Some early stuff from camp (updated)
First the news. Marian Gaborik is not on the ice. He attended the funeral service for his friend Pavol Demitra yesterday. Wade Redden is not here; he was assigned to attend Connecticut’s training camp right from the start. And Michael Sauer did not skate today with a tweaked knee.
UPDATE: Just spoke with John Tortorella. I missed earlier that Artem Anisimov didn’t skate. He also has a knee issue and is going for an MRI today. Tortorella said that Sauer’s injury is tendinitis in the knee and also groin-related, but that he doesn’t believe it’s serious. Tortorella expects Gaborik back today and promised that he will get his full testing done … in other words, no free pass.
Tortorella expects to bring 30-35 guys to Europe for the exhibition games. I hope to have more later on, including a Torts transcript, but am having some car and laptop battery woes at the moment.
Here are some early quotes. Will have more later as time (and my battery) permits.
Derek Stepan:
“I came to the conclusion that coming in with the same mentality as last year is the best way to go about it. I think that’s something that a lot of guys do.
“I definitely feel more comfortable. That test doesn’t get more comfortable. But I’m definitely more comfortable with the atmosphere, everything that goes on here and how everything’s run. But it doesn’t make it any easier.”
“I’m just going to come in with the same mindset as last year. I want to come out and compete hard. I want to earn a job on this team.
“We have a good roster. You lool at the guys that are here. We have really good depth and everyone’s going to be competing for a spot. The organization can go so many different ways with the number of guys we have here. So I’m competing for a spot, and so is everyone else?”
Center or wing:
“That’s a good question. I’m just here to compete for a job, I guess. I was comfortable on the wing last year and I know if that’s where I’ve got to be, I can end up there. Obviously I’ll start whereever they start me, and that’s where I’ll play.”
Mike Rupp:
“Well, I made it (through the testing). It feels good to have it over with. I’ve heard things about it far before I signed a contract with New York. I played with guys who’ve experienced it and it lived up to expectations. It was difficult,”
“It’s a way that, you know guys are going to be coming in and they’re going to be accountable, what they do with themselves in the summer, and it’s a great way to start the year with everybody in shape. And I think this is a good indicator that guys have been training hard.”
“We’re excited to get going. We’re extited to kind of just get past this testing thing and get going as a hockey team. We’ve got a lot of things coming up that can really bring us together with our trip overseas and beginning the season on the road out West, too. A lot of (the buzz) we try to keep on the outside and just play hockey and be there for one another.”
“You just need to not get caught up in it. If you start the season real well and you’re sitting pretty after 10-15 games, there’s a lot of bad things that can happen after that because you get a little complacency. That’s something that’s been addressed as far as a lot of distractions that could be, and we need to make sure we’re on the same page and not let that get in the way.”
“I think it’s good. I think the league has shown quite a bit of responsibility, protecting the players. Being a player, it’s something you want. You want them to look at all the angles and I feel like they’re doing that.”
On wearing No. 71: “I heard there was a guy wearing 17 and I had to flip it.”
Ryan Callahan:
(any easier?) “No, not really. It’s a hard test no matter how much you prepare for it, or how good a shape you’re in. It’s a tough test. You know coming in what to expect, I guess, in your second or third year, but the test doesn’t get easier.”
Is it the Captain’s responsibility to not be doubled over?
“No, I don’t feel any more pressure. I go out there and try to put up the best times I can and try to do the best I can … and I think I was out there doubled over and panting, so … but I think everyone is.”
On Derek Boogaard: “Some guys have talked about it. Obviously it’s a big hole. To lose a teammate, there’s no other feeling like it. I think we all have each other’s backs and support each other and throughout the summer we’ve talked to each other quite a bit about it. We’re always going to remember him. He’s not forgotten at all.”
On the difficult early schedule:
“It’s going to be tough. It’s an obstacle that we’re prepared for and we have to overcome. We’ve talked about it a little bit. It’s a distraction only if we let it be, and everybody on the team knows that. It’s just a couple more road games. That’s all it is.”
Brandon Prust:
The testing: “It gets harder, I think. I felt way better last year because I didn’t know what to expect. Sometimes your nerves get the best of you out there.”
On the schedule: “We have a lot of things that could bring a team down, but I think it’s going to bring us closer together and I think it’s going to be good for us. Torts talked to us about it today — not having any excuses.”
On Callahan’s captaincy: “That’s great. Cally’s the heart and soul of our team and he’s our leader. The ‘C’ is on the right shirt.”
He talked quite a bit about the league taking a hard look at fighting after the summer deaths of tough guys Boogaard, Rick Rypien and Wade Belak.
“You might be talking to the wrong guy. I’m pro-fighter. So, I believe it should be in our game. I don’t think anything should be changed. That’s what makes our game unique, is that we can have the ability to police our own game. Obviously the league steps in if something gets out of hand, if there’s a dirty hit. But if somebody’s going after Gabby or Hank or Richie, that’s my job to get in there and make sure they don’t do that because those are our important players.
“There’s 20,000 people on their feet every time there’s a fight. It’sa tough job, but it’s a job I chose and I love doing it and I love sticking up for my teammates, and I love knowing that my teammates know that I’ll be there for them.”
“There’s always a middle ground. Like I said, it is a tough job. I definitely get a little nervous if I know I’m going to be fighting. Sometimes you might lose a little sleep. But, like I said, that’s my job. I chose it and I embrace it and I like that rush. At the same time, the biggest sport in the world right now is UFC and nobody’s really stopping that.”
“It definitely opened (my eyes) … I’m not taking anything away from any of the tragedies that happened this summer. It was awful and I’m not taking anything away from that. I haven’t talked to many other tough guys around the league. It was definitely an eye-opener, but I don’t think it’s just the fighting that’s the cause. I know, for some of us, it’s almost a stress relief, the fighting. Everybody’s different.”
“(Boogaard) was a big presence. He was a big boy. He was well-liked in our dressing room and we all miss him. We’ve been talking about him. I definitely like him on my team. He’s a great teammate and we’re going to miss him.”
On league’s reaction: “I guess it’s natural with what’s happened. It has been an awful summer. But it’s definitely an eye-opener. I’ve obviously thought about it a lot and I don’t think we should change the game at all.”
“I’ll honor Derek every game. I’ve always thinking of Derek. He was my roommate for the first half of the season before he got hurt, and a good friend of mine. We’re going to miss him. I’m going to miss him especially. I hope he’s out there with me every game.”
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Kovalchuk named captain! Bwahahaha!
damn you carp damn you to hell!!
Just kidding sir, I got carped
wickster!!! are u gonna be joining us more this year during games, or are u still working 24 hour days?!
Training Camp opens and I got my NHL12 from Gamefly! Weee!
Now, I’m going to email them and tell them that they just sent me an envelope, and it appears to have been opened, and the game is missing. Bwahaha!
My day!
atta boy Prust, perfect assessment
tiki
still working a ton, but will try to contribute (or detract) more!
Orr
congrats
Where is the news about Kovalchuk being named Devs captain?
Pruster!
Prusty Pruslan!!!!
thanks for the quotes
getting in my training as well….
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(owwww!!
cramp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
The day is yours, ORR!!
Gamefly: 0
ORR: 14
Derek Stepan
“We have a good roster. You lool at the guys that are here ”
lool at the guys?? you dont just laugh out loud at them, you laugh outlandishly out loud??
Good afternoon all! Let the games begin!
thanks CCCP
i might use that
LOOL!!!!!!!!!!
I LOOK at Gamefly!
NYDNRangers Artem Anisimov gettting an MRI after knee issue discovered during physical. Michael Sauer has tendinitis behind his knee and groin.
Oh NO!
Jeg kan ikke tro gratulere en fyr for å begå tyveri!
LOOL” dammit
Jeg kan ikke tro dere er gratulerte en tyv! LOL!
UPDATE: Just spoke with John Tortorella. I missed earlier that Artem Anisimov didn’t skate. He also has a knee issue and is going for an MRI today. Tortorella said that Sauer’s injury is tendinitis in the knee and also groin-related, but that he doesn’t believe it’s serious. Tortorella expects Gaborik back today and promised that he will get his full testing done … in other words, no free pass.
Tortorella expects to bring 30-35 guys to Europe for the exhibition games. I hope to have more later on, including a Torts transcript, but am having some car and laptop battery woes at the moment.
Good quotes. Esp Callahan and Prust on Boogard. But I have to harp on my concerns over Gaborik once again. A lot of mental stress to get through after he was already going to have his work cut out for him after last season. I just hope that he’s in shape and that we see/hear about some chemistry with him and Richards right from the get go
If Wolski could get his #$% together, it would be huge. Hopefully Torts is right that Wolski took the year-end meeting to heart.
Carp
could you do me a favor? could you give Torts a kiss on the chick for me? thanks! :)
Thanks Carp- I think we can all agree that the last thing we wanna hear about to start this season is injuries. We had enough of that carcillo last season.
lmao ccp
A lot of NYR prospects hidden in this game. No Kundratek though. They have some Asian hockey player that might not even actually play for the Whale, but they don’t have Kundratek. Lame!
They have Kale Kerbashian in the game. That’s my guy! Future Captain, of something!
imagine Wolski getting his head on straight and being a legit top line LW? Changes the dynamic for the better for sure.
Orr I thought that said “Kale Kardashian” I was like ‘oh great there’s another one?!”
They have the guy with the long name too. John Auditor-Marchmadness, or what ever.
That guy is the eptiome of J.A.M
LOL! That’s the last thing we need, James. I can’t stand those she-devils!
Carp- do you have the camp roster?
Gross does:
http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/rangerrants/training_camp_roster1/
FINALLY hockey is back. Thought I was gonna go crazy.
ORR – what is your opinion on Vikki Blows ?
Vikki Blows, pretty hot chick, interesting name, not my favorite of the big natural chesticle British ladies, but a babe, nonetheless.
Rosie Jones still my favorite. But, that’s among the Nuts/Zoo girls.
AdamRotter Note: The Rangers Will Wear The Heritage Jersey At Home This Season http://t.co/3QyTpOhV
Hmm. So, they’re not going to wear the normal home blue at all this season?? Unless they’re going to make a fancy looking one for the WC
Bwahaha! Gamefly emailed me and apologized to ME!!
I feel so….EVIL!
This was 95% for me and 5% for CC!
I LOVE the Heritage Jerseys.
Don’t feel evil, ORR. It’s a bad economy. We all are just trying to survive!
I don’t think the Heritage jerseys are replacing the Regular blue jerseys. Rotter is probably correct that they will wear them against original Six opponents, Sundays, and I would guess homes games that are on national television.
UFC fighting is horrific…hopefully they will ban that garbage one day.
Actually, would be nice if they ban the NBA too. I hoping the Knicks finish 20 games under .500 this year. I have a dream.
good job ORR! Take that crappy gamefly!
didn’t we have a pretty bad record wearing heritage jersey last season?
I believe the record while wearing the beautiful Heritage Jerseys was HORRENDOUS.
another funny customer name in my system:
Harripun Ramass from India
im not making it up! i swear!
I think they started off poorly a loss to Boston then the Habs but then got better. I know their first win in the heritage jerseys was the 7-0 win vs the Caps. They also had some big wins vs the Leafs and Habs, although as you recall Cally’s 4 goal game was when they decided to wear white.
I really wish home whites made a comeback.
Latona – I didn’t see the word “home” in that. I got really scared for a second.
Whites also need to make a comeback, Manny.
So Arty and Sauer are injured before the season even begins? sigh
They are injured!? How? Why? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
SEASON OVER. TRADE EVERYBODY. REBUILD
rebuild. then trade everybody again!
There needs to be a trade everybody mode in NHL 12.
Sucks that Sauer Power and Artie Party are hurt. Hopefully, they both make speedy recoveries. We need those guys.
I was expecting Artie to have a monster season this year. I hope I don’t have to curtail my expectations.
Sauer had a bad history on being injury prone before joining the NYR full time. I hope this is nothing serious…groin injuries are usually stubborn….see: Gaborik, Marian.
The bright side is that it may give a shot to someone else (perhaps a rookie) to make the team.
Lots of news today, huh guys? According to Kevin Weekes “it” is “getting closer”. Wow!
Good one with the “see: Gaborik, Marian” thing NYR. Everybody is on point today.
You’re right CT. That game should come with a panic button that immediately promotes your AHL team to NHL status and in the meantime sorts out trades for all of your players.
Do they have Octopuses that people can throw on the ice?
“There needs to be a trade everybody mode in NHL 12”
LOL! That would be hilarious.
Click “X” if you are sure you want to trade everybody
Click “O” if you really thought this through
LOL! Gamefly just emailed me again, and said that they’re going to continue my membership for free for another month. Haha! Suckers!
Next up, Madden12! Then I cancel my membership, and I’m good to go!
You’re on a roll. Keep doing it, you might own the company. Then you can change their policies on this matter immediately.
“There needs to be a trade everybody mode in NHL 12”
LOL! That would be hilarious.
Click “X” if you are sure you want to trade everybody
Click “O” if you really thought this through
***
Or
Click “X” if you are sure you want to trade everybody
Click “O” if you really thought this through
Click ”?” if you’re a Rangers fan (this automatically trades all your draft picks and prospects but holds onto all your high priced signings)
hahahaha “click ?”
It’s supposed to a triangle copied from MS Word. Guess it gets translated to something different via html?
Ah. I actually thought the ”?” was funny. Like you don’t know what you’re doing. Just roll with it
Sauer always had injury issues. Miracle he made it thru the whole season last year.
Good evening, Carp!
YAY training camp!!!
What do they have to do for the “test”?
Put their index finger on the tip of their nose and sing a Beatles song?
The new Jets jerseys are not in the game! How lame! Have to wait for the roster updates, I suppose, which will be in October. Lame!
Woo hoo started off 3-0 in GM mode.
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/islanders_matt_poulson_only_had_IoXmvaj3CGngpXB3I8Oy4N
i fought Lucic with Lungtwist and won!
online vs. play is somewhat hard so far i’m 6-7
didn’t get to GM mode yet. ORR, Grabby and whoever else has PS3, we should create a team and go on a rampage!
wicky
on what level? rookie? lol
I need some serious practice. I’m getting embarrassed 5-2 after two periods. The Jets are beating me with their nice white jerseys with the NHL logo.
Lundqvist sucks in this game. Talk aboot Softqvist. Jeez!
Make that 6-1.
Now it’s 6-2! Flavah explosion in the crease!
7-2! Guess who has two giveaways that led to goals?? You’ll never guess!!!
Don Maloney on Turris: “That’s what makes America great, he doesn’t have to settle, he can stay at home and watch Oprah.”
LOL! Oprah! Now Turris is never going to re-sign!
I wonder if our games against the teams in Sweden prior to the regular season opener will be televised.
There’s a guy in NHL12 named Peter Shinkelshoek!
I’ll be using that name this season. For example…
I’m shinelshocked that Avery didn’t shoot wide! :P
Is this thing on? Geez, many have migrated to primarily facebook.
Hey Carp – so who did the best on “The Test” today? Who was in the best shape?
me.
I’m around, Tiknotronic.
LOL :)
Insert Shape Joke Here ;)
Golf shape?
Hey, Latona! How r u?
Doing alright. Need the season to start to get me out of a little rough patch.. how are you?
orr
who had the giveaways?
cccp
no, pro or all star, cant remember
Mr. Vera Wang himself, Wick!
orr
hilarious!! he’s on my 4th line, boyle is LW on 1st and dubi is LW on 3rd!
Sorry you’re going through a rough patch, Latona. If there’s anything you need, just let me know.
That’s what I did, Wick.
I just created myself and put me on the Blues, and started Be A GM with them. Dubinsky was being greedy, so I don’t know if he re-signed with NYR. LOL!
I love how I drafted seven players, and none of them accepted their contracts. Haha! This game is still fake.
new post.
For the folks who are miffed about being Carped…get over it.
You haven’t lived til you’ve been Carped. (Happens to me all the time );;;Keep one thing in mind: You;re involved with perhaps the finest sports blog in history,
This is a blog that welcomes all comers as long as they abide by the ground rules….(you all should know what they are by now.)
Everyone has an opportunity to vent…but no one demands the right to be heard.
You write your piece and if it is acceptable, you are presented…if not …you’re not. Tough. Get over it. It’s a bit like the law of the jungle…you know when to hold em and you know when you (should have) folded them. And as Scarlet said, “tomorrow…is….another day”
But you have had your say.