Rangers Report Blog

And while you enjoy your holiday and your cookout, or whatever you’re doing—not to mention Game 2 of the Stanley Cup finals—take a few minutes to remember what we’re celebrating today.

Take a moment to remember and appreciate those who sacrificed so much for all of us. I can’t even imagine what so many of our veterans and active-duty soldiers have gone through.

AP Photo (right)
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I know, the finals are great but you guys need Rangers.

OK, here’s some. MSG Network’s series “MSG Countdown” which debuted last week, tomorrow night at 8 p.m. offers “Rangers Fights, Brawls and Melees.”

I have seen the video and it’s pretty good. I would have included a few others in place of, for example, P.J. Stock beating up Mariusz Czerkawski, or Joe Paterson (as a Ranger) fighting Nick Fotiu (as a Flyer). I would have included Joey Kocur vs. Bob Probert; the Rangers-Flyers preseason brawl of 1985; some “best of” Barry Beck or Eddie Johnstone; the tag-teamer against Washington in the playoffs, where Mark Hardy beat up Geoff Courtnall and Kris King outslugged Nick Kypreos at center ice, Clark Gillies-Eddie Hospodar;  George McPhee-Dave Brown (they had a McPhee-Rick Tocchet punchout, but not the one from the ‘86 playoffs); Fotiu-Holmgren or Fotiu (as a Ranger)-anybody, etc.

But what they came up with was a pretty good sampling. Definitely worth a watch.

Some thoughts:

1) Couldn’t help but wonder how much better this series might be if they played it in Chicago Stadium and the Spectrum.

2) I love both of those uniforms, the Blackhawks’ red and the Flyers’ white (Seinfeld reference: “My Blackhawks jacket, love my Blackhawks jacket.”).

3) That was a fabulous game to watch, but not nearly perfectly played. How much of it was the goalies, how much of it was jitters, how much of it was all the time off between the Conference Finals and the Cup Finals? What is this, the NBA?

4) Eleven goals in Game 1. Made me think back to the last time the Rangers were in the playoffs and they scored seven goals over the last six games against an awful defensive team and an unproven rookie goalie.

5) Safe is Death. Just wanted to say that.

6) Once again, NBC can’t get away from the hockey fast enough once it’s over.

7) Why, in the scorebox at the top of the screen, is “PHILADELPHIA”  so small? I know it’s a big word, and it won’t fit in the same size box as “CHICAGO”  … so how about shortening it to, oh I don’t know, something like “PHILA.” but in a font size that can actually be seen by human eyes?

8) How do you supposed Bud Light feels? It pays for ads on the boards during the Stanley Cup Finals, pays for commercials throughout the playoff telecasts, and unless I’m mistaken is an official NHL sponsor (maybe not). Then every time the Blackhawks score or win, they play the Amstel Light song.

9) Hey, they stole the stick salute.

10) Byfuglien=Monster.

Just got back from dinner and had to make a few calls.

Thought you guys needed a new game post (we haven’t had a game in so long I forgot).

The contest No. 1 is closed now.

Contest No. 2, I believe, is also filled up. Thanks to ddebened for keeping score.

Remember, pick one player. That’s it. You get one shot. Anybody who posts twice, or who picks more than one player, will be disqualified … or have his/her pick nullified and will have to pick again.

This is it: The player who will score the Stanley Cup-winning goal.

Once as player has been picked by somebody, he is no longer eligible to be picked. OK?

Rule 94a: In the event of a tie not settled by a tiebreaker, Sally and Linda win.

Now GO!
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Don’t forget, you have until 8 p.m. faceoff for Game 1 Saturday to get in your pick for the finals for the other contest. I need the winning team, the number of games, the score of the clinching game, and the score of Game 1. One entry per Bonehead (or non-Bonehead, if there are any of those).
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Swear to God, this was the headline and the subject line on the e-mail NBC sent out today regarding the Winter Classic:

“SIDNEY CROSBY & ALEX OVECHKIN TO FACE OFF IN 2011 BRIDGESTONE NHL WINTER CLASSIC AT HEINZ FIELD ON NEW YEAR’S DAY ON NBC SPORTS.”

No mention of, you know, the rest of the Capitals or Penguins. It’s going to be a 1-on-1 game apparently, like every other time they play. That’s how NBC and the NHL see it.

By the way, I hope Ben Roethlisberger is on the road that day. By on the road, I mean, for a football game, not for a wild night in some college town.

Do we really care about the announcement of next Jan. 1’s Winter Classic? First of all, pretty much everybody is saying it’s going to be in Pitt’s Heinz Field, with the NHL’s darlings playing against each other?

We know it isn’t the new Yankee Stadium, and thankfully (hopefully) the NHL didn’t try to put it in Citi Field (which might be a better ballpark overall, but just doesn’t have the jam of the new Yankee Stadium, much less the old one). The new Stadium has football in January, so they can’t build the rink.

Whatever.

And this idea of having a separate one in Canada, that works for me. Canadian teams started this whole thing—Edmonton and Montreal—and their fans deserve it. But it won’t do squat in terms of ratings here in the U.S. without two U.S. markets involved. So have two. Knock yourselves out.
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Here’s some video from Cup finals media day yesterday. From my new favorite guy. Hint: Monster. And here’s a link to today’s Rangers’ 20 Prospects in 20 days series. It’s Ryan Bourque today.
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Now onto the Boneheads Stanley Cup Finals Extravaganza Contest  (and picnic) No. 2.

BSCFEC No. 1 closes at the puck drop tomorrow night.

BSCFEC No. 2 is going to be more complicated to execute, but much easier to judge.

This is going to be kind of like a draft. I will put up a post this evening, which will begin the contest (DO NOT BEGIN SUBMITTING YOUR SELECTION BEFORE I PUT UP THE POST THAT SAYS “IT’S GO TIME!” )

Here’s how it works. The winner of John Halligan’s book “100 Ranger Greats” will be the person who correctly picks the player who scores the Cup-winning goal. That means, in the deciding game, if the final score is 3-2 or 5-2 or 10-2, the third goal for the winning team is the Cup-winner.

Here’s how we’re going to do it, so you have to be on your toes to play.

Once I put up the “It’s Go Time!” post, you get one pick of a player from either team (it’s Chicago and Philly, for those who aren’t paying attention). Once a player is picked, he’s gone. In other words, if you want Dustin Byfuglien, you’d better get in early. And check to see if he’s been picked before you pick him.

ONE PICK PER BONEHEAD. That’s it. I will check IPs, etc. So we could have a total of 38 or 40 or so names in the pool. The game is closed when all the skaters on both teams have been picked.

Don’t be afraid to pick the obscure fourth-line guys, or the goons or the defensemen. Those guys score goals in the playoffs.

Got it? Any questions before we get going tonight?

Happy 16th anniversary Stephane. And Howie Rose. And Brian Leetch, who opened the scoring with one of the greatest goals he ever scored.

First things first. The Rangers, starting today, are doing profiles on the top 20 prospects in the organization—one each week day not including the Memorial Day Holiday. You can see the story here and go to the Rangers’ site each day for the latest profile.
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Now onto Boneheads Stanley Cup Finals Extravaganza Contest (and picnic) No. 1.

This one is where you pick the series. Winner and number of games. Here’s the kicker. I’m going to ask you for a score of the clinching game, and a score of the first game. Those will be the two tiebreakers, in that order.

So your ballot, if you choose to participate, should look something like this:

Flyers in 5.

Clincher: 6-4 Flyers.

Game 1: 4-2 Blackhawks.

I’m going to ask youse to play fair. One ballot per person. Don’t make me go checking your IPs.

Get ‘em in between now and gametime Saturday. The winner gets a copy of the book “100 Ranger Greats” co-authored by my late friend ans NHL historian, John Halligan.

I’ll have details on the the BSCFEC (ap) No. 2 tonight, I hope.
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Can I just say something about all this hoopla about the Super Bowl coming to New Jersey? People were making signs and gathering to cheer the decision, and calling the radio stations …

Unless you own a hotel in the East Rutherford, N.J. area or have a stake in the NFL or the Giants or Jets, why the byfuglien do you care? You won’t be able to get a ticket, and you couldn’t afford it if you could get one. There are only going to be a few thousand even available after all the NFL/team/player/sponsor allotments. You are going to watch the 2014 Super Bowl in the same place you watched every other Super Bowl—on your couch. The Giants and Jets aren’t going to be in it. It’s more likely to be your arch-enemies, like New England vs. Dallas.

You won’t be able to get into any of the big parties. You will be able to stand in line and pay plenty to get into the “NFL experience” things, which really are no big deal other than an attempt to get you to spend more of your money on crappy merchandise.

So, in summary, the very rich will be at the game, and the very rich will be getting richer off the game, and the whole thing is going to cause traffic problems and probably cost the taxpayers of the two fine states plenty for security and police, etc. Oh, and it’s going to help the Giants and Jets sell more PSLs.

Why are we supposed to be excited about that?

Oh, plus the world is supposed to end in 2012.

Thanks for taking care of this for me today, Boneheads.

From the NYR:

RANGERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH FREE AGENT FORWARD MATS ZUCCARELLO AASEN

New York, May 26, 2010 – New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with free agent forward Mats Zuccarello Aasen.

“Mats is a highly skilled player with excellent hockey sense,” stated Sather.  “He has produced at every level he has played, and we think his offensive abilities, both as a scorer and play maker, make him a valuable asset to the organization.”

Zuccarello Aasen, 22, skated in 55 games with MODO of the Swedish Elite League (SEL) this past season, registering 23 goals and 41 assists for 64 points, along with 62 penalty minutes.  He established career-highs in games played, goals, assists, points and penalty minutes.  Zuccarello Aasen led the SEL in scoring with 64 points, en route to capturing the Guldhjälmen award as the league’s Most Valuable Player.  He also ranked third in the league in goals and shots (164), tied for third in assists, and led all SEL forwards in average icetime (22:17).

The 5-9, 170-pounder has appeared in 90 career SEL games with Modo, recording 35 goals and 69 assists for 104 points, along with 10 penalty minutes.  Zuccarello Aasen has also skated in 98 career games with Frisk Asker of the GET-ligaen in Norway, registering 63 goals and 68 assists for 131 points, including 96 penalty minutes.  He captured the Norwegian “Player of the Year” award in 2007-08, ranking second in the league in assists (40), third in points (64) and tied for sixth in goals (24).  Zuccarello Aasen led the league in playoff scoring that season, ranking first in goals (12), assists (15) and points (27) in 15 post-season games.

Internationally, the Oslo, Norway native has represented his country in several tournaments, including the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada, finishing third on the team in scoring with three points (one goal and two assists) in four contests.  Recently, Zuccarello Aasen participated in the 2010 World Championship in Germany, marking his third World Championship appearance with Norway.  He finished the tournament tied for the team lead with three goals and second on Norway with four points in six contests.  He also led Norway with 17 shots on goal and two game winning goals in the tournament.

What do you think?

I still have two copies of John Halligan’s book “100 Ranger Greats” … I think I do, anyway. I’ll check. If so, those will be the prizes.

I’m thinking of having two separate contests.

I have two ideas rattling around my brain, and I’m just trying to come up with a way to present them. Are youse all in?

Details to follow Thursday and Friday. Game 1 Saturday.

In the meantime, I have to go introduce Mr. Nike Sasquatch to Mr. Titleist this morning. I am really taking today completely off!! I’ll check in tonight. If the Rangers make any more earth-shattering trades you guys can take care of it yourselves.
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Watching “Everybody Loves Raymond” during Yankees rain delay last night. It’s Ray’s wedding day. He’s in his tux. His uncle walks in and says to Ray, “You look like a bus stop toilet.” I dunno. It cracked me up.
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Yesterday was the anniversary of The Guarantee game … And, The Captain never said the word “guarantee.” But he did predict victory, and you know the rest. Which means tomorrow is not only Mrs. Carp’s 26th birthday, but it is also the anniversary of “Matteau, Matteau, Matteau!”

Speaking of captains … what do you think of the Flyers’ captain, you know, compared to some other captain we might occasionally discuss here?

From the Rangers:

 New York, May 25, 2010 – New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has acquired defenseman Jyri Niemi from the New York Islanders in exchange for a sixth round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.   The Rangers and Niemi have agreed to terms on a contract.

                Niemi, 19, skated in 50 games with the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League (WHL) this past season, registering eight goals and 21 assists for 29 points, along with 67 penalty minutes and a plus-nine rating.  He ranked second among team defensemen in goals and power play goals and third in assists and points.  Niemi recorded a career-high, five-game scoring streak from October 7 vs. Kootenay to October 18 at Edmonton, tallying seven points over the span, including a two-goal effort on October 7.  He recorded a point in each of his last four regular season contests from February 20 vs. Brandon to February 26 vs. Prince Albert (one goal and three assists), and registered 10 points (two goals and eight assists) in 13 games during the month of February.  The third-year player established career-highs in post-season games played, goals and penalty minutes while ranking second among Saskatoon defensemen in playoff goals and tied for third in playoff points.

                The 6-3, 210-pounder has appeared in 159 career regular season contests for Saskatoon, registering 29 goals and 66 assists for 95 points, along with 198 penalty minutes and a plus-27 rating.  He established career-highs in games played (60), assists (25), penalty minutes (74) and plus/minus rating (plus-19) during the 2008-09 season.  Later that season, Niemi made his WHL Playoff debut, and led Saskatoon with a career-high six assists and seven points in six post-season contests.  In 2007-08, he finished first among WHL rookie defensemen with a career-high 14 goals, and ranked third with 34 points while skating in 49 games.  He was selected to participate in the 2008 CHL Top Prospects Game, where he won the hardest shot competition with a shot registered at 97 miles per hour.  Saskatoon’s first pick, 13th overall, in the 2007 CHL Import Draft, Niemi made his WHL debut on September 21, 2007, at Brandon, and notched his first point with a goal and added two assists for a career-high, three points on September 26 vs. Moose Jaw.

                Prior to joining Saskatoon, Niemi played with HPK Hameenlinna in the Finnish Junior League, registering six goals and three assists for nine points, along with 72 penalty minutes in 35 games during the 2006-07 season.  Internationally, Niemi has represented his native country in several international tournaments, most recently serving as Captain for Finland at the 2010 U-20 World Junior Championship.  He finished the tournament tied for second among all defensemen and ranked second among Finnish skaters in goals (three), and tied for third on the team in points (five).

The Hameenkyro, Finland native was originally selected as the New York Islanders’ third round pick, 72nd overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.  The Rangers and Islanders last completed a trade on November 14, 1972, when the Rangers sent right wing Ron Stewart to the Islanders in exchange for cash.

No matter which team wins the Stanley Cup, one of the four longest current droughts between Stanley Cups will end. Which will mean the Islanders’ 27-year drought moves up the ladder to fourth longest.

Of course, it also means the Rangers’ streak of 16 years takes a step up, too.

God, 16 years. Has it really been?
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Have you seen the Dustin Byfuglien “History will be Made” promo yet?

Awesome.

Byfuglien=Monster!
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This just in from NHLPA:

OVER $94,000 RAISED IN NHLPA AUCTION OF TEAM CANADA OLYMPIC JERSEYS; PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT “HOCKEY FOR HAITI”

…Sidney Crosby jersey raises $37,100 for World Vision’s Haiti earthquake relief
TORONTO, ON (May 25, 2010) — Hockey fans have raised $94,000 USD to help rebuild a children’s hospital in Haiti through a National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) online auction of Team Canada jerseys worn during the 2010 Olympics, as part of the “Hockey for Haiti” relief initiative.

The NHLPA’s one-week sale of 23 Canadian jerseys – which were worn in Canada’s February 23^rd victory over Germany – for the “Hockey for Haiti” relief project ended May 18^th, with Sidney Crosby’s jersey topping the sales at $37,100 USD. Nineteen of the Team Canada jerseys raised over $2,000 USD each, including that of playoff scoring leader, Jonathan Toews, which raised $7,600 USD.

Today, hockey fans have one final chance to bid on Team USA jerseys, before the second phase of the auction begins a staggered closing at 7:00 p.m. ET. The Team USA jerseys include the jersey worn by USA goaltender Ryan Miller in his first career Olympic victory, as well as jerseys worn by Patrick Kane, Zach Parise and the entire USA roster.

In the coming weeks, many international jerseys are up for auction. The Team Finland phase starts later on this evening, which will include a jersey worn by Olympic men’s hockey all-time scoring leader, Teemu Selanne.

In total, the auction includes 140 hockey jerseys worn by NHL players from 12 different countries.  All proceeds from the NHLPA’s auction of Olympic jerseys will go to “Hockey for Haiti”, a joint initiative between Georges Laraque, the NHLPA and World Vision Canada.

Hockey fans looking to bid on a jersey, should visit www.ebay.ca/nhlpa or www.nhlpa.com/auctions.