That Fantasy Hockey is underway Ladies and Gentleman. Don't forget to change all of your line-ups and to keep a decent watch on the injured list. So far Zidlicky and Pronger will not be in the opening night rosters for their respective teams and if anyone knows of anyone else, you can include it in the comments. (but if you'd rather have an opponent take up a roster spot and not play cause their injured that too is awesome lol) I am going to be trying to do this as a weekly occurence. Posting up the stats, posting links to several fantasy hockey sites saying who to pick up, who to play, etc. Alright guys good luck to everyone thats in every league, especially the guys, and girls (if their are any lol) in my league lol. 

hers a quick link for you guys right now...

http://fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantasyhockey/injuries

you guys should come by and check out the site

http://www.nhlfreeagents.com/rangers/

i dont know how to fill out 75 words so i'll post my initial post at the site

ps - Joe, Jim said this was okay lol

Welcome guys,

My name is Scott Smith. I am a 23 year old College Graduate. This is my first post as the New York Rangers blogger on NHL Free Agents. The Rangers are my love but hockey is my passion. I love everything from waking up early to have a pick-up game to staying up late to catch the highlights of the Western Conference games.

I love this game and love talking about it. I love talking about the games I’ve gone to at the Garden. I have a lot of fun discussing how Henrik is better than Marty. I love yelling at my TV when the refs miss an obvious call or Redden misses…well everything. I have always wanted to blog about the game and team I follow with a passion. I am strong about my opinions but have fun discussing everyone’s input on everything.

I will be posting as much as I possibly can. I have been working a temporary job that is a full time 9-6 job so I will try my best to post on the days news when I get home. If anyone has any questions or comments or well anything they want to discuss my email address is b4mv01@yahoo.com.

Scott S.

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Now we find out that Alexei Semenov is back from his wonderful little vacation with his wifey poo to Europe. I thought last year he was pretty good during the pre-season and thus Slats offered him a contract which he accepted and then later declined on wifey’s behest. I hope she likes Ny this time around but sadly I don’t think Semenov is going to make this team…if Staal signs then thats 11D fighting for 6, probably 7, spots on this years roster.

And i conclude with…YOUTH MOVEMENT MY ASS!!!

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Steve Zipay and Andrew Gross just tweeted that in fact Ruslan Fedotenko is not at the informal skates right now but in fact its Defenseman Garnet Exelby. Exelby is A hard nosed player who delivers some insane hits and can stand-up to the best of them. This would be a solid move for the Rangers to sign him…GOOD LUCK EXELBY!!!

Exelby tribute video...some sweet hits

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPQF6fwbZUI

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Hey guys I have been bugging Jim, sorry for all the e-mails Jim, to see if we can start up another Blueshirt Banter Fantasy Hockey League. Jim gave me the OK to go forward and start up the league. Everything is the same as last year, although I added in "hits" as a scoring category but if majority would like it removed we most certainly can do so. The link provided is the link to the Yahoo! Fantasy Sports link to the League, but just in case the League ID is 28950 and the Password is rangers1.

http://hockey.fantasysports.yahoo.com/league/blueshirtbanterfhl

We can have a maximum of 18 teams in the league and we ask that you use your Blueshirt Banter Login Name, for example I would use b4mv01 as my team name so this way people know who is running which team and it makes it easier for anyone else on the site to see how everyone is doing. I have it set-up to draft next week. It will be done as an Auto-pick so in case someone cant make it we all have equal chances to get good players. Also don't forget to set-up your If you are interested please sign up and if you have any questions please feel free to email me at b4mv01@yahoo.com.

The legendary fighter Bob Probert has passed away after a boating accident.Here is the original article stating the accident, am awaiting the article stating his untimely passing.

WINDSOR, Ont. -- Former NHL forward Bob Probert has been rushed to hospital after collapsing in a boat on Lake St. Clair Monday afternoon, AM800 CKLW is reporting.

Emergency crews performed CPR on the former Red Wings player on shore and transported the 45-year-old to Windsor Regional Hospital.

An OPP spokeswoman would not confirm the boating victim as Probert.

Read more: http://www.windsorstar.com/Probert+collapses+boat+Report/3238135/story.html#ixzz0sqO9xqE8
Here are some of Bobs best fights...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSuRKuu_n7A

(You may want to mute the video, the background song does not do him much justice)

According to Larry Brooks in today's New York Post Prospect Ryan McDonagh has decided to leave Wisconsin and join the New York Rangersin their run for 9th place. It is speculated he will sign an ELC worth 875,000 per year but the bonus package is what is being worked out. According to Brooksie that is supposed to conclude swiftly. Here are some quotes from the article...

The Post has been told that McDonagh, who had been undecided between turning pro and returning to Madison for his senior season, was won over by the environment at last week's Rangers' prospect camp during which he mixed with fellow hopefuls and the team's front-office personnel, notably general manager Glen Sather, coach John Tortorella and special assistants Mark Messier and Adam Graves.

It also points out about how young our Defense could be next season with McDonagh in the line up...

Marc Staal and Dan Girardi, the 6-1, 212-pound, left-hand shooting McDonagh would join a defense corps featuring the 23-year-old Staal, 26-year-old Girardi, 20-year-old Michael Del Zotto, 33-year-old Michal Rozsival, 26-year-old Matt Gilroy and 33-year-old Wade Redden.

Now I do not even need to tell you how amazing this will be to have him on next years roster. Reports come out all the time about how he has a "man-body" and is ready to make the next step into the NHL. I for one am a very impatient person and already cannot wait for the puck to drop next season.

Editor Note by Joe Fortunato: There really are no secrets from this point out. We can expect McDonagh to get a nice long look in camp; and from what coaches have said we can expect him to make the team. If McDonagh makes the team it almost assuredly drops Wade Redden out of the picture.

Use this as your open thread for the rest of the day. So from everyone here at Blueshirt Banter happy 4th of July to all. And while you are celebrating freedom give a silent prayer to all of those who are currently, have ever or lost their lives fighting so that you can enjoy that freedom.

God bless America.

The Rangers announced today that they signed Mats Zuccarello Aasen. This is not news to those who read the Banter on a conisistent basis but now that the T's are crossed the I's are dotted we can all rest easy that we have him under contract. Here is the link from the Ranger homepage

here is a clip from the site...

The newest member of the Rangers organization, Mats Zuccarello Aasen, will arrive in New York this fall with the sort of international resume that few elite NHL players possess and a remarkable hockey story that is truly all his own.

Before he began playing professionally, Zuccarello Aasen, 22, had two major strikes against him as far as his potential for reaching the NHL. He has already managed to overcome both of these potential obstacles at every other level, and those who know him well say there is no reason he won't find similar success in North America -- which would only help add to his growing notoriety in the hockey world.

Mats Zuccarello Aasen has drawn comparisons to current NHL stars from two former stars in Markus Naslund and Niklas Lidstrom, who were teammates of his with MoDo of the Swedish league in 2009-10.

The first concern with Zuccarello Aasen was his size. He stands 5-foot-7 in a world where most top players are well over six feet tall. The second concern was that he came from Norway, which has developed only four NHL players in the same time period that neighboring Sweden has produced hundreds.

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you guys have got to watch this goal...it just brought back so many memories of how much I wanted this bum off the team. And the best part of the video is that it happened during the playoffs lol. Sadly his team went on to win the game but I assume Mareks gonna catch some $hit about this one for awhile lol GO MALIK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_v3CuWh0MM&feature=player_embedded

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I bring this up because we all know that New York teams don't really care about drafting and are very quick to give up on prospects...well the Knicks GM just kept up to tradition by trading away a Kings ransom to acquire Tracy McGrady, from my favorite NBA team the Rockets. I bring this up because I really, really hope that our GM Glen Sather does not take a page out of the Knicks GM playbook and trade away our future for a has been in the league...like Sheldon Souray for instance. I do not see Souray doing well in New York given his very hefty contract and prone to injury self. I guess at this point I am just ranting but Sather please dson't take the Knicks advice and trade away our assets, our prospects, and our future for a player(s) who aren't going to bring a cup to New York...

Okay fellow Ranger lovers, here is some of my tirade for you all to hear about. As of today Michael Nylander of the Washington Capitals has been sent down to the AHL. The Caps GM, George McPhee, sucked it up and sent down the useless Nylander to their AHL affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins. He is making on average 4.875 million a season for the next few years.

So my question is...why can't our New York Ranger GM, Glen Sather, suck it up and send down one of our failing large contract players? I know he will catch heat from Owner Jim Dolan but in the long run for the organization it would be easier to put...O say Defenseman Michael Rozsival into the minor league?

For the next three years Rozsival makes an average of 5 million per season, somewhat close to what Nylander makes in Washington. Yes, the argument can be made that Nylander is basically on the next plane to Europe to play for, what is rumored, ex-New York Ranger Martin Straka's team. Until that happens Nylander will still be making that large paycheck playing for the AHL.

Michael Rozsvial is a European player. Possibly the Rangers can find a team in the KHL, possibly the team ex-New York Ranger Captain Jaromir Jagr plays for. They could rebuild the great chemistry they had and all parties would be happy.

Okay that is probably a pipe dream that is not going to happen but it is hopefully something that catches the eye of our GM, Glen Sather.

Hey guys I was listening to the NHL Network when they announced and soon after i found this post on Ranger Rants...

Meanwhile, TSN is reporting the Rangers have claimed forward Erik Christensen on waivers from the Ducks and waived backup goalie Steve Valiquette. The move on Valiquette is not unexpected after Saturday’s third-period meltdown in an 8-3 loss at Pittsburgh. John Tortorella is likely at the point where he feels he can’t trust him anymore. Will try to get confirmation quickly, Tortorella speaking momentarily.

The 6-foot-1, 203-pound Christensen, who turns 26 on Dec. 17, was scoreless and a minus-3 in nine games for Anaheim this season. His best season was 2006-07, when he had 18 goals and 15 assists in 61 games for the Penguins.

I love Vally but he hasn't played well at all and I always loved to hate Christensen when he was a Penguin...so it is good to have him on our team now.

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I got the text from ESPN, when i find the link i will post it for you guys. I guess Brashear is going to have to wait to the next game to get him back.

Here is some of what Torts says of the issue in today's NY Post (Click here for the whole article):

“The big thing this year is head shots and what the league is going to do about it, but to me it’s pretty simple,” Tortorella said. “There’s no fear at all [of] retribution.

“That’s why there’s more violence. Guys hide behind the rule book.”

Okay TSN.ca/nhl just posted the story so here is the link to that article gentlemen and ladies.

Here

The Hockey News website has a positive article on the Rangers. In it explains how they will not be surprised to see Artem Anisimov taking home the Calder trophy as top rookie this year. Ill post some quotes but other wise click the link here and check it out for yourselves.

John Tavares. Victor Hedman. Ville Leino. Semyon Varlamov.

Artem Anisimov?

The Calder race is the most difficult trophy chase to predict because out-of-nowhere stellar performances are common. Bobby Ryan and Drew Doughty had been highly touted prospects coming into last season and while golden world junior goalie Steve Mason is no slouch either, no one thought he’d lead the NHL in shutouts with 10 – not to mention Kris Versteeg’s surprise performance.

It’s guys like Mason, Versteeg and Anisimov who throw this yearly exuberant debate into a speed wobble.

“He’ll explode as a rookie if his hybrid Russian-North American game can strike a balance,” explained the scout.

His camp performance demonstrates he can do it all at the top levels after finishing fifth in AHL scoring last season with 37 goals and 81 points in 80 games.

A second-rounder of New York’s in 2006, Anisimov was taken four picks after Boston’s Milan Lucic and part of the reason he didn’t go earlier was because he was lacing them up for Yaroslavl in Russia and his future was uncertain.

Well, he’s here now and everyone is taking notice.

It must feel like Christmas Eve for Ranger fans.

I have been waiting for the past two years to see Anisimov get his chance with the Rangers. Ever since we drafted him in 2006 I have kept a close eye on him. So now it is great to see that people are recognizing the talent and skills he has to offer to the team. I went to preseason games last year just to see him play. Anyway, this year is hopefully going to be one to remember for New York Rangers fans for a long time to come. Oct. 2nd can't come fast enough. Any which way, LETS GO RANGERS!!!

DUBINSKY SIGNS A TWO YEAR DEAL!!!! Now this is something we have all been waiting for. I am happy to see this finally taken care of. I assume the money will be announced soon.

Brandon Dubinsky signs two-year deal with Rangers

Who knows maybe he gets a chance to play tonight or maybe he will play on monday with gaborik against detroit? Who knows? Who cares? but Dubinsky is back in blue

http://twitter.com/stevezipay/

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As I have not found this anywhere else but it seems that ex-Sharks D-Man Kyle McLaren is coming here on a try-out basis to try to earn a spot on the roster. Exhiled from San Jose for his salary cap, I think he still has some gas left in his tank and could help out the team. What are your thoughts?

Another question has come to mind...is McLaren a better option than a rookie? Or is he a better option then bringing in Bouiilon or Seidenberg? Keep in mind McLaren said he would play for league min as long as he can still play and the other two would demand around 1.5 million to play...

Yeah you read it right, the New York Rangers site lists the Hartford Whalers as their affiliate team. Yes I know it is the Wolfpack and the Whalers, now the Carolina Hurricanes, are a done team. but it is still quite funny. The article also confirms what we already knew...

A group of 22 prospects will represent the Rangers next month at the annual Traverse City (Mich.) Prospects Tournament, which the Blueshirts won in 2007.

Michael Del Zotto is headed back to Traverse City with the Rangers prospects.

Sixteen of the 22 members of the 2009 roster are players whose NHL rights are currently owned by the Rangers. Ten players are Rangers draftees from the past two years, while six others have already signed their first NHL contracts with the team.

The remaining six players are either under contract to the Hartford Whalers, the Rangers' AHL affiliate, or players who are being monitored on a tryout basis.

Fifteen of the 22 players participated in the Rangers' annual Prospect Development Camp earlier this summer. This includes 2009 draft picks Ethan Werek, Ryan Bourque, Scott Stajcer and Daniel Maggio. Roman Horak, the team's 2009 fourth-round pick out of the Czech Republic, will also go to Traverse City in preparation for his first full season in North America.

Defenseman Michael Del Zotto, the Rangers' 2008 first-round pick and forward Evgeny Grachev, who won the Ontario Hockey League's Rookie of the Year Award last season after being taken in the third round of the 2008 draft, will be returning to the tournament along with forwards Justin Soryal and Dale Weise, who both played for the Wolf Pack last season. Tysen Dowzak, a defenseman who spent most of last season in the WHL, is also back from the 2008 team.

Here is a look at the complete Rangers schedule and roster:

2009 Traverse City Prospects Tournament

<!-- <tr> <td align="center" colspan="4"><span class="txt12"><strong>Rangers Place Sixth in Eight-Team Field </strong> </span></td> </tr> --->

RANGERS SCHEDULE
Day	Date	Opponent	Time
Sunday	Sept. 6	Rangers vs. Carolina	3 p.m.
Monday	Sept. 7	Rangers vs. Atlanta	3 p.m.
Wednesday	Sept. 9	Rangers vs. Detroit	7 p.m.
Thursday	Sept. 10	Placement Game	TBD

2009 NY RANGERS TRAVERSE CITY PROSPECTS TOURNAMENT ROSTER
Forwards
No.	Player	POS.	HT	WT	Age	2008-09 Team (League)
63	Daniel Bartek	C	6-3	195	20	Everett (WHL)
60	Ryan Bourque	C	5-9	175	18	USA Under-18 Team
57	Chris Chappell	LW	6-4	209	21	Saginaw (OHL)
58	Paul Crowder	C	6-3	202	24	Alaska-Anchorage (WCHA); Hartford (AHL)
56	Craig Cunningham	LW	5-9	175	19	Vancouver (WHL)
59	Evgeny Grachev	C	6-4	220	19	Brampton (OHL)
64	Roman Horak	C	6-0	189	18	Ceske-Budejovice (Czech)
67	Luke Pither	C	6-0	183	20	Guelph-Belleville (OHL)
53	Justin Soryal	LW	6-2½	209	22	Hartford (AHL)
55	Luke Walker	RW	6-2	175	19	Portland (WHL)
65	Dale Weise	RW	6-2	206	21	Hartford (AHL)
61	Ethan Werek	C	6-1	199	18	Kingston (OHL)
Defensemen
47	Mike Berube	D	6-0	215	21	Vancouver (WHL)
43	Michael Del Zotto	D	6-0½	191	19	Oshawa-London (OHL)
48	Tysen Dowzak	D	6-5	226	21	Kelowna (WHL); Hart. (AHL); Charl. (ECHL)
51	Mitch Gaulton	D	5-11	206	19	Erie (OHL)
70	Trevor Glass	D	6-0	187	21	Spokane (WHL)
72	Sam Klassen	D	6-2	199	20	Saskatoon (WHL)
46	Tomas Kundratek	D	6-2	190	19	Medicine Hat (WHL); Hartford (AHL)
52	Daniel Maggio	D	6-2½	205	18	Sudbury (OHL)
Goaltenders
96	Chad Johnson	G	6-3	200	23	Alaska-Fairbanks (CCHA)
94	Scott Stajcer	G	6-3	195	18

Continue reading this post »

The NY Times recently did an interview with our Head Coach, John "Torts" Tortorella. In hit he talks about the hiring of Messier as Special Assistant, Gilroy, Prospal, the upcoming season and finally Gomez. Here is the link to the interview. HERE Here are the highlights of the interview...

On Prospal:

“He still has talent,” Tortorella said Tuesday of the 34-year-old Prospal. “I think he has something to prove. And Vinny Prospal is a pretty damn good player when he has something to prove. He’s a pain sometimes, which doesn’t matter. It’s a good intensity that he has. I think he can help us. He has some offensive skill. It’s a good signing. It’s a one-year deal, not a bunch of money, and this guy has something to prove. I think he’s a pretty good player when he has that kind of attitude. He’ll help us on the power play.”

On Gilroy:

”He’s a skill player. He needs some work as far as understanding the defensive part of the game in his own end zone. But the thing that I love about him is he’s trying to get up the ice all the time. He’s got a fair whack at it this year. There are a couple of wide-open spots on D, and it’s important that we develop some young defenecmen.”

On Messier:

”Him and Glen have gone to war together. Those two guys, they’re tight. That’s what’s great about Glen. He’s a guy who gives people oppurtunites to grow.”

On Gomez:

“A lot of people think that Scotty and I are at odds. We have never been at odds. With us moving Scotty, I don’t think he played that well — I think Scott Gomez is honest about that too, I don’t think he thought he played that well — and we had an opportunity to get out of a contract there that was jamming us a little bit with the cap. I thought that Glen did a terrific job in taking care of that part of it. But I don’t begrudge Scotty anything as a hockey player, and he’s a good guy. Some of the onus belongs on our organization: we didn’t have a whole bunch of wingers that could help him. He’s playing in a pretty good city, too. So I wish him the best of luck.”

On Gaborik:

“He’s a dynamic player. If we can keep him healthy — and he’s healthy now — we want to let him play. I know he’s gonna show me that he can play away from the puck and be competitive there. But we’re looking at the other end, and we want him to be that spontaneous, dynamic player. I just don’t think you win consistently in this league unless you have that kind of dynamic player. I am not going to overcoach him. I just want him to be instinctive. If shows me a two-way street the other way, as far as competing away from the puck, he can do his thing.”

On the upcoming season:

“I’m ready to go — I’ve been ready to go for a couple of months now. I just want to get up to New York. Next week I’m going to be there and get going.”

Yeah it basically covers the whole article but it still has some good things to read. I cannot wait until the upcoming season. I cannot wait to see how intense training camp is going to be...well were only a few weeks from Traverse and after that our Training Camp...well talk to you guys tonight on Blog Talk Radio.

Crooked Larry Brooks writes in his Rangers loving/bashing column that the Rangers have signed Vinny Prospal...

As contract negotiations with Brandon Dubinsky have hit a speed bump, the Rangers have signed 34-year-old free agent forward Vinnie Prospal to a one-year, $1.1 million deal, The Post has learned.

Prospal, who became unrestricted when the Lightning bought him out of the final three seasons of the four-year, $14 million contract he had signed with Tampa Bay last summer, is most effective on the wing but also can play center.

The plan at the moment is to give Dubinsky the opportunity to claim the center position on the first line that will feature Marian Gaborik on the right and either Sean Avery or Christopher Higgins on the left. But if Dubinsky cannot handle the assignment, Prospal, who is strong on the puck, probably would get the call.

Prospal, who played for head coach John Tortorella before and after the Lightning's 2004 Cup-winning season in which he was in Anaheim, recorded 45 points (19-26) last year. The 12-year NHL veteran scored 33 goals two years ago for the Lightning and Flyers and recording 80 points and 55 assists with Tampa Bay in 2005-06.

Dubinsky, a Group II free agent, and the Rangers have been in contract talks for a number of weeks, but it now seems as if the parties are not going to reach an agreement on a multi-year contract. Unless Dubinsky can attract an offer sheet on which the Blueshirts would have the right of first refusal, it appears as if he will play the season on his one-year qualifying offer of $698,500.

Well what do you all think about all of this? To be honest I thought the Rangers were going to sign Prospal just because of Torts. But this news about Dubinsky is rather concerning.

This just in from the tsn.ca website

MOSCOW -- Prosecutors will reopen the investigation into the death of New York Rangers draft pick Alexia Cherepanov, who collapsed during a Continental Hockey League game last year in Russia.

The federal prosecutor's Investigative Committee ruled last month that team doctors were not to blame for Cherepanov's death and would face no criminal charges. Investigators said doctors with Siberian team Avangard Omsk had no reason to suspect the 19-year-old suffered from a chronic heart problem and therefore did not prescribe the medicine he was taking.

But the committee on Monday reopened the case and ordered that new medical tests be carried out in a federal centre for forensic medicine.

Cherepanov, a first-round pick in 2007, died after collapsing on the bench during an Oct. 13 game in Chekhov, a town outside Moscow. Authorities say an autopsy showed he suffered from myocarditis, a condition that obstructs blood flow to the heart and other organs.

The investigators' initial conclusion seemed to lay more blame on Cherepanov than anyone else. They said Cherepanov most likely felt unwell but hid his condition from team doctors for fear of being pulled from games.

Cherepanov's mother, Margarita, rejected the conclusions, and insisted that her son was healthy.

In December, the Investigative Committee said medical experts had concluded from analysis of blood and urine samples that Cherepanov "engaged in doping" for several months before his death.

But in their July ruling investigators said he had been taking cordiaminum, which apparently stimulates circulation and breathing as well as the central nervous system, suggesting he may have been taking it to treat his condition.

Avangard's president, general manager and a team doctor were suspended indefinitely from positions in the league, and another Avangard doctor was suspended for two years.

The president of the host club, Vityaz, also was suspended indefinitely amid complaints about medical services at the arena.

There is not truly anything I can say about this other then I feel that Cherepanov as not blood doping and in fact I feel it was just covered up by the KHL to still attract NHL players to the league.

Yeah you read that correctly all 5'6 of Theo Fleury wants back in the NHL. This article, provided by tsn.ca/nhl gives their take on Theo...

Sources tell TSN Theoren Fleury is attempting a comeback and wants to play in the NHL again.

After playing senior hockey last season, Fleury decided in February he was fit enough to give the NHL another try, so he hired a personal trainer and has been working diligently since.

Those close to him say he didn't leave the National Hockey League the way he wanted, which is fueling his desire to return.

The 41-year-old has been sober for almost four years and has been skating daily in Calgary in the hope that an NHL team is willing to invite him to training camp.

Interest in the former Stanley Cup champion won't be enough to clear the way for Fleury's return.  He remains under indefinite suspension and would first have to be approved by the NHL and the NHLPA's Substance Abuse programs doctors before reinstatement would be considered.

Sources say Fleury recently sent NHL commissioner Gary Bettman a letter acknowledging his comeback bid and has also discussed the possibility with the leagues doctors.

At 5' 6,'' Fleury was one of the smallest players in hockey. Intense and fearless, Fleury made a name for himself for more than his stature. He could score, play defensively and lead teams to championships in junior hockey, in the NHL and on the international stage.

Now here is where you all come in. Theo Fleury left the NHL with 1,088 points in 1,084 games. in his time with the Rangers he scored 138 points in 142 games. If he gets the invite to training camp, supposing he is allowed back, do you see him fitting in Torts system? Do you think he still has what it takes to compete at the NHL Level? Do we give him a one year contract and let the kids develop one more year? Have it ladies and gentlemen.

While searching for hockey news I came across this gem. Please before you read this put down your drink or swallow what you have in your mouth cause you won't believe this...

The legends and the legendary hit the ice for CBC Television's Battle of the Blades. Hockey heavyweights will be paired with some of Canada's top female figure skaters in a competitive and thrilling pairs showdown beginning this October. Starring: Lanny McDonald, Glenn Anderson, Tie Domi, Bob Probert, Craig Simpson, Stéphane Richer and hosted by Ron MacLean and Kurt Browning. More hockey stars and our figure skating stars will be announced soon.

I cannot wait to see Tie Domi and Bob Probert do a pearl spin.

Too watch the hilarious promo click here.

After a bad day at work coming home and reading this just puts a big ole smile on my face (and realizing tonight is Blueshirt Banter Radio of course haha)

This from Steve Zipay at Blue Notes...

That's the word in hockey circles in Toronto, where rumors bounce up and around in a major media echo chamber. Rangers are not confirming anything, not even whether a decision on whether to sign or reject the right winger's $3.9-million arbitration award is coming today.

               Do the whispers make sense?

               Perhaps. Leafs czar Brian Burke needs scoring and has an excess of defensemen. Zherdev can put up 25-plus on the first line. although the press scrutiny will be intense.

                For the Rangers, there wouldn't be a No. 1 center coming back, and realistically, Burke and the rest of the GMs can gamble that the Rangers won't sign Zherdev by tomorrow and he'll be un unrestricted free agent.

                Ian White, 25, is one of those extra Leafs D. He was playing 20-plus minutes at the end of last season (including on the PP) and filled in on the wing. He was 10-16-26 and plus 6. And forward Lee Stempniak (UFA after 2009-10 season) seems like a spare at $2.5 mil (14-30-44 in 75 games, including with the Blues).

                Just sayin'.....

I wouldn't mind a trade Toronto. Ian White is a very capable Defenseman that can eat up alot of minutes and hold his own in his zone. Although I would not want Stempniak, as I feel he would take up a roster spot for one of our prospects. What do you guys think of this? What are your feelings on this situation?

As we all know our top prospect Alexei Cherepanov passed away during a game in the KHL. If you do not know much about it click here and read more about it. In case you do not want to click the link I'll post a bit of it...

New York Rangers prospect Alexei Cherepanov died during a game in his native Russia on Monday.  He was 19.

Cherepanov collapsed on the bench during Omsk's Kontinental Hockey League game and died a short time later. Omsk head coach Wayne Fleming said Cherepanov collapsed during the third period of the game and did not see anything that happened on the ice that may have contributed to it. He also said medical authorities tried to get Cherepanov's heart beating again after it had stopped.

"They tried to get his heart started again but they couldn't," he explained.

This brings me to my point, while searching through hfboards.com I came upon something I found very interesting, the "Cherepanov Memorial Trophy". This trophy is awarded to the leagues top rookie, basically the NHL's Calder Trophy. I thought it was a great gesture from the KHL to do something like this.

I also found it interesting that in the hfboard discussion about who will win the trophy, our last round pick, Mikhail Pahsnin, is listed. To see the discussion over at hfboards click here.

(If this was already common knowledge to you all I apologize but it is something I just came across and thought it nice to share with you all)

Well first off thankfully there is nothing in alphabetical order for me to mess up.

But to the point of this fanpost, Ryan Dixon over at the "esteemed" Hockey News site says our Rangers are in big trouble. I'll post some minor quotes of his and post the link so you all can read it over there.

Since there are no games to watch right now, let’s play one ourselves.

It’s a brisk Tuesday evening in New York City, say, around late November, and one of the first cold nights of the year is a sufficient deterrent to shun all activities that involve leaving the house.

In a fortuitous turn, all three of the local teams can be found on TV – hey, we’re suspending reality here – with the Devils, Rangers and Isles all in action.

Assuming a non-partisan hockey fan is holding the remote, which team is most worth turning to? The Devils and Rangers have been the default flip for years, but the landing of John Tavares on Long Island might just make the Islanders the most intriguing local bunch of puck-players.

What hockey fan that is not an Islander fan would choose watching the Drylanders over the Rangers or Debbies unless the Drylanders were playing one the two aforementioned teams. John Tavares will be good but I don't think he will draw people to watch that miserable team over actual playoff bound teams.

Henrik Lundqvist aside, the Blueshirts are a team in desperate need of dependable talent.

We say dependable, of course, because they used free agency to add the electric Marian Gaborik, who will shock no one if he plays less than 60 games this year.

After that, the Rangers are thinner than a model trying to make it in Manhattan.

What do you guys think of this article? Aside from me thinking this guy will be eating this article next season I want to know what you all have to say about this.

Also the article can be read here.

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The following is an interview held between hockeysfuture.com and New York Rangers prospect Evgeny Grachev. Also just for your information they have him listed as our third overall prospect. (Artem Anisimov and MDZ are the top two...strangely Ryan McDonough is 35th overall and Matt Gilroy is 27th) Okay enough side tracking here is the interview... Well on further examination of the interview I came upon this little information...

Copyright 2009 Hockey’s Future. Do not reprint or otherwise duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.

So instead of getting in a ridiculous amount of trouble I will just post the link (I didn't see anywhere that says I couldn't do that) (INTERVIEW)

On the above topic of our prospects here is how hockeysfuture lists our prospects

Top Prospects 1. Artem Anisimov, C 2. Michael Del Zotto, D 3. Evgeny Grachev, C 4. Bobby Sanguinetti, D 5. Derek Stepan, C 6. Michael Sauer, D 7. Dane Byers, LW 8. Tomas Kundratek, D 9. Matt Zaba, G 10. Carl Hagelin, LW 11. Tomas Zaborsky, LW 12. Corey Potter, D 13. Miika Wiikman, G 14. Max Campbell, C 15. Brodie Dupont, C 16. Chris Doyle, C 17. Dale Weise, RW

Other Notables 1. Zdenek Bahensky, C 2. Ivan Baranka, D 3. Greg Beller, LW 4. Ryan Bourque, C 5. Brian Boyle, C 6. Paul Crowder, C 7. Devin DiDiomete, LW 8. Tysen Dowzak, D 9. Mitch Gaulton, D 10. Matt Gilroy, D 11. Ryan Hillier, LW 12. Danny Hobbs, C 13. Roman Horak, C 14. Eric Hunter, LW 15. Chad Johnson, G 16. Chris Kreider, LW 17. David Kveton, RW 18. Ryan McDonagh, D 19. Roman Psurny, LW 20. David Skokan, C 21. Justin Soryal, LW 22. Scott Stajcer, G 23. Pavel Valentenko, D 24. Ethan Werek, C 25. Nigel Williams, D 26. Lukas Zeliska, C

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced the 2009 pre-season schedule today, featuring three games at Madison Square Garden and a total of seven games in 13 days.

The Rangers will kick off the 2009 pre-season with a back-to-back set, opening against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, September 15, before travelling to Newark to face-off against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday, September 16.

 New York will then head to Detroit to face the Red Wings on Friday, September 18, in the first of back-to-back road games.  The Blueshirts will travel to Boston to face the Bruins in the second game of the back-to-back road set on Saturday, September 19.

On Monday, September 21, the Rangers return to The Garden to host the Red Wings. The Rangers will wrap up their pre-season schedule with a home-and-home set against the Capitals beginning on Thursday, September 24, in their final home game of the exhibition season, and concluding on Sunday, September 27, in an afternoon contest at Washington.

The 2009 New York Rangers training camp begins with players reporting to New York for physical testing at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility on Saturday, September 12.

RANGERS' 2009 PRESEASON SCHEDULE (All times Eastern Standard Time)
Day	Date	Opponent	Site	Time
Tuesday	Sept. 15	Boston	Madison Square Garden	7 p.m.
Wednesday	Sept. 16	New Jersey	Prudential Center	7 p.m.
Friday	Sept. 18	Detroit	Joe Louis Arena	7:30 p.m.
Saturday	Sept. 19	Boston	TD Banknorth Garden	4 p.m.
Monday	Sept. 21	Detroit	Madison Square Garden	7 p.m.
Thursday	Sept. 24	Washington	Madison Square Garden	7 p.m.
Sunday	Sept. 27	Washington	Verizon Center	12 p.m.

I am happy to see the rangers going up against three of the top teams in the NHL. It should be a great test to see where they need improvement for their upcoming season.

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Hey guys it’s me again. Lately I have been pondering about how scary it will be if Brandon Dubinsky gets signed to an offer sheet and for just how much it would be for. Then that got me wondering about the rest of the NHL’s Group 2 Free Agents. Group 2 free agents are defined as “These players have been tendered a qualifying offer by their respective Clubs and are subject to draft-choice compensation and right to match.” The compensation works out to be

$994,433 or below

None

 Over $994,433 to $1,506,716

Third-round choice

Over $1,506,716 to $3,013,434

Second-round choice

Over $3,013,434 to $4,520,150

First-round and third-round choice

Over $4,520,150 to $6,026,867

First-round, second-round and third-round choice

Over $6,026,867 to $7,533,584

Two first-round choices, one second- and one third-round choice

Over $7,533,584

Four first-round choices

Then this got me wondering wow if Buffalo let Vanek walk when he was offered that 7 year, $7,142,857 per season cap hit offer sheet they would have gotten Two first-round choices, one second- and one third-round choice. So this brings me to my point while looking at this years list of Group 2 free agents I found some very good players that I am surprised have not been tendered offer sheets by other teams. In bold are the “better players” IMO.

ANAHEIM DUCKS

Group 2 FAs: Petri Kontiola, Petteri Wirtanen, James Wisniewski.

ATLANTA THRASHERS

Group 2 FAs: Colby Armstrong, Jordan Lavallee, Scott Lehman, Kari Lehtonen, Grant Lewis, Boris Valabik.


BOSTON BRUINS

Group 2 FAs: Matt Hunwick, Phil Kessel, Kevin Regan.


BUFFALO SABRES

Group 2 FAs: Patrick Kaleta, Clarke MacArthur, Mark Mancari, Andrej Sekera, Drew Stafford, Marek Zagrapan.


CALGARY FLAMES

Group 2 FAs: Dustin Boyd, Kris Chucko.


CAROLINA HURRICANES

Group 2 FAs: Mike Angelidis, Anton Babchuk, Brett Carson, Bryan Rodney, Tuomo Ruutu.


CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Group 2 FAs: Bryan Bickell.


COLORADO AVALANCHE
(no-one)


COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

Group 2 FAs: Michael Blunden, Dan LaCosta, Marc Methot, Alexandre Picard, Alexander Svitov.


DALLAS STARS

Group 2 FAs: Mark Fistric.


DETROIT RED WINGS

Group 2 FAs: Jiri Hudler (also see NHL leaving douche bag), Evan McGrath, Ryan Oulahen.


EDMONTON OILERS

Group 2 FAs: Gilbert Brule, Devan Dubnyk, Denis Grebeshkov, Colin McDonald, Ryan Potulny, Liam Reddox, Rob Schremp, Ladislav Smid, Ryan Stone.


FLORIDA PANTHERS

Group 2 FAs: David Brine.


LOS ANGELES KINGS

Group 2 FAs: Drew Bagnall, Brady Murray, Joe Piskula, Ted Purcell.


MINNESOTA WILD

Group 2 FAs: Kyle Brodziak, Robbie Earl, Josh Harding, Danny Irmen, Benoit Pouliot, Clayton Stoner.


MONTREAL CANADIENS

Group 2 FAs: Shawn Belle, Matt D'Agostini, Guillaume Latendresse, Tomas Plekanec, Gregory Stewart.


NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Group 2 FAs: Ryan Jones, Ryan Maki, Cal O'Reilly, Antti Pihlstrom, Kelsey Wilson.

NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Group 2 FAs: Patrick Davis, Mark Fraser, Petr Vrana, Travis Zajac.


NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Group 2 FAs: Jeremy Colliton, Blake Comeau, Trevor Smith, Nate Thompson.


NEW YORK RANGERS

Group 2 FAs: Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky, Lauri Korpikoski, Corey Potter, Nikolai Zherdev.


OTTAWA SENATORS

Group 2 FAs: Brian Elliott, Mattias Karlsson, Derek Smith.


PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

Group 2 FAs: Ryan Dingle(berry) (Yes, I had to do it), Jared Ross, Danny Syvret.


PHOENIX COYOTES

Group 2 FAs: Nigel Dawes, Sami Lepisto, Enver Lisin, Alexander Nikulin, Dave Spina, Sean Sullivan, Josh Tordjman, Scottie Upshall, Daniel Winnik, Keith Yandle.


PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Group 2 FAs: John Curry, Ben Lovejoy, Tim Wallace.


ST. LOUIS BLUES

Group 2 FAs: Jonathan Filewich, Chris Holt, Roman Polak, Steve Wagner.


SAN JOSE SHARKS

Group 2 FAs: Thomas Greiss, Brad Staubitz.


TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Group 2 FAs: Blair Jones, Martins Karsums, Matt Lashoff, Mike Lundin, Karri Ramo, Matt Smaby, Radek Smolenak, Lauri Tukonen.


TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Group 2 FAs: Darryl Boyce, Alex Foster, Ryan Hamilton, Justin Pogge, Tim Stapleton.


VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Group 2 FAs: Jannik Hansen, Nathan McIver, Kyle Wellwood.


WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Group 2 FAs: Chris Bourque, Eric Fehr, Boyd Gordon, Milan Jurcina, Shaone Morrisonn, Steven Pinizzotto, Jeff Schultz, Kyle Wilson.

Talk amongst yourselves and debate on who, if anyone, you could see the Rangers targeting. Also I would like to hear from you guys on who you think would get tendered an offer sheet by any team.

(Note: all Quoted work "borrowed" from NHL.com)

After spending his entire career in Montreal, Saku Koivu will be calling Orange County his home. The Anaheim Ducks have signed the free agent centre to a one-year, $3.25 million contract. Koivu, 34, had been the Canadiens' second-longest serving captain. His nine seasons with the 'C' trailed only the legendary Jean Beliveau, who was captain for 10 seasons. Koivu, who was drafted by the Canadiens with the 21st overall pick in the 1993 draft, had hoped to stay with Habs but realized if a deal did not get completed quickly, that the team that had 10 free agents following the season, would likely look elsewhere. "If I'm not signed by July 1, I don't think I'll be back in Montreal," Koivu said after the Canadiens were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Boston Bruins. "Finishing your career with one team would be awesome in a way, but it's too early to say because I don't know what the team's plan is." Koivu had a great deal of hard luck in Montreal. He suffered a potentially career-ending eye injury in 2006 in the playoffs against the Hurricanes. He missed most of the 2001-02 season with Intra-abdominal non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Koivu has suited up in 792 games and has scored 191 goals with 450 assists. He played in only 65 games for the Habs in 2008-09, after dealing with a foot injury. He scored 16 goals and posted 36 assists.