Blue Notes

Maybe it was the hint of spring that was melting the snow up here in Westchester.

Or maybe the terrific retro tribute CD by the Smithereens---Jersey guys all influenced by Brit Invasion bands---that recreates, track-by-track, the seminal "Meet the Beatles" from 1964, that was on my SUV CD.

Yeah, including "I Saw Her Standing There", "It Won't Be Long", "Not a Second Time" and, you guessed it, "This Boy." Recommended listening.

Which leads me to this: somehow today, the Rangers' locker room and training area looked and felt a little more youthful, fresher.

No, it's not just the absence (permanent) of Aaron Ward and (temporary) Brendan Shanahan. It may be an accumulation of changes from a few months ago that suddenly struck me.

Also missing were some of the faces from earlier in the season: Ozolinsh, Kaspar and Jason Ward, good guys, but departed.

It was the presence of Jarkko Immonen, Dan Girardi, Tommy Pock, Sean Avery, Paul Mara and Matt Cullen (who plays far younger than he is) added to the mix of Lundqvist, Prucha, Tyutin, Hossa, Hollweg, Ortmeyer, Betts. And some twenty-somethings are on the way, perhaps before the end of the season, with four moves allowed with roster expansion.

Perhaps it was the realization that Jagr, Straka, Rozsival, Malik and presumably Shanny and perhaps Nylander will be what's left of the old---in a sense---guard next year. Throw in a talented center---I'd try to pry Olli Jokinen from Florida---and Marc Staal, and the transformation continues.

A lot of devoted fans were on their virtual knees online begging the front office not to surrender top prospects and picks for rental players. They didn't, so cut them some slack.

While I've lobbied all season here for the Rangers to give prospects longer looks, I'm not seeing what the coaching staff sees on video and in meetings. Sure, Buffalo and San Jose (my pre-season pix for the Finals, FYI, you can look it up in the clips) seem to be able to plug in talented youngsters at the drop of the hat, this organization isn't there yet. It moves slooooow.

The reality is, Shanahan's concussion was a major blow to this year's playoff run.

Mathematically, there's still a possibility that this team could find themselves facing the final four regular season games in April---a month from tomorrow---being something more than spoilers.

If not, then that room will look even more like training camp long before September.

Might not be a bad thing.

****

Spoke a little more with Mara, who worked on he second PP unit today. Look for that in tomorrow's paper or on newsday.com

On the injury front, Straka, whose shoulder may need some surgery in the offseason, didn't skate and looks doubtful for the Pens. Coach Tom Renney is keeping his fingers crossed for Saturday against the Blues.

And just a guess here, barring other injuries, the Rangers are going to give the Isles all they handle next week.
Ryan Smyth, who bid a tearful farewell to Edmonton, better shake off the shock and make a quick adjustment....

Later...

C Jarkko Immonen and winger Brad Isbister have been called up for tonight's game, at least....

D Paul Mara, acquired for Aaron Ward, is en route here from Toronto, and may be in time to play...

More later....

Greetings form the Garden after a bit of traffic....

Yes, the Rangers have confirmed that the prospect in swap that sent LW Pascal Dupuis to Atlanta is Alex Bourret.

Dupuis, an unrestricted free agent, was acquired from Minnesota in exchange for Adam Hall on Feb. 9. He scored a goal in his debut as a Rangers against Carolina on Feb. 15, and was scoreless in the next five games.

Bourret is a 20-year-old, 5-10, 208 pound winger who likes to be physical. He was Atlanta's first pick in the 2005 draft. Not a scorer, more of an agressive forechecker.

More later...

The Rangers have confirmed that Aaron Ward was traded to Boston for defenseman Paul Mara...

Good deal.

Mara is younger, 27 and from Ridgewood, N.J.

Ward, outspoken to a fault, for some reason didn't quite fit in New York, or with this team, following his Stanley Cup season in Carolina.

Mara was drafted 7th overall in the first round of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft by the Lightning and shipped to. the B's on June 26, 2006 for fellow D Nick Boynton.

It is unclear whether Mara will be available to play tonight. If not, Thomas Pock will step in.

Rangers defenseman Aaron Ward, who had a shouting match with Jaromir Jagr on the bench in Tampa on Feb. 3, has been traded to Boston for a player to be named, according to TSN. I will try to confirm ASAP.

I'm guessing it's for a defenseman...

Ward, 34, signed a two-year, $5.5 million deal with the Rangers last July. He was a member of the Hurricanes last season. In 60 games this season, Ward has three goals and 13 points.

"It's rumors and innuendo, that's today. That's what today does. I don't expect anything. "

That was Rangers coach Tom Renney's response when asked about a short, largely-unattributed report in today's Post that Jaromir Jagr was offered to at least one Western Conference team.

Then, Renney was asked if he would be pleased to see Jagr, who was not at the optional skate in Westchester before tonight's game against the Canadiens, here tomorrow.

"I don't even have to worry about tomorrow," Renney said.

***
Martin Straka (shoulder) didn't practice for the second consecutive day, and won't play tonight. "He's day to day," said Renney. Depending on what happens at the 3 p.m. trade deadline, a forward could be summoned from Harford. "Whether it involves a call-up, we'll see."

They won't have Jason Krog, who was claimed off waivers by his former team the Thrashers.

****

Renney also downplayed the recent reports of a serious blow up between defenseman Aaron Ward and Jagr on the bench during the second period in Tampa on Feb. 3.
"It's funny how it happens, these things take on a life of their own," he said. "It's such an intense game, emotional and passionate. I yell on the bench, if I don't, I might not get the attention of people. I don't think it's a big deal at all, it's so far in the rear-view mirror."
Ward, sitting at his locker, politely turned away questions about the incident. "Nothing to talk about. No comment."

****

As for unattributed trade rumors, here's one: the Rangers might be kicking the tires on Olli Jokinen and Danius Zubrus.

But on the other hand, the Rangers might do something much more minor...

Especially about potential NHL trades in the last few days--and weeks.

With the proliferation of talk radio and web sites---not to mention that grand old tabloid tradition---rumors can be floated by anyone with a laptop.

Nowadays, they are whisked around, picking up debris like a midwest tornado and gaining visibility.

Until a vast majority of them peter out.

Fun to watch from a distance, I guess.

It brings to mind an old New Yorker cartoon with two canines---one a beagle, if I recall---with paws poised above a PC keyboard. The caption went something like this: "You know the great thing about the Internet? Nobody knows we're dogs."

Hearsay goes a long way these days. Gossip rules.

By no means should this entry single out any journalists, although I marvel at the way today's New York Post item on a purported shopping of Jaromir Jagr was worded: "believed to have been...said to have blah-blah".
Read closely, folks. No quotes. People are protected.

I used a similar tactic the other day, citing multiple unnamed---but trustworthy---sources on this blog when I first reported about the Ward-Jagr dust-up in Tampa and that Ward was scratched, possibly indicated a trade was coming. I desperately try to further confirm information before it's printed in Newsday.

Anyway, Rangers president Glen Sather---and any savvy GM in any sport---has said in the past that everybody has a price. What's the harm in that? There may be a guy---or gal---willing to offer something absurd amid all the yakking and schmoozing. If I were a GM, I'd float anything.

Listen, I'm treading carefully here, because certainly, experienced, veteran hockey writers have great sources in the game. They should be treated with far more respect than the cyberspace rabble.

Hey, anything's possible at this time of year, when it's fantasy hockey.

Given that premise, during the day, I'll try to pass along things I'm told that I believe have some semblance of possibility.

And of course, news.

I just seriously doubt that Jagr, the team captain, whose contract has great value and is the face of the franchise, is being "shopped" with any aggressiveness---or that he'll be traded today.

Stay tuned...more from practice later

We'll see what Jags has to say....

In a move that clears roster space for either a trade or a callup, center Jason Krog was waived.

Krog, a healthy scratch for the past seven games, was acquired off waivers from Atlanta on Jan. 12.
He had two goals in nine games with the Rangers.

The Rangers top front office execs (President and GM Glen Sather and Assistant GM Don Maloney) are in Edmonton in advance of Mark Messier's jersey retirement ceremony tomorrow. That's where their temporary trade deadline headquarters are located.

Blues center Petr Cajanek also was waived....I'd think he's a possibility for the Blueshirts

Stay tuned....

***
Martin Straka (shoulder) did not practice and said he didn't know whether he would skate tomorrow before the game against Montreal.

Just to clarify one thing on the previous post:

The coach said that Ward was receiving treatment for his shoulder and that Karel Rachunek didn't skate on Friday because he was resting his knee. Today, Rachunek had flu symptoms.

I assume we will find out more later, but at this time of year, players are often scratched when there is a deal on the table to eliminate the possibility of an injury. This is the last Rangers game before the trade deadline.
Let's see who's scratched on those teams. The Sharks are in Calgary; Kings at home...

When Ward hurried through the locker room, past his cubicle---which had a coffee cup and some yogurt on the seat--- he had nothing visible on his shoulder.

Maybe he could just use a rest, and Pock can fill in, although there's probably no practice Sunday....

Seems suspicious, especially after hearing several people mention Ward's shouting match with Jagr on the bench in Tampa Bay on Feb. 3, which apparently was nasty and accusatory...

Defenseman Aaron Ward left the ice this morning during an optional practice after he was told he would be scratched for tonight's game against Columbus, raising the possibility that he could be traded before Tuesday's deadline.

Rumors surfaced a few weeks ago that Nashville had inquired about Ward, and more recently, San Jose has apparently discussed a potential three-way deal with the Rangers and Kings in which Ward would go to San Jose and the Rangers would receive either D Brent Sopel or Mattias Norstrom from LA.

The normally chatty Ward, who signed a two-year free-agent deal last summer after winning the Stanley Cup with Carolina, strode briskly past reporters who were unaware of the circumstances of his departure from the ice after the skate.

Coach Tom Renney would only say that he had not settled on his blue-line combinations yet, because at least one player had flu symptoms.

Ward, 34, has played in all 60 games, scored three goals and registered 10 assists, and is a minus 3. He has been playing with a broken toe and been part of several defensive breakdowns in recent weeks.

Several sources said that Ward engaged in a loud dispute with Jaromir Jagr on the Rangers bench during a Tampa game earlier this month, although the fallout from that was unclear.

Renney also indicated that Brendan Shanahan, who suffered a concussion in the collision with the Flyers' Mike Knuble a week ago and is on IR, met with his neurologist yesterday and is doing well, but that he was progressing a little slower than expected. He is only permitted to do light stretching, no stationary biking or skating, and Renney said he couldn't put a timetable on his return.

“They’re being very cautious,” Renney said. “It’s moving forward, maybe a little slower than they would’ve hoped, but they’re not surprised by where he is right now. I don’t know what that means as a time frame, to be honest with you; I’m paraphrasing and guessing at the length of time. He’s progressing but I don’t think it’s as quickly as they hoped. That doesn’t mean it’s inaccurate either. It’s a bit of a moving target.”

High water risin'---risin' night and day
All the gold and silver are being stolen away
Big Joe Turner lookin' East and West
From the dark room of his mind
He made it to Kansas City
Twelfth Street and Vine
Nothing standing there
High water everywhere...
Things are breakin' up out there
High water everywhere

Bob Dylan
"Love and Theft"

With Boston's 6-2 win tonight, the Rangers have sunk to 12th place.

High water everywhere.

No word on Shanahan's post-concussion evaluation.

No word on the trade front, starting to assume that the Rangers won't waste prospects in the hunt for a top player.

While I like Avery's contributions and Dupuis' PK skills, I still think they may have waited too long to pull the trigger on Josef Stumpel or Bryan Smolinski or someone else for more offensive depth, which teams always can use, especially if Jagr is losing confidence like air in a punctured balloon.

And if the bosses are accurate in their assessment that the lads in Hartford aren't ready to assume substantial roles in a playoff race.

Did the front office miss the signals on the captain? Did they wait too long, believing Jagr (5 PP goals) would come around. He still might, I guess, but is the horse out the barn door?

Even if the Rangers beat Columbus tomorrow, I'm not sure they will be aggressive in adding talent---too many teams in the mix, driving up the price. Maybe it's high time to save money for more free agents in the off-season.

Things are breakin' up out there

High water everywhere.

Of course, I'm prepared to be surprised on Trade Deadline Tuesday.

More tomorrah....

By Anthony Rieber

Hot topic of the day at Friday’s Rangers practice was Jaromir Jagr’s reluctance to shoot in the shootout in Thursday’s game against the Devils. Some of you have already taken up the issue on the blog. So, here’s what Jagr had to say in his own words:

Q: Can you just talk a little more about what you don’t like about shootouts?
A: The game is not about shootouts. Let’s talk about the game, not a shootout.

Q: Right, but the game came down to a shootout? You opted not to do it, you’re arguably the best player on this team . . .
A: Best player doesn’t mean you’re good on breakaways. Forsberg doesn’t go breakaways, Gomez doesn’t go breakaways. I think they’re pretty good players. Some guys might play four minutes but they’re good on breakaways.

Q: So you feel you put the team at a better advantage by not taking breakaways?
A: Yes.

Q: Do you think there might be a psychological reason why it might be good for the team for you to be in the shootout rotation, even if you’re not good at it?
A: That’s tough to answer right now. I didn’t think about it. I don’t know how the other team’s thinking. I just know what I’m thinking. The game’s on the line, two minutes to go, I want to be there the whole two minutes. This is a different story. If I’m better than those guys that are going, then I’m in . . . Trust me, if I would know it would help the team I would be the first guy to stand on the red line. I always do everything with what I feel is good for the team. If I think it might hurt me or if I’m not going to be the hero, it doesn’t matter to me, because I know it’s good for the team. But maybe I might start shooting. Maybe it’s going to help the team. I don’t know.

Wonder if Avery will start yapping in warm-ups?

Looks like Hossa (sore neck) and Elias--who missed Tuesday's game with the flu--- will play....

Brad Isbister will sit, along with Krog and Pock...

"Well I don't know, but I've been told
You never slow down, you never grow old...
Tired of screwing up, tired of goin' down...

"Last dance with Mary Jane
One more time to kill the pain
I feel summer creepin' in
and I'm tired of this town again...

Can't ever go wrong with Tom Petty and the boys coming thru the Bose, can ya?

The banged-up Rangers have a last dance with the Devils---for the regular season---that is, tonight at Madison Square Garden

A lot of the Rangers (Jagr, Straka, Nylander, Cullen) were excused from the morning skate in Westchester.

But there was a brief Shanny sighting and an encouraging report from coach Tom Renney. A gap-toothed Shanahan, wearing blue shorts and a t-shirt, feigned throwing some jabs at some media folks before ducking into an office.

"He comes in every day, getting some treatment on his shoulder," Renney said, a residual effect of the collision with the Flyers' Mike Knuble that left him briefly unconscious on the ice last Saturday. "He feels better, he's giving Harry (Marek Malik) hell."

Shanahan remains on the IR---eligible to come off on Sunday---and is expected to meet with his neurologist tomorrow. Renney declined to speculate on the veteran forward's return, saying "we'll err on the side of caution."
In other news:

* Renney said he might experiment with Jagr on left wing as he attmpts to shake the Devils' shadows and create open shooting lanes. On his opposite wing, Renney said, perhaps Jagr will shoot more. The puck would be "protected to the inside and he'll be able to snap it," said Renney. "He wants the clear shot," rather than shooting through screens, and as a result is passing too much. "That's not the way the game is going for him."
* As reported yesterday here, Malik's shoulder is well enough for him to play and D Thomas Pock and Jason Krog will be scratched.

* Both Brad Isbister, just recalled from Hartford, and Marcel Hossa, who practiced with a sore neck, will skate in warm-ups and one will dress, Renney said, explaining that both could provide size around the net to be guarded by Martin Brodeur as one way to counter the Devil's defensive strategy. “The activity around the net, the way we’re going to work their D, you don’t get too much off these guys off the rush. So where Ryan (Callahan, Hartford's leading scorer) can and certainly will contribute to our team that way, it’s a big strong body. So if in fact we lose Hossa, we thought we could replace him.”

* Assistant coach Perry Pearn ran practice and at one point, emphasized to the troops the need to shoot on odd-man rushes. "If we get a 2 on 1 tonight, we want to make sure we get a scoring chance." he said.

More from the Garden later....

Brad Isbister has been recalled from Hartford for the playoff push....

I know, you're thinking "What playoff push? They'll beat the Devs and lose to Columbus on Saturday!"

Ah, cynics after my own heart.

Isbister's summons came after practice and is probably linked to Marcel Hossa's sore neck, which Renney described in NHL-speak as an "upper-body" injury, and guessed that he was 50-50 for tomorrow's tilt against New Jersey at MSG.

Shanahan, of course, remains out, but D Marek Malik, who also missed the excruciating 2-1 loss on Tuesday---said after practice (during which he wore a yellow (non-contact) jersey, that although his sprained shoulder could use weeks of rest, he wants to---and will---dress tomorrow for the rematch.

The Rangers remain four points out of a playoff spot, and to reach coach Tom Renney's "magic number" of 93 points, they will have to go 15-7 the rest of the way.

The simmering tea kettle of frustration is starting to boil. Jaromir Jagr walked away from a group of reporters after a few questions after practice. “It’s getting frustrated because it’s the same thing all the time,” Jagr said. “It’s just over and over and over. You figure it out.”

Tell you what. If they beat Jersey, the Jackets and then Montreal on the night of the trade deadline---and Shanahan gets back and is effective and they add a mid-level scorer and a depth defenseman---well, 12-7 after that is possible.

But more and more, doesn't it feel like grasping at straws?

Your thoughts?

Will swing by again here later...

Update from the skate:

For what will be the final regular-season game between the Rangers and Devils at Continental Airlines Arena tonight, the Rangers will dress just six defensemen, as Marek Malik (shoulder) did not participate in the morning skate here and won't skate until tomorrow. His status for Thursday's rematch with the Devils at MSG is uncertain.

"We just decided he should stay up there (in Westchester) and do some stuff in our medical room," said coach Tom Renney. "We'll have a good look at him tomorrow. He might be able to skate tomorrow."

That's why it's odd that no seventh defenseman---Ivan Baranka or David Liffiton---has yet been called up. Suppose one of the six pulls up lame before the game?

When asked about roster moves or personnel changes, Renney declared: "It's the same lineup as for Chicago," adding that he wasn't concerned about having just six defensemen available. "Not right now. We had a good day off. Hartford's not that far away. Geographics help us."

****
It will be the team's second game without Brendan Shanahan, who is on injured reserve recuperating from the concussion he suffered in the collision with the Flyers' Mike Knuble on Saturday. He is to be re-assessed later in the week. "I know he went for a walk and a coffee yesterday, to get some fresh air," said Renney.

D Aaron Ward said the team cannot change its thought process on the ice against the Devils in Shanahan's absence. "The biggest mistake you can make is start manipulating the system," he said. "Every player is aware that we're shorthanded. There should be no surprises against this team. The question is: to what level do you replace his presence off the ice. Some other guys have to step up."

****

Jaromir Jagr, who is healthy, worked out off the ice and didn't skate, but will be ready for the game. Jason Krog skated in his place with Martin Straka and Marcel Hossa. Henrik Lundqvist, who said his left shoulder was fine, will start in goal and Krog will be scratched. Colton Orr and Thomas Pock will dress. Brian Gionta (groin), who has scored some crucial goals against the Rangers, will be scratched for the Devs.

****
Asked why the recent games with New Jersey have been tight, Renney said: "They force us to play close attention to our game plan. They have some weapons there that force you to be responsible with the puck. They force to you have an intelligent attack game that doesn't see three people deep and allowing your opponent to come at you the other way. I think they just make us play a respectful game of them, but not to the point where we're standing around, and let them dictate the terms. I think we just play a smarter brand of hockey becuase they're well-thought-out themselves...They force us to play more responsible hockey."

It appears that the Rangers won't cut a deal for a top-line unrestricted free agent won't happen in the next few days:

This from Rangers president and GM Glen Sather, as reported by the Canadien Press, from the NHL general managers meetings in Naples, Fla. , when asked about the players and prospects sought by teams with much-sought after players:

"Let's wait `til you get closer to the trading deadline," said Sather. "This is like 30 guys at the used car lot right now, and every guy wants the same four or five cars. The guy doing the selling is asking a lot more. When you get closer to the trading deadline, it won't be that way."

Brendan Shanahan was discharged from St. Vincent's Hospital about lunchtime and placed on injured reserve, meaning he will not play for seven days---at least.

The team was expected to release more details on the 38-year-old winger's condition and treatment later today.

Shanahan was injured in a freakish collision with Flyers forward Mike Knuble at 7:27 of the third period in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Flyers. Neither player saw the other as Shanahan was skating toward the Rangers bench at the end of a shift. Knuble's shoulder connected with Shanahan's head, and the two crashed to the ice.
Shanahan lay unconscious and immobile for several minutes, before speaking to attending medical personnel and being wheeled off on a stretcher.

He was reported to be alert and responsive at the hospital late yesterday afternoon.

No one was immediately called up from the minors to replace him. Colton Orr, who was a healthy scratch Saturday, wil replace him against the Blackhawks this afternoon.

D Marek Malik, who injured his shoulder on a check by the Flyers' Simon Gagne late in the second period, was scratched and Thomas Pock will dress.

More later....

Long after one of the more physical and draining games this year at the Garden, some thoughts:

Brendan Shanahan dodged a major injury in that freakish collision. Just saw a couple replays again after the Islanders loss on MSG.

Kept remembering how the Garden fell silent and my mouth went dry. Then the classy applause when Knuble got up. And seeing a pale and immobilized Shanahan from above when they wheeled him directly under us on press row and through the tunnel. Somber stuff.

Concussions are no treat, but the Rangers said after the game---as I wrote for newsday.com hours ago---that Shanahan was alert and moving all his extremities at St. Vincent’s Hospital. X-rays and CT scans were negative. Shanahan could be out a week, depending on his symptoms, I'm told. It's possible Prucha will take his spot on the No. 2 line today against the Hawks and Colton Orr comes off the sidelines onto the fourth line.

Jagr, who continued to skate hard after he was crumpled by Hatcher, and Lundqvist, who said he could've kept playing, were fortunate as well that their dings---which looked worse at the time---weren't more serious.

Lundqvist, who faced just 17 shots and allowed three goals, kept flexing his arms after Sanderson's blistering slapper drilled him. He stayed in and made 10 more saves.

"They told me they wanted to make a change," he said. Renney said removing him for Valiquette was to keep him fresh for today. Lundqvist, who was on the bench in the third, didn't even have ice on his bruised left shoulder 30 minutes after the game, although he was planning on it. He said firmly in the dressing room that he would play against Chicago.

If D Marek Malik, who was favoring his left shoulder leaving the ice in the second period, is out today; figure Thomas Pock to step in. His speed may be a factor. Malik missed three games with a shoulder sprain last month.

Mike Knuble could be out even longer if he indeed has a broken orbital bone and a fractured cheek, as Flyers personnel were whispering after the game. He will be re-examined in Philly today.

Aaron Ward's fight with Picard---a clear decision---with three minutes remaining left him with stitches and a sprained wrist.

The Blackhawks better bring it and keep their heads up.

I sense that they will face an achy, bloodied, bitter Rangers team that wants to win one for Shanahan and keep themselves in the playoff hunt.

"Hopefully we as a group can rally around the fact that he’s (Shanny's) not there," said Ward. "We have big shoes to fill.”

Rangers left wing Brendan Shanahan was wheeled off on a stretcher and taken to St. Vincent's Hospital after a mid-ice collision with Philadelphia Flyer Mike Knuble with in the third period at Madison Square Garden.
The Rangers later reported that Shanahan, who likely suffered a concussion, was awake and was moving at the hospital.
Shanahan appeared to hit his head on the ice as he fell backward with 12:33 left in the period and was motionless for several minutes. He then moved his legs and his eyes were open and he was speaking as he was wheeled off.
Earlier in the game---in which several Rangers were injured--- goaltender Henrik Lundqvist was felled by a rising slap shot that caught his left bicep and was replaced by Stephen Valiquette at the start of the third period. Jaromir Jagr was shaken by a blow to the chest by defenseman Derian Hatcher seconds after Petr Prucha scored the second goal in the 5-3 loss. Jagr did return.
Defenseman Marek Malik left with an upper body injury and did not return and Aaron Ward hurt his left hand in a fight in the waning moments.

Where I'm still experiencing laptop problems; blame me for the absence of an entry from home yesterday and MSG for this short entry here.

But presumably this will go thru and I'll be able to file a game story for the paper...

And my home connection has been repaired---so expect some lengthy thoughts on a variety of topics tonight.

The Garden tech folks are supposed to be on hand to assist me before tomorrow's game against Chicago.

As for today, Scottie Upshall---acquired from the Predators in the Forsberg deal---will dress for the Flyers.
Otherwise, it appears the Rangers will field essentially the same lineup, and Pascal Dupuis, who scored in Carolina, will make his Garden debut.

Other things we'll keep tabs on...

Michael Nylander has a six-game scoring streak (3-5-8), Karel Rachunek has points in six of seven (2-5-7)

Henrik Lundqvist has allowed two goals or fewer in 10 of the last 12 games with a 1.66 GAA

Jaromir Jagr (890) needs one assist to tie Dale Hawerchuk for 18th all-time

Marcel Hossa and Nylander have three goals in six games in February

This will be the 10th NHL game for Dan Girardi, who's been solid....

The Rangers have three power play goals in each of the last two games (6-9) and 11 for the last 31

No, the visitors dressing room here at RBC wasn't filled with gifts for Jagr's birthday.

A couple goals and a win here in Carolina would probably suffice nicely.

Jagr, still with a touch of flu, didn't skate this morning, but arrived with sidekick Marty Straka a few minutes ago in good humor.

*****

G Steve Valiiquette will dress as backup goaltender tonight, and in a bit of a surprise, G Kevin Weekes, who is on IR (strained quad) also made the trip, but is at least a week away from returning.

"Rammer (trainer Jim Ramsay) is our guy, so he (Weekes) can get treatment here as well as with anybody back there," said coach Tom Renney.

Asked about his goaltending plan for next week, Renney---who also skipped the morning skate in an attempt to fight the flu---had one word: "Henrik"

"This is important," said Renney. "Steve could have to play, we're fully aware of that. and I don't have any problem with that. I can't tell you this minute that I have a plan for him, but certainly looking at what's in front of us, don't be surprised."

"It's as much as anything to make sure Henrik has an opportunity to take a deep breath," he said. "We feel very comfortable, whether it's gonna be Kevin or Steve to give Henrik a night off, that we can still win a hockey game. That's the primary ojective, to make sure that if, in fact, he needs rest, we can give it to him."

*****
With so many teams in the mix for the final playoff berths, the Rangers, who have won two straight, cannot worry about the out-of-town scoreboard.

"We really have to pay attention to our game," said Renney. "If we're an efficient team that plays hard and presses the issue, we'll be in all the games we play from here on in and have a good chance of winning them. If we get into penalty trouble, lose our focus on trying to keep our chances in the games to a minimum, in other words, get into a track meet, then we'll have a problem..

Renney was pleased that oppoennts' scoring chances in last three games were 10, 13 and 9. "In the 14-and-up range is when you start getting yourself into a little bit of a pickle," he said.

****
The scent of pulled pork is wafting in from next door...Time to dine....more later...

Think it was Emerson who wrote:

“We do not live an equal life, but one of contrasts and patchwork; now a little joy, then sorrow, now sin, then generous or brave actions...

If Emerson was strolling around today, he'd surely have added: "then ^%$#@! frustration.."

Of course, I can't verify the quote because the broadband at this Marriott Crabtree Valley is moving slower than a glacier.

And unfortunately, due to an hour-and-45 minute delay at our favorite aiport----LaGuardia----I missed the morning skate. Ah yeah, another day living la vida loca.

Will be driving over to RBC shortly, will report back asap, but I don't expect many changes from yesterday.
The Rangers arrived here at 9:30 last night after hours of delays as well...

Oh, and Mr. Babchuk, have your agent give me a call....

As to whether the Rangers should seek out Tkachuk, I'm not sure. The coach has been espousing the need for speed, and that's not Tkachuk's game. I certainly wouldn't overpay for him: mid-round pickc? Or maybe if he's packaged with Brewer....that might be worth dicussing...

"I was tuning in the six o'clock newscast
When the weatherman mentioned snow
As soon as I heard that four-letter word
I was making my plans to go...
If I was a bird I would fly back South
A bear I would go to sleep
Anything rather than hang around here
When the snow starts getting deep..."

From Jesse Winchester circa 1970, as we delve deep into the archives.

The melody always sneaks up on me on ice-crusted days like this when I'm scraping the windshield.

No Scott nor Shackleford, I.

But thanks to the Mountaineer, did manage to brave the elements for a slow journey to practice....

G Stephen Valiquette is here from Hartford, replacing Kevin Weekes, who was placed on IR with the strained quad suffered during sprints in practice Tuesday.

Valiquette, 29, is certainly a capable NHL backup---and doesn't have to clear waivers to return to the minors in a week or two weeks or whenever....

The immediate impact is on Henrik Lundqvist, who will start his 12th consecutive game on Thursday in Carolina. Weekes had been pencilled in for a start against Philadelphia or Chicago this weekend, but that's off the table now.

The 6-foot-6 Valiquette has a 17-12-0 record with the Wolf Pack, a 2.34 goals against average and a .909 save percentage.

In 9 NHL games with the Islanders, Rangers and Edmonton, Valiquette is 3-1, with a 2.58 GAA. He has been playing a lot in Hartford while Al Montoya recovers from a knee injury, so he's not rusty, as Weekes would have been. But that doesn't mean he'll get a start in the next week.

"You never know," said Valiquette, who roomed with Jason Krog when they were in Bridgeport, the Isles affiliate, several years ago.

****

Jaromir Jagr still has the flu, but made it through an hour-plus practice. Afterward, most players were concerned about whether their charter would be able to leave this afternoon amid the hail and wind.

Jagr was in a impish mood, joking that when he played in the Czech Republic---"we would get there an hour before the game, take the two points and leave. Now we've got to get there two days ahead of time---so guys can play golf."

As one of his teammates there, veteran Martin Straka, came by and began removing his uniform, Jagr said, "Sometimes, it was a four-hour ride and Marty would be driving the bus."

****
Coach Tom Renney is raspy and hoarse from the flu. Unless someone else comes down with the bug, these are the pairings he'll go with against the Canes:

Hossa-Straka-Jagr
Shanahan-Nylander-Avery
Dupuis-Cullen-Ortmeyer
Hollweg-Betts-Prucha

Malik-Rozsival
Rachunek-Ward
Tyutin-Girardi

More later, when the fingers thaw...brrr.

You know, that opening for a golf writer down in Florida seems downright intriguing. And my game would really improve....Hmmm.

Kidding there, boss, ho ho, love it here...Just a harmless fantasy. I'll be on that first de-iced plane from LaGuardia to Raleigh (where it's in the 40s and cloudy) in the morning....

So it appears that the Rangers will ride out the storm. practice here tomorrow, and then head south afterward for their first game in four days against the Canes on Thursday night.

G Kevin Weekes, who is expected to play this weekend in one of the back-to-backs against Philadelphia or Chicago, felt a twinge during sprints in practice, but it appears to be minor. If it doesn't improve by tomorrow and he can't serve as a backup, the Rangers would have to recall a keeper, and it can't be Al Montoya, who is sidelined wiith a knee problem. This all could be moot, however. Will keep on top of it.

Jaromir Jagr has the flu, but he also is expected to be better by Thursday.

Pascal Dupuis skated on the third line with Matt Cullen and Jed Ortmeyer. That dropped ePetr Prucha to the fourth line with Ryan Hollweg and Blair Betts. Not sure that'll be permanent.

An HBO checking line could be reassembled if Prucha is combined with Cullen and Dupuis---plenty of speed there---unless Prucha is being shopped.

Prucha is slight in stature, big in heart, and has value, especially on the power play, if configured correctly. He seems to be made of rubber, but you've got to wonder whether he'll absorb one too many checks (remember last season) and end up injured. Tough call.

Question: Prucha, Dawes, Callahan. None really super-sized. If realistically, you can only keep two, who's the odd man out? Dawes?

Isles-Leafs tonight. A decent watch for a snowy evening with implications for the idle Rangers.

More later....

Peter, Ice Doc, Toniok, Craig, Aaron, Nick, did I miss anybody?

All reasonable thinking:

Be prepared to part with some worthy players, but only for a gifted young center like Norton.

Don't overpay for a rental, but Stumpel (if his shoulder's OK) might be an option and I know, I keep beating the drums for Smolinski or Morrison. Not Yanic, let him stay in Zona if Gretz wants him.

The D pickins' are slim (I didn't even like Stuart that much, so Mara might fit.) Again, be smart with whom you part.
But they could use a little depth in case of an injury.

On another topic: Anybody think Souray's worth a multi-year bid in the summer? Big shot from the point....

Hurdles:

Other teams will improve by Feb. 27 and we've only seen two games with this new lineup, and none with Dupuis.

So, standing pat may not be enough for a late charge, unless they're prepared to bring up Callahan, and he's not a center. Straka, Nylander, Cullen, Betts as pivots are the best set so far. Betts, BTW, is stalled in neutral.

Key questions:

How will the Rangers rebound after the first loss?
A three-game losing streak at this point will be devastating.

When to play Weekes? Against Chicago? Probably.

1. First, we should note that Gretzky's Yotes are officially sellers with the trade of Nagy to the Stars for a first round pick and Tjarnqvist. The pick is the key here, setting the market. Have a feeling they will keep Doan, but not sure what this does to C Yanic Perreault's value or Rangers' interest: Might take a second-rounder...and a young player (Pock?, but then you need a seventh D; there's nobody ready in Hartford)

2. The Lang rumor has been floating around for awhile. It makes some sense, because he's a Czech, but Detroit would want a C back---unless they land Forsberg.

3. You may have heard that the Kings will open the season with two games in London. I'm told the Rangers will not be the opponents, but Anaheim.

4. I'd like to see the Rangers add a defenseman and center. Would you consider one of the following: Prucha, Dawes or Montoya and a mid-level prospect or a pick (they haven't given away any real high picks yet) for the right young center, such as Nathan Horton, 21, and supposedly disgruntled in Florida. Or do you get a stopgap center and go for a Drury or Briere in the off-season? Of course, then you'll be bidding with other clubs and probably overpaying (I'm not sure about committing for four years.)

5. Give Sather/Maloney some credit, huh? They've upgraded at wing with speed and flexibility (Avery, Dupuis) for Ward and Hall, who weren't in the plans for 07-08 anyway.