SB Nation - Erik Christensen

Rangers Analysis: When Dubinsky Returns.....

NYRBlogger — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:00:22 -0000

by Paul J. Bereswill - AP

Who will get the boot out of the lineup? Well, considering that forward Aaron Voros has been a consistent scratch, I would assume that one of Enver Lisin, Brian Boyle or Erik Christensen will start to watch from the sky box. Do not get me wrong, each of these individuals have been playing fairly well, surprisingly, but when push comes to shove, Tortorella will most likely not scratch Brashear or Anisimov. I feel as if Christensen has not gotten the look he deserves, only receiving 6:01 of ice-time against the Sabres, leaving Boyle as the healthy scratch for the time being.

Having multiple healthy scratches a night would be a bit ridiculous, so I think it is about time GM Glen Sather rids himself of Aaron Voros--waivers would be the best way to go. There is no need for Voros and his $1 million salary to chew up cap space if he is not even contributing to the team in anyway other than staying out on the ice after everyone else has left for the showers in practice. Voros is useless at this point and that is final. It is time he is waived or in some way, removed.

After watching Drury have yet another tough game Saturday night, I would pick Dubinsky to center the second line and move Drury down to the third. Dubinsky centering Sean Avery and Ryan Callahan is an energy line and I think that it definitely could account for some goals. As we saw on his powerplay goal on Saturday, Callahan is a player that needs to be set-up for his goals, and by that I mean he is not really capable of creating his own chances, but rather an individual who can bury pucks when a linemate feeds him. Both Sean Avery and Brandon Dubinsky can pass, so I think Callahan would benefit from that as well.

All three of these players hit, all three of these players skate, and all three of these players have heart. I truly believe that they can be a combination that, if given the opportunity, that has the ability to become a key part of the secondary scoring, which is lacking from the Rangers' game right now. This would leave Drury on a line with Artem Anisimov and either Ales Kotalik or Enver Lisin. Kotalik has been horrid as of late, so my personal choice would be Lisin. John Tortorella seems to dismiss the fact that Anisimov and Lisin were gelling in the beginning of the season, with both of them being Russian. The two forwards have not played with eachother since the beginning of October.

Dubinsky has only played in eighteen games this season before breaking his hand in Calgary on November 7th. However, the Anchorage, Alaska native is somehow eighth on the team in scoring with just ten points. He started off hot, but leading up to the injury, cooled off. Thus far in his career, Brandon has been an inconsistent streaky player, which John Tortorella pretty much swore he would change. During his time in the linuep this season, I cannot really say that I have seen much of a difference besides the fact that he has been shooting a bit more.

Monday's tilt with the Atlanta Thrashers seems to be the game that Dubinsky will return, but there has been no confirmation just yet. If this is true, the below layout is how I think the Blueshirts' offensive lineup should look against the surging Thrashers.

Higgins - Prospal - Gaborik
Avery - Dubinsky - Callahan
Drury - Anisimov - Lisin
Brashear - Christensen - Kotalik

Rangers Recap: Detroit 3 Rangers 1

Joe Fortunato — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:08:35 -0000

More photos » by Paul J. Bereswill - AP

10 days ago: New York Rangers goalie Steve Valiquette (40) makes a save against the Detroit Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg (40) during the first period of an NHL hockey game at Madison Square Garden in New York, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul J. Bereswill)

Browse more photos »

Well you can't say that they didn't have their chances. The New York Rangers had every opportunity to win this game and they simply didn't. I can cite Sean Avery botching a wide open net on one of the Rangers 4 power plays (3 of them late in the 3rd).

Marian Gaborik didn’t get a shot on net for the first time all season (I believe someone check that for me) which was a small problem but he did set up a few plays that (obviously) didn’t go in.

Honestly the bulk of this game falls on Ryan Callahan and Chris Higgins. I don’t care how many scoring chances they are generating or how well they are playing them not scoring directly lead to this Rangers loss. Callahan didn’t convert a penalty shot and he also flubbed a semi-breakaway. Higgins couldn’t finish two brilliant chances all alone in front and he also missed a breakaway opportunity. I have said this before and I will say it again: them not scoring goals are costing the Rangers games.

Also Jim brought this up after the game: once again when the Rangers relied on Chris Drury he let them down. He took the final face-off of the night (and definitely the most important) for the Rangers and lost it clean. When he is not winning face-offs he is useless and he proved that again tonight, 2 goals so far this season is a horrible thing for me to have to look at night in and night out.

As for Henrik Lundqvist I don’t really know what to say. He was brilliant all game except for one mistake which coasted the Rangers. Looks like the Rangers of old eh? They can’t score, they play well and they lose yet another 1 goal game.

This is way too important for the “empty netters” section below so here it goes. Stephen Valiquette (remember him) was sent down to the minors to find his game after a relatively disastrous season so far. Well his game isn’t in Hartford either. So far he has started both games and been pulled from both of them but not before giving up 10 goals in what amounts up to three periods. This is slowly turning into a HUGE problem for the Rangers, who now don’t have a viable option to run with as a back-up. Keep an eye on this one because we may see a shake up soon.

Empty Netters:

Michael Del Zotto played the most minutes of any defenseman on the team and has handled his step up in ice time very well. He is easily the best defenseman overall on this team right now.
Even when Gaborik isn’t playing well (and this was by far his worst game as a Ranger) he is still noticeable and makes a difference when he is on the ice.
Enver Lisin has one of his best games as a Ranger tonight, good for him we need him to step up.
Erik Christensen is making a successful start to his Rangers career. He is awesome on face-offs which has helped the Rangers massively. (Maybe you should take notes “Captain Clutch”)
Also it should be noted that it is looking more and more like John Tortorella has lost this team. He better turn this around soon before things get worse.

Nothing else to say about this, it was a rough game to accept. Vent out in the comments.

Rangers News: Christensen's first day, Heikkenen, Dubinsky skates

Jim Schmiedeberg — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:12:06 -0000

More photos » by Frank Franklin II - AP

Browse more photos »

Happy Friday Ranger fans. The weekend is upon us, we've got two Ranger games on the slate, and some big college and pro football on the slate. Send the family out Christmas shopping, and settle in for what will hopefully be a great sports weekend. Here are some of the headlines making news in the Rangers world:

Jim Cerny has reported on Twitter that Wade Redden will not play at all this weekend, Chad Johnson was not told how long he will be with the Rangers, and that Brandon Dubinsky skated before practice today with Mike Sullivan.

Jim Cerny at Rangers.com has a good story on one of the newest Rangers, Erik Christensen. While as fans we tend to look at new players as some kind of saviors, let's remember that Christensen is a guy who has never played a full NHL season, and has not showed the ability to score at the NHL level that he did in the minors.

But, he does give the Rangers another true center, and he looks to be a good face-off guy, something we know the Rangers desperately need right now.

Metro Hockey has a look at what lies ahead for the Rangers, funny stuff. My favorite:

March 2: Chris Higgins scores his third goal of the season.

Larry Brooks says the Rangers are hopeful the changes made this week will lead to some wins:

As far as Rangers shakeups go, this is not waiving Eddie Giacomin a week before trading Jean Ratelle and Brad Park in 1975.

Having said that, the personnel moves over the last two days, in which the Blueshirts acquired center Erik Christensen off waivers from Anaheim, exchanged goaltenders by waiving Steve Valiquette to the AHL while recalling Chad Johnson from the Wolf Pack, and promoted defenseman Ilkka Heikkinen from Hartford, are indications that management is not going to sit still while the club nosedives to the nether regions of the East.

More after the jump......

Andrew Gross has the updates from practice today:

Donald Brashear is also out for the time being, having re-aggravated his right hand/wrist injury.

Tortorella on Dubinsky:

"For a while, we didn’t see the healing," Tortorella said. "There’s healing in there now. I don’t think we’re at risk to do any damage if he hits it. Of course, we don’t want him falling. Also, we need to get him on the ice. He’s been off for a while. So when we started seeing the healing, we’re going to slowly get him on just to get his skating legs."

Rangers News: Can you play defense? Can you do it cheap? Call Glen.....

Jim Schmiedeberg — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:01:19 -0000

More photos » by Gene J. Puskar - AP

"Dammit Chris! We're out of cap space! Where am I going to find a defenseman?"....."Search me boss, hey, have you seen pictures of my Ferrari?"

Browse more photos »

So according to Andrew Gross, Wade Redden skated today, but does not look comfortable in contact drills (insert joke here), meaning he probably won't be ready to go Saturday night.

This leaves the Rangers with a bit of a sticky wicket. With the addition of Chad Johnson and Erik Christensen's salaries to the payroll, even with the subtraction of Steve Valiquette, the Rangers do not have the cap space to call up anyone, like Bobby Sanguinetti.

From Andrew's story:

The quick story on the numbers, though. The Rangers, who reportedly had about $800,000 of wiggle room, did substract Valiquette’s $725,000 but Johnson is on the books for a reported $660,000 and Christensen is at $750,000 so the Rangers must figure out how to squeeze another defenseman onto their roster. The brass is working on that now.

Perhaps the Rangers will have to shed Aaron Voros and his $900,000 salary. Or Brian Boyle at $500,000.

Rangers may be looking for a defenseman on Craig's List by day's end.

Thursday links: Staying up late to watch hockey edition

averagejoe — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:00:24 -0000

Late-night West Coast games are the worst. I remember being a kid and only being able to watch the first period and being forced to go to bed without knowing who won. Glad I'm all grown up and can stay up past 10 p.m.

Blues news

Blues vs. Sharks tonight. Never forget 2000. [CBS Sports]
The Blues are helping out with Big Brothers Big Sisters program. [Blues]
Alex Pietrangelo is a victim of his youth. [Belleville News-Democrat]
The Blues power play coaching duties are being passed around to everyone on staff. Why not have Al MacInnins offer a few tips? [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]
Keith Tkachuk explains a comment he made about the Blues effort against Columbus. Is this the leader I've heard so much about? [STLtoday.com]
Alex Pietrangelo will be playing for Team Canada in the World Juniors. [NHL]
Four others will join Pietrangelo at the World Juniors. [Blues]

Hockey news

Big night in the NHL on Thursday. [Yahoo! Sports]
Your results from last night. [Yahoo! Sports]
From Gallagher: A documentary on the 1960 U.S. Olympic hockey team — it looks pretty bad ass. [Forgotten Miracle]
Several NHL teams celebrated Movember. Zach Bogosian looks awesome. [Puck Daddy]
The Canadiens have traded Kyle Chipchura (who?) to the Ducks for a fourth-round draft pick. [ESPN]
The Rangers claimed Erik Christensen off of waivers and placed Steve Valiquette on waivers. [ESPN]
How cool is Tomas Vokoun? He's not mad at all with Keith Ballard and joking about his injury. [TSN]
The Blackhawks are expected to announce the signings of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith soon. Didn't this happen already? [ESPN]
Jonas Gustavsson is out of Montreal, will see a cardiac specialist in Toronto. Not good times for Leafs fans. [TSN]
Alexander Ovechkin says he won't change his style — in fact, he's going to play harder. [TSN]

Other links

Christmas Vacation is a holiday classic. Here's why. [I-Mockery.com]
Restaurants shouldn't skimp on hiring copy editors. [Bad Menu]
Ever wanted a branding iron? Have $38.00? Now you can turn your lighter into a 5-character branding iron. [Shapeways]

Video

From Cozmcphsish comes a video that made me laugh way, way too hard.

Risky Business Fail

Game night tonight. Come back for the Game Day Thread.

gametimelinks(at)gmail.com

Rangers News: Official Release on Christensen

Jim Schmiedeberg — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:55:56 -0000

More photos » by Jerry S. Mendoza - AP

Browse more photos »

Just to give you guys a little more insight on him, sounds like he is a decent face-off guy.

RANGERS CLAIM ERIK CHRISTENSEN OFF WAIVERS

New York, December 2, 2009 - New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has acquired forward Erik Christensen off waivers from the Anaheim Ducks.

Christensen, 25, has appeared in nine games with Anaheim this season. Last season, he skated in 64 games with Anaheim and the Atlanta Thrashers, registering seven goals and 21 assists for 28 points, along with 20 penalty minutes. His 21 assists marked a new career-high. He recorded five multi-point efforts on the season, including four two-assist performances. Christensen ranked second on Atlanta in faceoff percentage, posting a 54.6% (233-427) success rate, at the time of his trade to Anaheim on March 4. He also tallied two assists in eight playoff contests, collecting his first career post-season point in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinal matchup at San Jose on April 19.

A veteran of five NHL seasons, Christensen skated in his 200th NHL game on March 3, 2009 against Florida. He established career-highs in goals (18) and points (33) while skating with the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2006-07 season. Christensen tied for the NHL lead with eight shootout goals that season, converting at a 57.1% (8-14) success rate in the shootout. He also set a new career-high for points in a game with two, three-point efforts - January 16 against NY Islanders (two goals and one assist) and March 29 at Boston (two goals and one assist) - and posted a career-high, three-game goal-scoring streak from December 1 to December 5 (three goals).

More after the jump.......

The 6-1, 203-pounder has appeared in 226 career NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Atlanta Thrashers and Anaheim Ducks, registering 42 goals and 56 assists for 98 points, along with 112 penalty minutes. Christensen made his NHL debut on November 1, 2005 at New Jersey, and he notched his first NHL goal in his second game on November 3 against the NY Islanders. In addition, Christensen has recorded two assists and six penalty minutes in 12 career playoff contests with Pittsburgh and Anaheim.

Prior to turning professional, Christensen spent four seasons with the Kamloops Blazers and Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL), registering 133 goals and 153 assists for 286 points, along with 265 penalty minutes in 338 games. In 2002-03, he captured the Bob Clarke Trophy as the WHL's leading scorer with 108 points (54 goals and 54 assists) in 67 games with Kamloops. He also appeared in 29 WHL post-season contests with Kamloops and Brandon, tallying 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points, along with 28 penalty minutes.

The native of Edmonton, Alberta was originally selected as the Pittsburgh Penguins third round draft choice, 69th overall, in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

Here is a highlight video bmv401 found on You ~~Porn~~ Tube, thanks Scott!

Festerling A Duck, Mikkelson A Marlie, Christensen A Ranger

Arthur from Anaheim Calling — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:45:03 -0000

More photos » by Jason Redmond - AP

Hey Shane-y, he likes it!. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Browse more photos »

THE TELETYPE:

Anaheim is continuing to shake up their roster going into their mini road trip. The team has sent Brendan Mikkelson down to the Marlies and recalled Brett Festerling in his place. In other news, the Rangers claimed center Erik Christensen, freeing up a spot on the Ducks roster.

Rangers News: Stephen Valiquette Waived, Christensen claimed off waivers

Jim Schmiedeberg — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:29:08 -0000

More photos » by John Amis - AP

Browse more photos »

After some dismal performances, the changes have begun it looks like, and Stephen Valiquette is first on the chopping block.

From the NY Post:

The Rangers have placed backup goaltender Stephen Valiquette on waivers and have claimed seventh-year center Erik Christensen off waivers from Anaheim.

Teams have 24 hours to claim Valiquette, who has spent the past four seasons with the Rangers, but has struggled with a 3.74 GAA in six games this season.

Christensen appeared in nine games for the Ducks this season without recording a point, but will receive "an opportunity," as expressed by coach John Tortorella, as Brandon Dubinsky recovers from a broken hand.

The Rangers will call up 23-year-old goaltender Chad Johnson, whom the Rangers received from the Penguins this summer in exchange for a fifth-round pick. Johnson has played 18 games for Hartford (AHL) this season, compiling a 10-6-1 record with three shutouts, a 2.10 goals against average, and a .926 save percentage.

Tortorella also announced an unspecified injury to Donald Brashear.

Erik Christensen

#26 / Center / Anaheim Ducks

Height: 6-1

Weight: 205

Born: Dec 17, 1983

Sunday links -- Matt Cooke to be suspended? Gonchar and Pens at odds? Bill Guerin's effort too low?

Hooks Orpik — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:50:44 -0000

Check out 2:35 of the youtube. "It's f-in hat night", the new "it's the f-in Catalina wine mixer"? [Three Rivers Blog]

TSN insider Bob McKenzie says that the league may review Matt Cooke's hit on Artem Anisimov last night for possible suspension or fine. [Twitter account]

Empty Netters takes a hard line on Cooke and says he deserves suspended. Given that the hit was away from the play, targeted the head and the offender's last name is Cooke, I have to agree that discipline could and probably should be on the way. [Empty Netters]

The Confluence takes a look at the fine line Cooke walks, and occasionally crosses. [Kuklas Korner]

Stats and details on the Penguins success in the first 25 game segment of the season. [Tribune Review]

The same clown from Ottawa who said the Penguins were preparing to trade Evgeni Malkin (two weeks before they re-signed him) says that the Penguins and Sergei Gonchar aren't agreeing on extension figures. [Ottawa Sun]

I'm guessing the odds you see an article on Puck Prospectus this week about Sidney Crosby hurting the Penguins is pretty low. [Puck Prospectus]

Faceoff Factor calls out Bill Guerin's effort. I don't see it, Guerin's got six points (3g, 3a) in the last eight games, including that last second buzzer beater. 39 year old players don't play like they're 19 or 29, gotta save a little in the tank for the long haul. [Faceoff Factor]

Craig Rivet and Max Talbot frienemy Dan Carcillo had quite the series of fights. [Puck Daddy]

Crosby v. Ovechkin was the fourth biggest hockey story of the decade. JP asked on his site if it'd be higher or lower next decade. I'm going to push and say it'll be about the 4th biggest story next decade too. The three bigger stories? NHL player involvement in the 2014 Olympics, the next CBA negotiations and the Penguins dynastic 11 straight Stanley Cups. [Puck Daddy]

Former Penguins prospect Angelo Esposito tore the same ACL again. Hard not to feel bad for someone who's career has seemingly peaked at age 15 or 16. [Bird Watchers Anonymous]

As a little aside, who would have guessed that Pascal Dupuis would have the more goals so far this season than everyone involved in that trade....Combined. The scoreboard (with NHL goals in parenthesis) is Pascal Dupuis (7) to everyone else (5). Marian Hossa (2) Colby Armstrong (3), Erik Christensen (0), Esposito (0) and a first round pick that was Daultan Leveille (0). Now that Hossa is back, figured I had to use that stat now.

Chicago's cap crunch might make defenseman Cam Barker the odd man out. Hear that, Mr. Shero? [Faceoff.com]

Ducks Assign Sexton To Manitoba

Arthur from Anaheim Calling — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:54:02 -0000

THE TELETYPE:

Anaheim has reassigned prospect Dan Sexton from the team's ECHL affiliate in Bakersfield to the AHL's Manitoba Moose. Sexton was assigned to Bakersfield after he was denied playing time with the San Antonio Rampage. The 5'10" winger went on to lead the Condors in scoring this season with 13G and 13A. Ducks center Erik Christensen is currently on loan to the Moose, and prospects Brian Salcido and Matt McCue have been playing with the team since the beginning of the season.

This news comes just a week after Anaheim pulled its prospects from the San Antonio roster, reassigning them to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL and Bakersfield of the ECHL as it seems the team has finally found some stability in its minor league situation.

SB Nation - Erik Christensen

Rangers Analysis: When Dubinsky Returns.....

Rangers Recap: Detroit 3 Rangers 1

Rangers News: Christensen's first day, Heikkenen, Dubinsky skates

Rangers News: Can you play defense? Can you do it cheap? Call Glen.....

Thursday links: Staying up late to watch hockey edition

Rangers News: Official Release on Christensen

***Festerling A Duck, Mikkelson A Marlie, Christensen A Ranger***

Rangers News: Stephen Valiquette Waived, Christensen claimed off waivers

Erik Christensen

#26 / Center / Anaheim Ducks

Sunday links -- Matt Cooke to be suspended? Gonchar and Pens at odds? Bill Guerin's effort too low?

***Ducks Assign Sexton To Manitoba***

Festerling A Duck, Mikkelson A Marlie, Christensen A Ranger

Ducks Assign Sexton To Manitoba