Last week we tossed around the idea of the New York Rangers potentially making a move for Rick Nash. But it's actually Nash's teammate, Jeff Carter, who seems destined to be moved from Columbus.

Carter signed an 11-year contract with the Philadelphia Flyers, expecting to finish his career with the team that drafted him in the first round in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. But the Flyers had other plans, and shipped both Carter and Mike Richards off in separate trades to make room for Ilya Bryzgalov.

Richards found his was to Los Angeles, playing for the Kings. Carter, on the other hand, was traded to Columbus, a move he was so unhappy about that it took him a few days to even speak about the trade. There are musings that Carter might want out of Columbus, and if he does should Glen Sather make a play for him?

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The New York Rangers widened their gap in the Atlantic Division with a very crucial 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Just like they did the against the Tampa Bay Lightning, there were many positives signs in the win. First off, the Rangers power play combined for three goals on six opportunities. The last time the Rangers had more then one power play goal in a single game was back in December.

Also, Brad Richards notched three assists, and has picked up his great immensely since scoring the game winner versus the Lightning. Marian Gaborik also had four points and continues his success he has had this season. It also puts the Rangers six points ahead of the second place Flyers in the Atlantic Division.

They also currently have two less games then everyone in their division, except the New York Islanders, who have 54 games played. The Flyers, Penguins and Devils are all right behind the Rangers, but if they continue their play, I believe they have a legit shot at winning the Atlantic.

What do you guys think? Will the Rangers take the Atlantic Division, or is it too early to tell?

The New York Rangers came away with a huge overtime victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning last night. It's also worth noting some of the successes the Rangers had in that game. With this win, it puts the Rangers five points ahead of the second place Bruins, who are currently tied in games played with the Rangers. Also, they maintain their four point lead in the Atlantic Division as the Flyers won tonight as well.

First off, the Rangers finally scored their first power play goal in 19 chances over the last six games. The power play looked like it was completely reformed tonight. The Rangers gained the zone without any troubles at the blue line. Once they gained the zone, they got control and made some excellent passes around the outside.

Even though they only scored once, they could have put in a few more with the way they were moving the puck. If they keep that up, the power play goals will come in bunches. Also, Brad Richards scored just his second goal in 13 games tonight, and it wound up being the winner.

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This time of year is always interesting for the New York Rangers and their fans.

Because the Rangers are a big-market team (with a big-market media presence) nearly every big name in hockey will be linked to Broadway from now until the trading deadline. It's the nature of the beast. From here, it's the reader's job to distinguish exactly what rumors are plausible, which are completely unrealistic and which rumors are unlikely but not insane.

You can file the "Rick Nash to New York" rumors under the "unlikely but not insane" category. Before I even get into this I just want to reiterate that this is a rumor, nothing more. This post is also not meant to start a rumor. I have no inside information. I'm just commenting on something that's been thrown around (Columbus considering trading Nash) and connecting it with one of the Rangers' needs (offense/power play help).

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Brad Richards has been in a massive slump over the last couple of games, but he finally notched an assist on the empty net goal against the Flyers. Near the beginning of the season, it took a few games for him to get in gear, and things were looking up. However, as of lately, he has completely fallen off from an offensive standpoint and needs to turn it around quickly.

One of the main contributing factors, in my opinion, are the line(s) he is currently playing on. When we first signed Richards, he was slotted to be out number one center right out of the gate, as we have never truly had a top-line center. But as of lately, he is finding himself on the third on a line with Brandon Prust, and Mike Rupp. Now, I'm not saying either of these players are bad, they just don't fit the style that Richards plays.

I believe one of our readers posted this in the comments, stating that Richards had Loui Eriksson on his wing when he was in Dallas, and he was successful. I believe that if Richards gets more time up on the top two lines it will only help his offensive production. Playing with more offensive minded line mates will help him big them in the offensive department.

Just my two cents, what do you guys believe?

New York Rangers fans are irate about the way the 1-0 loss ended last night to the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden. My immediate reaction was the same as all of the angry Rangers fans, that the refs were a bunch of morons, that the Rangers were robbed, etc, etc.

I'm not going to go into the many arguments and details of the play, because I'm sure that you have heard just about every take on the play from every person that watched the game.

What I will say, is that if the Rangers want to win games in the regular season, and even more importantly in the playoffs, they have to play a complete three periods.

Moshe and I had a conversation in the game thread about whether or not the Rangers played well last night. Moshe argued they did, I argued they did not, but we came to an agreement that they played well for parts of the game.

There lies the problem. Outside of the power play, the main problem for the Rangers is the inability to play a complete three periods is something the Rangers need to address. The lack of supplementary scoring to add to Marian Gaborik is something that needs to be addressed.

The problem with the call last night is not only that it cost the Rangers a point, but there's a large chance the Rangers will overlook their problems and chalk it up to bad ref'ing. I certainly hope not.

New York Rangers fans are coming up with some...creative trade ideas almost daily now as we near the Trade Deadline. I cannot fault anyone for thinking ahead to the deadline, as the transactions are always fun to watch and discuss.

Many have discussed the possibility of the Rangers making a trade. I would support a trade for Brad Boyes, among some others, but the question remains:

Who leaves the lineup in the hypothetical scenarios?

First, let's get goaltending and defense out of the way. The Rangers are not trading for a goaltender, and have too much defensive depth to bother trading for a defenseman by the deadline.

The only question on defense is Steve Eminger vs. Stu Bickel, to which I prefer Bickel for his physical play.

Say the Rangers add to the roster without subtracting from the NHL team, though? For example a player for a minor league player and a pick? The burning question is who would be taken out of the lineup.

The obvious choice for many is Mike Rupp, but John Tortorella is not about to remove him from the lineup. Despite his fantastic play, John Mitchell may be in the most danger of losing his spot in the lineup.

What says you?

Did you wake up this morning with a huge smile on your face? Even for those of you who follow the New York Rangers but aren't New York Giants fans, you can at least appreciate the Rangers crushing the Philadelphia Flyers Sunday afternoon at Madison Square Garden.

Much like the Giants, the Rangers are proving to the world that they're a force to be reckoned with. The Rangers could have folded when the Flyers scored a power play goal to start the third period, tying the game at two. But Marian Gaborik slid a smooth pass to Michael Del Zotto who game the Rangers a 3-2 lead and a fresh burst of confidence.

In the end, that's what this season has been so far for the Rangers, a year full of big wins and confidence.

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