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Rangers Report

News and insight about the New York Rangers

Wake-up call

September
26

Among the rare sights at the MSG Training Center:

Jaromir Jagr and Henrik Lundqvist as the last two players on the ice, staying on for an extra 40 minutes.

This was noted to Jagr when he finally left the ice, that he’s never been one to skate so long, especially the day after an away game.

“Yeah, but we got embarrassed,” the Captain said. “I don’t like that.”

Some more notes:

  • A clarification on the earlier post: Mark Smith was released outright since he wasn’t under contract with the team; and Francis Lessard was also sent down to Hartford. That leaves 26 players in camp once Andrew Hutchinson clears waivers: 15 forwards, eight defensemen, and three goalies.

    If you assume that Artem Anisimov is definitely going down in addition to either Stephen Valiquette or Al Montoya, that leaves either Nigel Dawes or Brandon Dubinsky vying for the final forward spot. From my perspective, it doesn’t look like Dubinsky is going anywhere, so the Rangers could conceivably send down Dawes, a goalie, and Anisimov to get to 23. If they sent down Thomas Pock or Marc Staal, they’d be at 22.

    Like it or not, Jason Strudwick isn’t going anywhere, either.

  • Whether it was merely an experiment or a concession to a lack of chemistry, Tom Renney finally broke up Scott Gomez and Jagr today (Renney said it was mostly the former, but that the two have been slightly out of sync). The lines:

    Straka-Drury-Jagr
    Dawes-Gomez-Shanahan
    Prucha-Dubinsky-Callahan
    Hollweg-Betts-Hossa/Orr

    Malik-Rozsival
    Pock-Staal
    Tyutin-Girardi
    Mara-Strudwick

    Anisimov worked in with different lines. Sean Avery, still nursing an undisclosed injury, skated briefly before leaving.

  • For area readers, the Wolf Pack are playing the Sound Tigers tonight in the relatively intimate confines of the Terry Connors Rink in Stamford. I’m toying with going, but most likely will hang with the fam…

    More later…

  • This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 26th, 2007 at 1:24 pm by Sam Weinman.
    You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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    76 Responses to “Wake-up call”

    1. matt

      if you switch dawes with avery and slide staal in next to mara i think this should be are opening night lineup

    2. Be a Good American, Don't Try to Think

      “Like it or not, Jason Strudwick isn’t going anywhere, either.”

      WHY?

      Sam, can you tell Renney/Sather that Columbus is looking for a top center and ask if they would consider trading Gomez or will they bend over backwards to accomodate him for next 7 years?

    3. Be a Good American, Don't Try to Think

      “http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=219246&hubname=nhl”

      wow what a loser, I hope they make the nets bigger and I really like the curved nets idea. Maybe then the game becomes more fun and everybody will be able to score and goalies would actually have to make saves instead of having the puck hit them because there is no opennings to shoot at.

    4. Elena

      Is it possible that we will carry 8 d-man until they figure out what to do with Pock or Staal. I would hate to loose Pock to waivers, but do think that Staal should play with the big club and can stablize this blue line. If we are to loose Pock, I would much rather see him lost in a trade.

      Any word on when Avery will be back?

    5. Nasty 1

      People who think that Gomez could even maybe get traded need to put the pipe down. He has clearly stated that he WANTS to be here and he has a no trade clause. Get real and it is even pointless in mentioning it anymore. This team is going to have a great season. It’s the pre season, get over it.

    6. leetch3

      press release from the rangers lists hutchinson as still being in camp.

    7. ORR Punch Survivor....Barely!!!

      Damn, Lupul and Upshall break there wrists. Lol

      Thats always nice to read.

    8. imagination

      Be a Good American, Don’t Try to Think…. Now you want to talk about good Americans. Where were you born? And when & where do you want to meet me face to face BIG MOUTH!

    9. Be a Good American, Don't Try to Think

      “and he has a no trade clause.”

      no he doesn’t

      “He has clearly stated that he WANTS to be here”

      who cares what he said, even if he meant it, that doesn’t mean he can’t or shouldn’t be traded.

      “It’s the pre season, get over it.”

      no, it is his play throughout his career he is an overrated player. But so many Ranger fans are always have a thing for Devils’ players that they just don’t see it. Or maybe because he scored more against the Rangers than against any other team? 7 million for a guy who only scored 13 goals in ECHL. The guy who in the last 7 seasons only cracked the 15 goal mark once.

    10. Be a Good American, Don't Try to Think

      the sooner we trade this impostor the better:

      http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid%5B%5D=31170

      this is the guy that does nothing beyond scoring—no hitting, no PK, not great defensively, not a leader

    11. Be a Good American, Don't Try to Think

      “And when & where do you want to meet me face to face BIG MOUTH!”

      meet for what reason?

    12. Newbie

      American…He’s gettin $10mil this year pal. Go find a new team.

    13. CML

      PLEASE SAM, GO TO TERRY CONNERS!!! I’LL GO! WE NEED SUPPORT AT THE GAME!! BRING YOUR FAMILY!!! =D

    14. Bumblebee

      I for one thinks that Dubinsky stays and Dawes goes down. He has not impress in the pre-season and last season before they decided to send him back to Hartford. I am torn between Pock & Staal since I like them both! I like Strudwick too but Sam already said that he is not going anywhere. Montoya will go back to Hardford since he will play more there to build upon his skills, it does him no good to play 3-4 games a month. Plus, he cost more than Valiquette and with the cap issues, that is likely the case. Otherwise, I look forward to the regular season to see if the Rangers can live up to the hype or show the fans that they just like to overpay players.

    15. imagination

      you’ll find out when we meet BIG MOUTH!

    16. Cuch

      “wow what a loser, I hope they make the nets bigger and I really like the curved nets idea. Maybe then the game becomes more fun and everybody will be able to score and goalies would actually have to make saves instead of having the puck hit them because there is no opennings to shoot at.”

      Dude….every day you demonstrate that you know absolutely nothing about the game of hockey and you continue to embarrass yourself under your vale of ever changing names.

    17. Cuch

      I want to see Dubinsky on this team but I have feeling he will head down and Dawes will get first crack. He never has been given a fair extended look at playing on a scoring line and he is older and has accomplished more than Dubinsky. That being said Dubi has looked much better in the preseason and based on just camp would earn the spot.

    18. imagination

      Cuch you’re probably right and Staal will probably go down too. Sather & renney need to see the rest & what deals are available.

    19. Salted

      Yenner has no guts, no heart, and no pride. Don’t bother imag… he’s a slimey little pink hole. He does not really like the New York Rangers, and he wants to see them fail so that he can feel like he “knew the answers” with the answers being to replace talent with undeveloped children who will never sniff real NHL sweat.

      That said, the worst thing about him is having to hear him here voicing his pathetic delusions as if his opinions have any value what so ever. I would dish out some pretty good money to see this kid get in a board room with the likes of real NHL brass. Have you ever watched ‘Shark Week’? It would resemble that.

      It’s like, alright we get it, you don’t like Gomez, STFU about it though. There is literally nothing you can do about it, posting here is just going to make you cry about it at night even more. Seriously, on this blog he’s been like one of those struggling artists trying to get their bullshit heard or seen, and they truly believe in it….but to everyone else it is pure dog sh1t.

      It’s one thing to have an opinion. It’s another thing to have a dumb as f*ck opinion, too. That I (and everyone here)can respect. It’s when you don’t shut up and stay on topic that bothers people and earns you the reputation you have across ALL Ranger boards. You’re like a crying baby that wants to be held, that wants the tit.

      Christ why do I get into this shit with you? Have you seen American History X? You know the curb kick scene? I’m thinking about how satisfying something like that could be to a person not much unlike yourself.

    20. Salted

      “wow what a loser, I hope they make the nets bigger and I really like the curved nets idea. Maybe then the game becomes more fun and everybody will be able to score and goalies would actually have to make saves instead of having the puck hit them because there is no opennings to shoot at.�

      Oh….My God.

      that is a Hall of Fame post right there.

    21. Be a Good American, Don't Try to Think

      “you’ll find out when we meet BIG MOUTH!”

      sounds like a death threat to me.

    22. ORR...Be a Good American, Try Knocking out Yenner...Its Fun!!

      SALTED

      LOL Slimey pink Hole…Thats the best thing i heard all day

    23. Be a Good American, Don't Try to Think

      “Christ why do I get into this shit with you? Have you seen American History X? You know the curb kick scene? I’m thinking about how satisfying something like that could be to a person not much unlike yourself.”

      sounds like a death threat to me.

    24. Be a Good American, Don't Try to Think

      “the sooner we trade this impostor the better:

      http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid%5B%5D=31170

      this is the guy that does nothing beyond scoring—no hitting, no PK, not great defensively, not a leader”

      and as we can see from those stats he doesn’t do much of scoring either

    25. Salted

      Does that sound like a death threat to anyone else? I don’t think so, because it’s clearly not, and should not be taken as such.

      No ones threatening you, but you seem to wish someone would.

    26. New Newman

      Guys…Just ignore that loser…act as if what he writes is in invisible ink. Don’t respond to him. He has probably has no life and the only time he can get attention is when he makes stupid comments that people react to and then he thinks he is having an actual conversation. Just ignore the clown.

    27. Be a Good American, Don't Try to Think

      Wishing my death is definitely a death threat and should be enough reason for a ban.

    28. Robby Bonfire

      “Strudwick isn’t going anywhere.”

      At some point this clown takes himself out of the mix with his wretched all-around play. Don’t tell me Staal goes down in the next week to accomodate this Bozo? Oh, God! Long season filled with hideous personnel deployment mistakes, yet again.

    29. Be a Good American, Don't Try to Think

      The Hyena Laugh

      All our visions of sweet tomorrow
      are cracking and fading away.
      Hopes of glory are drowned in sorrow
      this dissension expels us to yesterday.

      Lead your star players into your lust of pride
      they’ll play so “brave at heart�.
      Or cast the yoke of envy aside
      and keep the organization from falling apart.

      Do you hear the Hyena laugh,
      it’s calling out to one and all.
      Who will play and who will sit,
      who will walk the golden hall.
      Do you hear the Hyena laugh,
      it’s calling out to one and all.
      Who is right and who is wrong,
      whose side is god really on.

      What are the big contracts and no-trade clauses for
      as pretenders yet look to the sky demanding more and more.
      All the trumpets will sound once more
      and victory will be given another try and will fail again

      Do you hear the Hyena laugh,
      it’s calling out to one and all.
      Our blood must be spilled
      so the mercenaries’ visions can be fulfilled.

      The draft harvests our team
      while the dissidents reach for their dreams.
      The organization is split by false hands
      while their prize slowly vaporizes
      into a steam that escape their eyes.
      A fool is he who cannot foresee,
      crap is what this, our team will be.
      Yes crap what is this, our team will be.

      Do you hear the Hyena laugh,
      it’s calling out to one and all.
      Which side will finally prevail,
      while the other side will fail.

      How many pretenders can we endure?
      The organization is bleeding, so not many more.
      Who may better the Stanley Cup sway?
      Questions, questions,
      you’ll see at the end of the season.

    30. Salted

      Wishing my death is definitely a death threat and should be enough reason for a ban.
      ——
      I think you need to learn to read a little closer, chotchy. I said I could understand where a person could derive satisfaction from doing something LIKE that to a person LIKE you. I didn’t say I would ever do it, and I didn’t say I hope or wish it would ever happen to you. That also doesn’t mean I don’t, although I didn’t say that. But I was clearly referring to a figurative buffoon with an endless, meaningless yap like you have. Like one of those bitch dogs with that shrill high pitch barking that says nothing to other animals besides “hey look at me, i’m the wettest, pinkest bitch in the pack! Make the nets bigger so Baranka can get a goal in the NHL!”.

      Anyone care to back me up on this, that I clearly did not “state a death threat”?

      LOL

    31. Riche'

      Smart move by Renney to put these lines together this way and give it a shot. I for one am a bit surprised it took this long to try Jagr with Drury. I’m not saying that they SHOULD play together… I’m just saying it’s smart to give it a try before the games mean something.

      This team has talent and depth. It’s just a matter of finding the right combinations. Sometimes those combos aren’t the ones that make the most sense on paper.

    32. Doodie Machetto

      Wow. 90% of the time I just skip over your post or posts responding to your posts, but I just read that one and wow. Get a life.

    33. andrew

      I think its a no brainer to at least try Drury with Jagr, and if that doesn’t work you always have Gomez to go back to. Dubinsky is going to make this team, there is no doubt in my mind and he will center a “kid” line that consists have Prucha and Cally on his wings, should be fun to watch, hopefully they play well defensively. Staal and Mara will probably be paired together and i am really looking foward to seeing our rookie of the year candidate out there on a nightly basis.

    34. TomG

      Why respond to utter nonsense. Vinny Pooh has been barking up the same tree since the start of this blog. If you don’t like what he says than don’t respond. If nobody responded to his instigations than he wouldn’t get the satisfaction he obviously wants from people on this blog. It’s amazing how Vinny Pooh has you guys going, it’s becoming comical.

    35. Be a Good American, Don't Try to Think

      Salted, at least have the guts to admit you want me dead. Until then shut your chihuahua trap.

      I didn’t survive a charging bull elk attack that fateful day in Yellowstone Park to be barked on by some brainless chihuahua. If I knew that Gomez was going to become a Ranger I would have just lowered my head and charged the elk until one of us was dead.

    36. Salted

      You’re right Tom- and I’m sorry to the rest of you guys for allowing to get myself caught up in it from time to time and adding to the nonsense…blah

      RE: Drury/Jagr

      True, this does deserve a good look too…. It’s just unfortunate that we havent been able to see much of the Jagr/Gomez in action either…

      What I did see from them vs Philly was not amazing, but there were moments of brilliance out of Gomez with th epuck infront of the net when he made a few swift motions and was able to put the puck across the front of the net for the other side. I do think in time he and Jagr will get a synergy going and they will be nasty. Also in time I think it might be wise to put Cally on 2nd line with Drury, and move either Shanny or Avery to 3rd. Callahan is the real thing. I def think it pays off in the long run to have 40 year old Shanny on 3rd line.

    37. TomG

      If Dubinsky doesn’t make the rangers squad than there is something wrong with Renney because from what I’ve seen last year and now this year so far he definitely deserves to be on the team. I can’t wait until some of these over hill veterans are gone because I want to see the talent and energy these kids bring to the table and the only way these kids will improve is by playing in the nhl.

    38. Be a Good American, Don't Try to Think

      “You’re right Tom- and I’m sorry to the rest of you guys for allowing to get myself caught up in it from time to time and adding to the nonsense…blah”

      you will apologize to me like Simon apologized to Hollweg, even Simon didn’t go as low as making death threats. You are truly a bad man.

    39. TomG

      I think Dawes is a bust myself. Dawes is a one dimensional player and he hasn’t shown me anything that makes me think he is going to be a goal scorer.

    40. LI Joe

      bonfire – keep in mind that 3 of the guys making the team will be up in the press box (most likely including Strudwick). I would not think that you would want one of your beloved yoot to be one of the 3. Also realize that the organization and most of it’s fans greatly inflate the talent level of many of these young uns. Liffiton passing through waivers being a big case in point. FYI I ‘m attaching directions for you to see some of your yoot.

      http://www.hartfordciviccenter.com/directions.cfm

    41. Robby Bonfire

      American

      Enough of your utter nonsense you pukie. Your a pathetic piece of garbage, and yes you should die and i hope you die.

      There you go, i said it.

    42. Be a Good American, Don't Try to Think

      “Enough of your utter nonsense you pukie. Your a pathetic piece of garbage, and yes you should die and i hope you die.”

      SAAAAAAAAAM!!! Help, they want me dead. They are plotting against me and my family.

    43. Salted

      I think Dawes is a bust myself. Dawes is a one dimensional player and he hasn’t shown me anything that makes me think he is going to be a goal scorer.
      ——
      Yeah man. Dawes = weak sauce. He’s been given a LOT of chances with the big boys in my opinion. He’s expected to do 1 thing basically and he’s yet to show that he can do that 1 thing in the NHL, even playing with very very talented players. The guy needs to be dealt while the illusion of his “underlying greatness” is still there. I just don’t see this guy coming through at all in the long run. If he was amazing, we would surely know it by now.

    44. imagination

      whatever name you want to go by today, you can keep American out of it. I doubt you are an American, and I know you’re not man enough to come out from your basement and back up your name calling. Call me a jerk to my face , little boy. You are not going to continue this nonsense. I’m calling you out. Let’s see how big you are off the internet .

    45. CML

      I’m having a hunch nobody here read this so I’m posting it…

      “It is a condition of your use of the comment features associated with the blogs that you do not: Use the site to post or transmit any unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane or indecent information of any kind, including without limitation any transmissions constituting or encouraging conduct that would constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability or otherwise violate any local, state, national or international law. You alone are responsible for the material you post or send.”

    46. mj

      no offense….you guys show your true colors on this blog…i know it is not all of you but seriously….at least talk hockey and stop calling out for Sam like a little kid

      Simon did apologize and Hollweg rejected in person apology
      which is understandable.

    47. CML

      Everyone, just be civil. Is it that hard? We don’t need any of this nonsense, lets get back to hockey.

    48. Matteau!

      I would have liked to see more from Dawes by now but it’s way too early and just wrong to write him off. This is exactly the past Ranger culture what we have been railing against, not having patience and dismissing prospects. Not every prospect steps up immediately like Girardi and Callahan. After a few games we’re saying he’s had a real opportunity? In my opinion same with Hossa. Both of these guys should get 15-20 games in the same role before coming to conclusions. If the team is really a top team it should be able to work through the rookie shortcomings. Why are all other teams able to do this except the Rangers? It used to piss me off when people said this but maybe it’s actually true that Ranger fans won’t wait for prospects to come around. I have to say all this talk about cup expectations among fans, players and coaches is the kiss of death to what had seemed to be a promising improvement the last couple of years.

    49. Doodie Machetto

      “I think Dawes is a bust myself. Dawes is a one dimensional player and he hasn’t shown me anything that makes me think he is going to be a goal scorer.”

      I agree. I think it’s just one of those cases where a guy can have great success in the AHL and just not be able to translate it to the bigs. Another recent example for us: Jason Krog.

    50. Wildcard

      Anyone who thinks Studs shouldnt be on the roster doesnt get his role for the team. He is going to play very little…unless there are alot of injuries I bet he plays once every 10-15 games. It would be no good to let Pock be the 7th D, he would get worse…not better, so if it comes down to it, trade him. ON Gomez…whoever says he isnt any good and looks at stas only…and points out that he doesnt get alot of goals is silly…IM sorry, but you are, goals are NOT the only thing that matter, he gets a decent amount of assists,in fact he averages 50 per season, he makes teams watch him opening up room for other players…stats do NOT tell the entire story….he is an assist guy again…in that year he played in the ECHL he had 73,and 86 points in only 61 games, thats not a bad player, and how many players in the NHL avg 50 assists per season? LAst year only 29 players had 50, Gomez had 47. Some times people make the silliest arguments.

    51. NYRich82

      Simon should have his suspension extended.
      The rules should not allow participation in exhibition games when you are suspended, but only season games count toward serving the suspension.
      Head hunting like Downie needs to stop, but look how the league handled Pronger in the playoffs; 2nd offense in the series was still only 1 day.
      Dawes has had his chance, I’m not impressed, lets see what Dubi can do.
      I still think Staal should play in Hartford for a month or two before he’s fully ready.
      All the BS will continue if we respond to it, so ignore and move on.

      Sam, your blog still rocks! Not sure I would have made it through the summer without it. Thanks!

    52. Wildcard

      Matteau!: you are right on…people, well some Rangers fans that is, are way to fast in writing off prospects. Dawes is still learning, and maybe, if sent down, will come up mid season due to injury and stick, and wow us all with his ability to put the puck in the net, maybe he makes the team next season…maybe he can never stick in the NHL, but its WAY to soon to tell for sure.

    53. mj

      gomez is good .ECHL is a joke when you are his caliber…over paying gomez is the truth…well i guess they cant spend the $70 million in one year like 1994, when the next closet payroll was 40million that year. and the canucks were 30 million but no one ever pays attention to that

    54. imagination

      CML I won’t take this kid;’s name calling anymore. Let him play those games with you. His hockey posts are bad enough, but he accussed me of using Robby’s name and calls me a jerk. Now let him step up or shut up. Either he sticks to hockey without the rest of the sneak attacks, or he gets called on it. Enough is enough. Let him back up his words.

    55. imagination

      What real chance has Dawes had? If Dubinsky gets the same treatment, most will be screaming. Strudwick is a black ace. Pock & Dawes will hopefully get more of a real chance in regular season games. Dubinsky & Staal are the next call ups unless there is a trade or Dawes &/or Pock flounder. Dawes has earned another try, so has Pock. That’s not a knock on the other two, nor does that mean they will be better. Dubinsky & Staal will be better than Dawes & Pock. Sather has some decisions to make but in his time frame, not the fans’.

    56. mj

      i would ban both of you….are you gonna fight him over IM…dude you guys are the ones who get kicked out of the games or gets beat up….at least be more mad that i told you that you brought the Cup, which is true….

    57. Be a Good American, Don't Try to Think

      Gomez was on Devils’ top lines and top PP units surrounded by Elias, Gionta, Mogilny, Rafalski, Niedermayer, etc. it easily explains the 50 assists, but 50 assists is not even that great, for a player that lives and dies by his assists a guy who does not play physical, kill penalties or is able to score goals consistantly.

    58. Be a Good American, Don't Try to Think

      “he is an assist guy again…in that year he played in the ECHL he had 73,and 86 points in only 61 games, thats not a bad player, and how many players in the NHL avg 50 assists per season? LAst year only 29 players had 50, Gomez had 47”

      no, not a bad player, but not a great one either and not essential. And how many of those 29 players are on a 7 year 52 million contract?

    59. BlueClue

      Why doesn’t Kaspar post here anymore?

      I hope you are not too depressed, Darius.
      Give us some insight in to your training camp-

    60. imagination

      mj that very fair & noble of you. Maybe you want to join the baned list too. The rest of your post is hard to interpret. Brought the cup? You want to try that again? Where did I say I was going to fight? I’ll tell you like I told CML, like I’d tell Sam, you take that garbage , I don’t. What didn’t you understand, that you had to bring it up again?

    61. Doodie Machetto

      BlueClue, he’s looking over the classifieds after the Chelsea Piers thing fell through.

    62. BlueClue

      Doodie

      I hear the Russian Tea Room is looking for a master borscht chef=

    63. Doodie Machetto

      Didn’t that close a couple of years ago?

    64. imagination

      Do you guys really think Kasparitis’ situation is funny? He was signed pre-cap , so now he hets $3mil to play in Hartford. He’s laughing to the bank, but he made an effort to get himself back together to play again. And you make Russian jokes. Practice what’s preached, hockey posts.

    65. BlueClue

      I think it did actually, a few times, but it reopened in 11/06.

      Here is a link to Wikipedia about its history-

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Tea_Room

    66. BlueClue

      Oh wow!!

      A pro hockey player actually “made an effort to get himself back together and play again.”

      That’s just unheard of in hockey.

      “Practice what’s preached”- Who is preaching here?

    67. BlueClue

      Doodie

      Here is a link to their main website-

      http://www.russiantearoomnyc.com/

    68. Mr. Marshal

      I cannot believe the utter nonsense that one blogger is spewing.

      Dubisnky deserves the 3rd line center. He has performed at a high level. What message is served to the other prospects if Dubinsky is farmed out.

    69. Cuch

      “but 50 assists is not even that great, for a player that lives and dies by his assists a guy who does not play physical, kill penalties or is able to score goals consistantly.”

      This sentence was used to describe Gomez but I think most could agree you could also use it to describe Nylander. Only difference between the two would be 2 milliona year, 7 years in age and small thing like 3 Cups.

      Quick story for those who are too young or have never heard it. As any Ranger fan knows Mike Keenan was truly a prick to play for and the majority of the guys on that team hated him and were not all that upset to see him go after ‘94. At one point during the ‘93-’94 season Keenan called Glenn Healey into his office to try to force Glenn to play the company line and stroke Mike’s ego. Keenan asked Healey, “Glenn what do you think the difference is between me and Al Arbor?” In typical Healey fashion, he refused to play nice with Keenan and simply responded, “4 Cups.” At which point Keenan cursed him out and threw him outta his office.

    70. imagination

      Cuch great story, Healy is a great guy & a straight shooter. I wish MSG had the smarts and bravery to hire him if he was available. Keenan’s methods were tough, but he got the results. He wears out his welcome quickly.

    71. Be a Good American, Don't Try to Think

      Gomez was part of only 2 Cups.

      Gomez is younger, but Nylander is flat out better, his puck possession is second to none, his skill level is only second to Kovalev. And he is a better scorer and playmaker than Gomez.

      If Nylander was lucky enough to be on good teams most of his career he would have well over a 1000 points by now.

    72. imagination

      I would have like Nylander to come back, but business got in the way. There are a few stories as to what happened, but it’s done. Gomez & Drury have big skates to fill . They are two good centers, but clicking with this teams’ chemistry and performing under NYC pressure is not easy. Renney & Co have 2 games to get the lines figured out . They’ve somewhat wasted time so far. I’m not up for 50 games of floundering this season.

    73. Robby Bonfire

      SAM – THIS is Robby B. in Port Leyden, NY – obviously someone, above, is trying to get me axed from here. Seems to me you should have the technology to trace the email address of all posts, here, and identify those participating in the imposter-contagion ravaging this site. Please attend to it.

    74. Robby Bonfire

      LI JOE – Thanks for the advice – at least you are man enough to I.D. yourself and be honest about who you are. I don’t see why intelligent NY Ranger fans here cannot have differences of opinion and a civilized dialogue. Tell me one thing – at what point does a young athlete stop being a “kid?” I have seen references here to Pock, who is now 26, as being a “kid.” Not anymore – I don’t think so. I would arbitrarily draw the line at 23-24. And remember, Ron Greschner was 19 when he was a rookie, and he was spectacular, from the start. Park was really young and good, too. It can and does happen for talented young players, quite early.

    75. LI Joe

      Robby B – I agree that Pock is way too old to be considered a kid. He’ll be 26 later this yr. 23 24 is about right for the kid demarkation line. We all get frustrated whether it be with other teams fans or fans with a fundamental difference of philosophy or just immature or arrogant fans as well. I lean more to the show me re the kids but I certainly don’t want them trading good young picks or players for washouts. I would love to see Staal make the team. I really regret the loss of Cullen who many fans threw under the bus. I look at a lot more than just goals (or jr or AHL stats). Even in the playoffs simple plays like getting the puck deep on a line change are things I’m looking for. I did not like a lot of the Wards and Halls on the team last yr and certainly not Ozo or Kaspar the last year or two. I don’t want things like the pk to be an afterthought where people only care about fantasy league type stats. So I do see a lot of value in a guy like Straka (wish we had 3 of him and hope he’s here next yr as well). I tend to agree with you on Shanny – I like the guy and hope he can do it for this year (but don’t like his salary + bonus) and don’t expect him back next yr. I also think most fans and teams at least publicly overrate the young assets. Liffiton being a case in point – the proof was in the pudding with no one claiming him not even a bottom feeding team like Phoenix with Maloney there.

      BTW – for what it’s worth I don’t think you posted some of the stuff listed under your name.

    76. Be a Good American, Don't Try to Think

      If you are 90 years old then a 60 yearold to you is just a “kid”.

      “Liffiton being a case in point – the proof was in the pudding with no one claiming him not even a bottom feeding team like Phoenix with Maloney there.”

      They have too many defensemen already. Maybe most teams never really scouted Liffiton much. It is very rare someone claims a player they are not familiar with, especially with the cap and with 50 contracts limit.

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    Rick CarpinielloRick Carpiniello grew up in Harrison and began working in The Journal News' sports department (back when it was The Reporter Dispatch and eight other newspapers) in October of 1977 after a year of covering high school sports as a stringer. For more than 20 years he covered the New York Rangers and the National Hockey League. Carpiniello has been writing columns on everything from local sports to the big leagues since 2002. READ MORE
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