Bleacher Report - Articles by MR CONTROVERSY

Rangers Land Prospal, But Multi-Year Deal With Dubinsky Still Up in the Air

MR CONTROVERSY — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 07:13:59 -0400

The New York Rangers have signed left wing Vaclav Prospal to a one year deal for 1.1 million dollars. The 34-year-old has played with coach Tortorella when they both were in Tampa Bay and tallied a career high of 80 points.

Last year Prospal scored 19 goals with 26 assists tallying 45 points. In the twelve years Vaclav has played in the NHL, he has averaged 50 points a season.

Knowing Tortorella’s style of play, Prospal should be a very good addition to the team. Not only does he play left wing, but he is also a solid center. This was a good pick up for the Rangers and the price was perfect.

Vaclav has been a very solid, all around player with a very quick shot. However, he has been inconsistent with his goal scoring and last year was his worst season in seven years. Look for him to have a decent year.

The Rangers have not been able to come to terms with young center Brandon Dubinsky who is looking for a multi year deal. As of right now the Rangers are looking for Brandon to play on the first line with Gaborik and either Chris Higgins or Sean Avery on right wing.

As of right now the Rangers and Dubinsky will not be able to come to terms on a multi year deal and Dubinsky will be playing on his one year qualifying offer of $698,500

In the case that Brandon cannot handle the first line position, Prospal will take it over. If this happens Prospal’s numbers should improve greatly.

From the way it looks right now, the Rangers have acquired very solid, all around players who can also score goals. With the exception of a few, we will be looking at a completely new team. So far this has been a very good offseason for the Rangers. This team should be a much better team than past years.

I cannot wait to see how these guys play together. October cannot come soon enough!

New York Rangers: The Lessons Never Learned

MR CONTROVERSY — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:01:26 -0400

In the history of the National Hockey League, there has been no other team that has taken better care of their players in terms of pay than the New York Rangers.

For Ranger fans, this has plagued us for over a decade. With enough money to buy the best there is on the ice, time after time we have witnessed some of the worst signings and releases in the history of hockey.

Since the release of head coach Mike Keenan in 1995—over meaningless bonus issues—and the letting go of more than half the Stanley Cup winning roster, the Rangers have fallen short of the glory year after year.

In 1996, the Rangers tried to make it up to us by signing the greatest player to have ever put on a pair of skates in Wayne Gretzky. All though the great one tallied 97 points his first year and shined in the playoffs, the Rangers still came up short and were eliminated in the third round.

Then the Rangers did the unthinkable. After scoring 36 goals and 48 assists, tallying 84 points for the season, the Rangers let Mark Messier walk.

The whole purpose of signing Wayne Gretzky at the end of his career was to have the two greatest Rangers of all time play together, and that went out the window. Another great move by the Rangers' organization!

After that, the Rangers missed the playoffs two years in a row, and the worst thing that could ever happen to hockey happens. Wayne Gretzky retires!

Although I knew this was inevitable and without question it was his time to retire, it was the saddest day in hockey, as far as I am concerned.

He is by far my favorite player of all time and was a true role model and hero to the sport and fans alike. To this day, he is missed on the ice. At least by me.

So many questions rushed through my mind when Gretzky retired. First, if the Rangers kept Messier, would they have won the Cup the following year? After all, the previous season they had made it to the third round of the playoffs. There was no reason not to believe they could not have done the same if not better in the 1997-98 season.

Second, if the Rangers kept Mark Messier, would the Great One retire? After all, he did sign with the Rangers to play with his former teammate.

After the loss of Messier and Gretzky, the Rangers tumbled backwards, missing the playoffs for seven years in a row.

Terrible scouting and poor decision-making carried on as usual. There are draft picks that have yet to play a game in the NHL. And there are free agent signings and trades that have turned disastrous.

In 1999, the Rangers signed Theo Fleury. Theo was a disappointment his first year, and his second year in the 2000 season was no different, as he checked into rehab for cocaine abuse.

The same year, 2000, the Rangers brought back an old and banged up Messier and hired GM Glen Sather.

In 2001, the Rangers signed Philadelphia great Eric Lindros. He had missed the entire 2000-01 season due to concussions and was advised to never play hockey again. During the season, as everyone expected, Lindros went down with...you guessed it, another concussion. Messier got injured as well and missed half the season.

As the 2001-02 season came to an end, the Rangers grabbed injury-prone Pavel Bure as well as high-priced Bobby Holik and Darius Kasparaitis in the offseason. All three players were a huge disappointment.

In that eight year time span, the Rangers went through five head coaches and two General Managers.

As the 2002-03 season started, it looked like a familiar beginning. Coach Trottier was fired, which brought in the sixth new head coach in eight years...none other than Glen Sather himself. Bure played 39 games. Holik struggled throughout the season to find the net. The Rangers spent more money by re-acquiring Alexei Kovalev, whose offense was nil.

The 2003-04 season started no differently than the previous years. The fans were calling for Glen Sathers’ head. As the Rangers high-priced players Lindros, Kovalev , and Nedved struggled, Sather brought in another high-priced player bloating the Rangers already high payroll. Sather had traded Anson Carter for Jaromir Jagr. The trade takes a turn for the worst as the Rangers win three of the next twelve games.

Finally, Sather fired himself as head coach and hired Tom Renney. (Is this comical or what?) Sather dismantled the team. Kovalev was sent to Montreal, and Nedved went to Edmonton. Others shipped out were Mathew Barnaby, Martin Rucinsky, Chris Simon, and every other underachieving player the fans had been booing.

They proceeded to trade the great Brian Leetch, as the Rangers failed to make the playoffs for the seventh consecutive year.

After the 2004-05 lock out, Sather was forced to cut the Rangers' payroll. One would think the lessons had been learned. Spending millions of dollars on overrated, injury-prone, and washed-up players have lead the Rangers to miss the playoffs seven years in a row. But the lesson has not yet been learned.

With a respectable performance in 2005-06, the Rangers made the playoffs. They were knocked out the first-round in a four-game sweep by the Devils.

However, Ranger fans looked at the team with some hope for the future because it appeared a star had been born in Henrik Lundqvist.

As the 2006-07 season started, Ranger fans watched with anticipation as Brendan Shanahan was added to the roster. Finally, the Rangers were making the right moves and signing the right people. They made the playoffs for the second year in a row with the leadership of Brendan Shanahan.

The Rangers looked unstoppable as they swept the Atlanta Thrashers. But the Rangers fell apart and got eliminated in the second-round, 4-1 by the Buffalo Sabres.

Then came the stupidity once again. Thinking that spending huge amounts of money would buy him the Stanley Cup, Glen Sather signed overrated second line center Chris Drury to a five-year deal at $32.25 million. To add to that expense, Sather signed overrated second line center Scott Gomez to a seven-year deal at $51.5 million. The results again turned disastrous.

The Rangers started the 2007-08 season losing seven out of the first 10 games. Scoring goals had become a major problem for everyone on the team, with the exceptions of Brendon Shanahan and Chris Drury. Jaromir Jagr had the worst season of his career.

With millions of dollars spent, they barely made the playoffs, just to be banged out in the second-round by Pittsburgh.

With the disaster of the 2007-08 season behind them. Glen Sather decided that he had just not spent enough money on "has-beens." Determined to run the team into the ground and top off the Rangers' cap, Glen searched for the most overrated defenseman in the NHL.

It did not take Sather long to find him, and he quickly signed Wade Redden to a six-year contract paying $6.5 million per year. Redden had been on the downward spiral for the last several years, but that was not a factor for Sather. After all, this is what he wanted: The pick of the litter.

After letting Jagr and Shanahan go, Glen Sather looked for one more washed up player whom he found in Vancouver. Wasting no time, he signed Markus Naslund to a two-year, $2.5 million contract. He also re-signed Michal Rozsival to a four-year, $5 million a year deal. The cap was now full.

The 2008-09 season started off great. Redden, Drury, Gomez, and Naslund were invisible but the Rangers were winning. Lundqvist looked superb. They looked like a team that could have gone all the way, riding on the shoulders of Nikolai Zherdev, Aaron Voros, Ryan Callahan, and Brandon Dubinsky, along with the other young players on the team.

Two months into the season, all of that came to a sudden halt. The Rangers true ability—or lack thereof—started to show.

With loss after loss, it had become obvious that this was not the team. Scoring had become a problem once again. The star players were nowhere to be found with the exception of Callahan and Zherdev.

Tom Renney decided to change up the lines again. Zherdev was scoring goals and playing outstandingly. His play had rubbed off on Gomez and Naslund, who were scoring off the passes from Zherdev. But the roller coaster ride continued throughout the season, and they barely made the playoffs.

In round one, they blew a 3-1 lead against the Capitals and their rookie goalie. How much more humiliating can it get?

Naslund and Redden both had their worst seasons in 11 years. Markus Naslund retired, while Redden decided we had not suffered enough and stayed. At $6.5 million for doing nothing, that is one healthy way to make a living.

For more than a decade, the Rangers have signed players on their way out of the NHL. The Rangers have conjured up some crazy reasoning to sign them. Thinking that these players will somehow make this remarkable turnaround because they dressed in Blue.

Have they ever grabbed a player on his way up in their career?

I don't think so.

What has Gomez ever done to be worth the salary he received from the New York Rangers? Same goes for Chris Drury, Wade Redden, and Michal Rozsival.

I used the word "overrated," and maybe that is not the proper word. After all, we do not hear how great these players are from anyone other than the Rangers' organization. Perhaps they are simply trying to justify signing outlandish contracts with them.

Pavel Bure and Eric Lindros had major injury issues. Lindros was told never to play again, yet the Rangers signed them.

Marian Gaborik also has injury problems, and once again, the Rangers have signed him. Marian is an awesome player who is still fairly young at 27-years-old, and if he can stay healthy, he will be a dominant player. But that is a big "if."

So why does the Rangers' organization continue to sign and pay incredible amounts of money to players that most definitely do not deserve it? Players that are at the end of their careers, or players that should have been retired already?

And when they get a young player with all the talent in the world, they let him go. Such is the case with Nikolai Zherdev. Even if the so-called issues with Nikolai were true, knowing the ability he has, would you rather try to work with them and help him fix those issues or lose him, just to sign some washed-up player?

After all, looking at what they chose to deal with in the past, I think dealing with any issue Zherdev has would be a gift. He's young, healthy, and can score goals. As of yet, the Rangers have not signed Brandon Dubinsky either.

For decades, this is all the Rangers have done. Signed washed-up, good-for-nothing players, for the same result—no Cup!

Then they have a legit, young goal scorer, who was the best on the team last year, and they let him go. If that makes any sense to you, you need therapy, and do not know anything about hockey.

They say history repeats itself, and that is fine. From the way it looks, I guess I won't be around in 54 years when the Rangers win their next cup.

What Is Next For The New York Rangers?

MR CONTROVERSY — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 02:56:38 -0400

As of late there has been minimal action as far as trades and or signing in the NHL. As another week has passed, there has been really no news coming out of the Rangers office since the separation of the Rangers and Nikolai Zherdev, which I am not at all happy about.

Part of me thinks Zherdev went through arbitration knowing the Rangers would walk away, giving him the opportunity to go back to Russia to play in the KHL, but there has not been any news to prove that as of yet.

Part of me feels that Zherdev saw what the Rangers were paying guys like Redden and Drury and felt he deserved more. When, if you look at it from that perspective, I guess he would be right, considering he is better than both of them. In that aspect, the Rangers created their own monsters by over-paying players that really were never that good to begin with.

The way I see it is like this: Regardless of the reasoning for both sides doing what they did, they both lose out. The Rangers have not signed anyone as of yet, and really there are only one or two players left on the free agency list that might come close to having the talent of Zherdev. If, Zherdev goes to Russia to play for the KHL for more money, or whatever the reasons may be, he suffers for a number of reasons. For starters, the KHL is not the NHL. I doubt if he does go to Russia that there will be any team in the NHL that would sign him again, making his career here in the US and the NHL over.

With that said, the fans lose out as well due to the simple fact that when Nikolai Zherdev is on his game, he is one of the most exciting players to watch and he is awesome at what he does.

The big surprise is that Alex Tanguay, Maxim Afinogenov, Phil Kessel, Petr Sykora, Miroslav Satan, Tuomo Ruutu, Brandon Dubinsky, and David Krejci are still on the free agency list. That is just listing the forwards.

With close to $10 million in cap room, why are the Rangers waiting to sign some of these players is confusing.

For the last few seasons the Rangers have had scoring issues, signing huge contracts for overrated players. As usual the results were the same: massive hype that lead to zero goals, zero cups.

Tanguay and Afinogenov are coming off questionable seasons, but both players are play-makers and would definitely help any team they signed with. The Tampa Bay Lightning have been talking with Tanguay in hopes of signing him and have him play across from Vinny Lecavalier. They would be a threat against any team.

Phil Kessel had shoulder surgery and David Krejci had hip surgery and they might miss some of the beginning of the new season. They might be perfect to sign for a two-way contract and would add major scoring to the Rangers roster.

The fact that Todd Bertuzzi, at age 34, still has that toughness in him that would work great with John Tortorells’ style has not even been considered. Bertuzzi can still be relied on to knock in 15-20 goals in a season.

The Rangers are in serious need for a first-line center and it has been way too quiet out there with the talent still available on the free agency list.

With the talent right there for them to deal with, what are the Rangers thinking? What are they up to? Only time will tell.

As a Rangers fan, I just want to see some sort of action. Some news is better than no news...unless that news is the Rangers signing a bunch of nobodies or some ridiculous contract for another overrated, washed up player.

Sean Avery Reunites with Team, New York Rangers Get a Much-Needed Break

MR CONTROVERSY — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 23:31:06 -0500

After the best game they have played all year against the Avalanche. The Ranger get a much-needed break in the action.

They now have two out of their five days off remaining before their next game against the New York Islanders. This couldn’t have come at a better time.

With their newest addition, Sean Avery, the Rangers can focus on practice and getting to know their new coach. As well as giving Avery a few days to get unified with his old teammates and get to know the new ones.

The Rangers exploded to an early lead vs the Avs. Scoring four goals in the first. Adding another in the second, and a season record for most goals scored in a game for the year in the third to make it a 6-1 victory.

This was a wild game, especially in the third. The Avs faced defeat. But they wouldn’t go down with out a fight.

There was nine roughing penalties (the Rangers had four) as the fighting broke out all over the ice. Three misconduct penalties and four fights. Colton Orr pounded Chris Stewart who was trying to make a name for him self. He couldn’t have picked a tougher guy to try that with. Paul Mara pounded Darcy Tucker right off the face off late in the third, when Tucker went after him.

I was loving this game from start to finish. This was the game the Rangers needed. It brought out their toughness as the Avs brought the fight to them.

The Rangers dominated this game from the drop of the puck, although they were playing against a struggling team. The Avalanche came to play and win by all means.

This was like an old-school hockey game that I grew up loving. Hard checks that lead to retaliation. A blowout score that ended in an all out rumble at the end. For no other reason then respect.

I don’t look at this game as a complete turn around. There is still work to be done here with this team. But after thinking this through, this can be a great week for them.

The Islanders are having there worst year ever. But this is a team that always plays the Rangers hard. They are having goalie issues as well—which can and should give the Rangers another goal scoring frenzy. The opportunity is there. This can give the Rangers more confidence in scoring.

If the way they have been playing hasn’t boosted them. Having back to back game in which they score goals can. This is so hard to say.

How do know when it happens? The transition. You don’t. It just happens. But that can not happen beating on a fallen team. They need to capitalize on the opportunity in front of them yes.

This is a beaten Islander team as it is. This should be an easy win for the Rangers. But as we have seen, it has not been that easy with teams that they should beat. They need to use this game as a tool to help come to together—as well as kick some butt. They have a tough schedule coming up, as they play the Bruins after the Isle.

That will be the Rangers' real test, as the Bruins are in the number-one spot. The last time these two teams faced off, it was a close battle and the Rangers played fairly well against them. Although they came away with the loss, it was a very close game that ended 1-0.

I am psyched for these next few weeks. The schedule is getting harder. Tension is building. Never a dull moment when it comes to the Rangers. Either you hate them for the way they played, or love them for kicking some tail, you are always at the end of your seat in anticipation on what they are gonna do next.

It's Official! Sean Avery Is a Blueshirt Again; Mark Bell Gets Sent to Hartford!

MR CONTROVERSY — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:32:02 -0500

As of today Sean Avery is once again a New York Ranger. This can be a good thing for the team, as well as a bad one.

Avery has played in 23 games with the Dallas Stars this year and had a rocky start. He recorded only 10 points in those 23 games which totaled three goals and seven assists, before he ran into trouble with the league.

For the first few games, I look for Avery to try to make his presence known on the ice as quickly as possible. To show he belongs on the team once again. Hard hits, maybe a fight or two, he will do what he does best, aggravating the opposing teams.

How ever Avery has stated that he will focus more on playing hockey then anything else. So what can we expect?

Will he continue to agitate and get in the face of arch enemy Marty Broduer. Or will he concentrate more on scoring and attacking and more low key.

Avery has the talent to be a very good hockey player, if he stays out of the box. With Tortorella’s style of play. I think Avery will fit right in. After all, we all know he is an aggressive player. Aggression is what the coach wants.

There was some talk on how Avery’s and Tortorella’s personalities may clash. I personally don’t think this will be a problem. Tortorella is the coach, Avery is the player. Avery wants to play, so he will do as he is instructed.

Besides last year every player and coach expressed how Avery had a great personality in the locker room and off the ice. I don’t see a problem happening between the two. The Garden will explode when Avery makes his return there, wearing the Rangers colors. He is a fan favorite in New York. And the new coach will see this as well.

But no matter how good the Rangers penalty killing units are. Avery needs to stay out of the box and out of trouble. This is the part of him that can hurt this team.

I believe he will be more focused and realizes the opportunity he has been giving, and i believe he will be determined to score goals and do what ever it takes to help the team.

Last week, the Rangers signed Mark Bell off of the Maple Leafs waiver list. But as of March second, he has been assigned to Hartford. This makes no sense at all.

Bell is more likely to score more goals then Voros, or Betts. In terms of scoring goals, he is even better then Avery. So why not put him on the third or fourth line for now and see what he does. Sending him down is a bad move.

Bell has already proven he can be a 25-goal scorer a year. He has done it twice with the Black Hawks back to back. Which at the time, was one of the worst teams in the league.

Yes I know. The Rangers had a great game against the Avs. But before you get all excited. The Avs have been struggling and the Rangers scored goals against a struggling goalie as well. Yes they played a great game.

Yes they scored a lot of goals, which may get them out of the slump they are still in. I don’t consider a one-game scoring frenzy against a struggling team a recovery.

If they do it against the Islanders, who do play the Rangers very well at times. That still wont be enough, do to the Ilse are the worst team in the league and have serious goalie issues.

They have the Bruins, Hurricanes, and back to back games coming up against the Flyers. As well as Montreal, Penguins, Buffalo and the Devils coming up. If they do what they did to the Avs, to these teams. Then I will say hey. They recovered!

This team still needs a goal scorer. Mark Bell can be one of them. Should be one of them. But yet, as of right now, he won't be.

Regardless what some may think, this team is still broke and needs to be fixed.

Avery and Bell are not the greatest solutions. But are definitely players that can help and add a touch of toughness and increase the teams scoring ability.

So now we ask, well who will play center if Betts were to sit with Dubinski playing wing?

Well Prucha has and can play center as well as Avery. They have in the past and were successful at doing so.

The Rangers have , Gomez, Drury, Korpikoski, Dubinski, and Anisimov (who has not yet played a game with the Ranger) that can all play center. Adding Prucha and Avery to the list, that makes six centers. So it can be done.

If Betts sits. Doesn’t that hurt the pk unit? Not at all! The Rangers have one of the best Penalty Killing units in the NHL. They use all 12 forwards in it. You take away Betts, you add Avery or Bell (who does check people) you really don’t lose a thing.

The Rangers really need to look at who they have right now. Both on their roster and in Hartford.

It is not to late to make the Play-offs and better this team at the same time with who they have on both rosters. Changes are still needed to be made here.

Good luck guys!!!

New York Rangers Need Some Help

MR CONTROVERSY — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:17:08 -0500

The Rangers were very determined to sign Habib the Hobo Hashiesh to a 10-year, $25 million per year deal.

Part of the deal was that Sather would send Henrick the king Lundqvist to be the Afghans' goalie for the remainder of his contract.

Lundqvist is the best goalie in the NHL and Sather thought he would do fairly well playing kick the bomb.

Habib, 69 years of age living in the mountains of Afghanistan has been playing kick the bomb for over 60 years now and has led in goals and assists through out his career.

"He will be a real asset to the team," said Sather, "and we really need his help in scoring."

Sather went on to talk about Habib's playing ability.

"He is fast. I mean real fast. I never saw a guy with only one leg run so fast and he communicates great. So that shouldn't be a problem.

"He expresses himself very clearly. This is a player that loves the game. And sacrifices himself for the team."

"Just two years ago, with only five seconds left on the bomb's timer, Hashiesh kicked the bomb the whole length of the field, and as he was gasping for air with one second left on the timer he kicked it and the bomb went off taking his leg and pieces of the bomb threw the net. It was a game-winning goal. We need a guy like that on this team."

Hashiesh promised to mail in his response to the Rangers' offer last week.

With no teeth and no education, and unable to communicate in English, Hashiesh sent in this picture expressing his feelings about the deal. The picture tells it all. "Not in this life time," say Habib!

In response to Hashiesh's rejection Sather said he was very disappointed that a deal could not have been made and he will continue to try to work something out in order to sign the Legendary Bomb Kicker. Maybe throw in Gomez and Drury. I know how important it is to Habib that his team he is with now continues to win. I think he is worth it. Whats a Drury or a Gomez compared to a Habib Hashiesh.

Yes, they did it again. The great New York Rangers blow another game in the third period. This time came away empty handed as well.

If there is anything else you can think of that they can do to not make the playoffs, AND HELP EVERY OTHER TEAM IN THE LEAGUE . please send all ideas to Glen at Glen/RANGERSSUCK.COM Thank you.

Well they lost to the two worst teams in the league. Atlanta and the blues. So I guess any win now will just be what, a blessing?

When you out shoot the other team almost EVERY GAME. Out play them for 50 minutes out of 60. And you lose, AGAIN, and can’t win a game when the other teams goalie is more out of the net then in. You have problems.

In fact, it is at this point in time that what you really need to do is get rid of every dam player except for those who didn’t actually play in the game or that has not yet taken their turn to shoot and MISS the empty net.

Maybe instead of the really big silver thing that they win at the end of the year if they are good enough. I think its called Lord Stanley's Cup. Maybe they should have a raffle or some kinda of giveaway. Like a stuffed animal or a goldfish. Maybe they will try harder and actually put one in.

I mean, really. Why would they wont someone else's Cup with all those other peoples' names on it, that actually drank from it? I mean, it's used. How gross. Maybe flowers for the pansies.

In the last 17 games , the Rangers have actually won four games. I guess we should just be happy that they were able to win those four. Shoot, we should throw a party! Just might be the last four games they win at this rate.

What is it gonna take for the Rangers organization or Glen Sather to realize that the players he has just don’t have what it takes and they never did?

Gomez has scored more then 20 goals once in his career. That was two years before the Rangers signed him. The following year he scored 13 goals.

So what do we do?

We top off the cap because he scored 33 goals once in his career, so let's go run and sign him and talk like he is gonna score 33 or 50 goals for us. It will never happen, so forget about it.

The real joke here is why in the word did anyone think Wade Redden was gonna make a difference? I mean, he has only scored more then 10 goals in a season once in his 12 years as an NHL player. And the year before the Rangers signed him he only scored six goals. The year before that seven. I mean, real D-men like Mike Green score in a week what Redden scores in a year.

Frankly, I think he should give the money back and play for what he is really worth. Play for free and be happy if they give him a jersey with his name on it.

So, as usually, what do the Rangers do? Top off the cap, run after a washed up player, overpay his sorry ass—and he does what for them? NOTHING! As usual.

With all the really good defensemen that were free agents that year, the Rangers decided to pick the cat's droppings out of the litter box—Redden and Kalinin.

Kalinin, who in nine years of playing has only played the entire season once in his career due to injuries. So what do we do!

Holy cow, he has injuries, we have to sign him. Shit, we should have re-signed Lindros to add to the handicap team. Throw in a few wheelchairs and we might even win a damn game.

If you know of any other mentally-ill, injury-prone, washed-up, over the hill, or drug-addicted players (they are always fun to watch, especially when they are all coked up skating around checking everything that move) or really shitty players that have not played for the New York Rangers yet, please send your list to Glen/RANGERSSUCK.COM, so we can get them signed up right away. Thank you.

In fact, I have seen street hockey players in wheelchairs play better then them. Maybe Sather can bring them in to play the Avs on Saturday. i will call him today and see what we can do to make that happen.

Yes, I am ticked. Every year the same thing. We go after players that have one good year and expect miracles from them. Or washed up players that have had a downfall for three or four straight years. No names mentioned Redden, Mr. Naslund. OH I AM SORRY. They are gonna play for the Rangers now. So they're gonna wake up better players then they actually are. Dream on.

But how can we complain when he is playing better then almost every one else on this team. which tells you just how terrible this team really is. I am sure we can make a spot for Chris Chelios, and maybe have an old timers game. I am sure more goals would be scored then there is now.

Voros, you are useless. Change careers. Try polo or something where you don’t have to move around too much.

Drury, the game is called hockey. You move around this big arena called a hockey rink with a hockey stick and hockey puck. The object is to hit the flat circular thing. That is the hockey puck. Into the net. The guy with all the pads on that is standing in front of the net. Well he is called a goalie.

When the goalie is nice enough to steps out of the way for you to shot the puck into the net. That does not mean stop and daydream about how you used to play outside your house and make snow angels when you played for Buffalo. It means shoot the damn puck in the net.

My all-time favorite player ever, Blair Betts. I tried so hard to give you some praises this year. Other then one scoring chance that you totally blew. You were invisible last night. You are 6'3" and 210 lbs, playing against guys 5'11" and 6'0". Get off your sorry ass and hit someone. Forget what ever you were ever taught. And listen to me±checking is actually legal in this sport. It is when you knock the other teams' players on their assess.

Other then boxing, kicking the daylights out of someone is also legal in hockey. You even get to stomp on people's ankles with the blade of your skate. They might say it's not legal. But you’ll only receive a few games' suspension. So really it is legal. As long as you don’t talk about your ex-girlfriend and how she smells or tastes. You’ll be fine. Try it some time. Toughen up or retire.

I love when Gomez gets the puck, skates full speed to the other end of the rink and crashes into the wall for no reason. That is hilarious. nothing funnier then watching a guy skate 90 mph and slam into a wall on his own. Keep up the great work Scotty.

Bottom line is this team really does suck. No, they weren't playing good earlier in the season. It was just that every team they beat was playing poorly. Now that every other team has gotten their act together, you are now seeing the Rangers AT THEIR BEST. this is it. This is all they are capable of doing. Get rid of everyone except Zherdev and Callahan and Orr, and start over.

I think every other player actually had their chance and missed the empty net from two feet away.

This is brought to you by one ticked off RANGER FAN. PLEASE LEAVE ALL RUDE, OBSCENE COMMENTS HERE. ANYTHING THAT EXPRESSES JUST HOW MUCH THE RANGERS SUCK WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. ALL OTHERS CAN JUST LEAVE NOW.

NIKOLAI ZHERDEV Is the Future of the New York Rangers!!

MR CONTROVERSY — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 04:15:29 -0500

He controls and moves the puck better then any one in hockey. He spins, he jukes, he slides the puck between his legs, he shoots, HE SCORES!

He has one of the quickest shots in hockey, and skates with the gracefulness of a figure skater.

Game after game, NIKOLAI ZHERDEV has proved he is the best skater in the NHL. He is one of the elite when it comes to hockey players.

His problem! Our problem! Is the fact that he has no one close to his ability playing with him. Or have someone, Anyone, That can actually put the puck in the net.

His lightning speed, and quick moves is something beautiful to watch, and he makes it look so easy. He dekes past defenders with ease and his passing ability is something hockey fans have never seen before.

His offensive smarts, quick thinking and awesome passing has created endless opportunities that have ended the same way far to many times. No goals!

This, at no fault of his own. Has to change!

Zherdev has done everything he can to make some remarkable plays on the ice to help this team win and score goals. But he is stuck with team-mates that can not put the puck in an empty net.

This 24-year-old youngster born in Kiev Ukraine. Is the future of the New York Rangers. As a Ranger fan, I have to hope that Glen Sather realizes this as well.

Far to many times have the Rangers traded players away, that they should have built the team around. I hope this will not happen with Zherdev because he truly is a one of a kind player.

In 2003, he was the Columbus Blue Jackets first over all pick. Fourth overall for that years entry draft.

In his first year, playing with the troubled Blue Jackets. He scored 13 goals and 21 assists tallying 34 points in 57 games.

In the '05/'06 season he had 27 goals and 27 assists. Tallying 54 points in 73 games. Tied for second in points with Rick Nash. Last year he totaled 10 goals with 22 assists for 32 points in 71 games.

Now at this point with the Rangers, he is second in goals, first in assists, and first in points.

He is by far the best player on this team, and yet receives no recognition. Everything is Drury or Gomez or Naslund. When it is really Zherdev that steals the spot light on the ice with every move he makes.

He is the player the Rangers have to build a team around. Other then Naslund (who is having a much better year then I expected him to have) and maybe Ryan Callahan, This team is filled with second, third and fourth line players. Yes, that is right!

Not one of these players on the Rangers roster is a true super-star. With the exceptions of Zherdev!

Naslund as we all know is a big name player whose numbers have fallen the last few years. Weather it was an injury, the players he played with, the style his team played or just getting old. Naslund has struggled and dropped off the top ranking charts.

Gomez is a second line center. Never known for his scoring abilities. In nine years of playing. He scored over 20 goals once in his career. His high is 33 goals. Other than his rookie year where he had 19 goals. He is an average 14 or 15 goal scorer a year. Better known for assists, he is not truly a super-star.

So when they say Gomez hasn’t scored a goal in 15 games, why do we act so surprised.

Reason is we are expecting more of him then what he is capable of doing.

I like Scotty. I love his speed and his love for the game. He actually does have a good shot. But he chooses to pass more then shoot. And right now we need goals.

Chris Drury is a second line center as well. He is an average 20-25 goal scorer a year. Won a cup with Colorado Avalanche. Where it was all Might Joe Sakic. His two best years were with Buffalo where he had 30 and 37 goals. But even then, he was second to Danny Briere.

Now we are talking two different teams here. Couching staff and players alike. Buffalo had players that were doing it all on a consistent basis. Now with the Rangers. Even with players of Zherdev’s abilities, and putting the puck on his stick, Drury is still having problems scoring.

So who is left. Where is our big time player. Nowhere to be found.

Zherdev and Callahan have not yet played on the same line together. With Callahan playing like a Raging Bull, his toughness [which I can not get enough of] and Zherdev’s speed and abilities, I think they would do good together.

Callahan likes to be fed the puck when he is hiding in the slots. He has a real quick and accurate shot as well, and with the way Zherdev passes. That might be a really good pairing. With Gomez’s speed, as well as Callahan’s, they are really the only two players I can see playing with Zherdev at this time.

I like Dubinski. He reminds me of a younger Jagr. Problem with him playing with Nikolai is that Dubs like to control the puck as well as Zherdev. There is where the two clash.

And if you watch the games closely, Dubinski takes the puck to the boards and either one, loses it or two passes it up along the boards or behind the net. Where as Zherdev is looking to set someone up in front of the net.

Two players that like to control the puck, but have two different styles of playing.

The Rangers need to focus on getting players that can score and will form some chemistry with Zherdev. He is the future of this team and the Rangers need to recognize this and soon.

Another thing I don’t understand is that we have another very good Russian player named Artem Anisimov who is a center. He was called up to the Rangers line up on Feb. 2.

Then was sent back down two days later. I don’t know much about him, but from what I read he is supposed to be a very good and fast player. With a very good shot. Why hasn’t this kid been giving a chance yet.

At 6'4" 194 lbs. This is a big kid. Put him with Zherdev, and Callahan. And see what happens. Just a thought, but what can it hurt at this point. Not like they are winning any way.

If anyone has any info on Anisimov, I would appreciate it if you can let me know. I searched but haven’t found much on him.

As you can tell I am a huge Nikolai Zherdev fan. I watched him play since his first game in the NHL till now. Believe me when I tell you he is the real deal. And if the Rangers can add players to match his abilities, and start forming a team around him, they would be unstoppable.

I can't help but think what it would have been like if we could have seen Zherdev and my other favorite player, Wayne Gretzky play together. Can you imagine how many points they would have had together?

The New York Rangers Give Up Lead in Third Period, Lose in Shootout

MR CONTROVERSY — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 03:04:10 -0500

In a disappointing shoot out lose against the Toronto Maple Leafs last night. The New York Rangers looked extremely good till the third period. Where it seemed, they ran out of steam.

This has been nothing new to Ranger fans, as we have watched our beloved blue shirts lose a large amount of their games in the third period, And such was the case last night.

This was a game, that should have been 5-1. But as John Tortorella said in his speech after the game. The chances were there, they just couldn’t get the puck in the net. Which is another major issue the Rangers have been having for the last two years now.

With the trade dead line quickly approaching, will the new couch be looking to make some trades or will he finish off the season with the players he has now, and wait till the off season to make his decisions.

I personal would like to see him make some moves now. Although I was very impressed with the way they played the first two periods. The power play looked pretty good. Much better then it has been. It even led to a goal from an unexpected player. Wade Redden!

I was really impressed with the massive amount of turn overs they forced on both ends of the ice.

Which in turn created many scoring chances. That led to zero goals!

This is why I am hoping the new couch will take the initiative and not waist any time making trades. The Rangers might have a new couch. But they are still the non scoring players they have been all year.

Yes, this was their first game with Tortorella as head couch. And besides the fact that they did play a pretty solid two periods. The still came away with only one, much needed point and the lose.

Where as if they had a top goal scorer. They would have came away with the deuce. Which at this stage of the game. They so desperately needed.

Some might say, well this was their first game. They played well. Maybe he should wait to see if they can turn it around. I totally disagree with that and here is why.

Wade Redden hasn’t scored a goal in something like 58 games. Its been so long I forgot why the Rangers signed him to begin with. Oh yeah, to help score goals!

He may not be playing with the greatest players in hockey. But these players are not rookies either. Naslund, all though getting older. Has all the experience you can ask for in a player. He is a good assist man as well as a goal scorer. Although lacking in last few years. He is still no slouch.

The awesome play of Zherdev, sets every one up. Drury and Gomez who are not having a good year. Are still good players. Three goals, twenty one points on the season. Redden has to go.

Kalinin who has shown improvement lately. More so in the defensive zone rather then offence. He has not been the same since suffering the injuries he sustained when he was in buffalo. One goal ten assists on the season so far. This is just not acceptable.

I know the Rangers didn’t pick him up for his great offence. Although they did hope he would have helped them in that area. But he hasn’t been this out standing d-man either. He is just there, he really don’t do anything and he needs to go.

Bottom line! If we don’t make trades for a top goal scorer. There is no sense in them making the playoffs. They will need to score goals to win. And that is something that they just can’t seem to do. I rather them not make the playoffs. Then get embarrassed in the first round.

I really am looking for big things to come from the forth line if they keep playing the way they did last night. I can’t express enough, that if given the ice time. They will start scoring.

Betts has played his best year in a long time this season. Tonight’s game he was more aggressive, even on the penalty killing unit and almost came away with a goal. He is a much better player when playing aggressive. He even laid down some good quality checks which is something I love to see.

Colton Orr had a few chances as well. Missed the net a few times. But the chances were there. This line has always created great scoring opportunities for the last couple of years. The more they play, the better they will get. And the goals will come. I can feel it!

I like John Tortorella’s style of play. Fast, and hard checking. With a constant flow of pressure. For the most part, the Rangers did pretty good adapting in such little time they had before the game.

This style of play will most definitely fit Callahan’s, Dubinski, Korpikoski, Prucha, and Zherdev’s style of play. Gomez and Dawes as well should fit right in do to being as quick as they are. I see good things in the future with Tortorella as couch.

I am also glad to see Prucha back on the ice. Didn’t take Tortorella long to see who should be playing and who should be sitting. Now its up to PRUCHA to show why he should be there. I hope he does.

The Rangers did how ever leave Toronto with more then just one point. They nabbed Mark Bell off the Leafs waiver list.

He is a 28 year old left winger. He had a couple of 20 plus goal season with the Chicago Black hawks. In '03/'04 season he scored 21 goals with 24 assists. In the '05/'06 season he scored 25 goals with 23 assists.

He is six foot, four inches, 220 pounds. He was the Black Hawks number one pick in the 1998 draft. Eighth overall. Hopefully he will add to the offence. With his size, he should be a help in the defensive zone as well.

Now the question is, who is gonna sit out? Should be interesting!

Welcome Mark Bell and good luck.

Finally, the New York Rangers Are Headed in the Right Direction

MR CONTROVERSY — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:36:13 -0500

From assistant coach of the Buffalo Sabres, Phoenix Coyotes, and NY Rangers; to head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning; to winner of the Jack Adams Award in 2004 after winning the Stanley Cup; John Tortorella has seen a lot. And now, the man returns to New York as the new Rangers head coach.

Over the past few weeks, I have written several articles saying that changes need to be made to the Rangers, and I have pointed out that some of the changes need to be made in the coaching realm.

I, for one, am very happy with the new hire and feel Tortorella is a perfect choice.

In his first year with Tampa Bay, the struggling Bolts won only 27 games. The following year, they went to the Playoffs, but were eliminated in the second round.

But in the 2003-04 season, the Lightning took the cup home, and much credit was due to the leadership and great coaching of John Tortorella.

Four out of the six years that he was head coach of Tampa Bay, Tortorella led them to the Playoffs, and took them to the holy grail of hockey within just three years.

He is a coach that will tell it like it is and make his point regardless of what people think. He is a tough coach and demands his players to be even tougher on the ice. And toughness has been a major issue this year for the Rangers.

He will rotate goalies more than usual, which, in my opinion, is a good thing.

It's especially good when you have a backup goalie that can get the job done; look for Hank to be well-rested and more on top of his game then ever before.

This is a coach that can make things happen and does not have a problem letting players know if they are not playing their best. I hope he has a lot of say in changes to this roster, because after this year, some of these Ranger players shouldn’t even be in the NHL.

This is a great move for the Rangers. They now have a coach that will kick their butts if needed, and one that will certainly fight for them till the end. This season is not over yet!

But regardless of this year's outcome, I can assure you that the offseason will be even more exciting than the last, and that next year will be a great year for the New York Rangers and their fans.

Good luck, John Tortorella!

Sean Avery Is Not the Rangers' Answer, but He Is a Step in the Right Direction

MR CONTROVERSY — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:25:09 -0500

A lot of Rangers fans are hoping that Sean Avery will be the savior for the NY Rangers. I hope they are right, but I highly doubt it!

Avery at best is a 15-goal a year scorer. He is not a true sniper or the goal scorer the Rangers need to turn this season around. It’s a lot of hope on an average player.

Sean Avery is not a big name player do to his explosive offense. He is a big name player for his gritty play, and quick tongue.

He got railroaded by the NHL for speaking out about his ex-girlfriend and new boy friend. Something done off the ice. Which really tells me that, it is OK to stomp on a players ankle with your skates (Pronger) when the player is down on the ice, but not OK to talk freely and voice your opinions. Who ever said we had freedom of speech?

Frankly the NHL should look at making some changes within its self and its priorities before suspending another player for doing nothing wrong. Avery is a professional hockey player. Not a little kid. The NHL committee should be ashamed of them selves for handling that issue the way they did.

He didn’t break the rules, or get penalized in the game for shadowing Martin Brodeur in the playoffs. But the NHL decided to reprimand him and make the AVERY RULE. These are the things that made Avery the house hold name across the hockey world that he is.

He is the best agitator in the league. But is that what the Rangers really need. If so, all they had to do was release Colton Orr from his chains and let him beat the day lights out of the opposing team. Or let Callahan play more minutes and checking everyone from one end of the ice to the other. He is a hornet that just keeps coming after you.

An agitator, enforcer, or a guy that spends half his time in the box is not what the Rangers need. But Avery, after a long lay off, says he will focus on hockey. Setting over a new leaf.

If so, I, for one, think he will be a big help to this team. But he surely is not the answer to Ranger fans prayers.

Last year in the playoffs he made his presence known against the Devils. But was silenced in Pittsburgh. The Rangers need consistency from their players.

He has show good attributes in clutch moments, as well as proved he can score goals. When not looking for trouble on the ice, he has shown that his offense and defense awareness is extremely good. Which I hope will turn this team around on both ends of the ice. From power player to the penalty kill. He does it all.

Maybe what is missing from this team is the right leadership. With Jagr and Shanahan gone Chris Drury now has that role. But we really don’t hear from the captain as much. It is mostly Gomez and Naslund doing the talking. Maybe Sean Avery will be the help and personality in the locker room that is missing.

I personally like the way Avery plays and what he will bring to the team in many different areas.

He will be an very important asset to the team and I am sure will make a difference. But once again. It is a lot of hope for just an average player on a team that needs so much more.

Time will tell.

The New York Rangers Are Upside Down and Dropping Out of the Playoff Race

MR CONTROVERSY — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:16:35 -0500

Well, you probably thought it wouldn’t happen. Probably thought it could never happen. But you witnessed it, and it happened!

The NY Rangers lost to the second worst team in the NHL. The Atlanta Thrashers also have one of the worst defenses in the league, ranking second in the NHL in goals against. Scoreless for the most part of the game, trailing by one in the third, in the final minutes they tied it up, only to lose it in OT.

Then to top it all off, they get destroyed by a mediocre team in Dallas 10-2, in the embarrassment of the century! THEN they followed it up with a shutout loss to New Jersey. It is obvious that the blue shirts can’t get anything right.

In the last five games they have come away with one point and lost all five. At this rate, they will bounce their way out of a playoff spot in no time.

With a healthy team, that was over-ranked throughout the season at No. 1 in the Eastern Conference, it is crunch time, and their true ranking is showing. Game after game they choke their way out of the No. 1 spot and eventually out of the playoff race.

With half the team being a total waste of space and money, how many of these players are the Rangers stuck with, and who can they get rid of?

Scott Gomez has had a so-so year, but definitely not up to par or what was expected of him this year. At $7-plus million a year, the Rangers might find someone to take him. With the right team or coach, he can be right back to playing to his abilities.

Chris Drury at this point is having a bad year and is definitely not playing or scoring as expected. With his $7-plus million a year, will someone want to take him? I mean, after all, except for the last two years with Buffalo, Chris Drury has been an average player, scoring 25 or more goals three times in his 10-year career. Overpaid and overrated. Are we gonna be stuck with him? Probably.

Maybe in his case it is not his playing, but who they have him playing with. After all, Buffalo was dominating the Eastern Conference those two years, and that was with just average players. Hmmm, sounds like maybe this can be a coaching issue!

Wade Redden. Oh my god, are we really stuck with this guy? Overrated and again way over paid. $8 million a year. Bottom line, he has done nothing to help out the Rangers and in my opinion is washed up! Who is gonna want him and his salary? No one! If that happens I will be shocked. Wade, please retire!

Dmitri Kalinin gets $2 million a year but has done nothing but take up space and money. There were so many other D-men out there we could have gone after. But at $2 million, it is not overly bad. He can be traded.

Michal Rozsival is getting $5 million a year. This year I watch him play, and I keep yelling at Marik Malik. Oh wait. Marik was traded. Need I say more? He has to go. Just think of the players we could have gone after for $5 million a year. Now I bet we are stuck with him. This guy is no Mike Green or Dan Boyle, Dion Phaneuf, or Chara. $5 million a year–are you kidding me? For what, 38 points on the year last season. Give me a break.

Aaron Voros, fluke of a start in the beginning of the season. Has done nothing. Thank god his salary is nothing special; he should be easy to trade.

Markus Naslund—well, did we really expect much from him? He has been in a downward spiral for the last three years, and this year will turn out no different. But at $5 million a year, becoming a 20 goal scorer a season, is he worth $5 million? I don’t think so. We are stuck with him. Maybe!

At 35 years old, his numbers have been going down every year. Who will pick up his tab? He is first in scoring and third in points. Well, that may sound good, but being on a team that cannot score if the net was empty, that is not saying much for him.

Really, we can keep going. Everyone with the exceptions of Zherdev, and King Hank, Mara, Staal, and Girardi, Callahan, the rookie Korpikoski, and Orr can go. I guess eight out of 23 is not that bad, huh. The way I am feeling right now about this team, get rid of them all—including the coach—and start over.

Now Sean Avery if cleared on waivers, he might be coming back. Although he had a good time and year with the Rangers last season, I personally do think that he is the answer. I do, however, believe he will help out. But he is not a major goal scorer, and that is what the Rangers need. We don't need an enforcer or an instigator. They need goal scorers.

So now let's look at the aftermath. We have Avery; he is ready to play. Who sits and who doesn't?

I mean, everyone is talking about and hoping Avery saves the New York Rangers. Nine years in the league, never have scored more than 15 goals a season or more than 39 points a season. That is a lot of hoping for an average hockey player.

Seems everyone has forgotten he is not a superstar because he is this great player. He is a big name because of the way he plays. He is not a superstar. So if you think his aggravating the other team will help the Rangers score goals, enough to win—well, I wouldn’t hold my breath on that. I hope I am wrong. But I doubt it.

Sean will most likely take Voros’ place. Looking at the lineup, who else can he replace? With no line really posing a major scoring threat other then any line Zherdev is on, we might see Drury, Avery, and Zherdev. I guess we will have to wait and see.

In all honesty, I cannot see the Rangers doing too much better than they have been, as long as they keep overpaid, overrated, average players. This is what we will get year after year. High expectations and high hopes, just to be disappointed.

This is nothing new to me, as I have been a Rangers fan for over 25 years now. I don’t think there is a washed-up, injury prone player we haven’t had on the team. If there is anyone left, I am sure they will be joining the Rangers soon.

From Rick Nash to Crosby, Malkin or Ovechkin, Gaborik or Hossa, Pavel Datsyuk, Dany Heatley—the list goes on and on. But the Rangers have failed to get a guy of their scoring ability. Zherdev is awesome, yes; he is the best player on this team. But he needs help from top quality players that can actually score goals. If changes don’t happen and soon, this season will be over for them sooner then we think.

I, for once, wish Sather would listen to the fans. They would probably win a few games.

New York Rangers: Changes Are Needed

MR CONTROVERSY — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 22:14:08 -0500

With the All Star break upon us. Will the New York Rangers take this time to take a close look at what they need to do in the second half of the season to make this a better team? Or will they wait 'til March to start making trades? Or will March be too late?

With 34 games left, the blue shirts will be facing the first-place Bruins three times, the Flyers five times, and two more games against both the Penguins and the Devils. With 22 other games against extremely tough teams, like Washington, Carolina, Florida, Montreal, and Buffalo.

Every game is a must win. The second half of the season will be their biggest challenge yet. But do they have the players to get the job done?

Probably to every ones surprise. Once again the Rangers have one of the worst power plays in the league. Spending big time money for a big time player in Wade Redden, who has done next to nothing to help them improve the power play or win a game.

He is by far the biggest disappointment. Michal Rozsival who has been struggling the whole season only has three power-play goals and was definitely expected to produce more then he has this year.

So let's see...Is this a coaching error, or just players who can’t get the job done—or both? Or maybe what this team is missing is the right leadership—which they would of had if they re-signed Brendan Shanahan .

They have been struggling all year on the power play. Why not drop a defenseman and add another forward to the power play? At 6'3", 222lbs, I would like to see Colton Orr park himself in front of the net looking for rebounds.

Or Blair Betts; I think he earned it so far. I know what you're saying, "Orr, are you kidding me?"

Well, can they do any worse then they have been? The answer is no, they can’t. He has the experience, size, and toughness to sit right there in front. Who knows, he might just surprise you.

Why is their best player, Zherdev , not on the top power play line ? This guys makes the impossible possible, frankly he should be playing the whole two minutes of the power play. Why is he not on the top line?

Gomez , Nasland and Zherdev were doing a pretty good job. In a game against Montreal Zherdev was playing the third line and saw little ice time. The Rangers lost that game .

Brandon Dubinski has been struggling as well. Time to change it up. Why is he still on the power play? The same thing happen last year with Jagr. He couldn't score a goal for nothing, but yet after 20 games, everything was still worked around Jagr, and nothing positive came from it.

When things are just not working the way they should, you need to change it up. Such is the case for the New York Rangers power play. If they don’t improve it, they won't last the second half of the season or the playoffs if they make it.

Why is Dan Fritsche sitting? He has more experience with four years in the league. The guy is fast, strong, and has a really good shot. Instead, they playing a rookie in Korpikoski, who, although exciting to watch, hasn’t done much so far this season.

Petr Prucha, speed, toughness. Taking space sitting out. Why is he not at least being rotated with Sjostrom, Voros, or Dawes?

Patrick Rissmiller has only played two games this year. At 6'4", 215lbs and you're one of the smallest teams in the NHL , this guy should be playing more. Every time the Rangers play a hard physical team, they lose.

They get out checked and beat up in the corners. The reason they picked him up was to add toughness. So why isn't he playing? And it’s a shame when 5'11" 188lbs Ryan Callahan is your toughest guy on the ice.

At 6'3" 200lbs, rookie Corey Potter should be playing more. He is fast , and is an offensive threat . And plays a very good defensive game. But yet , he has only seen two games. Why isn't he at least being rotated with Kalinin who has been useless ?

Am I wrong or have these guys proved that they have what it takes and should be playing. Is it just me Or am I missing something ?

In my other articles I have expressed that I was not a Blair Betts fan . How ever I did say that he is one of the guys that has a best chance to really produce and be a better player this year with the new line up.

Blair Betts has been extremely good this year . When that line is on the ice they make things happen. May not be scoring as much as I hoped.

But if they seen more ice time , I bet they would. Betts has been awesome on the penalty killing unit and even had some really hard checks. His game is so much better , when he is more aggressive.

When everything else isn’t working. You need to change it up. Play Betts more and that fourth line.

Although as of late , his game has improved. Dmitri Kalinin has been a waste of space and money.

If the Rangers can’t get any better then him, they will continue to have problems with their defense. Mara , Staal , and Girardi have been great this year but you need six d-men to play hard in order to win.

These are all coaching decisions , as well as just poor playing. I personally feel that they are bad decisions. Players that should be playing are not and players that should be traded or benched , are starting every game .

With 34 games left , Lundqvist has played 40 games already. With every game being a must win , with the conference being as close as it is. Lundqvist will most likely see 30 more games this second half. Will he be burnt out for the playoffs? This has been a bad decision on the coaching staff since last year.

They are in second place in their division , tied for fourth in the conference and played two more games then most of the teams in the conference. King Hank will be playing 70 games this year.

With a backup goalie that has the ability to be a starter for any team. Valiquette should have played a bigger role the first half of the season , which in turn would have made Lundqvist always well rested and healthy.

Why take chances with your starting goalie when you don’t have to? My opinion, just another poor decision by the coaching staff .

So who should stay , who should go and what will the Rangers do? As of right now, their best players are as follows:

Zherdev

Callahan

Nasland

Gomez

Drury

Mara

Staal

Girardi

Dawes

time to say good bye to

Kalinin

Redden

Rozsival

Prucha {if they're not gonna play him. They might as well trade him}

Voros

Rissmiller {He is 30 years old sitting around. Taking a spot and seeing no time }

This team does not have one player with 20 goals yet. They need a goal scorer. And they need to toughen up the Defense. Drury and Gomez have not had a good year so far, but played ok. Maybe it's time for a change. But as of yet, there are no talks of any trades and this is not good!

Mats Sundin: Tempers Flare Up On Bleacher

MR CONTROVERSY — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:35:18 -0400

Regardless of the pleas that were sent out by many Bleacher fans and writers, it seems that some people haven’t gotten the point yet.

So now tempers are starting to flare up, not only on the Rangers page, but across the hockey network on Bleacher. And the members are voicing their opinions. And they are outraged !!!

It seems that Ranger writers are fixated on this Mats Sundin situation, thinking the soon to be 38 year old, will some how lead their New York Rangers Team to a Stanley Cup.

I, along with may other people out there are clueless on what fantasy world or dream they are living in.

I guess after the 13 years he spent with the Maple Leafs, and leading them to zero cups, he must have built up some great expectations in them.

Or maybe it is the fact that Sundin never won any NHL trophies or Awards in his fabulous 17 year career as a professional Hockey player that has the writers for the Rangers thinking he is the man to lead this team to the cup.

Or maybe it is that Sundin, after four and a half months, still can’t make up his mind, whether to retire or play, makes them think he will actually play like he wants to be there and will have this miraculous season. Better then ever before, to lead the Rangers to the cup and scoring 50 goals this season, which will be his first time ever in doing so.

Meanwhile, he hasn't spent a day in any training camp so far. Bottom line, it isn’t happening. Sundin is not that good. Get it in your heads, nor do we care about Mats Sundin!

Yeah, yeah we all know all about it. He did this and that in Toronto. He’s the best they ever had. Wow, I am totally impressed. He is the best Toronto ever had. That is like putting Ovechkin in college hockey and saying he is the best ever in college. Never mind Toronto, is not the New York Rangers.

But what did he do for them any way? Really? What did he do? NOTHING. No cups, or banners floating in the air thanks to Mats Sundin. No parades at the end of the season. No light at the end of the tunnel or his career for that matter. What he did do though, is build false hope in hockey town Toronto, with nothing to show for his 13 years there. And this is how he will go out. Leaving the NHL hanging, with no word what so ever, for how many months before he retires, but you want to give him respect and glorify him as great.

Well, as great as he is, wasn’t Toronto looking to trade his royal greatness last year? Hmmm, I’m not impressed yet!

In 17 years playing in the NHL he scored more then 35 goals in a season, four times. Wow, that really is truly impressive. No wonder why all the hype and wishes for him to come to New York.

Oh wait, I’m sorry, he did score 32 goals last year. Hmmmm, well if Bendan Shanahan had first line minutes like Sundin, instead of scoreless Jagr, then I bet you anything, he would have scored more then that as well . But yet no one wants the old Shanny. They want a new injury prone, old man, in Mats Sundin. Who has done nothing in 13 years to help the Toronto Maple Leafs, whereas Shanahna has definitely helped the Rangers improve these last two seasons. It seems like some people are just clueless.

Now our great writers go to their secrete sources. What are you the the dam CIA, FBI of Bleacher. Secret sources my ass. Gomez is gonna be traded. No wait, its Drury that’s being traded. Ten other rumors pop up all over the net. Shit, lets write about every bullshit rumor that there is out there instead of waiting to see what happens first. No lets bore our readers to death and flood them with this Sundin crap. Lets fill the Rangers page with garbage on Mats Sundin.

I personally rather read about how you were beaten as a kid. That would be more entertaining then what you been writing. All on a guy who for four and half months can’t make up his mind if he even wants to play. Why the hell are you even giving this loser the time of day is beyond me and many other people. And yes this is officially an ATTACK !!! If you don’t like it, don’t read it, move on!

He is a loser. He is also full of it. Read my article, "Thumbs Down on Mats Sundin " and the whole Montreal deal. And you will agree that he is full of it.

I for one have given all the writers on here tons of credit where it is do. Read my article on Colton Orr. But that don't mean that i wont cut you to shreds if you deserve it. I mean you see 10 articles on here already on Sundin, and all of them in one way or another say the same thing. I mean is 10 not enough, never mind the fact that there is really more then that on here. So you mean to tell and show us that you have nothing else to write about, except what 20 other people already wrote about.

I mean some of these writers have extremely good talents in writing. why waste it on Sundin or what we already read or heard already 20 other times? How many more have to come out before you your self get sick of seeing it? Use your minds and imaginations and come up with something else other then Sundin. I enjoy reading your articles, yes Greg, even yours. BUT ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

And for the record. Gomez is better the Sundin. And so is Drury. Come to think of it, I wouldn’t trade anyone for Sundin except Blair Betts and Naslund who we should of never went after in the first place.

So let's rant and rave on how good he is, try to make him out to be better than he really is, how he is better than Gomez. For starters why the hell would you trade a guy you have for the next five or six years with Gomez’s skills for an old guy for one year. He is debating weather or not to play or retire. What do you think he is gonna do, sign a four year contract. Be real. You want to free up cap room. Well your not gonna, since Sundin will take up most of it. There is no reason to worry about cap as of right now, so why bring it up. If an injury happens, that is why we have the players in Hartford, with a large majority of them, full of potential and, who a large majority of Ranger fans want to see called up.

Gomez is faster, Sundin is stronger, not by much, Gomez is no punk either. Gomez is 28, Sundin is 38. Sundin is injury prone, Gomez is not. Sundin won zero cups, Gomez won two. Gomez, practically every season is his career went to the play offs so far, how many years has Sundin. But we rather get rid of the young, healthy, cup winning Gomez, for problem child, non cup winning, injury plagued, old, wrinkled ass Mats Sundin. Rangers want and need Gomez not Sundin. But I guess that don’t matter to the writers of bleacher either. Cause they keep writing about it.

So what is it gonna take, for these writers to get the point. That we are tired of seeing articles on Sundin, 95 % based on rumors and the other 5% on what if. Does it take an article like this. I doubt it. Betcha some putz tomorrow comes out with another Sundin article on some dumb ass rumor. And if they do, I hope every person out there voices there opinion on another lame ass Sundin article. I don't care if he signs with someone over night. No more Sundin.

I can’t wait for the feed back. That is, if our leaders even allow this article to be on the first page. Seems if you don’t do it the way they want it, or if they don't like it, you article stays on page four or some crap like that and don’t see the light of day. They have to approve it first and determine if its top notch or not. Someone determines weather or not, you the members will like it or not, based on their own opinion. There are articles from four days ago on page one still, when other articles that were written after, that are even better, are never seen.

This should be the main article on here for the week, this article represents you the members. I personally have written other articles that never saw the light of day, which were definitely better then some that was on page one. Go to my profile, read them and voice you opinion if you saw it or not, and if it should have been on page one all blow up, leave your comments good or bad, either way. But this article will probably get buried and it wont be. Either way, no more Sundin, we are sick and tired of seeing it, reading it, hearing about it. Get the point now!!!

I would like to thank Eric Kuzmiak for his great article on this issue which inspired me to write this one. LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF RUMORS.

Thank you Eric and keep up the great work !!!

Who Might Be Traded Away By The Rangers?

MR CONTROVERSY — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 08:45:06 -0400

As pre-season opener draws near, and no news coming out of the Rangers' office, it looks like Brendan Shanahan might have played his last year in the NHL. If this is the case, I for one will miss watching him play the greatest sport on ice. It is time for me to move on as I look at this new Rangers team.

After reading a very good article written by Mike Rappaport on Scotty Gomez, I wanted to take a look at this line up and see who has to step up or they’ll most likely be traded.

It is definitely too early to say which youngsters will play and which ones won't. But as of right now, this is what it's looking like.

These are the guys I believe that will be traded if they don’t step it up this year.

Petr Prucha. He had a terrible year along with a side lining injury last season. He scored seven goals with ten assists in 67 games. Renney should forget about what he did last year considering no one could score last season. After all, we already saw what he could do.

In his rookie year he scored 30 goals with 17 assists, following with 22 goals and 18 assists the year after. He has tons of potential, I like the kid; he definitely plays hard and gives his all. The Rangers need a guy that loves to play in front of the net who isn’t afraid to hit and get hit.

But after looking at this lineup, I feel he will be sitting more than playing. Who should sit? If Renney focuses on Prucha's performance last year then he already has his mind set on playing someone else. So all eyes in the Rangers office will be on Prucha to see what he does this year.

Blair Betts: Although he does the little things, and is an ok forth line player, Blair Betts will be on the watch list as well. There are several new guys they I am sure will play on the fourth line, all younger, faster, and stronger than Betts. If Betts doesn’t click with these guys, look for the Rangers to find another player to take his spot.

I am not a Betts fan, but I will say this: He is a player that might be able to keep pace with this new line of players, as well as step up and start scoring. I would have felt the same way if they kept Ryan Hollweg who is faster, stronger, and younger then Betts.

When watching Betts, Hollweg, and whoever else then put on that line, they always did very well against their opposition's top lines, and were very determined and hungry to produce goals. Sometimes they created good scoring chances but rarely got the puck in the net. This is why I feel he has a better chance to improve his production with his new line mates.

Colton Orr: He is one of Renny’s favorites, but hasn’t done much for the Rangers. He isn’t afraid to hit people and fights often, although he isn’t good at it. But he is not a good enforcer.

He is not a player other teams fear. Yes he had his good moments and has shown some potential, but not that much where he will not be traded this year if he doesn’t start producing. I feel regardless of Renney's feelings on him; it's going to be play up to par or your gone.

There is no one dominate player. Gomez isn’t a goal scorer, but I hope he starts shooting more than passing, because he has show very good scoring ability. Drury had an ok season last year. Dubinsky showed the best overall improvements under the tutelage of Shanahan and Jagr, along with Callahan and Dawes. They are safe regardless.

I feel Drury will have to have a very good year. He is the goal scorer on this team, as well as Zherdev and Naslund, who will be looking to change the momentum of his career. They have to step it up this year for the Rangers to have a good year.

With all the hype on these rookies coming in, it is way too early to say how well they will do. After all, Maholtra, Biele, and Mike York who had a great rookie seasons, and traded anyway, all were supposed to do great in the NHL but fell short of the hype.

The Rangers have no one dominate player, but a group of good young players determined to be on this team and show that they have what it takes to be in the NHL. I'd look for trades to take place mostly of players they had last year. Getting rid of the old and moving on with the new blood..

If this team clicks, I do look for the Rangers to have a very explosive team and a very good year.

Thank you. Looking forward to reading your feed back!

New York Rangers: Getting the Facts Straight

MR CONTROVERSY — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 02:45:17 -0400

I have read so many articles on Jagr, Avery, and Shanahan that I figured it was time for me to write my own. Some of you may not agree with what I say, some of you might, but either way, I am going give you the facts.

Let's start with Jaromir Jagr. Jagr already made his decision to leave New York and the NHL before last season started. During a brief interview last year, he slipped up saying that this could be his last game. No it wasn't meant towards the end of the season, Jagr said on more than a few occasions that he wanted to be closer to his hometown .

His father is building an ice rink there and wanted Jaromir to be a part of it and help him out. Going to the Russian league gave Jagr the chance to play hockey and be closer to his home. It wouldn't have mattered what the Rangers—or any other team—offered him.

Toronto made him a very good offer that he refused. His time in the NHL was over before last season even started. Looking at his stats and watching every game the Rangers played last year, maybe it wasn't a bad move for the future Hall of Famer and the new New York Rangers, who went younger, stronger, and faster.

Maybe his head wasn't in the game, or maybe he was just out-played. Whatever the reason, Jagr had his worse year ever last season and it would have carried over to this season if he had stayed in the NHL.

He will go down in the books as one of the best there ever was and I for one am grateful to have the chance to watch him play. His time here was done. I wish him the best of luck in Russia.

It is a known fact that Glen Sather did not like Sean Avery. And although offering a four year deal for $12 million was a good offer, Sather had to know another team would offer him more.

If Sather really wanted to sign him, he would have tried to seal the deal or start negotiations before the end of last season, as he did with most of the players. Avery decided to go with Dallas, who offered him a four year deal worth $15 million. That's $3.5 million MORE over four years. The Rangers would have tried to match if they really wanted to keep him.

Avery did not leave for the money alone. Dallas, who did very well last year, is an equal—if not better—team than the Rangers. Maybe he went with the team he felt had a better chance at winning the Cup this year. The extra money just helped him make up his mind.

Avery is the best at what he does, and will be a big loss to the Rangers, who had a better record with him in the lineup. The chaos he causes on the ice for the opposing teams is done to perfection and although some would disagree and say he is a dirty player, He's proved that he does whatever it takes to win.

The Rangers made a big mistake by letting him go. This mistake can come back to haunt them when the Rangers play Dallas. As a life-long Rangers fan, I hope not, but let's be real. Who can stop Avery from doing what he does best?

Brendan Shanahan is one of my all-time favorite players. There is so much talk about how he should retire and/or the Rangers should sign him. So let's get the facts straight. Yes, he is going to be 40. Yes, he isn't as fast as he used to be. Yes, he is past his prime.

Well, there are three reasons he should retire. Some question his production. This past year, he notched 23 goals, his lowest total yet. For this reason, I made up my mind to write this article.

The same people that say he had his worst year and should retire are also the ones that don't give you all the facts: Shanny was third in goals last year, behind Drury and Jagr who were tired for first with 25 each.

He was fourth in points at the end of the season. This was from a guy who logged minimal ice time and missed two weeks due to injury. Despite missing time, he still did better than most.

Retire? I think not!

But we are not done yet. Shanny was awesome in the shootout. He was definitely one of the best and won many games for the Rangers last year. The first half of last season, Shanny was head to head with younger superstar Chris Drury in shots on goal, goals, and points.

Retire? I don't think so!

The leadership that Shanny brings is unmatched. He took young rookie stars like Dubinski, Dawes, and Callahan under his wing and their progress showed in every game. Every player young and old turned to Shanny. This includes the great Jagr.

The Rangers need that leadership this year more than ever. With a young core, the work ethic and experience that Shanny provides is more valuable then what any salary they give him.

He has one of the best shots in hockey and still looks to drop the gloves if need be. He is a true blue shirt and leader. If the Rangers don't have him, it may cost them dearly. Coaches don't make great teams, great players and their leadership do. The Rangers' GM better get that in his head real soon before that opportunity slips away.

I say give SHANNY one more year, third line and powerplay, rotated, then coaching staff. The guy is still too good to let go. It's certainly a foolish move to let him go.