New York Rangers Practice News: Artem Anisimov, Michael Del Zotto Sit

Even if Staal getas cleared to practice soon he won’t return for a month afterward. Look how long Crosby’s been out, and he was cleared for contact two weeks ago. Staal won’t be back anytime soon.

One of the beat writes just stated that Anisimov and Del Zotto will be good to go tomorrow night. Also Jeff Woywitka will be playing tomorrow as well.

guess the mongs at Msg get what they wanted.

guess the mongs at Msg get what they wanted.

that avery is being recalled… he’ll be back playing with a chip on his shoulder and thats when he’s at his best…

I saw Aves first game back with the Whale, front on center. I had seats on the glass in Adirondack, even was down in the tunnel to give him a “go get ’em” with my little guy before the game. The first period Avery only played about 3 shifts. I think this was precautionary, they wanted to get him back up to game speed slowly, let him make sure his shoulder was back to 100%, and not just throw him to the wolves. In those 3 shifts he was intent on being “Sean Avery – Hockey Player”. He was just looking to score, and play the game, not talking, not looking to hit, just trying to be a skill player, and getting frustrated when things we’re going his way. It was Avery, “just playing hockey” and while he was still better then most of the AHL guys talent wise, he wasn’t really that good.

About the middle of the 2nd, the competitve juices seemed to take over, and he gave up trying to show he could be a “skill guy” for Torts, and got back to playing Sean Avery hockey. He was playing the body, digging for pucks, looking for calls when he got hit, chirping at the refs between plays. He even started stepping in and taking faceoffs and he was pretty good. Avery was out on the ice, playing with heart, and doing anything he felt could get his team a W. When he chirped at the refs, or another player “Kenny” didn’t bench him for 3 shifts, he just let it happen. Because the coach wasn’t making a show that he didn’t approve of Avery’s behavior, guys had to deal with it. After one faceoff discussion with a linesman, I think he actually got the refs to start cracking down on Phantom players cheating on draws.

To anyone questioning Avery’s heart, or what kind of player he is, you should have seen him, playing in a minor league game in a half empty arena, and you’d realize he was all heart. He hustled to ice the game with an empty netter, then stood his ground when he was jumped by a Phantoms defenseman, twice his size, immediatly after the goal. He can’t be too bad of a teamate, cause the guys down there were flocking to him. Talking to him on the bench, and on the way onto the ice. The more I saw, up close and personal, the more I realized Avery doesn’t just BELONG up with the big club, he would be a benefit. He might not give us the scoring we need directly, but he brings heart, desire to wear a rangers jersey, and an attitude that can give us an edge if Torts can swallow his pride long enough to let it happen.

the Avery recall is adjoining another move. The Cigar has been talking to the Bruins, according.. to NHL on the Fly. Many feel a deal could be in the works, and the name Boychuk keeps coming up. You could have a situation where Stralman signs a two-way, and the Rangers get Boychuk for Wolski.