Not a Lot Going On with the Broadway Blueshirts

Well as another week passes by this summer, not a whole lot is going on with the Rangers and so I will keep it brief once again. There was only a minor trade for another defenseman, basically looking to me like they are continuing to stockpile young D. I also wonder if this a tactic to try to have a great reason to stick Redden in the minors in September since I have been wanting this for quite a while.
I know that there is still about 7 weeks until training camp which will bring the optimism of the upcoming season, but until then, this is truly the doldrums of summer. Other than some little minor moves, there is really not a whole lot going on with the Rangers.
So, until next week, this is your Rangers blogger, Howie signing off and hoping for some news to talk about.

Tags: NHL, Rangers

Some Thoughts

Well, not too much to discuss this week so I’ll keep it short and just mention that Staal is still unsigned as of now and its vital that he be re-upped soon. Another thing that I want to mention is that I’m still wondering what Sather is waiting for regarding Redden….they have brought in some new D such as Eminger and others which would mean to me that it’s now time to send him down to the minors where he can play out the rest of his overpriced contract. This hopefully will happen soon since Redden’s services are no longer required here and what a surprise, he was invisible for most of the time on the ice.
Lastly, I just want to say that as the summer continues to roll on by, the free agency period has been quiet for the most part which is a huge downer since July 1st was full of action. My guess is that things will come in dribs and drabs over the next upcoming weeks.
Anyway, that’s all I have for now, so until next time, your NYR Blogger, Howie

Tags: NHL, Rangers

Random Thoughts as the Summer Moves Along

As the summer continues to move along, the Rangers are busy trying to make some moves in order to have the best team possible come October.  They have re-signed Prust, which I think is a good move since he fit in very nicely since his trade from Calgary; they found a back-up goalie in Martin Biron, who should play about 20 games and replaced Jody Shelley with Derek Boogaard, who came from Minnesota, most likely having been recruited by Gabby. 

On another note, I’m hoping that they can finally get Redden off the NHL roster and send his underperforming butt down to the minors where he can play out the final years of his oversized contract……thanks Sather, you moron.  The other curious thing was learning that the Rangers were interested in Kovalchuk……I wonder about this since his contract demands are off the wall and this would put them over the cap as well as having to get rid of some lunch pail players to fit him in.  I personally think he’s is too greedy and not enough of a team player despite putting up solid numbers.

As for some of the signings around the league that struck me as strange, Jokinen and Tanguay back to Calgary is a mind boggler since I don’t understand why a team who dumped these underachievers would take them back, but then again when I realize who the GM is, it becomes self-explanatory.  It was busy the first day with signings, but it has since slowed down with the majority of the big ticket players having been scooped up already.

Lastly, there was a poll on ESPN.com (the Magazine) which ranked the sports teams in all 4 major sports and this is what was written about the Rangers, who were ranked 104 this year: 

Last Year’s Rank: 93
Title Track: 58
Ownership: 97
Coaching: 92
Players: 102
Fan Relations: 93
Affordability: 120
Stadium Experience: 83
Bang for the Buck: 109

It’s not a good time to be a sports fan in the Big Apple, especially if you’re expecting to catch a winner at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks edged out the Rangers for the worst team in the building (119 versus 104 in this year’s Standings), but the boys in blue still managed to drop 11 spots from last year’s already-dismal ranking of 93. While playing in MSG has its perks (the Rangers’ Stadium Experience rank was their second-highest mark), it doesn’t make up for a team that sits in the bottom five of NHL teams in six other categories, including Affordability, which at 120 makes it not only the second-most expensive hockey team but also the meat in the Yankees and Knicks sandwich. Take, for example, the cost of taking a family of four to a hockey game: During the 2009-10 NHL season the Rangers had the highest price ($364.49 per game) among all American teams. That doesn’t bode well for fans when the team hasn’t played in a Stanley Cup Finals in 15 seasons, and, aside from Marian Gaborik, has trouble putting the puck in the net. It’s almost enough to make you trade your tickets in for a Knicks game — almost.

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/insider/news/story?page=UltimateStandingsNewYorkRangers

This is proof positive that things need to change for the organization to improve in order to make it more affordable and fan friendly at the Garden or else the little guy like me is going to be priced out for the corporations thanks to the greed of Dolan.

Anyway, thats all I have for now so until next week, this is your NYR blogger signing off.

Howie

Tags: NHL, Rangers

Draft and Upcoming Free Agency

Well I want to start by saying that I think the Rangers were smart in getting their hands on a stay at home defenseman, Dylan McIlrath in the first round, but he won’t be ready for at least 2 years to star in the NHL.  They had a chance to get Cam Fowler, but passed on him since I figured that they had d-men like Del Zotto and Gilroy who can already play the way that Fowler does.  It remains to be seen when it comes to the draft picks since we all remember that huge bust Hugh Jessiman, drafted in the 1st round in 2003 and remains the only player from that round to have never played a game in the NHL, talk about a total disappointment.

Second, with Free Agency coming within days, it will be interesting to see who they go after if anyone.  what I figure they will do is try to keep things low key and not go for the big player as they have in the past.  I feel that it’s important to let the young guys have the shot next year so that the team will have a shot at the cup in a couple of years instead of the quick fix.  It also seems that there is some distance between Staal and the Rangers regarding $$$ and I feel that it’s important to make sure that he stays in the fold since he has been one of the teams best draft picks in many years.

Third, they began to purge their roster by putting players such as Voros, Brashear, and Rissmiller on waivers, meaning that if no team picks them up, they become UFA’s and there is a cap hit.  One other story I heard today was that they were looking to either waive Redden or send him down to Hartford.  If I was the GM, I would force him down to the minors since his salary comes off the cap since he won’t be on the NHL roster unlike waivers, which could result in a cap hit for years after a buyout since nobody will pick him up at $6.5 million per season.  Since he has been here, he has stolen money from the Rangers as his production has been nowhere near what it was when he was in Ottawa.  They must have known something which is why they made no effort to sign him a few yrs ago.  My opinion is good riddance to bad rubbish as far as Redden goes. 

In closing, I want to just say that it should be an interesting off season as the free agency time approaches and not only am I curious to see what the Rangers do, but what others do as well since the salary cap makes it easy for some teams and tougher for others, re: Blackhawks having to make trades to get under the cap.  As long as you don’t over pay a few top players, there will be plenty of room under the cap to keep the players you want and more GM’s should try to follow this pattern.

So, until next time.

Howie

NHL Awards and Draft Week

Well folks, the season is over and now its time to hand out the awards in Las Vegas as well as conducting the NHL entry draft in Los Angeles.  The Rangers have the 10th pick in the first round and I’m not totally sure what they are gonna do with the pick.  I think they should try to find a good stay at home D-man since they lacked that or another top scoring forward to eventually help the team going forward.  I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens.

On another note, the NHL schedule came out today and the Rangers open up on 10/9 in Buffalo and at home on 10/15 against the Leafs.  I have to sit down and figure out what games to go to since I’m not sure how they are going to be next season.  I’m probably looking at somewhere between 10-15 games, maybe more, but I can decide that later on.

One last thing, I know that the Hockey Hall of Fame has to put a certain number of people in, but when there are so many worthy of getting in this year, why keep them out.  It’s truly embarrassing to see that Adam Oates, Doug Gilmour, Joe Nieuwendyk and Pat Burns did not get in.  Again, nothing like the league shooting itself in the foot yet again.  One day the league will get it right, what day that is, I can’t tell you.

Anyway, until next week as we approach the July 1 Free Agency day,

Howie

Tags: NHL, Rangers

A New Stanley Cup Champ & On To The Offseason

Well, the 2009-2010 season finally came to an end the other night as the Chicago Blackhawks won their first Stanley Cup since 1961 and what an ending to the series it was too.  That had to be the strangest OT game winning goal I have ever seen, but hey in the end the call was correct giving the Hawks the win.  I want to congratulate the Hawks and their fans as I can relate to long suffering without a championship and I also want to tip my cap to the Flyers and their fans also for a great playoff run even though they did beat the Rangers to get into the playoffs. 

On another note, it’s time to get geared up for the offseason and the upcoming draft as well as free agency coming on July 1.  The Rangers have some issues to try to work on despite the fact that they have salary cap issues.  The cap is going up a little bit but I’m not sure if it will be enough to help them improve.  They have signed some players but the question is if they can be able to help the team in 10-11.  I will look at potential players that they are looking to draft and see also what Free Agents might be a fit for the team going forward. 

The schedule for 2010-11 comes out on June 22nd, which is the earliest it has ever come out, giving us fans a golden opportunity to make road trip plans for the upcoming season as well as figuring out which home games I’m going to at the Garden. 

Anyway, finally some free time to do other stuff as this has been a long year from training camp to the Olympics to the playoffs and finally the crowning of a Cup Champion, so until my next blog entry,

Howie

Tags: Blackhawks, Flyers, NHL, Rangers, Stanley Cup

Stanley Cup Finals and Other Thoughts

Well folks, I figured I’d give my quick 2 cents regarding the first couple of games of the finals between the Hawks and Flyers.  It seems that the first game was more of a feeling out process and that could explain the high score fest with the Hawks winning 6-5 while last night’s 2nd game was played a bit more close to the vest and the Hawks won 2-1 to go up 2 games in the series.  It has occurred to me that the Flyers have encountered for the first time in the playoffs a team that has an outstanding offense, top notch defense and a bit better goaltending than they have seen so far.  There’s a reason why the Hawks are a good team and they manage to win the close ones on a regular basis. 

I know that the scene shifts to Philly tomorrow for game 3, but the way the Hawks have been playing on the road, I’m not sure that the Flyers have a real shot at this thing.  I picked the Hawks in 6 and I will stick to my prediction based on the fact that the Flyers can win a game or 2. 

On another note, I’m down on the league for bypassing NY when they decided on the Winter Classic next season and instead are going to Pittsburgh where we will get yet another dose of the Crosby-Ovechkin show which most NHL fans can live without.  I was hoping for the Rangers to be in the next one, but Bettman and NBC(Nobody But Crosby) thought that it was more important to put a team in a 2nd one before giving one of the Original 6 their first.  Again, this is the certain way to anger the diehard NHL fans with the undying love for the Pens and Crosby.

One other note, at least the schedule is coming out earlier this year which allows for all of us fans to be able to plan ahead for the 2010-2011 season.  Thanks for the bone Gary, I guess something’s better than nothing.

Anyway, that’s it for now and until next week.

Howie

Tags: Blackhawks, Flyers, NHL, Stanley Cup

The Pinnacle of the Hockey Season – Stanley Cup Finals

Well folks, we finally have reached the Stanley Cup Finals pitting the 2nd seeded Blackhawks from the West and the 7th seeded Flyers from the East. The Hawks are one of the best teams in the league and have shown their strengths in sweeping the Sharks in the Conference Finals, while the Flyers seem to have caught a bit of fire after being down 0-3 to the Bruins by winning 4 straight and then dispatching the resilient Canadiens in the Conference Finals winning the series in 5 games.  Should be a great final round and let’s put it this way, I’m at least happy we don’t have another Red Wings-Pens Final as both teams were eliminated in the 2nd round.  I think that seeing different teams having a shot at each year helps more than hurts
Ranger fans, just think of this, had the Rangers not blown the point in Toronto or won the last game vs. Philly, the Eastern rep in the finals may be much different, but it wasn’t meant to be for the Blueshirts as they simply were too inconsistent most of the year.  The guys at XM NHL Home Ice were pretty accurate picking the Flyers to make the final, but I’m surprised since I just didn’t see it happening.
So as we head into the finals, I will make my prediction of Blackhawks in 6 games as they capture their first cup since 1961. I also will be correct should this happen since I had picked the Hawks at the start of the playoffs to win the cup. 

Next week, I will review the first couple of games as well as look ahead to the remainder of the final as well as start to think about the entry draft coming up in LA at the end of June.  One last thing, 2010-11 NYR season ticket renewals were sent out and to my surprise, ticket prices remained at the same levels as they were in 2009-2010.  I guess management got the message from the season ticket holders that they were not happy.  We will see what happens as far as the changes with team personnel over the summer.

Anyway, that’s all for now so until next week.

Howie

Tags: Blackhawks, Flyers, NHL, Playoffs, Rangers

Just Checking In

Well we now have reached the conference finals and amazingly, there are no Penguins, Red Wings, Capitals, or Canucks and instead, we have the Sharks, Blackhawks, Flyers, and Canadiens. The last 2 are the biggest surprise since they barely eked in and make up the 7 and 8 seeds in the East. I’m just shocked that this happened since I thought that the higher seeded teams in the East were better, but I guess not. I believe that the Cup winner will come from the West since those 2 are much better than the 2 in the East. Let’s face it, the East was pretty mediocre this year and the West was quite competitive since there were 3 teams in the West (STL, CGY, ANA) that had more points than both PHI and MTL. I’m looking forward to see what comes out of this round and than see who is playing for the cup in about 2 weeks.
Anyway, thats all I have for now.

Howie

Tags: NHL, Playoffs

Some Thoughts About Officiating and Other Stuff

Well folks, we are now in the middle of the 2nd round of the playoffs and it’s become clear that the NHL officiating has left a lot to be desired.  There have been odd calls and many bad calls which left fans, announcers and others scratching their heads as to what the league office is thinking about.  It’s seems like the commish and all the higher ups there are wearing rose colored glasses when it comes to these guys who wear the orange stripes.  Amazing how some of them have made it through to this round after being just plain horrible in the first.  I guess I just don’t get the logic behind how these guys are assigned.  I’ve been a fan for over 30 years and have never seen such bad officiating in my life until this year.  I am going to take a quote from Phil Esposito, who mentioned this about refs on XM NHL Home Ice Power Play show;  he said that today’s refs have no feel for the game and I agree with him since years ago, they would do what they had to do in order to keep things in perspective as the game went along.   I just want consistency from the refs and we never seem to get that.  I want the league to try to get these guys to more that way starting next year since this one is a lost cause. 

On the Ranger front, nothing really to report other than Valiquette going to the KHL, signing with CSKA Moscow the other day.  I knew he was gone when they sent him to Hartford during the year, so this is no surprise to me.  The draft is still about 6 weeks away and I will take a look and see what they will need to look for then.  Anyway, thats it for now so until the next time, this is your NYR blogger signing off.

Howie

Tags: NHL, Playoffs, Rangers