Girardi WITH Team

I have no internet, so I’m posting from my phone. Dan Girardi is with the team, and on the ice for the morning skate. The post below specifically stated “rumors” and never stated fact. Sorry for any confusion this may have caused.

Girardi Not With Team

Rumors are abound that Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi will not be traveling with the Rangers to Ottawa to face the Senators tomorrow. It turns out that Corey Potter’s call up was not to replace an injured Michael Del Zotto, but to replace the soon to be dealt Girardi.

Although I have been calling for his trade, I never disliked Girardi. I just thought he had run his course with the team. Good luck wherever you wind up.

Jaromir Jagr?

Right then guys, slightly off the Olympic topic….

If you’re like me, thanks to his time in NY you’ll have a soft spot for Jaromir Jagr, the big Czech.

Im sure many of you have read the THN column discussing the notion of Jagr coming back to the NHL. If he does, where do you think he’ll go? If he comes back should The Rangers be interested and can he still help them?

Right now, he’s playing at around a point per game pace in the KHL. He’s also apparently in supreme condition (according to ex Omsk coach Wayne Fleming…) For the record I think (at a reasonable price) he could be huge for the Rangers. He doesnt need to be the go-to-guy anymore thanks to Gaborik. He seems willing to take a small(er) salary to play so the Rangers should be interested.

I really like the idea of a second line featuring Avery and Jagr flanking perhaps Dubinsky. Finally some genuine secondary scoring?

I had a look in more depth at the idea at nasports.co.uk. Let me know what you think.

Cheechoo On Waivers; Fit For Rangers?

Former 50 goal scorer Jonathan Cheecoo has been placed on waivers by the Ottawa Senators today. While he is no longer the player he once was, he could provide some secondary scoring. He would,  at the very least, be an upgrade over Donald Brashear. Since our resident cap expert, Dave, is on vacation, I have no idea of the cap implications. But, could it work? Put him on the third or fourth line, hope he scores a couple goals? Maybe if he plays on a line with a top player (Gaborik) he could regain his scoring touch. A low-risk, high-reward move.

Brashear Asked For A Trade (UPDATED!)

Update (12:14pm): Bob McKenzie tweets that Brashear has in fact been waived. Oh happy day.

10:01am: Via Andrew Gross, Donald Brashear apparently requested a trade a few weeks ago, and thinks that’s why he’s hasn’t dressed for 11 of the team’s last 12 games. “It just shows me they don’t believe in me,” said Brashear. “I ask for a trade, that’s more likely why I’m not playing any games. Usually, when you ask for a trade, they don’t play you.”

Brashear, who is under contract next season with a $1.4M cap hit, has played in just 36 of the team’s 60 games this season. Even when he has played, he’s barely noticeable. The addition of Brandon Prust made Brashear even more expendable, so even if they aren’t able to finding a trading partner, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was waived. Talk about a dud free agent signing.

Pens/Habs Rumormongoring

Breaking news out of Montreal, a press conference has been scheduled for 4pm today to announce “an important announcement regarding the Club’s hockey management”. Bob McKenzie is reporting that the rumors state that GM Bob Gainey, whom Ranger fans love for taking on Scott Gomez, will be stepping down as GM of the Habs.

Also, @NHLConnected is reporting that the Pens and Oilers have reached a deal for center Ethan Moreau. The Pens interest in Alexei Ponikarovsky, from the Leafs, is what is holding up this deal.

Kovi Price Just Too Steep

As per Larry Brooks, Thrashers General Manager Don Waddell is asking for the current package in exchange for renting Ilya Kovalchuk (one from each bullet point):

• Marc Staal or Michael Del Zotto, and
• Ryan Callahan or Brandon Dubinsky, and
• Chris Kreider or Derek Stepan, and
• A 2010 1st round pick

No dice.

Kotalik Requests Trade

During last night’s Blueshirt Banter Radio, hosted by Blueshirt Banter’s Jim Schmiedeberg and The Mouth, it was made public that Ales Kotalik has requested a trade. If you read this blog, chances are you read Blueshirt Banter too. If you don’t they do a fantastic job at covering the Rangers, especially with their radio shows. Go check it out.

According to the agent, Kotalik has asked for a trade, telling the Rangers he is not happy with the organization, and wants to be traded, released, or he will defect to Russia. Kotalik has allegedly told the Rangers he would like to be traded out west.

Don’t expect Kotalik to be traded, no one wants to take on that contract. I would expect him to be waived, sent to Hartford, where he will be “allowed” to sign with a KHL team. I guess this can be considered good news, it frees up much needed cap space, assuming they find a way to dump him.

Awesome signing Glen. Awesome.

Update 10:10am: When can I say I told you so? Now? Soon?

Rangers Bid on Lecavalier

Spector’s Hockey, citing Bruce “Malkin to the Kings” Garrioch, says that Rangers GM Glen Sather called Lightning GM Brian Lawton about acquiring Vinny Lecavalier. The Rangers are said to be “offering” Matt Gilroy, Wade Redden, and either Brandon Dubinsky or Ryan Callahan. Spector’s response:

Lecavalier’s not moving

That pretty much sums it up. Well, that and who the hell wants to take Redden’s contract? That’s pretty much a deal breaker for everyone. Anyway, Gilroy/Redden/Cally or Dubi is simply not enough to land Vinny. There would need to be some first rounders and some high level prospects thrown in too.

Vinny Lecavalier is not going to be a Ranger anytime soon. You can bet on that.

Souray For Rozsival?

According to Pierre LeBrun, the Rangers are interested in Oilers defenseman Sheldon Souray. To make it work financially, the Rangers would send Rosy or Redden (but most likely, Rozsival). Souray is 3-9-12 on the year, but he’s also on the Oilers, and quite frankly, they suck. That’s why the -15 isn’t too alarming. I’ve always liked Souray. He’s got a booming slap shot, and a change of scenery would do him well. Would you do this deal?