Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to let you know that Blueshirt Underground Radio is hosting a Game 4 Viewing Party this Saturday for Game 4 at Slattery's Midtown Pub in New York City. Slattery's is a great bar, we had our viewing party back in December there, and they were thrilled to hear we wanted to return. We will occupy the entire top floor of the bar like we did last time, and they take care of us very well there.

I'll be flying in Thursday night to help Eddie with the hosting duties, it's going to be a great time. Slattery's is located on 36th St between Madison and 5th Avenues, just a short walk from Madison Square Garden, and close to the subways.

Kevin Power is expected to attend, and TMZ has been floating a story out there that Joe Fortunato may be in attendance as well.

Hope to see as many of you there as possible, it's going to be a fun day. Also, don't forget to follow me on Twitter @BSURadioJim, and Eddie @RangerCrisis. Also, you join our Facebook group, just search for Blueshirt Underground Radio.

Jim

No surprises here, Henrik Lundqvist was officially named a finalist for the Vezina trophy, along with Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings, and Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators.

Here's the official release from the NHL Media site:

Lundqvist, Quick and Rinne Named Vezina Trophy Finalists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / APRIL 25, 2012

LUNDQVIST, QUICK AND RINNE NAMED VEZINA TROPHY FINALISTS

NEW YORK (April 25, 2012) -- Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers, Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings and Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators are the three finalists for the 2011-12 Vezina Trophy, which is awarded "to the goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at his position," the National Hockey League announced today.

The general managers of the 30 NHL clubs submitted ballots for the Vezina Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists. The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 20, during the 2012 NHL Awards from Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas. The 2012 NHL Awards will be broadcast by NBC Sports Network in the United States and CBC in Canada.

Following are the finalists for the Vezina Trophy, in alphabetical order:

Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers

Lundqvist was the anchor of a Rangers club that posted its best regular-season record since the Stanley Cup season of 1993-94 and captured first place in the Eastern Conference. He went 39-18-5 in 62 appearances, setting a career high in wins and becoming the first goaltender in NHL history with 30-plus wins in each of his first seven seasons. He placed near the top in all major goaltending categories: third in wins, tied for third in shutouts (eight), fourth in goals-against average (1.97) and fourth in save percentage (.930). Lundqvist is in quest of his first Vezina Trophy win, following third-place finishes from 2006 through 2008.

Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings

Quick was exceptional in backstopping a Kings team that ranked 29th overall in offense to a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Coming off a franchise-record, 39-win season in 2010-11, the first-time NHL Trophy finalist posted a 35-21-13 record to become the first Los Angeles goaltender to post 30 wins in three consecutive seasons. Quick led all NHL goaltenders with a franchise-record 10 shutouts and also ranked among League leaders in goals-against average (second, 1.95), save percentage (fifth, .929) and victories (T-fifth, 35). He allowed one goal or shut out the opposition in 27 games and surrendered two goals or fewer 46 times.

More after the jump...

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Hi Everyone,

Wednesday night on Blueshirt Underground Radio, we are going to do a preview of the Rangers-Sens series, and we would love for you guys to join us in the live chat and maybe call in and give us your take on the series. It's a fun, pretty laid back show full of lunatics, crackpots and wackjobs, but we do have a good time.

The show is live at 9 PM EST Wednesday night on Blog Talk Radio, this is the show page:

Blueshirt Underground Radio

For those of you unfamiliar with Blog Talk, like I said there is a live chat right on the show page during the broadcast, you just need to register with Blog Talk Radio to participate.

We can all goof on "Hi, I'm Matt Gilroy" together.

Hope you will join us.

Jim

I just wanted to invite everyone to come join us for Blueshirt Underground Radio live at 8:30 PM. We'll be talking about the last week in Ranger hockey, Brad Richard's big night, Mats Zuccarello, and everything else that is going on with the Rangers. There is a live chat right on the show page, you just need to register with Blog Talk Radio (for free) to join in the chat.

Hope you guys can join us.

Jim

Those of you around here for awhile know that I give absolutely zero publicity to that website, especially since one of their "featured" reporters ripped off one of my stories word for word a few years ago, but today this made me laugh.

I get a Google News update every day on stories hitting the net based on the Rangers. This was included in today's list, all from that site.

Also note: I do know someone who writes on that site, and he's a good guy. I'm just constantly trying to convince him to write somewhere else. Anyway, here is the list of the stories in my update:

"Why the Rangers Must Trade For Rick Nash"

"Why the Rangers Must Trade for Ryan Smyth"

"Why the Rangers Should Trade for Steve Ott" (apparently not felt as strongly as the "must" articles)

"Why trading for Rick Nash makes no sense for the Rangers"

"How the Rangers Can Win Without Rick Nash" (this one must have been hard to write, considering they've only won 38 without him already)

"New York Rangers Players Want Rick Nash"

Oh how I love that site.

Author's note: This story is either completely true, or 100% fabrication. Either way, don't use it as another debate over Rick Nash, you guys have all made your case for or against. Enjoy.

The trade rumors swirling around Rick Nash and his possible destinations aren't going to cool down after this morning's latest developments.

According to numerous Twitter reports, and this guy Mike who knows a guy who once drove through Columbus wearing a blue jacket, Nash was spotted at Sammy's New York Style Deli in Columbus this morning, ordering not only a bagel, but a New York Style "egg cream", which is neither egg nor cream, but we'll get to that another time.

Now while this may not seem to be a lot to go on, Nash was also spotted looking at a map of Manhattan on the wall, and may or may not have actually pointed at something on the map, we're just not sure. It could have been a smudge, Rick is known to be a bit of a neat freak.

There were also rumors that Nash smiled ever so slightly while looking at the map, but it's been suggested that may just be because Sammy's has pretty good bagels.

However, we are also getting word that an Itunes user by the name of "ColumbusIsHell" just downloaded Billy Joel's "New York State of Mind" to his Ipod, but privacy laws prohibit Apple from providing the person's real name.

Keep it here for all the latest, like if Nash goes to lunch and has pizza or sushi.

According to reports, Erik Christensen has been traded along with a 7th round pick to the Minnesota Wild for Casey Wellman

Wellman's NHL page.

Here's a story Hockey Wilderness did on Wellman in December.

More later, just wanted to get the news up for you.

Continue reading this post »

Hi guys,

Just wanted to invite you to join me tonight as I am stepping out of the hockey sweater and throwing an online Giants party tonight on Blog Talk Radio. Jim's G-Men Jubilee starts at 10 PM, we'll be talking Giants, taking calls, breaking down the big game, and making predictions. There is a live chat that goes on throughout the show, you just need to register with Blog Talk Radio (it's free) to participate in the chat.

So if you're by the computer tonight, grab your favorite adult beverage and tune in. Should be a fun show, and many of the people who listen to Blueshirt Underground Radio (my Rangers show) are Giants fans and will be there, and I have to tell you, many of them are certifiably insane.

Click here to find the show page, and the chat room will be open about 15 minutes before we go on the air.

Hope to see you tonight.

Jim

Hi guys,

Join us at 8 PM for Blueshirt Underground Radio, live uncensored New York Rangers talk on Blog Talk Radio. We'll be talking to Nick Perri from SNY, he'll have all the latest on what's going on with the Connecticut Whale, as well as the New York Rangers prospects.

The show starts at 8, and we have a live interactive chat that goes on throughout the show. So click the link above, and join us for some Ranger talk unlike anything you've ever heard.

I was thinking this morning about how many times the Giants seem to have blown out opponents at home in the playoffs, so I ran the numbers, and they are pretty staggering. Even when you consider the 23-0 loss in 2005 to Carolina, they are still very impressive. Please note that these numbers are just since moving to the Meadowlands.

Giants home record in the playoffs since moving to NJ: 8-4

Points Scored: Giants 262 Opponents 119

Average Final Score: Giants 21.8 Opponents 9.9

Number of times the Giants have held their opponents to 3 points or less in those games: 5

This is why I was rooting pretty hard for Detroit this weekend.

A few thoughts and stories from Sundays game from someone who was there:

I live in the Phoenix area, and have been an on and off resident here for 14 years. I've now attended seven Giants-Cardinal games in Arizona, and at every one of them, my friends and I have been asked, "If you live here, why don't you support the home team?", and I explain it like this:

My father was a Giants fan, his father was a Giants fan, and my children are Giants fans. I wouldn't know two of my best friends if not for the Giants (I met them in a bar years ago where we gathered to watch them). You just don't turn all of that off because your address changes. Being a Giants fan is like being in the mafia: once you are in, there is no getting out. And so it goes this thing of ours.

• David Diehl, Victor Cruz and Steve Weatherford all commented on Twitter last night about how many Giants fans there were at the game yesterday. The Giants may not "travel" as well as the Steelers and Packers, but I think they are close. The stadium was not full, and I would say the ratio was 70/30 Cardinals to Giants fans, which isn't bad at all. We met Giants fans yesterday who had traveled not just from NY/NJ, but from California, Las Vegas, and even Florida to see this game.
• With about six minutes to go, and the Giants on the ropes, they played this silly song on the PA at University of Phoenix Stadium, "This is our house"; all these Cardinal fans were singing it, taunting the Giants fans. As the Giants lined up in "victory formation" five minutes later, I started the chant "This is OUR house" as the Cardinal fans streamed for the exits. Two of the best Giant victories I've ever seen have taken place in that stadium. Our house, indeed.
• Since I'm a transplant, I usually wind up seeing my teams on the road, and as I get older I've learned to shut my mouth until the game is over. I usually sit pretty quietly; I let the home team fans have their fun. There is nothing a fan can say to me that I haven't heard before, so I just take it all in. I've been jumped, cursed at, spit at, and had more things thrown at me than you can imagine. You can taunt me all you want in the third quarter, but you better believe I'm giving it back when the game is actually over, and I did.
• I got to meet Jerry Reese Saturday night, and got a picture. Very nice guy and it's starting to look more and more like he really knows what he is doing, huh?
• The Cowboys, Eagles, and Jets all lose, and the Giants have a thrilling comeback win against the Cardinals. If the question is "What happens on a perfect football Sunday", the answer is "D. All of the Above."
• One more thing: Does Gary Myers in the Daily News want to tell me again how this is a "Jets town"?

I live here in the Valley, and last night we procured our tickets for Sunday's game ($25 each on Stub Hub). If any of you are going to the game, and will be in town Saturday, shoot me an email at jrs1940@gmail.com. We'll be hanging out at Westgate in Glendale (It's right next to the stadium) Saturday night, player and girl watching, would love to meet up with any BBV-ers who will be at the game.

FYI:

Giants road record with me in attendance: 5-3 lifetime

Last time I saw them: Last year's blowout win in Houston

Giants record on the road with Eli at QB and me in attendance: 2-0

Hope to see you guys over the weekend.

Jim

Thanks to my friend Joe C for sending this:

I love that old logo.....

I swear I don't know how I get myself into these things.

I use a program on my phone called Tweetcaster for Twittering. When you haven't looked at your tweets in a while, it consolidates them in a stream, and puts a banner on your phone that says "Detect Gap". You can then touch the banner, and it will fill in the missing tweets.

I tweeted this morning "When Tweetcaster gives the "Detect Gap" banner in your stream it should just show a picture of @michaelstrahan" ......seeing as how he is known for the gap, and poked fun at himself for it in commercials, I thought it was funny.

An hour later, I get a Direct Message from none other than Michael Strahan. He says "And you wonder why no one listens to your show and wonders who you are. Maybe if you were actually funny, it would help"

Now I can't DM him back, he doesn't follow me of course, so I tweet "I just got a DM from @michaelstrahan, I am both honored and disappointed. Say what you want about our radio show Mike, but I guarantee you it gets better ratings than "Brothers" (Strahan's horrible sitcom)

So he replies "I wasn't nasty, I just said if you were funny more than 3 people would listen to your show (referring to Blueshirt Underground Radio, my radio show about the Rangers)."

To which I replied "Actually more than 3 people do listen to my show, and many people do find me funny. I just figured that you would find humor in something that you are known for and something you've had fun with in the past in commercials"

And then I added "Maybe if you were that funny more than three people would have watched "Brothers"

Then he sent me another DM, saying "Dude me arguing with you is like a lion paying attention to a fly in its back!" Shoo fly! U follow me for a reason! Who are you, LMAO!"

Why Michael Strahan is so worried about what I say about him on Twitter is beyond me. I find the whole thing comical. Strahan has a half million followers, and he's worried about me. He even blocked my wife, which is even funnier. After all these years, who knew he was so sensitive about the gap?

Tonight at 8:30 PM, Blueshirt Underground Radio will be on the air live talking New York Rangers hockey. Blueshirt Underground Radio is the one true voice of the Rangers fan, and the only place where you can call in live and voice your opinion about the team we love.

Blueshirt Underground Radio is the only featured weekly hockey program on Blog Talk Radio, and its a great mix of Rangers talk, comedy, and insanity. There is even a live chat throughout the show, you just need to register with Blog Talk Radio to participate.

Tonight we'll be talking about Sean Avery, the dawning of the Brendan Bell Era, the MSG renovations, and whatever else comes to mind. Join us tonight at 8:30.

Look at me, bloggin!

The pipe dream of seeing Stamkos in a Ranger jersey can now officially be tabled, at least for now. Stamkos has agreed to a 5 year deal to remain in Tampa, reports are the deal is worth $37.5M.

From the Tampa Tribune:

"I am excited we were able to reach an agreement today," Stamkos said. "This was obviously very important to me and I appreciate Mr. Vinik and Steve Yzerman for all their work in the transformation of the franchise as we move forward.  There is no place I'd rather be than as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning."

He forgot to say "It wasn't about the money."

For more on the deal, go see our pals at Raw Charge, the second best hockey site on SBNation.

Anyhow, busy NHL day, have at it.

Our neighbors to the west have a new head coach, as the New Jersey Devils have announced that former Panthers coach Pete DeBoer has been hired to replace the retired (again, and again, and I think again) Jacques Lemaire.

DeBoer was the coach of the Florida Panthers before being fired in April after missing the playoffs a third straight season.

Of course, this is the type of stuff you often hear after a coach is fired, but this from a Miami Herald article in April:

The Panthers are definitely moving on. A number of players spoke of a new start being needed as DeBoer’s style wore on them. One veteran player said it would be good for a fresh start as players were "afraid to make mistakes," under DeBoer.

Tonight is the debut of Blueshirt Underground Radio, talking New York Ranger hockey. We'll recap the crazy day in free agency, talk about the Mike Rupp signing, and if history is any guide, Brad Richards will become a Ranger during the show (happened with Gaborik). We hope you guys can join us for the big first night in The Blueshirt Underground.

We'll be taking your calls, and don't forget there is a live chat throughout the show.

See you all tonight.

So much for retirement.

Andrew Gross has the latest from prospect scrimmage. White won again, 5-1

First-rounder J.T. Miller showed off some of his two-way skills early in the second half, coming back to the crease to knock away a loose puck, collect it behind the net, then skating up ice and distributing it nicely through the neutral zone before heading to the bench. Goalie Jared Coreau, playing for Blue in the second half, allowed three goals but showed his feisty side when, after covering up the puck, he punched at Andrew Yogan’s leg with his stick when he felt he was being crowded.

And from Jesse Spector at The Blueshirts Blog:

Christian Thomas scored for the third straight scrimmage at the Rangers’ prospect development camp, as today’s contest also featured goals by Tommy Grant, Jonathan Audy-Marchessault, Carl Hagelin, Samuel Noreau and Taylor MacDougall.
 
Hagelin’s goal was a redirection of a sizzling slap shot by 2011 fifth-round pick Shane McColgan, as the two seemed to have some chemistry in what was mostly a four-on-four affair. Hagelin’s vision on the ice and ability to get himself in the right position have distinguished the 22-year-old Swede from the University of Michigan this week.

It was a 5-1 win for the White Team today, which has won all three scrimmages, albeit with different rosters each day. Guess the Rangers just do better in white at all levels.

In other news:

• The Rangers will play an exhibition game against EV Zug on October 3 in Zug, Switzerland. "EV Zug", I don't like the way that sounds at all.
• Also, the Rangers resigned John Mitchell, who if I remember correctly was the big splash addition at the trade deadline.
• Keep reading everywhere that Buffalo's new owner is really looking to make a splash tomorrow, and Brad Richards is the way to do it. I would recommend keeping a "Plan B" in mind, Glen.
  

Thanks for all the kind words today fellas, it is much appreciated.

Ok, back to fishing......

These are the last words I have to say
That's why this took so long to write
There will be other words some other day
But that's the story of my life

Billy Joel "Famous Last Words"

As you may or may not have noticed, since the Rangers season came to an end, I've been fading to the background here, and letting Joe ease into the job of running Blueshirt Banter full time. Now the time has come for me to make it official, this will be my last day as Managing Editor of this website.

It has been an extreme pleasure getting to know all of you that have helped make this website what it set out to be, and what it has become: the single best place on the internet to talk about the Rangers, and express your opinions with intelligence, humor, and passion. I've learned far more from you in the two-plus years of this site's existence than you've learned from me, and it has been my honor to be associated with you. We've rarely all shared the same opinion, but I'd like to think we've always respected each other at the end of the day, and been able to weed out those that didn't. This site isn't for everyone, no site is, but I do think that together we made it work, and work well.

I've come to realize the last two years that my passion is not for writing anymore, but for doing radio. It's an outlet for my limited creativity, I love doing it, and will continue along with Eddie to do a weekly Rangers radio broadcast, albeit under a different name.

I have a long list of thank you's, so I sincerely hope you guys will bear with me.

There are so many of you who have made Blueshirt Banter your daily home, and I don't want to risk leaving anyone out, but know that each and every one of you have my undying gratitude.

Please join me after the jump for the "Long Goodbye"

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We've got a big night ahead of us tonight on Blueshirt Banter Radio. We will talk about the Drury buyout, Matt Gilroy, and take a look ahead to Friday, which for those of you on the internet for the first time in your life may not know is the first day of NHL Free Agency, the day Glen Sather dreams about the rest of the year.

Plus, we have some audio from the 2011 NHL Draft that we didn't get a chance to play on our Draft recap show.

We will take your calls, and don't forget the great live chat that goes on throughout the broadcast. Join us tonight at 8:30 for the one and only Blueshirt Banter Radio, the one true voice of the New York Rangers fan, and the only featured weekly hockey program on Blog Talk Radio.

A very busy two days for the New York Rangers, and Blueshirt Banter Radio is coming your way tonight at 9:00 PM to talk about it. We'll be joined by the guru of prospects, Jess Rubenstein of The Prospect Park. Jess is a frequent guest of the program, and is one of the esteemed members of the Blueshirt Banter Radio Triad of Prospect Knowledge.

We'll get Jess's breakdown on all the Rangers picks, what he liked and didn't like about the Rangers draft, and we'll also talk about the teams that did and didn't do well in Minneapolis.

Plus, Glen Sather's annual trip down the mountain to speak to the commoners, and what he had to say about Chris Drury, the Rangers free agents, and Evgeny Grachev.

It's going to be a busy night, hope you can join us!

The New York Rangers selected J.T. Miller  with their first round pick in the 2011 NHL Draft.

Here is a brief profile on Miller from College Hockey Blog:

JT Miller has been one of the NTDP’s most dependable players this year, putting up 15 goals and 50 points in 56 games. A lot of his point totals may be inflated by getting to play with the more dynamic Rocco Grimaldi, but at the most recent U-18 worlds it was Miller who led the United States, who won gold, in scoring.

Miller’s offensive game isn’t very refined. He prefers a north-south power game vs. the shiftier moves that Grimaldi prefers. He doesn’t have the best hands, though he is an adequate stick handler and has games where he is much better than others. He also doesn’t finish terribly well. Ideally I think his best offensive spot at North Dakota next year will be planting himself in front of the net and causing problems, like he did when the NTDP played at UND this past winter.

Join us in the open thread to discuss the Rangers pick.

Draft Day is upon us, the New York Rangers will step up to the podium later on this evening with the 15th pick in their hand. Armia? Biggs? Someone you've never heard of? One things for sure: When it comes to the Rangers, nothing is certain.

Here is your open thread to use during the Draft. Let's make sure every pick in the first round gets posted here in the thread, for anyone following along on a phone.

We'll have a Day Two thread tomorrow morning, and then tomorrow at 7 PM EST, a Draft Recap edition of Blueshirt Banter Radio, Jess Rubenstein from The Prospect Park will join us to talk about all the Rangers picks, and all things draft.

Have at it kids. I'll be in here with you as soon as I get home from work. Coverage is on Versus, or for those of you in Canada, TSN.