Blue Notes

From you Zip, it's a reliable speculation. (if that even makes any sense, that's a compliment)
From Eklund and Hockeybuzz, it's no different from the Weekly World News reporting that Batboy is ready to play for the NHL.
Why folks read that site is beyond me.

I know Eklund has no credibility but I just though it may have some truth to it cause he has been consistent with him going to the Rangers for atleast a month now he has to be getting it from some where. I could careless if he came here but I just have a feeling that he will sign for a very little amount. If he does sign how about this

Sundin Dubinsky Naslund
Zherdev Gomez Sjostrom Damn this line would be fast as hell
Dawes Drury Callahan A lot of chemistry last year
Voros Fritshe Rissmiller

These are some pretty nasty lines if you ask me.
Match up pretty well with the other teams in the east

only way I want Sundin is if Drury is traded for a 1st rounder or 2 2nd rounders or a very good goalie prospect.

Drury has a no movement clause, and is probably the next captain and way too valuable to trade to make room for a 37 year old player even if it is Mats Sundin. The Rangers are 2 mil under the cap. They could deal Prucha and his 1.6 (L.A. or Vanc?) for a pick, and deal 2 of fritsche, betts or sjostrom and open up 1.5 to 1.7 more and could then pay Sundin 5 mil a year. The idea of them dealing Rosival doesnt make much sense considering they dont have another nhl d-man under contract. Also maybe Zip could tell us if its even legal to sign a unresticted free agent and then deal him before a certain date? bottom line is Sundin would be a very welcome addition, but he would have to take less to play here.

I can't believe bob continues to post comments here.It has been made clear that 90% of the other readers on here think he is an idiot. Trade Drury? Come on dude. You have said alot of stupid thing around here but this is deffinitely in the top 5. And why would you want a goalie prospect? We have the NHL's soon-to-be best goaltender for the next 10-12 years, and Valiquette is a great backup who I think could even be starting on some other teams(possibly).

By the way Zip, any chance Jay-bo ends up in the big apple? Thats one player i would deffinitley put Rosy in a package for. He's the defenseman the Rangers have been needing ever since Beukeboom retired.

I don't think that will sign him until they make a few moves. However I have said it from day one that Sundin will be a ranger. Prucha is def gone. I can see LA or Phoenix taking him. I would try to sign him without trading Rosy unless they trade Rosy and get a cheaper defenseman in return.

I just think this is completely ridiculous! How many more vets does this team need?! How much more are they going to stiffle the growth of the youngsters, not to mention anyone from Hartford can kiss their chances goodbye for another season or two. This aquisition makes no sense on so many levels it's baffeling to even consider something like this. You can't move Drury to another team, so he has to play wing, which is not his strong suit, because after all, why did we pay $7 million a year if he's going to be a third line center? If this goes through there will be no shot in chemistry developing with vets like Naslund and Sundin possibly for a couple of years. I hope this doesn't turn into the team that missed 10 years of playoffs again.

Perhaps the logical fans among us have dismissed the Sundin rumors because we'd like to give Sather the benefit of the doubt and believe he hasn't entirely lost his marbles. Because really, how else can you explain letting a world class, 36 year old scoring winger, who's proven that he can play in NY, lead the team into the playoffs three years running and fills a position the organization is weak in, walk in order to turn around and bring in a world class 37 year old center, who's proven nothing in NY, hasn't played playoff hockey since before the lockout, plays a position we're already organizationally deep at, and who will likely end up making the same amount of money the aforementioned winger was willing to take? So Slats let Jagr walk because he doesn't want to build a team around him, but instead will dismantle the "younger, faster" team he's ostensibly worked towards building this summer in order to clear cap space to bring in Sundin? And in the meantime he'll either force one of his $7m centers to play out of position or return to third line duty, or move a promising young center who could be part of the long term future of this team out of the position he seemed to blossom in last season, or on to the 4th line? It does not compute. Unless of course Sather's reverted to his old ways of bringing in the biggest, most impressive and expensive names regardless of how they fit on the team instead of trying to build the team around a pre-defined, long-term plan, as the organization has been trying to convince us they've been doing since the lockout. Then again, looking back at last summer's signings, it's hard to believe that's what they've been doing anyway...

Drury is untouchable because...?

He should race to lead the team in goals, expect about 30-35. If Renny plays him properly and has him sit in front of the crease he will increase the Power Play drastically. Oh and hes Mr. Clutch. Veteren leadership and is the captian for the next four years. Thats why.

http://www.thefourthperiod.com/news/nyr080817.html

dont believe everything you read. I still think we are gonna resign shanny.

I would rather we pass on Sundin, but, this is New York...Broadway, and because of Rangers History, they will probably sign him. I say We really need a player like Jbo more than we need Sundin....and sometimes the best move to make is no move at all!

Drury is our next Captain and he will be a terrific leader for the youngsters and team in general. I also think we should hold on to Prucha and give him a chance to become the player he was in his 1st season. Worse comes to worse, we trade him next year, and along w/a couple of other players, open up our cap and offer Zetterburg a contract...he's a UFA and I don't doubt he'll test the free agent market next year.

No for Sundin we are regressing if we sign him, bunch of old fogies and people complain about shanny, we had two stars. Now we are loaded with them

iHATESLATS-

Dude how is this team old. They have 4 guys over 30. We need Sundin to try to replace jagr.

anybody know if those 2 games in Prague will be played on NHL size rinks or the wide ones?

They will play regular season NHL games on the international wide rink because it makes absolute sense.

I don't understand why most of you love Drury and have him as our captain for the next 4 years. He did absolute crap last year, he wasn't clutch...at all but people have him as our captain? We need someone to earn it. They should definitely have no captain this year and all Alternate Captains because no one on this team has proven themselves that much. Plus, if Renney had more than half a brain, he would know that for Prucha to produce, he has to have him on the PP(where about 50% of his career goals have come from) and play him more than his 11min. a game that he averaged last year, and it also doesn't help when your center is Blair Betts(but he is great defensively) and your winger is either Hollweg/Orr/Sjostrom.

It seems to me that if the Rangers & Sundin wanted each other, the deal would have been done on July 1. Naslund is Sundin's buddy. Why didn't they say,"Hey lets play in NY together..." on July 1st? So , I have to dismiss that part of the rumor. How can Slats trade Rozy now? He signed him to an over inflated contract, and NOW he is gonna trade him? To FLA for JBo? Hard to believe. Drury could move to the wing, but did Slats sign him to be a $7 mil winger? I don't know why he signed him and Gomez anyway, but that is water under the bridge. Shanny seems to be waiting to pay the Rangers back for taking their money last season. He is shameless and will come back. Wouldn't it be smarter for Sather to sign Shanny to a low$$$ deal (Shanny OWES the NYR for that disgrace last season), and give Dubinsky a scoring winger on the 3rd line to help his development? The pressure would still be on Shanny to score, instead of Dubinsky (who really rode Jagr's coattails). That seems like a better long term plan than Sundin.

But let me finish by saying Mats Sundin is better than any player on the NYR right now, and just as surprised as I am that he didn't sign on July 1st, I am even more surprised that he isn't signed by now. . . . . . .

laurie sather didn't let Jagr walk, he pushed him out. He wanted to resign him on unacceptable terms. Jagr deserved getting resigned as if he made his contract #s. But old glennie is not that loyal. He also wanted Avery, but not at the market rate, and wanted to tell him when to talk. He needs big names or his boss will not be happy. Expect Sundin & maybe Shanahan to be on the roster.

Roszival for Enstrom and Thorburn

And then Signing Sundin would be good for the Rangers.

Rozsival and Rismiller for Paetsch and Paille

Drury was never a good center because he is not a great playmaker. He is better off at center.

Betts is not even that great defensively.

Shanahan is garbage, and anyone who wants him back is clueless.

Sundin is too old and completely non-physical therefore I doubt he is the difference between winning the Cup or not. I think Dubinsky is a better player especially without Jagr and the dumb perimeter cycling that they made.

Rozsival, Prucha and Rissmiller for Dan Hamhuis and 2nd round pick.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=246683&lid=sublink010&lpos=headlines_main

Bob those are ridiculous trade opinions

Will you people please understand that trading Rozsival for Boumeester only frees up $200,000 of cap space.

Rozsival,Prucha,Rissmiller or Voros, 4th round pick to Ottawa for Meszaros,Foligno, and a 2nd round pick

John how can u say drury wasnt clutch this season he had about 8 game winning goals this season and a couple that tied the game very late to force overtime to get that extra point. We can't get rid of drury even if he didnt have such a great season last year. Now that Jagr is gone this is gomez and drury's team now, we shall see what happens. I would rather have JBo than Sundin but I dnt think that we are getting him I think that it comes down to Sundin and thats it. Shanny needs to go im sry he is to old and it was just sad watching him perform in the playoffs. Just a trade possibility how about Rozi, Del Zotto , Prucha, and a 1 rounder for Jbo.
Jbo and Stall pairing would maybe for once put some fear into someone eyes skating throug our zone um Crosby Ovechkin.

I think Lundqvist is the only guy Sather wouldn't trade to free up space for Sundin. I also think he'd trade Gomez or Drury before Roszival and not just because it would be easier. If Sundin comes in or not, however, I think Shanahan is back next season and will be the captain. They're just waiting until after Europe to bring him on since saving him from that trip will add a few extra weeks of occasional effectiveness before the inevitable slide to second half embarassment, sometime right after the Christmas buying season.

Drury had a great season? His offensive numbers weren't too impressive and in the playoffs he underachieved offensively and on faceoffs.

As far as trading Drury, it's not an option.

He has a full no movement clause.

Gomez NTC is very limited, there are only 3 teams each year he can list as teams he can't be traded to, but I seriously doubt they would have any interest in trading Gomez.

link for list of NTC's:

http://www.nhlscap.com/no_trade.htm#list

Drury can always waive his clause. Buffalo might want/need him back.

that's where you lose me Bob

Drury is not going to waive his clause.

He bought the house, Mattingly, #23, the whole thing, always wanted to be a Ranger.

Expect Drury to be a Ranger the whole term of his contract.

Wow. Good to see some people are still around. Well some of them.

It already looks like it's going to be a tough year her around the Blue Notes. Already the teams s*cks and we need to trade everybody and avoid Sundin like the plague. Some will never be happy.

We did get crazy younger right?

HockeyBuzz reporting it is as good a 'Bob' reporting.
But, then again I have kinda always thought Brooks at the Post was quite the tool too.

But, If Sather has a plan to bring Sundin here I am interested in seeing what may happen.

Here's to a long year here at Blue Notes!

Hey Duded whats up man!

Adam, please dont comment here you have no clue what you're talking about, you over value Boumeester, rozsival,prucha, del zotto and a 1st rounder for boumeester, are you nuts? Maybe Rozsival and Prucha but adding a first rounder and our 3rd best prospect is just nuts.

Holding on to Prucha makes sence but the problem is he's a timebomb.He's ducked tons of bullets and still no concussion. Plus the Rangers are a fairly small club. We play the Pens,Flyers,and Tampa alone and not only are they big but quick. You need some size to neutralize the offensive attack. Dubinsky actually settled Jagr down last year and pairing him with Mats would be great. I think Dubinsky can learn even more from a center who has a similar build and skill set, than the excellent tutorage from Jags.Why not have Duby shift to power forward? As for the comment about a goalie prospect for Drury....come on. But it does make sence that the Rangers look to add another goalie to the system. Look for the Rangers to add Joel Gistedt as Phoenix now has Bryzgalov,Telqvist,and Montoya. Last but not least,the Rangers NEED to clear roster space! They have players on the current roster that are becoming expendable from with in. Korpokosky could surely step in for Prucha. If Anismov makes it in camp and adds a few pounds,his added size will be a bonus.Adding Sundin provides us with one hell of a band aid to give the Hartford kids just a little more time to make the big show.

Dubinsky is already a powerforward, but if we keep playing him with soft Euros he will soon stop playing physical.

wow Andrew wats up with the hostility it was just a thought. Im not saying its going to happen. I was thinking that trade because we would also shred a lot of salary if we got rid of rozi and prucha. Maybe it was a lot with Del Zotto but u honestly think that rozi and prucha would get a deal done for Jbo then you my friend have no idea what your talking about. U should learn to be less critical of people who are just expressing there opinions. Other than that we shall see what happens.

Blues,
Where you been?
What do you think of the new team?

If Slats brings Sundin here, it'll confirm that our NYR Brass is NOT committed 100% to the youth movement after all. In the small/short picture, sure Sundin would be fabulous here, but in the big picture...the future, who's job does he take away?...as for Drury going anywhere, the only place he's going is to the podium, to pick up his NYR Captains "C". Drury and Gomez will be the cornerstone of the current and future NYR. I'd keep Rozy...no question...he's consistent with his game and has an excellent shot from the point, which is exactly what we need. I'm not saying not to go after JBo...but it's gonna have to be for the right price, and does not incl. any 1st/2nd round draft choices-that is where we are going to build the strength of our organization.

Rich,

I think that's a bunch of crap.

They made a trade with Columbus where they brought in one player born in 1984 and the other one born in 1985.

There are only 3 players on this roster over 30 years old, we are actually one of the youngest teams in the league right now.

People need to see how this one plays out before all the yelling starts.

With the salary cap, the team is always going to have a good amount of young lower paid players, it's a fact of life in the salary cap era.

Dude, I'm not saying don't go after UFA's that are in their 30's, just stay the course and stay/work within the youth movement they are creating, that's all. You'll eat your words my friend should they sign 37 year old (nearing the end of his career) Sundin. Only time will tell how it all materializes.

Rich,

The Rangers signing 37 year old Sundin does not mean the team is going away from youth.

If the Rangers traded Tyutin and Backman for two 37 year old players, that would have meant they are going away from youth.

If the Rangers trade Callahan, Dawes and Dubinsky for a 40 year old, that will mean they are going away from youth.

The last 3 trade deadlines, the Rangers could have sacrificed youth like the Islanders, Predators, Penguins and a million other teams did to try and go for a run and the Rangers held onto the kids.

Dude-

I could not have said it better myself!

Slick,
Whats up! Been observing for the summer. Baseball time right now.

I like what has happened. If you remember I don't bash the management and I am not going to start now. Jagr and the others that left show that Sather had a plan and he followed it. I like what he has done and I am psyched.

If they can pull off Sundin I am willing to see what happens..

Dude,
Good stuff right there! The average age of the NYR this year right now? 27!

How many of you wish you were 27 again? lol

I am only 23. so i win

a lot of wisdom here

Sather signing Sundin hardly signifies his intentions of “giving up” on the youth. (And Dear god almighty I pray he isn’t 100% - eggs all in one basket, committed to the farm.) We need NHL experience to succeed don’t you think?
It will take TOI away from Dubinsky playing front line center.
Hear me out.
Dubinsky stats were hardly, that’s right, hardly were padded by playing with Jagr.
If you need proof of this little fact, take a look at the Dubinsky, Dawes, Prucha lines from late Dec / early Jan.
Not for nothing here Rich, but that part of the season should have sent light bulbs off over your head that Dubinsky was the real deal. Proving he could play with the Vets and his youth brethren, produce points, goals and play with an edge.
Moving him to Rwing, in which I’ve advocated since Jagrs departure, would be nice to see. But at the time I was referring to Anisimov’s promotion hinted by Renney in June.
Sundin on the Rangers? Well Rich, I’m one of the biggest youth movement guys on the blog. Sundin will hamper Anisimov’s promotion. But with Girardi, Callahan, Prucha, Dawes, Staal and Hank, and now Zherdev and Fritsche, brother, Sather has embraced his young players whole-heartedly. The scouting staff’s decisions and ultimately Sathers’ have hired these kids to entertain YOU for the price of a ticket. Are any of those names mentioned over 25 years old? Screw being 27 again, I’d like to be Matt’s age again.
As Dude has pointed out, 3 players over the age of 30, with rumors flying that a 37 year old superstar HOF center that still has his game under his feet is hardly bad for the team. What is bad for the team is not getting our young players role models and examples of success to emulate for a successful future.
Mats Sundin, signed for the right price, is like striking MF oil.

Well, if 'ya put it that way, then yes, I would agree. And yes, I would love to be Matt's age again, but reality is, I am (gulp) 51, and I'm sure I'm a lot older than you guys are. I have seen more year after year the Rangers signing old, past their prime stars that did nothing for the team except improve gate receipts. I don't want that to ever happen again. I experienced the years of "Trader Phil" Esposito where just about every week he traded another player and neglected the farm system. IF Sundin can be had w/o sacrificing our future and for the right price, AND he is the answer to providing the teams "scoring balance", then so be it. It is all about balance in life and in sports. As far as role models go, Shanny is the epitome of just that...just too bad he's so much slower a skater than the rest of the team now. Kudo's though to Dude and Silly Willy on your observations!

in hockey being 37 is like being 85 in life

Put it this way, find me a team in the last 20 years that has won a Stanley Cup without a player 36 years or older, when you do post it, good luck with that.

Second, there is no garauntee that Anisimov ever plays for the Rangers, with Dubinsky being just as young and Drury and Gomez locked to long contracts, Anisimov isnt a 4th line banger.

and for whoever said Drury was a bust last year, he played on the 3rd line for half the season, so he should have had 70 points if he played on his normal second line. If you watched every Ranger game like I did you would realize that Drury should have been in the running for the selke award which is the best defensive foward.

Drury always was and will be a NATURAL WINGER.

Rich,
I’m 34, so I was just a tiny little guy when you suffered through “Trader Phil” era.
So I can’t relate to you there. I can however understand your frustrations from the last 7 seasons before the lockout.
I say, move on brother! Sather made a promise and he’s kept to it. Until he starts trading off the kids to obtain Vets that don’t live up to the hype, than start pulling that anti-Sather trigger. But you don’t need to here this from me man, your old enough to know better.
Remember Weight and Amonte. Do you think those trades were worth winning a Cup for? Not many would have the guts to say “No” to that question.

Bob is back to his old self again. Why don’t you save yourself the energy and get on with the fact that you have years of #23 to watch regardless if it’s a wing or center.

Now I remember Renney stating that Anisimov looked ready, but needed to add 10 lbs.
Didn’t he also ask or mention to “AA” about playing the wing too?

Blues, where’s your homework man!

14:29 was me

The age thing was a shot for laughs. 27 is history for me as well, my point was that it is a young team.

Slick,
Homework?

I have no problem with watching Drury for 4 more years, I was just replying to some guy that said Anisimov has no place on the team because of Gomez, Drury and Dubinsky. Drury will be a winger when Anisimov makes the team.

Anyone saying Drury had a down year is a moron.

The guy came in averaging 24 goals and 34 assists per year for his career...

Last season... 25 g, 33 a.... I would say he did EXACTLY what he has been doing his whole career wouldnt you?

He also had 7 GW goals, 2nd highest of his career...

Drury got paid big bucks to produce like he did in his last 2 seasons, not his career average. Anybody who thinks otherwise is clueless.

So since he has 10 less fewer points than the prior 2 seasons he is a bust???

Wow bob, you just keep getting brighter and brighter....

and FYI... guys don't come into their own at age 30, so if you thought all of the sudden he was a 30 goal scorer then you are the clueless one.

I think a career average is a more predicatable measure of what a player will do than a career year he had.

not a bust, but he underachieved offensively, especially in the playoffs where he was supposed to be Mr. Clutch.

The Flames traded Drury away after a slightly worse season and he was much cheaper then and there was no cap then.

Bob, once again, you are wrong.

For his career, he averages .7 ppg in the playoffs.
Last year, .6 ppg. Almost the same.

He is what he is, I just think you have some different perception of him in your head.

Bob,

Of course he was cheaper, players like Sean Avery weren't getting 4 mill a year.

The market is different, stop comparing apples to oranges.

While I would definitely welcome Sundin, and know he will be as consistant as always, There are better moves to be made. Obviously with our log-jam at center, someone would have to move to wing. Dubinsky or Drury, most likely Drury... We have a glut of 2 and 3 line talent, and no tried and true top liners. Naslund has been one for years, but we will have to see if he still has it. Personally I think he does. There are quite a few teams shopping players right now. One of them is Ottawa who is shopping Dany Heatley. Trading Rozsival and Prucha for Heatley would be awesome! I have always been sold on Heatley, he is fast, gritty, not ancient, and is a proven point-scoring machine... We would be a little weaker on the blue-line, parting with Rozsival, but to add a 50 goal scorer would more than make up for it IMO. We could then move Pock into the starting 6 on the blue-line, and see how the season shapes up. If we needed to bring up Sanguinetti or Potter, we could... Just my 2 cents.

He is what he is that's for sure and is nowhere near worth 7.1 million. 4.5 at most.

If it were possible to get heatly at that price, thenyou could jump the gun on it, let me remind you though Rozy and Prucha have not chance of getting heatly here, ontop of the fact he just signed an extension this past season and to get heatly Ottawa traded Hossa.

Not likely but if its an option because it is so one sided as in Rangers benifit and don't really lose anything in return.

That is true. But don't blame him for taking a paycheck.

You would have done the same if Sather came calling to overpay you.

Homework Blues, providing the stats with the facts. I think that was your forte last season.

Eric Appelhans,

Heatley is not being shopped.

There are only a few big names being shopped guys like Havlat, Bouwmeester, (maybe) St. Louis -Tampa wants to free space, If the Thrashers have another bad season Kovalchuk has publicly said he would welcome a trade but he would be very costly.

BTW- if Rozsival was traded, they would get a cheaper D in return or Sanguinetti would be the 6th D-man depending on his camp and his defensive play, he dominated Juniors last year with 72 points or something, more than most fowards.

I could see the Rangers going after Kyle Mclaren- watch out.
And if they make a trade to free space they will probably go to Edmonton for that, Sather really likes Rob Schremp and has been trying to get him for 3 years now

What do we need Schremp for? Unless Drury or Gomez is being traded?

Buffalo is missing a top D-man, I wonder if they would part with Jason Pominville

Yea buffalo is missing a top D-man y dont we give them Kalinen lol jk.

Slick,
I got you now and figured that was what you meant.

Just not in that mode yet, it's early. There will be alot more battles to fight this year besides arguing whether or not superstar hockey players like Sundin and Drury suck with Bob.

I want comment of the guy who said Anisimov isn't a fourth liner.

you couldn't be more correct. Anisimov isn't a 4th line center by tradition. Sadly though, that tradition is slowly being phased out.
Sure they still be the grittier of the line-up, but nothing like days of old. (tell'em Rich)
I would think that this season you'll see a faster bigger 4th line with more of a scoring touch. Utilized to gain the zone, keep the puck and cycle out. Not to mention good clean checks with a bit of muscle behind each and every one.
Exactly the type of position Anisimov will excel at! He's defensive minded, big(er), quick and should be able to establish wingers to feed. Such as Voros and Freddy Sjostrom. All three together would make for a very defensive - big pressure - line that will make the on coming O pay to gain the zone and be able to transition out effectively.
But hey, who am I? Just a guy blog'n is all.

Anisimov is not just a scorer, he plays defense and will hit I hope, so yeah he could start his NHL career as a 4th liner. Anything as long as it isn't Betts.

Slick, you gave your cover away!...why'd you do that? I was hav'n move fun trying to guess who that was....'ahhh, the 'ol daze were hard hitting clean (and many times), durty checking in your face hockey. These daze, it's become a really quick skating...quick transition game...which is exactly what Sather wanted after last season's games, esp. against the Penguins. I'm stoked to see Anisimov in a Rangers Jersey. Although my wish list is still for 1 more hard hitting/in your face/get the hel* out of my crease D'man...another 'Boom, if you will. We are going to have a lot of fun watching our Rangers this year....the transition game should be fabulous-(for us).

If Gaborik turns down the Wild's offers, and Minnesota does indeed shop him...I say screw this Sundin talk...WE WANT MARION (or at least I do).