Rangers Owe Money
After almost three years, an arbitrator has finally decided that the Rangers owe bonus money to Jed Ortmeyer and Bobby Holik. The Rangers were the only team to withhold bonus money to players during the lockout, and seemed mostly intent on denying Bobby Holik his bonus (Ortmeyer unfortunately being caught up in the proceedings). Darius Kasparaitis had also been owed money, but the Rangers […]
Baranka Signs In Russia
We’re still in that lull after the end of the season, and there’s been little news from the Rangers. Ivan Baranka signed a contract to play in Russia next season with Moscow Spartak, but the Rangers will retain his rights if they offer him a qualifying contract offer before July 1st. Commentators out there are already pitching […]
Jagr Would Like To Return
Jaromir Jagr wants to extend his tenure on Broadway and has told reproters that the Rangers are his number one choice. Whether he (and Brendan Shanahan) return will be largely up to what Glen Sather wants to do financially and strategically. It’s expected that while Jagr has indicated he’d like to return, there’ll still be competition for Jagr’s services, both in the NHL and […]
Stunned By Ending
Well the season as you know is over, following yesterday’s 3-2 OT defeat by the Penguins in Game 5. Marcel Hossa scored two goals in the game, including the OT winner to send the Penguins onto the Eastern Conference Finals. It was a game effort by the Rangers, who fought back from a 2-0 third period deficit and killed off a late […]
Progress Made, Changes Needed
by Mark Owens Despite bowing out in round two again and perhaps wasting their final season with Hall-of-Famers-to-be Jaromir Jagr and Brendan Shanahan, the Rangers’ season was mostly successful, due to the development of rookies Marc Staal, Brandon Dubinsky, Nigel Dawes and Ryan Callahan. Lauri Korpikoski scored a goal in his NHL debut Sunday, and is one of several rookies with a chance to make […]
Season Ends in OT
Well that’s another season in the books my friends. With today’s 3-2 OT loss to the Penguins, the Rangers officially were eliminated and now will turn their attention to retooling over the season. Several key players will be free agents this Summer including: Jaromir Jagr, Brendan Shanahan, Sean Avery, Martin Straka, Michal Rozsival, Marek Malik, Paul Mara, Stephen Valiquette and Jason Strudwick.
Day Off
The Rangers get a rest today, as also do the Penguins as they prepare for tomorrow’s Game 5 in Pittsburgh (2:00pm – Eastern). The Rangers wouldn’t be the same next year without Jaromir Jagr according to Bergen Record writer Tom Gulitti. Gulitti is one of a growing number of writers who’ve been jumping on the Jagr bandwagon. Penguins coach Michel Therrien is confident going […]
Game 5 Is Alive
An independent observer of the Rangers-Penguins Eastern Conference Semifinal series could easily jump to the conclusion that the Rangers have been thoroughly outclassed in this series, and that a win for Pittsburgh on Sunday is all but a foregone conclusion. After all, the Rangers lost an almost unlosable game in Game 1 when they gave […]
Still Alive
With their backs to the wall, it was a case of win or go home for the Rangers last night. The mantra in the lockerroom before the game…just avoid the sweep and earn the right to play one more game. Jaromir Jagr and Henrik Lundqvist were instrumental in leading the Rangers to a 3-0 win, keeping alive their season, for at least one more game. Jagr turned back the clock and scored two […]
Stop Diving Sidney!
by Mark Owens At 5’11, 200 pounds, Crosby is one of the most powerful, explosive skaters in the NHL, yet he crumpled to his knees when 180-pound Straka leaned on him Friday night, drawing a penalty. Heck, even featherweight Petr Prucha doesn’t hit the ice that easily. The fact that the referees called such a marginal penalty […]