With the deadline looming in a couple of weeks and the halfway point just past us, what does out team need to WIN the Stanley Cup? I know alot of us suggested a couple of weeks ago that they would stand pat. The logic is that the Rangers should be a very good team for at least the next 4 or 5 year and we can develope into that Cup Team. I am thinking that this season has been such a bonus in that nobody expected this team to be as good as it is especially with the injuries to our defensive core....we are so close, we need to go for it without sacrificing the core. We have seen the rumors linking the Rangers to Bobby Ryan, Suter, Weber, Ruttuu etc. What does this team really need to make the run? I think arugably outside of Boston, The Rangers have the best goaltending tandem in the league.....similar to 1994. Biron has played about as good as any starter in the NHL. More than capable back up to the King. I know the Rangers are a top 6 forward away from being deadly to even the top teams in the league. I don't think a guy like Prospal makes us significantly better at this time nor does it make us more dangerous in the playoffs. Yes, I love the dollar sign graphic when he scores but I think we need a core player to add not only for this season but for the next few. Considering we are likely going to lose a player like Dubinsky on any serious deal we make. While Bobby Ryan interests me, Paul Stastny has me salivating. This guy is apparently available and I beleive he is signed through next season. I just read where 75% of colorados roster is UFA or RFA this summer, so they are going to have a ton of work to do. Statsny is about a pt a game player over his almost 400 game career so far. I think he is dynamic and he would give us some instant street cred......I liken the effect to getting Parise which will never happen. I think Stat's it that kind of player with that kind of potential impact. Proposal: To NY- Paul Statsny 3rd rd pick To Colorado- B. Dubinsky, W. Wolski, P. Valentenko, 2nd rd pick (or) Dubinsky, Wolski, Boyle (this option would increase the need to bring in a player like Rutuu) I'm at a loss at what to do with the defense. If Sauer was here, I'd likely stand pat but without him and addressing the need for a power play QB, can we make a move that addresses both defensive improvement and offensive production from the blueline? Going for a guy like Suter who may not resign is too dangerous for us. I think our current line up gets us into the 2nd rd. Maybe if we are lucky the 3rd. This is a very good team, but not quite a cup winner yet. sorry in advance, I couldn't figure out how to space out the paragraphs.

http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2011/11/03/rangers-plan-b-sign-anton-stralman-to-one-year-deal/ The New York Rangers addressed the hole on their blueline by signing free agent Anton Stralman to a one-year deal worth $900,000. Bringing Stralman into the fold should help address the rather large void that has been on the Rangers back-end since the organization realized alternate captain Marc Staal was going to be out with effects from the concussion he suffered last season. Stralman is a defenseman with NHL experience that the organization was able to bring in without giving up assets or making any long-term commitment. Obviously, Plan A is for Marc Staal to start feeling better and return to the lineup as quickly as possible. The all-star is the leader of New York’s defensive corps and changes the entire complexion of the team. But in lieu of a miraculous overnight recovery, the Rangers have been forced into a position that they needed to address their roster. We heard yesterday that the Rangers had offered a one-year deal to lure Stralman away from his native Sweden—sounds like he only needed a day to think it over. Stralman, while not a star defenseman by any stretch of the imagination, is a guy with NHL experience who can add some stability to the Rangers’ bottom pairing. Between Dan Girardi, Michael Del Zotto, Michael Sauer, and Ryan McDonough, the Rangers have players who can do the heavy lifting. Unfortunately, they’ve been playing musical chairs with the bottom pairing this season. It’s been so bad, it’s like the music stopped and NO one had a place to sit. Hopefully for Rangers fans, Stralman can at least provide a little certainty while the organization continues to deal with the uncertainty surrounding Staal.

As a die hard true blue Rangers fan for over 30yrs, I want to say to the 2010/2011 team.....thank you. This may sound strange seeing that we were just eliminated by the Caps. But I have taken several things from this season into consideration and I know greatness is just on the horizon.

Firstly, remember last off season. The Rangers were picked to finish last. They were counted out before the season even started. They had ups and downs this season but they put it together. This team found a way to win.

Secondly, this was a rebuilding year. Expectations even by me were few. The team could have tanked and played mediocre hockey and nobody would have said anything about it other than....we're rebuilding. But this team found a way to win. This team showed heart.

Next, taken the aformentioned into consideration, the team played through some serious injuries. Prospal, Gabby, Drury, Callahan twice, Dubinsky.........The Rangers called up players who filled in the void and they managed to be respectable, almost as if it didn't matter. This team found a way to win. This team showed heart. This team played exciting hockey.

This season we saw something we were not used to, an infusion of youth and the jettisoning of albatross contracts and older players. It was good to see Redden banished and Rozi shipped out. But more importantly we got to see Sauer, Stepan, Mc D, Zuke. Guys form our system getting it done. It seemed like we were unstoppable for a while and a shoe in to get to the post season...then we lost to the Isles and it seemed like we were not going to make it. The team pulled together and found a way to get in. More importantly we didn't get beat by the Devils, who have never beaten us in a game that really mattered. This team found a way to win. This team showed heart. This team played exciting hockey. This team showed a will to want to win.

I'm not going to argue about what playoff game we should have won or how the series should still be going on. We should be proud of this team. A few tweaks here and there and we will be better next season. Sather seemed to "get it" this year. Hopefully that continues. Hopefully he addresses the need for scoring.

Thanks again Rangers.

Greetings Ranger fans, its me, Glen. Perhaps we got off on the wrong foot when I took over as GM and it carried through all these years. I'd just like to say, I am listening and I'm sorry. We've jabbed back and forth previously, it was all in good fun...wasn't it? You weren't really serious about the Glen must go protest last year were you?

 

Well either way here is the state of the state on the team. You'll notice Redden is in the minors, turns out those pictures of me sodomizing a goat were B/S so I got him off the cap for this year. Rozi's albatross of a contract is gone too and Wolski looks pretty damn good if I do say so myself. Hmmmmm, what to do with Dru? I was thinking of contacting an old friend I knew from Mermansk, old KGB, possibly put out a contract on "The Contract". Don't think he would man up and retire, I mean at 8 million owed to him, would you?

Our Drafting remains solid........yea, yea.......we skipped over Parise a few years back. So sue me. That Jessiman sure looked studly, anywho, we are on the right track with what we have in the system these days. You know Gordie is aces when it comes to the draft. Not looking to touch those guys so don't worry.

Now, with the deadline approaching, my fingers are getting itchy to do some fleecing. I'm kind of in awe of the moves that have been made thus far. I mean the Pen's deal and the Av's/ St. Louis deal are head scratchers. You'd think that guy from Calgary has some influence in those. We need some scoring, we need a puck moving defenseman.....damn Redden should be up here, he's the best outlet pass in the game, but you already knew that.

So here's what I'm thinking, go in and swoop down on Columbus and nab Tyutin, don't know why I gave up on that Rusky bastard in the first place. That gives us some stay at home D, then go out for a PP QB......flipping the coin on Mc Cabe and Liles........maybe dump Gilroy in that deal. Maybe.

We need a scorer. That rumor of us sending Gabby to Dallas for Richards and Neal was horse poop. One compliments the other, come on now, you didn't think......nah, I'd never do that one. Not bringing Zherdev back. Nor Antropov. Weiss intrigues me but only if I can rape Fl. for him and thats not likely. I shoulda tried for Frolik. Anyway, like I said, I am listening......what do you think I should do? And screwing another goat is not an option....at least until I get back to the ranch and certainly not around the help. Damn Redden.

If I asked myself this question 7 games ago, I'd answer it with a resounding "We are buyers". But in a strange twist of fate that nobody saw coming, a 1-6 record in those last 7 games puts us solidly on the edge of the playoff equation. Lets face it, we should have won at least half of those games the way we have played this season. Even that might have been disappointing. With a 30-24-4 record good for 64pts and 7th place, we are holding on to 7th by 2 pts over 8th place Carolina and 4pts over 9th place Atlanta, two teams who we can't seem to beat. With the teams behind us playing better hockey things are only going to get tighter for us. We can only seem to beat Washington and Pittsburgh (teams in front of us) and nobody else. Watch us blow the games we play against the Devils and Islanders next time around.

What should the plan be? Lets address what this team needs first. The Rangers need scoring and they need a bonafide PP specialist on the point. A cheap solid defenseman couldn't hurt either but is certainly not a priority.

If we are going to make a run or attempt it, we need to find a scorer because this season Gabby is not carrying us. I like the additions of Wolski and Zuke but we need a true scorer to put serious numbers up. My conclusion is that we are not going to get one at the deadline and certainly not without paying a ton. That said we need to wait for the offseason to get a big gun, think Brad Richards. That will compliment Gabby well and a line of those two and either Wolski or Avery might be interesting.

As far as a PP QB on the blueline whats out there? Souray.....pass, McCabe......um......pass.....Kaberle.....Pass. Why take on any aging players with big contracts if they are not helping us win this year. And we are not winning this year. See every team ahead of us who we can't beat. Del Zotto is not our QB and may never be that player. I'd rather not trade him now for a rental and give him another year. In the offseason maybe make a run at someone once our own guys are re signed. Or......has anyone ever thought of asking Staal to play more offensive during the PP? I mean he clearly can score, has good instincts, follows the play well and cuts in on the net. Ask him to hold the puck and shoot more...why not? he does not have to alter his play on 5 on 5 situations.......coul this be a good idea?

This brings us to adding a solid defenceman whos not overly expensive. One player who I think is very attainable is Fedor Tyutin. The guy is and has been a rock and should never have been traded in the first place. I think we could get him back and bolster our defense even further with his stay at home physical play for a minimal return. I like our defense. Staal, Girardi, McD, Eminger, Gilroy and Sauer have been very good. Gilroy gives me fits sometimes and I do think he is a tradable asset. Add Tyutin to that mix and we are very capable defensively. This is assuming either gilroy or Del Zotto is traded before next camp.

Lets examine two very real points regarding this season.

1-Nobody is beating the Flyers in the East and especially nobody named the Rangers.

2-Not many of us even thought the current 30-24-4 record was possible at this point of the season since we kind of felt that this was a rebuilding year. The team has been surprisingly good, extremely hard working but in truth lacks key parts to be a serious contender. Despite overcoming a ton of injuries and staying competitive the team falls short of being a real contender. I'm not sure making the playoffs as the 8th seed and going out in the first round is a good thing for the development of this team. At this point, a higher pick seems like a better option. I'm not even sure we are going to make the playoffs since we are now having difficult with the teams around us. Atlanta, Carolina, NJ, Montreal, Flyers, Boston is tough. The Isles and Caps are due against us one of these games too, You know when we need 2 pts desparately and play them, we won't get it when we need it.

My conclusion is we are neither buyers nor sellers. Nothing we buy is going to help us in the immediate future and nothing we sell helps us in the long run. We have such a good core and some potentially good young players, there is no need to do anything crazy. I say stand pat, maybe make a minor deal or two.

The New York Islanders made a deal to acquire Al Montoya from the Pheonix Yotes today. At least now the strength trainer no longer has to dress as the back up. In other news, the big trade between Chicago and Florida was said to be hinged on that Chicago had to include explosive scorer Hugh Jessiman in the deal. This obviously makes Florida a more dangerous team given that the former Ranger 1st rounder has not seen a single game of NHL action thus critics are agreeing that he should have extremely fresh legs and carry the bulk of the scoring load for that Cats. 

I think we can all agree that we could use another scorer. The problem these days is that we can't possibly make a consoderable pick up without the talk of Cally, Dubi or AA going the other way. The Rangers can't afford to make any move with those guys involved. It seems each of the last 3 seasons the Rangers have gambled on a Russian player that was talented but never really came through. These players were all but given up upon by their former teams....Zherdev, Lisin and now Frolov. I'm pretty sure if Zherdev and Lisin played a bit more they would have performed a little better and at least on par with the ither struggling Rangers in the system at the time. i noticed today that Columbus demoted Filatov to the AHL. I think they've had it with him. I would not mind seeing him here as a project. I think he is more skilled than Grachev and certainly no worse. My trade proposal.........Gilroy for Filatov. I think we could substitute any number of players but I think Gilroy works out best. I'd love to send Rozi that way and in all seriousness, he might actually work for Columbus as a solid Vet. It would be great to shed that cap hit. I'm still bitter over the Tyutin trade. I think Filitov's value has decreased considerably. There's no guarantee he does anything but I'd take the chance on him. At the very least, he is young enough to go play in our system and become another young player that could really help us out in the next season or two.

I'm not sure if I had a bad dream last night but I am almost positive I read that Prospal's knee injury requires surgery and will be a season ending senario. Vinny was a warrior last year and we got much more than expected from him. Not having him takes away serveral things, such as chemistry with Gabby, secondary scoring which was sorely lacking outside of maybe Frolov and Dubi/Cally and I'd say a little veteren leadership. This may bump Stephan up or even EC to first line duty which I do not think either is ready for, nor deserves much. Why has Torts refused to put AA in that position. He seems to be the only true center we have. I would also see that catapulting him to a breakout season. If Vinny is down, what are the other options for this club? I'm also going to take the time to go on record in stating we should have kept Kennedy around.

Who is better than Kovalchuk? M. Koivo just got a 7yr extension. (There was talk that we should persue him next offseason...not happening) Someone put up a list of next years class and I remember thinking that it was not that impressive. And besides we are going to try to re sign Dubi and Cally long term so realistically......who else would be available? Gotta figure McD, Staal, Gilroy, Girardi, Del Z are 5 of the 7 D men. Redden will not have been spoken of for months since hes exiled in siberia, I think Rozi 's contract is up after this season? He'll be traded likely. Two more young guys come up? What UFA D men are out there?

 

Regarding Offense Gabby, Drury, Dubi, Cally(who both must be signed), Avery, MZA, AA, Prust, Booger, some combo or all of Stephan, Kreider, Grachev? What UFA is out there that could be added to make this team better than if Kovalchuk was picked up now? Because I don't think anyone. I dont want the Rangers to go after any older than 29 or 30 offensive player this season. Brad Richards, Demitra(who went to the KHL today), Mike Richards, Gagne? If we sign Kovalchuk and he scored 45 goals.....does anyone really put any extra emphasis on resigning dubinsky....like it is an absolute important thing? He will never be a 30 goal scorer, so doesn't that make it less important if you get the big gun now? And before you say its never going to happen, remember who is in charge of this team, it very well may happen.

Watch it happen......as the Kings "take it or leave it" offer to Kovalchuk was rejected...........you know 2 things are about to happen. The first is the end of Redden's time with the big club. The next is breaking the bank for Kovy. He is coming to Broadway........because he will lower his contract expectations slightly to prevent going to the Isles. It doesn't matter how exciting a bad team is, they are still along way off from contending and he could have stayed in Atlanta with a better team than in the Island. We've heard all along the Rangers were slinking around feeling the situation out. They are going to make a move, I can't see how they wouldn't. After Gabby there is no scoring on this team, they have to pounce on this. Hopefully with the 6.8m in cap room the have, they can sign both Stall and Girardi.......4 mil and 2 mil respectively. Redden gets waived and maybe Rozi goes via trade?.......Thats like 12 million........offer Kovy 8? Haggle to 8.5 for 6 yrs? Before you say it...we'll worry about who needs to be re signed next year when it becimes a current event....until then, we gotta do what e gotta do. If Kovy came here and scored 48 goals, I would guess that signing Dubi or Cally would become less important and perhaps they sign for less because of that? Or maybe they eventually get moved ofr high picks.....any senario could happen.

this site has been a ghost town regarding trade speculation for the up coming deadline. I figured there would be tons of rumors swirling. 11 days guys, thats all that left. Any body hear any worthy news? We all know something is going to happen but with the Oly's there has been no coverage. I'm getting a little antsy. This stupid jump thing kills me, its not always possible to make a post with 75 words....or necessary

You've got to know that when the death of our organist is in the top Mets news headlines for over a week...there really is a whole lot of nothing going on with this team. I want to be more optimistic about the this season but when we really have not addressed a single need for the ballclub, how can I be. Jason Bay is an upgrade but besides bringing in older guys that will make our farm club better what has really happened? No solid catcher, no decent starter, no firstbaseman, no second baseman. If the Citifield crew brought in left field by 15ft so Wright might actually hit one out, it would be as good as a move, but that has not even happened.......but I digress.

do you think the Rangers should make the league minimum offer to pick him up for a little offensive boost? He worked pretty well here when he played for us and he absolutely needs a change of scenery. Not saying he is the answer but i think we could be more offensive with him in the line up. He is not a horrible player and may be an upgrade to some of the players we currently dress......i ask this because at this point we are buyers and not sellers for the playoffs. we are likely going to squeak in and if we don't our pick is going to suck anyway......so I'm guessing we go for it

Does Henrik get credit for a shut out for this game?  It kills me that Fatso is only adding to his impressive record. What a game. Offensively, the Rangers had 51 shots which is great and defensively they gave up 45 which is not so great. Impressive play by both net minders. Once again, 75 words to complete a post is a bit much as I've run out of things to say. And what the hell is the jump anyway?

I say keep things the same if they are working.......of course picking this guy up on waivers is making sather look smart. It looks like Prospal is only a day or two away from returning as they showed him skating and doing drills. Who sits once Vinny comes back? Things seem to be clicking as we are 8-1-3 in the last 12. Why does my post have to be 75 words long to get published?

The Mets signed the Japanese set up man. Lets assume they are going to get Bay. Should they try to sign Damon? Add Beltran to that mix and they have a pretty good outfield. Good offensive potential and decent defense. Bay may not be the best but considering who we've fielded the last couple of years, not so bad. Next......we need some [pitching and are obviously not getting a big name here. This should have been a priority. Bronson Orroyo has been linked to Omar. Don't know much about it though. I just don't want to suck so bad this season.

We lost the last couple of games by 1 goal. In both games the winner or tying goal against was while we were on the PP. God Damn it............this is unacceptable. Rozi in years past was notorious ofr soft cross ice passes that led to SHG's.......i did not see either goal, but if he was involved..........can we plz waive him.....finally? We are doomed to sub mediocrity this season and its killing me.