New York Rangers

Early Thoughts On Free Agency

July 4, 2010

July 1st has come and gone with some surprising events and some not-so-surprising. There were a slew of signings but there were many good players still left searching for their new team; including star winger Ilya Kovalchuk, former Shark tender Evgeny Nabokov and veteran netminder Marty Turco. This year’s UFA frenzy seems to be moving slower than in years past. This is likely due to a combination of factors: the relatively weak class of free agents, the fact most teams with money have no cap space and the probability teams are finally starting to wise up on the pitfalls of spending boat-loads on free agents. Regardless, despite being 4 days into the signing period, many players sit wait...

Rangers Off-Season: Shopping In the UFA Market

June 30, 2010

Glen Miller

0 Comments

UFA Day is fast approaching. We’re less than 24 hours away from what has turned into the most exciting time of the year for fans of the NHL. Fans of every team wake up on July 1st in great anticipation to see what their team does. Many fans are thrilled at the end of the day while others are grossly disappointed. Rangers’ fans have been subjected to a mixed bag over the years. Glen Sather is generally one of the more active GM’s on July 1st but not all of his moves have made us happy. The signing of Wade Redden I know specifically was met with anger as was last year’s signing of Donald Brashear. The addition of Marian Gaborik last season was viewed with cautious optimism which was...

Rangers Free Agents: Who Should Stay, Who Should Go?

June 28, 2010

Glen Miller

6 Comments

Today I will look at the Rangers in free agency as it pertains to their own guys. Here’s a break down of several of the Blue Shirts top UFA’s and RFA’s. I’ve included last year’s stats, salary and free agency status along with arguments for and against retaining the player plus my final take on the situation. In no particular order here we go. Vinny Prospal – C (20-38-58, 75 GP) $1.15 million (UFA) Argument For: Vinny was the club’s 2nd leading scorer last year and often was the only consistent offensive threat aside from Gaborik. Prospal proved to be versatile in splitting time at both Wing and Center. He was effective in the face-off circle winning just more than 51%. ...

Rangers Off-Season Officially Begins

June 27, 2010

Glen Miller

3 Comments

Now that the draft is concluded it’s time to preview the upcoming off-season for the New York Rangers. I stayed away from submitting my own mock drafts or draft pick profiles since I don’t have the insights necessary to offer anything you haven’t already seen on TSN or other hockey websites. I don’t watch Canadian Junior hockey so aside from some highlights I haven’t seen enough to formulate my own thoughts. I will however convey the general feeling of disappointment felt by Ranger fans in the selection of Dylan McIlrath with our first round pick, 10th overall. Given the unexpected drop down the draft board by Defenseman Brandon Gormley and Cam Fowler, rated 4th and 5th respecti...

What's a Rangers To Do?

June 3, 2010

Glen Miller

1 Comment

Ah yes, the Stanley Cup Finals; where my team has failed to reach again for the 16th straight season. Instead I'm subjected to seeing one of our most bitter rivals attempt to break their long cup drought, deeply envious of their opportunity. As a hockey fan I have to have some interest in the outcome, right? Of course I do. Let's see, Blackhawks versus Flyers, who to root for? On one hand you have an up-and-coming Western Conference club that hasn't won a cup in nearly 50 years battling a tough Flyers squad which is in the midst of a 35 year drought of its own. The Blackhawks are also an Original 6 team but I wouldn't say they've ever really been a bitter rival of ours. The Flyers o...

Defending Our Boy, Sean Avery

April 28, 2010

Glen Miller

6 Comments

Defending Our Boy, Sean Avery Anyone with even a passing interest in the NHL knows who Sean Avery is. Unless you are a Rangers fan, you probably don’t like Sean Avery either. For those of you needing a refresher on some of Avery’s more noted antics, I offer the following: Sean Avery on ex-girlfriends; Avery talking about his good friend, Martin Brodeur; and finally, Sean’s innovative goalie screening tactics. There is little doubt Sean Avery can be a jerk on the ice. Opponents tend to form a strong dislike for him. He is always the most jeered player in opposing arenas. His act can even wear thing with his teammates. On the ice, as a Ranger, Avery can be an effective player;...

Playoff Storylines: 1st Round Coming to An End

April 27, 2010

Glen Miller

2 Comments

What fun would it be if every game or every match up went exactly the way we thought it would? None, none at all I say. It’s good that I feel that way and I hope you all do too. Seriously, look around the playoff landscape for a minute and show me anyone actually predicted what’s happened so far. I bet you can’t. I know my playoff predictions are already blown just like my mock NFL draft was after pick #5. Just take a look at the Candiens/Capitals series. After a disappointing game 1 loss, the Caps seemed to right the ship while building a 3 – 1 series lead against Montreal. However, Washington has failed in their last two attempts to close out the series, including tonight’s 4 ...

Playoff Perspective From a Rangers' Fan

April 18, 2010

Glen Miller

4 Comments

Just a few quick thoughts on the playoffs from this Rangers’ fan who has nothing better to do. So far, every series that has seen at least 2 games is split at a game apiece. Phoenix just won their game 3 to take a 2 – 1 lead against Detroit and Chicago/Nashville have only played once with the Predators coming out on top in their matchup with the Western Conference power. I’m surprised that Pittsburgh played so poorly in game 1 of their series with Ottawa. If there was going to be a series sweep, this was one I thought had a chance. Ottawa severely outperformed their goal differential and their goaltending is surely playoff unproven. It seemed to be a setup waiting for a 4 game sw...

Rangers Are Toast But How Did My Other Pre-Season Predictions Fare?

April 12, 2010

Glen Miller

1 Comment

Before the season started, I submitted my predictions on “another hockey website,” on which shall go unnamed here. However, with the regular season ending yesterday and given the fact that in my extreme disappointment in the Rangers, I don’t want to discuss yesterday’s game, I figured now would be a good time to see how my predictions panned out. While I may not want to talk much about yesterday’s contest, I would like to say this; how can we allow meaningful games to be decided by shootout? Some may say it’s sour grapes but I’ve felt this way for a long time. The shootout was a novelty at first and it does provide with some excitement in otherwise boring games but to allow ...