Down the Stretch
by Pete Robinson Well folks, it’s the home stretch from here. The deadline is gone and passed and the Rangers have 16 games left in which 12 are against an Atlantic division team. What a season eh? The team has finally clicked and not a moment too soon. Keeping Nigel Dawes and Ryan Callahan in the line-up has been […]
Trades Give Rangers Depth and Flexibility
by Mark Owens Acquiring Christian Backman for a fourth-round pick helps offset the loss of Paul Mara and the addition of Fredrik Sjostrom adds skill to the fourth line. Adding Backman to the mix creates competition among Backman, Marek Malik (who is playing very well right now), Mara, and Jason Strudwick for the last two slots among the top six defensemen. Apparently, Backman is even […]
Rangers Make Deals At Deadline
The Rangers moved two players and added four in what turned out to be a bigger day for the Rangers than perhaps some expected. Gone are the inconsistent Marcel Hossa and oft-rumored Al Montoya, and in their place a group of prospects and potential AHLers. Marcel Hossa‘s career with the Rangers started off well, but his inability to […]
Renney’s Use of 4th Line Leaves Team on Thin Ice
by Mark Owens Simply put, Ryan Hollweg and Colton Orr should only be on the ice when the opponent is pushing the Rangers around, or perhaps when playing two games in two days. The illusion that they along with Blair Betts somehow form a checking line capable of dictating tempo and shutting down the opponents’ best players is just that ‘ […]
Losing Streak Has Renney On Hot Seat
Many Rangers fans continue to wait for news from the team. After eight losses in the last nine games, the Blueshirts have fallen to 8th in the conference and are now in danger of dropping out of playoff contention altogether. The biggest speculation of course concerns head coach Tom Renney, who is widely expected to […]
JJ Will Bounce Back
by James DeBerardine In recent weeks, it has been hard to be a Jagr fan, as he is flustered and anguished on ice; we are the same off ice. With all the rumors flying around about his departure, I am going to inform everyone why he isn’t going anywhere and why it’s for the good […]
Great, Now Do It Again
by Mark Owens Chris Drury‘s slap shot 23 seconds into the second period made the score 3-0 and the Rangers never looked back. Brendan Shanahan sealed the win on a beautiful give-and-go with Sean Avery, snapping the puck past a beleaguered Antero Niittimyaaki, making it 4-0 and chasing the Finn from the net. In the goalie’s defense, only […]
Rangers Must Dump Malik NOW
by Mark Owens The Rangers had every reason to get rid of Malik before he disrespected one of his biggest allies, who just happens to be the team’s head coach and bench leader. Malik’s play has rapidly deteriorated, with the home fans’ relentless abuse playing a role in his demise. But now that Renney’s already […]
Fritsche On Waivers
According to Steve Zipay, the Rangers have placed forward Dan Fritsche on waivers. If he is claimed, or if he is reassigned to Hartford, the Rangers will save approximately $360,000 in cap space. The Rangers are back in action tonight against the visiting Carolina Hurricanes (7:00pm – MSG) and Stephen Valiquette will be in net. The Canes have struggled with […]
All Star Break
The NHL All-Star game is this weekend, and the Daily News talks about the Rangers’ only representative in the game: Henrik Lundqvist. The fourth year goaltender comes into the game with the third most wins in the league, and a 1.85 GAA in January. This will be Lundqvist’s first appearance in the game, despite having been nominated for […]