Last night the Rangers lost another one goal game.  In the game only three players didn't have a shot on goal. Brandon Prust,Mike Sauer and Brandon Dubinsky.  Of those three names which one doesn't belong. If you said Dubinsky you are the winner.  The team has gone into a tail spin over the last month and a half. Every player has been called out. Whether it has been Gaborik,Prospal, and even MZA.  However since his return to the lineup Dubinsky has only two goals but in ranger losses.  Dubi also a minus 3 since his return.  I understand he plays the PK and is on the ice a lot however  he is there go to guy right now.  He's the guy that is going to be commanding over 4 million dollars this off season.  I would never question Dubi's effort , heart or willingness to give everything he's got for the rangers however we need more from a player that has been held on to in many trades for elite players the rangers haven't made. Dubi does have 19 goals however 4 goals are empty netters.  

I love the Rangers young talent.  They have heart and are always willing to sacrifice there body for the team.  However heart can only take you so far.  At some point the Rangers need to figure out the ceiling of some of there young players before the rest of the NHL does.  This summer will be and important time for Glen Sather.  He's need to make sure that the RFA contracts he gives to some of these young guys is not based on heart and the fact they are home grown Rangers.  Plain and simple it should be based on the entire package.  To many times the rangers and ranger fans over value there home grown players.  I couldn't tell you what the RFA's will get nor do I want to guess.  Just hope Glen is cautious.

In my opinion to win in the NHL you need to have at least two Elite skaters.  When Gaborik is healthy and on he is one. Where is Gabby's compliment?  Who else scares you on the Rangers? If your an opposing team your going to key on Gaborik. That's why he has no room and has not put up the production he put up last year.  

In closing Dubi with Gabby out has to elevate his game.  We need more.  I understand he was hurt and he may still be hurt however its the same story every season with Dubi gets out of the gate on fire but fizzles out at the end of the season.  If this team has any chance of winning Dubi has to be the man.  If not its going to be a long summer!! Again!!

     The Rangers preseason started off well last night.  The Back-up goalie played well, the new Free agents played well, and even all of the kids played well.  However some things or some people just don't change. Michel Rosival is done. He has nothing left.  Iam a Ranger season ticket holder since 2003.  So I have seen him from the beginning when they brought him in off a injury plagued career with the Penguins at 770,000 dollars a season.  He played well enough with his buddies Jagr and Straka to earn another contract where he doubled his salary on a two year deal.  However injuries have slowed him down again, age is slowly creeping into him already slow game and his boys are no longer here.  The off season that the rangers decided to bring him back was probably the worst off season in the history of the franchise.  Rosival helped headline an off season that will haunt the Rangers for at least another 4 seasons.  Rangers complain about Wade Redden and they are 100% right in doing so.  Redden is brutal. He's slow, Predictable and overpaid.  However Redden has done two things that Rosival hasn't done.  Played in an All Star game and a Stanley Cup Final. 

     Last night as I sat in my seats in section 421. I watched a pretty fun preseason hockey game.  Guys fighting for there jobs.  However Rosy seemed to just play they way he always does.  He coughed up the puck twice, one time leading to a plenty, passing up chances to shoot and when he does shoot it either misses the net or it gets blocked.  He was by far the the worst player on the ice.  Also what does it stay when you are the longest tenured skater on the team and your not wearing a "A" in a preseason game. 

     I know its only the first preseason game however when you are playing for a job.  When you are suppose to be a veteran leader in this team and when your making the money you are making shouldn't you play with   a little more heart.  A little more emotion.  I really hope Trots lives up to his word.  If both of these guys are brutal in preseason/ training camp they both should be in Hartford.  No questions asked!!

 I thought everyone would enjoy this.  The article is from the Hartford Courant. By Jeff Jacobs. The links below:

http://www.courant.com/sports/hockey/hc-baldwin-wolf-pack-0920-20100920-5,0,4627592.story

Wolf Pack's Name Changing To Whale

Announcement Expected Today

By Jeff Jacobs

Howard Baldwin has finally gotten his wish. A deal allowing Baldwin and Whalers Sports & Entertainment to assume control of the business operations of Hartford's American Hockey League franchise was reached Sunday, according to sources close to the negotiations.

The name of the team will be changed from the Hartford Wolf Pack, but not to the Connecticut Whalers as many had expected. The New York Rangers' top affiliate will be known as the Connecticut Whale.

"Based on internal discussions and significant feedback from both Whalers fans and Wolf Pack fans, we've chosen a name that touches on our past but also signifies this new era in Hartford hockey," one source close to Baldwin said. "Fans have always referred to the Hartford Whalers as the 'The Whale,' so it's a very familiar name."

A formal announcement that comes after months of negotiations involving AEG, Madison Square Garden and Baldwin's group will be made today at 5 p.m. at the XL Center Atrium. Fans are invited to attend.

As part of his quest to bring the NHL back to Hartford, Baldwin, one of the original owners of the Whalers, has said he wants to rebuild hockey interest in the market through increased support of the AHL team and with a 10-day Hockey Fest at Rentschler Field in February. The Rangers will continue to control the hockey operations.

The team will open the 2010-11 season as the Wolf Pack; the name change is expected to take place at some point before midseason. The name, a new logo and uniforms are expected to be in place by Feb. 19, when the Whale face the Providence Bruins. That previously scheduled game is expected to be moved outside to Rentschler Field played before an exhibition between a team of Hollywood celebrities — centered around the movie "Mystery, Alaska" — and former NHL All-Stars in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the NHL All-Star Game played in Hartford.

There has been some speculation the name change would occur during Thanksgiving weekend, but there are logo and uniform issues that need to be worked out. The changes are expected at some point between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The new logo, according to a source, will not be unveiled today.

I know alot of guys want to go young and let our young guys play. I agree. I don't want a 35 year old over hill guy to come in and take the place a good young player.  That being said I was looking at BradRichards(.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brad_Richards)  I was saying last year that they should have gotten him but people were saying two years at a 7.8 per year cap hit was to much to swallow.  

Ok it's a year later and I'm going to start up again.  He's in the last year of his contract and the rangers have no number one center.  His young at 30 and he's a playmaker that this team needs in the worst way.  If he was on the Rangers last year he would have lead the team in scoring.  I'm not sure what the trade would be but it would have to start with Rosival just because of the money.  

I think its worth taking a look at just cause guys on there walk year usually play well plus the Trots factor always helps.  Who knows if he plays well maybe he comes back the next year for 5 million instead of 7.8 million. Its worth a shot. What does everyone think?

Hey guys and gals.  I saw this link on the Sather open thread posted by halak-the-best.  I had it translated and this was what the link said: http://www.hockey30.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=1175:plekanec-à-new-york?

Plekanec in New York?

Tuesday, June 8, 2010
By HOCKEY30.com
Pierre Gauthier and the Montreal Canadiens will be wary of the New York Rangers.

According to our sources the New York Post, the priority for the team this summer will find a number one center to play alongside Marian Gaborik.

Many rumors circulating in the corridors of New York say that the Rangers plan to offer the moon to Tomas Plekanec. They are even willing to send Wade Redden in the minors so that his annual salary of $ 6.5 million is not recorded on the payroll of the team.

These rumors appear to have merit, knowing the buy side and obsessive training in New York.

Pierre Gauthier is better to be proactive in this case because Glen Sather ensures grain.

The Chief Ranger may have many faults, but when he wants something, he usually ends up having …

Stay tuned …

I have to be honest I know nothing about this website or the articles merit.  Just thought it would be something everyone might be interested in.  Thanks to halak-the--best for the link

Glen Sather as we all know has done a horrible job with this Rangers team.  He biggest problem is he loves reclamations projects.  None of which have paned out going back even before the lock out.  To be fair just looking at post lockout.  Michel Rosival was signed to a one year 700,000 dollar contract and for that type of money it was a steal at the time.  He played great that year and even the year after.  Can u all remember how nervous we all were when we thought he wasnt going to be able to play in the Buffalo series for a game or two. Then he got that hip problem and he has been brutal ever since. However that is really it as far as reclamation projects that have paned out.  Just think of some of the players that have been through here starting from: 2005-2006 season:

2005-06 Marcel Hossa,Fedor Fedorov,Jason Ward ,Jeff Taffe(all high draft pick guys). 

2006-07 Brad Isbister and Adam Hall

2007-08 Christan Backman 

2008-09 Nikolai Zherdev,Markus Naslund,Dmitri Kalinin,Dan Fritsche,Erik Reitz, Patrick Rissmiller and Derek Morris and the biggest mistake of all WADE REDDEN!!

2009-10 Ales Kotalik,Chris Higgins,Enver Lisin, and Erik Christensen

Sather problem as a GM is he thinks he smarter then everyone else.  Like I said before not something I'm sure you guys don't already know.  Instead of wasting money on guys you think will score 20-30 goals save that money and wait for someone you know will score 20-30 goals.  Listen I'm not going to sit here and say I knew Kotalik and Higgins won't score here.  That being said there are very few players that come in to NYC struggling or coming off a down season.  That turn it around with the Rangers.  

Whats killed this team the last three years is cap flexiblity.  The Rangers two best seasons playoff depth wise were 06-07 and 07-08.  Look how many reclamation projects they brought in those two seasons.

All of us wanted Chris Drury!! He's on us!! Everyone else is on Sather.  He has been Houdini getting out of his mistakes without having to surrender picks or salary cap space in a buyout.  I just don't know if Sather can keep turning these rec projects into white rabbits anymore and  if not how long until the league has finally firgured out his tricks if they haven't already.

Whats going on guys.  What happened to Mathieu Dandenault?  Is he still playing in Hartford?  How is he doing?  I really thought they were going to give him a shoot.  To me he is a better fit on the team them Voros.  He can play right wing or defense.  I saw he played 16 games in Hartford but I checked last week and did said he played 16 games.  Was he released or just a healthy scracth.  

Heading into the season I was in the minority about whether this team needed a number 1 center.  Although we are only 15 games in it seems like the offense is struggling again like in did most of last year.  At least over the last 5 games.  That two biggest disappointments so far have to be Dubi and Cally.  No questions there heart and there willingness to take a hit to make a play.  I question how good these to guys really are.  Are they top six forwards on other teams?  Is there to much expected of a two and a three year player?  I could sit here and pass blame on Higgins and without out a doubt Chris " the invisble man" Drury but they have no trade value and even if a team wanted either what head case would we get back.  A other Robitallie for Stevens trade.  How did that one work out?  Dubi and Cally have value right now. I'm not saying to trade them for aging vets or for draft picks or even trade them at all.  I just think they should explore all avenues.  Again this not a question of heart.  This is about can we win a cup with these two guys as top six forwards.  Trade value is a funny thing. Look at Petr Prucha and Manny Malthora. Enough said I think.

Steve Zipay from Newsday reporting on his Twitter page that the Rangers have expressed interest in Mats Sundin.  Zipay is pretty good at getting info from the Rangers since the paper is owned by Cablevison.  However it doesn't make sense unless the Rangers are really having a problem signing Dubi.  The other thought I had was maybe they will have to trade to Dubi just to get Rosy or Redden's contract off the cap.  Or J.P. Barry Sundin's agent is playing games to just drive the price up for his client.  I wish Dubi would sign and we can put Richards,Sundin and every other over paid and over hill player behind us.  I still want them to sign Bouillion as depth but lets get Dubi in and get this season going!!

Here is Steve Zipays twitter post:  stevezipayRetire or Replay? Word is Mats Sundin---to be married in days---has teams, including Canucks and ex-bridesmaid NYR, asking about 09-10.

The Insider on Pittsburgh Sports

Yesterday Insidepittsburghsports.com reported again that the Rangers and Dallas are talking trade.  They state that the only thing that has been agreed upon is Brandon Dubinsky. The Stars do not want to take on Rosy's contract(how could blame them) but do want to move Richards.  It all states the Rangers are kicking the tires on Bertuzzi(For Pauly D) and Vinny Prospal(No thank you).

I have a feeling Richards is going to be a Ranger before the season is over.  These rumors won't go away and the fact that Dubi has not signed is a huge red flag. I guess only time will tell.

According RDS.ca(http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rds.ca%2Fhockey%2Fchroniques%2F280160.html&sl=fr&tl=en&history_state0=).

Nik Zherdev has signed to play in the KHL.  Thats it Nicky follow the money. I would play in the NHL for free and these guys would rather play in a Mickey Mouse league in Russia.  A league that help kill a 19 year old kid.  A complete disgrace.  At first I was pissed when the Rangers let him go but after seeing its all about money and not the love of the game thank god he's gone. 

Hockey 30.com

I came across this article. Its in French so I'm not sure if it is saying the Rangers are Interested in Francis Bouillion or they have signed him or they are close to signing him?  They only thing I know about Bouillion is he is small 5'8 but is tough as nails.  What do you guys think about this guy?

Lets go NY Rangers!!

[Note by Jim Schmiedeberg, 08/10/09 3:16 PM EDT  Here's the translation:

According to several rumors from New York, New York Rangers would be on the verge of hiring former Canadian champion Francis Bouillon.

The contract is for one season at a salary of 1.2 million.

The Rangers need an experienced defender and Bouillon could represent a good alternative at a reasonable price.

The defenseman scored 5 goals and 4 assists amassed in 54 games in 2009-2010.

If this goes down, we'll have it for you

Yesterday Drury spoke to the media at the rangers practice rink. He spoke about all the news additions. Also about Trots' training camp. Plus they asked him about how his broken hand was doing. Even Paul Mara was brought up briefly. All and all a really good interview. It seems like he is very excited about the season starting soon. Really what true Rangers is not excited and hockey starved by this point in the summer. Here the video link

Chris Drury speaks about the upcoming season

[Note by Jim Schmiedeberg, 08/06/09 10:18 AM EDT I tried to embed the video, but for whatever reason I couldn't get it to work, thanks roc for bringing this to us]

Enjoy!! Lets Go Rangers!!

Note from Jim:  Roc1193 is a new member of our site (and we welcome him to the Banter!) who put this up as a Fan Post, and since this is still a hot topic, I figured I would move it to the main page.The Heatley rumors sparked up again yesterday, but as near as I can tell it was nothing more than a bored hockey blogger (Whose name may or may not rhyme with "Teklund") trying to stir the pot.

Just a couple of notes on this particular story: I love how this guy at Sports Talk Buzz takes credit for "first reporting" not only the Dany Heatley to the Rangers story, but also that the Rangers are going to walk away from Nik Zherdev.

Well hell's bells fellas, we might as well shut down the whole darn hockey blogosphere, because apparently this guy is breaking all the news, all the time.

Anyway, submitted for your approval, here it is.

From Sports Talk Buzz

The Dany Heatley saga has taken on a new twist today.

In a few NHL circles, people are saying that Heatley is being forced by both the Ottawa Senators and Edmonton Oilers to make a decision about waiving his no-trade clause over the course of the next day.  Look, at this point he ain't going to Edmonton otherwise it would have been done by now.  The longer this whole scenario has gone on, the less likely that the Oilers would even want this guy on their team.  Why would you want a selfish jerk on your team if you are Oilers management?  How do you sell Heatley to your fans and most of all your loyal season ticket holders?  The guy has flat out refused on more than one occasion that he doesn't want to play in Edmonton so how could management or even Heatley spin it to show everyone that he genuinely wants to be in Edmonton?  I am sure everyone, including myself that the Oilers rumours would just end at this point.

As first reported here back before the NHL Entry Draft, the NY Rangers deal to land Heatley was 95% done and everyone involved thought it was done.  That was until Sens GM Bryan Murray tried to get more out of the Rangers for Heatley.  He went against the "code" and released the names of the potential deal with Edmonton hoping to use it as leverage against the Rangers.  Unfortunately for Mr. Murray, he messed up BIG time and Rangers GM Glen Sather pulled his deal off the table and said he wouldn't pursue the high priced winger anymore out of principle due to what Murray had done to the Oilers.  It's no surprise that Sather's ties to the Oilers organization had alot to do with it.  Sather didn't want to see longtime friend Kevin Lowe get burned, nor did he like to see Oilers management have to deal with Murray's shady tactics.  At some point, the Rangers might get desperate again and jump back into the Heatley sweepstakes.  They originally offered defensemen Ryan McDonagh who Ottawa asked for before the Gomez deal was completed along Ryan Callahan and Michael Del Zotto. NY recently signed Callahan to a new contract but had held out hoping he would be Ottawa and the Sens would get a new deal done at that point for him. As well, it would take nothing for the Rangers to bury Wade Redden's contract in the AHL with their affiliate in Hartford.  This has been talked about quite alot over the past few weeks with Rangers management due to.......surprise Sens fans....Redden's poor play. 

Teams that are interested in Heatley's services and have the necessary cap space are the Dallas Stars and Columbus Blue Jackets.  Both teams have talked to Murray on numerous occasions and as I stated here in a blog two weeks ago, Dallas could be the darkhorse in the Heatley chase.  I have been told by numerous sources that they would be extremely surprised if San Jose could make the necessary moves to bring in Heatley's contract.  Meanwhile, the Stars would like to keep Brad Richards and not have to include him in any deal.  James Neal would be the focal point of any deal involving Dallas, while Derek Broussard is the player the Sens covet if they were to swing a deal with Columbus.  Don't kid yourself on the Jackets, GM Scott Howsen has told Rick Nash he will do everything possible to get his Team Canada linemate in a Jackets uniform.

Staying with the Rangers, again....as first reported back here on June 26th, NY wants to walk away from Nikolai Zherdev.  He has gone to arbitration and once the arbitrator comes back with a contract number, at that time the Rangers will not accept the ruling, therefore making him an unrestricted free agent.  Watch for the Oilers to make a push for Zherdev.  Lastly in NY, Derek Morris will be looking for a new team as there is no interest in bringing him back to the Big Apple.

New York will once again make a push for Phoenix Coyotes defensemen Ed Jovanovksi.  He has two years left on his deal and has a no-trade clause.  Even though Jovo built a new house in Scottsdale a little over a year ago, NY is the one team he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause for. 

The Rangers are interested in the services of Sens free-agent defensemen Brendan Bell along with the LA Kings. Both teams are making a big push for Bell's services.  Bell would want a one-way deal and could help either team on both the powerplay and bring some solid depth on the blueline.  Here is hoping Bell winds up in a great situation for the coming season.