NHL: New York Rangers Prospects To Compete For Fifth, Staal Close To Signing

Today the New York Rangers prospects took on the prospects of the Minnesota Wild in a must-win game. For anyone that missed it, here is a goal-by-goal box score for both teams:

First Period

7:33- Jarod Palmer scores power-play goals from the slot to give Minnesota prospects a 1-0 lead, which they would take into the second period. (Penalty to Chris McKelvie for tripping; 1-0 Min)

Second Period

3:32- Kelsey Tessier scores on a one-timer for the Rangers prospects, thus tying the game 1-1. The goal was assisted by Brandon Manning. (Tied 1-1)

5:36- Casey Wellman scores for the Wild on a five-on-three, giving them the 2-1 lead. (Penalty on Sam Klassen for hooking; 2-1 MIN)

10:45- Jay Fehr put in an easy rebound to give the Minnesota prospects a 3-1 lead. (3-1 MIN)

19:02- Andrew Yogan of the Rangers prospect team collected a pass from Kelsey Tessier, ripped it to the back of the net cutting the lead to 3-2. Goal assisted by Kelsey Tessier and Sam Klassen. (3-2 MIN)

Third Period

:19- Evgeny Grachev scores an impressive goal to tie the game for the Rangers prospects early in the third period. Ryan McDonagh will get the assist. (Tied 3-3)

1:11- Jarod Palmer scores his second goal of the game to give the Minnesota prospects a 4-3 lead. (4-3 MIN)

7:19- Joel Broda scores on the power-play giving the Wild a 5-3 lead. (Penalty to Ryan McDonagh for interference; 5-3 MIN)

19:59- With one second left in the game, Rangers prospect Ethan Werek found the back of the net, but it will be too late for anything more. (MIN wins 5-4)

My New York Rangers Star of the Game

Kelsey Tessier- In a not-so-great game for the New York Ranger prospects, one player stood out from the rest. Kelsey Tessier, who recently signed an entry level deal with the Rangers, scored a goal and an assist in the 5-4 loss. He was the most effective player on the ice for the prospect team today, making him my “Star of the Game”.

This loss places the New York Rangers prospects in third place for their division, diminishing their possible ending seed to fifth place.

In bigger news, the Rangers and Marc Staal will likely have a contract signed before training camp begins this Friday. Some even believe the deal may be done tonight.

The only information given on the contract talks comes from Larry Brooks, who reported earlier today that the deal will be long term (five or more years), and fairly high priced. Glen Sather has also stated that he has given Staal “a lucrative offer”, which does worry me in a sense.

I wouldn’t mind the contract being five or six years, but I do not think the price should go anywhere higher than $4.5 million a season. If the deal is north of that (money wise) the Rangers may run into some problems.

Looking for the most current game (9/15)? Here is the link:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/463496-nhl-new-york-rangers-prospects-take-fifth-place-resign-marc-staal-long-term