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 ‘ […]

Putting On The Thinking Cap

With the announcement today that the Rangers have signed Henrik Lundqvist to a contract extension, the Rangers now have a better sense of what they might be able to take on contract wise at the deadline and for next season over the Summer. Reports on the deal (from USA Today and FAN590 in Toronto) suggest that the […]

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 […]

Playing in the House that Ruth Built?

by Pete Robinson Interestingly enough it may happen. After the large success of the winter classic in Buffalo, where the Penguins and the Sabres met outside for the first time, the Rangers may get their shot as well. According to the Daily News, the Rangers may get their own winter classic next season at Yankee […]

Rangers Getting It Together in Time for Road Games

by Mark Owens The recent run of success starts with the continued sizzling play of Henrik Lundqvist, the NHL’s third-best penalty killing, the return of Sean Avery, the steadily improving play of Scott Gomez, and, finally, timely goals. Also important has been the emergence of Marc Staal, who may be in the process of replacing Marek Malik as one of the […]

23 Things Wrong With The Rangers

by Mark Owens The Rangers’ record now stands at 2-4 after Thursday night’s miserable loss to the lowly Thrashers. Until this game, the team had tidy excuses for each of their three previous losses: two were to the Cup-ready Ottawa Senators and the other was a 2-1 loss to the Islanders in which Rick DiPietro […]

A Mixed Bag

by James DeBerardine Five games into the season, the Rangers are 2-3-0. While this might not be the start most had hoped for, I certainly anticipated it. The combination of two new centers and defensive lapses by one person in particular has lead to a lackluster showing. However, I feel that the end is near […]