New York Rangers Sign Two Prospects; Thoughts on Back-to-Back Finals Games

The Rangers have been busy little beavers this week, signing Mike Del Zotto (their first round draft pick last year) and Swiss forward Andres Ambühl. 

Steve Zipay from Blue Notes has more on Ambühl:

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"Ambühl skated in 50 games with HC Davos of the National League A in Switzerland (NLA) this past season, registering 17 goals and 24 assists for 41 points, along with 90 penalty minutes. He established career-highs in games played (50), goals (17), assists (24), points (41), and penalty minutes (90).

"Ambühl tied for the team lead in scoring and assists, while he finished fourth on the club in goals. In addition, he collected four goals and three assists for seven points in 21 postseason contests, including two goals in the NLA Finals series against the Kloten Flyers to help HC Davos win their fourth NLA championship in the last eight years."

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Beyond the Blueshirts writer “Squishy” has labeled him as “Hartford fodder” on the Hockey Rodent’s Messageboard.  What this could mean is that he has been brought in just to replace a forward who might make the Rangers roster this season.  Perhaps Artem Anisimov?

I would like to take this time to talk about everyone complaining about the back-to-back games scheduled on Saturday and Sunday for the Stanley Cup Finals: Stop bitching.  It has been known since April that Games One and Two would be back to back, even if the finals started on June 5. 

Why is it that no one can be content with any decission the NHL makes?  Gary Bettman is nothing special, but NBC has control in this one.  According to Puck Daddy, Greg Wyshynski:

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"But the sitcoms and the reality shows get better ratings. And NBC doesn’t want triple-OT screwing with its local news or Conan’s first week on The Tonight Show.  That’s the sad reality.

"And as someone who feels it important to have the NHL’s championship round on broadcast television in the U.S.—like the NBA, NFL and MLB do—then you take what’s given to you by the broadcasting partner. NBC wanted the first two games of the playoffs and they didn’t want them on a weekday."

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Sad as it may be, NBC has the final word on this one.  If the players don’t like or can’t play back-to-back games, they don’t belong in the NHL.  Go play in Europe where there are no back-to-back games and you can be the best player in the entire league.