Rangers prospects Ryan Bourque (USA), Chris Kreider (USA), and Ethan Werek (CAN) were invited to their respective World Junior Championships camps for 2011. Bourque and Kreider both played on Team USA, which won Gold, in 2010. Kreider, the Rangers first round pick in 2009, finished with the tournament lead in goals, putting up a line of 6-1-7 in seven games. Bourque, the Rangers third round pick in 2009, provided solid third line minutes while netting three assists in the seven games. Werek, the Rangers 2009 second rounder, did not play for Team Canada last season, and this would be his first World Junior Championships.
The fact that the Rangers have their top three picks from the 2009 draft invited to their respective World Juniors camps highlights the strength of the Rangers drafting in 2009. Drafting has become a strength that we as Rangers fans are not accustomed to, and it is starting to give us hope that this team is on the right path.
The questions about whether Ilkka Heikkinen will be back next year have been answered, and that answer is no. Heikkinen has signed with Sibir Novosibirsk of the KHL. The Finnish defenseman played seven games with the Rangers, finishing with a +2 rating. In 72 games with Hartford, Heikkinen put together a line of 8-30-38, which was tied for tops amongst Wolfpack defensemen. This signing should come as no surprise, as Heikkinen has expressed displeasure with the Rangers. The Rangers also refused to give Heikkinen a one-way contract, which would have guaranteed his NHL salary, even if playing in the AHL.
Heikkinen also granted an interview with Maria Levinskaya, and a full translation of the interview can be found at Beyond the Blueshirts.
Saturday was mainly a successful day for Rangers players in the World Championship.
Canada trounced Norway 12-1 (with potential Ranger Zuccarello Aasen) with Marc Staal getting an assist as well as a +3 rating. Michael Del Zotto was scoreless but was +1. Maybe most encouraging is the fact that GM Mark Messier and his coaching team continue to find opportunity to give Chad Johnson ice time. The Rangers goalie faced 7 shots in a 3rd period and saved them all. Johnson saved 11 of 12 in another performance earlier in the tournament.
Even more impressive were the US born Rangers. The US team have had a disappointing tournament despite the team obviously being built with the future in mind. Against Kazakhstan the US team got rid of a lot of frustration winning 10-0. Undoubted stars of the US team were Rangers Brandon Dubinsky and Matt Gilroy. Dubinsky was dominant with a 5 point night (1+4) and was +2 in just under 17 minutes of ice time. In slightly less than 14 minutes of ice time Gilroy was impressive and notched a hat trick for the US team. Such obvious success will be a huge boost to Gilroy for next year. The final Ranger was Chris Kreider. The talented teenage prospect also managed to score, adding the final tally. He took 5 shots and was a +1 in over 13 minutes of ice time. Kreider continues to impress at this level and looks to have a huge future.
In other games Switzerland continued the tournaments upset trend and beat the Czech Republic 3-2 with Rangers property Andreas Ambuhl notching 2 goals. Does he have a future in North America and the Rangers organization? He’s certainly demanding attention. Michael Roszival was -1. The final Ranger on display was Artem Anisimov. The talented pivot saw limited ice time (8 minutes) and was -1 in Russia’s narrow 3-2 victory over the in-form German team. Sunday sees USA take on France, Canada take on a young and talented Sweden and Anisimov and Russia taking on Denmark.
Despite a varied level of competition its encouraging to see numerous Rangers success stories in this tournament so far. Several young players have contributed while several (specifically Chad Johnson, Chris Kreider, Gilroy and Del Zotto) are gaining vital experience. It bodes well.
Team USA’s struggles at the World Championships continues, as they drop another game in OT, this time to hockey powerhouse Denmark 2-1. Matt Gilroy (-1, 10:46 TOI), Brandon Dubinsky (2 PIMs: 22:28 TOI), and Chris Kreider (7:47 TOI) were all held off the scoreboard. Dubinsky appears to be the Team USA workhorse, as he has been among the TOI leaders for the USA squad for the first two games. Team USA currently sits in fourth place in Group D with one game against Finland remaining.
Meanwhile, our friends across the border manhandled Latvia 6-1. Marc Staal (+1, 12:04 TOI), Michael Del Zotto (14:23 TOI) were held off the scoreboard. Chad Johnson came in the game in the third period, and stopped 11 of 12 shots. Canada currently sits in first place in Group B, with one game against Switzerland remaining.
Team USA can still make it to the single elimination tournament, but they will need to beat Finland in regulation, and do it convincingly. They will also need some help along the way, with some key losses and blowouts here and there. Hope is not lost, but this Team USA is clearly very different from the Team USA that won Silver at Vancouver, and for good reason, half of those players are still in the NHL playoffs.
Several Rangers are taking part in the World Championships in Germany this month, and yesterday marked the opening of the tournament. Team USA was upset by the hosting Germans, while Canada steamrolled the Italians. Six Rangers took part in those two games, here is how they fared in their respective openers:
Team USA:
Brandon Dubinsky: -1 rating, 2 PIMs
Chris Kreider: +1 rating
Matt Gilroy: +1 rating
Team Canada:
Marc Staal: +1 rating
Michael Del Zotto: Even rating
Chad Johnson: Did not play
Michal Rozsival (Czech Republic)and Arterm Anisimov (Russia) will skate in their first games on Sunday. Meanwhile, Andreas Ambuhl and Switzerland lead Latvia 1-0 after the first, with Ambuhl netting the only goal thus far in the contest.
Teams USA, Canada, and Switzerland each play their second games on Monday.
In front of a new world record crowd for a hockey game – 77,803 - host nation Germany upset Team USA in the opening game of the World Championships, 2-1.
Playing the game in one of Europe’s best soccer stadiums paid off for the hosts as several players commented on the roar of the crowd and the difficulty in communicating on ice. The crowd erupted when Felix Schulz scored in overtime to win it for the German team.
Brandon Dubinsky played just under 20 minutes, was -1, took a penalty but disappointingly no shots. Matt Gilroy faired better. In just under 12 minutes of ice time Gilroy finished +1, took 3 shots and was pretty active. The final Ranger on Team USA was blue chip prospect Chris kreider. In just under 8 minutes of ice time Kreider was also +1 and got a shot on net. A solid first game at this level for the teenager despite the limited ice time. He’ll no doubt benefit from the experience.
Whatever spin you put on it, its a very disappointing loss for the US team even if several youngsters benefit from it.
Hopefully the Rangers players can contribute in the upcoming games.
In what may come to many as a surprise, the Rangers are currently in talks with Nik Zherdev regarding a return to the NHL. Genadi Boguslavski of the Sovetsky Sport broke this via Twitter, and states that the Rangers have begun talks with the enigmatic winger to return to the NHL. Let’s chalk this one up as a rumor for now.
Zherdev, who led the Rangers in scoring with a line of 23-35-58 in the 2008-2009 season, fell out of favor with fans after his disappearing act in the last month of the season and the playoffs against Washington. The Rangers, who are currently extremely thin on RW, offered Zherdev $3.25 million in the offseason, with Zherdev wanting closer to $4.5 million. An arbitrator awarded Zherdev the medium, at $3.9 million, to which the Rangers walked away, making him an unrestricted free agent. With no market for him, Zherdev reportedly attempted to return to the Rangers for the original $3.25 million, but the Rangers turned him away. Zherdev then bolted for the KHL.
Zherdev would provide some nice complimentary scoring for Marian Gaborik, and would give the Rangers a very nice 1-2 punch on the RW. It would also take some of the pressure off of Gaborik, who seemed to be the only consistent scorer on the Rangers this past season. At the right length and price, the Rangers, and their fans, should welcome back Zherdev. It is highly unlikely, considering how the negotiations went in 2009, that Zherdev gets a multi-year deal. Market value puts him right around the $3 million -$3.5 million range, but with little negotiating power on his side, it is highly possible that Zherdev signs for under that amount.
Update 2:55pm: Steve Zipay is tweeting that the Rangers have denied this rumor.
Team USA won their tune up for the World Championships against France, beating those pesky Frenchies 3-1, behind two goals by Islanders forward Kyle Okposo. Rangers forward Brandon Dubinsky picked up two assists and a charging penalty in the matchup. The tournament begins tomorrow, as the USA faces off against Germany in the first of three games before the Qualification Round begins. The other two opponents for Team USA will be Denmark and Finland. The Finns should be the only real challenge for Team USA, but it’s dangerous to overlook your opponents.
You can view the entire schedule here. Universal Sports will be broadcasting the games.
Have no fear, Ranger fans, Olli Jokinen will not be returning to the Rangers for next season. According to Alexander Zaitsev, citing Sportsdaily.ru, the now ex-Ranger center will be signing with the Dynamo Minsk of the KHL. Jokinen, who was acquired at the Olympic deadline with Brandon Prust for Ales Kotalik and Christopher Higgins, was brought in to help add some scoring to the Rangers. In 26 games with the Blueshirts, Jokinen scored 4 goals and added 11 assists. He will, however, be remembered mainly for being the third shooter in the season finale against Philadelphia. As you know, Jokinen tried deking and putting the puck through Brian Boucher, but the goalie got his pad there, and the Rangers missed the playoffs for the first time in the post-lockout era.
Update 1:05pm: I should probably note that the deal isn’t finalized, but it is very likely he will sign there.
Update 6:40pm: Darren Dreger has refuted this rumor. That didn’t take long.
Steve Valiquette’s run with the Rangers organization has come to an end. The 32 year old goalie has signed with CSKA Moscow of the KHL, according to Dmitry Chesnokov. Valliquette served as the Rangers backup goaltender for the past two years, but has been with the organization since before the lockout. Best of luck to Vally in the KHL.
International Hockey, Minors | Dave, 18 Jun 10 | 
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