i also think its interesting how he turned down other deals ( higher in $ and longer in duration ) and even turned down a Canadian team ( he is Canadian & the Habs wanted him )
Brendan Shanahan
For 15 years, the Rangers and Brendan Shanahan have been trying to get together. But something always came up to prevent the power forward from donning a Broadway blueshirt.
Late Saturday night, aside from two other enticing offers on Shanahan's table, all the obstacles at long last were cleared. Now, the only question is whether it is too late for Shanahan to really star on Broadway.
At age 37, though coming off a 40-goal season, Shanahan agreed Saturday to a one-year, $4 million contract to finally play for the Rangers. Quite simply, the timing and the fit were too right for either side to walk away again.
So right, in fact, that Shanahan turned down more money (from Montreal) and longer-term deals (from Montreal and to remain with Detroit) in order to bring his 6-3, 220-pound frame and still-power-oriented game to New York.
"One-year contracts don't scare me," said Shanahan, who came into the league as an unbridled 18-year-old with the Devils in 1987 and has since transformed into an NHL elder statesman who was instrumental in rewriting the rule book last summer. "I don't know how much longer I'm going to play.
"But if it's a good fit in New York and they like me and we want to pursue staying there in the future, we'll discuss it. As for now, I'm taking it year to year."
It was in 1996 that Shanahan had his closest of three previous encounters with the Rangers. Then-GM Neil Smith agreed with new-Blues GM Mike Keenan on a deal that would have sent Alexei Kovalev and Stephane Matteau to St. Louis for Shanahan. But while Shanahan explored homes in New York, Keenan became impatient and instead dealt Shanahan to Hartford for Chris Pronger.
This time around, Rangers GM Glen Sather felt that a Shanahan signing made sense as the club's major plunge of this free-agency season.
"As we got closer to the end of (last) season, we found that maybe we needed a little more help and size up front," Sather said. "I don't think we ever thought we had too many Europeans last year. We were looking for somebody who could be in front of the net and shoot as well as this guy can - someone who could play a leadership role, play on the power play, move people in front of the net and a guy with a great shot.
"Brendan has been all of those things."
Is he still capable of all of those things? His 40 goals last season - the sixth time he's reached that plateau to get to 598 for his career - suggest that he is. However, Shanahan managed just one goal in Detroit's first-round playoff ouster by Edmonton. And that left him with just three playoff goals since he and the Wings won their third Stanley Cup together in 2002.
The signing almost certainly means that the Rangers won't bring back right wing Petr Sykora, an unrestricted free agent. They are expected to re-sign winger Martin Rucinsky to a one-year deal, still leaving themselves approximately $6 million in cap space and roster flexibility.
"I'd really like to see some of the players that we drafted and played in Hartford last year develop," Sather said. "If we fill all of the holes, there won't be any room for them to do that."
Notebook
HE'LL BE BACK: Sather said that D Sandis Ozolinsh is expected to be ready for training camp after undergoing a surgical procedure on his knee shortly after the season. " Boooooooo "
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GAME DATE OPPONENT SITE TIME (ET)
1 10/5/06 WASHINGTON MSG 7 p.m.
2 10/7/06 at Philadelphia Philadelphia 7 p.m.
3 10/10/06 PHILADELPHIA MSG 7 p.m.
4 10/12/06 PITTSBURGH MSG 7 p.m.
5 10/14/06 at Buffalo Buffalo 7 p.m.
6 10/16/06 NEW JERSEY MSG 7 p.m.
7 10/18/06 NASHVILLE MSG 7 p.m.
8 10/21/06 at Toronto Toronto 7 p.m.
9 10/25/06 FLORIDA MSG 7 p.m.
10 10/28/06 at Phoenix Phoenix 10 p.m.
11 10/30/06 at Los Angeles Los Angeles 10:30 p.m.
12 11/1/06 at Anaheim Anaheim 10 p.m.
13 11/2/06 at San Jose San Jose 10:30 p.m.
14 11/5/06 BUFFALO MSG 5 p.m.
15 11/8/06 at Florida Sunrise 7:30 p.m.
16 11/10/06 at Atlanta Atlanta 7:30 p.m.
17 11/11/06 at Washington Washington 7 p.m.
18 11/14/06 NEW JERSEY MSG 7 p.m.
19 11/15/06 at Carolina Carolina 7 p.m.
20 11/18/06 at Pittsburgh Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m.
21 11/19/06 TAMPA BAY MSG 7 p.m.
22 11/21/06 CAROLINA MSG 7 p.m.
23 11/25/06 at Pittsburgh Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m.
24 11/26/06 BUFFALO MSG 7 p.m.
25 11/28/06 ATLANTA MSG 7 p.m.
26 12/1/06 at Buffalo Buffalo 8 p.m.
27 12/3/06 NY ISLANDERS MSG 5 p.m.
28 12/7/06 PITTSBURGH MSG 7 p.m.
29 12/9/06 at Ottawa Ottawa 7 p.m.
30 12/10/06 FLORIDA MSG 7 p.m.
31 12/12/06 at Philadelphia Philadelphia 7 p.m.
32 12/14/06 at Dallas Dallas 8:30 p.m.
33 12/16/06 at Toronto Toronto 7 p.m.
34 12/17/06 NEW JERSEY MSG 7 p.m.
35 12/19/06 NY ISLANDERS MSG 7 p.m.
36 12/21/06 at Florida Sunrise 7:30 p.m.
37 12/23/06 at Tampa Bay Tampa 7:30 p.m.
38 12/26/06 at NY Islanders Uniondale 7:30 p.m.
39 12/29/06 at Ottawa Ottawa 7:30 p.m.
40 12/30/06 WASHINGTON MSG 7 p.m.
41 1/2/07 at New Jersey New Jersey 7:30 p.m.
42 1/4/07 PHILADELPHIA MSG 7 p.m.
43 1/6/07 at Montreal Montreal 1 p.m.
44 1/9/07 NY ISLANDERS MSG 7 p.m.
45 1/11/07 OTTAWA MSG 7 p.m.
46 1/13/07 BOSTON MSG 2 p.m.
47 1/16/07 at New Jersey New Jersey 7:30 p.m.
48 1/20/07 ATLANTA MSG 1 p.m.
49 1/27/07 at Philadelphia Philadelphia 1 p.m.
50 1/29/07 at Boston Boston 7 p.m.
51 1/31/07 TORONTO MSG 7 p.m.
52 2/3/07 at Tampa Bay Tampa 7:30 p.m.
53 2/5/07 DETROIT MSG 7 p.m.
54 2/6/07 at New Jersey New Jersey 7:30 p.m.
55 2/9/07 TAMPA BAY MSG 7 p.m.
56 2/10/07 at Washington Washington 7 p.m.
57 2/15/07 at Carolina Carolina 7 p.m.
58 2/17/07 PHILADELPHIA MSG 1 p.m.
59 2/18/07 CHICAGO MSG 3:30 p.m.
60 2/20/07 at New Jersey New Jersey 7:30 p.m.
61 2/22/07 NEW JERSEY MSG 7 p.m.
62 2/24/07 COLUMBUS MSG 7 p.m.
63 2/27/07 MONTREAL MSG 7 p.m.
64 3/1/07 PITTSBURGH MSG 7 p.m.
65 3/3/07 ST. LOUIS MSG 1 p.m.
66 3/5/07 NY ISLANDERS MSG 7 p.m.
67 3/8/07 at NY Islanders Uniondale 7:30 p.m.
68 3/10/07 at Pittsburgh Pittsburgh 1 p.m.
69 3/11/07 CAROLINA MSG 12:30 p.m.
70 3/13/07 OTTAWA MSG 7 p.m.
71 3/16/07 at Atlanta Atlanta 7:30 p.m.
72 3/17/07 BOSTON MSG 7 p.m.
73 3/19/07 PITTSBURGH MSG 7 p.m.
74 3/21/07 PHILADELPHIA MSG 7 p.m.
75 3/24/07 at Boston Boston 1 p.m.
76 3/25/07 at NY Islanders Uniondale 12:30 p.m.
77 3/27/07 at Montreal Montreal 7:30 p.m.
78 3/31/07 at Philadelphia Philadelphia 7 p.m.
79 4/1/07 TORONTO MSG 7 p.m.
80 4/3/07 at NY Islanders Uniondale 7:30 p.m.
81 4/5/07 MONTREAL MSG 7 p.m.
82 4/7/07 at Pittsburgh Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m.
For the ones who had a notion, a notion deep inside
That it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive
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did anyone notice that they are only playing at uniondale once to play them? and like 3 times at MSG? FUCK YEAH!, haha...maybe they are waiting to see if the thing at yankee stadium happens
NJPJ1 since your going to cali, are you going to the gorge as well?
2003: Uniondale, MSG x2 | 2004: Reading | 2005: Gorge, Vancouver, Philly | 2006: East Rutherford x2, Gorge x2, Camden 1, Hartford | 2008: MSG x2, VA Beach | 2009: Philly x3 | 2010: MSG x2, Bristow | 2011: Alpine Valley x2 | 2012: MIA Philly | 2013: Wrigley, Charlottesville, Brooklyn 2 | 2014: Milan, Amsterdam 1 | 2016: MSG x2, Fenway x2, Wrigley 2 | 2018: Rome, Krakow, Berlin | 2021: Sea Hear Now | 2022: San Diego, LA x2, MSG, Camden, Nashville, St. Louis, Denver | 2023: St. Paul 1, Chicago x2, Fort Worth x2, Austin 2
maybe they are waiting to see if the thing at yankee stadium happens
god i hope this happens
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Brian Leetch's next Garden game could come as Blueshirt.
Barring a medical miracle, Sandis Ozolinsh not only won't be ready for training camp, he'll miss a chunk of the 2006-07 season.
Which yet again raises the question: Do the Rangers have a place for Brian Leetch?
They certainly have a need for him - their offseason acquisitions have addressed other areas but leave the Rangers without a power-play quarterback or reliable offensive presence at even strength from the blue line. And they have enough room under the $44 million salary cap to work out a one-year deal with Leetch, who is willing at age 38 to play it year-to-year.
With Ozolinsh having undergone a second ACL reconstruction on his left knee last month - a procedure that normally requires at least six months' recovery time and is more problematic the second time around - that need and payroll space both increase. Ozolinsh is slated to make $2.75 million next season, but the Rangers would get temporary wiggle room to exceed the cap if he's sure to miss at least 10 games.
Neither Leetch nor the Rangers is in any hurry to make a deal. Having played out a one-year contract with Boston, Leetch is spending his summer on Cape Cod - he'll play in a charity hockey game on Nantucket this weekend - and wants to take his time before making a decision about whether and where to play in 2006-07.
Coming off a difficult season with the Bruins in which he initially was asked to play too many minutes and then succumbed to injuries as the team unraveled, Leetch wants to pick his spot carefully.
"He's made his decision to sort of put off his decision," agent Jay Grossman said. "We haven't had any contract discussions with anybody at this point. I think Brian just wants to get a better sense of how all the teams shake out and where he'd best fit and what his role would be."
Presumably, the Rangers could offer Leetch a chance to play limited even-strength minutes while piloting their power play. The concept has not been ruled out by Rangers management. But it hinges on what the club decides to do with Ozolinsh, who piled up points upon being acquired last March but committed critical defensive gaffes that caused Garden fans to boo him unmercifully.
If and when restricted free agent Michal Rozsival re-signs, the Rangers will have six veteran defensemen under contract, not counting Ozolinsh. Bringing Leetch home would be a tight squeeze, but it's under consideration.
SQUEEZE PLAY: Martin Rucinsky no longer is seeking a two-year deal from the Rangers. But the veteran winger, who wants to play only in New York, remains unsigned and now is being asked to accept a cut from the $3 million he made last season.
"Basically, it's in the hands of Glen (Sather)," agent Petr Svoboda said yesterday. "We spoke this morning and he said he still wants to sign Marty. But if he does, he'll have to do some fancy footstepping."
The Rangers offered Rucinsky a one-year deal weeks ago at a modest raise over the $3 million he made last season. The 35-year-old winger initially demurred, preferring a two-year deal. But when he saw that few free agents 35 or over have been signed to multiyear contracts, Rucinsky relented.
However, having signed winger Brendan Shanahan to a one-year, $4 million deal Sunday, the Rangers have reduced the amount of their offer to Rucinsky.
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The prospect of a remarriage between free agent Brian Leetch and the Rangers is at this point no more than wishful thinking from sentimental third parties. Though Glen Sather did try to get Leetch from Boston in a trade last December for Tom Poti (as The Post reported exclusively) and then inquired again about the franchise's greatest-ever defenseman at the deadline, there's been no talk at all this summer between the divorcees' reps.
Circumstances do change, but the recent additions of Karel Rachunek and Aaron Ward to the blue line would seem to make a reunion with Leetch less, rather than more, likely this season. It's also true that had Leetch, who will turn 39 in March, requested a trade to New York at the 2006 deadline, then-GM Mike O'Connell would have obliged. That, Boston sources report, quite decidedly did not transpire.
Hard to figure at this point how the Rangers would have room for Martin Rucinsky, a good man and good player who misunderstood his leverage in demanding a two-year contract to re-up when friends were all but begging him to accept the one-year offer in late June that's since been pulled from the table. :rolleyes:
Five of the top six forward spots are occupied by Jaromir Jagr, Brendan Shanahan, Martin Straka, Michael Nylander and Matt Cullen. The Rangers hope Petr Prucha or Marcel Hossa fills the sixth, withthe other, in the perfect world, able to slide to the third line. Ryan Hollweg has to become a third-line player in order to give the team any meaningful minutes of fiber.
So where does that leave Rucinsky? On the fourth line? Hardly an option. And what if a Greg Moore, Brandon Dubinsky, Nigel Dawes or Lori Korpikoski has the same kind of camp this year as Prucha did last season and simply forces the team to keep him?
Again. What was Rucinsky, paid more than fairly at $3M last year and who could have been paid more than fairly at $3.1M this year, thinking? :rolleyes:
And please, Michal Rozsival's decision to forego salary arbitration just one year away from unrestricted free agency is also about as baffling as it gets, coming as it did after reneging on the three-year, $5.7M deal to which he'd verbally agreed with the Rangers when he saw Nick Boynton get $1M more per to sign with the Coyotes.
With Rozsival's $738,150 QO expiring at midnight last night, and with the defenseman lacking any systemic leverage, Sather could theoretically offer the defenseman a take-it-or-don't-play-in-the-NHL two-year, $2M contract.
can't wait for sept.
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Jed Ortmeyer is one guy that i wouild be really pissed off if the NYR let get away!
thankfully, he's signed.
wtf happened with niel smith out on LI ? That was one quick GM position.
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It sucks that the H - M - O line will be affected directly .
So now with the arrival of Adam Hall, we have 2 h's to contend with.
The H-O-H line ?
wait - Hall is a right wing. Maybe we will definitely be seeing a centerman come up from the Wolfpack, maybe Immonen ?
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It sucks that the H - M - O line will be affected directly .
So now with the arrival of Adam Hall, we have 2 h's to contend with.
The H-O-H line ? :confused :
wait - Hall is a right wing. Maybe we will definitely be seeing a centerman come up from the Wolfpack, maybe Immonen ?
I'll admit I was a little bummed to read that. Moore may not have been lighting up the score board, but he was a guy who went out there every night, and I mean every night, since he played in all 82 games last season and gave it his all. One hell of a penalty killer. Best of luck to him in Nashville. I'm glad they signed Ortmeyer too.
Moore, Hall switch teams in three-way trade; Sanderson lands in Philadelphia
(CP) - Dominic Moore is now a Pittsburgh Penguin while Adam Hall is a New York Ranger after a three-team trade Wednesday saw the Nashville Predators pick up a draft choice.
The Predators first deal Hall to the Rangers in exchange for Moore. The Predators then flipped Moore to the Penguins as well as forward Libor Pivko in exchange for a third-round choice in the 2007 NHL
entry draft. Both Hall and Moore have salary arbitration hearings set for Aug. 2 in Toronto and those remain set unless they sign deals with their new clubs.
Hall, 25, had 29 points (14-15) in 75 games for the Predators last season. Moore, also 25, had 18 points (9-9) in 82 games with the Rangers. Pivko, 26, had 69 points (12-57) in 69 games with Milwaukee of the AHL last season.
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A shitload of activity since you were gone- especially out on the Island !
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it will be so strange to not have JD on the telecasts anymore. Wonder who will be working with Sam in the booth- god i hope its not Al Trautwig .
Bring on Mike Crispino- hes decent enough , or steal Kenny Albert off the radio( hes a play x play guy too so maybe that wont work with Sam )
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it will be so strange to not have JD on the telecasts anymore. Wonder who will be working with Sam in the booth- god i hope its not Al Trautwig .
Bring on Mike Crispino- hes decent enough , or steal Kenny Albert off the radio( hes a play x play guy too so maybe that wont work with Sam )
Hey fellas, was at a social function last night and a fellow party goer just happened to be involved in the Rangers organization. I don't want to give too much away to protect the guy, but I got some good news and bad news.
Bad news, the guy was telling me that it doesn't look like they're going to re-sign Sykora, and that he'll most likely be going to a Western Conference team.
Hey fellas, was at a social function last night and a fellow party goer just happened to be involved in the Rangers organization. I don't want to give too much away to protect the guy, but I got some good news and bad news.
such a tease last year with those couple of appearances
im psyched to see this guy on a longer run of games, and a regular basis.
thats too bad bout sykora,.
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Rangers fans know first-hand that late-round draft picks can have a big impact on the Blueshirts. During the 2005-06 season, Henrik Lundqvist and Petr Prucha -- players taken in the seventh and eighth rounds of their respective drafts -- made huge contributions to the team.
There is another emerging star from the 2005 draft class, also chosen in the seventh round, who has the opportunity to make a profound impact. If his play on the major-junior level is any indication, forward Ryan Russell is well on his way to that goal.
Chosen 211th overall, Russell impressed scouts and coaches alike while skating for the Western Hockey League'sKootenay Ice in 2005-06. In 72 games last season, he ranked ninth in the WHL with 75 points on 33 goals and 42 assists. He was named the Ice's "Fan’s Choice Player of the Year," and finished second on the team in goals (33), assists (42), and points (75).
Russell had an equally impressive playoff run with the Ice, leading Kootenay with three goals and five assists for eight points in six postseason games. He was also selected to represent the WHL in both games of the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge in late November.
"Ryan is one of those guys that when you look at him you think, 'boy how is this guy getting it done?' but he does," said Rangers head coach Tom Renney says. "He is similar to Prucha in his stature and his offense. He can flat-out shoot the puck. He can finesse it into the net, he can power it into the net. He is a very good competitor. He is a very explosive player; he jumps into holes well and gets himself open.
"Ryan knows where to go offensively to get the job done. The big thing with him is just making sure he continues to acquire the strength to continue his progress. But there is no reason a player like him can’t succeed in the new NHL."
In 2005-06 Prucha certainly proved that a player like Russell can find success in the present-day NHL, and Russell himself looks towards the Czech sniper as inspiration.
"Seeing Prucha succeeding the way he did gives you a little bit more confidence and pushes you a lot more," said Russell. "To see a guy who is a smaller guy, a lot of people said he would never make the Rangers, but he scored 30 goals and was an important part of the team. So it pushes you a little more to give an extra effort so that maybe one day you can be in that spot."
While he has always had NHL caliber talent, the 5-foot-10, 165-pound Russell greatly benefited from the rule changes implemented after the lockout.
"The new rules have really opened the game for the faster guys," said Russell. "So obviously it helps me. To play at the NHL level, you not only have to be fast, but you need to be strong and fit, and the new rules will definitely help."
Russell ranked ninth in the WHL, registering 75 points last season.
Russell is swift and fast. He quickly accelerates to full speed and has an extra gear rarely seen even on the NHL level. The native of Caroline, Alberta can beats WHL goaltenders with a bevy of dekes and shots, and brings fans to their feet every time he touches the puck.
Still, the young centerman knows there are areas he must improve upon.
"I have to work on my strength and maybe work on my play a little bit in the defensive zone," he said. "I'm a smaller player, so in puck battles I have to win them with my speed and my positioning. My strength is definitely my scoring, but I need to work on my play in my own zone."
Russell understands he is a year or two away from competing for one of the NHL roster spots, but that won't affect his mindset heading into September’s training camp.
"Whenever you go into a camp you want to make the best impression you can," he said. "I am going to go home, maybe gain some weight, get a little stronger in some areas, and who knows? I am going to try to catch their eyes and make them want to sign me. If not, I want to be returning to juniors on a high."
-- Ricky Henne
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Last year was amazing to see them go from being labled as the worst team in hockey to being one of the best in the NHL, and making the playoffs
Advancement in the playoffs year? you damn right!
PJ at MSG in 2008! Mission Accomplished
The band all knows. We're too afraid to mention.
Don't want to be part of Frank's luncheon.
Lose weight. Be safe. Where's Mike McCready?
My god he's been ate!
we need to have a NYR - Pearl Jam get together this season !
for shizzle
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pick a game ... all of us get tickets in the blues ... then we can all meet in 1 section and stand up on the rail ,,,or sit together if their are seats !!!
standing together shouldn't be a problem..last year security was very laxed or just go to the bar in the msg
my plan is 22 games so u guys need to pick the game
pick a game ... all of us get tickets in the blues ... then we can all meet in 1 section and stand up on the rail ,,,or sit together if their are seats !!!
standing together shouldn't be a problem..last year security was very laxed or just go to the bar in the msg
my plan is 22 games so u guys need to pick the game
that wouldn't work for me because i got season tickets
2003: Uniondale, MSG x2 | 2004: Reading | 2005: Gorge, Vancouver, Philly | 2006: East Rutherford x2, Gorge x2, Camden 1, Hartford | 2008: MSG x2, VA Beach | 2009: Philly x3 | 2010: MSG x2, Bristow | 2011: Alpine Valley x2 | 2012: MIA Philly | 2013: Wrigley, Charlottesville, Brooklyn 2 | 2014: Milan, Amsterdam 1 | 2016: MSG x2, Fenway x2, Wrigley 2 | 2018: Rome, Krakow, Berlin | 2021: Sea Hear Now | 2022: San Diego, LA x2, MSG, Camden, Nashville, St. Louis, Denver | 2023: St. Paul 1, Chicago x2, Fort Worth x2, Austin 2
Comments
(tried to quote u bath ) lol but it didn't work
as evidenced by not going overboard for chara or elias
http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/433944p-365579c.html
Shanny, Rangers team up at last
BY JOHN DELLAPINA
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Brendan Shanahan
For 15 years, the Rangers and Brendan Shanahan have been trying to get together. But something always came up to prevent the power forward from donning a Broadway blueshirt.
Late Saturday night, aside from two other enticing offers on Shanahan's table, all the obstacles at long last were cleared. Now, the only question is whether it is too late for Shanahan to really star on Broadway.
At age 37, though coming off a 40-goal season, Shanahan agreed Saturday to a one-year, $4 million contract to finally play for the Rangers. Quite simply, the timing and the fit were too right for either side to walk away again.
So right, in fact, that Shanahan turned down more money (from Montreal) and longer-term deals (from Montreal and to remain with Detroit) in order to bring his 6-3, 220-pound frame and still-power-oriented game to New York.
"One-year contracts don't scare me," said Shanahan, who came into the league as an unbridled 18-year-old with the Devils in 1987 and has since transformed into an NHL elder statesman who was instrumental in rewriting the rule book last summer. "I don't know how much longer I'm going to play.
"But if it's a good fit in New York and they like me and we want to pursue staying there in the future, we'll discuss it. As for now, I'm taking it year to year."
It was in 1996 that Shanahan had his closest of three previous encounters with the Rangers. Then-GM Neil Smith agreed with new-Blues GM Mike Keenan on a deal that would have sent Alexei Kovalev and Stephane Matteau to St. Louis for Shanahan. But while Shanahan explored homes in New York, Keenan became impatient and instead dealt Shanahan to Hartford for Chris Pronger.
This time around, Rangers GM Glen Sather felt that a Shanahan signing made sense as the club's major plunge of this free-agency season.
"As we got closer to the end of (last) season, we found that maybe we needed a little more help and size up front," Sather said. "I don't think we ever thought we had too many Europeans last year. We were looking for somebody who could be in front of the net and shoot as well as this guy can - someone who could play a leadership role, play on the power play, move people in front of the net and a guy with a great shot.
"Brendan has been all of those things."
Is he still capable of all of those things? His 40 goals last season - the sixth time he's reached that plateau to get to 598 for his career - suggest that he is. However, Shanahan managed just one goal in Detroit's first-round playoff ouster by Edmonton. And that left him with just three playoff goals since he and the Wings won their third Stanley Cup together in 2002.
The signing almost certainly means that the Rangers won't bring back right wing Petr Sykora, an unrestricted free agent. They are expected to re-sign winger Martin Rucinsky to a one-year deal, still leaving themselves approximately $6 million in cap space and roster flexibility.
"I'd really like to see some of the players that we drafted and played in Hartford last year develop," Sather said. "If we fill all of the holes, there won't be any room for them to do that."
Notebook
HE'LL BE BACK: Sather said that D Sandis Ozolinsh is expected to be ready for training camp after undergoing a surgical procedure on his knee shortly after the season. " Boooooooo "
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http://newyorkrangers.com/tickets/schedule.asp
2006-07 RANGERS REGULAR-SEASON SCHEDULE
All times are Eastern. Home games appear in bold.
GAME DATE OPPONENT SITE TIME (ET)
1 10/5/06 WASHINGTON MSG 7 p.m.
2 10/7/06 at Philadelphia Philadelphia 7 p.m.
3 10/10/06 PHILADELPHIA MSG 7 p.m.
4 10/12/06 PITTSBURGH MSG 7 p.m.
5 10/14/06 at Buffalo Buffalo 7 p.m.
6 10/16/06 NEW JERSEY MSG 7 p.m.
7 10/18/06 NASHVILLE MSG 7 p.m.
8 10/21/06 at Toronto Toronto 7 p.m.
9 10/25/06 FLORIDA MSG 7 p.m.
10 10/28/06 at Phoenix Phoenix 10 p.m.
11 10/30/06 at Los Angeles Los Angeles 10:30 p.m.
12 11/1/06 at Anaheim Anaheim 10 p.m.
13 11/2/06 at San Jose San Jose 10:30 p.m.
14 11/5/06 BUFFALO MSG 5 p.m.
15 11/8/06 at Florida Sunrise 7:30 p.m.
16 11/10/06 at Atlanta Atlanta 7:30 p.m.
17 11/11/06 at Washington Washington 7 p.m.
18 11/14/06 NEW JERSEY MSG 7 p.m.
19 11/15/06 at Carolina Carolina 7 p.m.
20 11/18/06 at Pittsburgh Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m.
21 11/19/06 TAMPA BAY MSG 7 p.m.
22 11/21/06 CAROLINA MSG 7 p.m.
23 11/25/06 at Pittsburgh Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m.
24 11/26/06 BUFFALO MSG 7 p.m.
25 11/28/06 ATLANTA MSG 7 p.m.
26 12/1/06 at Buffalo Buffalo 8 p.m.
27 12/3/06 NY ISLANDERS MSG 5 p.m.
28 12/7/06 PITTSBURGH MSG 7 p.m.
29 12/9/06 at Ottawa Ottawa 7 p.m.
30 12/10/06 FLORIDA MSG 7 p.m.
31 12/12/06 at Philadelphia Philadelphia 7 p.m.
32 12/14/06 at Dallas Dallas 8:30 p.m.
33 12/16/06 at Toronto Toronto 7 p.m.
34 12/17/06 NEW JERSEY MSG 7 p.m.
35 12/19/06 NY ISLANDERS MSG 7 p.m.
36 12/21/06 at Florida Sunrise 7:30 p.m.
37 12/23/06 at Tampa Bay Tampa 7:30 p.m.
38 12/26/06 at NY Islanders Uniondale 7:30 p.m.
39 12/29/06 at Ottawa Ottawa 7:30 p.m.
40 12/30/06 WASHINGTON MSG 7 p.m.
41 1/2/07 at New Jersey New Jersey 7:30 p.m.
42 1/4/07 PHILADELPHIA MSG 7 p.m.
43 1/6/07 at Montreal Montreal 1 p.m.
44 1/9/07 NY ISLANDERS MSG 7 p.m.
45 1/11/07 OTTAWA MSG 7 p.m.
46 1/13/07 BOSTON MSG 2 p.m.
47 1/16/07 at New Jersey New Jersey 7:30 p.m.
48 1/20/07 ATLANTA MSG 1 p.m.
49 1/27/07 at Philadelphia Philadelphia 1 p.m.
50 1/29/07 at Boston Boston 7 p.m.
51 1/31/07 TORONTO MSG 7 p.m.
52 2/3/07 at Tampa Bay Tampa 7:30 p.m.
53 2/5/07 DETROIT MSG 7 p.m.
54 2/6/07 at New Jersey New Jersey 7:30 p.m.
55 2/9/07 TAMPA BAY MSG 7 p.m.
56 2/10/07 at Washington Washington 7 p.m.
57 2/15/07 at Carolina Carolina 7 p.m.
58 2/17/07 PHILADELPHIA MSG 1 p.m.
59 2/18/07 CHICAGO MSG 3:30 p.m.
60 2/20/07 at New Jersey New Jersey 7:30 p.m.
61 2/22/07 NEW JERSEY MSG 7 p.m.
62 2/24/07 COLUMBUS MSG 7 p.m.
63 2/27/07 MONTREAL MSG 7 p.m.
64 3/1/07 PITTSBURGH MSG 7 p.m.
65 3/3/07 ST. LOUIS MSG 1 p.m.
66 3/5/07 NY ISLANDERS MSG 7 p.m.
67 3/8/07 at NY Islanders Uniondale 7:30 p.m.
68 3/10/07 at Pittsburgh Pittsburgh 1 p.m.
69 3/11/07 CAROLINA MSG 12:30 p.m.
70 3/13/07 OTTAWA MSG 7 p.m.
71 3/16/07 at Atlanta Atlanta 7:30 p.m.
72 3/17/07 BOSTON MSG 7 p.m.
73 3/19/07 PITTSBURGH MSG 7 p.m.
74 3/21/07 PHILADELPHIA MSG 7 p.m.
75 3/24/07 at Boston Boston 1 p.m.
76 3/25/07 at NY Islanders Uniondale 12:30 p.m.
77 3/27/07 at Montreal Montreal 7:30 p.m.
78 3/31/07 at Philadelphia Philadelphia 7 p.m.
79 4/1/07 TORONTO MSG 7 p.m.
80 4/3/07 at NY Islanders Uniondale 7:30 p.m.
81 4/5/07 MONTREAL MSG 7 p.m.
82 4/7/07 at Pittsburgh Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m.
That it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive
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I CAN'T WAIT !!!!!!!!!!!
LET'S GO RANGER'S!!!
NJPJ1 since your going to cali, are you going to the gorge as well?
god i hope this happens
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http://www.nydailynews.com/07-11-2006/sports/story/434131p-365767c.html
Leetch return looks possible
BY JOHN DELLAPINA
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Brian Leetch's next Garden game could come as Blueshirt.
Barring a medical miracle, Sandis Ozolinsh not only won't be ready for training camp, he'll miss a chunk of the 2006-07 season.
Which yet again raises the question: Do the Rangers have a place for Brian Leetch?
They certainly have a need for him - their offseason acquisitions have addressed other areas but leave the Rangers without a power-play quarterback or reliable offensive presence at even strength from the blue line. And they have enough room under the $44 million salary cap to work out a one-year deal with Leetch, who is willing at age 38 to play it year-to-year.
With Ozolinsh having undergone a second ACL reconstruction on his left knee last month - a procedure that normally requires at least six months' recovery time and is more problematic the second time around - that need and payroll space both increase. Ozolinsh is slated to make $2.75 million next season, but the Rangers would get temporary wiggle room to exceed the cap if he's sure to miss at least 10 games.
Neither Leetch nor the Rangers is in any hurry to make a deal. Having played out a one-year contract with Boston, Leetch is spending his summer on Cape Cod - he'll play in a charity hockey game on Nantucket this weekend - and wants to take his time before making a decision about whether and where to play in 2006-07.
Coming off a difficult season with the Bruins in which he initially was asked to play too many minutes and then succumbed to injuries as the team unraveled, Leetch wants to pick his spot carefully.
"He's made his decision to sort of put off his decision," agent Jay Grossman said. "We haven't had any contract discussions with anybody at this point. I think Brian just wants to get a better sense of how all the teams shake out and where he'd best fit and what his role would be."
Presumably, the Rangers could offer Leetch a chance to play limited even-strength minutes while piloting their power play. The concept has not been ruled out by Rangers management. But it hinges on what the club decides to do with Ozolinsh, who piled up points upon being acquired last March but committed critical defensive gaffes that caused Garden fans to boo him unmercifully.
If and when restricted free agent Michal Rozsival re-signs, the Rangers will have six veteran defensemen under contract, not counting Ozolinsh. Bringing Leetch home would be a tight squeeze, but it's under consideration.
SQUEEZE PLAY: Martin Rucinsky no longer is seeking a two-year deal from the Rangers. But the veteran winger, who wants to play only in New York, remains unsigned and now is being asked to accept a cut from the $3 million he made last season.
"Basically, it's in the hands of Glen (Sather)," agent Petr Svoboda said yesterday. "We spoke this morning and he said he still wants to sign Marty. But if he does, he'll have to do some fancy footstepping."
The Rangers offered Rucinsky a one-year deal weeks ago at a modest raise over the $3 million he made last season. The 35-year-old winger initially demurred, preferring a two-year deal. But when he saw that few free agents 35 or over have been signed to multiyear contracts, Rucinsky relented.
However, having signed winger Brendan Shanahan to a one-year, $4 million deal Sunday, the Rangers have reduced the amount of their offer to Rucinsky.
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http://www.nypost.com/sports/beyond_be_leaf_sports_larry_brooks.htm
The prospect of a remarriage between free agent Brian Leetch and the Rangers is at this point no more than wishful thinking from sentimental third parties. Though Glen Sather did try to get Leetch from Boston in a trade last December for Tom Poti (as The Post reported exclusively) and then inquired again about the franchise's greatest-ever defenseman at the deadline, there's been no talk at all this summer between the divorcees' reps.
Circumstances do change, but the recent additions of Karel Rachunek and Aaron Ward to the blue line would seem to make a reunion with Leetch less, rather than more, likely this season. It's also true that had Leetch, who will turn 39 in March, requested a trade to New York at the 2006 deadline, then-GM Mike O'Connell would have obliged. That, Boston sources report, quite decidedly did not transpire.
Hard to figure at this point how the Rangers would have room for Martin Rucinsky, a good man and good player who misunderstood his leverage in demanding a two-year contract to re-up when friends were all but begging him to accept the one-year offer in late June that's since been pulled from the table. :rolleyes:
Five of the top six forward spots are occupied by Jaromir Jagr, Brendan Shanahan, Martin Straka, Michael Nylander and Matt Cullen. The Rangers hope Petr Prucha or Marcel Hossa fills the sixth, withthe other, in the perfect world, able to slide to the third line. Ryan Hollweg has to become a third-line player in order to give the team any meaningful minutes of fiber.
So where does that leave Rucinsky? On the fourth line? Hardly an option. And what if a Greg Moore, Brandon Dubinsky, Nigel Dawes or Lori Korpikoski has the same kind of camp this year as Prucha did last season and simply forces the team to keep him?
Again. What was Rucinsky, paid more than fairly at $3M last year and who could have been paid more than fairly at $3.1M this year, thinking? :rolleyes:
And please, Michal Rozsival's decision to forego salary arbitration just one year away from unrestricted free agency is also about as baffling as it gets, coming as it did after reneging on the three-year, $5.7M deal to which he'd verbally agreed with the Rangers when he saw Nick Boynton get $1M more per to sign with the Coyotes.
With Rozsival's $738,150 QO expiring at midnight last night, and with the defenseman lacking any systemic leverage, Sather could theoretically offer the defenseman a take-it-or-don't-play-in-the-NHL two-year, $2M contract.
can't wait for sept.
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thankfully, he's signed.
wtf happened with niel smith out on LI ? That was one quick GM position.
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It sucks that the H - M - O line will be affected directly .
So now with the arrival of Adam Hall, we have 2 h's to contend with.
The H-O-H line ?
wait - Hall is a right wing. Maybe we will definitely be seeing a centerman come up from the Wolfpack, maybe Immonen ?
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I'll admit I was a little bummed to read that. Moore may not have been lighting up the score board, but he was a guy who went out there every night, and I mean every night, since he played in all 82 games last season and gave it his all. One hell of a penalty killer. Best of luck to him in Nashville. I'm glad they signed Ortmeyer too.
apparently, it was a 3 team deal, so Moore wil not be in Nashville, but is now a Penguin.
I feel the same way that you do Moster, that guy was a workhorse warrior and gave 1000% every night.
http://www.nhl.com/news/2006/07/277668.html
Moore, Hall switch teams in three-way trade; Sanderson lands in Philadelphia
(CP) - Dominic Moore is now a Pittsburgh Penguin while Adam Hall is a New York Ranger after a three-team trade Wednesday saw the Nashville Predators pick up a draft choice.
The Predators first deal Hall to the Rangers in exchange for Moore. The Predators then flipped Moore to the Penguins as well as forward Libor Pivko in exchange for a third-round choice in the 2007 NHL
entry draft. Both Hall and Moore have salary arbitration hearings set for Aug. 2 in Toronto and those remain set unless they sign deals with their new clubs.
Hall, 25, had 29 points (14-15) in 75 games for the Predators last season. Moore, also 25, had 18 points (9-9) in 82 games with the Rangers. Pivko, 26, had 69 points (12-57) in 69 games with Milwaukee of the AHL last season.
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Welcome home, fellow Ranger fanatic .
A shitload of activity since you were gone- especially out on the Island !
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I love Blair Betts and Moore but you ask me, you keep Moore and trade Betts.
whats up w/ rozival?? so weird
how bout those fishsticks...lol total chaos
:eek:
http://www.msgnetwork.com/rangers.jsp
cant wait.
it will be so strange to not have JD on the telecasts anymore. Wonder who will be working with Sam in the booth- god i hope its not Al Trautwig .
Bring on Mike Crispino- hes decent enough , or steal Kenny Albert off the radio( hes a play x play guy too so maybe that wont work with Sam )
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OH BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!LOL I CANT WAIT
Sammi: Wanna just break up?
HEHE,, hey at least your mets look real good
Bad news, the guy was telling me that it doesn't look like they're going to re-sign Sykora, and that he'll most likely be going to a Western Conference team.
Good news, expect to see more from Immonen.
such a tease last year with those couple of appearances
im psyched to see this guy on a longer run of games, and a regular basis.
thats too bad bout sykora,.
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No. I was bummed about Sykora, that was like the first question out of my mouth, but I guess never say never.
oh well
i tried
anyhow - really excellent read on this Russell kid.
another forward / centerman for those open spots
http://newyorkrangers.com/team/ProspectRecap/
2005-06 PROSPECT RECAP: RYAN RUSSELL
7/21/2006
RYAN RUSSELL
C, Kootenay Ice (WHL)
Rangers fans know first-hand that late-round draft picks can have a big impact on the Blueshirts. During the 2005-06 season, Henrik Lundqvist and Petr Prucha -- players taken in the seventh and eighth rounds of their respective drafts -- made huge contributions to the team.
There is another emerging star from the 2005 draft class, also chosen in the seventh round, who has the opportunity to make a profound impact. If his play on the major-junior level is any indication, forward Ryan Russell is well on his way to that goal.
Chosen 211th overall, Russell impressed scouts and coaches alike while skating for the Western Hockey League's Kootenay Ice in 2005-06. In 72 games last season, he ranked ninth in the WHL with 75 points on 33 goals and 42 assists. He was named the Ice's "Fan’s Choice Player of the Year," and finished second on the team in goals (33), assists (42), and points (75).
Russell had an equally impressive playoff run with the Ice, leading Kootenay with three goals and five assists for eight points in six postseason games. He was also selected to represent the WHL in both games of the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge in late November.
"Ryan is one of those guys that when you look at him you think, 'boy how is this guy getting it done?' but he does," said Rangers head coach Tom Renney says. "He is similar to Prucha in his stature and his offense. He can flat-out shoot the puck. He can finesse it into the net, he can power it into the net. He is a very good competitor. He is a very explosive player; he jumps into holes well and gets himself open.
"Ryan knows where to go offensively to get the job done. The big thing with him is just making sure he continues to acquire the strength to continue his progress. But there is no reason a player like him can’t succeed in the new NHL."
In 2005-06 Prucha certainly proved that a player like Russell can find success in the present-day NHL, and Russell himself looks towards the Czech sniper as inspiration.
"Seeing Prucha succeeding the way he did gives you a little bit more confidence and pushes you a lot more," said Russell. "To see a guy who is a smaller guy, a lot of people said he would never make the Rangers, but he scored 30 goals and was an important part of the team. So it pushes you a little more to give an extra effort so that maybe one day you can be in that spot."
While he has always had NHL caliber talent, the 5-foot-10, 165-pound Russell greatly benefited from the rule changes implemented after the lockout.
"The new rules have really opened the game for the faster guys," said Russell. "So obviously it helps me. To play at the NHL level, you not only have to be fast, but you need to be strong and fit, and the new rules will definitely help."
Russell ranked ninth in the WHL, registering 75 points last season.
Russell is swift and fast. He quickly accelerates to full speed and has an extra gear rarely seen even on the NHL level. The native of Caroline, Alberta can beats WHL goaltenders with a bevy of dekes and shots, and brings fans to their feet every time he touches the puck.
Still, the young centerman knows there are areas he must improve upon.
"I have to work on my strength and maybe work on my play a little bit in the defensive zone," he said. "I'm a smaller player, so in puck battles I have to win them with my speed and my positioning. My strength is definitely my scoring, but I need to work on my play in my own zone."
Russell understands he is a year or two away from competing for one of the NHL roster spots, but that won't affect his mindset heading into September’s training camp.
"Whenever you go into a camp you want to make the best impression you can," he said. "I am going to go home, maybe gain some weight, get a little stronger in some areas, and who knows? I am going to try to catch their eyes and make them want to sign me. If not, I want to be returning to juniors on a high."
-- Ricky Henne
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this kid looks good,, just a tad on the small size... maybe he can bulk up abit
preseason sched.. getting close
RANGER'S VS. PANTHER'S IN PUERTO RICO!!
Last year was amazing to see them go from being labled as the worst team in hockey to being one of the best in the NHL, and making the playoffs
Advancement in the playoffs year? you damn right!
The band all knows. We're too afraid to mention.
Don't want to be part of Frank's luncheon.
Lose weight. Be safe. Where's Mike McCready?
My god he's been ate!
for shizzle
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lets do it when they play the islanders at MSG
im telling you, they look REALLY good this year, they may get to the 2nd round!!
I'm just a little upset they got rid of Moore
pick a game ... all of us get tickets in the blues ... then we can all meet in 1 section and stand up on the rail ,,,or sit together if their are seats !!!
standing together shouldn't be a problem..last year security was very laxed or just go to the bar in the msg
my plan is 22 games so u guys need to pick the game
that wouldn't work for me because i got season tickets