Hope you all enjoyed/survived Mother's Day with your families, and also remembered moms no longer around, but not forgotten.
I had scheduled a few days off this week, so please don't expect the usual torrent of updates.
Will give you this though: In the worlds, Brandon Dubinsky today had a hat trick, including a goal from the right circle midway through the third period, as the U.S. hammered Norway 9-1. Pat Kane was tremendous as well. The U.S. will play Finland or Canada next in the quarterfinals.
The craziest story has been the controversial Finn goal against the U.S. that went through the mesh at the side of the cage and was allowed to stand after video replay. The IIHF then fessed up to the error after the game, and in a bizarre move, fired the goal judge.
Team Canada looks very potent and should take it all. Lundqvist's Swedes beat the Czechs yesterday..
With the injuries to top defensemen Kimmo Timonen and Braydon Coburn, it appears as if the Flyers are fried. Even if they win one of two in Philly, the Pens will likely end the ECF in five at the Igloo. I thought it would take six.
Detroit is certainly dazzling everyone. Should be a terrific finals.
On this front, Cablevision---which owns the Garden, Rangers, Knicks, Radio City, News12 and provides cable television, broadband and phone service to millions in the New York/New Jersey metro area---has agreed to buy Newsday. The deal is supposed to close in August.
In the past month, the mood of the people I've talked to around the newspaper is first, goodbye and good luck to the current Tribune ownership, which had sliced and diced and tightened the purse strings and didn't exactly encourage the business of first-hand, on-site reporting, which is the lifeblood of journalism.
You can only hope Cablevision appreciates Newsday for its legacy of editorial integrity and independence in news, sports, business and entertainment coverage, invests in this valuable asset and allows it to blossom again---not only on Long Island and in the New York metro area, but for readers everywhere via newsday.com.
In the interim, we're still here (outside of some summer vacation weeks), reporting, commenting and exchanging views on the Rangers and the NHL as before.
Here's the names of seven restricted free agents who might not be signed by their current teams. Should the Rangers be interested? I'd be monitoring.
Antoine Vermette, Senators; Shea Weber, Ryan Suter, Predators; Marek Svatos, Avalanche; Joe Pavelski, Ryan Clowe, Sharks; Steve Bernier, Sabres.
Thoughts? Other candidates?
Comments (18)
As a University of Wisconsin Alum, i would be THRILLED if we signed either (or both) Joe Pavelski and Ryan Suter. Suter is a beast, who is strong and has a great hockey head on his shoulders. Pavelski is young, and was ALWAYS a great finisher..maybe he's what we need.
I can assure you that the Sharks won't be re-signing Steve Bernier... He was traded to the Sabres in March.
No, Fishlander fan, but it does mean the Rangers pretty much control every single aspect of Islander coverage. They do..... Newsday, MSG TV, News 12 Long Island............ heck, even the Mausoleum when we take it 4 times a year, LOL!
how about ales kotalik from buffalo as a winger for Gomez
Out of that list? Weber. From Colorado you can add Jeff Finger.. NJ has interest in him, though... but he's 27 and only made 475k this year!
Go for Weber, PLEEEAAASSSEE!!!
Weber. Bernier. would be great pick ups.
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it does mean the Rangers pretty much control every single aspect of Islander coverage. They do..... Newsday, MSG TV, News 12 Long Island............ heck, even the Mausoleum when we take it 4 times a year, LOL!
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You "take it" alright... if by "take it" you are referring to taking it up the **** when you lose to the Isles year after year.
"LOL" indeed.
And yeah MSG will control Newsday. But their hockey coverage is not that hot to begin with, so whatever.
Clowe is great. He's like Esa Tik in the playoffs. I find it very hard t obelieve but if the Sharks aren't going to resign him, I'd work out some kind of a deal with the Sharks.
OMG, Wilson and Quenneville are available. FIRE RENNEY SCUM NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Marek Svatos, Avalanche;"
huh? What we don't have enough tiny forwards?
Congrats to Brandon Dubinsky for scoring a hat trick in the WC's yesterday!
Zip, it's the PAST Tribune ownership that slashed Newsday's budget and basically oversaw the company as a whole go downhill. The current ownership under Sam Zell is trying like hell to undo a lot of the previous ownership's mistakes.
Good luck to you working for Dolan.
Yeah the finals will be great if you think the Red Wings in 5 is competitive. Watching the pens and Philly is like watching hockey in slo motion in comparison to the Det series. Pens will have to open up to play with Detroit and that won't work for the Pens. Det is the only team that can open it up and play stifling defense. Let's see Det is more experienced, just as fast, just as skilled, more physical, so where is the matchup that Pens can win. Maybe they will be just good enough to lose 4 1 goal games. Bottom line is the speed and intensity of the finals is not something the Pens have seen yet, Det knows it well and seem to already be playing at that level based upon this series. The Pens inexperience is going to show big time in the finals, PS they did not play the Red Wings this season so the ydon't even have a reference point to work off of. Bet here is the Red Wings will kick the Pens ---- with first two games in Det lets see how Pens respond to a 2-0 deficit as opposed to opening each series at home. May seem like a good match on paper but the eyes don't lie and Det is playing way better than Pitt right now.
Weber, Weber and Weber. He'd fit perfectly for us.
MetalChick, does you girlfriend know you talk like that? All class, very classy. What you don't get is that the Islanders can beat us 5 of 8 every year as long as we are playing for a chance to win the cup while you are playing for a chance to draft Stamkos, which you won't. The point being, we don't care about that minor league team. What YOU should care about is the fact that your "All Star" goalie can't play an entire year because he's made of glass. Be encouraged though, he's very good at commenting on the PLAYOFF teams on VS. That seems to be a better fit for him.
You guys all set to watch PLAYOFF HOCKEY tonight???? THERE'S NOTHING BETTER THAN NHL PLAYOFF HOCKEY!!
If you could get suter or shea from Nashville, sign them in a heartbeat, but I suspect they will resign with the Preds. The Rangers must find one solid d-man and one scoring winger. I would opt against Hossa if possible. As far as d-men go, I say Wade Redden is a #1 d-man who can play the pp and has a complete game on the defensive side as well. Outside of that the Rangers should consider Brooks Orpik or Bouwmeester if they could swing it somehow.
Shanny would be an awesome bench coach, but I think he will play next season for someone...
If avail Finger with Colorado 1st choice.
Weber if Finger unavail.
As far as D men, we need one good strong D man who will hit and hard when the opp presents, with some offense to go along with the physical presence. Either of the above are good fits.
Regarding forwards, Pavelski is small but great all-around player if avail we should def sign him.
Also sign Clowe or Bernier. Both good power forwards but Clowe is pretty inclined to drop em, while Bernier doesn't seem to be as inclined. Clowe is much tougher.
Clowe would be 1st choice as he is a much better fit, as we need to increase our team toughness. Bernier is so so in that area and as such would be my 2nd choice as far as these 2 go.