Auricchio is an Iraqi War veteran and a police officer, who was off duty at the time.

Big time props go to Broad Street Hockey as well.

Read the entire review here.

There is a question every market will pose when their team has sprung an extra buck to add someone with a “name” to their roster. Was he a good acquisition?  Is he paying off? Is he worth the payday?

This question hits home hard this season for the Rangers as they went out and secured two Stanley Cup (one with multiple Cup wins and another who was an MVP to his only ring) winners.

Both of which had handsome price tags attached. The problem with this question is that it is always posed too early. Already we see the blogs and TV hosts posing this question in regards to Brad Richards. Why is it too early?

Last season was a shaky year. It was a roller coaster of a year which saw the Rangers bring a first full-season rookie (Derek Stepan) in a good while.  It was also a season that also saw the top goal producer fall off in production. It still ended up with a playoff berth, albeit short lived.

However two seasons ago, the new superstar acquisition was on fire and the Rangers still missed the playoffs. What does all this tell you? No season will make perfect sense.  But the only true way to see if there has been improvement is the simplest way there is:  Where did the team end up after the smoke cleared? How have the changes affected the club when faced with the same situation as before? Do they fall again? Do they live to see another day?

It is this guest bloggers belief that until the team has reached the playoffs, we will NOT know who was or wasn’t worth it.

Imagine either of the two previous playoff appearances had the Rangers faced the Capitals with the addition of Brad Richards and Mike Rupp. A big, able body like Rupp going up against Laich. A Richards and Gaborik combination to compete with the Ovechkin and Semin combination.

Unless the smoke clears to reveal a complete playoff miss (which would take a serious titanic- esque error), then it will not be known until the first round of the playoffs is complete.  If the Rangers don’t make it to the first round, then the answer is a resounding NO! If they get to the first round and lose again regardless of how many games, the answer is again answer NO.

What happens this time around when the Rangers are locked in the room with the kid looking to beat them and take their lunch money? Will they fork it over? Or did they put on enough muscle over the summer to put up a fight?

Will the newfound strength get them past the bully, intact, and headed to the lunchroom to grub?

It’s too early. Ask again in May.

I’ll close this with a jab at our friends across the Hudson.

Hows Ilya working out? Going places aren’t ya..mmm? (Last sentence to be read in baby Stewie’s voice.)

Read the entire review here.

None of the top four will sit, as all four have been playing extremely well. So it’s clearly between Eminger and Woywitka. Woywitka had a rough first couple of games, but played a very good game last night, and definitely has been showing improvement as each game progresses. That is a very good sign, as it shows Woywitka is learning coach John Tortorella’s system, and growing more comfortable with his transition to New York.

As for Eminger, well he has been somewhat atrocious. Without rehashing the entire post from last week, Eminger has not been able to help his team maintain possession of the puck while he is on the ice, despite facing mediocre competition at best. He has been out of position, and lacked the “jam” that made him somewhat effective last season. Simply put, he has regressed, while Woywitka has progressed. Not a good sign for Eminger.

Add to the picture that Stralman and Eminger are both righties (Woywitka is a lefty), and the cards just don’t play out for Eminger at the moment. Assuming Woywitka keeps up his strong play, it’s going to be tough to argue against sitting Eminger when Stralman joins the team. Having a spare defenseman on the roster isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it will keep those bottom guys playing hard, knowing they could be in the press box at any given moment.

Of course, the Rangers could always try some sort of rotation with Eminger, Woywitka, and Stralman at first, and see who emerges as a legitimate bottom pairing player. It’s the same method the Rangers used last year with Eminger, Mike Sauer, and Matt Gilroy. The rotation worked well, as the Rangers discovered they had a defense beast in Sauer. That’s not to say it will happen again this year, but getting them all playing time could really help identify which player –or pairing– is most effective.

Meet Brad Richards After Watching Rangers Vs. Phoenix At The Garden
•The last time Tortorella and Brad Richards teamed up, they won the 2004 Stanley Cup for Tampa, so there’s no question that their reunion in New York is stirring up some conversation. One lucky fan and a friend will get to personally welcome Richards to New York, when they meet the All-Star Center after a home game! The twosome will enjoy 2 club level tickets to watch the Rangers take on the Phoenix Coyotes on January 10 at The Garden, and then head to the locker room to buddy up to Brad.

Have Dinner with Hockey Great Adam Graves Before A Rangers Home Game
It’s safe to say that former Rangers left-wing Adam Graves has seen some of the best days in Blueshirt history, and two lucky fans will get the chance to hear all about! The pair will have dinner with the hockey great before watching the Rangers take on the Hurricanes on November 11 at Madison Square Garden. After the meal, Graves will send the winner to their club level seats with a signed Rangers jersey to take home.

Ride the Zamboni At the Rangers Vs. Panthers Game at The Garden
The winning bidder will be able to enjoy the Rangers with the whole family, when their child gets to ride on the Zamboni during intermission at the Rangers vs. Florida Panthers game at Madison Square Garden! The lucky winner will watch the game with three family members from club level seats, close enough to catch all the Rangers action and their child’s ride on the ice.

Enjoy Lunch with Former Ranger Dave Maloney, Watch Rangers Practice and Tour the MSG Training Facility
Fans that want a behind-the-scenes look at how the Blueshirts gear up for game time can watch the team practice at the MSG Training Center in Greenburgh, NY after lunch with Ranger alum and radio announcer Dave Maloney! The winning bidder and a guest will go to practice on November 14, and then meet Maloney in the players’ dining room for lunch before an exclusive tour of the MSG Training Center.

Bidding for these items is open through Monday, November 7 at http://www.charitybuzz.com/auctions/gardenofdreams2011/catalog_items. Proceeds benefit The Garden of Dreams Foundation, a nonprofit charity that works closely with the Madison Square Garden Company to bring joy and happiness to children facing devastating problems.

The guys at FanSided, a network of blogs that includes Blue Line Station, is organizing a Twitter moment of silence.  The details are bolded below, and I have included James’ post here as well:

After the amount of heartache a single sport has endured in just a short amount of time, you would think adding more to it would be the last straw. But it hasn’t; it’s made the collective hockey world stronger to move on but still heavy in our hearts.

When reading all of the news flowing out about the plane crash, one thing was evident to me; I was speechless. Initially, I couldn’t even comprehend what it would feel like to lose an entire sports team to a tragedy.

More importantly, I couldn’t quite grasp what it would be like to lose loved ones in such a horrific manner. Knowing they are here one minute and, in an instant, taken away is a sobering, paralyzing thought.

The Rangers had some strong bonds to the unfortunate souls who perished yesterday. Marian Gaborik, already mourning the loss of close friend Derek Boogaard, lost his best friend Pavol Demitra. Henrik Lundqvist lost friend and fellow goalie Stefan Liv. 1994 Stanley Cup champion Alexander “Potsy” Karpotsev was also among the dead. Karel Rachunek and former 2003 draft pick Jan Marek were casualties, too.

As a way to come together for a cause, everyone here at Blue Line Station and the FanSided Sports Network would like to show their sympathy by taking a moment of silence on Twitter at 9:00 a.m. Friday.

We will post #KHLMomentofSilence at exactly 9am on Twitter and follow it with 60 seconds of silence and prayer. You are most welcome to join our family in this salute.

KHL Statement on Tragedy in Yaroslavl

On Wednesday, September 7^th,  the sport of hockey witnessed a devastating loss. A YK-42 plane that  was carrying the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hockey team to its first game of  the 2011/2012 Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) season in Minsk, crashed  while departing from Yaroslavl.

KHL statement regarding today’s tragedy in Yaroslavl:

“We are  only beginning to understand the impact of this tragedy affecting the  Lokomotiv Yaroslavl club and the international hockey community. First  and foremost, our condolences go out to the families and friends of the  players, coaches and staff lost in today’s tragedy.

“We  know that there are many in the KHL family who will be grieving with  us. As the investigation of this tragedy progresses we will work closely  with investigators, government officials, club executives and the  Yaroslavl community. We are working to find an appropriate way to honor  this club and begin the healing process from the deep loss so many of us  feel today.

“We  are aware that many of you have questions. This tragedy remains our  primary focus. We ask for patience as we find an appropriate way to  proceed with the 2011/2012 season. We will continue to communicate our  plans as they take shape.”

Quote from Artem Anisimov, courtesy of Jesse Spector:

“I know these people, half the team,” Anisimov said. “Young guys, we’ve grown up together, you know? In Russia, they have school – it’s one organization, Yaroslavl. You go to the hockey school growing up, play with the second team and then you grow up and play with the first team, so a bunch of young guys I know, and the medical staff, all the staff, I know too. So sad.”

“I feel like – it can’t happen. I don’t want to believe it. The news says plane crash, and I feel sick. I feel bad. Sitting in traffic coming here, I felt terrible.”

Quote from Mike Rupp, also courtesy of Jesse Spector:

“It’s one of those things that, we’re playing a sport, but anytime there’s a life lost, that’s something way bigger than anything we’re doing on the field or ice,” said Mike Rupp, who played with Rachunek for the Devils and called him a “quiet guy with a good sense of humor. It’s terrible, the hockey world’s had these tragic losses all summer, and it twists up your stomach. There’s not much more to say than that. Everyone I’ve talked to today just has that sick feeling, and that’s all I’m feeling right now.”

Reports out state that the entire main roster was on the plane, although this has not been confirmed.

Update 10:08am: Former Ranger Alex Karpotsev is the team’s assistant coach.  Current Ranger Artem Anisimov is a product of this team, and knew many players on board.

Update 10:20am: It has been confirmed that 43 people have died from the crash.  There is at least one survivor, reported to be Alexander Galimov, who is badly injured.

Update 10:25am: It is being reported that Galimov is among three survirors, but the only player to survive.  It is being reported that the plane could not reach proper altitude and hit a radar antenna after take off.

Update: 11:15am: There are conflicting reports on Salei, but it has been confirmed that Demitra has died in the crash.  It has also been confirmed that former NHL player Brad McCrimmon, the head coach, has died in the crash.  It has been confirmed that former Ranger Karel Rachunek had died in the crash.  Former Ranger draft pick Jan Marek (2003-8th round) was on the plane.  Confirmed on the plane also was Alex Karpotsev.  I’ll never forget his celebration with the Cup in 94.

The Wiki for the plane crash has a list of those that were on board.  It is being reported that Galimov succumbed to his injuries. No one from the team who was on the plane appears to have survived.

Update 11:53am: Quoting @dchesnokov: Lokomotiv official: “At first we didn’t want to believe it. But right now there is no hope. The team is gone.”

Update 1:40pm: It has been confirmed that Salei was on the plane, and has also perished in the crash.

This is horrible.