Friday, April 15, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
The Rolling Road Warrior Rangers.
Thirty two games remain in the NHL regular season. We are one week away from the All Star weekend. Through 50 games the New York Rangers are 28-19-3 with 59 Points and sit in 6th place in the Eastern Conference. The Rangers have had a great first half despite an all star worthy injured reserve. So far this year, the following players have been injured at one point or another.
- Ryan Callahan- Broken Hand
- Chris Drury- Broken Hand.....TWICE!!
- Marian Gaborik- Knee/Groin
- Vinny Prospal- Knee
- Brandon Dubinsky- Stress Fracture of Tibia
- Ruslan Fedetenko
- Derek Boogaard
- Dan Girardi
- Alex Frolov- Torn MCL- SEASON ENDING SURGERY
However, I look at this with a glass half empty mentality. Due to the injuries suffered the Rangers acquired Wotej Wolski from Phoenix in exchange for Michael Roszival and his hefty contract. The Rangers also called up the "Norwegian Hobbit" Mats Zucharello. So far "Zuke" has been clutch for the Rangers. He has scored the winning goal in each shootout he has participated in. He has also clicked with rookie sensation center Derek Stepan. The injuries have allowed call ups and trade acquisitions to shine in the spotlight and they have produced for the Rangers. The Rangers have played great hockey and have been key on the road. They are 2nd in league overall with the 16-9-1 record on the road. The Rangers also have shined due to the stellar play by their goaltending tandem of Henrik Lundqvist and Marty Biron. The tandem is 6th in the league for goals against. The duo has given up only 121 goals this season. Henrik is also tied for first in the league with Tim Thomas with Seven Shutouts. Hank also ranks third in save percentage with .927 and Sixth with a 2.25 GAA.
Overall the Rangers have exceeded expectations. The Rangers currently have 59 points through 50 games and they need only 14 more victories to pass their season total of 87 points last year. The keys to success for the Rangers in the second half will to play Marty Biron more often once the Rangers have clinched a playoff spot. This will also allow the Rangers to rest some of their key players. Once the Rangers get back all their injured stars at a good and rested 100%, they can be a true force to be reckoned with come playoff time.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
DiPietro On IR, Mottau Out For Season, Martin Suspended
In the same tweet, the NY Islanders Twitter account also reported that defenseman Mike Mottau - who was just recently cleared to play after a puck to the eye - will be out for the remainder of the season due to a right hip labrum tear. Myself and many others don't understand how an eye injury goes from a hip injury, but it's another loss for the Islanders.
Fourth liner Matt Martin was suspended yesterday by the league after delivering a hit to Vernon Fiddler, which was called a charging penalty by the refs.
Tomorrow night the Islanders will take on the Tampa Bay Lightning. The puck drops at 7pm and the Islanders desperately need a win. It will be interesting to see who starts in goal. The last game played against the Lightning, the Islanders won in OT from a goal from Matt Moulson after Smith was battling with the puck with his glove. The refs took some time to review before it was called a goal.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Roster Freeze: Will the New York Rangers Make A Move?
Tonight at mid-night, the NHL's annual roster freeze will go into effect until December 27, 2010. Though it is unlikely that any big moves occur before the deadline, it is expected that some type of mini-move or trade goes down before mid-night.
Will the Rangers make a move?
Well, besides Matt Gilroy and Todd White, the Rangers are not looking to move around many players. Maybe a small trade is made with Gilroy or White included, but a mega-move is not expected.
Another possibility would be a call-up from the Rangers AHL affiliate team, the Connecticut Whale. The Whale play tonight at seven o'clock, and the Rangers may recall a prospect when the game ends. Possible recalls could be forwards Mats Zuccarello, Dale Weise, Chad Kolarik, Jeremy Williams, Kris Newbury, or Evgeny Grachev; and on defense, though it is very unlikely a defenseman is called-up, a few possibilities would be Tomas Kundratek, Pavel Valentenko, or Ryan McDonagh.
Though nothing is expected to happen with the Rangers, there is a small possibility that make a small change.
That's all for now.
Will the Rangers make a move?
Well, besides Matt Gilroy and Todd White, the Rangers are not looking to move around many players. Maybe a small trade is made with Gilroy or White included, but a mega-move is not expected.
Another possibility would be a call-up from the Rangers AHL affiliate team, the Connecticut Whale. The Whale play tonight at seven o'clock, and the Rangers may recall a prospect when the game ends. Possible recalls could be forwards Mats Zuccarello, Dale Weise, Chad Kolarik, Jeremy Williams, Kris Newbury, or Evgeny Grachev; and on defense, though it is very unlikely a defenseman is called-up, a few possibilities would be Tomas Kundratek, Pavel Valentenko, or Ryan McDonagh.
Though nothing is expected to happen with the Rangers, there is a small possibility that make a small change.
That's all for now.
Sunday NHL Rumors: Marlies' Coach Eakins Could be Maple Leafs' Best Option & A Whole Lot More
It's been a long season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who entered the season with realistic playoff hopes looming for the first time in years. After a 4-0-0 start, it looked like the Leafs actually did have a chance to make the playoffs after all.
However, everything has gone completely wrong.
The Maple Leafs have gone 8-15-4 since their undefeated start, including a streak of eight straight losses. Their first-half struggles have driven them out of the playoff picture and even put head coach Ron Wilson's job into question by many.
Although firing Wilson might not seem like the right thing to do, a potential replacement always has to be looked for. In the Maple Leafs' case, that potential replacement could come from inside the organization.
Toronto Marlies head coach Dallas Eakins is a former assistant coach with the Maple Leafs and might be their best option when it comes to a new head coach. Eakins' previous NHL experience means he knows not only what it's like to coach in the world's best league, but one of the league's most passionate, impatient markets.
If you're looking for previous success of an AHL coach being hired by their NHL clubs, look no further than Pittsburgh's Dan Bylsma.
Bylsma was coaching the Penguins' AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton before the Penguins hired him. Just four months after he was hired, he led the Penguins to game seven of the Stanley Cup finals. A year after that, Bylsma coached the Penguins to their first Stanley Cup championship in 15 years.
It just so happened that Bylsma was an assistant coach with the New York Islanders during the 2005-2006 season.
Of course, a change still has yet to be made, but if one is, Eakins could be Toronto's best option.
Now, for the rumors...
Atlanta's Bergfors on the trade block?
ESPN's Peirre LeBrun went on Hockey Night In Canada's second intermission show and said that Atlanta Thrashers general manager Rick Dudley could be looking to make a move involving Niclas Bergfors.
Bergfors, 23, has been having a mediocre season. In 27 games, the Sodertalje, Sweden native has seven goals and 11 assists to go along with a plus-1 rating. In 117-career NHL regular season games, Bergfors has 29 goals and 34 assists.
He was acquired from New Jersey in the same trade that saw long-time Thrashers star Ilya Kovalchuk head to the Devils.
Ducks still looking to trade?
According to TheFourthPeriod.com (via the Orange County Register), the Anaheim Ducks are still looking to trade a defenceman.
The report suggests Luca Sbisa, Lubomir Visnovsky, Cam Fowler and Toni Lydman are all safe, but general manager Bob Murray may be willing to trade away veterans Andy Sutton, Paul Mara, Andreas Lilja and Sheldon Brookbank.
Murray wants to have a surplus of defenceman on the Ducks' roster but with eight of them, a move appears to be on the horizon. However, any trade that they do make will have to be made after December 27th, as the NHL's trade freeze is now in effect.
According to multiple reports, Murray has been looking to move a defenceman or two all season. The team currently has just under $4 million in cap space to work with, allowing Murray flexability on the trade market.
Teams calling about Nabokov
ESPN's Pierre LeBrun reported on Saturday that former San Jose Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov is drawing interest from more than one NHL team.
LeBrun says he's told that "several NHL teams have called about him," but that he could only confirm the Tampa Bay Lightning. He doubts that the Lightning will end up signing him, however, as they don't have very much money to spend and Nabokov would have to clear waivers once signed.
Senators interested in Bieksa
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reported on Saturday that the Ottawa Senators are interested in Vancouver Canucks defenceman Kevin Bieksa, although, despite recent reports, Garrioch says Bieksa isn't on the trade block quite yet.
The Senators currently have about $1.5 million in cap space, but Bieksa comes with a cap hit of just over $3.5 million, meaning the Senators would likely have to move someone with a rather expensive contract.
Bieksa has two goals, five assists and a plus-3 rating in 29 games this season.
Click here to follow Lukas on Twitter for breaking NHL news and rumors.
lukas@gacksports.com
However, everything has gone completely wrong.
The Maple Leafs have gone 8-15-4 since their undefeated start, including a streak of eight straight losses. Their first-half struggles have driven them out of the playoff picture and even put head coach Ron Wilson's job into question by many.
Although firing Wilson might not seem like the right thing to do, a potential replacement always has to be looked for. In the Maple Leafs' case, that potential replacement could come from inside the organization.
Toronto Marlies head coach Dallas Eakins is a former assistant coach with the Maple Leafs and might be their best option when it comes to a new head coach. Eakins' previous NHL experience means he knows not only what it's like to coach in the world's best league, but one of the league's most passionate, impatient markets.
If you're looking for previous success of an AHL coach being hired by their NHL clubs, look no further than Pittsburgh's Dan Bylsma.
Bylsma was coaching the Penguins' AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton before the Penguins hired him. Just four months after he was hired, he led the Penguins to game seven of the Stanley Cup finals. A year after that, Bylsma coached the Penguins to their first Stanley Cup championship in 15 years.
It just so happened that Bylsma was an assistant coach with the New York Islanders during the 2005-2006 season.
Of course, a change still has yet to be made, but if one is, Eakins could be Toronto's best option.
Now, for the rumors...
Atlanta's Bergfors on the trade block?
ESPN's Peirre LeBrun went on Hockey Night In Canada's second intermission show and said that Atlanta Thrashers general manager Rick Dudley could be looking to make a move involving Niclas Bergfors.
Bergfors, 23, has been having a mediocre season. In 27 games, the Sodertalje, Sweden native has seven goals and 11 assists to go along with a plus-1 rating. In 117-career NHL regular season games, Bergfors has 29 goals and 34 assists.
He was acquired from New Jersey in the same trade that saw long-time Thrashers star Ilya Kovalchuk head to the Devils.
Ducks still looking to trade?
According to TheFourthPeriod.com (via the Orange County Register), the Anaheim Ducks are still looking to trade a defenceman.
The report suggests Luca Sbisa, Lubomir Visnovsky, Cam Fowler and Toni Lydman are all safe, but general manager Bob Murray may be willing to trade away veterans Andy Sutton, Paul Mara, Andreas Lilja and Sheldon Brookbank.
Murray wants to have a surplus of defenceman on the Ducks' roster but with eight of them, a move appears to be on the horizon. However, any trade that they do make will have to be made after December 27th, as the NHL's trade freeze is now in effect.
According to multiple reports, Murray has been looking to move a defenceman or two all season. The team currently has just under $4 million in cap space to work with, allowing Murray flexability on the trade market.
Teams calling about Nabokov
ESPN's Pierre LeBrun reported on Saturday that former San Jose Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov is drawing interest from more than one NHL team.
LeBrun says he's told that "several NHL teams have called about him," but that he could only confirm the Tampa Bay Lightning. He doubts that the Lightning will end up signing him, however, as they don't have very much money to spend and Nabokov would have to clear waivers once signed.
Senators interested in Bieksa
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reported on Saturday that the Ottawa Senators are interested in Vancouver Canucks defenceman Kevin Bieksa, although, despite recent reports, Garrioch says Bieksa isn't on the trade block quite yet.
The Senators currently have about $1.5 million in cap space, but Bieksa comes with a cap hit of just over $3.5 million, meaning the Senators would likely have to move someone with a rather expensive contract.
Bieksa has two goals, five assists and a plus-3 rating in 29 games this season.
Click here to follow Lukas on Twitter for breaking NHL news and rumors.
lukas@gacksports.com
Saturday, December 18, 2010
NHL: Donald Fehr Officially Named NHLPA Executive Director
National Hockey League players voted "overwhelmingly to appoint Don Fehr as the new NHLPA executive director, following the executive board's endorsement."
This according to TSN.ca.
With the results of the voting, Fehr has officially been named the National Hockey League Players' Association's new Executive Director. He will begin his position immediately.
The 62-year-old Fehr was the Executive Director of the Major League Baseball Players' Association from 1983 until 2009, a span of 33 years.
''We are pleased that the leadership position at the Players' Association has been filled, and we look forward to working with Don in his new role,'' NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement.
The NHLPA's search committee was made up of five current NHL players: Ryan Getzlaf (Anaheim Ducks), Brian Rolston (New Jersey Devils), Brian Rafalski (Detroit Red Wings), Mathieu Schneider (Free Agent) and Jamie Langenbrunner (New Jersey Devils). Those five recommended Fehr in September, just three months ago.
The NHLPA has been without a strong leader since interim Executive Director Ian Penny stepped down in October of 2009, just two months after then full-time director Paul Kelly was fired.
Click here to follow Lukas on Twitter for breaking NHL news and rumors.
lukas@gacksports.com
This according to TSN.ca.
With the results of the voting, Fehr has officially been named the National Hockey League Players' Association's new Executive Director. He will begin his position immediately.
The 62-year-old Fehr was the Executive Director of the Major League Baseball Players' Association from 1983 until 2009, a span of 33 years.
''We are pleased that the leadership position at the Players' Association has been filled, and we look forward to working with Don in his new role,'' NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement.
The NHLPA's search committee was made up of five current NHL players: Ryan Getzlaf (Anaheim Ducks), Brian Rolston (New Jersey Devils), Brian Rafalski (Detroit Red Wings), Mathieu Schneider (Free Agent) and Jamie Langenbrunner (New Jersey Devils). Those five recommended Fehr in September, just three months ago.
The NHLPA has been without a strong leader since interim Executive Director Ian Penny stepped down in October of 2009, just two months after then full-time director Paul Kelly was fired.
Click here to follow Lukas on Twitter for breaking NHL news and rumors.
lukas@gacksports.com
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