Bleacher Report - Articles by Kevin McRae

New York Rangers: Marian Gaborik a Blueshirt

Kevin McRae — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:35:30 -0400

The New York Rangers finally have their sniper.

Marian Gaborik, one of the most highly sought-after free agents this summer, has agreed to a five-year contract with the Blueshirts that will pay him $7.5 million annually.

Gaborik, who was injured most of last season, had spent his entire career with the Minnesota Wild. The Rangers hope that he will provide them with the dynamic scoring option the team has lacked the past several years.

The Gaborik signing was largely made possible when the Rangers unloaded the contract of Scott Gomez, who makes the same per year as Gaborik, to the Montreal Canadiens.

Gaborik, 27, has 219 goals and 218 assists in 502 career games with Minnesota.

New York Rangers: Heatley Dealt to Edmonton

Kevin McRae — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:31:04 -0400

The New York Rangers are going to need to find their sniper elsewhere.

The Ottawa Senators and Edmonton Oilers have agreed to a trade that would send all-star forward Dany Heatley west in exchange for forwards Andrew Cogliano, Dustin Penner, and defenseman Ladislav Smid.

Heatley, who has a no-move clause, vetoed a trade to Edmonton earlier in the week but has apparently accepted this time around.

It is unclear how hard the Rangers were pursuing Heatley, though many speculated a deal was on the horizon after Scott Gomez was dealt to Montreal.

With Heatley now off the market, and with significantly more cap space, the Rangers are believed to be interested in Minnesota Wild free agent winger Marion Gaborik. Gaborik, who was hurt much of last year, will command a long-term contract once free agency begins at midnight.

New York Rangers: Scott Gomez Dealt to Montreal For Chris Higgins

Kevin McRae — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:16:35 -0400

The New York Rangers cleared significant cap space today, dealing center Scott Gomez to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for left winger Christopher Higgins.

The Canadiens received Gomez along with forward Tom Pyatt and defenseman Michael Busto in exchange for Higgins and defensemen Ryan McDonagh, Pavel Valentenko and Doug Janik.

McDonagh was the Habs' first round selection, twelth overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Higgins, a restricted free agent this summer, scored 12 goals and 11 assists last season in Montreal.

Gomez, in his second season of a multi-year deal, was due to earn $7.35 million dollars next season, which the Rangers can now use to address their many holes. While showing flashes of brilliance at times Gomez was never able to live up to his mega-contract.

With free agency set to begin tonight at midnight, the Rangers will now have significantly more options available to address their needs on defense and for a big-time goal scorer.

New York Rangers: Zherdev Offered Deal; Betts, Sjostrom Likely Gone

Kevin McRae — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:09:22 -0400

This weekend's NHL Entry Draft begins but does not end an extremely busy week for GM's, as free agency is literally around the corner.

As of midnight on July 1, contracts for both restricted and unrestricted free agents expire and its the former that New York Rangers GM Glen Sather should be most concerned about.

Much of the Rangers young core of players, including Brandon Dubinsky, Ryan Callahan, and Nik Zherdev, will hit free agency on Wednesday and as yet none has been signed.

In his first interview with the media following the team's crushing exit from last year's playoffs, Rangers GM Glen Sather laid out some of his plans for this off-season and who does and doesn't fit into it.

In a story first reported by Steve Zipay of the New York Newsday, the New York Rangers have extended a qualifying one-year offer to Nik Zherdev believed to be worth about $3.25 million.

Zherdev showed flashes of brilliance early last season before disappearing in the second half and playoffs.

"Whether he's going to accept or negotiate, it's tough to get a straight answer out of his agent," Sather told Zipay.

The Rangers will likely also lose their top two penalty killers from last year's club, with neither Blair Betts or Fred Sjostrom likely to return.

Sjostrom, who did not receive a qualifying offer from Sather, was solid on the penalty kill, but his production didn't match the money he'd need to be paid, according to Sather.

Blair Betts, on the other hand, could be heading to Edmonton and a reunion with former coach Tom Renney, who is now an assistant with the Oilers. Sather says he has yet to speak with Betts' agent.

Further fueling the speculation that Betts will not return, the Rangers acquired huge center Brian Boyle today from the Los Angeles Kings.

Sather says he expects either Boyle or Artem Anisimov, coming up from Hartford, to potentially fill Betts' role this season.

As for the defense, Sather acknowledges that the Rangers have a glut of young defensemen down in the minors and hopes some will compete to make the team this season.

With Bobby Sanguinetti, Michael Del Zotto, Corey Potter, Mike Sauer and recently signed Matt Gilroy all looking for playing time, that likely spells the end of Paul Mara and Derek Morris' Ranger careers.

Nik Antropov, who came to the Rangers in a deadline deal with Toronto, is also not likely to return next year. In the interview, Sather had harsh words for Antropov's agent Mark Gandler.

Based on the first volley from Mark Gandler, there's a slim chance," Sather said, "because I told Mark if you think that's [a deal] going to happen here, it would be a snowball's chance in hell. It's ridiculous, and I hate to criticize an agent, but let's have a little bit of reality in this thing."

Free agency begins this Wednesday, July 1. For the New York Rangers, it looks to be an off-season of tremendous upheaval.

Brian Boyle Acquired by New York Rangers From Los Angeles

Kevin McRae — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 18:25:25 -0400

The New York Rangers added size and strength to their offense today, acquiring center Brian Boyle, 24, from the Los Angeles Kings in a draft day deal.

Boyle, who stands a towering 6'7'' and weighs 250 lbs., accumulated five points in 28 games with the Kings last season. It was his first significant NHL action after being selected 26th overall in the 2003 Entry Draft.

In exchange for Boyle, who is a restricted free agent on July 1, the Los Angeles Kings will receive the Rangers' third round pick in the 2010 NHL draft.

New York Rangers: Chris Kreider Selected In First Round

Kevin McRae — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 22:01:17 -0400

While much of the attention at tonight's NHL Entry Draft focused on the New York Islanders and their pick John Tavares, the New York Rangers also sought to add depth and youth to their system.

In the first round, picking 19th overall, the Blueshirts selected Center Chris Kreider of Andover High School in Massachusetts. Kreider, 17, had 56 points in only 26 games while playing for Andover last season and plans to attend Boston College in the fall.

NHL scouts considered Kreider the best high school player in this year's draft and gave him credit for being a fast learner with a wicked shot. His size is also an asset. Standing 6'2" and weighing in at 201 pounds scouts predict that Kreider could develop into a top-notch power forward in the NHL.

But it isn't just physical tools that Kreider brings to the ice. He's also been described as a natural leader.

"The scouts who see him know what type of tremendous skills he has and he obviously has great physical strength, but he's an absolutely great character kid," Andover Coach Dean Boylan told NHL.com. "He's a great kid off the ice, a presence in the locker room and a young man who is forever looking to get better."

New York Rangers Rumor: Wade Redden Drawing Interest from Toronto Maple Leafs?

Kevin McRae — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:11:24 -0400

Of all the New York Rangers' offseason moves last summer, none caused more people to scratch their heads than the six years and $39 million handed to free agent defenseman Wade Redden.

Redden was coming off another disappointing season in Ottawa and appeared to be hitting the downslope of his career.

After another disappointing season, this time with a bloated contract with the Rangers, Redden is considered by many to be untradeable.

But that may not be the case.

According to reports by Tim Wharnsby in yesterday's Globe and Mail, Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke may be interested in acquiring the underachieving defenseman. Wharnsby speculates that acquiring Redden could be a precursor to Burke dealing one of the Leafs' two veteran defensemen—Tomas Kaberle or Pavel Kubina.

It's unclear what the Leafs would offer the Rangers in return.

Clearing Redden's salary off the cap would provide the Blueshirts with considerable flexibility in pursuing free agents to shore up their power play and anemic offense. Both of these shortcomings contributed to another early exit from this year's playoffs.

Dany Heatley: Willing To Accept Deal to New York Rangers

Kevin McRae — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:29:05 -0400

Ottawa Senators star forward Dany Heatley has reportedly provided the team with a list of teams he would accept a trade to this offseason.

According to reports in today's Ottawa Sun, Heatly has informed Senators GM Bryan Murray that he would accept a deal to the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, San Jose Sharks, or Vancouver Canucks.

Other teams in hot pursuit include the Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, and St. Louis Blues. It has been reported in various outlets this week that the Blues' offer was leading the pack, but it's unclear if Heatley would accept a move to St. Louis.

The New York Rangers are believed to be highly interested in the left winger who has 543 career points in 507 games, as a solution to their offensive woes. But at this point, it's unclear how the Rangers would fit Heatley into their cap plans and if they have the pieces to entice Ottawa to make the deal.

New York Rangers: Markus Naslund Good, Not Great

Kevin McRae — Mon, 04 May 2009 21:09:08 -0400

New York Rangers forward Markus Naslund made it official today, announcing his retirement from the NHL at the age of 35 after a solid career.

Naslund's decision could have a major impact on the New York Rangers off-season plans. The Blueshirts, who were eliminated from the playoffs by Washington, have many holes and little cap space to fill them.

Retiring the entirety of Naslund's $4 million cap number for next season will make the money available for the Rangers to use to pursue free agents.

For Markus Naslund, the decision puts an end to an NHL career that spanned 15 seasons with three teams: Pittsburgh, Vancouver, and New York. He retires with 395 goals and 474 assists for 869 points.

Markus Naslund began his hockey career in his native Sweden playing alongside Peter Forsberg. When Naslund was drafted 16th overall in the 1991 Entry Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins, he decided to forgo the NHL and remain in Sweden for an additional two years.

Making his NHL debut in 1993, Naslund struggled to fulfill the promise of a player selected 16th overall. In 185 games for the Penguins, spread out over three seasons, Naslund disappointed with 25 goals and 42 assists.

The majority of these points came in 1995-96, the season in which Naslund was dealt to the Vancouver Canucks.

The first two seasons in Vancouver did not see substantial improvement. Many within the Canucks organization, including head coach Mike Keenan, began questioning whether Naslund would ever reach his potential.

His first breakout offensive season came in 1998-99 as he lit the lamp 36 times and amassed 66 points leading the Canucks into the playoffs.

This would usher in the most productive stretch of his career and contribute to his naming as the Captain of the Canucks in 2000, an honor he would hold for the remainder of his time in Vancouver.

Naslund's most productive season came in 2002-03 when he was paired with Todd Bertuzzi and Brendan Morrision. The line, dubbed the West Coast Express, was dominant and contributed to Naslund setting career highs in goals (48), assists (56) and points (104).

For this tremendous season Naslund was awarded the Lester B. Pearson Award as the NHL's most outstanding player and finished runner-up to countryman Peter Forsberg for the Hart Memorial Trophy.

The following year Naslund continued to produce but his season, along with that of the entire Canucks organization, will be remembered for one of the most vicious on-ice incidents in NHL history.

On February 14, 2004 Colorado Avalanche forward Steve Moore delivered a questionable open ice hit to Naslund. The hit caused a minor concussion and cost Naslund three games.

In their next meeting Naslund's linemate Todd Bertuzzi retaliated for the hit, suckerpunching Moore and falling forward onto him. The incident fractured three vertebrae in Moore's neck and ended his NHL career.

During the NHL's lockout Naslund returned to Sweden, reuniting with Peter Forsberg and Canuck teammates Henrik and Daniel Sedin, before reupping with the Canucks. In the next three seasons Naslund would set a number of Canucks records.

Last Summer Naslund decided to leave Vancouver after growing frustrated with the team and the coaching staff's inability to pair him with consistent linemates.

Signing a two year contract with the Rangers, Naslund left Vancouver as the franchises leading goal and points scorer.

In his one season in New York, Naslund led the Rangers in goals with 24 and contributed 46 points. He also served as one of two Rangers alternate captains to Chris Drury along with Scott Gomez .

Naslund was always known as one of the nicest guys in the league and gave a great deal to charitable organizations.

While in Vancouver, Naslund founded a program called Nazzy's Suite 19 which brought underprivileged children to Canucks home games and frequently volunteered time at children's hospitals.

Markus Naslund will one day see his No. 19 raised to the rafters at GM Place in Vancouver. This is an honor he has earned and deserves. It will be the perfect cap to an NHL career that was good, very good in fact. It just wasn't great.

Thank you, Markus, for all the effort over the years and the memories.

New York Rangers: Markus Naslund to Retire?

Kevin McRae — Sun, 03 May 2009 12:14:33 -0400

The New York Rangers remained mum today on reports in various media outlets that winger Markus Naslund has informed the team he intends to retire.

Steve Zipay, of the New York Newsday, reports that the team could be waiting for Naslund to formally announce his intentions or that a final decision hasn't been made.

The New York Post further reports that had Naslund not decided to retire the Rangers would've explored buying out the final year of his contract. Naslund was believed to not be in Rangers coach John Tortarella's plans for next season.

Naslund signed a two year, $8 million dollar contract as a free agent last Summer. He is due to earn $3 million dollars next year and have a cap hit of $4 million.

Had they bought him out the Rangers would've been on the hook for a total cap hit of $3 million divided over the next two seasons. If Naslund does indeed retire his entire $4 million dollar cap hit will come off the books for next season.

Naslund, 35, was the Rangers leading goal scorer last season with 24 and added 22 assists. In his 15 year career with the Penguins, Canucks, and Rangers he's tallied 395 goals and 474 assists for 869 points.

New York Rangers: A St. Louis Reunion?

Kevin McRae — Fri, 01 May 2009 21:24:44 -0400

While the New York Rangers offensive woes came to startling light during their playoff series with the Washington Capitals, this problem plagued the team all season long.

The lack of a genuine night in and night out scoring threat placed a great deal of pressure on the team's fragile defense and on goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. Lunqdvist was often forced to literally stand on his head just to keep his team in the games.

Larry Brooks, Rangers beat writer for the New York Post, reports in today's edition that the team could look to fix their anemic offense with a familiar face. At least to Rangers head Coach John Tortorella.

Martin St. Louis, all 5'6" and 160 pounds of him, is the type of legitimate 30 goal plus scorer that the Rangers desperately need. With two years at a very reasonable $5.25 million per year left on his contract he would fill the void much cheaper than free agent options such as Marian Hossa or Marian Gaborik.

This also might be the perfect time for Tampa Bay to make a deal and start the rebuilding process after back to back awful seasons. St. Louis has a reputation as a gritty, hard-nosed player and was a favorite of Tortorella's during his stint with the Lightning.

So, he seems like a perfect fit for both teams. What could go wrong?

For one thing, St. Louis has a no trade clause with the Lightning. He has repeatedly stated his happiness at getting to play in Tampa and would have to accept a deal. On the other hand two consecutive seasons at the bottom of the conference and a chance to reunite with his old coach could sway him.

Second, as Brooks reports the Lightning would likely demand a king's ransom for St. Louis. In desperate need of defense Tampa would almost certainly target Marc Staal who is considered all but untradable. It would then be up to the Rangers to come up with a reasonable counter offer that could include some combination of Brandon Dubinsky, Ryan Callahan, and AHL prospects Michael Del Zotto, and Bobby Sanguinetti.

Sure, there are stumbling blocks. But the Rangers would be very foolish to not explore this possibility. St. Louis has scored thirty or more goals five times in his career. Last year, on a team saved from last in the conference by only the Islanders, he still lit the lamp 30 times and added 50 assists.

Two Summers ago the Rangers made a huge investment in Scott Gomez as a playmaking center. It's time they give him someone to fly with. Bring Marty St. Louis to Broadway.

New York Rangers: Who Stays, Who Goes?

Kevin McRae — Fri, 01 May 2009 10:30:18 -0400

After another disappointing playoff exit the New York Rangers have a lot of tough decisions coming up in the offseason. With many high-priced veterans, young players hitting restricted free agency, and holes to fill it should be an interesting Summer. Here at Bleacher Report you tell us who should stay and who should go.

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Jaromir Jagr: NHL Return Possible In 2010

Kevin McRae — Fri, 01 May 2009 08:48:44 -0400

Jaromir Jagr's NHL career might not be over after all.

In an interview conducted after last night's IIHF game between Canada and the Czech Republic, the 37-year-old winger left open the possibility of returning to the NHL after next season.

"I'm going to finish my contract in Omsk this year, I've got one year left, and then I'm going to make a decision,'' Jagr told the Edmonton Journal.

After the New York Rangers decided not to resign the veteran winger last summer and no other acceptable NHL offers surfaced, Jagr accepted a two year contract from Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (Russia).

Despite missing NHL action, Jagr says the Kontinental League has provided a breath of fresh air and a chance to recharge his batteries.

"For 17 years, 18 years, day by day there was so much pressure,'' Jagr said of the NHL. "I don't know how to describe it. If I was on a third or fourth line I would probably be in the NHL, because you don't have to produce every night. After a while, you just need a rest. You know, clear your head.

"It's tough in the NHL; you have to produce on a high level. And everybody expects you to do it because you make a lot of money. And I never minded it. I always want to be that guy," Jagr told the Journal.

During the season, several NHL teams expressed an interest in bringing Jagr back to add some offensive spark. Doing so would've required some form of compensation by pay to his current team.

One such team was the Edmonton Oilers who were believed to have given him the best NHL offer in free agency. In the interview Jagr praised the organization.

"I want to thank those guys,'' Jagr said. "And if I ever got there, they would be my No. 1 pick, because they showed me the interest first. I never forget that. I respect that and they would be my first pick.''

Jagr had a productive season this year for Omsk netting 25 goals and 28 assists in 55 games.

New York Rangers: Many Questions Loom After Early Exit

Kevin McRae — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:29:22 -0400

Lately, the New York Rangers seem to have this down to a science. Heartbreaking exit in April, followed by a summer of uncertainty.

For four games, Henrik Lundqvist looked like the most dominant goalie in the playoffs. The Capitals were simply not able to get anything by him, despite registering more than 160 shots on goal.

Even after jumping out to a 3-1 lead, despite being outplayed in all their victories, the Blueshirts seemed poised on the precipice of disaster. Eventually their total lack of scoring punch and defensive breakdowns would cost them against the most dangerous offensive team in the NHL.

It also didn't help that the officiating in this series was questioned by many. Somebody will still need to explain how a hit the NHL deemed as worthy of a six playoff game suspension was ruled "clean" and not worthy of a major penalty by the on-ice officials.

After back to back routes, including an inexcusable non-effort on home ice, few gave the Rangers a chance in last night's Game Seven at the Verizon Center. A solid defensive effort and strong goaltending kept the Rangers in the game heading into the third period, but it was once again their stunning inability to score or even get shots that led to a 2-1 defeat.

Three-to-one lead: Gone.

Season: Over.

So once again, the questions begin. This is a team with major issues on both ends of the ice that need to be addressed. One issue that shouldn't even be addressed is the head coaching situation.

Make no mistake about it, John Tortorella needs to be the coach of this team next season. For all his quirks and abrasive manner, "Torts" worked a minor miracle even getting this team to the playoffs and into a position to play a Game Seven.

When he took over this team from Tom Renney, they were left for dead. It's a difficult job to inherit a slumping team and change a mindset with just 20 games left in a season. Given an entire off-season and training camp, this will be a different team next year under his leadership.

It's a simple philosophy really: buy into the system or you don't play. Accountability was missing from this team for too long and, at the very least, Torts brought it back.

General Manager Glen Sather, on the other hand, should be on the hot seat. More than any coach, he was responsible for putting this team together. It was Sather who decided to let Jaromir Jagr and Brendan Shanahan walk. What Rangers fan didn't stop at some point this season and wonder if Shanny could've upgraded the power play?

It was Sather who brought in three high-profile busts in Wade Redden, Nikolai Zherdev, and Markus Naslund last Summer. Redden, who had something to prove after leaving Ottawa, was often tentative, turnover-prone and did nothing on special teams.

Naslund netted 24 goals and had 22 assists but saw his numbers decline for a fifth straight season (84, 79, 60, 55, 46). Luckily Naslund is only signed for a reasonable $4 million next year while Redden is around for another five years.

Zherdev gave every indication in the early going that he was poised for a breakout season (remember the tying goal against Pittsburgh?). But it soon became apparent to anyone watching the games that there was a reason Columbus basically gave him away. He is often lazy and struggles to keep his head in the game.

All the talent in the world couldn't compensate for his lack of killer instinct and mental toughness. Zherdev was a non-entity down the stretch and in the playoffs having not registered a goal after March 26.

It was also Sather who was responsible for the egregious four-year, $20 million dollar contract given to Michael Rozsival. Rozsival, who has yet to find someone he didn't want to hit, was a frequent target of the Garden boo-birds this year for his tentative, uninspired play.

Sather ultimately built this team and he needs to be held accountable for his decisions. Nobody can take away his accomplishments with Edmonton in the 1980s. But his reputation with the Rangers is far less sterling. Time for him to ride away into the sunset.

The Rangers offseason plans need to address serious holes on both offensive and defensive sides of the puck. This team lacks a legitimate night in-night out scoring threat. It also lacks a big, bruising shutdown defenseman. The type of player who makes the other team's stars think twice about paying the price for time in the offensive zone.

Unfortunately the Rangers are saddled with four of the worst contracts in hockey that will eat up much of their cap. Scott Gomez ($7,357,143), Chris Drury ($7,050,000), Wade Redden ($6,500,000), and Michael Rozsival ($5,000,000) all have prohibitive cap numbers making them difficult/impossible to move.

The most tradable might be Gomez who would flourish in an up-tempo Western Conference system. A team like Vancouver, who could lose both Henrik and Daniel Sedin to free agency, could look at Gomez as an alternative.

The Rangers also have many core young players who are restricted free agents this offseason. Signing guys like Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky, Lauri Korpikoski and Freddie Sjostrom is a priority. Even if they didn't have the numbers of some other guys, they provided the little heart this team had this season.

Next comes the question of what to do with the unrestricteds? Nik Antropov and Derek Morris both came over at the deadline and are UFAs.

Antropov showed flashes of brilliance but came up small in the playoffs.

Morris is likely as good as gone.

Blair Betts, he of the Donald Brashear-induced broken face, is the best penalty killer in the league and should be back. As should Paul Mara, who accepted a one year renewal last year, and was the Rangers best defenseman for much of the year.

The question now becomes where is the scoring punch going to come from? The biggest names on the market are the two Marians, Gaborik and Hossa. Beyond that, it's a steep drop off on scoring wingers. Brian Gionta? Alex Tanguay? Not exactly the kinda guy that keeps coaches up at night gameplanning.

Gaborik may have a higher upside, he's three-years younger than Hossa, but neither will come cheap.

And neither will be an option unless the Rangers can clear some cap space.

New York currently has just ten players under contract for next season totalling just over $42 million dollars against the cap. If the cap either shrinks or remains stationary next season, this would make for a tight squeeze.

Both Gaborik and Hossa are proven 30-plus goal scorers and both would fit nicely on Broadway. On the defenseman front, there are many big names available but most are of the older variety. The biggest name on everyones list is obviously Jay Bouwmeester but, again, we run into money problems.

Perhaps even more than last year this version of the New York Rangers faces many questions.

Hopefully Glen Sather won't be the one answering them.

NY-BOS: New Look Rangers Down Bruins at The Garden

Kevin McRae — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 15:22:10 -0400

John Tortarella's new look Rangers secured a crucial two points with a 4-3 victory over the conference leading Boston Bruins at Madison Square Garden today.

The victory gives the Rangers 76 points on the season and moves them, at least temporarily into a tie for fifth in the Eastern Conference.

Newcomer Nik Antropov immediately endeared himself to the Garden crowd with an early second period goal to open the scoring off a beautiful feed from Chris Drury. The goal was his 22nd of the season.

Antropov, along with fellow newcomer Derek Morris, also added an assist on a Scott Gomez powerplay goal later in the second to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead.

Much of the hype leading into today's game was the return to Garden ice of agitator Sean Avery. Avery, as expected, was greeted with fierce chants of "Avery, Avery" as he skated on the Garden ice as a Ranger for the first time since last season's playoffs.

Beyond the excitement of his return, he also played a very solid game chipping in an assist on Ryan Callahan's 15th goal of the season to give the Rangers a 3-1 second period lead.

But Boston would not be put away easily. The Bruins dominated the early part of the third period scoring two quick goals—a rocket from Zdeno Chara and a powerplay goal by Michael Ryder, to knot the game at 3-3.

While the new faces made an immediate impact, it was two old faces who put the game away for the Blueshirts. Nikolai Zherdev scored 13:38 into the third period to put the Rangers back ahead for good and Henrik Lundqvist made 36 saves for his 29th win of the season.

Lundqvist kept the Rangers in the game, facing a blistering 21 shots in the third period alone.

The victory was the third in a row for the Rangers to break them out of a prolonged slump and reposition them for a run to the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Rangers are now 3-1-1 under John Tortarella.

New York Rangers: New and Old Faces Seek Fresh Start On Island

Kevin McRae — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 11:01:52 -0500

It's been quite a week and a half for the New York Rangers. Beginning with the firing of head coach Tom Renney last Monday and the acquisitions of Sean Avery, Nik Antropov, and Derek Morris, much about this team has drastically changed.

New head coach John Tortorella inherited a team in siege mode having slumped to the bottom of the Eastern Conference playoff race. Torts, whose coaching style is night and day from his predecessor, had limited time to implement his philosophy before facing back-to-back games against Toronto and Florida.

In both games, the Rangers had a little more edge in their game, but still failed to score goals in dropping back to back 2-1 decisions. Tortorella notched his first win as Rangers coach this past Saturday when the Blueshirts blitzed the Colorado Avalanche for a 6-1 victory at Madison Square Garden.

The Rangers return to the ice tonight after a four-game rest on Long Island against their rivals, the New York Islanders. During that four-day span, the team underwent what's been reported as a "training camp-like" series of workouts under their new coach.

This was an important chance to learn and grow for a team getting used to a new system. In Tortorella's first four days, the team played three games with only one opportunity to practice. For their part, the players seemed to enjoy the chance to get to learn their new coach and system.

“It’s been a fun week, and we’ve done a lot of great things here around the rink,” Brandon Dubinsky told Jim Cerney of newyorkrangers.com. “I think we just kind of got back that swagger, that confidence this team needs. With all these changes it’s been exciting, and we feel good about ourselves.”

Tonight's game will also mark the return of Sean Avery to the Rangers lineup. Avery, who left the club and signed a free agent deal with the Dallas Stars after two popular years in New York, couldn't be happier with the opportunity.

“It certainly felt comfortable and warm and just exciting,” Avery said. “It was like Christmas, running down the stairs before you get the presents.”

Key Rangers players, such as goalie Henrik Lundqvist and captain Chris Drury, strongly endorsed the move. At practice yesterday, Avery skated with the third line forwards but coach John Tortorella has said he hasn't decided where Avery will play yet.

Yesterday's deadline acquisitions Nik Antropov and Derek Morris are also expected to be in the lineup tonight on the Island.

Antropov, acquired from Toronto for draft picks, is expected to bring size and scoring to the offense. At 6'6 and 230 pounds, and with 21 goals this season, the Rangers hope Antropov will add much to an anemic offense.

Derek Morris, acquired from Phoenix, is a bruising defenseman who will add a physical element lacking on the Rangers blueline.

For the Rangers, tonight will be a fresh start in many ways. New coach, new players and as all blueshirts hope, new results.

Nik Antropov, Derek Morris Add Size and Grit to Rangers Squad

Kevin McRae — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:43:02 -0500

After weeks of speculation, the New York Rangers made a big splash at today's trading deadline, acquiring left winger Nik Antropov and defenseman Derek Morris.

The moves come a day after the team reacquired mercurial fan favorite Sean Avery off waivers from the Dallas Stars.

All these moves come as the team attempts to reverse its recent slide by adding size and grit to a lineup which seems to lack both.

Antropov, 29, might prove to be the steal of the deadline. Toronto received a second round draft pick and a conditional pick (based on the Rangers' playoff position, but no higher than a third rounder) for the winger who has 21 goals and 26 assists this season.

Morris, a coveted defenseman, was also targeted by Philadelphia and Washington. He comes over from Phoenix for Nigel Dawes, Petr Prucha, and Dmitri Kalinin.

Prucha, who scored 30 goals in his rookie season, was never able to match that production and was frequently a healthy scratch the past two seasons.

In addition to adding two solid players to the lineup, this deal will add cap flexibility for the Rangers going into next season.

Both Morris and Antropov are free agents after the season, as are Dawes, Prucha, and Kalinin.

In effect, the deal swapped expiring contracts for expiring contracts, and the upside for the Rangers is worth the cost.

None of the three dealt players were likely to return next season. The Rangers will also be faced with free agency for core players such as Nikolai Zherdev, Brandon Dubinsky, and Ryan Callahan.

When you can add a player of Morris' caliber for what amounts to nothing, you pull the trigger.

The new-look Rangers take the ice tomorrow night at the Nassau Coliseum facing their archrivals, the New York Islanders.

It's assumed that Antropov and Morris, along with Avery, will all be in the lineup tomorrow night.

Five NHL Franchises in Trouble

Kevin McRae — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:37:24 -0500

While hockey is making a major comeback in some key markets, see Chicago, several franchises have encountered financial troubles. Dwindling fan bases, dilapidated arenas/facilities and inability to attract free agents plague these franchises. The following will profile the five franchises in the most trouble in the view of this writer.

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New York Rangers: Interested In Mark Recchi?

Kevin McRae — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 21:02:42 -0500

The New York Rangers, looking to add some scoring punch to a listless lineup, have reportedly contacted the Tampa Bay Lightning about Mark Recchi.

Recchi, 41, has posted solid numbers with a bad Lightning team this season. In 62 games Recchi has 13 goals and 32 assists.

In exchange the Rangers would be forced to part with a draft pick. Several other teams are reportedly interested including one of the Rangers main competitors for a playoff spot, the Carolina Hurricanes.

More to come.

Rangers-Islanders: Rangers Triumph in the Battle of New York

Kevin McRae — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:59:55 -0400

Much of the build-up for tonight's Rangers-Islanders game centered around the idea that these are two teams headed in opposite directions. The Rangers came into the game having won eight of their first 11 games for a league best 17 points, while the Islanders sported the league's lowest point total at four.

That hype proved true tonight as the two teams renewed their rivalry on Long Island with the Rangers coming out on top 4-2.

Both teams came out aggressively in the first period, with the Rangers grabbing an early 1-0 lead on Chris Drury's first goal of the season. Drury, who has struggled thus far, finally caught a break when his shot deflected off Isles goalie Joey MacDonald's skate and into the back of the net.

The Rangers, who overcame two quick Brandon Dubinsky penalties and a benching, forechecked well and appeared set to take a one goal lead into the first intermission. But a defensive lapse on a defensive zone face-off in the final seconds led to Kyle Okposo's first goal of the season and a 1-1 first period tie.

Much of the second period was spent in awe of the amazing goaltending show put on by Henrik Lundqvist and Joey MacDonald. Lundqvist made his share of saves but it was MacDonald who really shone in the second period in the absence of Rick DiPietro, who will miss an indeterminate amount of time.

MacDonald helped keep the Islanders competitive, shutting down two Rangers' powerplay chances, including a five on three.

It was Ryan Callahan who put the Blueshirts ahead for good with his third goal of the season. Callahan, who always seems to be in front of the net, gathered a loose puck off a slapper from Paul Mara and buried it in the back of the net to give the Rangers a 2-1 lead.

As they have had a tendency to do this season (just ask the Penguins), the Rangers completely dominated the third period. For the second straight game the Rangers came out in a close third period game, and just showed they wanted it more, blitzing the Islanders 14-5 in shots. In the past two games they have out-shot their opponents 32-7 in the third period.

Scott Gomez added a goal to make it 3-1 before Chris Drury iced the game with his second goal on the powerplay. Mark Streit added a late shorthanded goal for the Islanders but it was too little, too late at that point.

Markus Naslund added an assist to extend his point-scoring streak. He now has six points in his last four games. Henrik Lundqvist stopped 28 of 30 shots for his league leading seventh win of the season.

With the win, the Rangers improved to 9-2-1 for a league leading 19 points. They will have the next two days off before returning to the Garden ice on Thursday to face the Atlanta Thrashers.

For the Islanders, the loss was another disappointment in an already difficult season. With the loss, they fall to 2-6 with a league low four points. They too are off until Thursday when they travel to Philadelphia to face the Flyers.

Doug Weight Hit on Sutter Raises Questions

Kevin McRae — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 09:42:34 -0400

In recent years, the NHL has made a concerted effort to crackdown on hits to the head in an effort to ensure the safety of players. Saturday night we saw another example of a brutal, albeit unintentional, hit to the head in the game between the New York Islanders and the Carolina Hurricanes.

Midway through the third period, as Carolina forward Brandon Sutter was skating with the puck through the neutral zone, he lowered his head and was leveled with a shoulder-check by Islanders forward Doug Weight. The hit, which was clean but no less vicious, left the 19-year-old Sutter unconscious on the ice and many questioning the NHL's commitment to policing head contact in the game.

One of these men is Carolina Hurricanes General Manager Jim Rutherford. In an interview after last night's game Rutherford called the NHL's policy of policing hits to the head a hollow promise.

"The league should at least stop saying it's concerned with hits to the head, because it's not," Rutherford told TSN Canada. "I've had four players—Erik Cole, Trevor Letkowski, Matt Cullen, and now Brandon Sutter—get badly injured on hits to the head and only one of the guys who hit them was suspended. So don't tell me the league is concerned about hits to the head because it's not."

Rutherford went on to say that while he didn't think Weight intentionally aimed to hurt Sutter he could see the issue both ways.

"I like Doug Weight," Rutherford said. "He's a good guy and a good player and we had him here when we won the Cup. So there will be a lot of people who will say Doug has no history of that type of thing; that he's not that type of player to intentionally hurt someone, and that's fine. But you can also say Doug isn't the type of player who hits a lot anyway and here's this 19-year-old kid in a vulnerable position and Doug took advantage of that. It can cut both ways."

So what's the bottom line? If you look at the play it appears as if Weight had begun his checking motion prior to Sutter lowering his head. Maybe if Sutter never lowers the head they collide body to body in open ice and this never becomes an issue. But if my grandmother had wheels she'd also be a bicycle.

While Doug Weight's hit was technically not illegal contact to the head, as defined by the National Hockey League, it raises some serious questions. For one, what exactly constitutes illegal contact to the head? It's a subjective rule which is subjectively applied at the discretion of NHL officials.

Further, the NHL doesn't even have the strictest standard of professional hockey leagues in North America when it comes to hits to the head. Head-checking is banned in the Ontario Hockey League and a penalty is issued for violation.

Is it time the NHL goes down that route? Maybe and maybe not. But one thing we need to do is seriously revisit this rule and look at whether hits to the head really add something to our game. Currently, NHL rules only ban hits to the head delivered late or with the stick or elbow. Perhaps it's time we add shoulders to that list. Or perhaps it's time we ban them all together.

Either way we need something better than the current standard before someone gets killed.

Blue Jackets-Rangers: Nikolai Zherdev Makes Successful Return to Columbus

Kevin McRae — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:38:55 -0400

When the Rangers acquired Nikolai Zherdev from the Columbus Blue Jackets this summer they dreamed of nights like this one. Tonight, Zherdev, making his return to Columbus, led the Rangers to a 3-1 victory over his former club, notching a goal and two assists.

The Rangers, making a rare visit to Columbus, started slowly and trailed Columbus 1-0 midway through the second period when a freak accident left them without a head coach. Rangers coach Tom Renney was injured when Columbus defenseman Rostislav Klesa unintentionally clipped him with his stick after getting mixed up with Ryan Callahan near the bench.

The injury seemed to put a jolt into the Rangers, who immediately picked up their skating and pressure. Just seconds after medics carried Renney off, defenseman Dan Girardi notched his first goal of the season off a feed from Zherdev, tying the game at 8:33 of the second period.

Less than four minutes later Brandon Dubinsky put the Blueshirts ahead for good with a skate deflection in front off a Nikolai Zherdev pass. The play was reviewed for the infamous "intentional kicking motion" but was ruled good.

Zherdev, already with two assists, added a goal of his own in the third period to further torture his former club. Fellow newcomer Markus Naslund also added two assists to the Rangers' effort and Henrik Lundqvist stopped 25 of 26 shots for his fifth win of the season.

The Rangers improved to 7-2-1 with the victory and will be home at MSG tomorrow for Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Columbus fell to 3-4 and will return to the ice tomorrow night in Minnesota.

With the victory the Rangers stopped a four-game losing streak in Columbus.

New York Rangers Coach Tom Renney Injured in Columbus

Kevin McRae — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:20:41 -0400

New York Rangers coach Tom Renney was carried off the bench and to the locker room midway through the second period of tonight's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Renney was unintentionally struck by the stick of Columbus defenseman Rostislav Klesa after he got tangled up with Ryan Callahan near the Rangers bench.

Renney appeared quite shaken up from the incident but is reported to be doing much better. He will not return to the Rangers bench during tonight's game. Assistant coaches Perry Pearn and Mike Pelino will run the bench until Renney can return.

Brendan Shanahan: New York Rangers Need To Move Or Move On

Kevin McRae — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 04:16:32 -0400

While the Rangers' decision to ship Patrick Rissmiller to Hartford will help to relieve some of the lingering questions at forward, there still appears to be an elephant in the room.

That elephant is the status of future Hall of Famer Brendan Shanahan, who has been in hockey limbo for the past four months.

Shanahan, 39, has repeatedly expressed an interest in rejoining the Rangers this season in whatever role the team can find for him. Many observers have pointed out that with the disappointing starts from several forwards—such as Korpikoski, Dawes, and Prucha, who have combined for one goal and no assists—Shanahan would be a perfect fit.

Michael Obernauer, the Rangers beat writer for the New York Daily News, reports that according to Shanahan's agent Rick Curran, "Brendan's situation has not changed" as a result of the Rissmiller move. If we take this at face value, this means the Rangers are still telling Shanahan to sit tight while they make up their minds.

This piece isn't intended to advocate for Shanahan's return. The point here is that the Rangers are doing a great disservice to one of the best players and best advocates this league has had in many years. He's been very open about his desire to return to Broadway, and the fact that he has other offers on the table puts the onus on the Rangers to make a decision.

The New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues, and Philadelphia Flyers are believed to have contacted Shanahan about this season. But Shanahan has instructed his agent to exhaust all options with the Rangers before entertaining any outside offers. It's time for the Rangers to do right.

In his two years on Broadway and twenty in the NHL, nobody has been a classier act and a better ambassador for the game of hockey. It's time for the Rangers to do you know what or get off the pot. Either sign him or don't.

But enough of this sit tight business. Brendan Shanahan deserves an answer.

Mats Sundin: Moving Toward Return

Kevin McRae — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 03:55:01 -0400

The summer-long drama that dominated NHL discussions, the question of where and even if Mats Sundin would play this season, appears to be finally moving toward a conclusion.

The Toronto Globe and Mail is reporting today that Sundin has taken a physical exam at a Toronto hospital and is expected to go to Los Angeles to begin a two-week workout. Negotiations with the several NHL teams still interested in his services, including the Rangers, Maple Leafs, Canucks and Senators, are expected to follow.

Sundin, 37, showed he still has plenty left in the tank last season, registering 32 goals and 36 assists for Toronto.

Rangers Ship Patrick Rissmiller to Hartford

Kevin McRae — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 05:55:01 -0400

The New York Rangers, stuck with a glut of forwards, have finally made a roster move to address the issue by placing Patrick Rissmiller on waivers for the purpose of assigning him to Hartford of the AHL.

For the first three weeks of the season, Rangers coach Tom Renny has been forced to utilize a rotation of forwards including Petr Prucha, Nigel Dawes, Lauri Korpikoski, Frederik Sjostrom, Dan Fritsche, and Rissmiller. This has made it hard for some lines to gel and for players to get comfortable in their roles as everyday players.

As the New York Times pointed out, this had also resulted in the Rangers having approximately $3 million of cap space a night in healthy scratches.

Rissmiller, signed as a free agent this offseason from San Jose, had no goals and no assists in two games this season with the Rangers.

Mats Sundin: New York Rangers-Bound?

Kevin McRae — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 07:53:46 -0400

Another day, another Mats Sundin rumor. Various sources have reported today that the New York Rangers may be on the verge of adding the reclusive Swedish star to their club for next season.

Our good friend Eklund over at HockeyBuzz.com reports today that the Rangers are talking with the Phoenix Coyotes and Edmonton Oilers about a huge deal in order to clear cap space so they can sign Sundin.

This is all rumor and conjecture at this point, obviously—but we'll keep our eyes open for further developments.

Jay Bouwmeester: One and Done In Florida

Kevin McRae — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:34:50 -0400

Restricted free agent defenseman Jay Bouwmeester has reportedly rejected a multi-year contract offer from the Florida Panthers. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported today that Bouwmeester rejected the Panthers offer, which would've been worth in excess of five million dollars per year.

Instead, he has opted to go forward with his arbitration hearing scheduled for later this month. Bouwmeester, 24, would then have the option of playing out his one-year deal with the Panthers before hitting unrestricted free agency next summer.

In doing so Bouwmeester would place himself at the head of the class in what looks to be an otherwise weak defense market next year. As it stands right now next year's market will likely include a slew of aging veterans such as Sergei Zubov, Philippe Boucher, Scott Niedermayer and Mathieu Schneider but few young guns.

Another possibility for the Panthers is the prospect of dealing Bouwmeester in order to obtain some value before he leaves next year via free agency. If the Panthers elect this route, it has been reported that the Rangers, Canadiens, Capitals, and Blues could become involved.

Greg Moore, New York Rangers Agree to Terms

Kevin McRae — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:19:36 -0400

The New York Rangers announced today that they have reached agreement on a contract with restricted free agent winger Greg Moore.

Moore, 24, spent most of the past season with the Rangers AHL affiliate in Hartford, registering 26 goals and 40 assists in 72 games. Moore also appeared in six games for the Rangers last season but did not record a point.

Terms of the deal were not immediately available.

NHLPA: IIHF Suspensions Illegitimate

Kevin McRae — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 15:55:09 -0400

Adding another twist to an already confusing situation, the NHL Players' Association today announced their opposition to the IIHF's decision to suspend the contracts of Alexander Radulov and five others. The IIHF's actions came in light of complaints by the NHL and the KHL regarding the transfer of several players currently under contract.

Alexander Radulov, who has one year left on his contract with the Nashville Predators, signed a three-year deal on July 5 with Ufa of the Kontinental League. Also under investigation are the contracts of NHL players Jason Krog, Nikita Filatov, Fedor Federov, Viktor Tikhanov, and Tomas Mojzis.

The KHL alleges that Krog, Federov, Tikhanov, Filatov, and Mojzis were under contract with Russian clubs when they signed their NHL deals.

A day after KHL President Alexander Medvedev announced his opposition to the suspensions, his sentiments were echoed by NHLPA Executive Director Paul Kelly.

"Yesterday's announcement by the IIHF that they have suspended certain players from international competition has no basis in fact or law, and constitutes a violation of the rights of these players," Kelly said Saturday. "The affected players are being unfairly singled out in a dispute between the NHL and the KHL over whether to respect each others' contracts."

The NHLPA has officially registered their displeasure with the IIHF, and warned the governing body that they will consider all legal options available.