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Be Afraid NY Ranger Fans - Sather With Cap Room Is Scary!

Now that I just got in from doing cart wheels on the front lawn I've started to worry about what tomorrow might bring.  You see my hockey loving friends, tomorrow is the day the New York Rangers historically do long term damage to their franchise.  UFA signing day is a historical low point for this original 6 franchise for the past, oh 15 years. 

If you don't believe me, google the following:

Theo Fleury
Valerie Kamensky
Sylvain Lefebvre
Stephane Quintal
Bobby Holik
Wade Redden
Vladimir Malakhov

That's just naming a few.

So here's a scary quote from the cigar smoking fogey:  “We’ve got lots of cap room now, and it opens lots of options.”

Oh yeh Glen, you haven't forgotten about Wade Redden?

So with Glen freeing up approximately 7 million in cap space i liken it to giving teenagers whiskey and car keys. 

Please Glen no, don't enter the deep end of the UFA pool.  Instead figure out how to dump Redden or Rosie for a ripped hockey bag.

Sather in Jail for Robbing Bob Gainey - Rangers Rob Canadians

Ok, first its my birthday today and wow did I get a nice gift.  Glen Sather absolutely ripped the Montreal Canadians off today.

Not only do my beloved Rangers get rid of $7.35 million / year for the next 5 years for a 16 goal scorer.  They get Chris Higgins, age 26 and 1.85 in cap, Meh ok, he plays hard but is injury prone.  I would have been happy with a couple used pucks to rid myself of Gomer's cap hit.

Slats also throws in a lousy prospect and decent 3rd line prospect in Tommy Pyatt, hard nose player.

Slats gets back a Russian kid that could turn out, a cone AND

AND

AND

The Habs #1 prospect in the system...... holy hell

Ryan Fing McDonagh, #1 pick in 2007

6-1 212 pound blue liner, plays mean and could pair with Marc Staal for the next 10 years.

From Hockey's Future:

Talent Analysis
McDonagh's key asset is his speed, which has been described by the club's director of player development and acquisition, Trevor Timmins, as "dimensional." Added to this is his ability to play an all-ice game. He's responsible in his own end and has the size to be a physical force. He combines that with an ability to contribute on the offensive end of the rink, making the smart pass and keying the rush.

Future
McDonagh has it all and is expected to play a key role in the Canadiens' fortunes for the next decade. If not a number-one blueliner, he would be considered a 1A, with the talent to easily stake a long-term claim on the first defensive pairing.

NY Rangers Best Players Are Home Grown

Regardless of whether the Rangers win this series against the Washington Capitals or not I will feel positive about one thing.  The core group of home grown drafted New York Rangers are really starting to stand out.  This group includes Korpikoski, Hank, Dubinsky, Callahan, Staal, and Girardi.  Shift after shift these players bring hustle, intensity and moxie which is more than I can say for the veterans.  During this first round playoff series this group has been carrying the play for the Rangers.  Now what this also says is the hired guns are failing miserably. 

Yes I mean you Scott Gomez, Naslund, Zheradev, Wade Redden, Derek Morris, Andropov and to a lesser degree Chris Drury (injured).  Each and every one of these overpaid vets needs to look in the mirror and start playing with some passion.

2009 NHL Playoff Round 1 Predictions - East

Alright here are the Red Line's NHL Round 1 playoff predictions for the Eastern Conference:

                                         Chris       Matt       Nick        Ron       Colin 

Bruins Vs Canadians           Bruins      Bruins   Bruins    Bruins     Boston 

Caps vs Rangers                 Caps        Caps     Caps       Caps       Caps

Devils vs Hurricanes           NJ           Canes    NJ          NJ          Canes 

Pens Vs Flyers                    Pitt          Pitt       Flyers     Pitt        Pitt

          

Sean Avery Back in Rangers Lineup Thursday

According to Jay Greenberg of the NY Post Sean Avery will be back in the New York Rangers lineup Thursday night if all goes well.  On Monday Sean will be placed on re-entry waivers and if he goes unclaimed the Rangers will grab him for half the freight.  So if all goes according to plan Sean will be playing against the hated Icelanders Thursday night.  One team that could grab Sean is the Islanders, which would be an interesting twist and would make for a very entertaining game Thursday.

John Tortorella Officially Named Rangers Head Coach

Here is the official link from the Rangers announcing John Tortorella as the new head coach.

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has named John Tortorella as the team’s new Head Coach.

John Tortorella has won championships at three levels of professional hockey, including the 1996 AHL Calder Cup and the 2004 Stanley Cup championship as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Tortorella, 50, becomes the 34th Head Coach in the 83-year history of the Rangers. He returns to the organization after serving as Head Coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning for seven seasons. Under his guidance, Tampa Bay compiled a 239-222-36-38 record in 535 games. He led the Lightning to four consecutive Stanley Cup Playoff appearances, including two Southeast Division Championships in 2002-03 and 2003-04.

Tortorella Named New York Rangers New Head Coach

TSN.ca is reporting that John Tortorella is the New York Rangers new head coach.  He is apparently en route to New York tonight and all compensation issues with the Tampa Bay Lightning will be sorted out and are not expected to get in the way of Torts taking the reins. Tortorella is said to be free and clear because the Bolts gave him written permission in June of 2008 to seek employment elsewhere.

I can't wait to see how Torts and Slats get along.  Wait till John sits Redden in the stands, oh I can't wait.

Shanahan Back to Being a Devil

Brendan Shanahan is going to be a Devil again, New Jersey that is.  The UFA winger is joining the team according to TSN, but has not yet signed a contract.  According to Devils GM Lou Lamoriello he has an agreement in principle to join the New Jersey Devils.

This is a great pick up for the Devils, Shanny will help them on the power play, scoring at even strength and also in the locker room.  He will also not be worn out come playoff time as he's missed half the season and should have some gas left in the tank in April.

Chris Drury Is Now Captain of the New York Rangers

Chris Drury was named captain of the New York Rangers.  The 32 year old center is pumped up to help guide the original 6 franchise.  Chris who has been a leader his entire life is honored by the nomination and should help bring hard work, accountability, and most importantly will lead by example.  I think this was the obvious choice for the Rangers and hopefully Drury will step up and become more vocal in the room and with the media.

4 NHL Rule Changes For 2008-2009 Season

The NHL is introducing 4 new rule changes for the 2008-2009 season.  I am not always in agreement with changes that are introduced by the league but I have to say that 3 of the 4 new tweaks should help the game.  I think that #2 could be a good rule but it is very subjective and the refs will not enforce it properly.

1. A change to Rule 76.2 ("Face-Offs") will place the first face-off of a power play in the defending zone of the team that committed the foul.
2. A change to Rule 81.1 ("Icing") states that "Any contact between opposing players while pursuing the puck on an icing must be for the sole purpose of playing the puck and not for eliminating the opponent from playing the puck. Unnecessary or dangerous contact could result in penalties being assessed to the offending player."
3. A change to Rule 85.5 ("Face-Off Location") provides that if a puck is shot off the goal frame, goal post or crossbar, the subsequent face-off will remain in the end zone where the puck went out of play.
4. I can't find the official wording for this one but I've heard that its approved.  When a puck is iced intentionally the game will NOT be delayed but a tv timeout even if one was scheduled.  This is a great rule change as coaches really started to abuse this last year and take advantage of the ability to ice the puck when they knew a tv timeout was coming.  Bravo NHL.

Now next year, slim down the goalie equipment.