Natural Hat Trick Productions

The Most Random Last Minute Predictions You Will Ever See. . .

2011-10-06T12:09:00.000-04:00

Happy Hockey Season! Well hockey season has snuck up on me, perhaps us all. It was not my best summer on a personal level, but I'm going to do everything in my power to make it a better hockey season than last one - at least in terms of keeping up to date with the blog and checking in with readers - if I still have any. (And seriously, I don't blame you if you've all moved on, but I hope to happier places! So many amazing Rangers blogs on the net and people who have actually figured out how to use new twitter!)

But it would not be a hockey season without predictions. There will be no fuss, because, let's face it, no time today and I'm not even sure what to expect this year... but HERE WE GO - - -

Western Conference:
Vancouver
Chicago
San Jose
Nashville
Detroit
Los Angeles
St. Louis
Anaheim

Eastern Conference:
Washington
Boston
Philadelphia
Buffalo
RANGERS
Tampa Bay
Pittsburgh
Montreal

I feel confident baring anything crazy the Rangers will be a playoff team. I just refuse to think they'll win the division. If they do - I'm buying a t-shirt. Seriously. Mark it down. I think they'll net out 4-8 and make the playoffs. But if Hank can be Hank and the Rangers score consistently, they can be as good as, if not better than, the rest of the teams in the East. A lot will fall into place soon enough. But I just don't trust them enough (love them, don't trust them) enough to make a more bold prediction. We all know how the last few years have gone. Plus Jagr is back, and I'm making this prediction. If healthy - he scores a ton - and especially against us. He's going to make us wish we never let him go. Oh wait - I seriously wish they never let him go. Drury and Gomez deserved the money SOOO much more, right? Please. With that said, thank you Jaromir and best of luck. As long as you didn't become a Penguin, I wish you many, many goals. Just hopefully not against the boys in blue.

And Phoenix, my poor babies out West. I don't even know your team anymore. I hope you prove my lousy predictions wrong-wrong-wrong and make the playoffs and kick butt. I'll always be rooting for you!

And thus - here begins the 2011-2012 season. I'm hoping for a great year for all of you, personally and through hockey.

Probably going to miss the Montreal/Toronto game tonight! - Boo! But will be watching the Rangers tomorrow! Check in after the game.

-Kels

Summer of Sadness. . .

2011-09-13T12:18:00.006-04:00

In light of too many deaths in our hockey community in the last few months, what are we, as hockey fans, supposed to take out of these tragedies?

- For make no mistake, they are, indeed, all tragedies. All the more tragic each time we are given a reminder of one of them. All the more tragic when we think of all those that have been touched by them.

What do we make of it? What sense can possibly be made of things that are, let's be honest - seemingly without sense.

We can mourn. And we should. We can think. And we should. And can learn. And that we most definitely should.

Derek Boogaard died of a drug overdose, after battling demons of addictions. He is certainly not the first and he sadly, will probably not certainly be the last. What happened was tragic and I feel badly how easily and quickly something like that can happen. I want to remember him as the gentle giant his teammates spoke of him as, a charitable man with a big heart, who happened to find his role in the NHL as a fighter and protector. I wish we all would have had the chance to see him play more in New York. I don't know everything about hockey, or anything, for that matter, but I know I will look at those things as commendable. Being a good person, a good teammate. I will remember Derek Boogaard that way. The way his family, friends, and teammates would have wanted him to be remembered.

Rick Rypien died, and circumstances are still unsure surrounding his death. It was speculated it may have been suicide, although details are still not entirely clear. Regardless, it seemed to have been a case of a hockey player - a person, as hockey players are all people first and foremost - who struggled with a battle of depression. These things aren't easy, and it's easy to dismiss that we don't understand. I didn't know Rick Rypien very well as a hockey player, so instead, I will speak to the person that everyone spoke so well of, a respected teammate and player. I will remember Rick Rypien that way. The way his family, friends, and teammates would have wanted him to be remembered.

Wade Belak died, after committing suicide, another person suffering a battle with depression. This one grabbed me a little more, because to me, after years of following the Maple Leafs, Belak was the most well known name of the three, until obviously this last year in New York when Boogaard became a Ranger. Belak retired and seemed poised to start a broadcast career, as well as do Battle of the Blades, on the CBC. It raises questions, as does so much of life, and there are sometimes simply no answers. Another enforcer, he was spoken highly of, as a teammate and friend. The quotes I read from long time Leaf teammate Tie Domi, were especially poignant. I will remember Wade Belak that way. The way his family, friends, and teammates would have wanted him to be remembered.

Last week a plane carrying an entire KHL team - Lokomotiv Yaroslavl - crashed, taking with it the lives of 44 people, most hockey players, coaches, and staff, many of which were former NHL players. There are no answers, just lots of sadness from former teammates, friends, and family, countries and an entire hockey community. Three former Rangers - Jan Marek, Karel Rachunek, and 1994 Stanley Cup Champion Alexander Karpovtsev - were on that plane. Players like Ruslan Salei and Pavol Demitra were household hockey names to fans of the game. Countries were affected. An entire team is gone. The hockey community mourns, and rightfully so. I can't speak to all of them individually, but each loss is tragic. And each loss comes without warning or preparation. All we are left with is memories. Of them as players who have worn our jerseys, and the jerseys of their countries. They were hockey players. I will remember them that way. The way their families, friends, and teammates would have wanted them to be remembered.

So what sense can we make of these tragedies - all tragedies in their own right. It seems not much, but we owe it to each and every one of them to try.

On one level:
Don't assume you ever know the whole story.
Reach out to your friends. See how they are doing and let them know you are there.
Let people you love know how much you love them.
Assure them that they are not alone.
It may not prevent a tragedy, but you never know what a smile or a kind word can do for someone.
Be there.
Be kind.
Be a good person.
Try to let go and be a bigger person. A happier person. A more forgiving person.

On a second level:
Be thankful for today.
Don't put things off you want to do.
Live in the moment.
Try not to worry.
Tell people you love them.
Embrace life.
Embrace the good and the bad and all in-between.
Embrace everything.

We may never be able to make sense of what happened this summer to our teammates, our friends - our players. But we can make the most of their memories by honoring them as their families, friends, and teammates would want them to be honored. By showing respect. By being good people. And by living our lives to the fullest we possibly can.

Not every day we get a constant reminder in our daily routine that life is short.

This summer, we as hockey fans, as part of hockey's family - well we got simply too many.

______________________________________
Bless our players.
Bless our sport.
Hockey forever, in heart and in mind.

2011 Stanley Cup Final Prediction. . .

2011-06-01T17:42:00.001-04:00

Wow...cannot believe it's time for the Stanley Cup Final already! Quickest year of hockey in memory. Going to be sad when it's over, but looking forward to a great round.

Before we predict, let's review Round 3.

Got both teams right advancing - Boston and Vancouver - and picked correct number of games for Vancouver. I don't mean to pat myself on the back, but I really am having a pretty stellar post season prediction run here.

That being said, I feel pretty good about this. Not sure on number of games and a good/bad goalie performance from either team could certainly turn the series, but let's go -

Stanley Cup Final:
Vancouver in 6

Everyone enjoy the Final!!!

2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs - Round Three Predictions. . .

2011-05-14T17:24:00.003-04:00

Before we look at tonight's Round 3 of the NHL playoffs, let's take a look how I did in Round 2.

Got the West perfect, and in the perfect number of games. Got the East half right, with no perfect games predicted. Giving myself a hearty pat on the back for going 3-4 and perfect in the West though. Pat.Pat. Pat. ;)

Round 3.

Going simple - going easy.

Eastern Conference:
Boston in 6.

Western Conference:
Vancouver in 6.

Everyone enjoy the Stanley Cup Playoffs 2011!!!

2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs - Round Two Predictions. . .

2011-04-28T15:23:00.001-04:00

Round One is over!

In the East, I predicted 3 out of 4 series correctly - missing only our home town Rangers.

In the West, I predicted 3 out of 4 series correctly - missing only my adoptive team in the desert.

Now a very difficult task. Round 2 is going to have some great matchups, or so I think. So we'll make this very quick. I'm going with.

Eastern Conference:
Washington in 6
Boston in 7

Western Conference:
Vancouver in 6
San Jose in 7

Enjoy the games everyone. Best, best time of year!! :)

2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs - Round One Predictions. . .

2011-04-12T13:15:00.001-04:00

Eastern Conference:

(1) Washington vs. (8) Rangers

Rangers in 6. I'm going Rangers here, because, well just because. I think Washington is ripe to be knocked off, until they can prove otherwise. I think if Hank can get hot, and if all the Rangers scoring doesn't disappear at once, they can take this. Washington is a good team, and Ovechkin can't be taken lightly, but they don't scare me that much.

(2) Philadelphia vs. (7) Buffalo

Philadelphia in 5. I don't think Philadelphia is as strong as last year, but I don't think they are going out in the first round either. Although if they did, Rangers fans wouldn't complain.

(3) Boston vs. (6) Montreal

Boston in 7. I really feel strongly that Boston will win, and it may be sooner, but I'm going on history and ugliness and grittiness and thinking this series will go the distance. This is the series, besides the NYRs, I'll be keeping my eyes on the most.

(4) Pittsburgh vs. (5) Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay in 6. I just don't think Pittsburgh has anything to threaten right now. Tampa Bay can fire on all cylinders when they want to (Thank you again, Tampa!) and have such a threat of scoring from so many different players. True, Fleury can get hot and can make this series last longer, but I just see it as an early exit for Pitt this year.

Western Conference:

(1) Vancouver vs. (8) Chicago

Vancouver in 5. I think it'll be an interesting series, due to rivalry reasons, but Chicago limped into the playoffs. Vancouver, perhaps more than ever, seems poised for a long run. I'm going to go with them until they prove me wrong.

(2) San Jose vs. (7) Los Angeles

San Jose in 6. I am not counting L.A. out, because San Jose has proven little over the long term, but I think I give the Sharks the benefit early in the playoffs. Injury to Kopitar did not affect L.A. as much as I expected in late games, but playoffs are a different story.

(3) Detroit vs. (6) Phoenix

Phoenix in 7. I think it'll be another long series, and I'm hoping the Coyotes can pull it off in this year's rematch. This is really just a hope/heart pick, I'll be honest.

(4) Anaheim vs. (5) Nashville

Nashville in 5. I think Nashville is an underrated team with a great goalie. If Rinne gets hot, Anaheim go home. It's that simple.

Results of Pre-Season Playoff Predictions. . .

2011-04-12T11:37:00.002-04:00

First time, long time! All year in fact. It's playoff time hockey fans!!

So, if you see below, looks like I actually picked 6 of 8 teams correctly in both conferences before the season began. That actually may be the best I've ever done, certainly in the West. Now * star means correct playoff pick, ** stars means the spot selection was correct. I'm particularly impressed with the Top 3 in the West. (No really, that was just dumb luck on my part). Regardless, we'll take it. Take a look:

Eastern Predictions:
1) Washington**
2) Pittsburgh*
3) Buffalo*
4) Ottawa
5) New Jersey
6) Boston*
7) Flyers*
8) Rangers**
_____________
9) Tampa Bay
10) Montreal
11) Carolina
12) Atlanta**
13) Toronto
14) Florida
15) Islanders

Western Predictions:
1)Vancouver**
2)San Jose**
3)Detroit**
4)Chicago*
5)Phoenix*
6)Los Angeles*
7)Colorado
8)St. Louis
_______________
9) Nashville
10)Anaheim
11)Calgary
12)Dallas
13)Columbus**
14)Minnesota
15) Edmonton**

Next up - 1st Round Playoff Predictions!!

Happy New Year / Explainations...

2010-12-28T23:03:00.004-05:00

Alright, it's apparently been over a month since I've blogged. And, I guess I don't really have an excuse. Life got busy - in good ways, I assure you. Time got away from me. I apologize for that. And I also apologize because I'm not sure how quickly that may change. I hope it does, but I don't want to promise.

So, as if I wasn't already, I'm taking a more formal hiatus from Natural Hat Trick Productions. Not a formal closing as I certainly hope and expect to be back, so let's just call this a hiatus. I hope to check in from time to time, but apparently even my best intentions of promising simple new entries have fallen flat. So no promises, but I do hope to check in soon!

I wish everyone well and look forward to a happy, hockey filled New Year in 2011! Best wishes everyone and Happy New Year!

Oh and Go Rangers!!

**P.S. Although also more infrequently updated than before, @NHTProductions is still on Twitter. Visit me there.

In Case You Missed It - Paul Bissonnette. . .

2010-11-18T01:00:00.004-05:00

Presenting a new segment at Natural Hat Trick Productions. So many times, a day goes by and you're too busy to check updates on Twitter, the blogs, etc. (Goodness knows I've been, hence the regrettable lack of posts in either medium).

So...every day (or realistically every whenever-I'm-able-to) I'll post something cool that you may have missed. It may be one thing, or two, three on a rare occassion. But just random, fun things that you - may have missed.

To start, In Case You Missed It:

Paul Bissonette interview in the Vancouver Sun

Really fun look at the man behind PaulBizNasty or @BizNasty2Point0 - as he's known on Twitter. From my having watched the Coyotes quite a bit over the last few years, I feel like I certainly know him more than those who only know him from Twitter. But, after reading this interview, I feel like I know him even better. Seems like a really human, very relate-able, down to earth type guy. He's gained fans on Twitter because he's so likeable. Because he gets it. And he doesn't try to pretend. And I certainly respect that.

And, plus, you know, he's got personality. It's been said here - I like that in my hockey players.

Enjoy the man behind the name. You just may learn something.

Five Things About the Rangers/Oilers....

2010-11-14T22:48:00.002-05:00

Granted, please note, we know this was against the Oilers, but...

1) Gaborik! Gaborik! Gaborik! I know you've been gone seemingly forever, and I'm so glad you are back. But 3 goals! Yay for Gaby! Let's keep it going!

2) How much did I love Christensen going over to Gaborik when Gaborik scored and went into the side of the net (collective sigh/distress at MSG) and give him a hug. Amazing how much more comfortable a player Christensen is with Gaby in the lineup. Think about it.

3) How good was that Frolov, Christensen, Gaby line. I mean Gaby was Gaby, but Frolov looked like the season started, Christensen looked happy and included. It was a good thing - ney, a great thing - for the NYRs to have another line, save Dubinsky/Anisimov/Callahan scoring.

4) Can't be overlooked how important Boyle's secondary scoring has been. He's using his size and talent more. And he's confident. All of which makes for a threat. 8 goals on the year on November 14th. Who would have thought he'd have 8 goals all year. Cheers for Boyle!!

5) As long as no one gets hurt, I love the scrappy fisticuffs that went on in the tail-end of the game. Avery/Smid, Prust/Stortini, etc, etc. It's good. It's good to show a pulse. And, frankly, every once in a while it's good to just enjoy the spirit of a team fight, a team game. It may not have been good hockey, but it was entertaining!!

HNIC Wrap-Up. . .

2010-11-03T21:39:00.003-04:00

(Apologies - there have been no Five Things for the recent games. And it's really too late now, so...you get this instead):

Boyle on HNIC's Inside Hockey talking about training with skater Barbara Underhill:

INSIDE HOCKEY

Goodness knows all Rangers fans can see the difference this has made! And good for Boyle. Like this guy a lot. Right attitude. And effort. And now results. Great to see.

Five Things About Rangers/Bruins and Rangers/Devils (Games 6/7 - 2010/2011). . .

2010-10-25T20:21:00.002-04:00

A little behind here, but I'm forgiven because the Rangers won both weekend games (and 3 in a row...), right?

Well, regardless, a combined 5 Things:

*Two pretty solid defensive efforts from the NYRs the last two games. And equally importantly - two pretty solid team efforts. Sticking up for one another. Skating. Passing. Puck support. You know, the good things.

*I was kinda surprised the Boston/Rangers game on Saturday was so nasty. Bruins/Rangers games since the lockout have been low scoring affairs (1-0, 2-1 shootout, the like; St. Patrick's Day Massacre of '07 notwithstanding). But this Saturday's game not only had goals (5 of 'em) but nasty stuff. I seriously do not remember as much of this in a long time. Sure, Boston didn't like it when Avery skated into Thomas with his characteristic "what," but Sjostrom took a punch to the face, and it was over...right? Who knows. Kinda made it fun to watch, though. So long as no one got hurt.

*Speaking of hurt. Accidents happen. It's a fast game. When Prust went down, bloody, and thrashing, that hurt to watch. Thank goodness he was okay. And kudos to him, coming back for Sunday's game, and playing a career high in time on ice. Good stuff.

*I know it should get old, Hank outdueling Brodeur. But you know, it doesn't. Why? Because for so long (re: too long, TOO long, embarassingly TOO long) the Devils owned the Rangers. I have no problem that the Rangers seemingly have control over the rivarly for the moment. It's kinda fair. Now, I still prefer a Rangers/Devils rivalry that is, indeed, a rivarly. Close games, intensity, fight from both teams. And, thankfully, these have remained so. I like six games a year, much better than the eight though. There is a such thing as too much of a good thing.

*Special teams. Hmm. Rangers scored a powerplay goal in each game. Allowed one in Boston. Held NJ scoreless yesterday. The bad: They are taking way too many penalties, and so far, their penalty kill has not been as essentially perfect as the last two years. The good: Their powerplay, even though it's not scoring, does not look as bad as it has in years past. They are moving the puck! Puck. Movement. Amazing, right? Also, getting some shots on net from the defense never hurt, now did it? They may just have the right idea. Now they just need to work on capitalizing on it.

A bonus video for you all. The lovely GWG against Boston from Marc Staal, who although taking too many silly penalties recently, still looks great with the "A" on his sweater:

Five Things About the Rangers/Leafs (Game 5 - 2010/2011). . .

2010-10-21T22:33:00.003-04:00

Alright, and here we go:

*Yay for Marty Biron! Really happy for him. I had a hunch (expressed on Twitter) that it was right to start him in TO. Hank, for whatever reason, does not have his best games in Toronto - well, most of Canada - so why not give Biron the go. Not only did he win, he played well. And stopped what has been a hot Maple Leafs team. Good for him, - a really good guy. Congrats on his first win as a NYR.

*Ruslan Fedotenko led the Rangers with 5 shots on goal and got his first goal as a Ranger tonight. But, he had the right idea. The big thing is winning. And if more guys can produce on the goal sheet, the Rangers will do more of that winning thing.

*When Anisimov scored on the feed from Rozsival, and was right on the doorstep to do so, I asked myself - why is that so uncommon. Perfect scenario. Perfect looking goal. Kudos Anisimov for making it look smooth, but Rozsival has impressed in the small ways so far this year. Shots from the point. A few crafty passes. I think - maybe - he's finally back on track. Worth $5 million. No way. But a serviceable part of this team. He can be.

*Despite all the Avery/Komisarek/Gaborik/Armstrong talk going into tonight's game, the only true revenge would be to do exactly what they did - win. Win for themselves. Win for their team. And win to get themselves on track, and the Leafs off of whatever track of success they've been on. 2 points. Much needed.

*Kessel had 3 shots in over 20 minutes, and was a -1 on the night. Guess we can give some credit to Marc Staal for playing the shutdown role on him. Pretty effective job.

OH and speaking of Kessel. This is horrible, but it's really funny. I saw this floating around on Twitter. Down Goes Brown has some amazing stuff, and this is one of my favorites:

Leafs Delivering Tickets

Enjoy!

________________________________________________

Meanwhile, in Coyote land, Petr Prucha has been scratched two games in a row, bringing horrible visions of Tom Renney to mind, and making my twitter explode in dis-satifaction. Not good for his confidence. Hope this is not a pattern, or we'll see lovable ball of fire playing in Europe next year. :(

Has It Really Been Two Years. . .

2010-10-21T00:22:00.002-04:00

I realized once I got back and ran around like crazy for a week or so, that I'd somehow missed this anniversary. I didn't hear as much about it this year as we all did last year, but I found this really nice write up I wanted to share on Alexei Cherepanov.

"It's been two years now, and I often wonder how he would have succeeded in the NHL. Would he be playing alongside Marian Gaborik? Maybe leading a line of his own? Would he have broken any offensive records for a rookie? These are all questions, unfortunately, we will never know the answer to. The two years ago seems like it was yesterday--- it is incredible how fast time flies."

MVP Gotham

Wanted to link back to some finds from two years ago.

Hard to believe it's been two years, and still hard to believe it happened at all.

Five Things About the Rangers/Avalanche (Game 4 - 2010/2011). . .

2010-10-20T23:16:00.004-04:00

Okay, much belated Five Things here. But we'll try to get some thoughts down here.

*Marc Staal was given the A, as voted by the coaches, at least in the absense of Vinny Prospal. I am obviously a big fan of this move. I think it shows good things to give this kind of confidence to the young guys, the important pieces of the team. And as proven by his contract, the team is buying into Marc as a key member of the team. Happy to see this, I hope he does well.

*How disheartening are Colorado's two goals in like 30 seconds? The Rangers didn't appear to play bad to start the game, but, they can't do that. Deflating. And that has just been the story for years with the Rangers. They have mental collapses at bad times. Hard to recover, especially when you aren't scoring goals...

*What happened to the goals? I mean, look, I get it. Gaborik is not there, but correct me if I'm wrong, Gaborik was not the main source of offense so far - this year. Last year - 20% of it! But this year, guys like Stepan, Fedotenko, etc. Now, granted, Stepan is young. It's not like he was going to score 3 goals every game. So he's forgiven. But I'd like to see that line and the Dubinsky/Anisimov/Callahan line spread some goals out between them. This team is not going to win if they don't score.

*The penalty kill has not been as good as it used to be. Can it really all be Drury's absence? I...don't think so. And not for not having faith that the Captain is good at that, but I just can't reach that far. Something else isn't right on the defensive side. And it shouldn't be Drury. He may be one of the top penalty killers, but as I've said before, so many have been able to do it, and do it effectively (and without breaking fingers). I'm going to watch closer next game and see what's up. No matter how pathetic the powerplay has been for years, the NYRs have had a very impressive penalty kill for years now. They can't afford, and I don't want, to see them getting away from that.

*Colorado is a good team. They were last year; I think they'll be again. Liles is having a great start to the year. And Stewart is becoming quite a player. (Glad I have him on fantasy. - As much as I hated his two goals for the sake of the game, I took them for my "other" team). Interesting to see where they net out, in the competitive Western Conference.

A few more random league thoughts tomorrow. I've been ignoring the league! Oh no!

But again, I'm really just realizing that hockey season has started. I love getting home from work and turning on XM radio and there's a game on. Any game. It's a great feeling. Hockey. I <3 it.

5 Things About Rangers/Leafs (Game 3 - 2010/2011). . .

2010-10-16T11:26:00.003-04:00

Alright. The Rangers home opener came and went in style. What kind of style...not quite sure yet. Some thoughts...

FIVE THINGS:

*I know we've seen some dreadful periods in the past from the Blueshirts, especially in the second frame, but - damn - that must have been one of the all-time worst. Ron Wilson was right - the Leafs could have/should have scored a lot more the way the NYRs were skating.

*Speaking of the Leafs, I was tempted to tweet last night: So, someone told the Leafs they could play hockey - brilliant! (Or something along those lines). The Leafs, to me, in the last handful of years, were this big team. Literally, as in big. Tall, forceful, but doing very little with either. Last night, I saw that big, tall team - do something. Skate, pass, and play as a team in a way I haven't in about 8 years. Good stuff. Not for the NYRs and for the rest of the East, if it keeps up, but we all had to figure Burke had a plan. Maybe this is the year it finally takes shape a little more.

*So I spent the days leading up to the Rangers home opener dreading Drury on the first line with Gaborik. - Guess I really didn't need to worry too much about that, huh? Horrible. I like Drury the person, so I hate that he fought to come back only to go right back out, for what may be double the time. But, I can't lie, I hate that 20% of last year's goals went out of the game with him in Gaborik. Horrible. I hope they both recover quickly - Gaborik super quickly. I can't remember walking out of a home opener feeling so disappointed in a long time.

*Without two players, the fact that the Rangers made it a game in the 3rd period was a credit to them, if a small credit. Doesn't make up for sleepwalking through the second. Doesn't make up for the stupid mistakes. Toronto may be a good team, but...anyway. Credit for the night goes to Brian Boyle - a marvelous effort for him and another example (like half of Toronto) of guys who are big/tall and can learn to use their size. So happy for him that he is. Vital for his place on the team, but a guy we like to cheer for in our own right. Number two on this list of credit - Sean Avery. Not a perfect game from Sean, surely, but one of the more visible Rangers for sure. He's got to keep this momentum up. He's too important, especially now with all the injuries depleting the team.

*Finally a question. Where did the offense go? The team leading in offense in the league going in, mustered what, like, 9 shots through two periods? If Boyle didn't have an offensive show for the ages, and the Rangers come back in the 3rd to make it a more respectible total and - quite honestly - steal a point, that may have just been one of the worst offensive efforts I've seen in a while. True, Toronto may have a goalie right now in Giguere, but he wasn't tested. I'd say nearly enough, but I mean at all. The Rangers are not defensively strong enough to win 2-1, 1-0 games anymore. They are going to have to win the 6-3, 5-2 way. But to do that, you need to score goals. Simple as that.

Alright, another game come and gone. Rangers look middle of the road right now. I'll be curious to see how they do Monday against the Avs, and in facing Toronto two more times real soon on the schedule. They have some pieces, and I still do really like this team - but last night was not endearing. I'm not going to lie and pretend in any way that it was.

5 Things About Rangers/Islanders (Game 2 - 2010/2011). . .

2010-10-11T18:32:00.003-04:00

Welcome back! =)

Before I get to any of the Coyotes/Prague stuff (which I will) just wanted to start with some comments on today's NYRs game. I was not able to see Saturdays. Sounded like a fantastic game. And as upset I couldn't see Stepan's amazing performance live - simply thrilled for the kid. He has been impressive and this is only the beginning. Great stuff.

Meanwhile, there was a game on the Island today. I just finished watching in its entirety, hence the delay.

FIVE THINGS:

* Again, I didn't see Game 1 of the season, but both Callahan and Dubinsky looked much improved to me in today's game. Untimely penalties aside, of course. These two players need to be two of the team's most important. I saw almost indifferent play (indifference, Callahan? I know, I didn't think it possible either), from both in most of the pre-season that I saw. Glad to see they've stepped up a bit. Everyone else was doing so and proving themselves; these staples to the team had no choice but to do the same.

* I thought the team, for the majority of the game, passed well. After so many years of watching a collection of epic lack of connective passes, this team has a good sense of where their teammates are, and I'm liking what I'm seeing. We all know Gaborik can stickhandle with the best of them, but how nice to see, for example, the connection formed between Stepan, Avery, and Fedotenko. Three guys in serious question going into camp about where they stood. Three guys that in the pre-season and today's game that I feel really good about. Stepan needs some form of stability because he's a rookie. Avery needs some form of stability because, well, he's Avery. Good things all around.

* Speaking of Avery. I was on twitter earlier and desperately wanting to see the link everyone was posting. I just now watched after the game was over. Look. I never loved what Avery did two years ago. It was certainly not necessary and certainly distasteful. But I was clear in defending the fact that he is not a criminal, not a villian - any more than the anyone else in this league - and that his suspension was in my opinion both excessive and unnecesssary and certainly having to do more with who he was than what he did. I still don't doubt that. So we take Wisniewski. Crude - yes. Unnecessary - probably. Worth six games - no. Worth anger management - certainly no. But, for the league to do nothing would be wrong. If Avery's remarks were crude, hurtful to Dion Phaneuf and his girlfriend, and unbecoming an NHL player, how can the NHL disciplinarians look at what happened today and say that Wisniewski's actions were not a) crude and b) unbecoming an NHL player. To me that's clear as day. So I'll be very curious how this shakes out. The NHL has already looked foolish in their a) suspending Avery so harshly in the first place and b) being so biasedly unwelcoming in his return to the NHL later that season. If they make no example of this, they pretty much prove what we already know - do what you want in this league, just as long as your name isn't Sean Avery.

* A shame that the Rangers took those untimely penalties late in the third that allowed the game to get away. And a shame that it was Marc Staal, arguably the Rangers best 5-3 penalty killer (next to Hank) that was in the box for the high-sticking call. Still doubting how valuable he is? I'm not saying the Islanders don't score on the PP there, but I'm kind betting they don't score twice.

* Speaking of the defense, how beautiful is it to see the shots coming from the point, like evidenced in Girardi's and Del Zotto's goal. The Rangers have the guys that can do this (Staal hit a post in the game, and Rozsival has been known to hit the net from time to, well, time). They have to do it. I see this team being more offensive than last year, but it has to come from the defense. The NYRs started last season getting those contributions, and then it disappeared for most of the year. It can't happen. Look at successful teams, and know, it can't happen.

What can I say - I like this team. I - for the first time in a what seems like a really, really long time - like pretty much every person on this team. So far they've looked good, shown good work ethic, quickness to the puck. I like it - a lot. I like them - a lot.

But, point is, let's not get ahead of ourselves. One, because two games never does a season make. Obviously. And two, because, for the last two years the Rangers, too, have started the season well - amazingly well. And, then proceeded to stumble and flounder and go up/down, up/down, up/getting the picture here...? So, it's early. It's still early.

More on the NYRs when I get around to watching Saturday's game on Tivo, or when the league makes a comment on today's gesture of the moment. And more sometime this week/weekend on Yotes as promised.

=) Happy Hockey season everyone!!!

2010-2011 Eastern AND Western Predictions. . .

2010-10-04T21:58:00.004-04:00

Alright, for the first time ever, I may just be quick and to the point. No time to think, no time to write, but I have a rule - you have to predict finished standings before the season officially starts and since I won't be here later this week - well, I think you get where I am going with this...

Eastern Predictions:
1) Washington
2) Pittsburgh
3) Buffalo
4) Ottawa
5) New Jersey
6) Boston
7) Flyers
8) Rangers
_____________
9) Tampa Bay
10) Montreal
11) Carolina
12) Atlanta
13) Toronto
14) Florida
15) Islanders

Western Predictions:
1)Vancouver
2)San Jose
3)Detroit
4)Chicago
5)Phoenix
6)Los Angeles
7)Colorado
8)St. Louis
_______________
9) Nashville
10)Anaheim
11)Calgary
12)Dallas
13)Columbus
14)Minnesota
15) Edmonton

(Note: Only the top 8 count per conference for official purposes. But hell, if I ever were to get them right, like I'd argue?).

For the record - really wasn't sure I'd make NYRs a playoff team - but I feel so much better about them than I did a few weeks ago, so what the heck...;)

And who knows, maybe my doing this on the fly will mean I'm better than usual with this? Eh, or not.

Coming before the Rangers and Coyotes home openers - previews of those teams and what I'm looking forward to around the league in this 2010-2011 season!

**Natural Hat Trick Productions will be out of blog-o-sphere for a week. And looking forward to some great hockey when I return! Everyone enjoy! Hockey is FINALLY here!!!**

Help Me Out Here / Pre-Season Edition. . .

2010-09-27T23:10:00.003-04:00

Alright, going to throw some stuff down here and see where we net out. I'm confused, Rangers fans. See if you can help me make sense of it all....

So, say our defense are among:
Staal
Girardi
Del Zotto
Roszival
Gilroy
Eminger/Valentenko/Sauer

Fine.

And our centers are among:
Stepan
Anisimov
Christensen
Boyle
White/Kennedy

Fine.

And therefore our wingers are among:
Gaborik*
Frolov*
Callahan*
Dubinsky*
Prospal
Prust
Boogaard
Avery
Drury*

Not. Really. Fine.

In the case of wingers, am I the only one not seeing how one of the above, except Boogaard, should not be every day player on the team?

I'm taking it Boogaard, despite the contract - (but, well, who agreed with that besides Glennie boy?) - will not play every night. A thought I've always had, but I could be wrong, of course. But when a guy like Prust can fight, and skate, and score more than a goal a year - to me, Boogaard is not needed versus every team.

Therefore, my question is when Drury comes back, and Boogaard needs to play because it's Philly...just who sits for him??

I starred the players I don't think will be sitting. That leaves Prospal, Prust, and Avery.

Take 'em one by one:

Prospal, even though older and perhaps more prone to injury, was the team's alternate captain last year and their second leading scorer. This guy was vital to the team moral and frankly to the score sheet. Unless he resorts to the one year great, next year not so great pattern he has been known for in the past, I don't see how you bench him.

Prust was one of my favorite players since he came to New York. Spunky, hard-working, a good team guy, and deeply underrated as a player. He was not just a fighter - he skated, played, and scored better than many during the final month of the season. Above all, he worked hard and exhibited an enthusiasm and work ethic too few Rangers have shown in the last decade, so I don't know what message it sends if you bench him.

Avery. What can you say about Avery. If Avery is Avery, true AVERY - electric, cunning, quick, and smart - he is as vital to this team as almost anyone. We've seen it since he came to New York. We saw it on Saturday versus New Jersey. If he's not that guy, yes, then he should be on the bench. But if he is THAT guy that Rangers fans embrace and need and want, I don't see how you bench someone with such heart.

So, Rangers fans, - just what the heck does this team do???

Thoughts on Pre-Season Games 2 and 3. . .

2010-09-26T21:49:00.004-04:00

How wonderful has it been having some hockey to watch? Two games, one weekend. I was a pretty happy hockey fan, I won't lie.

Some thoughts:

*Am I the only one VERY excited for every NJ/NY matchup, even beyond normal excitement, because I think Avery/Kovalchuk is going to be worth the price of admission every time. He may have a $100 million dollar contract, but something tells me that Ilya has not quite gotten over Playoffs 2007.

*I'm excited having watched these new players the last few games: Frolov and Stepan. And these returning players: Del Zotto, Anisimov, and Boyle, who looks much improved. (Gaborik and Staal are always on my excited to see them play list). Overall, I think having levels of competition for spots is playing into the Rangers favor. I like what I've seen. These guys look ready to play.

*Without repeating everything I wrote about two entries ago, let me just say this. The Rangers finally have that depth at center. They are going to be turning centers away. I know Drury hasn't been playing center. (Yes, I know, the $7 million penalty killer who is not even able to play his natural position...) But it seems a shame to me, even now, three games into camp, to send down another winger in favor of Drury. Did you see Frolov and Anisimov on the penalty kill today versus Detroit? I think he's a nice guy, but tell me the team REALLY needs him?

*Tell me that Roszival didn't suddenly jump to the most useful of the three horifically overpriced salaries the Rangers haven't gotten rid of yet? (Au revoir Scotty Gomez and Bon Voyage Wade Redden). This may seem wrong and it may be wrong, but if Rozsival plays the way he did for half of last season - he is more useful to the team, even at $5 million, than Drury, if what he did last year is what we are to expect from him. Clean slate, notwithstanding.

Okay, before I get further into the bash-Captain Mumbles mode, I'll leave off. Not a bad guy, but now that Gomez AND Redden are gone, without a doubt, the guy that - to me - has to do the most to justify his being there. (There, I said it; don't hate me.)

More later in the week. Go Rangers! =)

Belated Thoughts on 1st Pre-season Game and...Redden...

2010-09-25T13:03:00.003-04:00

Before we get to the news of today, let's get to the news of Thursday night.

I didn't get to see as much of the game as I wanted to - would have liked to spend more time studying the new guys like Zuccarello and Stepan - but what I saw, I liked. I liked the way the team looked, even if it was just pre-season. Even if it wasn't a Hall of Fame goalie the Rangers faced in net for NJ.

Oh wait, that was future Hall of Famer Brodeur?

Then just how nice were those goals by Frolov and Boyle huh? I loved that!!

Overall though, Stepan played with poise and looked quite comfortable in his role with top players - Frolov and Gaborik. In my mind, if he's good enough and almost close enough - let him do it. We may just be lucky enough to have that good a talent that young. (Makes me all the more mad we have to make room for Drury when he comes back - see last post - but it makes me all the more happy we have a guy like Stepan on the way).

Boyle had a good game, and showed two sides of his game: ability to step in and fight, and ability to use his body to gain position. His goal was actually pretty sweet. Brodeur wasn't given a ton of help from defense - it seemed at times - but, he was beaten by Boyle here, and Frolov, and both were very nice goals.

Frolov made a nice first impression, Gaborik (2 goals including Game Winner) picked up right where he left off. Prust had a very nice fight. Staal played almost 30 minutes in the game - what else is new?

Very happy, and very excited hockey is back!!

____________________________________

It'll be said a hundred times today about Redden:

Haha!
Well deserved!
About time!
Thank goodness!

Redden needed to go to Hartford, this year, if not last year. It was too much money to tie up in one player that was certainly not worth it now, was maybe never worth it. We expected it would happen, but we weren't sure it would. Although given the math, we didn't see how it could possibly not happen. This morning, it finally did.

And many such variations.

However, I don't think many people will be saying this, so I will:

While it is Wade Reddens' responsibility that he's not playing up to his contract, - it is NOT his responsibility that it was given to him. He didn't ask for the $39 million Sather threw at him, undeservingly though it may be. No one would ever have expected him not to take it.

So while everyone is happy today that he has finally been waived, the NYRs can finally move on, a small part of me feels bad for Redden the person. He did what almost every human being would do - took what was given to him. And now, his life will change because of something he never really had control of.

I know that's business, and I know that's life, but a small part of me feels for the guy beyond the athlete and beyond the Ranger.

Drury on the PK = Ouch!. . .

2010-09-20T22:00:00.006-04:00

Hello Rangers Fans!

Like many of you, I've been eagerly grabbing up tweets from training camp. Anything written is proof that the season is, thankfully, upon us.

=)

__________

So today, among the tweets was that the captain, Captain Drury that is, had broken his finger blocking a shot.

Seriously?

No, and I don't mean seriously as in no way!, how? - How In The World Could That Ever Happen!? - because, well, let's face it; I know better.

Chris Drury, the Rangers overpriced captain and penalty-killer extraordinaire, - too much? Well, what am I supposed to put here... - well, he tends to do this often. If it's not breaking something, it's getting hit, falling, wincing in pain, and hobbling/stumbling/crawling to the bench.

And we applaud because, well, he's a good guy, and that's what he gets paid to do.

Not the hurting himself part, but the penalty killing part.

Blair Betts, Lauri Korpikoski, Jed Ortmeyer, Brian Leetch, Jeff Beukaboom and every other Rangers penalty killer from present day back through history - they never seemed to have a problem with this.

And yet, on an almost regular basis, Drury does.

Silly, isn't it?

I'm not stupid enough to wonder why he still penalty kills - okay, seriously, maybe I am. Really now, I know he has to because, well, what else is he going to do.

He's not going to skate fast.
He's not going to be effective on the powerplay.
He's not going to score 70, 60...or if last year is any indication...even 40 points.

He's going to block shots.

And probably with his hand.

Sigh.

___________

Look, Drury is a good guy, a good team guy, and many would argue a good captain. I'm not his biggest fan. If you've been reading here, that's no secret.

So for one minute when I read he got hurt, I wasn't upset. (Please note, I really don't like players getting hurt, so that's not what I'm getting at here).

But for that one minute I thought, gee, well, someone else will get a chance. Someone that may score goals, may set up teammates, may - gasp - justify his existence on the ice with more than just a once-a-year emotional outburst and a nightly insomnia-worthy in-game interview.

Yeah, and then I woke up and realized no matter who takes his place, no matter how good they may be, no matter how they fit with their linesmates, no matter how many points they score - when Drury's ouchie gets better, he'll be back and they'll get the bench, the press box, or Hartford.

Because you:

a) can't bench your captain.
b) can't bench a guy making the over $7 million a year. (Unless you have a really, REALLY good reason for it).

Which, yes, is part of the game, and part of the business. But it's still kind of a shame though, isn't it?

So with that, Captain Mumbles, get well soon. Because, honestly - it probably doesn't make that much of a difference anyway...

The Last Staaling...The Boy Has Signed!...

2010-09-15T12:33:00.002-04:00

Marc Staal has officially signed with the New York Rangers - a nice, 5-year contract! Very happy day here at Natural Hat Trick Productions.

With that, here is one final video - Marc Staal's Greatest Hits:

Late Holiday Staaling Edition. . .

2010-09-06T22:59:00.002-04:00

I've been a bit awol from Staaling and the computer in general. But in the meantime, to make up for the last five days, all four Staal brothers again - from Thunder Bay. Enjoy and hope everyone had a good Labor/Labour Day! #SignStaal!!!

Staaling - Bauer Profile. . .

2010-09-01T23:42:00.001-04:00

And for something a little different:

It's September already Sign Staal!!

Staaling - Was that Brian Leetch. . .?

2010-08-31T21:05:00.001-04:00

Commentary is actually pretty ironic, here. Say defense needs more shots. And Marc Staal steps up. His 3rd goal in 3 straight games. And what a beauty:

Staaling - Revenge Edition. . .

2010-08-30T21:38:00.003-04:00

Now who doesn't love this goal by Marc Staal?! After Game 3 did not go as planned (the game winning goal for New Jersey going in courtesy Marc's skate), it was this Staal brother who got almost instant payback against Brodeur and the Devils in Game 4. Check it out:

Delayed Weekend Staaling. . .

2010-08-30T07:22:00.002-04:00

Well since I essentially slept through three days of the weekend and missed individual Staaling segments, maybe this will count. A video with more than ONE Staal brother! In fact - you get all four! A funny video, for sure:

Sign Staal!!

Still Staaling. . .

2010-08-26T16:52:00.003-04:00

No Marc signing = another video of my favorite Staal brother.

Now, I normally wouldn't post Devils broadcasts, but in this one, Chico somehow was gracious to the Rangers and complimentary of the play. (I know, I was suprised too). Enjoy Marc's first NHL goal. How awesome that it was against Brodeur. =)

When It's Been a Month Since You've Posted...

2010-08-25T20:37:00.002-04:00

...you should probably get a new hobby! Or...realize it's summer.

A thousand apologies (and no one cares, I know), so I won't list excuses. I have every bit of hope, confidence, etc, that come the season I'll be in better state to update more frequently. Until then, it just may have been the busiest summer at work ever. I suddently got more responsibility, but that left little time for anything else, like sleeping, and breathing. I haven't listened to sports radio in 3 weeks!! (Falling apart slowly...) Wait, I know, I said no excuses. Anyway, I sincerely hope to and promise to be better.

___________________________

So today I was reading my copy of The Hockey News Yearbook. Vital because a) it rocks and b) there was so much random player movement, I'm going to need to keep that near me until December to keep straight all these 3rd and 4th liners and where they are.

Anyway - it's August 25th, just less than a month to pre-season hocke, and I'm saying now, before having seen anything, I think the Rangers would be hard-pressed to make the playoffs. Stranger things happen, and they sure do, but the Rangers - good, bad, or indifferent - have a much stronger East to compete with. They just do. That, and their own inconsistencies, may prove too much to handle.

But that, ladies and gentlemen, are why they play the games. Why we watch. And why we are fans.

Now, it's August 25th, and the NYRs still haven't signed Marc Staal. I know, I know, I'm sure it'll get worked out. But how good will I feel on that day when I open Twitter, or turn on XM radio, and find out my favorite current Blueshirt has re-signed with my favorite team? VERY VERY VERY HAPPY!

Why? Because I still think he's worth it. Seriously, even if you are a Dan Girardi fan, you can't tell me Marc Staal shouldn't be asking for more money than him? Right! By the NYRS giving Dan Girardi 3.325 million, Staal's price easily hopped up to $4 million at least. Easily.

But...what can you do? Me, nothing. Except wait and hope and, oh yeah, post fun Staal videos each day until he's signed!!

Here's a personal favorite:

Charity Call-Out - Pancreatic Cancer....

2010-07-15T23:33:00.004-04:00

Mike Komisarek and I come from similar back-grounds in that we have similiar ethnic backgrounds, and have had close family members that have battled cancer. I can do no more and no less than to give support to his cause here:

http://www.pancreaticcancercanada.ca/2010_reg_info_form.html

Please support Pancreatic Cancer research.

More soon, more eventually...

Brief Thoughts Post Tums&Tylenol Day. . .

2010-07-02T08:34:00.003-04:00

Yes, brief. Because no time whatsoever this morning...

The Good:

I like Biron. And I think if he and Benoit, les francophones, can be on the same page, that is a good thing for the team. He was an above average goalie.I think he can get back there. And he's a very good guy.

Christensen and Prospal returning. Prospal - due for a bad year in the good/year bad/year return, may just buck the trend because he's comfortable. And as I stated on Twitter yesterday, his bad is better than most of our teams good, so... As for Christensen - was I thrilled when he didn't take the first offer, no. Do I get it, yes. Kinda like Dubinsky...it's a situation,in my mind, where as a player you see the outrageous contracts the NYRs have handed out. You're smart enough to know you are not getting something outrageous. But if you aren't the guy making $7 million but you are the ONLY guy that seems to be able to play with your superstar Gaborik, I can kinda see why he'd want a little more $. I can. Glad they are back.

The Bad:

I don't want to try to pretend that the Boogaard thing bothers me like the Brashear thing did exactly one year ago. But...it isn't a good thing. To me, it's like you had Orr, that wasn't offensive, you got rid of him for Brashear, who was??, and paid him more. That worked splendidly. You have Shelley, who was more offensive than 95% of the team during the home stretch, who is a really good locker room guy (and in this locker room, yes that IS important), but you let him go to Philly to sign this guy from Minny - and at upwards of $1.6 a year! It feels to me like doing the same thing over and over and expecting the same result. Insanity?

The only benefit here is it's not insulting, like the Brashear move was. I have no problem with Boogaard as a player. I just think that on a team that overpays for players who have one or minimal roles, a guy that will not score, not contribute to that in any way, to pay him so much to defend Hank, may be a lot of money. We'll see how it goes. We have four years.

Around the League:

So upset Z. Michalek went to the Penguins. (Meanwhile as I groaned about the NYRs yesterday, adoptive team took a few body blows). One, because I do think he's a great player. Two, because we all know how I feel about Pittsburgh. They just got much better.

Nothing else surprised me too much. It'll take me til November to realize what goalie plays for what team - a yearly task in fun.

But before I go, a comment on Malhotra, who took a lot of heat for his contract in Vancouver. 3 years, 2.5ish per year, NMC. I'm with everyone, I don't get the no movement. (I mean I understand why Manny'd want it after being on his 3 team in 3 years. I don't know why they'd give it.)

But here's why I think the contract is more fair that people thing. He's not overly offensive, true (although I'd take 14 goals from anyone on my 3rd or 4th line)... but it's everything else. 60+% faceoff winning percentage. If this guy is not tops in the league, he's always top three. That makes whatever team he's on, top 5 in faceoffs in the league on a consistent basis. May not mean much to the Rangers, but on a normal team, that is vital. He's the guy taking defensive draws in important moments. He's the guy PKing. He's the guy that even though he played mostly 3rd and 4th line with Columbus, also played with Rick Nash during one of the better portions of his playing time two years ago. Last year, I think we saw how vital he was in San Jose. He was +17. He was durable. They looked to him.

Again, not the flashy look-at-me model, but the I get things done.

The NYRs are paying Drury $7.05 million a year to win less faceoffs, score just as many goals (14), and be just as effective a penalty killer. And for 5 years.

Is $2.5 for 3 years for someone so dependable really that outrageous?

This isn't a knock Drury fest. Again, he has intangibles, because goodness knows it isn't his speed or scoring abililty he's getting paid for.

But I think, in my opinion, Manny is just as valuable to his own team as Drury is here.

Just my thought.

*Heading out of computer range. No more blogs. Will follow weekend on Twitter. I hope that I read Kovalchuk goes out West. And that the NYRs have buttoned up Staal to a nice, fair offer.

Have a great holiday weekend everyone!

Thoughts on the Eve of Tums & Tylenol Day. . .

2010-06-30T22:29:00.004-04:00

Dubbed three years ago by yours truly as Tums & Tylenol Day (seriously, they should be sponsors, no?), Free Agency Day is a day of much excitement for many, yet for many Rangers fans, much dread as well. Why you ask? Look no further than the Gomez/Drury, Redden/Rozsival tandems that have worked oh so well in the recent past...

Sigh.

Alright...this will be short and making no guarantees of sweet. ;)

Tomorrow can be happy, successful if:

NYRs don't trade away any of the guys that have been good to them, good for
them.

NYRs sign a backup goalie. I was fine with Auld. Have always had high
respect for Hedberg. Big fan of Biron too.

NYRs don't follow past Sather patterns and trade anyone - good, bad, or
indifferent - in order to, or sign anyone in general, that offers a cap hit
of significant proportions or a term of more than a couple/few years.

NYRs sign a center that does not go against any of the above. And it
wouldn't hurt if he could win a faceoff now and again. Oh and not make $7 million a year....

That's pretty much it. This team is not good enough to go for the world,
not bad enough to blow it all up. So even if they do nothing tomorrow...I'm
happy! To be honest...we all are.

So let's reiterate:

No big contracts people don't deserve.

No getting rid of our youth.

None of it!

And if Shelley, Prust, Christensen (a little confused w/actions today, I'll be honest) can be kept - go to it!

But most important is keeping Marc Staal, your BEST defenseman, happy, and, oh yeah, on the team!

That is all. Happy Tums & Tylenol day everyone! Enjoy the madness!

Why I'll Hurt Glen Sather if Marc Staal Is Not In Ranger Blue Next Year. . .

2010-06-28T14:29:00.004-04:00

Where to begin? Well, I think I'll begin with the following quote from the comments area on the Puck Daddy post I just read:

"How much did Sather give Redden and Rosival? The only chasm is between Sather's ears." (Tony)

It made me laugh really hard...until I stopped because it made me want to cry instead.

Oh Glennie Fisher Price Sather - what ARE you thinking?

_________________________________________________________

Look, no secret here, I'm a huge Marc Staal fan. (See, the photo!). And not just because he's a Staal, or I've always had appreciation for defensemen. And actually not just because he's one of the best players on this team and arguably one of the best defensmen the Rangers have seen since...

Anyway, not just because that. Because the kid is good. The kid has gotten better and will continue to get better. The kid does what he's told. The kid takes direction well. The kid goes into any given season wanting to get better, wanting to add new facets to his game. The kid promises to work hard to play well, learn, and improve his game. And the kid keeps his promises - to himself and to his team.

(Which, sadly, in contrast, we know all too many players do not.)

I wouldn't want to see this player go anywhere for any reason. He's vital to our team now and I believe he'll be vital for the next decade plus.

But to know the reason he's a) having problems with negotiations, b) potentially being low-balled in his offer is because a) the GM is an idiot and b) the GM has given all the team's money to other idiots - well, that will drive me crazy to no end.

The Redden and Rozsival contracts suck and they suck the life from this team. Sather may be the only one who didn't know what when he extended them 2 summers ago. (Cause goodness knows myself and the rest of the hockey world did). And they sucked, not just for the money, but for the length of term.

It was said, if those contracts didn't screw the Rangers in 2008-2009, they'd come back to haunt them in a year and for years to come.

Well, welcome to the future here.

______________________________________________________

Sather has made dumb moves (see above and add Drury, Gomez, etc, etc, to the list) over the years. But the only thing dumber than him making another pointless, crazy high-priced free agent signing, - would be his not properly taking care of the guys already playing on his team.

The guys that want to be Rangers.
The guys that deserve to be Rangers.
The guys that play like they get what those two things mean.

The guys like Marc Staal.

He may not be perfect, and he may still have room to grow, but the kid, at 23, looks like the best defenseman this team has had in...forever.

Rangers fans know - know! - this team can't afford to screw over the few, precious players that "get it" and play like they "get it."

Some players, who will remain nameless, - (I'll let you think of your own examples here) - never got it. They accepted the money, continued to accept the money, but never played well here because they a) couldn't handle New York or b) didn't even bother to try so long as they were getting paid.

It's been too precious few that have gotten what it means to Be A Ranger!, to play in New York, to earn the right to wear the jersey and to realize that it was (or at least it damn well should be) a priviledge. Too few.

And unless Sather can swallow his pride on the Redden thing, stop making stupid moronic, mathmatically incompetent decisons, and keep the few players on the Rangers who are worth their money around - we'll be forced to watch the same thing over and over, season after long season.

Marc Staal was and is an example of refreshing, home-grown change. I hope - I hope! - Sather realizes he can't be a) moronic, b) cheap, c) insulting, here.

I hope - I hope! - he ponies up to pay one of our best players, umm, like he's one of our best players.

Hmm. What a novel concept.

And The 2010 NHL Entry Draft Random Thoughts Are. . .

2010-06-25T19:22:00.004-04:00

And now, some post 2010 NHL Entry Draft Thoughts:

Bettman being booed. Such a lovely sound. So comforting in it's familiarity.

The only point he had is not an original one, but a good one nonetheless. Amazing how many hockey programs there are now in California, through the three NHL teams and otherwise. Such a great thing to see. And who would have thought before The Great One went to the Kings it would have been possible. Sometimes that's all it takes...

Onto the Draft - -

**So Taylor or Tyler ends with Taylor Hall going #1 to Edmonton. A Flames fan growing up, he said he is now 100% an Oilers fan. I mean of course, and he means it. But makes me wonder how it is to be a hockey prospect and just have to give all that up. Gladly, of course. Because you become a member of the team. I guess you have to be that way. And if you happen to get drafted by your team, it's rare. That's why the Jordan Eberle and Matt Duchene stories were extra special.

**The story on the father of Florida's pick Erik Gudbranson was a good one. Says he will wear whatever jersey of whatever team his son ends up playing for. But he'll wear his Habs jersey underneath, because that's the only jersey he'll let touch his skin. Heavy! Those are Montreal fans, peole. Now Erik "did his research" and wanted to go to Florida. Amazing how Tallon has made this a place to want to go to. (Again, I always root for them!). And great story about his brother overcoming leukimia. I like this kid a lot. Very well spoken. My favorite of the first round by far.

**Brett Connolly got his hand in a gate. Ouch. Must have taken perserverance to get back from that. One question. He says he's ecstatic? He's the least estatic looking person I've ever seen!

**Jeffery Skinner. Happy kid. good personality, self depreciating. And a former figure skater. Good stuff!

**Okay, so the Russian kid that the Thrashers took - Burmistrov. TSN graphic said he was comparable to Scott Gomez. Seriously, that's still something people WANT to hear? Or should that be taken as a warning?

**Time for the Wild. His son is here, but oh too bad Cliff Fletcher wasn't here yet. We so loved our talks in year's past. Oh wait, lucky us! - got him on the phone just now.

"Hello Cliff?"
"What month is it?"
"Month, Cliff, it's June. We're at the NHL Entry Draft."
"Wait a minute, who did I call? What is this ringing sound?"
"Phone's done ringing, Cliff. And we called you. How are you doing?"
"Umm, good. Why you ask?"
"Cliff, buddy, just checking in. I thought you guys had an early pick this year...eh, but I could have been wrong."
"What are you getting at?"
"Nothing. Nothing at all. Tyler Seguin looks good in black and gold, doesn't he?"
CLICK.

Guess the phone conversations don't roll as smoothly as the TV interviews do, huh? We'll get you next year, Cliff.

**Love Minny's jersey. Not a lot of green in NHL uniforms. (Why is that by the way?) But nice. Reminds me of the scripted Anaheim in purple, before they went to the ugly orange uniforms. No offense, but not a fan of their uniforms. (Oh, maybe I'll make another promise to do another random jersey blog someetime THIS summmer. Oh me and promises....)

**Okay hold the phone (No, not you Cliff!). What the heck did the Rangers do? OH what else is new? @TonyMarinaro called them brain dead. Yeah, probably true.

I get that they may have wanted to do something, um, creative. And that they'd want a stay at home, big d-man. But as I wrote on twitter (NHTProductions)...do they think he'll be Jeff Beukeboom? If so - great! But do they really?

I just get concerned when the TSN panel say things like "doesn't have a lot of skill" and "doesn't make quick decisions." You know, things that are not AT ALL vital to hockey. And when they are completely dumbfounded. All of them. That always makes me feel good.

Oh NYRs, you make it fun. You do make it oh so much fun.

(Meaning of fun here is up for debate, of course).

**So Bobby Ryan used to babysit Beau Bennett when he was nine. Awe! And apparently a good pianist as well. Pretty good speaker too.

__________________________________________

Overall, not as enthused by this year's draft as last year. I want more interviews with players! I want to see them talk, because, as NYR fans know, we may never see these kids play for us. (Hugh...) Give them their moment.

In other thoughts, it's interesting to me how much the NBA and NHL Drafts differ. At the NHL, the GMs or Scouts or Team Operations guys make the announcement, where at the NBA Draft it is David Stern every time. (I guess that works for the leagues respectively. We know it'd be all boo-ing if Bettman were up there that much.) The set up in general is different too as NBA green rooms are hidden while NHL tables are all gathered in one area, front and center.

Lastly, because I'm too tired to think much more, I must say again what I've been saying the last few years. What a pleasure here in the States to get this footage now on TV. I remember all the years we didn't. And Draft was this foreign thing that we, as fans, couldn't see. Now between Twitter and TV, we're getting it all firsthand and it's wonderful. A day of such hope and dreams for these young kids. Glad I get to see it. I really am. I make an event out of it every year. Maybe next year I'll go to a Draft Party and see it with other fans. It's just really refreshing that such things are now possible. Growth of our great game.

I will be out of state tomorrow; anyone watching tomorrow's rounds - enjoy!

2010 NHL Awards - Post Show Thoughts. . .

2010-06-23T19:49:00.003-04:00

One of my favorite nights of year. 80+ degrees. Beautiful night. And we're inside celebrating the best of the best game there is - the NHL Awards Show.

And would we have it any other way, hockey fans?

Now, the random thoughts of a random hockey fan...

* I actually like Jay Mohr. I think he's pretty funny. However, we must assume that - 70%? of the nominees - have no idea what he's talking about. Because they're European...of course.

* I consider myself above average at naming Canadian celebrities. I am pretty sure I had no idea Natasha Henstridge was among them. Points to her. And bonus points for being from Newfoundland.

* Again, not being a fan of Detroit, I lack the ability to have non-biased opinions towards the Datsyuks and Zetterbergs of the league. And as much as I hate the same player winning something over and over...I have to say, I look forward to Pavel Datsyuk making speeches because, well, he's just too damn adorable. Seriously, how cute is he, although, thankfully, his English does get better every year.

* I'm really not a fan of changing names of long standing NHL Trophys, I'll say right now. So I may be caught calling the Ted Lindsay the Lester Pearson for the next year, two, ten, twenty - old habits die hard. Regardless...

* Ovechkin won. Which is always a plus in my book. Why? Because he is dynamic, he is fun, and he is talented. No one can deny that. That being said, do you think, after the last three years of Ovechkin winning this award that a statement has been made? I mean Crosby won, and the next 3 years have been Ovechkin, regardless of the fact Crosby won hockey's holy grail last year. Ovechkin, his peers keep saying, is really - that good. Just saying...

* Meanwhile, that may have been one of the most up and down, backwards and forwards awards speeches ever given, that Ovechkin. I had never heard the story of his brother; obviously that's not new news here. But regardless, well deserved, and again, the peers are speaking here. Dynamic Alex, he is the most valuable player in the league.

* Oh good, someone from the Daily Line. The one that knows something about hockey, I hope...oh nevermind. Selfish promotion. Guy has no clue, and to be honest, jokes were not funny.

* Why does the NHL not do more of the skits like the Ryan [Getzlaf], [Bobby] Ryan variety. Hilarious. And showcases one of the many reasons we love hockey and its players...they are human, and they are damn funny. Great stuff! Getzlaf with his backwards cap. Poor Bobby Ryan getting no love, but yet, Jersey represent. I repeat - great stuff. We need more of this!

* As much as I sometimes loathe Sidney Crosby facetime...because, honestly Sid...loosen up a bit - I love Stamkos face time. He's so refreshing. You know, just like vanilla, which I've heard, he loves, even though he, umm, isn't vanilla in personality, you know. ;)

* And who had the time on when the first Ghost Whisperer connection joke would happen? Oh wait, I'm the only one that watches the show. Too bad. Good stuff.

* Funny that Brodeur, Bryzgalov, and Miller all wear #30. And which #30 would win? The Canadian? The Russian? Nope. The American! Big fan of Ryan Miller and not, NOT!, just because of the fantasy points he's garnered me over the last few years (although thank you for that Ryan). Because he's one of the good guys. And good goalies. Well deserved Vezina there. And good speech too.

* I pause to thank the NHL Awards show for showing the bestest commercial ever...you know, the one that features Pete in a goal celebration hug with his teammates. Thank you fans...THANK YOU NHL!!

* I love the Masterton Trophy for these moments. Had to tear up for Jose Theodore. Did a great job speaking of something that is obviously very difficult. Thoughts are with him. On more personal notes, watched the injury to Kurtis Foster, and what he did takes guts and perserverance. And as a HUGE Jed Ortmeyer fan, major props to him. Many others would have turned it in, but he wants everything to be on his terms. One of my favorite Rangers, and favorite hockey players. They get it. They all get it.

* We <3 Shane Doan. Why? He may have been humble - as he always is - but Shane Doan is one heck of a leader, one heck of a captain, and one heck of a human being. Hats off to Shane Doan here. A very deserving King Clancy Award winner, and one of my favorite captains. A great guy. Who doesn't <3 Shane Doan?

* Well, there you have it folks. Not an awards show complete without a highlight reel image of a New York Ranger...looking foolish. Thank you Michal Rozsival.

* Few people probably know who the guy who awarded the Lady Byng Trophy was. I am all too familiar. Let's give it up for Kevin Zegers...the kid from Air Bud. Ontario native and huge Leafs fan. It's nice they let real hockey fans present at these award shows, no? You could tell, he was thrilled to be on stage with Martin St. Louis.

* Speaking of Marty...I still don't get the Lady Byng. And not for reasons you may think. It's just that - these guys are awarded for being great players and taking like, what, 6 penalties a year. Look, I'm a Rangers fan. Most of these guys take 6 penalties in a weekend home and home. So I am fundamentally unable to process, yet I admire from afar. Marty had a good speech too. Christmas cards to the refs, courtesy Brad Richards. Be home for dinner tomorrow. Good stuff.

* The night was going so well until...well. Look. We all knew Crosby had to win something. Because well...yeah. It's just painful to have him stand next to Messier. It is for me. At least he said he looked up to him for his leadership, for a moment. You know, until he went on to Yzerman. I beg to state the obvious here. Crosby, were you even alive when Messier was doing his thing in Edmonton? Yeah, not really. Just saying...

* JR said we'd all cry if we were stuck with Mike Milbury for 4 hours in a row...Well, you know, he has a point there.

* As much as we all respect Nick Lidstrom - and if we don't, we should - it is nice to see a new crop of players being honored with nominations for the Norris. All well deserving and names we'll see for years. Duncan Keith, wonderful to see. "Keep your hands off, Ovie." Oh sigh. Just a shame that they cut off his speech. Unfair, really. What else could be so important. Congrats Duncan.

* Nice to see Miller get more recognition. I say, not as a Sabres fan, but as a Miller fan, this is a guy who gets it, who is VERY involved in the league, and in the community. He gets it. And we should embrace that and thank him. Good show for Ryan Miller. Long overdue.

* Happy Henrik (and yes I can tell them apart) Sedin won the Hart (and not, you know, just cause Crosby didn't), but because new blood. New blood. And he thanked so many wonderful people. Naslund, who again, Rangers fans didn't really get to see, but was a decade long fixture in Vancouver, and very vital to that team's growth. And of course, a personal favorite of mine in the great Trevor Linden. Good show. A shame the poor guy felt rushed to give his speech for one of the top awards, but well deserved.

So overall, a very good show. Highly entertaining. I said two years ago, when this blog started, that I felt the NHL Awards were becoming Americanized. I still, to some degree, hold to that. And it's a fact. But this year was very entertaining. Too entertaining perhaps to be held to an hour and a half. I find it slightly embarassing that they had to cut off speeches to keep the show to an hour and a half. What Goldie Hawn movie was so important that it had to air at 9pm precisely, I don't know. But overall, an enjoyable show.

As a hockey fan in the States, we've been blessed as the years go on with more coverage of the sport we love. I remember when the airing of the Awards show on a feed from the CBC is all we got, and I was so greatful. Now we get NHL Network and Draft Night coverage and I feel...overwhelmed in being so blessed. This used to be it for fans like me, a night like tonight, and now, thankfully, it is one of many nights we get to enjoy.

The point here is, something I always felt strongly about on this night, and feel tonight just as much - We are priviledged. Priviledged to call hockey our favorite sport. Priviledged to have this sport define so much of what is good in our worlds.

Things change in our lives, but hockey remains. A solid, unifying force connecting us all. Nights like this remind me of that.

As we watch Guy Lafleur and Duncan Keith, Martin St. Louis, and Dave Tippett, I am presented with the fact that there are only a select group of people that a) know who these guys are, and b) appreciate what they stand for.

I'm always humbled and proud to stand among that select group of hockey fans. So much changes from day to day, week to week, year to year. Hockey remains. I'm thankful for the one ever-changing, yet never changing, element in my life. It's a connection I feel, and a connection I embrace. I am so thankful for hockey. And so thankful for all those that feel that connection too.

We <3 hockey.

Thank you for the game we love, the best game in the world.

Bestest NHL Thank You Video Ever. . .

2010-06-17T23:47:00.004-04:00

Wait for it...wait for it... =)

Charity Call-Out - PROCURE.CA Walk of Courage. . .

2010-06-16T15:52:00.003-04:00

This month, in honor of Father's Day, just wanted to help get the word out about prostate cancer testing and early detection. Every male, age 40 and above, is encouraged to get screened for the disease. Prostate cancer is much more treatable the earlier it is detected.

Earlier today on The Randy Tieman Show (Team 990) he had former Montreal Canadien Robin Burns on to talk about PROCURE.CA, a Quebec based non-for-profit designed to raise awareness, support, and education for prostate cancer. According to Burns they've raised around $5 million in the last four years. He also pointed out it takes $1 million a year to keep one of their Biobanks (support network of hospitals, research facilities, and universities) running for a year.

Their 4th annual Walk of Courage will take place June 20, 2010, on Father's Day. The Montreal teams - Canadiens, Alouettes, and Impact - have helped support the non-for-profit and this year, former Canadien Yvan Cournoyer will act as co-president of the event.

Everyone is encouraged to join the walk, in honor of fathers, grandfathers, brothers, sons. To make a donation, register to walk, or learn more, please visit PROCURE.CA

For those living in the States, to find out more about screenings and prevention of prostate cancer, please visit The Prostate Cancer Foundation

Speaking of The Stanley Cup Playoffs and More. . .

2010-06-16T15:07:00.003-04:00

So much for quick timely blog directly following the end of playoffs this year, huh?

Apologies aside - won't even try to make excuses - let's take a trip back and think about what a great Stanley Cup playoffs and Final we were treated to this year. It was simply fantastic. The most enjoyable I've experienced in quite a while.

My Favorite Shocking/Interesting/Amazing Moments of the Playoffs:

* Sharks made it out of the 2nd Round! It looked shaky there for a while, yes, there was an ugly game winning goal for the opposing team (courtesy Boyle and Nabokov), yes, but somehow they made it one step closer to the promised land - before getting swept by Chicago.

*Speaking of the eventual Stanley Cup Champs, they didn't look so confident in Round 1, did they? Sometimes I truly think Round 1 can be the toughest for some teams to win. How many times did Detroit barely make it out of the quarter finals only to sail the rest of the way. However, in this case, I truly feel it was a situation where no one gave Nashville any credit. Yes, the Hawks needed time to find their legs, but the Predators are a much better team than people expected.

*Speaking of teams that many knew nothing about for most of this season - the Phoenix Coyotes! Look, it didn't go the way I wanted, and perhaps the way it should have. But how wonderful was that series? Phoenix completely dominating Detroit on two national Sunday afternoon games, and the one in particular where Petr Prucha took #1 Star honors. The whole series that everyone thought Detroit would dominate. And they did dominate...Game 7. But I'd take a 7-game well fought series over a sweep any day. Regardless of how it ended too quickly, seriously now, just how wonderful was it that they were even in the playoffs.

*Speaking of how wonderful it was for a team to be in the playoffs. How nice was it to see les fabled, Les Habs, back in the playoffs and back with a surprising vengeance that perhaps no one saw coming. First knocking off the Capitals - which I think maybe .01% of all hockey fans would have predicted, maybe - and then knocking out the defending champ Penguins - in a moment that may have just ranked #1 of the entire playoffs for me, the Canadiens made a story where there quite possibly was none. That's what makes the NHL playoffs great. Key injuries should have kept them down, but big game performances by a now healthier Michael Cammalleri and a never-given-credit-until-you-need-him-and-he-carries-you Jaroslav Halak made the Habs a genuine force this spring. Some of those games that Halak had were performances for the ages. And unless you are a Leafs fan or a Bruins fan, why wouldn't you like to see that from one of hockey's storied franchises.

*Speaking of hockey's storied franchises, the New York Rangers. Oh wait. What? They didn't make the playoffs this year? Oh, silly me. I almost forgot. That other team that they played on the last afternoon of the regular season won the final necessary point in a shootout and made the playoffs instead - (and went all the way to the Stanley Cup Final!)

*Speaking of I-Still-Can't-Believe-That-Happened, how about how that Bruins/Flyers match-up in the Conference Finals panned out. I mean whether you like or dislike either team or were just a non-biased observer - what a thing to see, a team coming back from 3-0 down to win a series. Many of us weren't alive for the previous two times this happened in hockey. And given how uncommon it really is, who knows when we will see it happen again? There is a reason it's only happened now 4 times in sports, and 3 times in hockey. Simply not easy to lose that type or lead or to take it back and win. Just isn't. And as much as Rangers fans may hate the Flyers, I still say, you have to tip your cap to them in this regard. They did something special. Something 3 times in history special. 1942 Maple Leafs. 1975 New York Islanders. 2010 Philadelphia Flyers. That's how history will read.

*And speaking of History Being Made! - congratulations to the 2010 Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks! We were treated to what was a highly entertaining Final, one I thoroughly enjoyed. And I enjoyed not just because it wasn't Detroit and Pittsburgh, again - although goodness knows I was thrilled this was the case - but because it had a crazy 6-5 game in Game 1, a tight 2-1 matchup in Game 2, an overtime win in Game 3, and another in Game 6 to award the Cup! Essentially a very even series. The Flyers had already made their history coming into the Final, but they couldn't overcome the 49 years of history the Blackhawks were clawing to overcome. Couldn't have asked for more and for the first time in a while it seems, I was right in predicting something - Hawks in 6!

More on the Final and what it means:

In the Blackhawks winning the Stanley Cup Final, it meant a couple things for our New York Rangers.

We all know that the Rangers famously held the longest Stanley Cup drought from 1940-1994 (54 years). Chicago had held the next longest - less infamous - drought from 1961-2010 (49 years). Now the Maple Leafs hold the dis-honor of longest drought from 1967-present (43 years and counting...)

With Chicago's 4th Stanley Cup, Chicago now ties the Rangers in Original-Six Cup winning mediocrity. (Les Habs lead the other way with 24, and then follows: Toronto - 13, Detroit - 11, Boston - 5). However, Chicago has 15 division championships to the Rangers 5. And considering Chicago has a much greater chance of winning the Cup this century, I'm going to give the nod to them as the more successful Original-Six franchise.

But hey, the Rangers still have Pride, Passion, AND Tradition, right?

Oh, what the heck. I'm still a fan. And I always will be. At the rate they are winning, I'll never run out of room for storing playoff and championship team merchandise, now will I? See - bright side!

And finally...

On the other bright side, I just feel this was such an entertaining playoffs and Final, and I couldn't have been happier to be a hockey fan. Everything went wonderfully (no thanks to Bettman & Co., who probably were crying when they wouldn't have Detroit and Pittsburgh again...even though ratings and merchandise sale and everything were higher this year!) and I didn't want it to end. I tried to watch as much hockey as I possibly could this year and I wanted to watch MORE. Was angry that I couldn't. And look forward to next year when I hopefully can watch even more.

From the start of the season (the Rangers happy time), to the World Juniors surprising win by the Americans over Canada, to the joy of Olympic hockey (four years sometimes seems much, much too long), to the end of the season (the Rangers scrape together and try time), and through to the final game of the Final - what an entertaining and amazing display of hockey we all enjoyed.

What more can you ask of your favorite sport? Getting to enjoy all this amazing hockey and still wanting more.

Hockey is in a great place right now, it really is. No question about it.

2010 Stanley Cup Final Prediction/Preview. . .

2010-05-27T16:44:00.001-04:00

Well...this is it. As early as a week from tomorrow (or as late as two weeks from tomorrow) we will have our 2010 Stanley Cup champion crowned.

Yay!

Well, yay from me because the Champion will not be:

a) Pittsburgh

b) Detroit

But, I'm not going to lie, the idea of it being Philadelphia raising a banner next fall does not exactly inspire warm and fuzzy feelings for a Rangers fan.

Either way, I am excited for the Final.

Not as excited as I'd be if Les Habs could have continued their "Feels like '93" drive-for-25 journey, but...

instead we have:

____________________________________________

Philadelphia:

I will not take credit - much - for this but I did pick Philadelphia to win their division this season. So, on some level, I did think they'd be better than a team that was struggling to gain entrance to the playoffs on the last day of the season (yeah, you reading, me typing - still painful). Anyway, I thought they'd be good. Without care for major details here, just 3 seasons ago they finished the season dead last. 30th of 30. The following year they were one of the four final teams standing, before they lost to eventual runner-up Pittsburgh in the Eastern Finals. They bowed out to Pittsburgh early last year, before the Penguins,

(oh stop, I can't type that too; I'm trying to get through this).

Anyway, point is, Paul Holmgren and co must be doing something right. Teams don't go from so bad to so good without someone capable in charge do they? (Other example, please see Phoenix Coyotes, Don Maloney, Dave Tippett).

The Flyers are in the Final because they are a good team, whether we want to believe it or not, but probably more importantly, because as cliche as this is, they believed in the why not us, mentality. And hell of goalie performances (how great were Boucher and Leighton for this team? Those are great stories!) for a team that has - well quite honestly - for the last few decades had goalie situations about as stable as Glen Slather's understanding of simple math.

But I digress...

_______________________________________________

Chicago:

Chicago is the team that we wish would win, as Rangers fans. They are young, they are fun, and they are a pleasure to watch. In fact, my only regret (if I can name one) in watching both a West and an East coast team on such a regular basis, is that I have no real chance to watch Chicago as much as I would like to. They are a treat.

Probably one of the unique stories in sports for me, I was too young to know or appreciate the Blackhawks when they were good. In fact, the Blackhawks have not existed for me until 2008. (As some may say is true for those in Chicago as well). They've had a renaissance, part because of drafting well, and part because of the timely death of their principal owner who had many antiquated thoughts. Until three years ago this team didn't show home games on TV! Until they made the playoffs and went on a run to the Western Final last year - they had made the playoffs once in the previous nine seasons!

They, as Rangers fans may or may not know, are the only Original Six team to be less successful - if true success is measured in Stanley Cups) - than the New York Rangers themselves. Both around since the 1926 campaign, the Hawks have only lifted Lord Stanley's chalice 3 times. The Rangers, thank all that is wonderful and holy, finally won their 4th in 1994.

Interesting to note, however, the Blackhawks have won 14 division titles to the Rangers 5, and 2 conference championships to the Rangers 1. (Guess we really do know who is the most un-inspired of the Original Six, now, don't we. Sigh).

Anyway, the Blackhawks raised from the ashes on the backs of two young forwards in Kane and Toews. And they may just complete - what I would assume - is one of the greatest turnarounds in franchise history. 9 years of obscurity, to a Final 4 appearance, to a Stanley Cup appearance to....

__________________________________________________________________

Well we'll just have to wait and see now, won't we. ;)

Even though the Blackhawks winning would make the Rangers that much more unsuccessful, I'd like to see the Hawks do it. And not just because I really don't want to see Philadelphia win it, but because I want to see their story completed. The right way.

I want to say this will end in fewer games, but I do not want to take credit away from Philadelphia, because they've been mighty impressive.

Final Prediction: Hawks in 6!

And Your 2010 Final is....

2010-05-24T23:33:00.003-04:00

Chicago Blackhawks and...Philadelphia Flyers.

yeah. Take a breath.

Look, I picked the Flyers to win the Division. They barely - NYR fans close your eyes/ears - made the playoffs. And yet, on for the chance to win Lord Stanley's chalice they go.

I take small, very small, solace, that the Flyers ended up where they were. I mean, because I thought they'd be a good team in the first place. Not, because, I thought they'd get there as the season rolled, or in the end. Neither.

They did. Credit them. Credit all of them. As much as we hate it. And credit Leighton. He's a good story. Injured. Back. And remarkable in the semi-Final. Credit him.

Credit too, les Habs. They did not have a good round, but I will forever be thankful for what they did last round. For taking out the Penguins, I owe them.

We all owe them for making a little history. Not a ton, but a lot. Taking out Washington, taking out Pittsburgh.

Halak.

Cammalleri.

Pyatt, Lappy, Moore.

We owe them. For making a series, for making a playoffs, of what perhaps would not have been so.

Thank you Montreal. As much as I do love you in some respect, I did not, in any way, believe, that you'd be there, 3rd team remaining out of 30! No way. No way at all.

Thanks for making it remarkable.

So now, Chicago, we root for you. Because, really, as NYR fans, as much as what PHI did was remarkable, we don't really, in all honestly, think we're rooting for you! What you did was remarkable, yes, but Chicago, we root for you. Kane, Toews, Niemi, et all. We Root for YOU! Go Chicago! Go Hawks Go!

****

On a side note, made it to Warren tonight. Will not take it seriously that the girl in the tables in back cheered WILDLY when the FLYERS scored, despite the FACT she was wearing a HABS hat!

No.

Good atmosphere. Had sound on. AND arguably best burgers (sliders) I have ever had.

Cheers to that!

Too bad the game did not roll the way we wished.......

2010 Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions - 3rd Round . . .

2010-05-16T11:56:00.004-04:00

**The other blog I was writing upcoming. With best intent. I the meantime, I realized I need to get these predicts done before 3pm!**

MTL/PHI - Habs in 6. As much as I have to seriously helmet tip to Philly (come on, you really do), I'm going with the Halak, Cammalleri combo and saying Habs will win out, in continuation of one of the true miraculous playoff performances I've ever seen!

SJS/CHI - Chicago in 7. This is harder for me to predict. I honestly feel like I could have flipped a coin. Sharks have finally proven they can make a statement, and play together this playoffs. Chicago has done that already over the last two years, but will the Sharks prove too much for them this time around.

Overall, I think both series will be very evenly matched, and a hell of a ride. I'm very excited. Either team winning out West will be fine with me, be it Chicago because they are Chicago, or the Sharks because of Manny and Jed! And I'll continue to root for Les Habs here in the East.

<3ing these playoffs!!

Random Hockey Thought of the Day - Is It Over For Detroit?. . .

2010-05-07T21:15:00.004-04:00

**Please note, this was written before Game 4. I've just been without internet access for a couple days and could not post. Attribute any inconsistencies to that, or well, you know, just to me not being perfect. ;) **

___________________

I just got done reading a bunch of comments from Sharks fans, Detroit fans, non-fans, and I'm baffled. The Sharks fans are crediting their team's different play and more heart this year. The Red Wings fans are complaining that the referees are the reason their team is in a 3-0 hole after last night's third consecutive 4-3 loss in this year's Western Semi-Finals. And the non-fans are split down the middle.

Okay, maybe I'm not so baffled after all.

Look, I'll say it right here, right now. I don't like the Red Wings. It used to be a case of my not liking them because they were the anti-Rangers. An Original 6 team that did it the right way - drafting well, adding key pieces, having a system that everyone who was there or was called up knew how to follow perfectly. They did it right. As a Rangers fan, a fan of a team that seemingly could do nothing right, I hated them. As an example of what my team so clearly was not. Successful.

That dislike didn't come about right away. In 1995 I was, of course, devastated that the Red Wings got swept by the Devils and I, as a Rangers fan, had to hear for a month just how wonderful New Jersey was. I appreciated Detroit in 1997 and 1998. Again, a team that did it right. A team that had guys that I liked. Think back to 1998 and the Cup celebration with Vladimir Konstantinov and tell me that doesn't make you remember how good it once felt to watch Detroit win. I do remember that feeling. I certainly do.

But after those two Cups and even after the one in 2002, things would go on to change for me. There came a time when it seemed like the same teams were winning the Cup every year. What, wait? You mean that did happen? Sigh. Yes, it did. And I could (and maybe will another time) go on to explain how horrible a time I thought that was and how I came to dislike Colorado and NJ for the same reason, but we'll pause on that. Frankly, it just got to be too much.

And if it wasn't already too much, it certainly became too much in these recent years where it seemed like the Red Wings became the chosen team. The team that was always there, again. And even if they weren't, they should have been. They were perfect. And I get it, I get they are good. But the whole Hockeytown mentality and the NHL seemingly loving it, and literally shoving it in everyone's faces, became a lot to handle.

So I began to root, mightily, for the Red Wings to fail every year. When the Oilers knocked them out of the first round in 2006 en route to that Stanley Cup push, I was elated. When Nashville failed to do the same to them the following year, I knew it would end badly (ie; Cup for Detroit. Another year of how great everyone is). That in fact, was the only year, that I rooted for Detroit. Why? Because they were - ironically - playing the only team I wanted to see win the Cup less. Pittsburgh. And in 2009, well. I was mad at Detroit for not taking care of business for me there either.

Before I get trampled here, let me give credit. Nick Lidstrom is one of the rare, amazing talents. We may never see another exactly like him again once he retires. Steve Yzerman was someone I always highly respected, as long as they didn't refer to him as the greatest leader in the NHL, only the greatest captain. (Mark Messier had that distinction in my mind). There is nothing I can say against Detroit. Once Chelios left the team and Hasek left the NHL, I disliked no one on it. Datsyuk, Zetterberg, those are amazingly talented guys that with the exception of Selke's and Lady Byngs, will get no recognition.

That's almost ironic really. Besides Lidstrom, who on Detroit gets real, honest to goodness, credit for being so good, from the masses. And yet, Detroit, the team, the ownership, the organization gets so lauded.

Anyway, point is. Detroit is good, has always been good. A machine, if you will. No one is denying that. I'm certainly not.

____________________________________

However, now in 2010 we have Detroit on the brink, the 3-0 brink of elimination to San Jose. And it feels good.

Why? Honestly. It just would feel so good to see another team represent the West this year. Chicago, San Jose, Vancouver. I'll cheer for any of those teams - happily.

Does that mean Detroit is evil? Does that mean I truly hate them? No. and No. It just means I got tired of seeing the same guys do it over and over again.

And, even worse, if the fans feel some entitlement. The team is good. We get it. TRUST us, we get it. But they, for the first time, in a long time, did not have an easy road to the playoffs, let alone the Final. They made the playoffs for 19 straight years. They are never out of anything. They are arguably one of the greatest teams - collectively over the years - of NHL history and certainly the most successful of my lifetime.

I just hope another team can be better this year. I just really, really, really! need someone new to root for.

Rather than the same two teams to root against.

**Note. Obviously Detroit didn't get swept. But to expect that would have been probably too much. I'll be curious to see how tomorrow goes. Obviously you know who I'll be rooting for there.**

Random Hockey Thought of the Day - Vancouver Canucks and What May Have Been. . .

2010-05-04T21:15:00.003-04:00

I was listening to Team990 this morning. (On a side note, I'm still suffering through the loss of PJ Stock on the station as he was my favorite 3 hour listen every day, but who doesn't enjoy Montreal radio when the Habs are in the playoffs, surprising people and doing well?).

Anyway, Tony, the host of The Montreal Forum, said that even though he's a Habs fan, he'd want the Canucks - Canada's only other representative team - to win the Cup if the Habs got knocked out. I get it. I'm sure many people would feel the same. I'm not a full-time Habs fan or a Canadian, but I know I rooted for Calgary in 2004 and Edmonton in 2006. I mean, why not see a Cup back in Canada if the team is able to win it, right?

His reasoning was interesting though. He said he'd root for them for all they'd gone through. Luc Bourdon's motorcycle accident (two years ago this month, unbelievably so). Coach Alain Vigneault's up and down trip to the NHL. And the tragedy of Taylor Pyatt's (who noteably no longer plays for the Canucks) fiance dying last year.

Now, granted, I didn't understand the last one. While I do understand Pyatt was well liked by his teammates and I'm sure they sympathized with their friend, I'm not sure a year later that is going to be a reason. This takes nothing away from the importance of Pyatt to either the Canucks (or the Coyotes he played for this season) or the extend of the tragedy, which was extreme, but I'm still not sure I connect the two.

Regardless, it got me thinking why - even though I'd surely love to see the Hawks win a Cup. I mean unless you hate them, why wouldn't you? - I wouldn't mind if one of these years turned out to be Vancouver's year.

I'm a Rangers fan, was a Rangers fan in 1994. Obviously I wanted 1994 to go exactly as it did. The good guys won. The guys that needed to erase a 54-year curse. Magic. And it may never happen again. Especially if the last 16 years are any indication.

But, I always hoped in the back of my mind that the Canucks would get back there. Probably in the early stages of my hockey watching I assumed that they'd be right back there next year. I mean why not, right? They came as close as you could to winning it all. I'm still curious how that happens, even though we've seen it before. Ask the Florida Panthers of 1996. Sometimes you just get there and no one knows why, and you don't get close since.

If you look at the Canucks though and the years that followed (and it's worth it) it was an odd journey.

The 1995 shortened season saw the team struggle, but make the playoffs to lose in a 4 game sweep to Chicago in the 2nd Round. In 1996 their leading scorer Pavel Bure was injured early in the season, struggles continued, and the Canucks didn't make it out of Round 1. The following year, 1997, they didn't even make the playoffs. They, as Rangers fans know, ushered in the Mark Messier years in Vancouver, which as we also know, didn't really go well for either team. They made the playoffs every year after that experiment, but never made it out of the 2nd round.

Post lockout, they'd narrowly miss the playoffs in 2006, causing the team be torn apart and re-made, and the start of the Roberto Luongo Era in Vancouver. They make it to the 2nd round in 2007. They narrowly missed the playoffs again in 2008, and the great Trevor Linden retired from the NHL. In 2009, the Canucks made the playoffs, swept St. Louis, before going on to lose the heartbreaker in Game 6 to the Blackhawks and Patrick Kane's hat trick.

So, what this tells us is that, not including this year or the full lockout year, and since 1994, the Canucks made the playoffs eight out of fourteen years, but never made it out of Round 2. Never came even close to getting back to where they were in 1994. (Although besides the blip of 1997, neither did the Rangers, if we're being honest).

Just goes to show you, there really are no givens or guarantees in professional sports. You may really never get that chance again.

I think of those Canucks that I really liked, those that aren't there anymore. Legendary good guy Trevor Linden. Former Canucks turned Rangers Kirk McLean and Pavel Bure, who carried the team that playoff year. Even though those guys aren't there anymore today, I felt for them afterwards. Not many I've ever liked more than I like and respect Trevor Linden.

As for the current team, there are certain things you have to admire about them. Luongo, may not be perfect, but he's damn good at times. And he, last year when things went badly, stood up through tears to speak to the media post game. Only 2 players did. The Sedins (who I am actually pretty sure I can tell apart if I met them both face to face) are a great story. Not long ago, it was all about their contracts and how many years, and how much $$. Proving a few people wrong now, aren't they? A very well deserved Hart nomination for Henrik too. Alex Burrows, like him or hate him, is a good story, of a kid that was playing ECHL hockey years ago and is now playing alongside two of the league's best.

So, honestly, if the Canucks end up winning the Cup...I'm not disappointed. It may have just been a long time coming.

And...as we've just proven, sometimes you don't get a second chance.

**Note: This was not one of the segments I planned when I went into this season and said I had new, fun segments. You know the plan I had every intention of following unti life got in the way. We'll see how this goes. Also, major helmet tip to Sports Encyclopedia Vancouver Canucks for the info. What, you thought I remembered every single year of Canucks history over the last 16? If you did, I love you for it, but you gave me way too much credit. Great site, great info.**

Keep Your Heads Up, Coyotes. . .

2010-04-30T19:13:00.002-04:00

So the season that was successful, ground-breaking, and franchise record
setting, came to a not-so-happy ending for the 2009-2010 Phoenix Coyotes Tuesday night.

So what.

Woah, now, don't confuse the passive attitude with non-interest or disrespect. It's
neither!

Rather I don't want in any way to disrespect the team for all they did this season. To focus on the end and not the journey, in this case, would take away from all they accomplished. (And, man, did they accomplish a lot!)

Look, we'd all be in a much better state of mind if the Yotes powerplay didn't go dry in 5 out of 7 games, if regular season Lee Stempniak didn't forget how to score in the playoffs, and if Shane Doan didn't get so seriously hurt.

But...that's not the way it rolled. Sometimes all good intentions and better teams just don't get you there.

I think the Coyotes played well, and on many nights, as well as they could have. Games 5 and 7 didn't follow that mold. Many people thought they'd go down in 4 or 5 games.

Instead a squad of young, mostly inexperienced players took the two time
consequtive Western Conference champs to 7 games.

Hell, I thought the Coyotes would win in 6 games. Felt very confident in fact. Sometimes the good, and perhaps the better, teams fall.

Just ask Washington.

____________________________

Anyway, think of the positives of the playoffs.

Shane Doan got back there. True it was only for 2+ games and he was severely injured. But think back to game 1. When he was told to have fun before game 1 he said, "don't worry I will," with his trademark, glorious Doan-ish smile.

Keith Yandle took a big step towards joining the next ranks of breakout defensemen in the league. His game 1 performance was dominant. The only bad news, he won't be a silent weapon much longer. He's too good.

Matthew Lombardi and Martin Hanzal stepped up in the faceoff circle. Vital parts of this team. Hanzal, in fact, had a masterful performance, even in games the Coyotes did not play well. Guy is sometimes a little penalty prone, but he is young and learning.

Ilya Bryzgalov may not have had his best games at all moments but the guy
carried the team as best he could when the once steady, well-disciplined
defense in front of him fell. He will only grow from this. He's too good a goalie to not get the chance to experience more playoffs and improve in big games.

And Petr Prucha, the oft-scratched, rarely counted upon in do-or-die situations in the past (well, at least in New York), had the best night in his young playoff career in Game 3. A key assist on his tempo-setting first shift, a goal that undressed 6-time Norris winner Nick Lidstrom, and a well deserved first star of the game honor. All on a nationally televised game. And when their captain was injured, it was #16 that skated with Lombardi and Woltek Wolski. Think someone has gotten
their confidence back?

Anyway, I think we should focus on that. Not the powerless powerplay, not the
defensive lapses, not the things we can't control. (And that seemingly the team could not control either).

They got a taste now. They will be hungrier next year. Get the nerves out of their system now, and work to fix what they can - like the powerplay. This team will be in good shape. I'm confident.

And the cool thing about it all. They did get there. It may not have been MISSION ACCOMPLISHED, but it was mission accomplished.

A team no one thought would even contend - did. And they did all of their fans proud - the fans that have supported for years, the fans in Phoenix, and the fans from afar. They did us proud.

So bravo to them. And thank you. I don't think we'll ever forget this season in the desert. It was truly something to marvel at and there are no words to describe how happy I was and satisfied I am to have been one of the many taking their journey with them.

Thank you, 2009-2010 Phoenix Coyotes. We'll see you next season.

2010 Playoffs - Second Round Predictions. . .

2010-04-29T17:43:00.001-04:00

Predictions, Short and Sweet, and Here We Go...

BOS/PHI - Boston in 6. (I think Philly had a nice run, but I think the Bruins are peaking now, and have the goaltending. No disrespect to Boucher though; he's one of the ones that got them there. But where the Flyers matched up against NJ well, they may not have that luxury against Boston).

MTL/PITT- Pittsburgh in 6. (I'm saying this, and hoping against hope that I am wrong, wrong, wrong. Go Jaro!!)

SJS/DET - Detroit in 7. (Same deal. I hate to think the Coyotes woke a sleeping giant in Detroit, but they may have. Both have at times questionable goaltending, Nabokov because of brain cramps and Howard because of youth. But often when Detroit makes it out of a vulnerable first round situation, they sail all the way through, no matter who is in net. I have more confidence in Detroit sailing to the Final, even over Pittsburgh.)

VAN/CHI - Vancouver in 7 (Season was pretty even this year. My reasoning in Round 1 - I'm not going against the Sedins right now. And I'm not changing my answer now. Even though I knew the Hawks had a test w/the Preds, they found themselves lacking some offensive power at times. Maybe this is Vancouver's year).

And just because I write it, does not mean I want it, folks. I'm rooting Boston, Montreal, San Jose, and...actually I don't mind either the Hawks or the Canucks. Hawks would be a bigger story (USA wise) if they went all the way though, but I still have a soft-spot for the Canucks of old.

Speaking of Petr Prucha. . .

2010-04-18T23:32:00.008-04:00

He nets an assist on the franchise record quickest goal in playoff history 29 seconds in, plays on fire all night, and, oh yeah, scores the game winning goal - as the Coyotes beat Detroit in Game 3 of their best of 7 series. He was named #1 Star of the Game!

=)

Here are some photos. And a link to a great article on nhl.com. Get the Hankies out. (Again, not Lundqvist here).

"I finally have my spot in the lineup," said Prucha, who had 30 goals for New York in 2005-06 and 22 the following season before falling out of favor with the coaching staff. "It's always good to feel that you're important for the team and you can make something on the ice. I feel great."

"That was huge," Prucha said. "First shift, we had a 1-0 lead so we calmed down a little bit and took the momentum from them. We just kept going."

"That line, they compete hard, they do good things with the puck," Phoenix coach Dave Tippett said. "When they chip in with some goals, that's really a bonus. They play against top players all the time. They're a group that really works well together."

"He's been a very good player for us all year," Tippett said. "I thought the last couple of weeks of the (regular) season and the first three games of the playoffs, he's been very good. Great work ethic. He's relentless on the puck, and that's what we need from that whole group."

"It's great for our confidence," Prucha said. "They stole one game from us in our house, and now we were able to do it in their house and we still have one more opportunity to do it one more time."

Confidence, right? All about a little confidence. =) *Oh and you are always a Star to us, Pete!

Go Yotes Go!

P.S. The Line on Petr Prucha. . .

2010-04-14T18:55:00.003-04:00

**I wanted to mention this in the other blog, but I forgot.**

Since he was, reason beyond all reasons, why I have followed the Coyotes for the last 14 months, and since I know many feel the same, here is the 2009-2010 line on #16:

79 Games Played
- Ties career high set in 2006-2007 season

13 Goals
- Ties his total from the last two NHL seasons and his most since 2006-2007(22)

9 Assists
- The fewest he's ever had in any NHL season. Previous low was 2007-2008 (10)

22 Points
- His most since 2006-2007 season (40)

23 PIM
- 1 major (fight against Comrie) and 9 minors. Not bad for a guy that draws more than he takes.

128 Shots
- Best season since 2006-2007 (136 - also his career high)

10.2 Shooting %
- Highest since 2006-2007 (16.2). This is big because it boosted his career total back up to 14.2; it also means he's shooting more, thankfully.

4 Powerplay Goals

2 Powerplay Assists

2 GWG
- Ties career high, reached in both 2005-2006 and 2006-2007

14:02 Average TOI
- Career highest with exception of 19 games played with Phoenix in 2008-2009

His Career line is now:

Games Played: 335
Goals: 78
Assists: 67
Points: 145
Plus/Minus: -4
PIM: 129
Shots: 550
Shooting%: 14.2
PPG: 31
PPA: 22
GWG: 8

What this means? I'm going to write more on our favorite later. Let the numbers speak for themselves for now. ;)

Why To Root For Phoenix/Coyotes Preview. . .

2010-04-14T18:39:00.004-04:00

Phoenix Coyotes Preview!

Okay, as if it hasn't been alluded to enough on twitter and here - the
Coyotes are a great story.

An outstanding story.

A phenomenal story.

Ask anyone - okay almost anyone - to predict this team would have the year
they did. And they'd be lying if they said they knew.

This is a small rundown of what they did.

Team:
107 points(4th)
50 Wins (4th)
29 home wins (Tied for 3rd in league with Chicago, behind Washington and Vancouver)
9 game winning streak - tying a franchise record
36-3-3 record when scoring 1st goal (amazing!)

Best of the Best:
Goals - Vrbata (24)
Points - Doan (55)
Assists - Doan (37)

Bryzgalov:
42 wins (3rd)
8 shutouts(2nd)
2.29 GAA(6th)
.920 Save% (T-8th)

107 points. (They had 79 last year!)

Good for 4th in the league behind Washington, San Jose, and Chicago. (Last year - they were 25th!)

This is the best season in franchise history!!

Read that again.

Their record against those teams, for those curious. Washington - 1 loss. San Jose - 2 wins, 1 loss, and 3 shootout losses. Chicago - 3 wins, 1 loss. (By the way, each of those three losses was by 2 goals.)

Not half bad.

_________________________________

If you haven't had the pleasure of watching them play, this is how they do it.

Solid goaltending. Defensive zone pressure. Unparalleled puck support.
Scoring from defense, scoring from an unlikely source of players. A team
concept. A true team support system.

In short, and since 1994, the most complete team I've had the pleasure of
watching.

The coolest part? They play so well so often. They are that good. Even cooler? When they aren't playing good enough - they don't need to be told. They know it, and they work to correct it.

Refreshing isn't it?

There are no superstars here. There doesn't need to be. They have an arguable candidate for best captain in the league, a Vezina worthy goalie, and a guy who is all but assured of the Jack Adams as coach.

But they have something else. Something perhaps intangible. This us-against-the-world. This pack mentality. This if you score I am as happy for you as if it had been me deal. A true sense of team. Of having everyone's back. Of the greater good of the team.

I figure I watched in full around 60 games, but part of around 78 this season. So I
feel I know this team well enough to speak to them.

The reasons I think they can and will beat Detroit are:

1) They never give up. This team has been down 2, 3, 4 goals and they've come back. And its not as if this was once or twice in October. All season. They can never be counted out.

2) There is always someone to step up. When Upshall went down, Vrbata
stepped up. When he slowed down, Lombardi picked up his game. When scoring slowed overall again, Lee Stempniak showed the world their is life beyond Toronto. This team may not have scored the most goals, but they've had the most balanced scoring in what they've had. True getting it done the team way.
_________________________

Look, is playing Detroit my favorite matchup for the Coyotes? No. But not my least favorite. That would have been Vancouver. As good as the Coyotes have been Vancouver has made them look not as good on given nights. But Detroit is still Detroit, I'm not so blind to see that.

However, I really feel people easily dismissing this team are looking at how great Detroit has been (and still is) and forgetting just how good the Coyotes are.

And yes, the Coyotes have not done this - this playoffs thing - as a team. But I think the most important thing is that their heads be in the right place. I trust Shane Doan. I trust Adrian Aucoin. I trust Dave Tippett. I trust these guys will help keep the younger guys in check.

One game does not a series make.

I think Detroit will get a game or two in there. It may even be tonight because it may just be "TOO MUCH" for the Coyotes in Game 1 with the crazy home crowd and the first White Out in way too long.

But the other thing I alluded to about the Coyotes. If they make mistakes tonight, they will come out a better team for it on Friday night for Game Two.

_______________________

Coyotes fans, enjoy and embrace. Your team is phenomenal and I've loved being able to root for them on this journey! Rangers fans, when you are done rooting against New Jersey (or Philly), Pittsburgh, etc, root for the Coyotes! They are the feel good story of the year.

One last thing and then we'll drop the puck. Why not the Coyotes?! Even if you don't think they have ANY chance of beating Detroit....has this team not obliterated everything almost every person thought of them THIS ENTIRE YEAR!?

Why not them?!

Why not the Coyotes?!

Join the Pack! ~ Go Coyotes!

Let the playoffs begin!

2010 Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions - Round One

2010-04-13T23:36:00.008-04:00

**Wrote these yesterday. Decided I will not tweek them today. Tempted but, what the hell. Going to go with my first instincts. Why? Cause that did so well the first time... ;)**
_____________________________________________________

Okay - without all the fuss because, quite frankly, I am too tired to do
more than that right now.

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

WASH/MTL - Washington in 6. (I think Halak can steal a game or two if he is on, but don't think the Caps will go home in Round 1)

NJ/PHI - Philly in 7. (Believe it or not, I will be rooting for Philly in this one. I don't know if they have enough to beat NJ but I had to pick an upset somewhere so, well, this is it)

BUF/BOS - Buffalo in 5. (I admire the Bruins recent play and if Rask can get hot, this is a whole different series. Meanwhile unless he stumbles, its Miller's moment to shine. He will be motivated).

PIT/OTT - Pittsburgh in 5. (And I will hate every minute of it.).

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

SJS/COL - San Jose in 4. (Allow for an off game for the Sharks, maybe, but I'm picking the sweep to come here. Colorado has trailed off much recently so I'm not sure it's fair to expect much more. San Jose likes to stumble, but unless they out and out crash, they will make it to RD 2).

CHI/NASH - Chicago in 7. (Pekke Rinne could make this interesting, and I
think this will be a better than expected series, but go with the Hawks. Is
this their year?)

VAN/LAK - Van in 5. (I like both these teams, with a slight edge to the Kings - because how cool is it they are back! But if I'm a betting person, I'm not going against anyone named Sedin right now. Sorry).

PHX/DET - Phoenix in 6. (The matchup I will be watching the closest for sure. You can never count Detroit out of anything, until they prove otherwise, so they get a game or two in there, but there is no way that I believe all the good solid goaltending, defensive stinginess, team attitude and support that got them there, won't push the Coyotes right on to the next round.)

Enjoy Round One everybody!! =)

Rangers Season End Rambling - Part 1:

2010-04-13T23:19:00.003-04:00

Even though I said it'd be delayed, here is the first of what we can assume will be many rambling thoughts on the NYRs and their now over 2009-2010 season:

Should He Stay or Should He Go?

A handful of home games ago, I stopped and took note of who I wanted on the team next season, even before all of the late season push had gotten underway. I viewed at it "in an ideal world" of no contracts, no ties, just who I 100% wanted:

Staal
Del Zotto
Gilroy
Lundqvist
Auld
Prust
Shelley
Anisimov
Callahan
Avery
Prospal
Gaborik
Christensen

Not a bad team, really. Short 3 defensemen (gosh help us) and a line. But still...

(And please no one take offense that Dubinsky is absent from the above. I'm going on what I felt at the moment so in fairness I will not change now. Stones down, please ;) )

Voros and Boyle were borderline players to me as in I like what you did (Voros does deserve praise for being such a good teammate and stepping in during the 11th hour when needed. No hard feelings) and I'd keep you, but I'd rather fill those places with younger players, if we are being honest.

Eriksson was a nice complement.

And Jokinen, well, he was as useless as everyone in Florida, Phoenix, and Calgary could have told us.

However, if we step out of fantasy land and into the land of realistically speaking, the NYRs most likely are stuck with Drury, Redden, and Rozsival. So that changes the whole landscape.

And takes the fun out of my little game...

__________________________________

The season that passed and the way it ended. Want some initial thoughts? Sure. Okay.

The New York Rangers were only half a team when it counted. Only less than
half a team all year.

I want to reward the guys that did show up for this team. The ones that got
it. The ones you felt contributed.

Staal
Hank
Prust
Shelley
Anisimov
Christensen
Gaborik

Keep those that made strides or got it done before. Cally, Dubinsky, Del Zotto.

And try to not blow up the rest. Maybe they don't need a full rehaul. Maybe
they just need to retool one or two things.

But can they?

Age old question. Drury is going into year 4 of 5. Redden, year 3 of 6.
Rozsi year 3 of 5.

And still, I don't know how you combat that. And as much as you can never blame
them for accepting Fisher Price Glen's contracts and as much as you can't
forgive them for not performing anywhere half of what those contracts are
worth, where exactly is the middle ground? When do you cut the ties?

And I ask that more of R&R than Captain Mumbles, because let's face it.
Although Drury is worth one third of his contract, he's the most non-pc for
Torts to part with and the quickest to go away contract wise. I can live with one of
three and its his that they can best do the same.

But two years ago the hockey experts and I said R&R's contracts would
cripple the NYRs for years to come.

How is that any less true two years later?

I'm not saying two moves would make this team a contendor. I'm saying two
more moves would better prove just how far away they really are or aren't.

A real defensemen besides Staal. A real secondary or support scoring player
behind Gaborik.

These are no less important than they were two years ago. In fact, they are
drastically more important.

The teams around the NYRs are getting better, not worse. The Rangers saw
relative mediocrity get them into the playoffs in the past and within one
shootout win of it this year.

That won't be the case next year. We can lie to ourselves. They can lie to
themselves, but really now... Even if they did, how far would they go?

________________________________

I liked this team better, surely. I loved that they didn't trade the farm
on draft day. I love that shedding Kotalik and Higgins got us Prust! I
really do.

And as much as it sucked to go out when they did, I wasn't torn up.
Dissapointed yes. As much as they play for the chance, we root for the same
chance.

And it didn't happen.

But to say it wasn't something we were legitimately expecting would be ludicrous.

Meanwhile. It may be a good thing. Too easy to sneak in at game 82 and
ignore games 10 through 70. Its not my job to analyze what went wrong,
thankfully, but I hope to goodness someone uses this time off to do so.

Players. Coaches. Management.

As much as I would have liked those 4 extra games to cheer for, I would
like this even more.

I will be fine, watching other hockey. Teams like the Coyotes who jumped
from 25th to 4th (and 4th in pts) in the league.

Say it can't be done? They are proof that if you build a team of the right players who buy into the right system of the right coach - yes you can.

Seriously, you can.

I guess as much as we would all have liked to think so, the NYRs were just
not that close.

And won't be.

Not yet.

I do hope that someday - someday soon - the NYRs will give us the promise that
is possible for them too.

Because, it feels damn good to be a Rangers fan sometimes. Friday night was an example of that.

I hope next year we get to feel more of THAT!

2009-2010 Analysis of Predictions. . .

2010-04-13T23:00:00.003-04:00

**Like every single thing I planned to do this year on the blog, this is one more thing that I'd have liked to get to spend more time on, or do better on, in general. Alas, this is what you get. Cause playoffs start tomorrow!**

Okay, here comes one of my favorite times of the hockey calendar. Not just the start of playoffs - yay! - but a time to reflect on just how horribly wrong - or surprisingly accurate - my predictions were from the start of the season. Without further ado we bring you first the Western Conference:

Predictions:
1) San Jose
2) Detroit
3) Vancouver
4) Anaheim
5) Chicago
6) Calgary
7) St. Louis
8) Edmonton

How It Rolled:
1 San Jose
2 Chicago
3 Vancouver
4 Phoenix
5 Nashville
6 Detroit
7 Los Angeles
8 Colorado

Overall 4/8

What Made Me Look Good:

- Picked Vancouver to win their division, and they did. Probably one of the only things I can brag about in the West. Or period this year. And, yes, it's the twins team now. Injury to Daniel or not, Henrik has made leaps and bounds and now is getting much more full on league recognition for being one of the best, period.

- "I may be alone in this, but I do not see how Bouwmeester makes this team THAT much better. He improves the defense, but even though he was lauded as the best thing out there, he's never proven to me that he's anything beyond the most boring intermission interview next to "Captain Mumbles" (Chris Drury)"

I can't take pride in much, so I'll take pride in this. In this season, Bouwmeester has 3 goals. Damn, even Wade Redden has 2 goals! Wade's also - how, we do not know - a +8. Jay-Bo ended the season a -4. So for $100,000 less, Redden is...a steal. (Kidding, kidding).

Anyway...

- San Jose - "Who's to say what will happen after, but I expect them to be one of the best in the West in the regular season;" My other correct position pick here. Of course the question is always, but where to go from here?

Why I Suck At This -

- I not only thought Edmonton would be better, I thought they'd be a playoff team. Wrong. Wrong. Embarrassingly wrong.

- Colorado "In fact, my only thought, as previously mentioned, is that I feel strongly that Colorado will end up last in the conference for a second year in a row.But anything can happen, right?"

How wrong I was about Colorado. I picked them to finish 30th of 30 teams. They have secured themselves a playoff berth. Congrats to them. Very impressive group of young players there.

- Ducks - "This team is stacked. I see no reason why they won't be at the top of the conference." haha, haha. Ha. Yeah, sadly I'm happy (minus Hiller, and Koivu, and Selanne) this team gets a break. Time for the other southern cali team to get some playoff love.

-PHX - "But I am just not sure that they are able to overcome all the emotional and on-ice difficulties." Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. And never so happy to be wrong.! ;)

- Nashville - "but if I had to guess, this is not a year they make the playoffs or come as close as they had been." - Pekke Rinne solved all doubts. They can win on defense.

And now, the Eastern Conference:

Predictions:
1) Boston
2) Washington
3) Philadelphia
4) Pittsburgh
5) Carolina
6) New Jersey
7) Rangers
8) Florida

How it Rolled:
1) Washington
2) New Jersey
3) Buffalo
4) Pittsburgh
5) Ottawa
6) Boston
7) Philadelphia
8) Montreal

Okay, I think based on the general suckiness of this, I will do one more year (2010-2011) and if I suck this badly again...I give up the prediction game. (maybe...) Horrific. Disgusting. And this is the conference I predicted 6-8 in last year. Now I'm down to 5 of 8, which sounds better than it really is, if I'm being honest with myself.

What Made Me Look Good:

"Until someone can prove to me that Carey Price is the real deal, I will still think them stupid for wasting a perfectly better and perfectly willing goalie in Jaroslav Halak."

I've been touting Halak for years. It only took most of the season and past Olympic break for some fans in MTL to see that the guy wasn't a joke. And this IS NOT a knock on Shane Doan's cousin here.

Caps "I believe they'll be where they were last year, on top of the division and at the top of the conference." I know, I know. No one saw this one coming!

Why I Suck At This:

Boston "Do they even miss Kessel?" Yeah, okay. I know we'll never be able to say for sure how Boston would have done had Thomas had a better year and Savard not had so many injuries, but I guess we can say, yes, Kessel did mean something more to this team than I thought.

And for the Rangers. . .

"The Rangers are a better team with the coach they now have - with his go-go-go attitude and his hatred for anything less than 100% effort. This team may finally come to know what accountability means."

I can stop there right?

(More Rangers analysis on the way, as promised.)

So overall, a crappy follow-up in year two to predictions. (And I apologize because I would love to have taken a deeper look at just who improved/declined and by how much, as well as answer some key questions. Unfortunately, as this year proved, not enough time in the day). But predictions are just that. There is no perfect system. One less injury? One better road trip? The league is so close that may just be the difference between in and out, and 9th and 14th. To be honest.

We'll see how I do...next year!

Rambling Postponed. . .

2010-04-12T22:38:00.002-04:00

Okay, time constraints may just prevent me from writing the Rangers final thoughts I had planned on last night. But by the end of the week, I will get some thoughts on here.

Also, promised, and more time sensitive - review of regular season predictions and new predictions for playoffs.

As I just mentioned on Twitter, I did actually write my playoff predictions. I will just wait until tomorrow.

Sit tight, Rangers fans. Take a day, two, five, to decompress. We'll have an, well, an entire summer to think, discuss, re-hash, and re-hash - again - this team and what exactly went wrong in the 2009-2010 season.

To be continued. . .

The Pre-Amble. . .

2010-04-12T00:30:00.002-04:00

Look, I am not going to make any gracious and over-the-moon gestures here. The NYRs are not in the playoffs because for, well, umm, 2/3rds of the season they did not seem to care, work hard enough to make us believe they cared, get the job done.

BUT...

The NYRs of the last 10 games. The team that went 7-2-1 in their last 10. Those guys I will salute, tip my beer to.

It probably wouldn't be so miserable - and it is - if they just faded into obscurity. But...they fought. They fought, they clawed, they tried. They had heart, on some level, perhaps, for the first time all year. They had...something.

And that does count.

As much as losing the playoffs on day 82 counts.

More than losing on day 1, or day 50, I guess.

So, to the NYRs who I know gave their heart and soul, their 100%, I salute you. I hope you are back next year.

I'll leave it at that, for now. And do the post-mortem on the NYRs, the embarassing re-hashing of the playoff predictions, and some go-fight-win words for our adoptive maroon and white brothers in the desert tomorrow.

Until then. Thank you NYRs for the ride. When we signed on for loyalty for life, we never said it would be easy. It isn't. But thanks for making us believe...in something. Maybe someday it will all come together the right way. Until then...

Extra Effort. . . ?

2010-04-05T20:03:00.003-04:00

Well, to start, since I wrote the last post following the Boston game, the Blueshirts have gone 5-0-1 and garnered 9 of the last 10 available points. They've done it with grit, they've done it with tenacity, and they've done it with heart.

For that I give them a hearty bravo.

And, of course, a small chastizing for not having started doing that - playing hard, coming from behind, winning! - 10 games prior. You know, so we wouldn't be watching our team, with four games remaining, and seriously having no idea whether or not they'll make the playoffs.

As much as it's in the NYRs hands to win - and win out - it's in the hands of the others surrounding them - Philly, Boston, Atlanta. The Rangers must win, but two of the above must falter as well.

I won't say it's over til it is and they can very much still make the playoffs - they can - but it's been fun to watch them over these last week of games. It really has.

A shame it wasn't sooner, but...again...what can we say?

_________________________________________

Which brings me to The Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award, the annual award as voted by the fans for the player that goes "above and beyond the call of duty."

Normally, almost ever year in fact, I have a clear cut favorite, a "that's my guy," a "he's the one."

This year, I am in a quandry. I come up with two answers.

a) No one

b) A bunch of someones.

Last year, Ryan Callahan exemplified the award and he deservedly won it. My rational was explained here.

He gave his all, every night, but more importantly, it was not expected of him. Who was Ryan Callahan? I mean sure he was great, the fans loved him, but he was not the guy anyone expected to be "that guy" going into the year. But he was, when all was said and done, the ONLY guy it seemed, that showed up and gave 100% every single game.

Well, even Ryan Callahan couldn't live up to his own billing this season. I love the guy. Think the Rangers are a better team for having him. I hope he stays a life-long Ranger.

But Ryan Callahan doesn't even make my cut.

_____________________________

I will again go back to the days when the Award was given to the Jed Ortmeyers, the Sandy McCarthys, the Matthew Barnabys. The guys that weren't the highest paid, the guys that didn't play the most minutes, but the guys that got the job done, did the little things, and did them humbly, with the team in mind.

I've always had a very specific vision of this, and that's why, oftentimes, one player just jumps out at me.

This year, not so. I mentioned in my Ryan Callahan epic of last year, that I didn't think this award was for the highest paid or for the team MVP. Sometimes it works that way. Maybe when Lundqvist won it in 06 he was our MVP (next to Jagr of course). And maybe on last year's at times disaster ridden teams, Cally was our MVP. I can accept both of those.

But I hesitate to do the same this year. Instead, I'll give you a handful of guys, and see where we go from there.

Lundqvist, to some degree, has gone above and beyond his expectations for himself and that we have of him. More-so, at times, than even last year, he's had to carry this team. Go further than we thought he could. Further than we should expect. For that, I'm okay if he gets the award. He should be one of our best players, yes. But we are spoiled rotten by how he's kept the Rangers in this playoff race at all. No Hank - no chance.

Gaborik, in any normal sense, would not have my vote for this award. He's paid the most money and we had amazing expectations of him. But did we? I'd consider Marian Gaborik for this award not based on the fact that he is the second half of our MVP tandem (Hank the other), but because with his injury-riddled past - who could have legitimately seen this happening? A 41-goal season? Only a relative few man games lost to injury? A stretch for much of the season where he scored what seemed like 50 percent of the teams goals? (In actuality, he's got 41 of the teams 210 - so 20%). Even though we knew he potentially could, and hoped against hope that he would, can we honestly say that we knew this would happen? I can't.

Prospal, even though he has trailed off as the season has gone on, has been perhaps the biggest surprise. I know he only got paltry $$ because he knew Tortorella, had no other offers at the moment, and, perhaps, understood that thanks to Fisher Price Glen the NYRs simply had no more to give, but he has been the biggest steal the Rangers have. He's one goal shy of 20, is second on the team in points with 56, and is a plus 10. And those smiles after someone scores. I can believe, for a while, he was the only true veteran leader these kids were looking up to. Having been around, having won a Cup, having been a positive person to be around. The Rangers are much better for having Prospal. If he's stay (sadly for the again paltry $$ they'd be sure to give him) I'd love to have him in blue next season.

I'm not sure if anyone else would give a vote to the guy I'm going to talk about next, but I would. (And did).

Erik Christensen. Erik Christensen may have just blown up anyone's expectations of him when the Rangers claimed him off the waiver wire in early December. Why? Because I don't think anyone had ANY expectations for this kid. I heard of him, saw him play sparingly, but I sure didn't. I didn't think he'd be the guy that could play with Gaborik. I didn't think he could be the guy winning faceoffs. I didn't think he could be the guy making those sweet moves (goal on Brodeur, set-up to Drury on goal on Brodeur). Heck, right there alone we should love him - he plays well against Brodeur! Kidding aside though, to me, Erik Christensen may just be the best true example of "above and beyond." The guy may have made it clear he had to try hard because this was, perhaps, his last shot. But he didn't let the pressure get to him. Not on the ice, or off of it. For putting aside those pretty moves for a minute, the top reason I respect Erik Christensen? He tells it like it is. Not the "we did what we had to do, things just didn't go our way," variety to often spun in the NYR lockerroom. But real, to-the-core honest assessment. Of himself and of the team. I may have thought nothing of him coming onto this team, but once he was on it, I think he has cemented himself as a valuable asset and someone who clearly gets what it means to "Be a Ranger!"

And there you have it, my (one-less-than) handful of players who I can see winning the award, for very different reasons. If I have to cast my vote here, I pick Erik Christensen, for getting back to what I felt the award was truly about. But any of these guys are very deserving.
__________________________

Ah, it's been a weird year in Rangerland. I love this team when they play the way I know they can. I hate that they wait so long to do it.

Four more games to go. Where the team will end up...they have to win to find out.

Analysis Time: Just What Is With The NYRs? . . .

2010-03-22T22:11:00.003-04:00

I was tempted, as I tried to sleep last night, to get out of bed and type all my crazy stream of consciousness thoughts on the NYRs out, but, sadly, I was not going to have a Jerry Maguire type moment last night, instead favoring whatever sleep I'd get.

Instead, you get, whichever of those thoughts made it through my unconscious sleep.

______________

For those that don't follow me @NHTProductions on Twitter, I was at the game yesterday. No where near the most boring game I had the pleasure of attending on the road, but certainly not the best. Somehow, despite all logic going in the other direction, I thought that the Rangers would finally - finally! - come out fired up and ready to play the "Game Seven" they claimed it was going to be for them.

Oh how mistaken I was, and they were. They treated it nothing like a "Game Seven." They treated it nothing like a playoff game. Nothing like a game with urgency, which is what it simply needed to be.

I wasn't happy when Prospal took that boarding penalty. I wasn't surprised to see Bergeron the first guy to go flying in to try and take him down for it either. To me that just set off one after another of "really, why?" moments in yesterdays game. "Really, why?" do you not shoot on your powerplay? "Really, why?" do you not keep the puck in Boston's zone? "Really, why?" do you...oh you get the picture.

The scuffles were expected with the two teams vying for a common, shared goal as the worst of the playoff participants - which, honestly, is exactly what the 8th seed in the East is.

The good goaltending was expected - Hank has played the Bruins very well and 1-0 is just about as common a score with Boston as you've gotten in his tenure here; Rask had the first shutout of his career in Boston during an afternoon game versus the Rangers. (yeah, I was there for that one too). Honestly, to some degree I was disappointed Thomas was not getting the start. I love Timmy, but the Rangers stood more of a chance against him.

Of course the Rangers would only have stood more of a chance against him and in this game had they treated it like they should have. But yeah, we know how that rolled.

The parade of penalties, the missed opportunities, the skating around like it's the ice capades and NOT your "Game Seven." That already meant they had no chance.

The final result just proved what we all pretty much knew, or should have known.

This team, as presently constructed, is just not good enough.

________________

Now, it can be argued that when this team opened their season 7-1 they exceeded their ability. But I can also argue, still, somehow (again - why?) that during the second half of the season, they have come in below their ability. Not far below, but below nonetheless.

What the Rangers have going for them, well, it isn't much. But we've seen worse teams do better with less parts than the Rangers DO have.

The Rangers - disagree with me if you will - have one of the best goalies in the league - when he wants to be. Hank is not perfect, and he gives up too many goals of the "seriously now?" variety. But, if the Rangers do not have this guy, they do not have 31 wins, 28 of which are the King's.

And the Rangers, the mediocre team they are, but mediocre with moments of promise, wasted him this year. We've seen them hang him out to dry before (last year's 2-1, 1-0 heart-breakers still fresh in mind) and we saw them do it again to him this campaign. The guy is only human. He cannot be expected to be perfect when the team in front of him is so far from it. His effort, his talent, and his heart were outright wasted at times this year. (I've said it before if you had to pick just one guy on this team that cares and is torn up when the team loses, I'm chosing #30 every single time.)

Also to some degree wasted was Marian Gaborik's season. And let's call it what it was (even 10 games short of it's finale) - stellar. A guy that no one could known for sure would stay healthy (although we prayed and hoped and lit candles for it), for the most part did. At game number 72, he has 37 goals. That is of the team's 186. That is around 20%.

Let's all just be very honest with ourselves here on two things.

1) If Hank and Gaborik were not on this team, the Rangers would be a serious contender in the Taylor Hall (or is it Taylor Seguin) sweepstakes. (Although you all know Glennie would draft the non-existent 5th Staal brother, right?).

2) If Gaborik were not as good as he was this season, the Rangers games in the first half would not have been anywhere near as entertaining. He brought this team to life with some of his "damn, did he really DO that?" goals, even when they probably shouldn't have been.

______________

I was thinking last night there is probably very good reasons why this blog has gone dark during large stretches this year. I won't go into them all, but one of them definitely has to be that I have no answers, no suggestions, and nothing really concrete to talk about regarding my favorite team.

Last year, there was the ever present musical chairs game of healthy scratch, the still-unanswered debate of just why Tom Renney hated Petr Prucha, the glaring lack of team personality, and a clear case of a team quitting on a coach, to discuss over and over - and over! - again.

This year we have a team with very marginal offensive talent, a team with (at present, future notwithstanding) a very below marginal defense, a team with what appears to be the absolute inability to play with heart, drive, and desire, and a team with a coach that, contrary to all promises he ever made, apparently fails to give a crap.

How am I supposed to talk about that?

On the surface it makes sense. This team is not very talented. No one should argue that much. But...

How am I supposed to guess why the team is playing as heartless and lifeless as they are?

How am I supposed to guess why the team that has everything (and yet nothing) to lose is still playing like they are 20 games ahead and can coast into the post-season?

And how, seriously, am I supposed to explain Tortorella's behavior? His departure from the scream and yell, go-go-go, "safe is death" mantra he was once known for?!

HOW?

Seriously now - how?!

_____________

I don't get this team. I don't. I've made it clear I 'like' them (as individual players) better than last year. But that 'like' only gets you so far.

I don't get how a team that seriously - despite all odds stacked against it because again it isn't really THAT good - could be so close to the playoffs and do nothing to prove to the casual or the diehard fan that they, indeed, are genuinely trying to get there.

Tell me they've looked desperate? Tell me they've gone all out? Tell me they've "done all the right things" like they keep saying they have? There is no way they have looked like that. I don't get how or why, unless...

They are not trying to win.

I don't get how a coach that has never once hesitated to be looked at as a crazy man because he yells and screams and fights - suddenly looks like a man that has turned complacent, doesn't yell, and - if he does - only to tell someone they aren't being "engaged" enough when he the coach, in reality, looks anything but himself! Tell me how that makes sense? He's not acting like the John Tortorella I knew. He is not acting like the John Tortorella this team needed, and wanted, and expected. This just does not make any logical sense, unless...

He is not being allowed to coach how he wants to coach.

Now, I'm not sure I believe either of those - the "not trying to win" or the "not being allowed to." But what else can you say?

And THAT is probably a big reason why I haven't blogged more. Because, seriously, what can you say to - that. How do you answer - that.

_______________

Look, without getting too far into what is already probably a really long blog entry, I don't know what has happened.

There are some guys who you can't blame because they are NHL newbies and not everyone is going to become an elite powerplay quarterback in his first year (and now the world knows just how good Drew Doughty really is). So I'm not going to throw Gilroy and Del Zotto (and Anisimov for that matter) under the Rangers road bus here.

Just like I won't throw Hank, just like I won't throw Gaborik. Those are the two most blameless players the Rangers have.

But the overall and collective lack of effort by this team is what is the most inexcusable. And that falls on EVERYONE.

That is what I will take with me this season. They could have been better. Surely, any team is better when they apply themselves.

And if they are truly trying and applying themselves - oh gosh help us as Rangers fans.

_____________

Ten games left, and a marginal chance for a miracle. A miracle that would have to be caused to two other teams monumental collapses.

Funny, I picked Boston to finish 1st - 1st! - in the East. Their injuries, and man have they had injuries to key guys, took a lot of that chance away from them. Atlanta, I picked to finish out the playoffs, by a mile. As Boston lost players to injuries, Atlanta played goalie roulette and lost their franchise player to New Jersey.

And yet both of those teams are still in the hunt. Both of those teams have been able to overcome so much more - injuries and losing their best players.

The Rangers, mathmatically, are not eliminated. But we know in their hearts they are done. If they weren't done after the St. Louis game last Thursday, they were done after the non-show versus Boston yesterday.

We have to face reality.

The Rangers, not for nothing, really haven't had to overcome anything of major consequence. Gaborik out for a handful of games? That was the worst of it all?

That tells you right there how ill-equipt this team is, was, and truly is. They faced no real adversity. And they still came up empty in the end.

_______________

Rangers fan I am, and Rangers fan I'll remain. But this has not been a memorable season for the Blueshirts. I'll write more as their season closes down, and maybe have a moment of clarity, a moment where the answers come to me.

Eh, who am I kidding. There are no answers for this team. Just more and more questions that will probably never, ever be answered.

Thoughts on the Rangers and Coyotes. . .

2010-03-19T00:25:00.004-04:00

Too much to type on Twitter right now, so the blog lives for a night.

Tonight was the first night, for sure, that I thought the Rangers were done. Over. Finished. Kaput.

No lack of credit to St. Louis, but there was no reason, to me, the Rangers couldn't have gotten it done. And had they come out big after Drury's criticism of the team's "maturity" level after Tuesday's Habs diabacle, I thought maybe - maybe! - they'd have a shot.

But they didn't.

Hank looked shaky. The team failed to score 5 on 3. The team scored 3 goals and did not win. And after they scored their 3rd goal to tie, they gave up the go-ahead goal less than 2 minutes later.

Sound familiar?

A tale too often told at the Garden.

And one fans just do not want to hear, see, live.

And yet, they do. We do. I did.

I don't know what to say to it. Hank has kept the Rangers in games they should not have been. But tonight, he wasn't sharp.

The Rangers woes are the same they've had most of the season, save a few games. They can't score when they should. They can't hold a lead (or in this case tie). Their defense is pedestrian, at times.

I want this team to make the playoffs, surely. But they HAVE to win. They HAVE to do something about it. They CAN'T LOSE their way to the playoffs. They don't have that LUXURY this year.

So the NYRs wait until Sunday when they face off against the team they are trying to displace - Boston.

A very, very interesting and IMPORTANT matchup Sunday has turned out to be.

Look, I'm a Rangers fan. I will always hope they figure it out and find a way. I just think the chances got a lot slimmer tonight. I just don't feel there is any magic left. Sadly.

THE YOTES-

Which brings me to - the Phoenix Coyotes.

I know some people probably have no idea why I am so happy for this team. Although to me it's very clear. My favorite player got exiled there. Exiled to a team that had an uncertain future. But a team that, we have seen, is a very VERY VERY very legitimate team.

And as much as I root for his team because it is HIS team, I have grown to love this team. I think I respect Shane Doan more than almost anybody in this entire league. I think Bryzgalov got over-shadowed in Anaheim and finally - finally! - has been given his own true chance - and lived up! I think it's BRILLIANT - (and feels like it was done once, once, upon a time in New York. Cough 2005-2006) in New York?) - to have a plethora of Czechs on your team.

I also think they are a true example of a team. They never quit. They can be down 4-0, 3-0, 4-2 late in the game, and they keep going. They believe they can, and very often, they can. They rally around one another, in defeat, and in glory. They have unlikely heroes - like Aucoin and Korpikoski in the shootout, Lee Stempniak - the guy who just joined the team at deadline and has contributed significantly to their offense after it.

They do not score a ton - they score as a team. They display amazing puck support in a pack mentality way, and they make up for one another's errors. They have one of the most defensively strong games I've ever seen - and yet they are anything BUT boring.

Sure, the Coyotes have lost games 4-0, 3-0, but those are the extreme minority. They've shown they can win in almost every way - tonight's come from behind 4-3 SH win, as an example.

This team is 33-3-2 when they score first. (Read that again please). 33-3-2. Anyone in any phase, stream of life, wishes they had that type of consistency.

The Coyotes do.

And I'm proud of them.

I am a Rangers fan, promised in my heart years ago, and I will not relent.

BUT, I have never, ever, been the person that cannot hope, want, wish, and enjoy good for other teams. And if there is any team that I get to do that for - it's that team in the desert.

The team that since one Pete Prucha got traded last March, I followed more closely. The team that I followed even when he didn't play. The team that has now stopped being made up of Vernon Fiddler, Taylor Pyatt, Radim Vrbata, and NOW, to me, is made up of Fiddy!, Py-Py, and Vrby!

I do love this team. If Pete does not remail after next year (although I hope with all my heart he does, because they love and appreciate him) - I care for this team and know more about this team and its players that ANY team I've followed during the last 16 years save the Rangers. And the NYRs have left a lot of room for following other teams, especially come playoff time. This is the closest I've ever gotten to another "love."

Again, take nothing from New York. I'll love them forever. But loving the Coyotes too - means I get to feel more of that passion. And I need that. I love and appreciate that.

Tonight, the Coyotes set a franchise record for wins in a season with 44. Congratulations to them. A team that I, even despite the love, didn't think had it in them, even though I hoped and (biasedly) felt they maybe did. They are amazing, and wonderful, and I am proud to have followed them 99% of the time since March of 2009.

Bandwagon? It's been said.

Us Prucha fans jumped on before their was such a thing.

And we love #16.

But we LOVE them all! All those in maroon and white. All those in the desert. We support...and we believe.

_______________________________________________________

P.S. 1 - Why - Why? - does it seem all these young college basketball athletes get it. Get the fleeting joy, the startling defeat, more than the hockey professionals. The joy, the sorrow, on their faces. That is what I love about sports. I miss the innocence. I really do.

P.S. 2 - I am sincerely and with extreme regret, sorry this blog has been so dark. I won't make promises for this season. I've been very busy, and very distracted. But...I am sorry. And I hope - hope! - going forward into the summer and next year, that it will be regularly updated once again. Who knows? Way things look, it may be an unofficial Coyotes board come playoff time! ;)

Tums & Tylenol (Part 1) and Player Appreciation Day. . .

2010-03-02T20:10:00.006-05:00

First of all, if you want to share a favorite moment for the Rangers, the Coyotes, a favorite player, or whatever, head over to the 2nd Annual Appreciate Your Players Day forum over at Some Like It Blue.

Just a fun little way to say good things about your team and your favorite players, before your team (and your favorite player) may look different after your GM is done with them!

;) Oh Sather, Sather and his Fisher Price calculator will be having fun tomorrow.

Not too much stupid fun, I hope.

Sigh.

Anyway, the TRUE Tums & Tylenol Day is July 1st, but the secondary T&T Day, thanks to who the Rangers GM is and the fact that we know all too well that fact, remains Trade Deadline Day.

As much as we hope the damage will be minimal, we have to fear.

As much as I'm fine if they do nothing, you have to fear they will.

As much as you think there are untouchables (Hank, Staal, Cally), you just fear in the back of your mind that Sather will crumble under the excitement of the day.

Can I get another sigh.

Sigh.

I'm going to be very busy tomorrow at work, but I've cleared time leading up to 3pm to be by my computer, so I can keep an eye and an ear out for news on one of hockey's most exciting days.

But keep the Tums & Tylenol close - just in case.

I know I will...

Congrats to the USA....

2010-02-28T22:55:00.002-05:00

Why you say, they didn't win, say???

It's been 8 years since the USA went against Canada for an Olympic medal.

And perhaps 8 years since I cared so deeply.

But today, I cared. Today I sat with people who cared. And on some small level, that means more to me than the victory.

Not that 8 years ago, people wouldn't have cared, but that 8 years ago, I was sitting by myself waiting for the USA to win, and waiting for people to care. And I wasn't sure they did.

But today, I saw Devils fans and Rangers fans unite. As bizarre as that may be. I saw them unite under the common goal of USA. And I was happy for that.

As much as I wanted USA to win - and OOHHHH did I want USA to win - I was happy for the chance to cheer them on. The chance among friends. The chance among us all.

A chance for people to care, no matter how few. And I loved that chance.

The USA has nothing to be ashamed of.

Miller - was brilliant.

Burke's plan - was as close to perfect as you can get.

USA did me proud.

Did each and every one of us Americans proud.

No regets here....

I know, we, as Americans, wish we were able to get the Gold.

But, important enough, the belief that we can someday, and someday soon, get that Gold.

I think that's what today meant to me. It meant that even if we weren't there yet, we would be there someday, and perhaps, someday soon.

I didn't feel that 8 years ago. But I felt that today.

I shed a few tears.

NOT when they lost.

But because I was not the only one cheering.

And that means something. That means more than many may know.

Thank you, Team USA. Thank you for the glorious ride. And congratulations on the Silver medal.

Why, you ask?

Because it is silver, again yes, but it is silver with the promise of gold. And I hope to be there- anywhere- when the USA is so priviledged to win the gold, as I believe they will.

Congrats Canada. But thank you USA! Proud to be an American. And proud of you for the journey you've taken, nad have yet to embark on.....

Come Olympic Time, Who Are You Rooting For. . .?

2010-02-15T21:17:00.003-05:00

Ask a hockey fan who they are rooting during these Olympic games and for many it's completely cut and dry.

If you are Canadian, you are rooting for Canada.

A Finn, a Swede, a Czech - I'd think the same.

But for some Americans, perhaps, asking who they are rooting for during the Olympic games may not be so easy.

Or at least it wasn't always so easy to me. I'll try to clarify before people start assuming I am not patriotic. That's really not the case.
_____________________________

The first winter Olympics I truly immersed myself in for hockey was 2002 in Salt Lake. I watched the 1998 in Nagano, but it didn't have the same effect. But 2002, that was, for me, two of the greatest weeks of my life.

I missed classes, called out from my part time job, wore socks for the country I was rooting for during every game. There is one day in particular where there were four games throughout the day - I remember not leaving the couch. I think back and think, as a hockey fan, that may have been one of the greatest days I ever spent.

I was rooting for the Americans that year, and rooting hard. I think in the wake of 9/11, it seemed the most natural thing to do. I was big into baseball at the time - America's game - and the feelings of national pride just swept right through me and carried through into everything. Those Olympics were fantastic and they were no different.

The Americans lost to Canada, as you well know, and I did cry. I wanted so badly for Team USA to win.

However, I took big solace, as a Rangers fan, that New York's Eric Lindros and Theo Fleury won the gold. Even then, I was able to transfer my sadness into happiness for them.

And I think that began a period of realizing you could do both. Root for your country and root for players you like.

________________________

When the 2006 Olympics came around, a player I had a ton of respect for and loved so much - Brian Leetch - was not included on the roster. True, Leetch was playing in what would be his last season in the NHL with the Bruins, and not anywhere near the player he once was, but I thought, perhaps biasedly, he deserved to go. And I was disappointed that Chelios was not deemed too old, but Leetch was.

That year, the Rangers were sending a HUGE number of Olympians - the majority from Czech Republic.

So I asked myself what made more sense, at the time - rooting for an American team without my favorite player, or rooting for a team that was going to have Jagr, Straka, Rucinsky, Malik, and (what we thought) Prucha?

And I went Czech Republic. And I don't regret it either.

Additionally, I rooted for Team Sweden. I mean it was OUR goalie that was going to lead them. Why should I not root for them too?

So as the Olympics played out, and Teams USA and Canada disappointed, I rooted for Team Czech, Team Russia, Team Sweden, whoever had a player from our team. And I saw nothing wrong with that.

Would I have been disappointed if another team won? No.

Was I happy OUR goalie won the Olympic gold? Absolutely.

___________________________

Fast forward to present day. We have a similar situation. I love a few American players - Kane and Thomas and Callahan in particular. I will root for them, certainly. If they win the Gold Medal (any medal) I will be so PROUD. I sincerely mean that.

But am I going to root against Team Sweden and OUR goalie?

Am I going to root against Team Russia with that other goalie on that team I watch a lot - Bryzgalov - and the most dynamic player in the league - Ovechkin?

Am I rooting against Team Slovakia with our Gaborik, the guy who has carried our team all season?

And I seriously going to root against a Team Czech that has Zbynek Michalek and (my gosh I wish you were still here with all my heart) Jaromir Jagr?!

No. I can't and I won't.

I'm going to root for a fantastic Olympics. I'm going to root for the best team to win. And preferably the best team is a team with a player I root for on it.

Does that make me less of an American?

I honestly just think it makes me more of a hockey fan.

__________________________

Predictions Anyone?

For the record, and before hockey begins tomorrow, I'm not going to play guessing games with who can or should or will win.

But if Ryan Miller gets hot, the US has a chance, surely.

If Hank gets hot, Sweden can do the same. We saw it happen.

Canada is a favorite to most, and rightfully so, but I cannot and will not ignore Team Russia. Three of arguably the top five goal scorers in the league - Ovechkin, Malkin, Kovalchuk - and two of the best goalies in the league, both having stellar years - Bryzgalov and Nabokov.

I know Canada could build three teams before anyone else could assemble one...but this will be a competition - be sure of that.

Oh and for the record, do I root against Canada even though until Marc Staal is on the team I don't have a player I LOVE on it?

No. Why should I.

I just hope the best team wins. Whatever country that may be.

Rangers Heading Into Olympic Break...

2010-02-15T12:09:00.002-05:00

Well, if you are going to head into Olympic break, you might as well go in like the Rangers did.

(Of course, ideally, you'd like to go in with a 10+ point lead on the next team behind you and leading your division, but, come on, these are the Rangers here; we have to be happy with what we can get.)

Anyway, so the Rangers last two games leading into the break were an impressive win against Pittsburgh IN Pittsburgh, in a building they hadn't won at in over two year and yesterday's hard fought come from behind victory over Tampa Bay at the Garden.

The Pittsburgh win was important because, well, they are Pittsburgh, and see above regarding the Rangers inability to win there. Wins like that build confidence.

The Tampa Bay win had a bit of everything. The come from behind aspect. The scoring five goals aspect. It had fights. It had goals. It had the feeling of an enjoyable hockey game we frankly have just not seen often enough this year at the Garden.

(If we're being honest.)

_______________________________

Where does that leave the Rangers though?

Sadly, probably in no real better position than they were the week before and when they come back from Olympic break. The Eastern playoff race is simply a log-jam.

At break, the Rangers sit in 10th place, with 63 points, and one game above .500. To better put in perspective, they are 5 points out of 6th place. But they also only have 4 more wins than Carolina, a team that slept through the entire first half of the hockey season.

So, when people ask me if the Rangers are going to make the playoffs, I say this. They have as good a chance as anyone. The Rangers didn't do themselves any favors this year, by starting hot and then failing to score (unless they were #10), blowing some bad games, and having a horrible record at MSG. But at the same time, everyone in the East has been so up and down, the Rangers own foot-shooting has not totally ruined their post-season chances. (And just imagine where they'd be if they did not have such a hot start?)

Now if Gaborik or Lundqvist does not come back in one piece from their tours of Olympic duty, or even if they come back whole but go on to struggle, I don't think this team has a shot. But, again, that's something many of us were saying in September. This team will go as Gaby and Hank take them. And we've seen, when one or both struggle, the Rangers rarely win.

The last two Gaborik-less games were a nice exception.

___________________________________

Now, of course, none of this is to say the Rangers would do anything in the playoffs, Hank or no Hank, Gaby or no Gaby. If this season has shown us anything, it's that the Rangers do not have the depth for much of anything.

Their defense is young or old, and the contracts of the old contigent prevents them from getting much help in any way.

Their offense starts and ends with one player, whose 35 goals have been carrying this team for the entire season. Prospal has been a wonderful surprise. Callahan has started to pot some more goals recently to get closer to the 20 many expected (hoped) him to have. But beyond that, the offense-from-defense is practically non-existent and has been since the earlier parts of the season. The secondary scoring is absent, or comes in little droves, like having five good games and then 15 mediocre ones. (See: Captain Fun).

So, no I don't think this team is going far this year, no matter how the Olympics or post-Olympic month and a half of the season play out.

But, if we learned anything from last year's playoff experience, a somewhat mediocre team can push a much, much better team to the brink of elimination with some stellar goaltending. So if the Rangers happen to sneak into a spot, you never know what can potentially, impractically happen.

_____________________________________

Meanwhile, the Olympic break looms, followed by a very short time frame for any trade activity.

Do I think the Rangers should do anything?

Umm, baring them finding a way to shed any of the big 3 (Rozi, Redden, Drury) contracts, I don't see why they should. I mean yes, they could trade people away to real contenders, and that'd be fine, but they should in no way sacrifice any big parts of their always uncertain future for a rental - a rental that will probably lead them right to a first round exit.

Just saying. . .

Rangers/Coyotes Preview. . .

2010-01-30T15:00:00.003-05:00

Well, for those who read NHTProductions (those who have stuck through the time where the blog has been dark) they know we don't do game previews here. It's just never been a part of the lineup.

However, considering these are my teams, the two teams I watch night in and night out, I thought I'd take a few minutes and preview tonight's tilt in the desert between the New York Rangers and Phoenix Coyotes!

RANGERS:
Last 10: 3-6-1, Lost 4
Road Record: 12-10-3
Conference Standing: 9
Division Standing: 4
Goals For: 138
Goals Against: 150
Most Goals: 29 (Gaborik)
Most Points: 61 (Gaborik)
Top Goalie Stats: Hank - GAA: 2.40, S%: .920, Wins: 22, SH: 2

COYOTES:
Last 10: 5-4-1, Won 2
Home Record: 20-8-2 (3rd best behind VAN, CHI)
Conference Standing: 4
Division Standing: 2
Goals For: 147
Goals Against: 141
Most Goals: 18 (Upshall)
Most Points: 39 (Doan)
Top Goalie Stats: Bryz - GAA: 2.35 S%: .918, Wins: 28, SH: 5

Since losing 3 games in a row earlier this month, the Coyotes have won five of their last seven games, including four of their last five at home.

After winning two in a row and scoring a combined 14 goals in those games two weeks ago (v. MTL and TBL), the Rangers have dropped four straight, two at home and two on the road.

The Coyotes had a thrilling 5-4 comeback win on Tuesday night versus Detroit. They trailed 4-2 late in the game, but scored two goals in the final 1:30 to tie the game. Captain Shane Doan then won the game on a beautiful goal against Jimmy Howard in overtime.

The Rangers had what many would argue was one of their poorest efforts versus Carolina on Wednesday night. They generated just four shots in the first, and went down 2-0 in the games beginning minutes. After scoring to make it 2-1 early in the second, the Rangers gave up the 3rd Carolina goal just 41 seconds later, putting the game handily out of reach.

THE SKINNY:

The Rangers are fundamentally unsound. They shocked everyone by scoring 14 goals in those two combined games versus Montreal and Tampa Bay but since their 3-1 win in Boston on January 10th, they've been shut out FOUR times, and have scored only four goals in their other three games, all losses. They think the West coast trip is coming at the perfect time, but the Rangers have not shown to be good on West Coast trips in recent memory. Avery talks about needing to get the team on the same page, and Prospal talks about needing to practice more. The main problem is that they can't score, and if Gaborik isn't scoring, which he hasn't been, this team has proven exactly what they are: not good enough.

The Coyotes, after struggling in early January and seeing the brilliant Ilya Brzygalov become slightly less brilliant, have looked much better as of late. For those that don't know them, they don't score tons (although they have scored more than the Rangers) but they play as a team, and get goals when needed, from different sources in different games. They play tight defensively, provide strong puck support, and play a team game that doesn't give opposition much room to move. If they get down, they feel they can come back (ie: Tuesday's game versus Detroit, and a game against the Islanders where they trailed 4-0 and came back to get a point). Even more so, when they do things wrong and they don't play "Coyotes hockey," they know it and they don't need to be told what to correct. They are the team that everyone (almost) was surprised about and that no one expected to still be around, but they are. Their biggest difficulty will be if leading scorer and team leader Scottie Upshall is out for any length of time.

FORMER RANGERS:

Korpikoski scored both Phoenix goals in Phoenix's loss to the Capitals a week ago, and was one of two Coyotes to score in the shootout win versus Calgary Thursday night. He's been what Don Maloney calls one of his nicest surprises. He's not flashy, but he's good on the PK, strong on the puck, and has gotten A LOT of big shootout goals for the Coyotes this season.

Team favorite Petr Prucha has been a big part of Phoenix's top line this season. Often matched against the other teams best lines, they play shutdown, in addition to providing much needed offense. Vrbata is second in goal scoring with 16, and Prucha is 4th with 11. It really has been a resurgence for the former Ranger in Phoenix as he has scored more goals than he did in any season since 06-07 and has seen his shooting percentage rise to it's highest point in the last three seasons. A renewed confidence has shown in increased puck control, cycling, and something that may surprise Rangers fans: faceoffs. Prucha takes a good amount of his lines faceoffs, even with having someone like Martin Hanzal, on his line and has done well enough to be called upon more as the season has progressed. A smile always on his face, he's fit in well and easily with his hard-working team in Phoenix.

Rangers draft-pick Jason LaBarbera (3-4-1 in 10 games) will get the start for the Coyotes tonight against his former team.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Overall, nothing looks overly promising about the Rangers road trip into the West against three really tough opponents that begins tonight. This could be a blowout game for Phoenix if their sticks are hot, and even if they aren't, the Rangers haven't exactly proven they can light the lamp recently, so this may prove to be a 2-1, 2-0 type game in the end.

WHO AM I ROOTING FOR?:

Well I can't be disappointed EITHER way, but I think the one thing all Prucha fans can hope for is that he has a great game against his former team. A hat trick would be the ultimate, but any goal would be nice.

Honestly, if it's a good game, as good as I've hoped it'd be all season as I looked forward to it, I'll be happy.

HNIC Wrap-Up ~ 1/23/10 (A Week Late!). . .

2010-01-30T13:45:00.005-05:00

Week late again - I hope this is not becoming a trend...I apologize. Not trying to leave NHTP a desolate place as much as I have recently. Maybe I'll be able to catch up on life once the Olympics start. Oh..right...I'll still be watching hockey. ;) Anyway...

Last Week on HNIC:

Before Cassie Campbell asked Tortorella about it, the guys at HNIC had a good laugh about the Brooks/Tortorella clip from the post-game from Thursdays game versus Philly.

Their comments:

Milbury: "I'm going to score that Tortorella/Brooks thing a draw; I mean Larry Brooks hung right in there. He can be abrasive as all get out, but Tortorella went right after him. What can a coach do, you have to address it, get it out in the open once in a while when you think you've been mishandled by the media, and then you gotta move on which he has."

...

Hrudey: "I'm sure this will surprise a lot of people too. I'm actually going to brag about Sean Avery. Here's a guy that I've been awfully critical of for a long, long time now but you have to hand it to him." [He goes on to talk about how impressed he was with this play versus the Flyers.]

"There's not shame to me in losing a fight. It's battling for your teammates...Aaron Voros and the rest of the teammates were awfully proud of Sean Avery. I've gotta tell you, when he plays like that, and he doesn't yap off, I like him."

Milbury: "Where were the rest of the Rangers in that game? After the Carcillo incident with Gaborik, there should have been an immediate response. There was none. Avery was one of the few that showed up to got it done."

You know how much I hate it when I agree with Milbury but...

After Hours:

I actually got to catch After Hours live last Saturday, so I had some Twitter comments about it, but how fun was it to have Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews BOTH on After Hours? Loved it! I want more teammate pair interviews; they are almost always fantastic.

The good thing about doing this a week late, you get to see it yourself, as a kind stranger has posted on Youtube. First are Parts 1 and 2 for Patrick Kane and 3rd one is both Kane and Toews. Enjoy!

Part 1 - Kane

Part 2 - Kane

You know, as much as people may have changed their thoughts (understandably) about Kane during the last year, I still think two things:

1) He is pretty well-spoken. He has gotten better surely as he's been in the league a few years, and he's being asked to speak much more often. I enjoy listening to him, especially when he throws in some reminders of how young he really is, ie, "pretty girls walking up and down the street." He is what he is and I enjoy him. Time will tell just exactly what type of person he truly is, but if you can separate the two, and sometimes you have to, I still love him as a player and love to watch him grow as such.

2) He is a first class talent. He is one of those guys, perhaps, you want to cheer for because he is one of the smaller guys. He scores some amazing goals. And he is someone, as an American, we can cheer for in national tournaments hopefully for years and years to come. And, as much as I do not root for players for where they are from (at least not intentionally), it is wonderful to see a guy that will hopefully join guys like Modano, Richter, Leetch, Tkachuk, Hull, Chelios, etc, in the glory of American national competition. We'll see how he does in just a few short weeks in his first Olympic appearance in Vancouver.

Avery Quotes: "Be a Ranger". . .

2010-01-24T12:43:00.000-05:00

Well it's funny (and by funny, I don't really mean haha funny), that I don't write a blog about the Rangers in a week, and essentially (ignoring those two glorious 6-2, 8-2 wins - where did those come from again?), the Rangers are right back where they left off after having back to back shutouts posted against them.

Sigh.

I could have stepped in here and written how amazing it was to watch those games against Montreal and Tampa last week. The way they fought, the way they skated, the way they scored goals. The way they SHOWED UP.

But, the Rangers are the Rangers and we all should have known better. Perhaps I did. I may love this team but they are flawed. And flawed less in talent to me, than in attitude and drive. And that's what makes us all livid. If they aren't good enough, fine. That is what it is. But if they aren't trying. That's all on them. 100%.

I woke up and read The NY Post as I do every Sunday. Like nor dislike Brooks, he is not vanilla, that's for sure.

He has some dandy quotes from Avery, as have been floating around Twitter this morning. The highlights:

"You can say it's a lack of preparation, but that's BS; it's a lack of competitiveness...We do not play hard enough."

"I don't have the explanation for it. I don't know if it's us not holding each other accountable, or what, but it's a total lack of respect for our fans and the organization. It's a joke."

And lastly:

"It's fine if you get beat. It's fine if you compete and get beat, but to play this way . . . that's not what it's like to be a Ranger."

Like him, hate him, love him, loathe him, at least Sean Avery is one of the few players to tell it like it is.

The sad reality is, of course, as fans we like to think we know what it is to "Be a Ranger."

But, after the last 15 years and counting, and with the exceptions few and far between, isn't the reality of "being a Ranger" less about what it should be and more about exactly what we are seeing: laziness, half-efforts, blase attitude.

I HATE to say that. I praise Avery for realizing it should not be so.

But when does "Being a Ranger" mean Pride, Passion, Tradition, like I used to think it meant. Loyalty to a sweater. Passion for a game. Pride for an organization that had been around for over 80 years.

Sean says he gets it. But is that enough?

HNIC Wrap-Up~ 1/16/10 (A Week Late!)

2010-01-23T16:08:00.006-05:00

Tonight, be sure to catch the HNIC pre-game show, Hockey Tonight. As the Rangers are in Montreal, you may see some familiar faces. (NHL Network - 6:30pm for those in the States).

Meanwhile, it's been one of those weeks so I'm just now getting to LAST week's show,...so here's what we missed:

* The Ron McLean interview with Colin Campbell. I missed it (obviously) but heard rumblings about it on Team990. And there was apparently some bad feedback to the CBC on it, from Burrows parents, even. How their son was being shown in a bad light.

I think McLean did fine (and I'm a big fan of his). I think he did fine with how he conducted the interview.

In the case of Burrow's parents, I perhaps can see what they were saying. For those that didn't watch, they showed kind of a "this is what Burrows has done" timeline with video and, yes, some of it paints him like the "Sean Avery of the West." Surely. But I think it wasn't done badly. I don't.

And let it also be said, "Burr, what are you thinking Burr..." constantly laughed about here didn't make it clear, I am a Burrows fan. I think he can be a punk at times, and I certainly didn't appreciate his whack to Vrbata's leg late last year, but I don't think he goes out there to injure anyone. I think he is a little bit of a pest. I see the similarities to Avery, too, but again, I don't make apologies for Avery. He is a good hockey player. And even though we've seen players like Anson Carter benefit from being on a line with the Sedins, I'm pretty sure Burrows has paid his dues in his journey to the NHL and he's here because he too is a good player and can play with those boys.

* On After Hours, Bill Guerin was a guest. Who doesn't appreciate Billy Guerin? He's just a high class guy.

The funnier parts were when PJ Stock joined in via video. Here is some of what was said:

Oake: PJ Stock counts you, I think, as his best friend in the game of hockey. And you're even willing to own up to that.

Guerin: I am. I accept that position. PJ is a great guy and a good friend for a long time. So it's good to see him doing well out here.

PJ: ...Buddy, that's the worst Tom Selleck moustache I've seen in a long time. Why?

Guerin goes on to explains that the day before games, they have a shootout contest, and the loser on the 1st of the month has to grow a moustache for the month and be "moustache boy." LOL!

PJ: What toll did it take on your body, with that shortened summer, especially at your 46, 47, you are at now, how has that short summer affected you this year?

Guerin: Yeah Stocky, it's kinda funny, I'm creeping up there. But unfortunately for you, you stopped growing at the age of 12. I kept going until about 18, 19, 20.

Oake: Hey PJ, thanks a lot for contributing to the program tonight, we really appreciate it.

PJ: Anytime I can carry you Oakie, anytime. See ya Billy, good luck.

Healy: Good questions.

Oake: PJ had to run off to the Irish Embassy. Going to try to catch Rudy there.

Billy, when aked about the US Olympic team, said he felt very confident in the group of players that Burke had put together, that they could do very well. He spoke about a passing of the torch. He had his time; it's their time now.

Good stuff, they should invite PJ in more often to contribute to After Hours, and Bill Guerin is always a treat.

A Few Ramblings Thoughts on the NYRs. . .

2010-01-17T13:41:00.004-05:00

A few thoughts, some long overdue, that have been floating around in my mind for the last while, especially given the last week of fun that was being a New York Rangers fan.

The Rangers scored last night. Really that shouldn't be news, but it is. Because they can't score. Or they won't score. And they hadn't scored in over a week - literally - after being shutout at home twice in a row.

I knew they'd have problems scoring, but come on now...

The game against the Bruins was up tempo and great, a real put-together effort.

The game against the Devils was frustrating in only that they lost in the skills competition of the hockey menu. (And that thing about Brodeur but I won't digress).

The game against Ottawa was some of the most mind-numbing play (if we can call it that) I've seen in this year. Did they even know they had a game? Should they have to have been told?

The game last night. Well, I kinda had a feeling that, for irony sake, if Voros was in the lineup he'd have something to do with scoring. He had an assist. As the Rangers finally score a goal.

Again, shouldn't be news, but in NYR world, it kinda is.

After the last week of "whatever-it-was" I have a few questions/thoughts/confusions going on.

One (as mentioned in my last entry) I'd read in Rangers Rants that after Erik Christensen missed in the shootout, he had a hard time sleeping.

After the Ottawa game, Rangers.com writer Jim Cerny tweeted that:

Maybe most down post-game locker room all year for #Rangers; Del Zotto, Boyle, Prospal among those really taking it to heart #NYR
10:50 PM Jan 14th from web

We all saw Gaborik's quotes that he said that Ottawa's first goal in the dying minutes Thursday was "his fault" and it "cost us the game."

Every game we see Hank take the burden of the game on himself. I've said for along time, no one takes it harder when the NYRs lose than him. I'm sure he's even hard on himself in games he does NOT EVEN PLAY. Because that's the type of player he is.

So, why, I ask, is is so easy for these players to feel badly. And for others to seemingly not care?

Prospal is a gamer, a Marty Straka type guy. He gets it. He gets what it takes to win and feels bad when they lose.

Del Zotto, the 19-year-old rookie who has had a great year and who makes me happy to be a fan. He gets it.

Boyle, the 4th liner, he gets it.

Gaborik and Hank, the two guys who going into this season we knew would be carrying this team on their back, they get it.

And Christensen, Erik - I wasn't even here a month ago - Christensen, he gets it?

I'm happy these players get it. I am. It just makes me curious who else does?

Does Drury get it? I realize he may not be the captain we expect, or certainly not the player he is paid for, but at what point do you have to, for benefit of the team and the fans, consciously put aside the fact that you are a boring, mumbling human being, and act like a captain. Even if that isn't who you are. At what point do you show the world that you care?

Erik Christensen couldn't sleep the other night.

Did Chris Drury have a problem?

_____________________________________

I've spoken before, namely last season, and a lot, about passion and personality, and how it matters.

And it matters less when you are doing your job, surely, and gets magnified, to me, when you are not.

I like this team better. I really do. But more than halfway through, we can come to some conclusions.

*Brashear is useless to this team. I tried to give the benefit of the doubt (to a degree) to start the season. But I think we can safely say that if he was ever to be effective, he is now too old, too injured to do so in any capacity.

It now makes perfect sense (and lacks all sense not) to play Aaron Voros every night in his place. Why? At least Voros seems to care. That much can definitely be said. Not one can, and ever will, show the grace and humility Prucha did when scratched repeatedly, but I think Voros has done an admirable job of taking it. And tell me how he's worse? He skates better, and if the last two Brashear fights are any indication, he may actually fight better at this point. Or at least not fall down anymore.

$1.4 million waste of money. And most of us knew it in July.

* This team will only go as far as Gaborik takes them. Another conclusion we probably could have reached in July. Gaborik is upset he thinks he cost the Rangers one game in January. Marian, how many did you win for them? Seriously, how many games were you the only one scoring, the only one providing any enthusiasm or sense of purpose? And he's on himself because he's not a shootout wizard? Please. Gaby, if you were not here in New York, the Rangers would be holding up Carolina and Toronto in the standings.

* As much as Gaborik is important, vital, to this team, Hank has proven himself to be the backbone. This is Hank's team, guys. No doubt anymore. It doesn't matter that he doesn't wear the C.

- He (and Avery) called that meeting to try to get the team back on track.

- He is very often the reason they win or remain in games they should not.

- He is the guy who you have no doubt - NO DOUBT - tears himself up over this team.

Hank, Hank is the backbone of this team. No question about it.

* Beyond a bright future on defense (I include Staal with Del Zotto and Gilroy), a superstar talent (Gaborik), and Hank, this team is not as good as I thought they were. Not that I thought they were good, mind you. But I thought they were 8th place material, that perhaps they'd fall between 6 and 10th, and hopefully squeeze into the playoffs at 8. They probably aren't even good enough to do that. They'll benefit surely from a weaker East. They may very well get into the playoffs if other teams collapse. But they are a team trying to put it together, not a team with their act together.

* Inconsistency has been the worst part of this team, has it was last year, and times before that. A 60 minutes effort is a rarity. And even when it is there (like Tuesday versus NJ) there is sometimes nothing to show for it. I'm disappointed, for myself as a fan, and for the players that do try so hard. Why should Hank and Gaborik (and Boyle and Del Zotto, and Christensen, and Prospal) beat themselves up all the time? When it's a 20 player game and so many of the rest of them are invisible.

Rangers take on the Habs tonight. I can see this going badly. Since Poulliot has joined the Canadiens, Gomez has looked a real player again. Yep, I can see this being an interesting return trip to MSG.

_______________________

In happy news, Prucha scored 2 goals (and almost a 3rd) in a 6-4 win over the Wild in the desert last night.

Prucha has 11 goals on the season.

More goals than any Ranger that is not wearing #10 on his back.

Five Things About the Rangers/Devils Game. . .

2010-01-13T21:40:00.003-05:00

* This was one of the most exciting games I've seen at the Garden in a long time, and without scoring! It's a rarity where everyone on the ice was so insync for 60+ minutes. The back and forth was almost non-stop. The speed was intense. It was just very easy to get into it.

* Speaking of fans, they were really feeling it. It may have been the rivalty game. It may have been how the Rangers were playing that the fans fed off it, but they were standing, cheering, and much more lively than they'd been in the longest time. Great atmosphere.

* I mentioned it on twitter (NHTProductions) - this was Martin Brodeur's first ever shutout at Madison Square Garden. It's almost staggering that he had not gotten one before this, especially with how bad the Rangers were for such long stretches of time. As a Rangers fan, I hoped I'd never see him do it. Does it make it better or worse that Hank got a shutout too?

* With the 51 shots they had on goal, the Rangers did what they could. Gaborik, Dubinsky, and Callahan had 5 shots each. Girardi, Anisimov, Boyle, Gilroy, Higgins, adn Rozsival each had 4. Only Brashear and Christensen did not participate in the shot parade.

* Disappointing to lose the shootout, certainly. On a few levels. BUT, I had read on Rangers Rants that Christensen was so upset with himself for losing the puck in the shootout that had a hard time sleeping. Isn't this what you want from your players? Not to keep themselves up at night - I don't want him to be THAT hard on himself - but to care. To show they care? I can think of one other person that wouldn't have let missing in the shootout ruin his night's sleep?

Anyway.....

Good for Christensen. I've been nothing but impressed with him since he came to the team. Right attitude. He may know it's his "last shot" but made a big difference when Prospal was out.

HNIC Wrap-Up ~ 1/9/2010. . .

2010-01-10T21:07:00.005-05:00

There haven't been HNIC wrap-ups, mostly because the World Junior Championships (Congrats USA) were being shown on NHL Network and when I wasn't in front of the TV on Saturday it became too hard to manually record the CBC broadcasts at the right moment.

Anyway...this made me laugh.

Cassie Campbell interviewed Scott Gomez on Hockey Tonight. Now Rangers fans now how, we won't say silly, but non-serious Gomez appeared during interviews. That much has not changed.

Cassie: Scott has 12 points in his last 10 games. Ron?

McLean: You're amazing. Now you don't like Scott Gomez's game face.

Milbury (mockingly with hand motions): Just happy to be here. $7 million a year.
You've got a big game against New Jersey coming up, have a little serious side. I guess that's just me, though, right, Ron?

The times I've agreed with anything Mike Milbury has said are few, oh so few, and far between. This, however, may be one of them.

I'm still shocked he has 12 points in 10 games. Yikes.

___________________________________________________

"The PJ Stock Classic today" says McLean, as PJ does update of Rangers/Bruins game, PJs two longest tenured stops in his NHL career. New York was his first team, Boston his last, although he was with the Philadelphia farm club, the Phantoms, when he had his career ending injury. (I MISS YOU PJ!!!)

_______________________________________

Top 10 Goals from the Western Conference did not include Prucha's vs Pittsburgh (French Canadian Network RDS did at #3!!!!). It did include a Fred Sjostrom goal at #10 though.

__________________________________________

For those that missed (me included) Vancouver and Calgary went to a shootout. Dawes got the first goal in the shootout for Calgary. And after scoring earlier in the game, one time Ranger Jamie Lundmark got the deciding goal in the shootout putting Calgary ahead in the division. A beautiful goal. He was called, "a warrior," "an underrated guy," and "a victim of the salary cap." Named #1 star of the game by HNIC.

"This is just a genious move with unbelievable skill and unbelievable patience."

___________________________________________

After Hours presents "The Sedin Triplets" - Henrik, Daniel, and Alex Burrows!

It didn't even take til the first commerical break, before Scott Oake brings up one of my FAVORITE After Hours moments when Alex Burrows does his Marc Crawford impression:

"Burr, what were you thinking there."

LOL! Never gets old.

If you haven't seen it yet, here it is (not super clear but condensed):

The three then proceeded to have a rousing game of who knows their linesmates better.

Burrows not knowing name of Sedin's hometown - minus one.

Daniel automatically knowing "Baton Rouge" was one of the places Burrows toiled in the minor leagues - plus one.

Burrows being able to tell the twins apart (even with a trick!) - plus one.

Sedins not knowing that Burrows was named best ball hockey player in Canada in 2006 - minus one. (Although they both seemed super surprised and happy for him).

Burrows being able to say Hank was six minutes older than Daniel - plus one.

Burrows wins with a +1, but unless I missed a question in there - no fair!

Burrows, when asked about the Sedins soccer deficiency, said they were the two best players on the team but that Hank played with both feet, Daniel only used his left.

I love photo time, they show a picture of Alex Burrows as a model.

Burrows: That's my Calvin Klein ad.

Oake: You know's body that is?

Henrik: Yeah it's not Burrs.

Alex may have been a jerk for slashing Vrbata in the leg late last year, but the guy is funny and he's one of only around 50 players to score hat tricks in back to back games, which he did last week.

Love it.

Five Things on the Rangers/Bruins Game. . .

2010-01-09T15:39:00.003-05:00

After today's game, I feel the need to ask, "Who are these guys?"

* They were getting to loose pucks, moving the puck swiftly, connecting on passes, dominating the play. And in an afternoon game! Who are these guys?

* Did you hear what Sam said? This team is 4-0-2 in their last 6. 8-3-1 in their last 12. And have had points in 19 of their last 24 games. Who are these guys?

* Michael Del Zotto's goal was beautiful. Ladies and gentlelmen, THAT will never get old! It's been too, too long.

* Think Avery's words about what it meant to put on the Rangers sweater and how they need to play with the pride and energy necessary of it perhaps hit home with anyone? Don't discount Avery's voice in the lockeroom. This was the most dominating effort I've seen from the NYRs in a long while. Beginning to end.

* As much as I have to credit the NYRs, Boston is a decimated team. They are without Savard, Bergeron, Ferrence. And for whatever reason they are not connecting. As pretty as those three Rangers goals were, they Bruins let them have a lot of space to score in. Just saying.

I'm not sure where it came from, I'm not sure if it'll last but - who are these guys?

Those were your New York Rangers!

=)

Yotes: Prucha on the Rise. . .

2010-01-07T13:02:00.004-05:00

Helmet tip to the good folks at 5-hole.com for putting together a "Prucha Goal Watch" on their site. I was going to do the same, but you know what they say about great minds...

Anyway, in all its glory, you can view Prucha's 9 - count 'em 9 - goals so far this season - Prucha Goal Watch!

In short, and this will be short, I've kept up with the Coyotes about as much as any Rangers fan in New York could. I watch all the games I possibly can (probably 95% so far in some capacity) and even if I miss, make sure I watch Prucha's shifts on the games I Tivo.

My conclusion:

The kid is okay.

He's more than okay.

He's great.

What started after trade deadline last season - a quiet, slow, building of confidence with puck carrying, movement in the offensive zone, using the boards, etc - has now grown into the most full out confidence I've seen from the Czech forward in, well, let's just say way too long.

The Coyotes system is perfect for a guy like Pete. Not saying other ones wouldn't be, but this certainly has given him an opportunity to play a role and be productive, even if he doesn't score.

Coyotes players swarm, provide excellent puck support to one another. If one guy loses it, someone is right behind them.

Prucha works in this. He's the type of player that if he loses the puck, he does everything to get it back, and to his credit, he very often does. Now, he gets it back for teammates too. He backchecks and often is caught making a great defensive play because he's so fast (you listening TR?). On the powerplays he and his Czech mates create a great down low cycle on the puck.

It's refreshing. Truly refreshing.

But the biggest difference as of late - two lovely and glorious goals earlier in the season: one on butt, one on stomach, notwithstanding - has been his ability to do all the above AND shoot the puck.

When Prucha scored his 8th of the season versus Vancouver on 12/29, he had scored more goals than any year since 2006-2007 when he scored 22. And his shooting % was higher than it had been since then as well.

Earlier in the year, he was getting robbed by goalies, literally highlight reel robs.

But he didn't quit. Like we'd expect any differently? Please.

He never quits.

So he stuck with it and he's now shooting, and shooting with a confidence. The more goals he scores, the more the confidence rises.

His goal versus Edmonton on Tuesday, versus former coach Tom Renney, was another example of such. He was passed the puck in the slot and he shot, without thinking, just shot. Puck in net. Goal #9 on the year.

It's refreshing he's shooting. It's wonderful he's scoring.

But best of all, it's just the best thing in the world that he's happy and he's playing.

Good stuff in the desert. And #16 is a big part of that.

Thoughts As We Close Out the Year. . .

2009-12-28T21:32:00.007-05:00

So far this hockey season, there've been some cool things going on, and some not so cool things. When I think back on the first part of the 2009-2010 season, these are some things that come to mind:

* Injures. Injuries to key players. Freak injuries.

* Teams like Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Colorado being among the Western elite, while perennial favorite Detroit struggles.

* Carolina going from being a super hot playoff team in May to pretty much being out of playoff contention already the following fall.

* The non-surprises among the league's leading scorers to date, like Ovechkin, Crosby, and Thornton (most points since 2005-2006 season by far), coupled with the one Rangers fans were praying would be included but didn't know for sure - in Gaborik -, and the outright surprises: can you say Tomas Plekanec?

* Players hitting milestones, like Brodeur finally (seriously finally) passing Terry Sawchuk, and as recently as Shane Doan's 1,000th game. Both players hit their milestones having played ALL games with their respective teams, which is commendable.

And on a personal level with my favorite team and one of my favorite teams to follow:

* The Rangers had one of their typical years. Start fast, get hopes up, come back down to Earth (crashing actually), and slowly pick up the pieces amid a winter doldrum. But you know what. Screw it. I like this team. I like this team better than I liked last years team. Yeah, the captain may lack some sense of captain gene (although he does have five points in his last five games!), the team is still saddled and inevitabley ruined by contracts bigger than Sather can count to, and they still throw out crap efforts against teams (*cough* Islanders) they should be psyched to play.

BUT - they've got a goalie who wears his heart on his sleeve. Win, lose, shootout - don't tell me that Hank doesn't care. They've got Marian Gaborik, a healthy Marian Gaborik, who is as advertised and more, dazzling us fans with his every move. We've got a young defense corp, the youngest being a 19-year-old Del Zotto who makes me pray to everything holy that he never leaves the red, white, and blue. And you have a mix of Avery (even if he needs to mix it up more), of Prospal (the steal of the year), and Artem Anisimov (who I am so excited to see come into his own). It's a great team - well maybe not a great team - but my team and for the most part, they are SO much more fun to watch than last year.

And as for the Coyotes, if there was ever going to be any good coming from my favorite player being traded, it was the pleasure I'd had in following my adoptive team. I miss Prucha being in New York, surely, but nothing has made me happier than seeing a once confident and happy hockey player I so loved watching AGAIN BE that confident and happy hockey player. Nothing brings me such joy.

As a bonus, I've gotten to watch a team that I have really grown to like over the last nine months have a really kick butt first half of their season. They have the right mix, the right players, and the right system for the players to buy into. Credit management, credit coaching, credit anyone - but they are incredible and they are fun to watch.

I never contemplated being a fan of two different hockey teams to such an extreme. Surely I followed many - the Stars when Pat Verbeek and Manny Malhotra were there, the Sharks when Adam Graves went West, the Maple Leafs back in the early 2000s becauase those were some fun teams to watch. But I can honestly say even though I haven't gotten to watch all the Coyotes games real time, I've Tivoed them all. And since there is no rooting interest of rivalry between the Rangers and Coyotes, I pretty much want them to win each and every night. It may have started for Prucha, but it grew into a genuine love and appreciation for this team. And it opened up a whole new group of Twitter/blog friends, who I enjoy sharing the experience with, countries apart.

Hockey is for everyone, they say.

____________________________________________

Lastly, I haven't put much stock into this End of the Decade stuff, but...since it's floating around, I'll put in a few of my best and worst memories of hockey during this time. It's a hard task and I'll forget tons, but it's been a remarkable 10 years for the best sport in the world. So glad to be fan!

Best Memories:

- Messier returning to the Rangers in 2000. He ended up where he was supposed to be.

- The FLY Line

- The 2002 Olympic games - the most enjoyable I've ever seen.

- The game at the Garden on November 5, 2003 when Messier passed Howe in points. He needed two points to do so and ended up scoring two goals, the second being an empty netter with less than 5 seconds to go. I remember sitting there, numb, just knowing when he got the puck that he was going to do it, right then and there. That was, probably, my only moment of seeing live what was the once (and on some level always) great Messier having one of the great moments he seemed built for.

- Watching Jagr and Prucha, et al, during the 2005-2006 season, my favorite season to date.

- Jagr eclipsing Rangers records for goals 54, points 123, and Prucha getting 30 goals as a rookie, and a record 16 power play goals, that year.

- Seeing Jagr's hat trick, in Pittsburgh, at Mellon arena, in a 6-1 Rangers win over the Penguins in 2005.

- Seeing what I thought was a fantastic 7 game final between Carolina and Edmonton, led by an unsung hero in goal for Edmonton in Jussi Markkanen.

- Starting to listen to the Team990 in Montreal one boring day at work early in 2007 and being blessed with entertainment for the last almost three years.

- Roszival's OT winner at the Garden versus Buffalo in Game 3 in 2007. (The most important a game has felt in the Garden in a long time).

- Jagr's masterful performance in Game 4 versus the Penguins on Garden ice in the second round of the playoffs 2008.

- Getting to see five retirement ceremonies during the decade - Richter, Messier, Leetch, Graves, Howell and Bathgate.

- The 100 year ceremony in Montreal on December 4th. That may have just been one of the coolest things I've ever seen.

- Even though it's early, getting to watch Marian Gaborik play night in, night out. Rangers fans were blessed, BLESSED, with Jagr. We are now getting to be blessed twice.

- The pleasure of getting to watch some of my favorite non Rangers, like Trevor Linden, Mike Modano, Alex Ovechkin, Pat Kane, et al, play hockey.

Worst Memories:

- Richter's consequtive knee injuries and concussion and the inevitable end to a great career.

- The day Manny Malhotra was traded.

- The day Brian Leetch was traded.

- The day they announced they were cancelling the season on 2/16/05.

- The day the Rangers signed Chris Drury and Scott Gomez because every team needs two incredibly overpriced and very often useless centers.

- The day the Rangers let Jaromir Jagr walk even though he and Hank rebuilt this franchise from disaster.

- The day the Rangers signed Wade Redden and Michal Rozsival to the mind-numbingly stupid contracts.

- The day the Rangers traded Petr Prucha.

- The day the Penguins won the Cup.

- PJ Stock leaving the Team990. Some of my greatest days were spent listening to him, but may he enjoy the time with his family. Our loss, their gain. All the best to Peej - one of the true GOOD guys!

Again, I'm sure there is more...of course there is, but these were top of mind. Here's to TONS of wonderful new hockey memories to be shared in the new year and decade to come.

I'll be out of computer range for a few days, although I may tweet from time to time. So as much as this blog has been quiet (continued apologies for that beyond my control and the laziness which was not) it will remain quiet throughout the end of 2009. Hopefully next year, lots more chatter and lots more hockey.

Wishes for a healthy and happy 2010! Thanks for reading! ;)

Peace.

Some Thoughts on the Rangers/Flyers and Rangers/Hurricanes. . .

2009-12-21T22:17:00.003-05:00

Okay, playing some catchup. And don't feel like doing five of anything, so just some random thoughts. . .

On the Flyers:

So treked to Philly, in the snow. Treked back from Wachovia Center, in the snow. A lot of snow. ;) Arena I'd say had 9,000 about, regardless of the 19,000 announced attendance. It was emtpy, pretty quiet, and a pretty quiet game too. Two or three mini scrums, but nothing like the Rangers/Flyers games we know and love.

But the Rangers won, so that was good. And if you've never, and do have the chance to go, people at Wachovia are overall very nice. Concession people, parking lot people. And the fans. I've never felt out of place or like I was going to get my face punched in for wearing other colors. Which, for a game in Philly, is pretty good, don't you think? ;)

Shame this was the first game of the season between the two. When they were both dwelling in the bottom of the conference, amid pretty un-impressive stretches of games. Because to see the two teams firing on all cylinders and then win, that would be saying a lot more of the win. But you take the win on the road, and move on.

On the Canes:

How nice is it to have fan (read: my!) favorite Rangers back in good graces. Marc Staal has looked much more comfortable as of late. And that makes me happy. Marc - you go the way you have to go, pave your own way. You are 22! Plenty of years to live up to all the promise and, call me biased, I think he's already a very, very good defenseman. He just needs to take one thing at a time, because, for the most part, he doesn't get a ton of help on every occasion.

Important the Rangers penalty kill is making some ground, because they keep taking penalties. Although only 3 on the night.

Gaborik had 6 - count'em 6 - shots on goal and his league leading 25th goal of the season! Go Gaby Go! It was also his 15th multi-point game of the year as well for those keeping track.

Overall:

The Rangers may not be good team. But on any given night, you look to find ways to win. That's what these last three games have been (although if they had lost to the worst team in the league, I'm not sure what that would have been saying...) It's important. Step by step. They have to build confidence and get some points some ways.

I'm more curious who shows up on Wednesday, at home, at a place once kind to the NYRs, but now a place they haven't won at since Columbus came to town.

Time will tell.

HNIC Wrap-Up ~ 12/19/09. . .

2009-12-20T22:22:00.002-05:00

If you didn't get a chance to see this (and you aren't Tavares-ed out) - watch this video of him and Dougie Weight.

HERE!

__________________________

Three things about Alex Ovechkin (in general) and on this night:

* He won the Caps "Hardest Working Player" Construction helmet for the first time all season tonight. Scott Oake was baffled. AO explained he missed eight games and had to get back into shape.

* It was AO-craziness in Western Canada. And Ovechkin responds by saying he loves Canada.

* We knew it before, we know it now again - He LOVES the attention. He really does.

___________________________

Sam Gagner was on After Hours:

* They showed the clip from last year when they did "Cribs" when he lived with Tom Gilbert and Andrew Cogliano.

* Since then, Gilbert has kicked them out. Sam has also apparently not gotten any cleaner (he cleaned the most cause he was the messiest). He and Andrew live in separate apartments in the same complex.

* As so often on After Hours, they get questions from video. This one was from Jason (Strudwick) of Edmonton, asking about stick curves. Apparently back when Struddy was playing in Vancouver, he shot a puck clear out of the rink at practice. Then coach Marc Crawford grabbed the stick, threw it into the stands, and gave him Todd Bertuzzi's stick. Struddy liked it so much, he has used that stick curve ever since. Awe miss Struds!

Five Things on the Rangers/Islanders Game. . .

2009-12-18T16:32:00.002-05:00

As I wrote in the comments of the last post, I did not watch, so instead, some numbers for you:

* Callahan's two goals now give him 4 goals in the last 4 games and 6 in the last 10. It's important to everyone to contribute, yes, but this was one of the BIG guys that needed to be.

* When Cally scored his second goal (Rangers 3rd of the game) it was the first time the Rangers scored 3 goals in a game in the last 8 games.

* When they scored their 3rd goal, that was only the 5th time in 22 games they had scored more than 2.

* Gaborik's goal, his 24th of the season, was his 12th powerplay goal. That ties his career high.

* With 2 goals and 2 assists Callahan had his first 4 point game of his NHL career.

It'll be interesting to see how it carries over.

Five Questions on the Rangers/Islanders Game. . .

2009-12-17T01:22:00.003-05:00

Okay forget things, we're going to do questions. Here goes:

* Do you blame Tortorella for the state of the current team? Are you mad that "safe is death" seems to be words, not actions?

* Who is the most detrimental to the team at present? Drury with his 7 million, or Redden with his 6.5? (And yes, both can be an acceptable answer although I have my preference).

* Who thought Avery was going to get kicked out of the game - right, wrong, or indifferent - just for looking at Roloson the wrong way, let alone taking a swing at him?

* Who is able to admit to themselves what may just be the real and honest truth? - The Islanders are, right now, a better team than the Rangers. Who thought that'd be so when the season started?

* What do the Rangers do to fix this? Do they bench someone, make a trade? Tear it up? What do they do? Because, honestly, what can they do?

I like this group a lot better than last year, but after tonight I am convinced this year's team is having worse problems than last year's team - at least on the surface. Yes, last year they were happy and they couldn't score. Last year they had no personality where this year you WANT to like them. Last year they had a fast start and tumbled, JUST like this year. What gives? I honestly am beyond baffled. Tortorella promised changes for tomorrow. I'm just as baffled as the next guy in what exactly that will be...

Five Things on the Rangers/Thrashers Game. . .

2009-12-15T00:53:00.004-05:00

* Johan Hedberg owns the Rangers. This is nothing new. He always has. At least in my memory. (Again, again, again, - if Bob Hartley had stuck with Hedberg in game 3 versus the Rangers in the playoffs maybe, maybe, maybe it would have been a series. Not a different result but a series and instead of a sweep). The saves he made in the first period during that sequence. Yikes. Amazing. (And for the record, I am a Hedberg fan. Who doesn't love players nicknamed Moose?!).

* The Rangers now have, I think we can say, a dreadful record at home. With the exception of the game versus Columbus, I can't even remember the last time they won at the Garden. Any much more of this, someone will have to pinch me and tell me it's not 2003-2004.

* The Rangers record last year and the year previous was decidedly better at this stage of the season. Why? In part due to getting games to OT and to the shootout where they'd steal one, and usually 2, points. Not so this year. This was the Rangers third shootout game, their first at home and first without P.A. "I went on waivers today" Parenteau. They didn't get it done. The last two years, these shootouts bulked points and jumped spots in the standings. Now, they are infrequent and apparently not a guarantee.

* Michael Del Zotto makes me smile. At least someone on this team makes me smile. Please, please, please. Let him stay here FOREVER!

* Gaborik's goal in the 3rd was his 10th of the season in that period. That leads the NHL. Once again, big round of applause for Gaby. As much as I "like" this group better than last year, and he's a big part of that, he really, on many nights, leaves you thinking - my gosh, what if he weren't here? Thankfully he is. Thank you Gaborik. Which translates to "thank you Bob Gainey for taking Scott Gomez so we could afford Gaborik." Thank you. Thank you all.

Overall, not a bad game. A good one in fact. Normally (normally the watch word here) putting 48 shots on a goalie would result in more than 2 goals (if you are not the NYRs...). Normally shooting that much would result in a win (if you are not the NYRs). Again, all props in the world to Hedberg and Atlanta. A good win. A smart road win. The Rangers looked closer than they have been and tonight may have not been their fault. It just feels worse, of course, because they've lost so many, and so many at home.

HUGE two games versus the Isles. Huge! Too early to say "must-win." I'm actually not sure it is.

Five Things on the Rangers/Sabres Game. . .

2009-12-13T23:33:00.002-05:00

* It's never a good thing when you feel like you are just doing the same thing over and over again is it? Well, I'm writing the same things. The Rangers are doing the same things. We're all thinking the same things. Not good. Not good at all.

* The set-up on that powerplay (wait did someone say powerplay?) goal by Ryan Callahan looked brilliant. Fantastic to see but all the more annoying because they can do it. They can. Despite their recent blechy-ness on the PP, the Rangers still hold a pretty impressive stat with the extra man on home ice.

* Loved the initial energy and movement of the line of Higgins, Prospal, and Gaborik. Even though PJ Stock thinks that Higgins is better as a complementary checker than a goal scorer...I don't really mind him playing with these boys as long as he keeps up, and shoots the puck. He doesn't have to be the flashy guy, but since his two goal outburst on the West Coast trip, Higgins has seemed a more confident player. And the Rangers need a lot of things surely, but someone with confidence is nice.

* Did my eyes mistake me or did Derek Roy help up Dan Girardi after the tumble in the far boards? I always like to see sportsmanship. And I always thought Derek Roy was a good guy.

* Since we don't want to keep saying the same things over and over, let's talk instead about Ryan Miller. I was suprised to see him give up two goals so quickly (let alone all game) because he's just been so lights as of late. While that's good things for Buffalo, surely, it's very good news for Team USA for him to be having such great numbers.

What will the Rangers do tomorrow? Will it be a different story here? I'm not sure. The Buffalo game at least kept my interest. Actually the last four games (1-3) have been better to watch than the previous handful.

I just wish they'd win a couple in a row - for themselves, for us as fans, for everyone. To prove they can may help build what I'm sure is a pretty low confidence at this point.

HNIC Wrap-Up ~ 12/12/09. . .

2009-12-13T22:34:00.003-05:00

The biggest point I took out of HNIC Hockey Tonight was what Alex Ovechkin said. I know not eveyone loves the guy. I have had my moments of doubt in his most recent season, I won't lie, but I think overall he is good for the game. If for no other reason than this.

"I play every game as if it is my last game, because you never know what can happen on the ice."

I think the game, our game, would be a better one overall if more players played that way. Not reckless, not dangerous, not wild. But played the game with passion, love, and appreciation for how wonderful it is and how precious and short the time of playing it may be.

_________________________

Some funnies:

Turco had a quite a shootout versus San Jose on Friday night. To the Christmas Goose song, they showed Turco out poke-check three of the Sharks skaters.

PJ comes on screen and said "I got to follow the Christmas goose!"

LOL at PJ!

PJ then says Kelly never gets any credit. People always pick Gretzky first overall. PJ says he's picking a team, he's going with Kelly.

Although after he asked if Kelly is buying drinks, and Kelly refuses, PJ takes it back.

Ron McLean: "On HNIC where blue eyes can be PJ, Kelly, or Frank Sinatra."

___________________________

The "interrogation" of Mason Raymond on After Hours:

* Ryan Kesler said that Mason was a good dancer when he had a few. Mason says Kesler, Wellwood and O'Brien dance it up in the locker room after Canucks wins and that Kesler is one of the best dancers on the team.

* He had a border collie named Champ that used to retrieve balls/pucks that went past the net when he would shoot them. Unfortunately sounds like poor Champ stood in the net and got a few pucks as well. Ouch! See, how wonderful are dogs? Man's best friend, man's best game.

* How do you know you can marry a girl? When you take her cattle roping. Apparently worked for Mason and his wife Meg.

* Scott Oake started calling him Masie. Over and over and over. Apparently this was something new to Mason and his teammates were all over him for it. Masie. Ha!

* His name was "pulled from a hat" or so he says and his name was used in a skit on How I Met Your Mother. I didn't know they liked hockey on this show. I may have to watch. You can too here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPBEkoNqwQk (can't get to link properly)

* Who would be the worst hunting companion? "Hordy or Shane O'Brien" essentially because they talk too much!

Great interview. Raymond seems like one of those quiet, but funny guys.

Five Things on the Rangers/Blackhawks Game. . .

2009-12-11T19:41:00.003-05:00

I'll be honest, I wasn't able to watch the game closely as I was out with friends and that always proves difficult. Meanwhile...

* Higgins and Callahan are some of (the many) that need to be scoring. It was a nice goal from Higgins from a nice feed from Gaborik.

* Hank made 39 saves and had no chance at that goal mouth scramble that resulted in the tying goal for Chicago. It's a shame for him. As much as the less-than-stellar goal on Sunday night was arguably a fault of his, he's helped this team more than he's harmed them. Tonight was an example of that.

* You have to feel Hank's frustration. Staal alluded to it in his interview, saying that it was a case of Chicago having the puck all night long, chasing them, and taking untimely penalties. He said Hank deserved the 2 points. And watching Hank's interview, you can tell how upset he is. No one can ever tell me HE doesn't care. He always does.

* MSG.com game poll - Which Original Six Team will win the Cup next? Results were: 49% Chicago, 30% Rangers, 10% Red Wings, 8% Bruins, 3% Montreal and 0% Toronto. I guess a lot of Rangers fans have more confidence than me. But I'd put Chicago at #1, Bruins at #2, and Detroit at #3.

* In some regard it's nice to get a point in a hard building to play in (Blackhawks are #1 in the NHL at home), but in the other it's terribly disappointing to give up another late lead. Look, I mentioned it on Twitter. The Rangers are not a 1-0 team. They really have never been, not in my fandom. Yes, Renney tried to make them that, and yes, over the last few years there have been many low scoring games versus Boston, but...that doesn't make them a 1-0 team. They don't have the collective composure to hold onto that type of lead. They just don't. It's been rare when they have. They were close this time, but...couldn't hold it.

State of the Union at NHTProductions. . .

2009-12-11T10:58:00.004-05:00

As we bustle through the season of holiday fun, snow, and hockey, thought I'd take a few minutes out to make another clarification, if I may so bold as to do so.

Last night on my twitter feed I got a comment (we won't say complaint) that I wasn't talking enough about the Rangers and to stop spending so much time talking about the Coyotes.

First I got annoyed. It was very clear from the beginning - to me at least - that even though the Rangers logo appears and that the Rangers are #1 (in our hearts, not in the standings) that Natural Hat Trick Productions was always a hockey blog. A hockey blog with a Rangers flavor and favortism, but a hockey blog.

After the annoyance faded, I actual agreed on some level with the person who commented. I engage in A LOT of Coyote conversation. It's true. And the thought has crossed my mind that someone "following" me may be a little annoyed by it if they follow for "Ranger" or "NHL" news.

However, I can't apologize and I don't think it should have to change.

When the trade that rocked some of our worlds in March sent Petr Prucha - the like him, love him, don't care about him, but don't hate him bundle of energy - to the desert, my rooting interests changed. Or rather were added to.

I'm still a New York Rangers fan. But I had a player I cared about deeply go somewhere else. Somewhere you can't visit all the time. Somewhere that, with a BIG thanks to technology, you can only watch on TV and communicate about on the internet. Thankfully, it's still possible to root. To be a fan.

Thus I found a new team to follow. They don't replace the Rangers. Please. But I'm not one of those people that felt that you couldn't follow other teams when the Rangers weren't playing, or when they were not in the playoffs. I spent years following Dallas, San Jose, and the rest of those perennial playoff teams during the Rangers dark era. I did. And no regrets, and no apologies.

So why should there need to be apologies for spending evenings, late evenings, sometimes til 1am or beyond, chatting with people who like the Coyotes, like the Rangers and watch the Coyotes, or like both? Why? The greatest thing, besides the fact that "pepperpot" gets to play hockey (guess who was on during the last few minutes of a tie game? guess who was taking faceoffs last night?), is that it's opened up a whole new group of hockey friends to share the experience with.

If Prucha does not go to the Coyotes, I may root for them, hope well for them, but I do not watch them, I do not follow them so closely. He went, so I do. But it's really more than him. It is. I always respected Shane Doan. Don't know if it's possible not to. And I wanted well for the team. They are a fun team. A fun group of guys that, perhaps like Pete, did not get the chance to play somewhere else.

And they are doing a fantastic job there. Very enjoyable team to watch. They hustle, they support one another, they almost never back down from a game they are losing in. And I say what I am going to say next with love - they are more enjoyable to watch than the Rangers are right now.

If I'm apologizing for anything here, it's that with watching essentially every Rangers game and every Coyotes game, there has become little to no time for watching any OTHER team. And that does hurt. I have such a devoted interest to all hockey, and on a weekly basis there are many games I wish there was time to watch. I'm apologizing that the "Game of the Week" segment disappeared. I'm apologizing that the Flyers have fired their coach and I still have not seen them play a game yet this year! (Although that one may be on Versus a bit).

Before this "few minutes" gets to be more than it needs to be, the person who made the comment had a point. And while I will not stop at the late west coast hours chatting on twitter with fellow Rangers, Coyotes, and Prucha fans - my advice, btw, is to just ignore my twitter account during those late hours - I can make sure to add some more Rangers content to NHTProductions. Absolutely.

So to the random person who made the comment. Thank you. I won't apologize or change what I am doing regards the Coyotes, BUT, I'll be better about not forgetting my Rangers team either.

HNIC Wrap-Up ~ 12/5/09. . .

2009-12-08T22:49:00.003-05:00

Well what really else matters on Hockey Night in Canada if Jumbo Joe Thornton is going to be on After Hours~! =)

Seriously, if you like him or have no opinion on him, he's always a must-watch!

Granted, I'm assuming if you already hate him, his hilarious interviews will not change your opinion, but you never know...

________________

This week started with a big shock - JUMBO JOE HAD A SHIRT ON! Joe Thornton NEVER wears a shirt during interviews. Shirts almost seem to repel from him. It's an odd phenomenon.

My best guess - not along PJ's lines about whether or not he worked out enough at Venice Beach topless - is that he got married. Perhaps his wife does not want him going shirtless on national TV anymore. He got married over the summer. I don't know but...

________________

For the record, Joe and PJ played together in Boston and Joe calls him "one of his favorites of all times" as far as teammates go. Take that as you will.

PJ continues to express his disappointment that Joe is not shirtless and Joe promises next time he and Weeksie will go topless for the interview. (We'll see...)

__________________

Anyway, after PJ was done with his joking about Venice Beach and Joe's clothing or lack thereof, he asked a serious question. He listed the half dozen players Joe made a career of setting up (Setogucci, Cheechoo, Murray, Samsonov, Knuble, Guerin) and noted they were all righties, UNTIL Dany Heatley.

Joe thought it was a great question and he said he did have to change what he did and that he prefers setting up righties. Well until Dany Heatley that is.

We all know how well that is working so far for San Jose so no arguments yet.

Then After Hours sent PJ off for a "big beer" (Scott Oake: "He's got to rush because it's heading for last call at the Irish Embassy") and Joe off to...well, we're not sure.

____________________

Meanwhile in stepped Rob Blake. It was established:

* Blake scored around 2 of his career goals versus Kevin Weekes.

* He thinks the additions of guys like Manny Malhotra and Jed Ortmeyer were good ones to help fill in the puzzle in San Jose. (no argument here!)

* He made a point to sit and talk with Patrick Marleau when they knew that Blake would be taking the captain C after it was taken away from Marleau. Sounded like Marleau was ready to come and work hard and make it work, despite what obviously could have been an awkward situation.

* He's a "lousy doctor" but a "great hockey player"

* Actor James Caan is on his speed dial. And Ray Liotta trains with them sometimes.

* He can sing hip-hop lyrics when prompted.

* His son is a huge Joe Thornton fan so he was thrilled when his dad signed in San Jose!

______________

That's it for this week. Good After Hours. Love when we get the random guests of non Canadian teams in there. San Jose is always a treat. That Thornton/Boyle one was priceless. I'll find a clip fo that one on a day I need a cheer up!

Five Things About the Rangers/Red Wings Game. . .

2009-12-07T00:48:00.003-05:00

* How do the Rangers not score on ONE of their powerplays in the 3rd? How? The Rangers are actually VERY good on the powerplay at HOME. Detroit is LOUSY on the penalty kill on the ROAD. This does not fundamentally make sense!

* Detroit, despite not having all their players, is still Detroit. They can never be taken lightly. The Rangers played them well for most of the game. A shame, and a disappointment, they couldn't hold on.

* Word on the street (aka Twitter friends) is that Drury was so upset that he showed he has...get this - a pulse! By breaking his stick in frustration. My reaction to that. Umm - GOOD! (Well as long as you don't harm any teammates). Good. Show some emotion. Show - something! Make the team see that you, as "Captain Fun," do not think this is, um...fun. (To lose that is.)

* On the way home, I heard the Detroit commentary of the Stuart hit on Anisimov. "He's a rookie. Hasn't learned yet. Ding dong." - Seriously. That's what the broadcasters say. "Ding dong." Poor Arti. Kid's been trying hard and he gets his bell rung twice in a week. Poor kid.

* I would call this, on the surface, the Rangers playing a good enough game, but not a good enough game for the full 60 minutes. Another partial effort. Howard made some saves, yes, but was he lights-out enough that the Rangers couldn't have gotten another goal, after having so many glorious powerplay opportunities? I would lean towards no.

This one is disappointing. It is. Not that all losses aren't, but this one was such an achievable win. To not get it, and to have it all fall apart, seemingly, in the end, that hurts a bit. Not going to get any easier in a very slow week as the Rangers battle Chicago on Wednesday. We'll see how they respond.

Five Things on the Rangers/Sabres Game. . .

2009-12-06T14:10:00.003-05:00

* Due to technical difficulties with the satellite (ie: snow), I was not able to watch the first half of the game in its entirety (although Rangers fans kick butt for being so great as to send links to watch online! Thank you!). From what I did see though, that was a complete team effort. Supporting each other. Grinding. Moving. Skating. Passing. Pretty much doing what needed to be done to win. And they did.

* How important was it that Callahan and Higgins scored? These are two guys that many Rangers fans - and me too - expected to be able to pot around 20 goals easily this year. Easily has not been the case and even though there is plenty of the season to go, the Rangers have not scored in such a manner that would make me think that original assumption is still possible. BUT - if these guys can start to contribute more in any degree on the score sheet, the Rangers will benefit from it.

* Hank looked to have one of his more solid games than in the past handful. Honestly, I love the Rangers - I do! - but I did not think the Rangers stood much of a chance going into Buffalo on a Saturday night to play the red-hot Ryan Miller. I was proven wrong. Yes, the Rangers needed two goals to do it, but Hank kept them in the game with some nice saves.

* As much as the win was important, I think the way in which they played was more so. They need to play on the same page. They need to play as a team. And they need to do the little things. They are not "good enough" to just skate through the motions. They need to work and they need to work for a full 60 minutes. Last night was a good example of it, but sadly we've seen much to little of those games from them this year.

* With his assist on the Higgins goal, Marian Gaborik has scored points in 23 of his 26 games as a Ranger. Seriously? The guy is simply unreal.

That is all. Rangers quick turnaround to play Detroit at home in just under 5 hours. Enjoy the game everyone!

Yotes: From the Flames Game Day. . .

2009-12-05T11:26:00.005-05:00

Just to please the masses:

Prucha got the Coyotes first goal of the night en route to a 2-1 win. His goal broke a recent shutout streak by the recently very impressive Kiprusoff!

We're happy for you Pru! =)

Five Things on the Rangers/Penguins Game. . .

2009-12-01T00:09:00.003-05:00

I so should be sleeping right now, but...

* How good did Christopher Higgins, PA Parenteau and Artem Anisimov look together in their first few shifts? Now, how sad that didn't seem to last much beyond that?

* My grandmother asked me if the coach was changing lines as much as Renney was last year? I said perhaps not quite as much, but she had a point, one we've all made at one time or another. I know the Rangers do not have much to work with, but they seem to take every line that seemingly has or will ever have chemistry and tear it apart. Worse in Tortorella's case is because he has "feelings" for some players, he will pull them from the lineup, sit them on the bench, play them minimal minutes. Well that all further disrupts any chemistry that may be going on with those or other lines. Again, I'm all for accountability but I'm thinking it's something else that has to change.

* This morning Mike Ross on Hockey This Morning/XM204 and Larry Brooks in the Post both said the same thing. It's Tortorella's responsibility to get this team going in the right direction. To get them on one page, one page where they know what effort is expected of them. Where they come to play. He can't control what they do on the ice, whether they win or lose, score or don't score, but he can help control the way in which they do it. I think we'd all be a lot happier if they were playing hard and winning, but honestly, I'll take playing hard at this point. And playing hard so we all can say, damn, they got robbed. Not playing hard so they can just say that they did but we can't notice as fans.

* While I'm mentioning Tortorella, how about Captain Fun? Everyone has to take accountability for how they approach the game and individual work ethic, yes. But if we're placing blame on Torts, we have to blame some on Captain Mumbles too. We can belabour (sp?) the point over and over that he's a great 3rd line center being paid 1st line center marquee player money. BUT really what we should be concerned about - more concerned about - is that this group turned from a group of fun players into a bunch of mindless drones. Again! And this time they actually have personality to squash! The captain needs to get the players motivated. Get them angry. Get them to show - anything. Once again, I'm just not seeing enough of that.

* Lastly, as much as I love to see Gaborik score goals (#20 and #21 on the season tonight), it's becoming all the more sad to see him do so. Sad you ask, why? Because it's becoming all the more obvious that he's the only one that can, truly can score goals. And if not the only one that can, the only one that will. Worse? It's being wasted. Not to get into the Jagr/Gaborik debate, but when Jagr had his season of all seasons here, he was playing well, the team was playing well, and more than just he was contributing. With Gaborik, no one else seems to be playing the same game. Yes, part of that is blamed on youth, and bad pieces, and bad game plan, but all of it makes me sad. Gaborik came to New York for many reasons. I doubt he came to be what's turning into a one man show.

Rangers have four big days off before the next game. I do need a break from this, but I'm very scared to see what they throw out this coming weekend.

HNIC Wrap-Up ~ November 28, 2009. . .

2009-11-29T23:01:00.002-05:00

Sorry these have been few and far between. Not my intention and as many people HNIC is an important part of Saturday night and one I gladly partake in when I am home.

So as to not jump back (at least not now) - I'll just move forward.
______________________________________________________________________

Yesterday's Inside Hockey had an interview with Rick Nash, his agent, coach Ken Hitchcock, and the GM of Columbus, Scott Howson. And a testament to a young player that truly gets what "team" means.

He took less money than he would have commanded on the open market to stay in Columbus. But he and his agent were on the same page. He wanted to stay in Columbus, he wanted to be a player the city - a city of no other professional teams - could rally around.

Any other teams he wanted to play for? He grew up a Maple Leafs fan, so he always wanted to wear the Maple Leaf.

"Luckily for me I grew up playing with the Marlies, so I already had that," Rick said.

Hitchcock was pleased and both he and Howson feel it helped bring other players to the team, after news was out that Rick had been locked up to a long term deal.

Hitchcock said Rick's signing became a feeling for the hockey community of "what's right with Columbus" rather than "what's wrong with Columbus."

The strongest testament again to Rick's team first attitude.

"At the end of the day Columbus is just too good of a city and I'm a loyal guy."

Good for him, and great for Columbus.

If you have 5 minutes, check it out here.

What Has Happened to the Rangers. . .?

2009-11-29T13:17:00.004-05:00

We at NHTProductions have decided to take a break from the Five Things, because, well, essentially I'm not sure there are five points I can make about this team at this juncture. Instead, we'll try to see where this team got derailed.

Because, it's disheartening really - when you look at what the facts are presenting. Ignore the decline that was coming, for the moment. Look only back to Monday. A team that was in desperate need of a big effort got it. They scored, in bunches, and were able to do something a Rangers team has not done in quite a while - come back from a two goal deficit.

Their next effort was one of those play 'em close games, where the Rangers played much of it with only five defensemen, before going down to four during the final frame. A close affair, an unlucky goal allowed the tie, but they were able to hold down in OT and win in the shootout.

Friday night's game was the one where the car started to visibly shake. The alignment was off somehow. True, they were playing with (arguably) five young defensemen, including three rookies. But they were playing a Tampa team that has not looked super sharp in the early going. Vinny (oh poor Vinny) Lecavalier has not even looked like he realizes the season has started. And yet, super sophomore Stamkos breaks his four game scoreless streak against the NYRs, and notorious Rangers killer St. Louis pockets three assists, en route to a 5-1 drubbing. I'll be honest - that's not how I saw it playing out.

Last night's game, which I'll be honest, I watched in small intervals once the Penguins scored two quick to go up 3-1, was when car stopped shaking and the wheels fell off entirely. I feel bad for Valiquette, because unless he hasn't been "cheering" enough from the bench these last handful of games, he's really had no fault in this team going on their tailspin. Yet last night they dragged him right in.

The Rangers team had those five young defensemen and Rozsival. I'd be confident against them too. With no disrespect to the youth. Box score states that Staal and Sanguinetti were somehow able to be a +1 in this blech-fest.

Ignoring the defense themselves for a moment, what about defensive responsibility. Games that get totally out of control like this (remember, we've seen them from the other side, because that's pretty much what DID happen to Columbus in the Rangers super win last Monday and goodness knows the Rangers know how that feels) - I don't know what to think about them. I mean credit the fact that they were able to somehow score 3 goals, by defensemen ironically, but there is a major team disconnect that allows such bleeding to take place unchecked.

Again, as an isolated incident - a bad game, all teams have them - it's fine. But the second game in a row where your team is outscored so badly. Yet another game in a long line of disconnect games. That's disappointing. And that says more about this team than most of us want to admit.

I mean surely we don't want to take from the surface - and we can - that the reason the team has lost the last two games so glaringly is because Drury has returned and Redden is out of the lineup.

Surely we don't want to believe that as fact.

So it must be some other reason. Some other more plausible reason.

If I may hazzard a guess. This team, despite how close they are and how much more entertaining they were (at times) versus last year, is still not very good. Not very good at scoring. Not very good at keeping with a game plan - whatever it may be. Not very good at stopping the bleeding. Not very good at sticking up for one another (small incidents to the contrary aside).

And the players that were good last year (seemingly al year) - Callahan, Staal, Hank - have all struggled at times.

The players that were bad - Redden - have turned it around, if not to become good and certainly not great, but to become decent to steady.

Something weird is going on in Rangerland. Something very weird.

I thought I was dreading the Monday Columbus game after the non-effort versus Florida last weekend? Well, after this weekend's double dose of disappointment, I am really, REALLY not looking forward to the Penguins coming into the Garden tomorrow.

Not at all.

Five Things About the Rangers/Lightning Game...

2009-11-28T13:09:00.003-05:00

Okay, I'm going to be honest here, part of me really wants to suspend the "Five Things" when the Rangers give up five goals and "play" as badly as they did. But we'll give it a go...

* The Rangers played a game last night. Seriously? Did someone tell them that?

* Tortorella called this the worst game of the season. I couldn't continue watching it with the interest I would if the Rangers were actually playing, so I'm not sure, but I'd have to think he was right.

* What a sad first NHL game for NJ native Bobby Sanguinetti. Although he played over 16 minutes, took a shot, and was only a -1 for all the damage, so I only mean sad for the sake of the result, not for his effort in it.

* Why does, with the exception of that game vs Tampa early last season when Voros fought him, Mike Smith always seem to look brilliant when I see him play. He's 4-4-4 in games played with a .892 Save % and 3.17 GAA, but yet when I see him, he's always looking sharp. Why is that?

* I think I expected they'd start Valiquette in Pittsburgh on Saturday BEFORE the game got away. Now I think they have to. I'm not saying Hank was the reason it went wrong last night, but...I think he needs a break with the back part of the home and home on Monday.

And a bonus question - with a Washington/Montreal game going as well tonight, how long do I give the Rangers before I turn the game off if it goes badly?

It's a good question. Hopefully the Rangers do their part and I won't need to answer it.

Five Things on the Rangers/Panthers Game. . .

2009-11-27T11:48:00.002-05:00

First of all, I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Even though I caught up on some games (like the Calgary/Coyotes game that had more former Rangers than I could count - Prucha, Korpikoski, Sjostrom, Lundmark, and Dawes (GWG) and the Canucks/Kings tilt), I apparently didn't find myself time to update the blog. ;)

* Does anyone else remember last year's Thanksgiving Eve? (Well, alcohol may or may not have played a factor in that...) The Rangers played Tampa, they led the game late, gave up the tying goal with less than a minute to go to St. Louis, and then won in a shootout. Thankfully. This Thanksgiving Eve, the Rangers played Florida, led the game late, gave up the tying goal to Moore, and then won in a shootout. Thankfully. Only difference was 3-2 SHW a year ago, and a 2-1 SHW this year. If the Rangers beat Tampa Bay tonight in a shootout (as they did Thanksgiving Friday against Florida last year) we'll really see history repeating itself.

* Who is not thankful for P.A. Parenteau. The guy said he wanted to come up and stay up this time around and he's doing everything to be considering for that. Two deciding goals in the Rangers only two shootout appearances this season. Can't ask for more than that. And did you see Tortorella's grin after he scored? It was like, damn, this kid. He was right.

* Gaborik scored a goal, on the powerplay, for the Rangers? You don't say. No, honestly here. It was smart movement on the PP all around. And a very smart tip by Gaborik. Not that we should be surprised anymore with his talent. But we're happy to continue to see it displayed. The goal was Gaborik's league leading 19th and currently has him in a tie for points, at 33, with Thornton and Kopitar.

* It's always nice to see a player defend his teammate. Even nicer when it's someone you may not have expected. Matt Gilroy, seeing Prospal hit by the same player whose hit took out Redden early in the game, jumped in for his first career fight. He took 17 minutes in penalties, but the message was clear - don't mess with our guys. Great to see from the young guy. But why can't everybody be so willing to defend their own?

* Because it's Thanksgiving time and there isn't much else to talk about here, why not give a quick rundown of what or who I am most thankful for on the Rangers 2 months into the season:

- Gaborik, Gaborik, Gaborik. If there's a Rangers fan that is not thankful for this guy, I'd love to know it. He scores, sometimes the Rangers only goals. He PKs, even though we sometimes wish he wouldn't. He playmakes. He does it all and in a way that makes you think it's effortless. A priceless talent. Very thankful for him.

- Del Zotto and Gilroy. Again, I can not express to you, after years and years and years where the Rangers had no youth or no defensive anything, besides stopgaps, how wonderful it is to have two (really four) players that are OURS. Two players that are young, are ours, and are good. This isn't discounting Girardi and Staal (my favorite player how has struggled this year but has looked better as of late) but Del Zotto and Gilroy have hardly seemed to struggle to settle in. It's remarkable really. Just do the job and do it well. Del Zotto's offense is just icing on the cake. It's been a long time for something like that.

- Hank. I can't go through a thankful list without mentioning the goalie. No, he's not perfect. At some moments he's very pedestrian. But on a scale, overall, he's been able to do things other goalies have not. Play with as much consistency in his first years in the league as to be recognized as one of the best. Play with as much talent as necessary to keep what has been a very low scoring (after the Jagr years) and defensively challenged team in playoff contention. He may not be perfect. But take Hank out of the equation, this team has not been a playoff team for all four years. No way.

Enjoy the games this weekend!! Again, I think we can all agree to be thankful for the greatest game of all - hockey! I know I am.

Five Things About the Rangers/Blue Jackets Game. . .

2009-11-24T12:04:00.000-05:00

* Who were those guys and what did they do with the Rangers? You may think I'm being all "haha" but no, I'm serious. Who were those guys? I haven't seen them in. . . well, in a long time.

* Important not just that the Rangers scored 7 - count 'em 7 goals - last night, but important in who scored them. One, a recently struggling and seemingly unhappy Sean Avery, and two, defensemen Gilroy and Del Zotto - both who had been off the score sheet for much too long. For the Rangers to win, the defense has to contribute, not just in their own end, but with points as well. Not meaning to forget about Parenteau and Anisimov - both had career highs in points with 2 and 3 respectively. An important night for contributions all around. A real team effort. And Christopher Higgins didn't look too bad on the top line with Gaborik (2G, 2A) and Prospal, did he now?

* The fact that they won was almost a side story to how they won. And I don't even mean the 7 goals. Whatever Tortorella said - and even if he did indeed just say breathe, there's a lot more hockey left to play - that deserves credit. Credit him for knowing what to say to get the team to get back to playing a go-go-go game. And credit the players for actually looking alive and doing so. This was much needed and it had been much, MUCH, too long since they had played this way.

* Del Zotto's goal was pretty. There's still something about a defenseman making a play like that that just makes you feel there is something right in the world.

* Speaking of special defensemen, think the Rangers will try to have Brian Leetch do TV work at all their games? He brought them luck, he helped them win. Heck he even was around for when the Sean Avery (2) and Marian Gaborik scored three goals in 111 seconds, the fastest three goals by the Rangers since Theo Fleury, Sandy McCarthy, and Brian Leetch himself did it back in 2001.

I am sure Hank didn't love the game and giving up four goals, but man. After not having seen so much as a sniff of goal scoring in what was weeks, feels like months, I'll take it. Every time. Columbus is not a bad team. They just couldn't stop the bleeding.

And if anyone knows how that goes, the Rangers are surely among them.

Five Things About the Rangers/Panthers Game. . .

2009-11-22T19:39:00.003-05:00

This is going to be rough, because honestly, I'm not sure what to say that hasn't been said:

* If you missed it, the Rangers pre-game showed a great interview with Adam Graves and spokesperson for the NHLPA Goals and Dreams organization Rob Zamuner. Zamuner talked about visiting Bosnia, and how people would never realize how hockey has reached everywhere, even that war-torn corner of the world. Great stuff. Really great stuff. On NHTP favorite PJ Stock, his fellow spokesperson, he said:

"We were roommates in Boston. I'm glad he's gone and he's back home. We'll catch up with him tomorrow, but he was outstanding with the kids. Every tour needs a clown and he was ours."

* Speaking of...well. Anyone else surprised that Avery didn't get a goaltender interference penalty when he tangled with Vokoun last night. Not saying he either deserved it or didn't but, some restraint by the referee in not calling him for it. And some sarcasm by the author of this blog right there.

* Gaborik scored his 16th goal of the season which ties him with Alex Ovechkin for 2nd in the league, two behind Dany Heatley. Ho-hum, Gaborik scored again. Ho-hum, he's the only one that can. Seriously, what would the Rangers do without Gaborik? I argue they'd have won half as many games - at least.

* The Rangers took their patented second period nap in this game, but to me, they didn't look awake at all. Sure it wasn't the worst snoozefest of the year or recent past, but it was close. It's bad enough they are not winning, not scoring, but do they have to do it with such lifelessness? Callahan, once always a factor, has been a non-factor more than he's been one. Half the team seriously looks invisible. You ask me what any player did on the ice last night, save Gaby and Hank, and Prospal, and I really can't answer you.

* On that note, the Rangers team has too many passengers, not enough drivers. (Somehow I think I just referenced something from my college Leadership class - um, scary). They finally have a game changer again - thankfully- but they are wasting him by having almost every other person go idly by. No one was particularly bad in last night's game, but no one was particularly good either. And it's not good enough. The Rangers will continue to lose if they do not put forth a better effort. And that's what hurts the most. Yes, Captain-Fun is gone and Dubi is out, but how come Florida was able to win the game with three American Hockey League players in their lineup? The Rangers look like a disheveled and disinterested mess!

Someone, stop the bleeding - please!

Follow NHLPA Goals and Dreams 10 Countries in 10 Days Trip. . .

2009-11-21T11:52:00.003-05:00

Goals and Dreams is a fantastic cause supported by the NHLPA and currently they are involved in a trip to 10 Countries in 10 Days to give away hockey equipment to continue to expand the sport of hockey.

Personal favorite PJ Stock and Rob Zamuner lead the group, and meet up with many former NHL players (and NYR players) along the way including Markus Naslund, Martin Straka, and Martin Ruchinsky.

Enjoy these clips and look for more here courtesy of the NHLPA.

Some of my favorites:

DAY ONE: (Naslund/Forsberg)

DAY ONE: (Naslund)

DAY TWO: (Tikkanen)

DAY FIVE: (Stock as Professional)

DAY FIVE: (Straka)

DAY SEVEN: (Stocker coaching kids)

Five Things About the Rangers/Capitals Game. . .

2009-11-18T00:38:00.002-05:00

Another game, another loss. Please don't tell me this is how the home stand is going to unfold.

* For the first 10-or-so minutes of this game, the Rangers were flying. They were go-go-going in the manner we envisioned Torts pushing them to go. They won battles, put pressure on, kept the puck in Washington's zone. As wonderful as it was to see, it was just as evident that it was so rare to see from this team as of late.

* At the Garden tonight they showed a really great clip montage of vintage Rangers clips meshed with current Rangers clips. Whoever thought of that - very good idea. You could tell many fans at the Garden were watching and saying, hmm, this is new, this is cool.

* In the 2nd period, the Rangers normal "nap" period, they actually pressed the puck. I'd guess they had no less than 6 takeaways. Which is something I hadn't noticed before, so I'm going to go with - this is something they don't normally do. Getting to those loose puck battles, standing up and taking the puck away from someone on the Capitals unexpectedly.

* Gaborik has a special something. It should have - and was - evident in every single game so far, it would seem, but yet tonight, with his two goals, it was incredibly obvious. If you are a goalie, you almost can't see his shot. He's that quick. But my favorite thing about Gaborik, a quarter into the season, is the way he is able to pick up a puck. A puck is coming to him, and he has one hand on the stick to pick it up, without any bit of effort, and he slides so easily into his motion of - making a play, a pass, a shot. The way he appears to be barely holding on to the hockey stick, and yet he can make such fluid motions. It's really something. It really is.

* Such a disappointing loss tonight. Really. You have your guy - let's face it, your ONLY guy, score two goals, to keep you in a game that perhaps, you shouldn't have been in, and you manage to lose the tie with less than five minutes to go. Very depressing. They didn't play badly, but they didn't play well enough to win.

The Rangers have three days off before Florida comes to the Garden on Saturday. We'll see how they rebound. I don't even know what to expect to expect.

The Mystery of Sean Avery. . .

2009-11-16T21:30:00.004-05:00

First of all I feel pretty badly that I've been so busy trying to watch all the
Rangers and Coyotes games, in addition to my real job and trying to have a life - an other than hockey life ;) - that the blog is much darker than it was to start last season or that I'd like it to be.

Perhaps part of that is how much more there was to gripe..er talk about
last year - with the record sertting start, to the dismal decline, to the
boring play, to the lack of personality of the players.

Actually, now that I'm listing things, this is sounding a lot like last year on the surface.

Well, with personality that is.

Anyway if you read this blog you know I don't do the Xs and Os thing. There are so many more bloggers that do this and do this well. So instead what you get from me is creative rambling.

Why you haven't gotten that thus far is because - ignoring time constraints that is - I honestly have no more answers than the rest of you.

Which brings us to a topic I can ramble readily about -

Reader Luke mentioned it in the comments here on NHTP. Carp on Rangers Report mentioned it after the Vancouver game two weeks ago. It was a Milbury, McLean, Hrudey conversation on HNIC two Saturday's ago . And Larry Brooks finally out right wrote about it in today's NY Post.

The topic at hand, you ask.

Just what the heck is up with Sean Avery?

First let's break down all the possible things that can be causing Sean Avery to be the anti-Sean Avery.

- He's still playing hurt and either playing through it or not being honest about it.

- He is playing timid because Tortorella has pressured him to do that.

- He is playing timid because he is afraid he can't be the real Sean Avery without punishment from referees.

- He has something personal going on and doesn't have his head in the game.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Now, let's analyze:

Option ONE -

None of us can speak to. I have no more information than you. I
would only hope that if he were injured he'd man up, say so, and take the time to get healthy.

Option TWO -

Tortorella seemed to deny this by his CBC comments and in the Brooks'
article today.

Tortorella got on HNIC when the Rangers were up in Toronto and said that he and Avery had a good relationship and were on the same page.

In Brook's article Tortorella is quoted:

"It's very important for the club for Sean to show his personality," Tortorella told The Post. "I think there are a lot of people around the club and who follow the club who think that the coaching staff is holding Sean back from being who he is.

"That is not the case. I want and we want Sean to be who he is. And he knows that, I guarantee you that he knows that. We've talked to Sean. It's not only the coaches. Everyone in the organization has told Sean that he needs to show his personality out there."

So it would seem, and we would hope, that this is the case.

Option THREE -

When Sean came back last March and started his second stint with the Rangers few could deny he got some unfair treatment by the referees. Things that were very marginal got called because they were committed by #16 in blue, not because they were actually cut and dry penalties.

That isn't to say that Sean didn't earn any of his own penalties or that he was always a target, but it's hard to say he wasn't treated differently. Whether you agree or disagree that he did (or that he deserved it) will probably tell which side of the Sean Avery line you fall on.

The culmination of this "situation" happened in the Rangers first round playoff series versus the Capitals. After a game of four penalties, two of them marginal, in game 3, and 2 penalties in the closing minutes of game 4, Tortorella did the thing everyone wondered if he'd do - he benched Sean Avery for game 5. The Rangers slept through most of Avery's suspended game, and Sean returned a quiet man in Game 6. Sean's best game of the playoffs, and perhaps his renewed Ranger career, came in Game 7, where he skated on the Rangers best line and looked fantastic.

But since the season started and Sean returned from injury (he missed the Rangers first four games of the season), he has not looked at all like the Sean we've known. He had six points in his first 7 games (4 wins and 3 losses in that order), and has had no points in his last 8.

As for penalties, he was called for none in his first 4 games back. He's taken 19 penalty minutes in his 15 games, but that included a five minute fighting major versus NJ on October 22nd.

Surely doesn't appear that he's been getting called as much as he was - although one boarding call was pretty absurd - but that doesn't mean he still isn't playing scared. The league has painted him as a villian. Chances are he still remembers that.

Option FOUR -

- Is Sean distracted? As much as he loved playing in New York, is he over it? Is he over hockey? Is his mind on something else?

Again, only he can answer this but this is the one option I'll be very disappointed in knowing is the right one. Not everyone gets second chances, in the city and for the team they love. Sean is not evil and he doesn't deserve all the crap he endures - at least I don't believe he does - but he owes it to me, and all the others who support him, to be trying with all he has, every single night.

______________________________________________________________________________

Overall:

Now, we may never be able to truly answer the question and pick an option, but I can say this much.

For Sean to be effective he needs to be aggressive. Smart but aggressive. I haven't
seen that yet from him this year. He's played too safe, definitely too safe. And when he's trying to please other people, rather than be himself, he is just not right.

So, if I had to take a guess, I'd say it's option number three we are looking at. For some reason Sean is playing scared, and not being who he can be, who he needs to be. Now, perhaps he is scared Tortorella will not support him if he goes too far in the other direction, afraid he'll be called for too many penalties (a very real risk), and he just doesn't know how to balance that fear.

Sean also, it seems, hasn't had the opportunity to work through it all that much. In the loss in Montreal, he'd have his season high ice time of 18:45. His season low - a mere 5:56 in Edmonton on November 5th. The less effective he is, the less he'll play, as per Tortorella.

However, this was a guy that "potentially" was coming into the season to play with Gaborik and Dubinsky. That may have been tried in the ever-changing switcharoos, but it didn't last.

Sean, when he's been in NY, has played best when he's playing first or second line minutes, with guys of speed and/or talent.

Sean's greatest assets are his skating, his ability to get the puck to where it needs to be, and his work around the back of the net as a setup guy. I haven't seen these things in enough abundancy this year. I fear in addition to whatever fear it is he has, that his lack of production may also be a result of who he is playing with.

I felt, I think rightly so, that Sean could get 15-20 goals this year. But if and only IF he is playing with the right players. But it seems no one on New York that isn't Gaborik, Prospal or Kotalik is the right players - for scoring that is. Not sure where that leaves Sean.

___________________________________________________________________________________

The bottom line is that Sean needs to be the player he can be. He really does. One, for himself, two, for the team, and three, to prove some of his critics wrong. He can't fix everything that's happened. No one expects him to. But if Sean is every able to make the best of his second chance, it's by being a good teammate, and an effective teammate.

It was pointed out, by Milbury in fact, that Sean looked disinterested. Well a disinterested Sean is essentially a useless Sean. He needs to be involved. The Rangers need him to be involved.

Larry Brook's in today's article said,

"This Avery might even get Gary Bettman's seal of approval."

If that doesn't tell you just how far off the right path Sean is, I don't know what will.

What I want, what the team NEEDS, is to have the REAL Sean Avery here, in New York playing for the Rangers. What I want, what the team NEEDS, is to see Sean Avery smiling again.

Even though you never know exactly what he's smiling about, Sean Avery is just so much more likeable when he's smiling, no?

Five Things About the Rangers/Senators Game. . .

2009-11-14T15:00:00.002-05:00

* I tried to watch the Rangers defensemen more closely. Thought Redden had a good start to the game in terms of offensive movement. Chipping the puck, a few nice little passes, smart plays at the blue line and neutral zone. As the game went on, he had a few more. This is the most composed I've seen him in a while AND he was in Ottawa. Interesting.

* In case you were late getting back for the 3rd period, MSG announced that Prospal's shorthanded goal was the ONLY shorthanded goal of his career. Kinda seems hard to believe, but I don't know how much PK time he had in Tampa, I'll be honest. And as much as I have to hold my breath everytime Gaborik is on the ice down a man, this is a benefit of having him there - the chance to get some offense. The Rangers used to get a lot of shorties when the Czechmates like Dvorak and Nedved were on PK duty.

* This team has serious offensive problems. They can't seem to buy a goal. Earlier in the season the Rangers had a bunch of scoring from defensemen which made their totals look better (they were leading the league in goals scored for a whlie) but it seems everyone has stopped scoring at once. Except for...well, the guys that always do - Gaborik and Prospal. Them and whomever is called up for the game from Hartford.

* Can someone tell me where the team that was supposed to go-go-go went to? I know the Rangers usually take a winter nap in November or December, but there is little excuse when this team doesn't hit, doesn't skate, and doesn't play with some level of tenacity. I find it hard to believe Tortorella is happy with the effort in that regard. As a fan, I'm not happy with the way they've regressed.

* One sign these aren't last year's Rangers - it's almost American Thanksgiving and this was their first shootout game. Congrats to P.A. Parenteau for getting the deciding goal in the skills contest, in front of his family and friends. Good for him and he (and Hank) stole the Rangers two points tonight.

Five Things About the Thrashers/Rangers Game. . .

2009-11-13T00:29:00.004-05:00

Another game, another loss. 2 in a row for the Blueshirts. =(

* The Rangers giving up the two very, very quick goals to Atlanta (like, oops, blink, they scored again, goals) reminded me of last year. It really did. Never a good thing. Good teams need to know how to focus and stop the bleeding.

* Gaborik's goal was - nice. I wasn't even sure who shot it at first, but given the reaction and the fact that it, umm, went in the net, you had to be 90% sure who it was. Guy has a special talent. Shame the Rangers don't have 4 more of him.

* Props to Cally for sticking up for himself after that hit. I don't know much of Zach Bogosian, probably due to his being injured last year and playing for, umm, Atlanta, but they had a nice little tangle. If no one else is going to do the dirty work, I'm happy Cally did it himself. (A little like Doan, although immediate in reaction). He had a fired up game, Cally did. I thought to myself, he looks better than he has in recent games. I noticed him more. Drury absense = better Cally?

* During a TV time out, Boyle stood with referee Kerry Fraser and talked for quite a bit, getting an explaination of his tripping penalty. Sometimes you catch it and sometimes you don't, but this was a lengthy conversation. At first glace, which is all I really had, it looked relatively harmless, but you are responsible for your skate, no?

* Rangers scored 3, which was a big plus over these one goal showings, but still fell apart at the wrong times. A few bad penalties. A second period nap. And they couldn't rebound. Disappointing, because even though Hedberg often beats the Rangers, this game probably was a should have won game.

Who wants a real blog entry? I do! Special events aside. I want a real blog entry on the Rangers. So, coming this weekend. Something more than "Five Things" - something deeper on the red, white, and blue. Looking forward to it.

I just hope I keep my word. ;)

Congratulations To My Favorite Player on the Eve of His HHOF Induction. . .

2009-11-09T18:51:00.004-05:00

My favorite hockey player is being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame tonight. My favorite player - ever.

I don't think many of us - I certainly didn't - knew just how blessed we were to get to watch someone like him play, night in, night out. How his style of play, his work ethic, his quiet demeanor, would so deeply affect the team while he was on it and make us all, over five and a half years after his departure, still long for those days as if they were yesterday.

If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm talking about Brian Leetch, my favorite player. Arguably - and yes, a very, very good argument can be made - the best Rangers player. Ever.

If he's not the best player ever to don the red, white, and blue, surely he's among the best. No one dare argue that.

The man of relatively few words off of it, Leetch never failed to make every statement while on the ice. The way he was able to lead a rush and get back, effortlessly, flawlessly - you just don't see that anymore. I get a odd sense of bittersweet joy when I remember it even today. Joy because he was simply that good, and bittersweet because he couldn't play forever.

Speaking of joys, I truly consider it one of my greatest joys that I was a Rangers fan and able to watch someone of Leetch's, in ways unparalleled, talent play for my favorite team. Players like him do not come along every day. If you are a Rangers fan, until recent seasons perhaps, you were still waiting for a decent to semi-good defensemen, let alone one that could be described as great, spectacular, marquee, and yes, homegrown.

For I would have loved Brian Leetch if he were from any country. I seriously would have. But it gave me satisfaction to know that Brian was both mine, as a Rangers fan, and mine, as an American. It was a great source of pride. Someone that it can be argued was one of the best defensemen to ever play in the game - from any country - and he was born in Texas, and raised in the New England area.

The American roots would be intertwined with him forever, for more than just two reasons, but never for more than these two.

- Brian Leetch was the first American born player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP. I would imagine he will not be the only American to ever win the award, but 15 years later, he is still the only one.

- Brian Leetch captained the greatest American hockey team to come together in our lifetime. I still get chills thinking about the 1996 World Cup. I've seen exciting hockey, but I certainly have not seen as exciting hockey played on an international stage. Certainly not with the Americans coming out on top. What a series. And Leetch was very much a part of that.

When looking back on Brian's remarkable career - and remarkable doesn't even begin to do justice to the guy so often overlooked because while he was graceful and smooth, he wasn't flashy - the only disappointment I can name is that it didn't end in New York. If anyone - anyone - deserved to retire a Ranger, it was Brian Leetch. He's not over it, understandably, and we can't go back, but as much as the disappointment is there, I think it's now been buried far enough. Buried under all the wonderful memories of the player that Brian was, and the person he still is.

I could probably go on about Brian Leetch forever, but instead I think I'll let his former teammate, Mike Richter, speak for me, just this once.

"There's only going to be one Brian Leetch," said Richter. "He was not just great, he was unique in the way he was great. You know what? I really miss watching him play."

So do I, Ricky. So do I.

Congratulations, Brian Leetch, and thank you.

#2 Forever.