USA Loses, Canada Wins

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.

World Championships: Day One Summary

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.

1st game 1st upset

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.

Rangers Talking to Zherdev

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 Schedule for Worlds

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.

Jokinen to Sign with Dynamo Minsk (Probably)

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.

Valiquette Signs with CSKA Moscow

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.

And I’m Back, Lisin Cut From Russia

Sorry for the lack of posting this weekend. There wasn’t much to talk about in Rangerland, and I was in Saratoga and Cooperstown for a bachelor party. Now that I’m back, with my voice and dignity still in Saratoga, there is a little Ranger news to post about, mostly involving the upcoming World Championships.

Enver Lisin, who seems to be having a difficult year on the ice, was cut from Team Russia (s/t to Laurie Carr from Beyond the Blueshirts for breaking this). Lisin was cut a few hours after Team Russia’s last tune up game, a loss to the Czech Republic.

Also, Chad Johnson was named to Team Canada for the World Championships. Mark Messier, the GM of Team Canada, added the young goaltender two days ago. Johnson is the second goaltender on Team Canada.

There is also a little news on the Ryan McDonagh situation, but that requires a whole other post. Expect that one tomorrow. For now, I need to catch up on work, emails, and attempt to find my dignity and voice.

Michael Del Zotto Invited to Worlds (UPDATED)

Michael Del Zotto’s debut pro season isn’t over. Team Canada GM and Rangers legend Mark Messier has selected the 19 year old to represent Canada at the upcoming World Championships. MDZ seems to be a direct beneficiary of  LA Kings defenceman Drew Doughty’s injury.

With Steve Stamkos, John Tavares, Tyler Myers and even Jordan Eberle called up, Messier is very much looking to Canada’s future.

Hopefully the added experience on the bigger ice will allow MDZ to work on his defence and positional game. The playoffs may have been missed but MDZ gets some much needed extra game time. This can only be a good thing for the Rangers long term.

(UPDATE) Huge honor for a college kid. Rangers blue chipper Chris Kreider is also capping off a dream season. Kreider, as a rookie college player no less, has been called up to represent Team USA at the World Championship. NO lie.

Following a brilliant second half for Boston College,  a great World Juniors and a season full of promise and development Kreider will get an early chance to test himself against NHL players and extend his own season. This is great news for the Rangers.  A notorious concern for college kids is that their seasons are too short, well Kreider can have no concerns here.  This call up is also a huge compliment to the Rangers scouting as well as an acknowledgment of Kreiders massive potential. Is Kreider on the fast track to the NHL?!

Someone answer me this; Has ANYONE EVER won the Frozen Four, the WJC and the WC all in one year?!

Tarasenko Stock Slipping, May Slide to Rangers at #10

The Rangers may again find themselves in a unique position at this year’s draft. Much like in 2007, when Alexei Cherepanov slid to the Rangers at #17 due to sign-ability problems, the #2 international skater Vladimir Tarasenko may slide to the Rangers at #10 this year. Much like Cherepanov, Tarasenko does not have a transfer with Russia. Tarasenko, the closest skater to a sure thing outside of the Hall/Seguin in the draft, may find that this transfer agreement causes his draft stock to slip, as teams don’t want to gamble on him.

In terms of skill and production, Tarasenko deserves the #2 international skater ranking. The 18 year old RW, who plays the off-wing (he is a left handed shot), is putting up great numbers in the KHL with the Novosibirsk Siber, with a line of 13-11-24 in 42 games. That may not seem like much, but considering the seniority style of play in the KHL, thus severely limiting the young Tarasenko’s ice time, those are solid numbers.

The HockeysFuture blurb about Tarasenko’s skating ability is hard to ignore:

A dynamic and unbelievably skilled offensive player, Tarasenko is as dangerous as they come around the puck…and away from it for that matter.

Tarasenko is decently sized at 5’11 200 lbs, and according to Goran Stubb, NHL Director of European Scouting, “very effective around the net with his excellent overall skill level and vision. He is a strong, mobile skater with a quick shot. He is not only a sniper, but also a good passer and playmaker. There are no real weaknesses in his overall game and he will be one of the most interesting prospects at the draft.”

The Rangers will luck out if Tarasenko does indeed drop in the draft due to transfer agreement issues. He is truly an elite talent in the draft. He is incredibly gifted offensively, but plays a two-way game and can find the open ice with relative ease. The Rangers organization, in addition to lacking any elite talent, is incredibly weak at the RW position. The Rangers have shown in the past that they are not worried about a lack of transfer agreement, so if he is available at #10, you can expect the Rangers to sprint to the podium to call him name.

S/t to Adam Rotter at SNYRangersBlog.