Blue Notes

Zip,

Theres also 1.5 million dollars in dead cap space because of Jagrs buyout and Shannys bonuses.

Great post today Zipay. Can't wait for Sept 20 !

get rid of rozsival.............

Unless we're getting back draft picks for each, you're not accounting for any salary coming back to the Rangers in exchange for Prucha, Mara, Betts etc.

there was a buyout for Jagr? Huh?

Trade Prucha to Vancouver for Edler. they have one too many D and they need scoring.

Trade Rozi (Hossa was traded for heatley a few days after re-signing too) to a team that needs him. the return should be prospect/s and pick/s.

Sign Sundin.

you save 1M in the Prucha deal and 5M in the Rozi deal minus whatever little you might have to take back in salary.

As much as I like Rozi,the Rangers are handcuffing themselves if Sanguinetti makes the jump sometime this season or next. He'll be alot cheaper and the Rangers will have three young D-men and have the chance to add a gritty stay at home to pair with Redden. Sundin is alsome and has always lit it up at MSG. A line with him and Dubinsky on the wing (alla Nik Antropov) eeeeew I cant wait.

there has been an idea thrown about that maybe the Rangers signed Roszival while waiting for Redden to say yes, just in case they weren't going to be left with no offensive D man on the first day of free agency.

That is purely just speculation, but lets face it, for the 09-10 season we have 9 players signed right now for 41 million, and that could be disastrous.

We will sign a bunch of our young RFA's to reasonably low contracts, and almost certainly the cap will go up a bit more, but the Rangers cap situation after this coming season is very worrisome.

So, trading Roszival and his 5 million a year now or later definitely will need to be an option.

rozival to LA.

4 mil for sundin.

i think you may have also forgotten about the two people we'd need to call up to fill the positions of the two additional players we'd be getting rid of ... thats at least a mil right there added on.

I like koshevatsky take - but honestly, we wouldn't have paid that much for Rozyif we didn't plan on keeping him for a bit longer. So I think trading him is out of the question. Plus - a quicker team will probably be just what the doc ordered for Prucha.

I might be the only one, but I say lets see how this season works itself out as the team is now. Let the kids step up and see what they can do instead of relying on Vets. Bad enough we took on Naslund... we are going to take on Sundin too? Might as well have kept Jags and Shanny.

Timbo,

You named the two d-men that I would LOVE for the rangers to either trade for or sign as UFA...Seabrook and Komisarek. Two beasts on the blueline, just not sure how feasible either are as far as actually being available.

Someone on here mentioned the idea of seeing how this year pans out and I think that might be Sather's game plan for a few reasons. There are some HUGE free agents to be for next summer (i.e. Zetterberg and Komisarek etc) and we all get the answer as far as what Cherepanov will do. Maybe the best trade for now is to not make a trade and let the core of the team get some chemistry going in order to get the big puzzle piece next year and try for the cup for the next two or three following seasons?? Either way I am completely excited to see how it all pans out and to watch what looks to be the best rangers team fielded in a long time.

We already have three awesome centers. We don't need another. This team has been designed a very specific way and to add an accessory like Mats at this point makes little sense.

Keep your foolish butt in Newport, Stevie.

i think prucha should stay. he didnt get that much ice time last season and the team needs to get a bit faster. everyone's talking about zherdev and gomez on a line. what about prucha? he's pretty fast as well and he'd do great if he stays healthy and gets some serious ice time now that shanahan is most likely out of the picture. maybe on a line with drury or dubi? sundin would be a nice signing but the cap has the team in a corner with dumb moves such as redden's lengthy contract and waay too much money for roszival. i think it's a dead deal. there's a few expendable people on the team but they wouldn't clear sundin capable cap space. i want sundin but prucha should stay.

I prefer not going after sundin. I've been asking for something in particular which we need and I promised Joke I wouldn't mention it again...LOL. with that being said, let's hold off and see what developes and who comes up from the pack. I did say a few times Zetterburg is a UFA next year and who knows if he plans on at least test the market. He already one 1 Cup, and now he just might wanna fill that cup w/some NYR Greenbacks next year. Having Komisarek on our team would be just what the Dr. and myself ordered. I said Sather is considering his potential moves for next year, I am sure as all good GM's are, so I say hold off on any trades and let's get the season under way!

That's some post, dan.

If Sather wants to clear space badly enough neither Drury nor Gomez would be able to resist him.

So wait, now you guys are back on the youth bandwagon?
Zip, stay in R.I. But please come back for the season, your fans are going to need their opinionated hands to be held.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/03/magazine/03trolls-t.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Would it make sense to get Sundin? Yes.. The players considered to be expendable have value, but you have to give to get...

Joke posted something about Komisarek and Seabrook..Actually bumped into Komisarek this past weekend in Huntington LI (he's from Islip Terrace). He just bought a house in the area, AND is an UFA next season.

While he grew up an Islanders Fan, I'm certain greenbacks could make him switch.

I heard Cheechoo is available in San Jose. Why not try to trade Prucha and a prospect like Potter to San Jose for Cheechoo. Addresses the need for scoring and gives you a right wing for the top line. The rangers currently have nothing but third liners for right wings. He only makes 3 mil by the way for the next three years.

Perrish?

" Why not try to trade Prucha and a prospect like Potter to San Jose for Cheechoo"

because San Jose would say hell no

Prucha's cap hit is 1.6 million, Cheechoo is 3 million, not enough money off our cap either.

Here is a trade San Jose may do:

Prucha
Girardi
Byers
#1 pick in 2009

for Cheechoo

Girardi >>>> Cheechoo

Dude I am disappointed in you.

bob,

I only said a trade I thought San Jose would take

I am not advocating that trade

Sean Avery Press Conference

http://stars.nhl.com/

Don't know if anyone has seen this, but it's an interesting read:
http://slapshot.blogs.nytimes.com/

Dude & Bob,

I like Girardi as much as the next fan but if the trade offer was Girardi & Prucha for Cheechoo I would have to make that trade.

I think Girardi really took a huge step forward during the Penguins series. He was throwing his weight around and I think he found a new level of intensity that I hope he carries into this year.

...just saw where Dude was even throwing in a 1st rd pick...that makes it a bit tougher to say the trade would be automatic. I still think I would have to make the trade.

Cheechoo has had two disappointing years in San Jose since his 50+ goal campaign two seasons ago and was on the block all last year so i dont think a Prucha, Dawes and a pick would be out of the question. He would be great with Gomez and Zherdev.......

Nice to dream at least.

Girardi is or should be untouchable, he is one of the best defensemen in the league.

The most I would give up for Cheechoo is Drury or Redden.

Bob,

I love your enthusiasm...but "one of the best defensemen in the league"? I think even you have to admit that's stretching it just a tad.

Girardi is good all around, he could b one of the best in the league one day

not really, I think he is definitely in the top 15. He really is that good. He scores, he hits, he is very good defensively, he has leadership abilities, he blocks shots, and he takes very few penalties. And he is only 24.

22 Penalty minutes in 116 games is insane. It is mind boggling.

that is 11 minors in 116 games for a physical defenseman than can also score.

Girardi is the most underrated player in NHL.

Girardi averaged 5 hits per game in the playoffs which was tied for 2nd best only slightly behind Orpik.

I personally think Girardi is a steady D'man and would not let him go. we are still suffering from trading Zubov, and look how he turned out! I'd hold off on Cheech and would never give a 1st round draft pick for him...that is just plain crazy...and giving up drury?...what kind of drugs you people on?..1st you make him our new "C" and then you wanna include him in a trade??????????..LOL, give me a fricking break, Drury/Girardi are two of our current and future core players. Sometimes 'ya just need to let a good thing pass you buy to maintain the integrity and strength of your team. You all sound like Trader Phil, and we all know what he did to our team don't we.

Drury is 32, small, overpaid and was pretty bad in the playoffs and his offense is overrated and on decline. His clutchness is a myth, a self fulfilled prophecy.

Drury is great on the PK, but otherwise easily replaceable.

Steve showing your age with Procol Harum, saw them live at the filmore east. Hope to catch Robin Trower solo one day......Also hope dolan sells the NYR.

In reference to Bob’s post a 23:52 and 00:00 (balls for the squids)
I’m sure he’s competent enough to read, so let’s trust his hits per at midnight for just a minute.
So pay attention fans that cry about a “crease clearing d-man”.
Girardi – 10 g 18 a 28 pts in 82 gms ATOI – 21:30 – 2 yrs vet age 24 / 2316 shifts 07-08
3 a in 10 playoff games
Orpik - 1 g 10 a 11 pts in 78 gms ATOI – 16:58 – 5 yr vet age 27 / 1621 shifts 07-08
2 a in 20 playoff gms

The hits per game stats are a tad elusive. Help anyone, Bob perhaps? I’m looking for Girardi’s hits per game average vs. Orpik hits per game average in the regular season.

Orpiks second season in the NHL, his first full season (exactly like our Girardi this past season) Orpik had 1 g and 10 a with a -36. ATOI 18:25.
Now not only has Orpik not played more than 20 minutes per gm in 5 seasons but defensively (until 07-08 season) he has been a defensive liability.
No wonder his name showed up on the trade rumor blocks, huh?

It looks to me that Danny Boy is and will continue to be the better of the two. We have our crease clearing D-man that statistically is far superior offensively compared to Orpik. Danny Girardi has yet to be considered a liability on any portion of the ice.
Never drafted and EXCELLENT work ethic!
What more could anyone ask for from a 24 year old d-man.

I remember when Danny hit that 10 goal of the season and thinking to myself, wow, I didn’t even consider Giradi a 5 goal d-man let alone almost 30 points.
Let me know what you think.

P.s. Girardi is faster than Orpik.
P.s.s - Thanks Bob. Sometimes man, you aren’t so crazy. Then you blew it with the Drury comment. But that's ok man. opinions are like...

Slick

EXCELLENT post Slick.
I couldn't find hit stats either.
Ahhh, here come the youth movement guys. Where you been?

Being that Joel Lundqvist and Henrik are twins, I wonder how many times this year Avery is going to call Joel "Hank" by mistake?

It's not easy watching Avery doing that press conference, kind of really makes the whole thing real that he is gone.

Girardi's a top 15 defenseman? Better than Orpik? Ha. Girardi's skating is at best below average moving forward and he almost can't skate backwards. He makes Tyutin look like Niedermeyer. He's easy to beat in open ice. Remember the Sharks game last year when the Rangers had a man advantage and Grier (of all people) blew past him twice? When was the last time Girardi stepped up to make a hit in open ice? He's also as prone as was Malik to dumb giveaways in his own end. Yeah he threw better hits in the po's but during the season he only shoved guys never crushed anyone. Remember when Tyutin crushed Malkin during the reg. season? That's how Orpik hits regularly. If he's so great offensively why was everybody clamoring for a pp qb? When Girardi's back there the Rangers are prone to 2 on 1s.

And, oh yeah, if Girardi is better than Orpik at clearing the crease, why was everybody clamoring for Orpik?

Slick, I totally agree with your Girardi comparison...I kind of found stats showing Girardi having 2.18 hits per game and Orpik having 3.06 hits per game...However, I do think that Staal (who averaged 1.55 hits per game) will add almost a full hit per game. He will be more settled in and less nervous to make a mistake. Therefore, with Rangers shifting to a faster, puck moving style, Girardi fits the mold much better than Orpik, being that he is far more offensively inclined and not far behind Orpik in the hitting department (I would give Girardi a slight edge defensively). I just think that the Rangers are going to fill the "need" of a big-hitting d-man within, through the combination of the defense as a whole, especially Girardi, Staal, and possibly Kalinin

I haven't seen enough of Orpik to tell who is better, but Orpik never really impressed me. He seemed a lot like Tyutin--many hits, but not many that are monster, slow, lacks mean streak and lacks real large size.

Girardi, Staal, and Sauer and possibly Potter are our potential crease clearers. Mara has the size to be a crease clearer.

Girardi averaged over 2 hits per game in regular season. Orpik averaged about 3 per game. But Girardi hits harder I think which is what matters.

and Girardi is better than Tyutin in every way. Tyutin has really declined and was very slow footed and kept getting slammed along the boards on regular basis.

Recent interview with Avery:

During the presser, he said that by signing with Dallas he was clearly signing with a better team than the one he left. Later, I asked him point-blank why the Rangers didn't want him back. That's when he started to warm up:

"I don't know," he started. "That's an interesting question. I guess it probably came down to money, probably. That's a tough call. It's an interesting situation because then they turnaround and spend it on guys they shouldn't have spent it on. It's going to be an interesting situation, certainly I'll sit back and watch. New York is a tough place to play. Markus Naslund is going to have a tough time, so is Wade Redden. New York fans aren't going to put up with those guys. I don't think that they're going to live up to the expectations."

He concluded with: "I've gone to a better team."

Funny stuff - its posted on: http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/ccustance.tsn/162490/

Blurt, do you pay attention to anything? No one said Girardi was great offensively, he is just much better than Orpik offensively...And everyone was after Orpik because he was the only real big hitting defenseman out there, he's only 27, he is cheap, and he is probably going to improve compared to most other defensemen. If Girardi was a free agent, he would have brought in the same amount, if not more, as Orpik because he's solid all around. I do agree with the turnovers, however, I think it was a rough stretch because it didn't happen all year. It was a limited period of time.

On the Avery front, maybe this will make people realize that Avery didn't care about where he played or the fans, just somewhere that offered him the most money and would actually put up with him.....it's how he is, he's already starting crap...

Oh and the Jets won't make it that far because I think Favre is overrated, he's gonig to revert back to 2-3 years ago, and lets face it.....they are the Jets!!!!

Giradri had 179 hits (21st overall, 8th D) – 43 giveaways 51 take aways – 123 blocked – 147 shots

Orpik had 239 hits (6th overall, 2nd D) 25 give aways – 10 take aways. – 125 blocked – 50 shots
Here’s the link. The proof is in the pudding.

http://www.nhl.com/nhlstats/app?fetchKey=20082ALLSASAll&page=Stats&service=page&sort=hits&viewName=rtssPlayerStats

Looks like Girardi is a top 10 defensemen… in hits.

Probably not good enough for a guy like you huh, they need to be “bone crushing, player killing, game stopping hits” huh?
Give us something other than one example and your opinion, ok?

Slick

Looks like all that hitting is really for nothing Slick. What good is it to knock the guy off the puck and not be able to obtain it? Or worse, to hit him, and he still has it.
Seems like a complete waste of energy to me.
10 take aways??? OMG that's really low for a guy that was so highly coveted after July 1st. He hits like a so called freight train but in 78 gms stole the puck 10 times. That sucks!
Orpik was overpaid like Roszival was overpaid.
You have convinced me Sir. Good job and great posts. Thanks.

See what happens when you spend a little time researching the information instead of talking out the side of your neck.
30 teams - 6 defensemen each - 180 d-man, Girardi ranks 8th in hits during what was really his rookie season.
you know something, Slicks 100% right. (Bob pointed it out) We already have our hard hitting crease clearing monster d-men in Girardi (and Staal). I think the problem is their names aren’t familiar around the league and you don't spell it K-o-m-i-s-a-r-e-k or C-h-a-r-a.
Plant a little seed and watch it grow.
MegaDildos to you Slick. (that’s a compliment if you aren’t a Stern fan)

11:00 comment not by me. My posts never attempt to belittle or degrade a poster.

so now we all agree that Girardi is in the top 15-20 NHL defensemen?

Someone just sent me an email stating than Shanahan has signed with the Rangers but they will not announce this. Is this true?
They are also stating that there are sources saying that the NHL will disband soon??? anyone hear of this?

bob: Girardi hits harder than Orpik ? no way. Why dont you ask Jagr (remember Game 3 when Jagr scored and Orpik nailed him) or try asking Eric Cole.

Tyutin did not decline. He's been as steady as he's always been. Several times did I see Tyutin covering up for a Girardi mistake and vise versa. Yes, Girardi has more offensive skill, but Tyutin was pretty damn solid.

Effigy,

I do remember that hit, I also remember that Jagr wasn't looking. Not saying thats wrong or anything, I'm just saying when a player isn't looking and defenseless, then I can lay him out just as hard as Orpik.

As far as Tyutin goes, I agree, he did not decline. However, he played in 250 games and never got BETTER...no progress. You would think you would see some after 3-4 years in the league.

I see that as a big problem and I'm glad he is gone.

Other than that hit on Jagr (I hate Jagr and was happy to see him get nailed) I don't have any memories of big hits by Orpik. And Girardi matched it with that open ice hit on Hossa I think or was it Malkin?

and check out this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar-EyBMMPgQ

Tyutin declined big time and that is why he was traded. He was much better 2 years ago. With each season he looked less and less motivated/interested.

did shanny reallly sign?

Orpik hits harder than Girardi....no contest there, but will admit Garardi is more consistent....again, we need Garardi. Watching that Avery press conference was not easy to view.....he should be here in a NYR Jersey, and in this case, Sather made a big mistake in my opinion. No confirmation re: shanny signing-yet!...and I still believe we should Not make any moves..we're already up against the cap and there are two UFA's I'd like to go after for next year...Z'Burg and Komisarek. Plus, if we need any help somewhere this year, let's bring 'em up from Hartford.

Orpik hits harder than Girardi....no contest there, but will admit Garardi is more consistent....again, we need Garardi. Watching that Avery press conference was not easy to view.....he should be here in a NYR Jersey, and in this case, Sather made a big mistake in my opinion. No confirmation re: shanny signing-yet!...and I still believe we should Not make any moves..we're already up against the cap and there are two UFA's I'd like to go after for next year...Z'Burg and Komisarek. Plus, if we need any help somewhere this year, let's bring 'em up from Hartford.

where did someone get the rumor from about shanny?

Shanny rumor came from hockeybuzz.com

In todays President Cup tournament game, the former NYR captain & now Avangard Omsk winger Jaromir Jagr scored a goal & assist for Avangard Omsk against Moscow's Spartacus. Spartacus won 3:2.

Hockeybuzz and Eklund stink.
I never visit that site and think anyone who does is a sucker.
IMO

anyone who believes what they read on hockeybuzz is a sucker

But Hockeybuzz rules.

Eklund keeps the trolls away and you can talk hockey with anyone anytime of day, any day.

I can't support a guy who makes a living making things up to take advantage of desperate hockey fans looking for an inside scoop that we all know he doesn't have. He's like Powell at NATO, and Bush on the economy. Basically, he’s a pathological lair.
Are the two brothers still debating NYI and NYR hockey? Man, that's just about as corny as it gets. And not for nothing, I don't mind the trolls Jim, we're all guilty of stirring the pot once in a while aren't we?
Jim's a sucker. (E-5) lol

I think Dan Girardi is truly one of the best things that Glen Sather has done as Rangers GM.

Undrafted kid, played for 3 different OHL teams in a rather unheralded junior career, at 24 years old, has a double digit goal scoring year in the NHL from the blue line, in addition to playing solid defense and hitting anything that comes near him.

I bet Sather had almost nothing to do with discovering Girardi.

Now if he can get Girardi a long term deal at not too much money then I give him credit.

That goes into the "we only blame Sather for the bad and never give credit to him for the good" mentality.

I am certain that scouts suggested to Sather that he sign Girardi, but it is Sather who ultimately decides whether or not to get a players signature on a contract.

Girardi's signature was a very well done move.

yes, but thanks has to go primarily to the scout.

baseball too slow. Football too many commercials too much time to consider the next play, basketball not a team sport anymore. And I don't really like a game where 75% of the talent has 4 page rap sheets.

Hockey is the only team sport left, fast, 3 commercials tops per brake, and you'll be lucky to get 2 or 3 every 20 minutes.

Bob,

Not that I want to bash Girardi, but you initially stated he was one of the best d-man, than he was top 15, than he was in the 15 - 20 range. So I did a quick list of d-man that I think a vast majority of fans would agree are better than Girardi in many ways. Before I start let me say that I know Girardi is young and I hope to god that he continues his improvement and becomes the monster d-man we need. So having said that, here's the list in no real order...

Lidstrom
Gonchar
Campbell
Phaneuf
Green
Rafalski
Chara
Burns
Pronger
Zidlicky
Visnovsky
Whitney
Roszival
Redden
Bouwmeester
Kronwall
Zubov
Seabrook
Suter
Niedermeyer
Boyle
Staurt
Weber
Komisarek
Orpik
Staal
etc.

So even if we placed Girardi next he would still not even be top 25.
And this is a list I came up with very quickly..so some could be arguably/ marginally better and I may have forgot a few...but I think the list makes my point that Girardi cannot seriously be considered in "the top of the league".

Girardi is definitely better than: Gonchar, Campbell, Zidlicky, Boyle, Stuart, Roszival, Redden, Zubov, Suter, Orpik, Visnovsky, Rafalski, Staal(not yet), etc.

Or are you compairing offensive production or past glory of nearly retired players?

one guy who you missed who is better is Coburn.

Whitney, Volchenkov, Seabrook and Bouwmeester are about equal to Girardi.

Lidstrom is too old, Niedermeyer is not even interested in playing.

So basically only Chara, Burns, Coburn, Phaneuf, Green, Komisarek, Robidas and Kronwall are better.

Weber is about equal to Girardi and Pronger is better than Girardi.

"But then there's this bit reported by the Sporting News, in response to reporter Craig Custance asking the super pest why he thought the Rangers didn't want him back. "I don't know," Avery responded. "I guess it probably came down to money, probably. It's an interesting situation because then they turn around and spend it on guys they shouldn't have spent it on. It's going to be an interesting situation, certainly I'll sit back and watch. New York is a tough place to play. Markus Naslund is going to have a tough time, so is Wade Redden. New York fans aren't going to put up with those guys. I don't think that they're going to live up to the expectations. I've gone to a better team.""

I hope Naslund, Redden and Kalinin read or hear about this and prove him wrong.