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

GET THE PUCK OUT!
NHL MOVES TO ICE RANGERS OWNER DOLAN
By LARRY BROOKS, KATI CORNELL and CLEMENTE LISI

June 20, 2008 --

The NHL wants to put Jim Dolan on ice.

The Cablevision boss could lose ownership of the Rangers after accusing league officials of violating antitrust laws in a federal lawsuit, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman warned yesterday.

The league filed papers in Manhattan federal court that included a letter from Bettman proposing disciplinary action against the Broadway Blues - calling for either the team's suspension or termination of Dolan's ownership.

Madison Square Garden, which also is owned by Cablevision, responded by accusing the league of employing "bullying tactics."

The power play began when Dolan sued the National Hockey League last year, saying the league engaged in "unlawful behavior" and violated antitrust laws by monopolizing control of the team's promotions, merchandise sales and Web site.

The NHL threatened to fine the Rangers $200,000 when the team launched its suit.

The league yesterday asked a federal judge to agree that MSG had breached its contract by challenging NHL rules and that the Rangers had violated a provision that bans owners from going to court to challenge the league's constitution or its league rules or procedures.

The league said such a breach can lead to disciplinary proceedings. If three-quarters of team owners vote in favor, the NHL can decide to issue a fine, suspend or terminate a team, order a sale of the club to a new owner or suspend individuals involved in the team's management.

MSG spokesman Barry Watkins said the league "is once again proving why an independent judge must address our claims. Despite trying to resolve our differences privately, the league has responded with excessive fines and now threats that have nothing to do with the merits of our position."

If the league strips Dolan of the franchise, it's unlikely the Rangers would continue to play at the World's Most Famous Arena.

A possible backup plan could be Brooklyn's Barclays Center, which is slated to open in 2009.

Developer Bruce Ratner would not comment on a possible move by the Rangers to his planned $950 million arena, which will house the New Jersey Nets.

On Wednesday, the league convened a meeting of all its teams - except the Rangers - in Ottawa, where Bettman tried to rally support for the threatened action.



and also:

NO OFFERS FOR JAGR & CO.
SHANNY, AVERY SOON TO GO FREE
By LARRY BROOKS
JAROMIR JAGRNo pact by July 1.

June 20, 2008 --

OTTAWA - Glen Sather has told agents representing more than one of the RangersNew York Rangers ' five significant impending unrestricted free agents that he has no intention of signing any of them prior to July 1, The Post has learned.

Thus, barring an unexpected preemptive strike via a trade, the Blueshirts will enter the free agency market with a skeleton roster, absent first- and second-line wingers and a No. 1, first-pair defenseman, and with Jaromir JagrJaromir Jagr , Sean Avery, Martin Straka, Brendan Shanahan and Michal Rozsival all free to solicit offers.

The GM has not made a post-season offer to any of the aforementioned athletes. And while Sather most certainly will check in with Jagr - who has heard sounds of silence loudly and clearly - and with Shanahan, it appears increasingly likely Avery will not be invited to return and that the team will seek to replace Rozsival.

It is believed the Kings' dismissal of head coach Marc Crawford has opened the door for Avery's return to LA. In a most ironic twist of fate, the Rangers may consider signing Avery antagonist and foil Darcy Tucker if he is bought out by the Maple Leafs, though the Toronto winger is but the most pale of imitations at this stage of his career.

Trade talk and free-agent posturing are dominating the lead-in to the first round of the Entry Draft that will be conducted here tonight, with the second through seventh rounds to follow tomorrow. Contrary to reports, the Rangers have not actively sought to improve their 20th overall draft position.

Indeed, the Blueshirts may well move down in exchange for an extra selection. If they do that, they may take a shot at Jared Staal, the Sudbury winger who is ranked 42d among North American skaters by Central Scouting, and is the youngest (and last) of the hockey brothers.

Still, while the immediate focus is the Entry Draft, which is being advertised as featuring the deepest pool in years - big help that is if the wrong choice is made, cough, cough, 2003 - Sather and management are doing their due diligence on the free-agent class.

Sources have told The Post impending free agent defenseman Brian Campbell, whom the Sharks rented from Buffalo at a trade deadline cost of Steve Bernier and a first-round pick, will not return to San Jose. The Rangers are going to be in on Campbell, a close friend of Chris DruryChris Drury .

They also will be keenly interested in the price tag that Ottawa free agent Wade Redden will carry as a first-pair, power-play-directing operative. They continue to be very interested in physical Pittsburgh defenseman Brooks Orpik.

With Marian Hossa expected to be too expensive for the Rangers' liking if he hits free agency, the Blueshirts appear inclined to attempt to trade for a first-line right wing if Jagr does not return - the Sharks are dangling Jonathan Cheechoo - though there is an outside possibility of a Group II offer sheet being presented to the Flyers' Jeff Carter. The Kings' Mike Cammalleri and Vancouver's Ryan Kesler also are believed available.

*

The Islanders, who have the fifth-overall pick in the draft, are likely to face a choice between grabbing one of the imposing defensemen at the top - Drew Doughty, Zach Bogosian, Alex Pietrangelo and Luke Schenn - or going after Russian winger Nikita Filatov, who is committed to playing in North America next year.

Penguins are indeed exploring the possibility of dealing Evgeni Malkin in order to construct a package of between $7.5-8M per to prevent Hossa from becoming a free agent. Red Wings are believed interested in Hossa if he hits the market.

this thread is nothing but bad news today.

dubinsky & tyutin trade rumors

avery to free agency

the rangers possibly moving to brooklyn if dolan gets the team stripped from him.



what the shit.

singularity wrote:

this thread is nothing but bad news today.

dubinsky & tyutin trade rumors

avery to free agency

the rangers possibly moving to brooklyn if dolan gets the team stripped from him.



what the shit.

Tyutin I'd be ok with if the deal was right but Dubi?? whered you hear that? and why? there is NO reason to move that kid! :mad:

Avery's gotta come back..man..Jagr might not come back, wtf is going on?? This teams gonna look diff next yr

Bathgate66 wrote:

let me bring some cheer.


bathgate66= first row camden in the pit tonight ( thanks to shackles) on mikes side

yes i got a pic and a poster

wow good shit Bathy :cool:

stickboy wrote:

Tyutin I'd be ok with if the deal was right but Dubi?? whered you hear that? and why? there is NO reason to move that kid! :mad:

Avery's gotta come back..man..Jagr might not come back, wtf is going on?? This teams gonna look diff next yr

NYPJ info.

starting trade rumors in the pit!

singularity wrote:

NYPJ info.

starting trade rumors in the pit!

jeez.
I heard Callahans name being tossed around somewhere too

Im starting to feel like we stockpiled all these assets to make a push like we did in 94 and if we need to make big name trades now at least we have the chips....but what about the youth movement? :rolleyes:
I dunno the shit is weird to me..we better not suck next yr!