Pens GM Ray Shero was on a conference call earlier today and I asked him this, fully expecting him to invoke the "tampering" amendment, which he did, but what the heck. His complete answer is worth posting...
Yours truly: "You'll see Jaromir Jagr over the weekend twice; he had some terrific seasons with the Penguins and will be a free agent. There's a school of thought that he has a lot left in the tank and that maybe his numbers would improve with a more offensive-minded team than the Rangers. Do you agree with that, and would you consider pursuing him in the summer? Does that intrigue you at all?
Shero: "Obviously any guy that's under contract, you can't speculate on or talk about, but I'm not sure about his numbers and so forth. He's second in scoring on their team, and he's a huge part of their hockey club and they have a dynamic team and he's a big part of it. And every time we do play him, he has something to say in terms of how the game is played or dictated...
"He's difficult for any team to shut down and 63 points is still a good season. And they are a well-balanced team and he makes them a bit more dangerous team, and I think he's ---- you know, in terms of their style, he suits them just fine because they are having a terrific year."
*****
There was a Blair Betts sighting on Thursday, but he ducked into the trainer's room (off-limits) before I could grab him. He was wearing flip-flops, with a wrap around the right foot, and walking OK. I'll find out more tomorrow about his status for the last couple games of the year or the first round of the playoffs at the skate.
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Leading goal scorers against the Pens this season? Gomez, Rozsival, Avery, three apiece; Straka two, Jagr and several others, one each....Marian Hossa was injured somehow against Isles, and Shero wasn't certain of his availability for practice tomorrow...
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During last night's game, I co-wrote a story for the news section of the paper about the Garden's announcement to revive renovation plans for the arena that began in 2004, but were postponed to determine whether a new Garden would be built as part of a massive project involving Penn Station at the federal post office building across Eighth Avenue.
Well, that $14-billion project has been stalled and delayed so long that the exasperated Garden execs pulled the chute and this Garden, which opened in 1968, will be refurbished with new suites, sightlines, wide concourses, etc. and the Rangers and Knix and concerts will stay in the same location.
Some pols are saying they're bluffing. I don't believe it. Detailed renderings--- from the Toronto architects who designed Air Canada Center--- for the undertaking, which may cost Cablevision, MSG's parent, close to $500 million, will be unveiled next Tuesday or Thursday, I'm told.
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Looking forward to a mellow Friday evening at home before tomorrow's flight to the Burgh.
Between writing a Sunday column and catching some of Flyers-Devs, I'll have an eye on Villanova (where my daughter is matriculatin') in the Sweet 16.
Don't have high hopes against Kansas, but when it comes to coaches, ya gotta admire Jay Wright.
Comments (16)
Their Gm should keep his mouth shut and worry about the game against the Rangers. The Rangers own them.
jeez freedom, he was ASKED the question.
i kinda like knowing what other teams say about jagr or another player, whoever it is. considering he is a hockey mind i think he would have some sense of how good a player is. but, if he ends up in pitt next year i wont be upset. if they get jagr, id like hossa to replace him =)
i look for drury to score at least 2 goals this weekend, "black magic" to get one and shanny to get another PP goal...we get 3 points and pitt gets 2...crosby will cry at least 4 times in the two games and avery once, lol
betts, GET BACK A.S.A.P.!!!!!!...your missed terribly
the arena needs to stay where it is, do what they got do it but keep it where it is.
as far as 'nova good luck to your daughter zipay, but i got kansas winnin my bracket, so bad luck to them tonight..haha. my final 4 is still intact: kansas, ucla, texas and louisville (i had no idea what i was doing tho)
The truth about Jagr has been that he has played Renney's system as a team player. The reality is that under this sysytem he has the handcuffs on and until he plays in an offense first system no one can really tell what his skill level has become. Teh Ranger fans who don't understand this are truly unable to understand the difference. The fact that teams still play Jagr as the one and only Ranger to stop it shows that the respect is still there for his offensive skills. I do not beleive he has lost these skills at all this season, I so however believe that he is playing with Handcuffs on based upon Renney's defense first system It is to Jagr's credit that he has played within the coaches system and not made any waves. This shows his true ability to lead.
damn 3 point games!
all I wanted was either Philly or the Devils to win in regulation!!!
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
i prefer the defense 1st system, as no one player is bigger then the team. jagr has moped a little in his time here, but you gotta say he has mostly been a team player here...being sensative to criticism is probably his biggest flaw, kinda like a-rod
msg4ever,
i do agree that he may be a bit handcuffed, however i do think he has lost a step. 3 years ago, with renney as coach, he did score 54 goals. even last year he had a solid offensive season, and hasnt really struggled till this season. the most sensible reason for his struggles is no longer playing w/ nylander. being european, they both had an uncanny ability to make plays every night. playing with muckers and grinders instead of creative players like nylander have really hindered his offense IMO. he still has flat out awesome strength down low against smaller defenseman who cant contain him. he'll either draw a penalty, set up a great chance or get a very good scoring chance himself most of the time...he just aint potting them like he use to, which is a big concern.
Zipay,
Bobby Sanguinetti's junior season ended last night, can you let us know if there is any word about whether or not he will be joining the Wolf Pack soon or if there is any chance he is coming here?
In case anyone hasn't seen it, there is this theory going around that Jagr wants to play with Omsk in Russia next year, which just so happens to be the same team that Cherepanov is on right now.
Now, Cherepanov is signed next season to play with Omsk and that could keep him from joining the Rangers until the 2009-10 season.
However, the theory part of this is that Omsk may agree to release Cheraponov from his contract if they can work out a deal with Jagr after the season, so the Rangers would essentially do a Jagr for Cherepanov swap.
I don't know if any of this is true, but this is the theory going around on some of the rumor sites, guess we shall have to wait and see what happens.
tj,
"jeez freedom, he was ASKED the question."
ROFL
well, the Daily News has an article today that Sean Avery is in the blackbook of a call girl ring.
I guess what we know what the trolls on this blog will be talking about for the next week.
CLIENT #16 DOES IT WITH HIS SOCKS ON AND MOUTHPIECE IN. STUPID AVERY HAS NO GAME, HE HAD TO GET IT ON WITH HOOKERS AFTER ELISHA DUMPED HIM. LOL
well, hopefully the comments get more clever than that.
That was seriously weak.
Think about it a little more, maybe write down a couple of drafts, then try posting again, maybe you'll come up with something a little better than that one.
To tell you the truth I don't care who Avery has in bed or how he does it. I only care about when he is playing hockey! Who ever likes that soap opera crap get a skirt on and get a life!!!!!!
TJ, I agree with most of your points on Jags. The first season with Renney has to be discounted though, because Renney still hadn't gotten a total buyin to his system, this was evident by the Rangers demise at end of season. He had some players on the page and many off, Jags and Nylander and that group were off, because the were playing a high risk puck carrying system, no dump and chase. Obviously their style of carrying the puck in can also lead to some turnovers and scoring opps for the other team. As you notice Renney has his way with a less risky dump and chase formula that seems to be the case with all lines with some leeway afforded to Gomez who carries the puck in.
The Sanguinetti saga continues with no let up. Sanguinetti is not ready for the NHL nor is he going to be raced up. Simply look at Staals progression and you can get the picture of Sanguinettis path to the Rangers. As to Jags playing in Omks that is a decision that certainly would come well after the season and I don't think Jags would lock himself into anything before testing the NHL waters, he still has verbalized a desire to play for a Canadian based team, and there are several good options for him.
Cherepanov's and Jags futures have no ties what so ever. Two totally different contractual issues and there is not even a 6 degree connection here. One has nothing to do with the other. Not even sure what you mean by the term trade, certainly you are speaking metaphorically.
Dude....
"well, hopefully the comments get more clever than that."
How 'bout....
A/"Governor" Avery has a certain ring to it, if the Ranger's don't re-sign him. (I know...it's weak)
or...
B/$500.00? for that kind of money did he even get his nails TRIMMED?
(I'll step outside and fire up, and see what I can come up with)
;)
505,
LOL nice
MSG4ever,
the theory is that to get Cherepanov over here next year, OMSK has to agree to let him out of his contract for next year.
If they had Jagr, maybe they'd be willing to do that, that's where the metaphorical "trade" comes from.
Unless Omsk is willing to let Cherepanov out of his contract, he isn't coming here next year. Maybe having Jagr would give them incentive to do so.
I am not inventing this theory, just passing it along.
I am highly aware that the Rangers would make an actual trade of Jagr for Cherepanov couldn't happen.
as far as Sanguinetti goes, last year when his junior season ended, he joined Hartford, and just curious if that will be happening again. I am anxious to see him play even if it is in Hartford.