the corner they take one step forward and five steps back. Their third jerseys are almost as bad the old Fishstick jerseys. Their hopes for a new arena in Nassau are as lost as I am when driving around Nassau, and the decision to open a tattoo shop in the Coliseum further cements their eternal spot in the hockey hall of shame.  

#5 Glendale City Council

Glendale spent $25 million of tax payer dollars to keep the ‘Yotes in Glendale. Too bad they will pack up and leave as soon as that brand spanking new arena is completed in Quebec City.

And people wonder why our government can’t balance a budget…

#4 Hockey Hall of Fame

Not inducting Pat Burns before or the year after he succumbed to cancer was a classless move. Burns had a 501-353-151 record, was a three-time winner of the Jack Adams Award, and obviously coached the Devils to one of their Cup victories.

#3 Vancouver Rioters

Speaking of classless…

#2 Incarcerated Bob

Without WFAN’s backing this guy would be a nobody, but for some reason they give this guy a platform to spew his BS. Recently, Incarcerated Boob tried to spread an ugly rumor about Ryan Callahan’s wife. The rumor obviously went nowhere.

It’s almost sad people actually think Boob is a legitimate insider. Let me assure you that the only suits this guy is in contact with are his lawyers.

#1 Mike Milbury

How this guy is still a representative of hockey after the things he has said and done is beyond me.

So that’s my list of forgettable folk, what’s yours?

Watch HBO’s 24/7: Rangers/Flyers Here

I was initially going to do a full recap of last night’s episode, but my words and opinions just can’t do it justice. I will say this…I have a new found appreciation for several members of the Philadelphia Flyers and I am very happy there is now footage supporting the many positive things I have written about John Tortorella. If you think he doesn’t treat every player the same after watching this, then there is no hope for you haha.

With that said, I don’t want to spoil anything for those of you who haven’t watched it yet or who don’t have access to HBO.  Here is the entire episode broken down into 4 parts. Enjoy folks!

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

(Spoiler Alert)

I know we haven’t even scratched the surface yet with getting behind-the-scenes to this hockey club, as Lundqvist, Girardi, Staal, and Sather were either barely visible or notably absent. I am eager to see those personalities in technicolor as well as more from Coach Torts. What’s your take?

A Team That Could Learn From The Rangers

I remember the first time I visited the Devils new front office in Newark. The place was interesting to say the least. EVERYTHING was painted horror movie red. The walls. Red. The carpeting. Red. I mean even the friggan cubicles were all red. Red everywhere. I felt like I had stepped into hell.

Of course I was there on business and I had to put my observations and prejudices aside, but it was hard not to feel like I was behind enemy lines. Once I got over it though, I realized that everything was done with a sense of pride and precision. I admired that.

But then something happened to the Devils organization. For the first time ever they started making money. Revenue from their new arena came in from sponsors, corporate suites, even attendance numbers increased (marginally). Finally the organization that had gotten by on barebones all of a sudden had some resources. Most people thought this would be a good thing…hell a great thing to cement the idea that hockey can succeed in New Jersey without the help of our boys in blue. But as Biggie Smalls once said, “mo money, mo problems.”

It has been reported in small doses that Lou Lamoriello was pushed by ownership to sign Ilya Kovalchuck to that massive 15 year, $100 million deal. Some Rangers fans were bummed that Sather didn’t try to swing a deal, others (like myself) wondered what the hell were the Devils thinking? But I am not here to debate this transaction. For better or worse, Kovy is a Devil till the bitter end.

The problem is the Devils are trying to fit a square peg into a round hole by sticking with regimented coaches and defensive systems while boasting a talent such as Ilya. Add to the fact that the team’s finances collapsed and now you’ve got the Caps joining our conference, and it’s easy to see why they could have one hell of a problem across the Hudson.

So what are our rivals to do?

The organization is obviously looking for new investors to fix their financial woes, but the on ice product can improve if they follow a model once used by their biggest rival, the New York Rangers.

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2001 Rangers – Where Are They Now?

Ten years ago feels like just the other day doesn’t it? The Giants were on their way to irrelevance, the Jets had just rattled off 4 straight wins, but most importantly the Rangers were looking like they could finally get back into the post-season after a four-year drought. We all know how that turned out. Boo.

But for a moment there Eric Lindros, Mike York, Theo Fleury and company were a rare ray of sunlight in those dark days following 9/11. Ten years ago the Rangers were 14-7-1 heading into Thanksgiving weekend.

Some of those players who lifted our hopes have well-known pursuits since donning Broadway Blue like Mikael Samuelsson (Detroit,Vancouver, now Miami), Manny Malhotra (Columbus, San Jose, now Vancouver), and Matthew Barnaby (ESPN Analyst). But what about some of those other players like fan faves Mike York, Sandy McCarthy, up and comers like Rico Fata, or whipping boy Igor Ulanov?

Here’s an update on five forgotten Rangers…

Mike York

York was a fan favorite, a Ryan Callahan of his day, and his trade to Edmonton for Tom Poti (the first to be anointed the next Brian Leetch) made Blueshirt fans’ feelings for Sather go from mistrustful to downright toxic. Supposedly York teared up the day he found out he was traded and that made the pill that much harder to swallow.

Though Poti was nothing to sneeze at, York never did become the player Rangers fans thought he would. He had a few good seasons in Edmonton and later out on the Island, but the last few years he bounced back and forth between the NHL and the AHL.

These days York is lacing ‘em up over in Germany’s DEL, which has the highest amount of North American players outside of North America, thanks to solid six figure contracts, low taxes, and a higher per team limit of foreign-born players. Plus who wants to play in Russia anyway?

Sandy McCarthy

Sandy McCarthy was a tough as nails 4th line forward who ended up getting a decent amount of playing time with Eric Lindros once the season started to go south and the F-L-Y line was broken up. He’s also the only person I can think of  that ever had a uncanny resemblence to Mick Foley. Though there is a Foley clone lurking around the 400s I hear.

Anyway, after his retirement in 2004 McCarthy owned a marina and coached midgets up in Canada. Currently he is behind the bench of the Alliston Hornets, a Junior C team near his hometown in Ontario.

Dale Purinton

Purinton never scored more than 6 goals at any level of hockey, but boy this kid could fight. In 2001 he had 18 fights in only 42 games. The beginning of the end came for Purinton when he was suspended for 25 AHL games in 2007 after he delivered a nasty punch to the back of the head of Iowa Stars forward Marius Holtet.

Purinton retired in 2008 and now coaches for the Cowichan Valley Capitals in the British Columbia Hockey League (Junior A). Interesting all of these enforcers are coaching kids huh?

Igor Ulanov

Everyone talks about Holik, Gomer, Redden and a host of other mistakes who Sather watched wilt under the lights of Broadway and somehow was able to unload them. But perhaps one of the first Sather signings to fail miserably upon arriving to NY was defensive defensemen Igor Ulanov.

Ulanov put up 20 assists for the Oilers prior to coming to NY, which was great for a hard-hitting stay-at-home type, but he never meshed with the Rangers. He was routinely the whipping boy for the Garden faithful, which was just for some of his blown coverages. Somehow Sather was able to unload Ulanov and picks for Pavel Bure. Yes folks, Sather’s first rabbit.

Ulanov actually had some success when he returned to Edmonton, but ended up finishing his career in the KHL. His current whereabouts is unknown; however, I have reason to believe he is behind the Igor Ulanov Fan Club. I mean who else could be running that site?

Rico Fata

Last but not least, Rico Fata was your classic case of a young prospect who dominated the minors (35 goals in the AHL), but couldn’t put it together at The Show. The kid could skate like the wind, but unfortunately he had hands of stone.

Fata bounced around NHL teams never quite sticking with any and is currently playing in the Swiss National League A, another popular league for North American expats.