Inside The Numbers

I must admit, I had to chuckle when I heard Rangers General Manager Glen Sather characterize the trades he made yesterday as adding “size” and “grit”. Images of players like Adam Hall, Petr Nedved and Marek Malik flashed through my head, as I reviewed the statistics of the two players in question. So what have the Rangers added exactly? It surprised me […]

Looking To Extend Streak

New York has gotten off to a fast start and will go for a franchise best 6-0 record tonight (7:00pm – MSG), hosting the Buffalo Sabres (also undefeated). The Sabres are already struggling with injuries at the center position, and will be without Jochen Hecht who underwent surgery on his finger yesterday. Winning streaks are nothing new for Chris Drury, who was part of […]

Some Things Never Change

by Mark Owens Let’s get one thing out of the way: Chris Drury will be the second-best captain the Rangers have had in the past 30 years. He is more than ready to lead this team, especially with seven new players and legends Jaromir Jagr and Brendan Shanahan out of the picture. The team’s average age is now 26, down from […]

Turnover, Speed, and Leadership Void

by Mark Owens Chris Drury and Scott Gomez, along with Henrik Lundqvist, take over as the team’s leaders. Jagr’s offensive production ‘ hopefully ‘ will be replaced by the speedy, enigmatic, underachieving, high first-round pick Nikolai Zherdev (sounds a little like Alex Kovalev, doesn’t it?). Replacing Shanahan’s 23 goals, theoretically, will be Markus Naslund, whose production the past two seasons has […]

No Such Thing As A ‘Free’ Agent

In a way it’s ironic that the NHL and NHLPA use the terms “Free” Agency. Judging by some of the projected offers for the few marquee players on offer, they’re about as far afield from that designator as you can be and still sign a valid contract. Tampa Bay (complete with new ownership) has gotten […]

Critical Decisions

by Steven Zeltser This offseason is going to be critical for both the organization and Sather himself. There are many decisions to be made. Do they bring back their captain, Jaromir Jagr? If so, who else from the Jagr entourage must be signed? Straka? Rozsival? Malik? Does Shanahan have another year in him and is his […]

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.

Playoffs Start Tonight!

Well my friends, the 2008 NHL Playoffs kick off tonight, and the Rangers will of course face the Devils in Newark (7:00pm – MSG). It looks like Bendan Shanahan will be back with Scott Gomez and Sean Avery, with Petr Prucha replaced in the line-up by Ryan Hollweg (though we will likely not know for sure until game time). On defense, the Devils will […]

Rangers More Playoff-Ready This Time

by Mark Owens Since last season, the Rangers have improved more than 25% of their roster: 1. Chris Drury and his incomparable playoff resume is clearly a better option than Matt Cullen, despite Cullen’s excellent performance in the 2006 playoffs with the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes. Ranger fans await Drury’s first pressure goal. 2. Marc Staal is a huge […]