Not sure if anyone has discussed this here yet or posted a link but THN are ranking each position in each conference and yesterday it was 13th, with the Rangers getting the nod in the East.

Here's the link

I'm ok with (constructive) criticism but it annoyed me because of the lazy journalism. It doesnt acknowledge the improvements the club has made, specifically addressing prior weaknesses. And now Gaborik has played a healthy season they simply doubt he cannot do it again. If he does play 75+ games again, next year, will they simply say he cannot do it three years in a row?, the year after that will they doubt he can do it 4 years in a row?!.... lazy journalism. Given the media credit elsewhere, i find it disappointing they dont acknowledge the promising youth coming through, merely stating Lundqvist is the sole reason the club is 'afloat'.  

What do you all think of the projection? I have this club alot closer to the 6th, 7th, 8th seeds than 13th, despite a stacked division.

Hey all

Not sure if anyone's interested but im big into my fantasy sports and its coming towards that time of year again when football (and then hockey and basketball) leagues take off.

I wanted to start a league that was full of Rangers fans (and hopefully Giants fans) and see whether its a go'er?

If we get enough interest here (10 teams, maybe 12) then i'll open a league based in yahoo, using the standard format as well as 6 bench spots and an IR spot. Happy to discuss format first though.

Once i gauge interest i'll post league details here if it happens. It would be a live draft.

Let me know what you all think,

thanks,

Chris/Jugs88/Jurgennehls (take your pick of the names! lol)

As per several twitter posts Aaron Voros, Donald Brashear and Patrick Rissmiller have all been waived by the Rangers. By all accounts this is prior to being bought out but surely in the case of Voros, the best thing to do is to demote him? That way he doesnt hurt the cap figure whatsoever so this seems odd to me.

Noteable other buy out candidates/waiver victims include Nilsson and Ethan Moreau of the Oilers.

Benoit Pouliot Anyone?

By all accounts the Canadiens are not qualifying the French Canadian, Pouliot.
Since being traded to the Habs from Minnesota the big power forward scored 17 goals and 28 points.
Now, those numbers aren't spectacular but if he does leave Montreal, on a cheap deal would Pouliot be worth a shot for the Rangers?
At 6'3 and 200lbs he addresses a need for size and 17 goals is more than most were able to contribute in NY last year. Personally i feel he'd be worth a shot on a 1 year, maybe 1.3m contract??? Especially given the weak free agency...

Considering they are a small team themselves and with Eller, the key piece from the Halak deal,a year away i'm surprised they havent qualified Pouliot.

In a good move for the Rangers - to remove Sather's temptation - the San Jose Sharks haev re-signed core centers Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski. Each player recieved 4 year deals and Marleau got 6.9m and Pavelski got 4m.
With these deals its easy to see why the club couldnt committ to goalie Evgeni Nabakov.

The signing of Marleau also makes a very week forward free agent class that much more weaker.
Buyers beware. 

Dustin Byfuglien is in the process of being traded to the Thrashers, pending a trade call.
Byfuglien, along with Brent Sopel, Ben Eager and Akim Aliu, will be headed to Atlanta in exchange for the 24th overall pick at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the 54th pick, Marty Reasoner and Jeremy Morin
Bit of a salary dump but a solid pick back and Morin will be a good player. Both teams win in this deal to an extent.

2 big moves that affect the Rangers  took place today.  

The Philadelphia Flyers have acquired Dan Hamhuis for Ryan Parent. If Hamhuis does not sign for the Flyers (here's hoping) Nashville also give Philly a 7th. I dont see how the Flyers can sign him unless big ticket forwards are in play, out of Philly. A bold move by GM Paul Holmgren and although Hamhuis is a good player im not sure he addresses Phillys needs (goaltending, goaltending, goaltending).

In another move, Nashville have sent Jason Arnott back to New Jersey for prospect Matt Hallischuk and a 2nd round pick. Quite a price for a 36 year old but Arnott is durable, big, familar with New Jersey and did i mention big? Personally i dont like this from a Rangers perspective. Jersey just got tougher, deeper and simply better. Does this mean the Devils have given up bringing back Kovalchuk? You have to think so as no cap was moved to Nashville in the deal thus meaning Jersey simply took on $$$. It also tells me Jersey are going for it next year. Arnott doesnt represent the future and they give up a good pick (the 2nd is 2011) and Hallischuk was a good prospect who won WJC gold with Canada.

With Philly and Jersey active it will be interesting to see if the Rangers follow suit. The Atlantic just got harder.

I wrote this on Blueseatblogs yesterday so thought i'd continue to share my thoughts here too....

The Rangers problems on the blue line at NHL level have been much publicized and most people are of the assumption the problem will be addressed externally. However with Dennis Seidenberg’s recent deal setting the bar at an uncomfortably high level and with Glen Sather’s comments about giving those from within a chance, maybe the prospects can make New York…

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I posted this at Blueseatblogs earlier this week, so thought we'd put it up here too.

The Rangers have several highly touted prospects that come with reputation and expectancy. Whether they all make it remains to be seen (we’re looking at you Bobby Sanguinetti…)

What the Rangers can do with – like any other team – are a few unheralded players to make the grade and provide good draft value. Ryan Callahan has quickly emerged as a fan favourite, a two-way threat and a leader all by the age of 25. It’s very easy to forget that Cally was an unheralded 4th round pick who wasn’t necessarily expected to make the impact he has. Callahan may be the very definition of ‘value draft pick’. So who’s next? Here’s a few options currently in the system that I think could help The Rangers.

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We posted this over at Blueseatblogs so thought i'd share my thoughts on Stepan here too.

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