Rangers Recap: Game 5 Loss to Capitals Ends Rangers' Season
by Nick Montemagno on Apr 23, 2011 6:51 PM EDT
in New York Rangers Recaps
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PrintThe New York Rangers have officially been eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Washington Capitals, and with that their 2010-11 campaign has come to an end. This afternoon's 3-1 loss at the Verizon Center was not the way the Blueshirts wanted to go out, nor was it the final game we the fans wanted to see our beloved team play this year. However, compared to previous seasons, this hockey club has a lot to be proud of, a lot to hold their heads up because of, and being eliminated by the Eastern Conference's number one seeded team should not take away from any of that.
Having your season come to an end in the playoffs is never an easy thing to swallow, as could be seen by the tears that were streaming down the face of goaltender Henrik Lundqvist as he sat on the bench and awaited the final buzzer in the third period. But the Rangers gave Washington a run for their money in this series, despite only winning one out of five games, and when you look at their roster compared to the Caps', that's a pretty impressive accomplishment in my opinion. The better team won this series, and that's basically the way you have to look at it.
New York got off to a very quick start immediately after the opening face-off in this one, as the Avery-Boyle-Prust line went right to work on the forecheck and got two early chances on Michal Neuvirth. That was about all the Capitals needed to wake up in this game, because following that they turned it on and never looked back.
At 5:59 of the opening stanza, defenseman Mike Green scored on a scrambly play in front of the net to give the Capitals a 1-0 lead. The Verizon Center was rocking after that goal and really never stopped until the players made their way off the ice at the end of the game. The Capitals didn't stop, either, but the Rangers kept the damage to a minimum through the first twenty minutes despite being completely dominated and outshot, 13-6.
The same old continued in the second period, with the Rangers missing chances to score on the powerplay and failing to get much going in the offensive zone. Then, at 7:04, Alexander Ovechkin found a little open space with the puck and made the Rangers pay. Upon receiving a long outlet pass, Ovie blew past a fatigued Marc Staal and beat Lundqvist with a smooth forehand to backhand move. That gave Washington a 2-0 advantage over New York, and that 2-0 advantage was what they did an excellent job defending for the remainder of the contest.
The Rangers tried hard to push back in the third and final period of their season, but the Capitals had all five of their players back in the defensive zone making sure the Blueshirts were kept to the outside on the rush. When the Rangers did finally get shots to the net, the Caps gave them no second opportunities on rebounds, and that starts with the way Neuvirth was simply absorbing every shot thrown his way.
After several failed chances to score, Alex Semin sealed the Rangers' fate with a goal coming on an odd-man rush with just over three minutes remaining in regulation. Head coach John Tortorella then pulled Lundqvist for the extra attacker, which enabled Wojtek Wolski to finally get on the board, but it was a little too late as the game, the series, and the season were already over.
Continue reading after the jump....
I think Lundqvist put it best in his postgame comments when he said that the Rangers were able to get the Caps to overtime twice and missed on opportunities to win both of those game, therefore the series really could have gone either way (even with one of their best players in Ryan Callahan on crutches). When you hear five games, you would think that the Capitals dominated, which for some parts they did, but the Rangers had their moments as well and the series as a whole comes down to the two overtime games (Games 1 and 4), both of which the Rangers were unable to win.
But like I've been saying, the Rangers gave us an unbelievable season no matter what the outcome was today. A lot of that is owed to the man mentioned above, Henrik Lundqvist. There is not a goaltender in the league that cares more about his performance and its affect on his team than Hank, and I think that certainly was put on display in this series. Lundqvist was absolutely incredible in all five games, and without him New York not only would have been swept in this series, but they probably would not have made the playoffs in the first place. Henrik had an outstanding season, whether he was nominated for the Vezina or not, and he should take a bow for what he has done for this franchise.
For the most part, the Rangers as a team should take a bow as well. For the first time since the lockout, I can sit here and say that I was satisfied with a season after an elimination game. Considering the expectations that were made for this team going into the season, they overachieved big time and that was because of effort, heart and determination. As fans, we should be very proud of what our boys were able to accomplish this year and should have high hopes for what is to come.
The Rangers are a young team in the middle of the development process. While I think GM Glen Sather needs to add another offensive gamebreaker in the offseason, the franchise is moving in the right direction as far as youth and homegrown talent goes. In a few years, if they stay on track, the Blueshirts will be that first seeded team taking on the eighth in the playoffs, not the other way around. We just have to be patient and accept the bumps in the road along the way. Obviously today's elimination loss was one of them.
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Everyone should be proud. Nothing less.
Enjoyed reading your recaps all season Nick. Thanks for the great work.
Blueshirt Banter *It's just pain.*
"On this team, we fight for that inch. On this team, we tear ourselves and everyone else around us to pieces for that inch. We claw with our fingernails for that inch. Because we know when we add up all those inches, that's gonna make the fucking difference between winning and losing! Between living and dying! I'll tell you this - in any fight, it's the guy who's willing to die who's gonna win that inch."
I’d echo that. There’s no team in the NHL that works harder than the Rangers, night-in and night-out. Your boys should go into the off-season with their heads held as high as their necks can stretch them. This is going to be a very good team sooner rather than later, especially with King Henrik between the pipes holding down the fort.
The series came down to a couple of coin-flips that went against you all. It’s really that simple.
I really enjoyed reading the content over here, especially by George and the comments from some of you guys. Insightful stuff. Good luck in the draft and good luck with the UFA pool.
"Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" George E.P. Box
by Knee high to a duck on Apr 23, 2011 7:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks. I appreciate it!
Blueshirt Banter: Covering the New York Rangers for SB Nation.
The Rangers Tribune: A hockey blog dedicated to covering the New York Rangers.
by Nick Montemagno on Apr 23, 2011 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Caps fan here
Here here rangers fans, you should be proud, that was a great effort. Great series, I have a new found respect for Girradi.
What say you, hockey gods???
Somehow, with a misspelt name, I find that hard to believe…
"Mes que un club"
-Ahmad Bradshaw is undoubtedly a psychic genius.
by Scratch and Snif on Apr 24, 2011 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions
new found?
new found? you mean you didn’t respect him before? i wonder why, he’s always been good, doesn’t take cheap hits, doesn’t whine, …..
Shoot the puck Barry!!!
Season’s over. Bummer.
Hope the NFL and NBA lock out. We need more hockey coverage.
Good season. Good job guys throughout the season. The Banter is a great place to be.
Next year, I want to see Lundqvist reach 40 wins. He is more than capable.
LET’S GO RANGERS!
"Jaromir Jagr.... it's a POWER PLAY GOAL!"
- Sam Rosen
"Let me ask you, would you want to play for the Edmonton Oilers...? (laughter)"
-Evgeni Nabokov
"We're not going to win a 1-0 hockey game tonight"
-John Tortorella, before the Rangers 1-0 win over the Canucks.
by rmc235 on Apr 23, 2011 6:59 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Great recap, season to be proud of
Just need more scoring. Stating the obvious there, just seems like every other playoff team, maybe with the exception of Boston, has 3 or 4 forwards that are better than any if ours. Not sure about Richards, I’d almost rather go in the direction even MORE of youth, but we all know Sather loves to overpay aging free agents.
2012, year of the Rangers, 2013, year of the Rangers, 2014..
"To everybody else we're underdogs, but we go in thinking we can handle any team in the NHL."
Brandon Prust, #8, New York Rangers
by Joe1969 on Apr 23, 2011 7:01 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
great write up. considering Cally was out the team put up one heck of a fight
Hope the NFL and NBA lock out. We need more hockey coverage.-amen to this.
I look forward to 2012.
"Fantasy, reality, science Fiction. Which is which? Who can tell?"
one last salute this season boys
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Follow me @8kpower
by Kevin Power on Apr 23, 2011 7:11 PM EDT reply actions 5 recs
+1
I listen to Enter Sandman before taking exams. I wear the exact same jersey every Giants game. The Rangers goal song goes off in my head when I achieve small successes in life.
HEN-RIK
by BombersGmenBlueshirts25 on Apr 23, 2011 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Damn you that made me tear up lol
by Mr. Avery to you on Apr 23, 2011 9:37 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bJMxhvVf0o
One last time.
@DigDeepNYR
"I like a man who grins when he fights." -Sir Winston Churchill
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "In Prust we Trust."
Good series, guys.
Tough for you all – hopefully you guys will be back in it next year. Good luck in the offseason.
And sorry about those who were trolling here in your game threads – the mods at JR will take care of it accordingly.
12 wins.
To Everyone on the Banter
This has been my first season with you guys, and it has been one of my favorites. Thanks to all of you crazy bastards and I’ll see you next year
"In the '60s I slept with many women, often outside in the mud and rain. It's possible a man may have slipped in there, there's no way of knowing."
if this team had the better fortune of facing the flyers, I think you guys would now be singing a different tune.
hope there weren’t too many d-bags over here giving you shit. i didn’t see many at all, but i wasn’t looking.
until next season
Which is funny because for weeks many people here begged and wished for the Caps and to avoid Philly at all costs. I warned be careful what you wish for and sure enough the season is over.
Its been a great 6 months being a NYR fan and part of this site. I can’t wait til the season opens in 6 months because this team will continue to improve. Now someone please convince Kreider to take the next step sooner rather than later.
GO PACK GO -- 13 Time World Champions
Let's Go Rangers
by Plusch on Apr 23, 2011 7:50 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
One of my favorite seasons
Grew up on the east coast and moved to Illinois a few years back and living in Central Illinois isn’t exactly the easiest place to be a Rangers fan, but this was my first season with Blueshirt Banter and my first season with access to Versus, so for the first time in many years, I was able to enjoy being a Rangers fan again and I couldn’t have asked for a better team to cheer for this year.
Plenty of disappointments but considering the way last season ended and the expectations going into it, from the Stepan hat trick on, there have been so many things to be proud of. We became a winning team again and we did it through persistent work from a core of young players and guys who stepped up to take on the leadership roles. There are only few players that I don’t want to see in a Rangers uniform.
We fought a good series. 3 out of 5 we could have won. If we had the offense working, who knows. Hopefully we can come out next season and be in good enough working order to where we don’t depend on Hank and shot blocking to keep us in the game. I was getting really tired of the back and forth between the fans, I thought it was getting to the point of being a little embarrassing, but I think for anyone that was paying attention, our team did plenty of talking. A 4-1 loss doesn’t come close to saying what this series was.
I’m proud of this team, and very proud to have had the pleasure of cheering for them. Cheers.
Don’t wanna see in a Rangers uniform next season
by Larry Jenkins on Apr 23, 2011 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions
thank you
want to thank all the rangers players and coach torts for a good season. no one including myself thought they would make the playoffs but torts done a hell of a job with what talent he had and injurys. and any talk of this man being fired is not a true rangers fan just cause you have the best goali in the game dosent always meen you are going to do good things. lets face it this team overachieved it was a battle all season to just stay afloat i love this core they are only going to get better and torts is the right coach to lead them. i know im going to get alot of crap for this but gaborik has to go. i will tell you why. he is not a player that can take the pounding in the eastern conference he is a finesse player that should be in the western conference. plus he cannot thrive in n,y. trade him if possible for iginla i know iginla is like 34 or so . but the man is big time in the playoffs and will knock your head off in a fight then maybee sign richards and see if we could trade for dustin penner. mccabe is not the answer just look at the powerplay in the series we need a good young point man if we could somehow make theses moves instead of a 8th seed we would jump up to a 3rd or 4th seed just my thoughts thanks to jim and mouth for there great work on this blog will be tuning into the off season reports on the team so till next year lets go rangers ..
lohaus #54
Season might be over but this is just the beginning for this team.
Sprinkle in some scoring up front, jettison some dead wood and integrate more youth and this team will be a viable candidate for a top 4 seed. I can’t wait for free agency and the draft, September will be here before we know it.
I’ve only been on here for four months and I can say Its been a great season and a pleasure to share the ups and downs with all of you. Jim, George and Dig (and others) do a phenomenal job keeping this place humming along. Love everything they are going around here and hope it stays strong through the off-season and into camp.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Apr 23, 2011 8:19 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Proud of this year's Ranger squad
To move to the next level we need scoring and speed! We have some great young talent coming up the pipe. I feel really great about the future of this team.
Freedom is a road seldom traveled by the multitudes...
I am so incredibly proud to be a Ranger fan. I enjoyed watching each and every player play their heart out every night. I will never forget watching and savoring…
Derek Stepan and his incredible rookie performance
Ruslan Fedetenko and his relentlessness on the forecheck
Dan Girardi throw his body into every shot that comes his way
Marc Staal punking the other teams stars night in and night out, and decking Stajan with one of the most crushing hits i have seen since Scott Stevens
Ryan Callahan throw his body at anything that breaths, and pumping the blood into the squad
Brandon Dubinsky wear his heart on his sleeve and demonstrate passion, integrity, and true toughness. It was a treat watching him take the next step
Brandon Prust skate all over the opposition and grind it out like a true man. Remember when he spanked Carcillo?
Brian Boyle prove to the world that he is a hockey player, and a hell of a good one
Chris Drury score a remarkable goal to staple the Rangers playoff spot, a quintessential ending to his career. (lol)
Michael Sauer showing us what clearing the crease is, and how fucking awesome it is
Ryan McDonagh negating anything a Habs fan says to us about Sather
Artem Anisimov proving that he is talented, shifty, and possibly a future selke candidate
Steve Eminger surprise us all with physicality and a reliable vet presence on the backend
Frolov and his amusing wraparound attempts
Matt Gilroy improve his defensive game tenfold
Marian Gaborik go ape shit on the Oils and Isles
Like Jim said in tonight’s show, better days are ahead of us. We should all keep our heads high. 2010-2020 will be a good decade for Rangers Hockey.
by The Blue Seats on Apr 23, 2011 9:24 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Once again got me tearin up lol very nice I remember it all I’m so emotional
by Mr. Avery to you on Apr 23, 2011 9:41 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Of course how could we forget the MILF lmao oh and the sister don’t leave her out!
by Mr. Avery to you on Apr 23, 2011 11:06 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Upon receiving a long outlet pass, Ovie blew past a fatigued Marc Staal
“Fatigued”, I’m not sure Ovi could have made a sleeping Michael Rosival look that bad. It wasn’t hockey, it was a seen from “What’s Love Got To Do With It” with Ovi playing the part of Ike Turner. Next time, not matter how “fatigued’ he is Marc Staal should just ”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DadlLq2yrBw&feature=related" >eat the damn cake.
What the hell are you talking about?
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Follow me @8kpower
by Kevin Power on Apr 24, 2011 10:48 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
he’s saying Staal is soft and weak, and looked horrible on that play.
by j-red on Apr 24, 2011 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
He was beaten because he was dead tired after being out there for what was essentially a double shift
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Follow me @8kpower
by Kevin Power on Apr 24, 2011 11:55 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
He was SO tired he not only couldn’t make a play, he couldn’t even realize he should have taken Ovi down? Everything about that play was wrong on Staal’s part.
by BuckarooClub on Apr 24, 2011 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe he was so tired because he gets the toughest workload of any player out on that ice, and Torts riding him close to 30min a night in regulation started to wear down on him. completely reasonable, considering he was drawing Ovechkin and Backstrom the entire time. You never acknowledge him when he plays stellar games but you call him out after one bad play because he was tired, completely irrational and unreasonable, and its starting to get old.
by CrazyRangerFan on Apr 24, 2011 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m not sure it’s so “irrational and unreasonable” to have wanted Staal to stick his stick in Ovechkin’s skates.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
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"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Apr 24, 2011 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions
If that happened I wouldn’t doubt Buck to blame him for taking a tripping penalty, all he does is look for Staal to make a mistake and blast him for it. Is it not enough the guy was an All Star this year I mean damn, everyone should be ecstatic that we have him, not many teams have a Top Young D-man like Staal. Off of the top of my head the only other teams would be
Kings-Doughty
Pens- Letang
Caps- Green
Coyotes- Yandle
BlackHawks- Keith
Preds- Weber/Suter
Sens- Karlsson(I guess, don’t know much about him defensively)
Avalanche- Johnson(if you will, I think he is overrated)
8 other teams have a young Dman that are really dominant and most of them are better offensively than defensively I would argue Staal is better defensively than most of them. So really he has no basis to dislike Staal its ridiculous.
by CrazyRangerFan on Apr 24, 2011 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Here's the thing
All season we hear that Staal is “one of the best shutdown defensemen in the league” and “a minutes eater”. A ‘minutes eater’ shouldn’t be complaining about getting too many mins. A “shut down” defenseman should be able to ATTEMPT to step up and shut down Ovi. If you’re gonna talk the talk, he’s gotta walk the walk.
Would I like to think that, from what i HEAR about Staal, he wouldn’t have to resort to pulling Ovi down there. YES. But it’s worse that Staal never even CONSIDERED it.
by BuckarooClub on Apr 24, 2011 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I understand what your saying about the play, but it doesn’t mean Staal is not a top defender. Its Ovechkin we are talking about, he caught Staal flat footed and made him pay, its not like anybody else would have been able to do much better. Everyone makes mistakes, even the best of the best, yes Staal had a rough series thinking back to game 1, but it doesn’t take away from how good he really is.
by CrazyRangerFan on Apr 24, 2011 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Watch it again. He wasn’t flat footed. If anything he was cheating off the blueline. This series was BIG chance for Staal to step and fill the shoes everyone thinks he should be wearing. He didn’t. It’s something that has to be addressed. No excuses for it.
by BuckarooClub on Apr 25, 2011 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Tough loss but great season
I have added a lot of grey hair watching the Rangers games but overall this was a great and successful season.
Thank you all for the great fan site and smart posts/comments, I had a lot of fun with you, guys.
I expect a separate topic on whom we do or don’t want to see on this team next season.
Neveretheless, first who come to my mind are Christensen, Frolov, Drury, Gilroy, McCabe, Prospal, Avery.
Fedotenko must be resigned, the rest of the roster is unquestionable.
It feels good to be a Rangers fan.
"Ягр - мегазвезда мирового хоккея."
Советский Спорт
Halak was twenty times better last year than Lundqvist this year. I really thought Hank would steal games and make it go deep. He played well, but not even close to what was expected.
by SA-Town on Apr 23, 2011 10:02 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Let me be the first to tell you that you are d-bag troll and a pathetic one at that.
"To everybody else we're underdogs, but we go in thinking we can handle any team in the NHL."
Brandon Prust, #8, New York Rangers
by Joe1969 on Apr 23, 2011 10:15 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
lol
laughable comment, really
I listen to Enter Sandman before taking exams. I wear the exact same jersey every Giants game. The Rangers goal song goes off in my head when I achieve small successes in life.
HEN-RIK
by BombersGmenBlueshirts25 on Apr 23, 2011 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Not really. Lundqvist is better than Halak, but Lundqvist never got really hot. Twenty times is hyperbole, but, thankfully for us Caps fans, our worst fear of an elite goalie getting hot (even hotter?) didn’t happen.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
Behindthenet quick link to QoC/QoT/Corsi/PDO/Zonestarts
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Apr 23, 2011 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions
still laughable
if you watched the series at all you saw that we literally we would not have had a prayer of a chance without Hank, but with him we nearly won both OT games and IMO had a real chance in this series
I listen to Enter Sandman before taking exams. I wear the exact same jersey every Giants game. The Rangers goal song goes off in my head when I achieve small successes in life.
HEN-RIK
by BombersGmenBlueshirts25 on Apr 24, 2011 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Heh, how much of Habs-Caps did you see? Scoring chances have the Caps generating 2-3 times as many chances per game as they did during this series. Halak was .979 over the final three games, facing ~50 shots a game. Lundqvist did give NYR a reliable shot in this series, but so could another, lesser goalie, if he got hot.
This isn’t an indictment on Lundqvist, it’s just remembering just how ridiculously “in-the-zone” Halak was. Lundqvist didn’t get to that next level, fortunately for us Caps fans who’ve seen good goalies (Lundqvist, Miller, Halak) and bad goalies (Roloson, Mason) stone us alike.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
Behindthenet quick link to QoC/QoT/Corsi/PDO/Zonestarts
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Apr 24, 2011 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions
How was Halak better last year?
Last year, he got chased in Game 3 after giving up 3 goals on 13 shots, didn’t even start Game 4, and was pretty shitty in Game 2 to the tune of 6 goals. It was debatable whether he would even play game 5 and he just played out of his mind for 3 games. If the Caps goaltending last year were just semi-competent (Varlamov was inexcusably bad in Games 6 and 7) they get a little scare but move on to the second round and people don’t get this small sample size boner over Halak.
"You're Darryl Strawberry!" "Yes?" "You play right field!" "Yes?" "Well, are you better than me?" "I've never met you.... but.... yes."
by Five-Tool Tool on Apr 24, 2011 5:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Halak posted north of .930 in the first round. Halak isn’t the better goalie, but, for example, Michael Leighton on a roll > Roberto Luongo.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
Behindthenet quick link to QoC/QoT/Corsi/PDO/Zonestarts
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Apr 24, 2011 8:12 AM EDT up reply actions
fuck off.
you only WISH the Caps had a goalie half as good as Hank is
BELIEVE!
Rangers FTW!
by BleedsRangerBlue on Apr 24, 2011 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions
You’re borderline trolling.
He played great, and gave this team and its feeble offense a chance to win every game of this series. Including being a huge factor in our win against you guys. Both playoff overtime goals were off of miscues in the Rangers defensive zone. How many of your goals were on the powerplay, on the rush, or ugly deflections and jam-ins?
Hank played stellar.
@DigDeepNYR
"I like a man who grins when he fights." -Sir Winston Churchill
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "In Prust we Trust."
So long to all on Blueshirt Banter till next season
Today ends my 53rd year as a Ranger fan.
Tough day for me, but life goes on. See you all again, next year, for my 54th year, God willing. It’s been fun on this site, maybe next year will have a different ending.
I hope so.
You stay on here that sounds lucky to me your 54th year might represent somethin else a certain 54th year did ;)
by Mr. Avery to you on Apr 23, 2011 11:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Were you born a Rangers fan and counting your fandom from then? If anything, I’m a relatively old hockey fan as well. Initially followed the Blues since I used to live in St Louis even though I moved out of there when that team had come into existence and then started following the Caps in 1975 as a young adult.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
Nope, I’m 71 now, and was introcuced to hockey (and the Rangers) when I was 17, when a high school buddy convinced me to go with him to a game at the old Garden. If memory serves we paid a buck or so for a general admission ticket, which we used to get in. Then a small “gratuity” to one of the ushers got us a seat not far from the ice. Age blurs all the details, but the general “tale” is true! I’ve been a rabid fan since then!
I moved to Ct (hockey - nowhere), N.J.(Devils-Vomit, Vomit), and Florida (Panthers—???) since then but I still bleed Ranger blue! Thank God for NHL Center Ice; for less than $200 bucks a year, I get almost all the Ranger Games on my Dedicated HDTV. The only games that have been blocked out recently are the games against Toronto (may they rot in hell). BTW, S.E. Florida SUCKS as far as hockey is concerned, a shitty team, and NO newspaper coverage at all, so Blueshirts Banter is a Godsend!!!
Happy to have you part of the community here. See you next year, we’ll do our best to keep you and the gang posted on all offseason news like we always do.
The season never ends at BSB.
@DigDeepNYR
"I like a man who grins when he fights." -Sir Winston Churchill
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "In Prust we Trust."
Yes There is a Future
But it is going to take some patience to allow it to grow and some support as the kids who are coming go through their growing pains.
It is going to take a change in the mindset that says go after the biggest UFA on the market. What we really need is for the NYR to change their mindset and for once take care of their own before giving away the keys to the castle.
Give Dubi and Cally a fair salary, reward Boyle for his hard work, the same for Michael Sauer as he too has earned his place.
Give Brandon Prust a contract extension with a raise to again reward someone who left everything out on the ice. Send a message to the fans, the players in Hartford and the prospects that “give us your hard work and we will pay you for it”
But most of all I am glad to come here tonight and see so many of you can see that there is for the first time in a very long time a light at the end of the tunnel.
It is a shame that more fans can not see what you guys are seeing.
by theprospectpark on Apr 23, 2011 10:30 PM EDT reply actions
I may be one of the last people you want to hear from today since I’m a fan of the opposition. In fact, I stayed off your site throughout the series. But your team played a good series and made it tough. Lundqvist played a very good series and made many great saves or things would have been really bad.
I thank your team for the great beatdown of the Pens back in February that I was fortunate enough to witness in person during my trip to New York. It was a great tension reliever and it was fun to be at Madison Square Garden in general. I thank you guys for all the banter and discussion when I hung out your your blog the day of your beat down to the then first place Flyers and of Matt Cooke’s hit that led to his season ending suspension.
Maybe if I were a New Yorker, I’d be a Rangers fan. They have a lot of Irish players, including Callahan. They have a guy bearing the same last name as an old HS friend — Sauer. And one Ranger has a first and last name that rhymes with my name. And I seem to have had a soft spot for Slavs most of my life, as my first ever date was with a Pole (and I’ve admired many Russians.)
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
And two Rangers are alums of my first child’s alma mater, Boston University. She’s the same age as Gilroy, in fact, even if Gilroy started his education there later.
Rocking the Red for teams on the banks of the Potomac and at the Gateway Arch and Singing the Blues about Hockey.
junior at BU right now, REPRESENT
I listen to Enter Sandman before taking exams. I wear the exact same jersey every Giants game. The Rangers goal song goes off in my head when I achieve small successes in life.
HEN-RIK
by BombersGmenBlueshirts25 on Apr 23, 2011 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions
thanks for chiming in
it was a hard fought series but the Caps are the more talented team and they’re firepower was just too much to overcome
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Follow me @8kpower
by Kevin Power on Apr 23, 2011 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Good series, guys. Thanks to 8k, Dig Deep, and George for joining our enemy site briefly to provide a different perspective. See you all in the fall.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
Behindthenet quick link to QoC/QoT/Corsi/PDO/Zonestarts
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
Thanks to RAL for always offering George-like insight, realism, logic, and some very welcome different perspective in some discussions.
Have a great playoffs and good luck on the cup run. You’re always welcome here. Take it easy.
@DigDeepNYR
"I like a man who grins when he fights." -Sir Winston Churchill
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "In Prust we Trust."
Thanks.
On a related note, I can literally see you all in the fall (moving to NYC). We’ll need to plan some viewing parties (although I’m not drinking age yet, so might be a bit tough…)
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
Behindthenet quick link to QoC/QoT/Corsi/PDO/Zonestarts
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Apr 24, 2011 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Last viewing party we did was at a bar, but you didn’t have to be of drinking age (or drinking) to be there with us. We usually try to make things happen that way. We are an age-inclusive group.
@DigDeepNYR
"I like a man who grins when he fights." -Sir Winston Churchill
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "In Prust we Trust."
Been a Ranger fan for 26 years...
and have never been more bummed out.
Team needs talent. Not so-so talent, but God-honest can’t miss talent.
Want to thank Glen Sather for finally getting us a plan worth seeing through. But, this team needs talent for the coming season. So if you’re reading (I’m just saying), here’s my wish list for the summer:
1. Let Vinny Prospal, Ruslan Fedetenko, Steve Eminger, and Bryan McCabe go in free agency. Letting their combined (estimated $9-$10) monies go will help up keep our RFAs Dubinsky, Callahan, Anisimov, and Gilroy.
2. Use any one of these potential trades:
Send Marian Gaborik ($7.50), Michael Del Zotto($1.087), and Sean Avery ($1.938) to the Predators for Shea Weber and a draft pick.
Send Marian Gaborik, Michael Del Zotto, and Sean Avery to the Ducks for Bobby Ryan.
Send Marian Gaborik, Michael Del Zotto, and Sean Avery to the Kings for Drew Doughty (following an offer sheet of 7 years, $56 million).
Yes, you can see that I have drop my quarters in the wishing well, and hope that The Cigar will think in my thinking.
"The winner of the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award is Number Eight, Brandon Prust!"--Ofc. Colin McDonald, NYPD, April 7, 2011
that...
May be the worst off all the trade the team away plan I’ve ever seen. Doesn’t your plan ring a bell? The last 10 or so years?
Flyers take it up the ass, doo dah, doo dah, Flyers take it up the ass, all lah doo lah day.
by FIRESATHER327 on Apr 24, 2011 12:37 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
in your opinion...
But, opinions are free.
With five pending UFAs, you’re looking at sending off $12 million in salary. Having five RFAs, the majority of that is gone. So, the trade market is your lone remaining option. And to make someone listen, you have to have something to offer. Thus, my reason for offering Del Zotto. Not to just give up on him, but keeping in mind the other GMs of the league. They will not just take a flashy player like Gaborik, and risk it all. They want more; and there’s no point in being shy if you’re Sather this summer.
"The winner of the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award is Number Eight, Brandon Prust!"--Ofc. Colin McDonald, NYPD, April 7, 2011
by Danz10 on Apr 24, 2011 9:28 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Sorry Dan but
1- Gaborik has a no trade clause in his contract
2- Giving up on Del Zotto at the age of 20 means that a young player has to be perfect from day 1 or else people will see them as busts.
3- Do you really think the Kings would take Sean Avery back?
4-You move 3 players in your wishing well and get back just 1 in of your scenarios which means you have shifted problems around not addressed them, You fill one hole by creating 2 new ones.
Sorry Dan but these are the exact same kinds of ideas that created the mess in the first place.
by theprospectpark on Apr 24, 2011 12:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Prospect..
I was thinking cap space and needing to open roster spots. Releasing Avery isn’t smart, because the Rangers would be the on the hook for all of the last year of his contract.
Gaborik doesn’t fit the system Torts is running, and Del Zotto may just need to learn the NHL elsewhere.
Giving focus to the future, Krieder and Hagelin look close to coming along. And with Stepan having a wonderful rookie season, it may be time to provide him with talent to go forward with.
"The winner of the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award is Number Eight, Brandon Prust!"--Ofc. Colin McDonald, NYPD, April 7, 2011
by Danz10 on Apr 24, 2011 9:12 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
You move 3 players in your wishing well and get back just 1 in of your scenarios which means you have shifted problems around not addressed them, You fill one hole by creating 2 new ones.
In his defense, Aves was a regular “healthy scratch”, and MDZ spent most of the season in hartford, so Gabby is the only everyday player that has to be replaced, and in everyone of his scenerio’s, he brings back a player who’s more dominant at their position then Gabby is, plus any one of those guys are gonna be looking at a cap hit close to the size of Gabby’s (Ryan’s $5m per is a little less) , so if we can unload him, it helps us maintain some freedom. Yes, Gabby has a NTC, but unlike Redden, there is no way Gabby doesn’t accept a trade or leave for Europe if you threaten to move him to Hartford.
I’m not saying Danz moves are home runs, but I think he’s recognizing the type of talent we need to acquire to become a legit contender. If your name’s not Hank, you should be available in a trade if there’s a chance to acquire a young player at the level of any of the 3 he mentioned. Our drafting might be getting better, but you of all people should realize we have NOTHING on the team or in the system that projects at the level of those guys.
by BuckarooClub on Apr 24, 2011 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Unless Redden negates his contract by not showing up for his AHL assignment, we won’t have cap space to demote him, nor will we have a slot in Hartford for a player than has played more than 260? professional games. Anyone know the “AHL Development Rule” and have an idea of how many slots we’re using down there? I don’t see Gaborik being demoted, and a threat would be empty. 14M in the AHL between 2 people not only kills the summer cap, but we would have to free up cap space to fit him under the summer cap at the end of every season… so no UFAs (which might be a good thing?)
Not a chance
I don’t like it because you’re giving up on Del Zotto far too quickly. Let the tools develop.
Del Zotto (despite his limits) still posted a 37 point NHL season at age 19. Shea Weber wasn’t even playing in the NHL until he was 20.
"You're Darryl Strawberry!" "Yes?" "You play right field!" "Yes?" "Well, are you better than me?" "I've never met you.... but.... yes."
by Five-Tool Tool on Apr 24, 2011 5:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Del Zotto
I’m one of his biggest supporters on here. I think the kids skill set is unreal. My concern is the our system won’t get him to his potential. If we can use him in a move to land a “finished product” then I’m all for it. I think he’s worth more as a player in the right hands, then in our hands.
by BuckarooClub on Apr 24, 2011 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm praying they don't dick him around like they did Sanguinetti.
"You're Darryl Strawberry!" "Yes?" "You play right field!" "Yes?" "Well, are you better than me?" "I've never met you.... but.... yes."
by Five-Tool Tool on Apr 24, 2011 8:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Their should be a law against fans proposing completely irrational trades that favor their team a little but have zero purpose for the other team to agree. Sorry dude but honestly the only one even remotely possible is Bobby Ryan and that team is not giving up a rugged, top scorer for Marian Gaborik who is not a physical play by any means.
by CrazyRangerFan on Apr 24, 2011 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Lundqvist was crying?
WHAT A PUSSY ROFLMAO!!!!!!! HAHAHA what did he expect signing a 6 million dollar cap hit contract on the worst original 6 team in history!!!!!!! LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!
I walked by msg today and all I heard was crickets??? CAN YOU HEAR US?! BUMS!
Oh and by the way, how are you gonna get richards with Callahan Anisimov and all your other nim wits of players needing to resign. #Ilovemessingwithfools !!!
posting this at… 1:38 am.
"Jaromir Jagr.... it's a POWER PLAY GOAL!"
- Sam Rosen
"Let me ask you, would you want to play for the Edmonton Oilers...? (laughter)"
-Evgeni Nabokov
"We're not going to win a 1-0 hockey game tonight"
-John Tortorella, before the Rangers 1-0 win over the Canucks.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ..............
"You're Darryl Strawberry!" "Yes?" "You play right field!" "Yes?" "Well, are you better than me?" "I've never met you.... but.... yes."
by Five-Tool Tool on Apr 24, 2011 5:45 AM EDT up reply actions
classy
Real classy you idiot
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Follow me @8kpower
by Kevin Power on Apr 24, 2011 9:16 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Right because chanting Boudreau and we are louder is classy… Because the rangers whined to the refs this entire series is classy, like you call b\Brodeur a fatass and even in the gamethread not the comments you have names for him is classy. Wow you are ignorant.
by kewlnsimpguy1 on Apr 24, 2011 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions
let’s not get into ignorance please – I’ve seen two comments from you, and I can already guarantee that you’re a fucking moron.
Again what I said was it wrong? was it? You can call me names but you have to back it up…
by kewlnsimpguy1 on Apr 24, 2011 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Fuck off.
how’s that?
BELIEVE!
Rangers FTW!
by BleedsRangerBlue on Apr 24, 2011 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Cussing at him isn't worth it
But i still want to know why he was on this website at 1:38 in the morning…instead of you know…living?
by Esa'sFirstKiss on Apr 24, 2011 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions
oh, I know it won’t solve anything..but I’m sick and working on 3 hours sleep haha.
What I was doing at 1:38 am can not be told in detail :)
BELIEVE!
Rangers FTW!
by BleedsRangerBlue on Apr 24, 2011 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Back what up, exactly? Like this is some argument? The Caps dumbass of a coach called out the Garden and the fans – so really, the classlessness began with Boudreau. Call it “clever”, or whatever you will…. still classless. On top of that, Boudreau was the only to one whine about the refs the entire series, publicly at that.
And besides, what is there to be wrong about? We don’t like you, you don’t like us. Where do the facts come in that I have to debate about?
I never siad Boudreau was classy, but it probably was dumb how the attention turned from the actual game to the fat coach. My point is there really is no talking of class with ranger fans, it just shouldn’t happen. I mean not saying that ALL are not classy, but some are huge hippocrites saying there should have been a call 20 times per game and then when there is an obvious call they go WTF!!!! RIGGED NHL! That’s what I hate.
by kewlnsimpguy1 on Apr 24, 2011 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions
rigged in favor of the Rangers?
roflmao
If anything, it is rigged in favor of Bettman’s nut buddies. Crosby, and Ovechkin.
BELIEVE!
Rangers FTW!
by BleedsRangerBlue on Apr 24, 2011 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions
That’s not what I ment, I ment ranger fans are saying the games were rigged so that the caps would win, sorry if I wrote it wrong.
by kewlnsimpguy1 on Apr 24, 2011 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Okay, I think it is time to disengage from this guy. Spelled “meant” wrong twice in a single post. Not worth the effort or time.
by Esa'sFirstKiss on Apr 24, 2011 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions
so instead of proving me wrong by actually saying something about hockey, you bring my shitty spelling up. COOL
by kewlnsimpguy1 on Apr 24, 2011 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Ok…how would you feel if you just realized your season ended, especially if you did everything you could to help your team? Would you have respected Lundqvist more if he’d smiled and laughed it off, as if he doesn’t care?
Don’t be a troll.
My blog and Twitter, featuring coverage of the most frustrating team in the NHL
If you don't know how to use Timeonice, read this.
Behindthenet quick link to QoC/QoT/Corsi/PDO/Zonestarts
"Numbers don't lie, they just don't agree with you"--George E. Ays
If I reference a lot of stats, just assume I haven't seen anything to contradict or invalidate them.
by red army line on Apr 24, 2011 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Ill admit I obviously did troll in the first comment, but that was to get the attention of you guys. Obviously Lundqvist played amazing all year although his defense did help him out tremendously. Its the offense that did him and the team in.
by kewlnsimpguy1 on Apr 24, 2011 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
NOTE TO ALL:
This fellow is now banned and won’t be returning anytime soon. This is a great example on how to get banned by trolling and stirring up drama for no reason at all.
@DigDeepNYR
"I like a man who grins when he fights." -Sir Winston Churchill
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "In Prust we Trust."
by Dig Deep on Apr 24, 2011 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
you wanna talk hockey?
Let’s talk hockey. Yes the Caps beat us in five but we didn’t steamrolled or pushed around. We fought for every inch of ice and gave the Caps everything we could but they’re the more,talented team offensively and that did us in. I’m proud that my goalie, who makes millions playing a game I would glady play for free, actually cares enough about himself and his team to show his emotion after a tough loss. During the series I may have made jokes about Boudreau and the Caps but after the game was over I showed respect to them in defeat and I was hoping for some in return. I guess some of you guys are sore winners.
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Follow me @8kpower
by Kevin Power on Apr 24, 2011 12:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
And this is how this went down
You got drunk. Went home alone. Didn’t have a girlfriend to actually spend time with. Took frustration out on an anonymous chat board. Well done.
Also, this isn’t twitter. Don’t use a #.
by Esa'sFirstKiss on Apr 24, 2011 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions
get out of here douchebag. A LOT of hockey players cry after they get knocked out of the playoffs, and its because hockey players are a different breed. They truly care about winning a cup, Id be worried if the players on my team didn’t cry. so fuck off troll
by CrazyRangerFan on Apr 24, 2011 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
DOUCHEBAG
I listen to Enter Sandman before taking exams. I wear the exact same jersey every Giants game. The Rangers goal song goes off in my head when I achieve small successes in life.
HEN-RIK
by BombersGmenBlueshirts25 on Apr 24, 2011 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Next season’s success rides on Del Zotto’s development in my eyes. If we had a competent power play who knows what could have happened this year.
I dont want McCabe back at all, resign Feds & Prospal though if we’re able to. Gut says stay away from Richards because he’s very likely to want a 6+ year contract and that isnt something to just be given out like candy anymore to a guy on the wrong side of 30 w/ concussion history.
GO PACK GO -- 13 Time World Champions
Let's Go Rangers
Haven’t looked at it that way but you could be right. If MDZ turns into a RELIABLE defenseman that we can RELY on when he needs to be RELIED on, then our team would instantly benefit. He has the talent for sure, but unlike Sauer and McD, he makes you feel alot less comfortable when he’s in the defensive zone.
"Mes que un club"
-Ahmad Bradshaw is undoubtedly a psychic genius.
by Scratch and Snif on Apr 24, 2011 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions
agree 100% on McCabe
Too much talent in the organization on D to warrant keeping a slow d-man who is not very physical. DZ has to be able to step up and play well next year, it’s the key to the team’s next step forward.
Prole art threat.
by greifi griffie on Apr 24, 2011 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Hopes for next year
Continue the youth movement…
Buy out Drury, say goodbye to Christiansen, McCabe, Frolov, and Eminger, release Avery (no one would take him in trade), probably no more Gilroy (we won’t offer him because we’d have to go higher than his pvs salary, and $2m is too much, unless we can keep him for a major salary drop), keep one of Fedetenko/Prospal for veteran leadership, let the other go.
Extend Anisimov, Callahan and Dubinsky.
If the price can be right, get one good scoring FA, preferably a center, but don’t lock up too much cap…if that means no FA, then so be it.
That leaves 10 forwards (Prust, Wolski, Boyle, Dubinsky, Stepan, Anisimov, Callahan, Gaborik, Boogaard, and Prospal/Fedetenko) with 13-14 spots including healthy scratches. One possibly to a FA, the other(s) can be battled out among Zuke, Grachev, Hagelin, Kreider, Borque, CThomas, and Newbury. Use Dupont and Kolarik as trade bait to get a couple more draft picks to keep the young talent pool deep.
On D, that leaves 4 (Girardi, McDonaugh, Sauer, and Staal), adding Gilroy if he can be had for around $750k. Valentenko is ready (great +/-, could use his big shot on the PP) possibly McIlrath, if he’s ready, Del Zotto, and a cheap veteran free agent to fill out the mix.
That would be the perfect off season…stay young, keep the talent pool stocked and the salary cap manageable, and next year creep closer to being a top tier team.
Can we pressure boogey to retire?
If not, no harm in just buying him out. We would only loose about 0.8mil off the cap for the next few years.
"Mes que un club"
-Ahmad Bradshaw is undoubtedly a psychic genius.
by Scratch and Snif on Apr 24, 2011 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Thanks Jim and Eddie and...
Thank you so much NY Rangers for what was by far the most heart-warming, exciting, emotional season since ‘94. Not only did you finally commit to youth and adopt a great never-say-die persona, I had the honor & pleasure of meeting no less than 9 NYR alums (Mess, Gravey, Leetch, Richter, Keenan, Duguay, Mullen, Stemmer & Gresch), appeared on MSG’s GardenVision b4 cheering the 7-0 blowout of those same Caps, had my FB ? read on Hockey Night Live, toured Manhattan on the pre-game bus b4 witnessing the happiest period of hockey this year in Game 4. Enjoy the summer, guys – until next year in Sweden :)
meh-game 5 letdown
Rangers went out quietly yesterday, in another game where their motivation levels should have been sky-high they looked flat. How does that happen?
After this playoff Dan Girardi has clearly earned a letter for his jersey….giving up the body repeatedly to block shots, shaking off injuries, and playing a strong and willful game of hockey. The Rangers’ top two pairs on defense will rival any others in hockey next year. Not normally one to speculate much but here’s what I think needs to happen for the Rangers to keep improving next season:
1. get rid of Chris Drury. No explanation necessary.
2. get rid of Bryan McCabe. Other than one goal against the Flyers McCabe was a waste.
3. decide what to do with Del Zotto and Gilroy—one must stay, one must go. Neither is good enough to justify retaining both at this point.
4. resign Biron or a cheaper equivalent and play him 24 times next season.
5. give Valentenko or McIlrath real shots to make the team next year, and use them in a role where they are free to punish opposing players.
6. listen to any trade offer for any player on the roster except Lundqvist, Callahan, and top two defensive pairs, and try to acquire a hard-working playmaking center somehow (easier said than done, I know).
7. don’t sign/trade for any players with documented concussion histories.
8. remind Brian Boyle the season does not stop in game 55, and that it’s OK to produce offensively in your last 32 games of the season and playoffs.
This season was a fun one; despite its bitter ending it has to be judged as a success overall, as a young team viewed by many to be a bubble team at best overcame a lot of injuries and showed more heart than any Ranger team in a long, long time.
Prole art threat.
We don’t really need Valtank or McWrath here for the moment, we’ve got a punisher in Sauer already. Unless either of the two develops so real offense, no point in adding another player in his early 20s to the league’s youngest defense. Agreed on the trade offers but add Step to that list. And make sure Biron is in a Rangers jersey next year
"Mes que un club"
-Ahmad Bradshaw is undoubtedly a psychic genius.
by Scratch and Snif on Apr 24, 2011 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
The Rangers are building a decent track record in recent years with young defensemen—Sauer and McDonagh had great success this year as rookies; so did Girardi and Staal when they first entered the league. I say roll the dice, Rangers—and go with DZ and Valentenko as the third pair next year. I don’t see veteran help being the answer for the Rangers on D.
You are right to a certain extent with Stepan—I’d still move him if the right player came around though.
Prole art threat.
by greifi griffie on Apr 24, 2011 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions
get rid of Bryan McCabe. Other than one goal against the Flyers McCabe was a waste.
I’m not so quick to dismiss McCabe, I think he could be kept around VERY cheaply for the 3rd pair, and makes a nice bridge for some of these guys. He’s not the best defenseman in the league, but he’s fine on the 3rd pair, forces a younger guy to pass him to earn their spot, and adds some experience/character to young defense.
decide what to do with Del Zotto and Gilroy—one must stay, one must go. Neither is good enough to justify retaining both at this point.
With Torts in the picture, i agree there is NO WAY both those guys have spots. I think MDZ has more value in a trade, and our system won’t ‘develop’ him, so at this point, I say move him.
resign Biron or a cheaper equivalent and play him 24 times next season.
Biron is signed for next season, regardless. At his age, how he responds to returning from an injury like is what we have to wait and see.
give Valentenko or McIlrath real shots to make the team next year, and use them in a role where they are free to punish opposing players.
We need to get tougher. Can’t agree enough here. I don’t like the idea of handing them spots as much as I like having a McCabe-esque “stepping stone” they can surpass to make the team.
listen to any trade offer for any player on the roster except Lundqvist, Callahan, and top two defensive pairs,
Hank should be the ONLY safe player. You’re going to have to give to get, so everyone else should be on the board. If we’re looking for an elite wing, that player should upgrade a guy like Cally, so it shouldn’t hurt that bad. Plus at $4mil per, Cally’s heart/hustle might be a bit expensive to keep AND be able to bring/pay a couple top flight players.
Same on defense, I think packaging Staal/Girardi might be a good way to get the dominant defender we need. If for example, LA is confident that Jack Johnson is for real, and can lead the D, the idea of getting a second pair, with a combined cap hit equal to what Doughty will get, as well as some prospects, could be attractive. In the end, we get a guy who can lead all our young D for years to come, something we need.
don’t sign/trade for any players with documented concussion histories.
This is going to sound completely insensitive, but I would RATHER a FA have a concussion history then another injury. The concussion won’t affect their game, and if they get another one, they are done. No rehabbing, no IR, they’re off the cap and out of the game. You can’t “limp along” and collect a paycheck if you have a bad concussion.
remind Brian Boyle the season does not stop in game 55, and that it’s OK to produce offensively in your last 32 games of the season and playoffs.
Boyle’s not gonna the scorer he was in those first games ever again. I think he’s going to generate some interest based on this past season. I hope it’s someone else who overpays for him. I’d love to have him back for the right price, but I don’t think that will happen.
by BuckarooClub on Apr 24, 2011 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
mccabe
i reiterate getting rid of mccabe. he did very little. he can’t skate, and although he can shoot hard, all he does is shoot the puck in from the red line. 5 on 5 he’s a liability. he looked like he was 40 years old most of the time.
Shoot the puck Barry!!!
3 points we differ on—McCabe you already knew, but as far as Staal/Girardi I still view them as untouchable. Getting rid of them creates more problems than it solves, and I don’t advocate concussion victims as potential trade/free agent targets. It didn’t work out well for the Rangers with either Pat Lafontaine or Eric Lindros, and something tells me that it won’t work out for Richards to play in a division with Pittsburgh, Philly, the Devils, and the Isles….too many chances to get crushed against those teams.
Prole art threat.
by greifi griffie on Apr 24, 2011 8:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Buck...
I’m with you on all counts. Every point you’ve made here is along my thinking. Honestly, as I had some time to think, I realized that I’d left out Brian Boyle. I really don’t see how monetarily he can fit into the team’s plans going forward. So, I think a change of scenery would do him and MDZ good.
"The winner of the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award is Number Eight, Brandon Prust!"--Ofc. Colin McDonald, NYPD, April 7, 2011
While I was watching the game with my girlfriend, Semin’s mug shot came up and she said oh wow he is cute… I almost ended a relationship right there.
But really guys, thanksto everyone here on BSB, I’ve been lurking all year here, I never post anything cause I don’t have anything insightful to say. You’ve guys have made this season a lot more bearable for a Ranger fan out here in VA. Anyways, Jim, George, Dig, 8k, and the others, keep up the good work! And I’ll try and join in a little more on the conversations.
Once again, my BB Id will stay the same
Hoping to change it next year.
by It may HAVE to Last a Lifetime on Apr 24, 2011 11:01 AM EDT reply actions
Fedex
he needs to be brought back next year
BELIEVE!
Rangers FTW!
by BleedsRangerBlue on Apr 24, 2011 11:33 AM EDT reply actions
NHL.com is reporting
According to the New York Post, Tortorella has received an extension that is believed to keep him behind the Blueshirts’ bench for the next three seasons. The agreement was reportedly reached several months ago.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=560829
BELIEVE!
Rangers FTW!
by BleedsRangerBlue on Apr 24, 2011 11:40 AM EDT reply actions
Kick ass
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Follow me @8kpower
by Kevin Power on Apr 24, 2011 11:58 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Why not?
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Follow me @8kpower
by Kevin Power on Apr 24, 2011 12:43 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
good deal
He’s aware of where the team is in the process of growing into a contender and he’s a big reason the young guys will grow into big time pros as we watch. If Sather gets him some scoring, he’s the right guy for the job.
Manning lobs it, Burress alone, touchdown New York!
For the empty net, Mark Messier... do you believe it?! Do you believe it?! He said we will win game 6 - he has just picked up the hat trick!
I've been thinking a lot about how I feel about this offseason
And I have to say its probably the best, and most optimistic offseason since the end of the 05-06 season where Jagr broke all kinds of offensive records and Henrik Lundqvist put the world on notice. For the first time in years I don’t have as bitter an aftertaste that Ive had the last couple of years. I’m actually excited for the future of this team
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Follow me @8kpower
by Kevin Power on Apr 24, 2011 12:03 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Thanks to all here at Blueshirt Banter....
Not sure what I am going to do now without a daily fix from Blueshirt Banter. To the gentlemen that run this site- thanks for a great job all year.
To the readers who post some amazingly insightful points- thank you.
To the readers who post some truly awful and ignorant ideas- thanks for making me laugh.
To the New York Rangers- boys you made us proud and I truly enjoyed watching you become a TEAM.
I can’t wait for next year. Enjoy the summer all.
"Shoot the Puck Barry, Shoot the puck !" Bill Chadwick
by RangerFanInChicago on Apr 24, 2011 12:34 PM EDT reply actions
next year
lots to look forward to. everyone here have a good summer.
would like to see sabes – sharks
Shoot the puck Barry!!!
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