A Bus Fit For A King; Andrew Yogan Notes

For his effort with the Garden of Dreams Foundation, the face of the Rangers, and all-world goalie Henrik Lundqvist has a New York City bus named after him yesterday afternoon. I was unable to attend, but good friend Nick Montemagno of Rangers Tribune was able to not only join, but found a way to interview The King himself. The interview can be found at Rangers Tribune. It’s good to see that professional bloggers like Nick can still find ways to get interviews with players, even if the organization doesn’t approve. Nick also had the privilege of interviewing Wayne Gretzky a while back, and always does a great job. Make sure you head over and read his brief interview.

Also, Draft America caught up with Peter Worrell, who coached Rangers 2010 4th round draft pick Andrew Yogan while he played in Florida for the Junior Panthers. Peter had some very kind words for Andrew:

“Andrew is one of those kids who’s just a naturally gifted goal-scorer. He has an ability that you cannot teach a player. He just knows how to put the puck in the net. He’s a big, strong kid… He has a real opportunity to be the first kid from this area to actually be an NHL player.”

Although HockeysFuture has Yogan projecting out as a checker in the NHL, it is good to see Yogan has a scoring touch. Yogan will be playing for the Erie Otters in the OHL next season, as he begins his career as a professional hockey player. Don’t forget to go to Draft America to check out the rest of the interview.

One last thing, I received an email about some Ranger greats appearing at Iona College on September 25. Here’s the information:

I thought you, and your followers, may be interested. Saturday, September 25th, Messier, Lemieux, Howe, Leetch, Graves, Hull and more will be at Iona College’s Mulcahy Gym at 10AM for ‘Steinerfest IV:Hockey Greats’, to meet fans and sign autographs. Admission is $10 and $5 for children 12 and under. Fans will be able to purchase player autographs, win raffle prinzes, participate in silent auctions, take pictures and more. Tickets can be purchased at Steiner Sports Store and at Last Licks locations.

That’s a hell of a crew headed to Iona for autographs. Each one alone is worth the admission.

Camp Depth, Defending Glen and Hartford Stacked.

Dave has begun to break down each specific area going into training camp but I can’t help wondering what kind of camp battle to expect amongst the forwards. With yesterday’s addition of Tim Kennedy the bottom 6 – already an area of ‘depth’ for the Rangers – got a whole lot more confusing. When you tally up the likely candidates vying for bottom 6 spots it’s hard impossible to see how they can all fit. Competition for jobs is one thing, having to go ‘top and tail’ with team mates at camp because there’s too many people for beds is quite another.

All the moves Sather has made to address forward depth make fans wonder if it’s all a pre-curser to a bigger move or just an attempt to throw mud at a wall and see what sticks. Todd White, Tim Kennedy, re-upping Byers, Prust and Dupont, bringing back Christensen, bringing in Boogaard;  all of these guys are likely fighting it out for jobs in the bottom 6 with Chris Drury, Sean Avery, Brian Boyle, Dale Weise and the prospects who may or may not be ready including Derek Stepan and Ethan Werek. How it plays out is anyone’s guess but without considering any unexpected standouts that’s already 13 names for 6 or 7 spots.

You have to wonder what the Rangers told Kennedy prior to his signing. It’s unlikely to be along the lines of ‘Hey, come in and compete with Brian Boyle for a job – sign here’ or he wouldn’t be here. The one-way contract he received firms up the notion he has a job. With the top 6 pretty much locked up (other than the positions for certain players such as Dubinsky and Prospal) it’s hard to see what Sather and Tortorella have in mind with all this quantity.

I refuse to criticise Sather for signing guys like Kennedy. He’s young, versatile, had a good AHL career, a solid college career and has upside. Given the contract he signed there’s no risk either. I don’t buy into some fans on twitter and various websites complaining about guys like Dane Byers not getting a chance because of ‘another Sather signing’. If Byers deserves a spot, if he blows away everyone at camp he’ll get a spot, I truly believe that. If he doesn’t earn it then he doesn’t deserve it. The best available players should be dressed in Rangers blue. If that’s Dane Byers, Tim Kennedy or another non draftee then so be it. In an ideal world the team would be full of Rangers picks but if the team is successful and it isn’t full of home grown picks big deal. Let the outcry begin if certain players get jobs and don’t deserve them until then there’s no point in crying about it.  

Another thing to consider is that part of a successful franchise is a successful farm system. We have seen a good Hartford side the past few years (last year being an exception) and no coincidence a regularly playoff bound Rangers team. It helps prospects who do begin their pro career in Hartford to begin it in a winning environment. As it stands right now, potentially there will be a lot of good players making the way to Hartford after camp and although some players may get moved or waived some will no doubt end up in Hartford. Derek Stepan, Evgeny Grachev and co. will only benefit by being involved in a good strong side.  

If Hartford features Dupont and Byers again, NHL’ers like Brian Boyle and even a guy like Todd White all complimenting Stepan, Grachev and guys like Kris Newbury and Jeremy Williams (good AHLer’s) then it promises to be an offensively impressive team. Think of the numbers Stepan and the kids may put up. Maybe a guy like Byers doesn’t make the NHL with New York but don’t underestimate these kind of guys impact on prospect development in the AHL. Some guys are worth ‘sacrificing’ if they can expedite a legitimate prospect. Look how Artem Anisimov benefited from PA Parenteau. For that reason alone PA deserves an applause when he comes to the MSG as a fish stick.

Training Camp Preview: Goalies

Training camp is just around the corner, and each Monday here at Blue Seat Blogs, I will be previewing each position in camp, including the incumbents, the new guys, and the guys just trying to make a name for themselves before being sent to Hartford. This week, we look at the only position that is (hopefully) set for the next two years at the NHL level, the goaltender position.

Henrik Lundqvist: The incumbent, current face of the franchise, and top-five goalie in the league. Lundqvist has been the backbone of the franchise in the post-lockout NHL, and will hopefully continue to do so for the next decade. In Lundqvist, the Rangers have one of the most consistent goalies in the league, who will most likely see his fare share of All-Star appearances and build upon his already three Vezina finalists. Last year, Lundqvist put up a record of 35-27-10, with a 2.38 GAA and a .921 SV%. With more rest coming, Lundqvist should be able to build on those numbers, and hopefully not burn out at the end of the season, like he has in the past few seasons due to starting 70 games a year.

Martin Biron: After last season’s debacle at the backup position, the Rangers identified that they need a capable, veteran backup that can spell Lundqvist for 20 games this season. Signed to a two year deal at $875,000 per year, Biron’s job may appear to be simple, but the Rangers haven’t had a capable (and consistent) backup since Kevin Weekes. If Biron can put together a .500 record, with a GAA under 3.00 for 20 games per year the next two years, then it will be the single most important signing of the offseason.

Chad Johnson: Johnson played well in his four games last season, putting up a 2.35 GAA, which is unfortunately overshadowed by the Rangers W-L record during his stint in net (1-2-1). There is simply no room for Johnson at the NHL level, but the Rangers are hoping he can put together a good camp, and carry the Hartford Wolfpack in net. Johnson struggled at the end of last season, but it may be due to jet/train lag from traveling to and from Hartford to go wherever the Rangers needed him to go. Dos-Nueve will likely start in Hartford, and hopefully can develop into a solid and reliable goalie. With the starting position seemingly filled for the next decade, Johnson is probably going to be best served as a trade chip.

Cameron Talbot: The recently signed Talbot is entering camp as the #4 goalie in the system. Talbot played for a very weak Alabama-Huntsville for three seasons, posting a solid final two seasons that led to the Rangers signing him. Talbot will definitely be in Hartford next year, probably serving as the backup for Chad Johnson. Talbot will likely be the first goalie in camp sent to Hartford, but he is definitely going to show up motivated. In the best case scenario, Talbot gives Johnson a run for his money, forcing the coaching staff to take a longer look at him before sending him to Hartford.

The goaltender position isn’t going to change much in the next few years, as Lundqvist will continue to be the backbone of the Rangers. It is the Rangers greatest strength, but can also be their greatest weakness if Biron doesn’t fulfill his duties. The backups and prospects will come and go, but when you have The King in net, you tend to look at goalie prospects as trade bait.

Grading Glen

This probably won’t be a popular post because of the end result. Seeing as camp isn’t far away and with the off-season all bar over (Marc Staal aside) I thought it would be worth grading everyone’s favourite hockey recluse, Glen Sather.

Good Glen

• Addressing needs: signing Alex Frolov and Marty Biron to address flaws on the team with low risk, low cap deals.
• Drafting to need; the 2010 draft featured size and players were picked by organisational need. Not every need was addressed in the draft but many were.
• Something for Nothing; Brashear’s cap headache was removed, and Todd White a potentially useful part was added. If White doesn’t pan out he doesn’t affect the cap like Brashear.
• Being pro active and getting Ryan McDonagh and Derek Stepan under contract quickly while making a play to get Chris Kreider under wraps. Sather seems to be backing up his word by trying to bring in the youth.
• Sensible deals for Prust and Christensen.

Bad Glen

• The Girardi deal; Dan Giardi got too much dollar, even if it bought into his UFA years. A bad season prior should not warrant a 100% pay rise regardless.
• Marc Staal; yes Glen, we appreciate there was a ‘chasm’ but the team’s best defenseman shouldn’t still be without contract. Sather’s consistent mishandling of RFA’s is baffling and unnecessary.
• Derek Boogaard’s contract. Hate the deal, not the player.

The Jury’s out Glen

• Eminger for Voros; another case of acquiring something for nothing, if Eminger plays well this is a good move but if rumour is true, adding Eminger meant missing out on solid bruiser Shane Morrisonn which counts as a negative.
• Did we really need to share an affiliate with the Flyers?
• If PA Parenteau becomes Matt Moulson II on long Island, consider it egg on face.
• Will much sought after Mats Zuccarello-Aasen be another Euro flop (see Ambuhl, Andreas) or the next free agent Euro to make an NHL impact?

And the Grade is?…

Players were allowed to leave, relationships were forged (welcome Greenville), and camps were held with the underlying theme of roster transformation. Competition seems legit and not a single move Sather has made this summer burns the team long term. If certain players do well (hello Frolov) they have the opportunity to become core parts of the Rangers going forward.

This has been Sather’s best off season for a very long time, perhaps ever as Rangers GM. There seems to be a plan in place and reasoning behind every move. Sather gets a B+ at the moment. This may have been higher had he already resolved Staal’s situation and paid less for Dan Girardi’s renewal. If Sather really does admit to the biggest mistake of his managerial career and banishes Redden in camp then Sather will have redeemed himself to a degree.

THN: Rangers To Finish 13th

As Jeremy touched on Thursday, The Hockey News picked the Rangers to finish 13th in the Eastern Conference next season. Their reasoning is, well, flawed at best:

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.

This is at best lazy journalism. I do not call myself a journalist, but I at least perform research before writing posts to this blog. Yes, if Gaborik or Henrik Lundqvist suffer a significant injury, the Rangers will falter next season. That is a fact. However, ranking the Rangers that low based on a “what-if” scenario is just irresponsible and lazy. As I mentioned in the comments of Jeremy’s musings; 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?

You see, I can make a “what-if” scenario too.

But let’s be honest, the Rangers are clearly the 4th best team in the Atlantic Division, which at best puts them as the #6 seed in the playoffs, should they qualify. It is safe to assume the top three teams in the Atlantic qualify for the playoffs, along with the division winners from the Southeast and Northeast Divisions. After those top five teams, the rest of the Eastern Conference, save for the Florida Panthers and New York Islanders (who will likely finish 14-15), is a big toss up. Any team can suffer a significant injury, which will cause them to drop in the standings. The Toronto Maple Leafs, although greatly improved, will likely finish out of the playoffs, as will the Carolina Hurricanes. Where they finish is still up for debate.

Barring injuries, it is safe to assume the Rangers will finish ahead of those four teams. The Atlanta Thrashers are better, but may suffer in net, with Ondrej Pavelec and Chris Mason in goal. The Ottawa Senators are also very shaky in net, as Pascal Leclaire will have to regain form to make the Sens a competitor. I’d rather have a potential injury concern who played 70 games last year over a question mark in net any day, so it is likely the Rangers will finish ahead of these two teams as well.

At this point, the Rangers are one of three teams battling for the final two playoff spots, along with the vastly improved Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Montreal Canadiens. At this point, those two spots are up for grabs to which ever teams wants those spots the most. Last year, the Rangers started hot, faltered for the middle 60 games of the season, and finished hot. For the Rangers to make the playoffs, they will obviously need to remain healthy, but they will need something more than that. They will need one word that has plagued this team since the lockout. One word that we have been looking for since 1994. That word: CONSISTENCY.

Training Camp Hot Seats

Less than a month to go before Camp. Who is in danger of missing out? Which players need a strong camp to make the club and fight their way up the depth charts? For the first time in several seasons the Rangers go into training camp with a lot of competition for places. How many places are really up for grabs remains to be seen but there are a few spots seemingly up for grabs.  On Tuesday we considered the Sean Avery scenario however Avery is not alone in needing a good camp. For varying reasons, here are a few more guys under pressure.

Brian Boyle; Boyle may be one of the more frustrating Rangers of recent times. A massive body that was very good at the AHL level for Manchester and who had a good college career, Boyle simply hasn’t done it at the NHL level. Doesn’t play physical given his size and hasn’t finished well when the opportunities have been there. He’ll start the camp without a spot and needing to win one back. It’s hard to see how he fits into the equation at present. His NHL career is in jeopardy so it’d be nice to see some desire and passion in camp.  

Dane Byers; The talented Byers could be a useful player for the Rangers if only he could stick and stay healthy. Having been repeatedly overlooked it’s hard to imagine he’ll get another chance if he doesn’t make the team this time around. Good size, aggression and decent scoring ability are all facets of Byers’ game and in theory he’d make an ideal bottom six player. With the signings of Prust and Boogaard, the presence of Boyle and the threat of Weise it’s looking cluttered in the bottom 6. If another year in the AHL beckons, surely it’s either a trade or a change of scenery after his current 1 year deal expires.

Erik Christensen; Yes, EC has a new 2 year deal in his pocket. However, a deal that pays less than 1m annually is easy to move (or rid) and Christensen has by no means secured anything at this stage. Flashed his tantalizing skill set enough last year to equally impress and frustrate the coaching staff (‘why couldn’t he do it more’…) but his spot will be under threat if Anisimov wins a top 6 spot and Prospal, Dubinsky and Todd White battle for the other centre spot. That’s without mentioning X factors such as Ethan Werek and Derek Stepan who come to camp with little pressure. It’s hard to imagine Christensen thriving enough lower down the order, to stick. Top 6 or bust?

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The Problem with Sean Avery

People keep saying Wade Redden needs to be in Hartford, that the Rangers don’t have a plan B if he plays well. There are concerns that Redden could be a bad influence on the kids in the A if he does go there. Well, there’s another player that maybe the Rangers haven’t accounted for and that’s Sean Avery. The Grate One has never seemed to click with Tortorella; left wing seems crowded with Prospal, Frolov and Dubinsky all competition at the spot and then there’s Avery’s infamous personality.

It needs to be repeated that Avery can be a very effective player for the Rangers. It could be said that Avery needs to be effective for this year’s club to be a playoff team. The problem is, where will he play? Avery needs minutes. Tortorella banished him to the 4th line once before and he was ineffective. Avery is best when he’s on the 2nd line making a nuisance of himself, going to the corners and being pro active. A line featuring Avery and Callahan on the flanks makes for a nice two-way, forechecking compliment to the Gaborik/Frolov line. Will it get a chance? Time will tell.

Avery needs to make the team or surely he won’t be in New York. Regardless of Redden’s cap hit going to Connecticut it’s hard to see how the Rangers can afford Avery’s cap hit to linger if he isn’t playing. It’s also hard to imagine they want his personality to linger if he’s not playing but right now there really doesn’t seem an opening for him. This is an issue that potentially won’t go away until either Avery plays on opening night or he’s moved (an unlikely scenario). The Coach keeps insisting he sees Dubinsky at wing, Frolov wasn’t brought in to be anything less than a primetime scorer and Prospal won’t be outside the top six (regardless whether that be at center or wing) so really it seems Avery is being tabbed, at best, for a 3rd line job however there seems to be an awful lot of players competing for spots on that line. If Avery doesn’t play do we really see him making his way to Hartford? It’s not a good scenario for any party involved.

Sean Avery and everything that he is, is a distraction. When it’s to the opposition it’s a good thing and the Rangers are better for it but if he doesn’t play, doesn’t play well and often he will become a distraction to the Rangers, and the NY media. It would be an unwelcome distraction.

Looking Ahead: Chris Kreider

Every Friday we look ahead to a different aspect of the future of the Rangers organization. This week we take a look at what may be the Rangers #1 prospect. There’s a very good chance that Massachusetts born Chris Kreider is the best offensive prospect the Rangers have even though the Rangers are fortunate to have a few  very promising ones coming up the system.

Drafted 19^th overall (and looking every bit the steal) Kreider has developed at a rapid pace to the point where he was a teen college player invited to play for the senior USA world championship team and to the point where GM Glen Sather declared Kreider ready for NHL play. On top of that Sather admitted he tried to sign the blue chip talent this summer. The fact Sather even commented publicly on a negotiation of this kind is compliment enough. So where is Kreider at right now and when will Rangers fans a) see him in Ranger blue and b) see him as an impact player?

Kreider has gone on record that he intends to turn pro a year from now. This was backed up by Rangers beat writer Jim Cerny on twitter. Kreider already has the pro physique standing a solid 6’2 220lbs while he is genuinely regarded as one of the most explosive skaters around. His size and excellent speed could, should prove to be a deadly combination.

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Difference Makers?

While studying the Rangers current NHL roster the other day (and not considering who might make the roster from the minors/juniors/Europe) it was interesting to note who may be the most crucial influences in making the club a playoff team again. Not considered were Gaborik, Lundqvist, Frolov and Del Zotto. Those players will obviously have a big say on the season ahead and until Marc Staal signs on the dotted line its hard to consider him. Let’s have a look at three players that can make a huge difference.

Chris Drury. The captain’s goal output in the last 4 years: 37, 25, 22, 14. That’s a worrying trend. He also took 71 shots less last year than the year before. Everyone knows the defensive skills he brings on the PK but if Drury can ‘just’ get back to the 22 goal form of 2 years ago then he will have a huge influence on the secondary scoring of this team. Simply put Drury needs to get into dangerous positions more and shoot the puck. He’s never been a plus player as a Ranger and his ice time may be limited given the additions to the roster but thanks to his captain status and cap hit it’s hard to imagine Drury wont atleast get an opportunity to make an impact. We should know early into the season whether Drury has anything left in the tank offensively. If he does, it bodes well for the Rangers.

Artem Anisimov. The lanky Russian is hugely talented and has progressed a lot since his rookie year in Hartford. Defensively proficient and with the ability to both score himself or make a play it’s unclear just where on the depth chart Anisimov will start the year. If Anisimov grabs a top 6 centre spot it serves the Rangers well in the long term. Given his solid totals from last year in limited ice time it’s fair to expect progression from the Russian. Anisimov’s play also hugely affects other roster players. All of Brandon Dubinsky, Eric Christensen and Todd White’s ice time may be affected by AA so his training camp performance directly affects a lot of players careers. Training camp competition at center should be fierce which can only be a good thing.

Dan Girardi. Girardi wasn’t very good last year yet he got more than a 100% rise in salary. It’s time to earn the pay rise Dan. Given the potential change and lack of experience on the blue line Girardi needs to step up. If Girardi can show the composure that highlighted his early Rangers career, can show more consistency and score a little heavier then Girardi can become a key cog for this team. A good Dan Girardi allows Del Zotto and any rookie such as McDonagh to not have their development rushed. The Ontario native isn’t great at any one facet of the game but can make positive contributions in several areas. Stepping into a senior role this season would benefit the Rangers long term development massively.

Looking ahead: Why all the Fuss?

Every Friday here at BSB we’re going to Look ahead. We’ll be looking ahead at various aspects of the New York Rangers, this week starting with how the prospects are not being blocked. Not now, not going forward – Its all about them being ready.

I appreciate that there is some negative sentiment and pessimism floating around, that with additions such as Todd White, the Rangers are not sticking to their word by leaving roster spots open for prospects. I can see why people would be concerned but let’s be honest here; as it currently stands (yes, it may – hopefully – change by the end of camp) how many forward prospects are ready to make a legitimate impact at the NHL level?

Who can truly say Derek Stepan, Ethan Werek, but especially Evgeny Grachev wouldn’t be better served with major minutes in either the minors or in junior? Would Stepan’s development not be stunted if he was receiving between 7-10 minutes per night in NY as opposed to 16-18 mins in Hartford? Carl Hagelin, Chris Kreider, Ryan Borque and Roman Horak are all atleast a year away, Christian Thomas and Andrew Yogan more so.  Mats Zuccarello-Aasen may also benefit from major minutes in the AHL though that is still to be determined. As it stands, the apparent logjam at forward is ‘only’ a concern for Dale Weise and Dane Byers but specifically Weise is highly thought of by the coaching staff so it can be assumed he’ll atleast get a shot at making it New York. Right now however, none of the ‘blue chip’ forward prospects are in danger of getting lost amongst the forward shuffle in New York.

Things are a little clearer on the blue line. Sort of. Maybe? It looks as though Wade Redden will be waived. The current cap situation dictates it (yay!). That leaves atleast one spot open to open competition. If that’s grabbed by Steve Eminger so be it. If it’s Matt Gilroy, Ryan McDonagh or even Pavel Valentenko even better.  There are opportunities on the blue line and quite frankly if Matt Gilroy can’t beat out Steve Eminger he doesn’t deserve a spot. Fans shouldn’t see Eminger as a road block to the prospects. He basically cost the Rangers nothing, has neither a significant commitment from the club or a prohibitive cap hit so he won’t be given a job because of those factors. If Eminger is patrolling the blue line opening night it can be assumed he deserved it ahead of the competition.

McDonagh and co will get their opportunities; it’s up to them to take them. Whether that is the start of the coming season, mid season or next season we’re yet to see. Which brings me to my final point. Within the next 2 years, 16 contracts and $35.27m from the current roster come off the books. That doesn’t include Redden. Of those 16 deals it is safe to assume Prospal won’t be back after 11/12 (at the latest), same goes for Todd White and unless Sather wants a fan revolt Michael Roszival will be gone the latest in two years. Barring a great season it’s hard to imagine Eminger coming back and the same goes for Marty Biron in two years, with the caveat that Chad Johnson develops in Hartford. Brian Boyle seems to be an odd man now let alone when his deal expires in 12 months time…

The point here is that there are plenty of opportunities for the prospects on the horizon. If, during this time, Sather then fills the vacating roster spots despite the prospects truly being ready then by all means let him have it, but until prospects X, Y and Z are banging the door down with their play then it’s hard to moan – just yet. Why rush a prospect into a position just because he’s a prospect? How did that pan out for Jamie Lundmark and Manny Malhotra? By the way, a 12 goal season (Mr Grachev) is not banging the door down.