B R O A D W A Y***B L U E S H I R T S

Bathgate66

xavier mcdaniel wrote:

Bathgate66 wrote:

true that about drury--

evenso maybe we should wait and see them out on the ice before we write them off already.

we'll see what happens- its a long schedule .

Lets Go Rangers

Of course we should, that's why those articles are written in the dead of July. It's a slow news day in terms of hockey.

hahaha


of course.
hey we all cant be like the Isles and hire a 3rd Goalie . !

xavier mcdaniel

Bathgate66 wrote:

xavier mcdaniel wrote:

Bathgate66 wrote:

true that about drury--

evenso maybe we should wait and see them out on the ice before we write them off already.

we'll see what happens- its a long schedule .

Lets Go Rangers

Of course we should, that's why those articles are written in the dead of July. It's a slow news day in terms of hockey.

hahaha


of course.
hey we all cant be like the Isles and hire a 3rd Goalie . !

third goalie, i see that move as the islanders indirectly saying you'll see dipietro in two years..

Bathgate66

Bathgate66

from fridays blueshirt bulletin blog :

Today is the day for Nik Zherdev as he and his agent prepare to take on Rangers management in a battle of arbitration over about $1 million.

The Rangers reportedly have offered up to $3.25 million while the Zherdev camp is seeking around $4.5 million.

It appears at face value that the two sides will part, but there is more to think about than merely a stubborn kid who is overvaluing himself.

The Rangers gave up a strong player in defenseman Fedor Tyutin to acquire Zherdev, yes they also gave up Christian Backman and acquired Dan Fritsche, but the main component of the trade was Zherdev for Tyutin.

To simply lose Zherdev for nothing would make no sense as it shows that the Rangers got nothing for a top-four defenseman in Tyutin.

There is nothing limiting a sign-and-trade, of course, but what NHL team is going to take that chance at around $4 million? Not many unless you are taking a bad salary back in return.

Yet, what most are not talking about is how the Rangers roster will be affected by losing Zherdev. Are the Rangers really best served without him as opposed to with him?

While recent memory is always the easiest to evaluate, the team was relying on Zherdev as their primary offensive player for the first 50+ games of the season.

He was energetic, exciting, and a terrific talent. Fans must admit, for the better half of the season, they wanted Zherdev on the ice.

But it came crashing down as quickly as it seemed to build up.

He fell apart under new coach John Tortorella, was subject to benchings and line demotions, and did little in the playoffs.

Yet he still amassed 23 goals and 35 assists for 58 points along with a solid +6.

Statistically he is a strong player, particularly at 24 years old.

Not discounting his attitude and prima donna-esque persona, but he is still a solid winger with terrific upside. Also consider that the offense will now focus on Marian Gaborik and Zherdev would be playing in a much higher-paced system under Tortorella, a role he could flourish in.

So while it seems inevitable that Zherdev will walk, it may not be the wisest move for an organization thin on the wings to let a potent scorer (albeit with a terrible attitude) to just strut down Fifth Avenue and onto a rival club.

Gary Carter

Bathgate66 wrote:

I'm literally ROTFLMFAO



RAG$ $UCK, GO ISLES

rival.

fleury wants back in the NHL:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=4395261

rangers sign him to a one year / league minimum deal

he does fit nicely in the tortorella mold.

Bathgate66

singularity wrote:

fleury wants back in the NHL:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=4395261

rangers sign him to a one year / league minimum deal

he does fit nicely in the tortorella mold.

interesting read and all,
i loved this guys tenacity every night,
back in the day
but i dont know i dont think sather would do it.

Bathgate66

UPDATE: Though no announcement has been officially made, it appears that the Rangers have signed physical defenseman Francis Bouillon, formerly of the Montreal Canadiens, to a one-year $1 million deal. Not a bad signing if it is true. Reports are coming out of various Montreal media outlets. Awaiting official confirmation...

Bathgate66

Eddie better get the numbers right next time,
wouldnt want to be taken out back and disciplined by Mess in the tunnels at MSG,...



Messier Back with The N Y R


http://www.nypost.com/seven/08162009/sp ... 184732.htm



By Larry Brooks
New York Post

The Captain is back.

As an apprentice.

Mark Messier is rejoining the Rangers' organization as special assistant to club president Glen Sather, The Post has learned. It will mark Messier's first job in hockey -- and first full-time job, period -- since he ended his playing career following the 2003-04 season.

"I couldn't be more thrilled with the opportunity to move back to New York with my family, to learn from Glen and to work for the Rangers," Messier said yesterday by phone from the Bahamas. "I'm going to come in and get my feet wet and get an overview of how the business runs and how the team runs and take it from there."

This move should not be interpreted as Sather hiring his successor. Messier is not the heir apparent. Rather, he is assuming the same type of apprentice position that contemporaries such as Steve Yzerman (Detroit), Cam Neely (Boston) and Al MacInnis (St. Louis) have assumed with their respective franchises.

"While I believe I have a lot to offer, I know I have a lot to learn about the management and business side of the sport," Messier said. "From the hockey side, I'm going to try and get a feel for the players we have under contract, the depth of our organization, the operation in [AHL] Hartford.

"I'll be going to Traverse City [Mich.] for the prospects tournament and then I'll be at camp, ready to do whatever Glen and the organization need from me, whether it's watching the Rangers or scouting other camps. I'm wide open and willing to do anything and everything."

The Post has learned that coach Tom Renney approached Messier last season about the possibility of working with the coaching staff this season. It also has been learned that Messier interviewed this summer for the vacant coaching position in Edmonton that ultimately went to Pat Quinn (with Renney as his associate).

Messier is not expected to be on the ice at camp with head coach John Tortorella and assistant Mike Sullivan. Assistant general manager Jim Schoenfeld, who served as Tortorella's assistant last year, is likely to be on the ice working with the team's young defensemen, not only during training camp, but also intermittently during the season.

"I think I bring a little different perspective to the organization after and playing in the NHL for 25 years and playing in New York for 10 years," said Messier, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008. "I understand what a player needs to succeed in this environment that's riddled with pressure to win.

"I think I have a pretty good eye for talent, but really, there are so many things about the management and business side of the game that I've never been exposed to. So I'm going to soak it all in and learn as much as I can about what it takes on that end to build a champion."

Messier, who will move to New York with his wife, Kim, and their two young children, is familiar with the Rangers' personnel. Well, as familiar as possible after another summer makeover.

"It's such a moving target trying to analyze in the offseason with so many changes from year to year," he said. "I do like our young defensemen in Marc Staal and Dan Girardi, and with Henrik [Lundqvist] in goal, I don't think there's a better place to start."

While The Captain, back home again, starts a new careerBarrycade

Bathgate66

PROSPAL A RANGER

By LARRY BROOKS
NEW IN BLUE: Vinnie Prospal, jostling with Henrik Lundqvist, has signed a one-year contract with the Rangers.

As contract negotiations with Brandon Dubinsky have hit a speed bump, the Rangers have signed 34-year-old free agent forward Vinnie Prospal to a one-year, $1.1 million deal, The Post has learned.

Prospal, who became unrestricted when the Lightning bought him out of the final three seasons of the four-year, $14 million contract he had signed with Tampa Bay last summer, is most effective on the wing but also can play center.

The plan at the moment is to give Dubinsky the opportunity to claim the center position on the first line that will feature Marian Gaborik on the right and either Sean Avery or Christopher Higgins on the left. But if Dubinsky cannot handle the assignment, Prospal, who is strong on the puck, probably would get the call.

Prospal, who played for head coach John Tortorella before and after the Lightning's 2004 Cup-winning season in which he was in Anaheim, recorded 45 points (19-26) last year. The 12-year NHL veteran scored 33 goals two years ago for the Lightning and Flyers and recording 80 points and 55 assists with Tampa Bay in 2005-06.

Dubinsky, a Group II free agent, and the Rangers have been in contract talks for a number of weeks, but it now seems as if the parties are not going to reach an agreement on a multi-year contract. Unless Dubinsky can attract an offer sheet on which the Blueshirts would have the right of first refusal, it appears as if he will play the season on his one-year qualifying offer of $698,500.

Do you know someone who has made New York a better place? Nominate your hero for the 8th Annual New York Post Liberty Medals.

Bathgate66

Mess back with Rangers



Mark Messier named Special Assistant to the President Aug 16, 2009, 12:26 PM EDT New York, August 16, 2009 - New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that Mark Messier has been named Special Assistant to the President.

"Mark is one of the greatest players in the history of the National Hockey League. I have witnessed him grow throughout his career and am looking forward to him joining the organization and learning a whole new part of the hockey business.," stated Sather.

"I am looking forward to joining the Rangers organization and having the opportunity to learn a new part of the business, working closely with Glen," stated Messier. "I have felt a strong connection to the Rangers, Madison Square Garden and the city of New York from the moment I arrived in 1991. I am honored to begin this new chapter of my career here."

The 16-time NHL All-Star joined the Rangers on October 4, 1991 in one of the most significant transactions in the history of the organization. Messier was acquired from Edmonton in exchange for Bernie Nicholls, Steven Rice and Louie DeBrusk. He was named captain in his first home game as a Ranger on October 7, 1991 following his Rangers debut in Montreal, on October 5. In his first season with the club, Messier guided the team to the President's Trophy, leading the team in scoring with 107 points and capturing his second Hart Trophy. He set a Rangers record for most assists by a center, with 72, while becoming the fifth player in franchise history to reach the 100-point plateau.

In 1993-94, Messier led the Rangers to the team's second President's Trophy in three seasons and carried the Rangers to its first Stanley Cup Championship in 54 years. He set a Rangers playoff record with 12 post-season goals, including the Stanley Cup winning tally on June 14, 1994, as the Rangers defeated Vancouver, 3-2, to win Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Finals. Messier, who ranks seventh all-time with four career playoff hat tricks, recorded his most memorable three or more goal game on May 25, 1994, at New Jersey in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Finals, netting three goals, including the game-tying and game-winning tallies. He ranks second on the Rangers all-time playoff scoring list with 80 points, placing second in goals (29) and assists (51).

Messier played his final game with the Rangers on March 31, 2004, against the Buffalo Sabres, scoring the 694th goal of his career. He officially announced his retirement on September 12, 2005. Messier's number 11 was retired by the Rangers and raised to the Madison Square Garden rafter's on Thursday, January 12, 2006.

The Edmonton, Alberta native was a four-time NHL First Team All-Star and two-time winner of the Lester B. Pearson Award as the league MVP as voted by the players. Messier ranks fifth on the Rangers all-time scoring list with 691 points. Named the club's MVP in 1992, 1995 and 1996, he places seventh all-time in goals with 250 and sixth in assists with 441. Messier holds Rangers club records for Most Game Winning Goals, Playoff Year (four, '94), Most Points, Playoff Series (11, '94 Conference Finals), Most Shorthanded Goals, Single Game (two, Apr. 21, 1992 vs. New Jersey) and Most Goals, One Period (three, May 25, 1994 at New Jersey).

Messier ranks second on the NHL's all-time scoring list with 1,887 points. In addition, he places seventh in goals with 694, third in assists with 1,193 and second in games played with 1,756. He is a two-time recipient of the Hart Trophy, as the league?s Most Valuable Player ('90, '92), has appeared in the second most playoff contests in National Hockey League history (236) and also ranks second in goals (109), assists (186) and points (295). The winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1984 as the Most Valuable Player in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Messier is a six-time Stanley Cup Champion, captaining the 1990 Edmonton Oilers and the 1994 New York Rangers. Messier is the first player to have served as captain for two different teams winning the Stanley Cup.

Bathgate66

Callahans busy Summer

rival.

was on vacation for the past 2 weeks. man, that messier news was good stuff to come back to.

one step closer to kicking darth to the curb forever.

Bathgate66

singularity wrote:

was on vacation for the past 2 weeks. man, that messier news was good stuff to come back to.

one step closer to kicking darth to the curb forever.

welcome home.
so youve also heard / read about Prospal..
another oldtimer coming to Broadway, ( under his former coach )

rival.

Bathgate66 wrote:

singularity wrote:

was on vacation for the past 2 weeks. man, that messier news was good stuff to come back to.

one step closer to kicking darth to the curb forever.

welcome home.
so youve also heard / read about Prospal..
another oldtimer coming to Broadway, ( under his former coach )

yeah, saw the prospal signing too. his -20 last year definitely sticks out though. also read on a hockey forum that him and torts butted heads alot in the past and did not get along.... that this is a very curious signing.

we'll have to see where he fits. he is a versatile player.

xavier mcdaniel

Flipping through the Hockey News preview magazine last night at one of the Penn Station newsstands and they have the Rangers finishing 13th in the East.

Bathgate66

.and still no contract for dubinsky?

whats the hold up ?

has it all gone to his head, so fast ?

rival.

xavier mcdaniel wrote:

Flipping through the Hockey News preview magazine last night at one of the Penn Station newsstands and they have the Rangers finishing 13th in the East.

13th? thats a joke. are you sure it didn't say islanders?

xavier mcdaniel

singularity wrote:

xavier mcdaniel wrote:

Flipping through the Hockey News preview magazine last night at one of the Penn Station newsstands and they have the Rangers finishing 13th in the East.

13th? thats a joke. are you sure it didn't say islanders?

Not a joke, cited the severe drop in talent past Lundqvist and Gaborik.

rival.

i just don't see them finishing 13th (figure that's about about a 70-75 point season) . lundqvist steals games on his own, there is no way a goalie of his caliber will have his team finish in the basement of the conference.

i wouldn't be too suprised if they finished 8-10 though.