Let's see, five lines, one's out for Saturday:
We're thinking Rissmiller, Fritsche and, gasp!, Petr Prucha. Could the Rangers sit the Czech winger in his homeland? Don't dismiss the possibility. Or maybe Sjostrom instead.
Voros-Betts-Orr seems to be a lock.
UPDATE (Prucha and Fritche were the last players on the ice after practice and Prucha later reportedly blew off a television interview request with some anger, saying that he wouldn't be in the lineup on Saturday)
****
The Rangers will attend a cocktail reception this afternoon at the U.S. Embassy, hosted by the U.S. Ambassador....Michal Rozsival and Tampa's Vinny Prospal spoke at the reception for the teams last night at Prague Castle with the prime minister in attendance. That was the genteel part of the trip so far.
In one scary moment yesterday, the Rangers had front row seats for a Croatian soccer fans riot in Old Town Square. "Basically the whole team was in the square," said Paul Mara. "The Croatian fans came in, the riot police came in, they were throwing fire bottles, we didn't know what to do, everyone was getting arrested. We were on the side. It was amazing. They were shooting tear gas, bean bags at the guys, absolutely crazy. We think the Red Sox-Yankees fans are nuts."
***
Lundqvist and Valiquette just left the building, Vally wearing a Yankees cap; he had a Mets cap on last week. "Cubs next", he said.
Comments (41)
no reason to panic or jump all over Sather...without a move for a forward in place this was the only move to make.
Potter will be with the big club as the 7th defenseman before the chicago game and one or two forwards have to be moved. Betts? Prucha? Dawes? Sjostrom? Rismiller?
Personally I think Orr, Fritsche, Korpikoski and Voros are safe.
As a Croatian, let me tell you that I know the Ranger players were struck with fear when this was going on. Those soccer riots are the CRAZIEST thing you'll ever be a part of.
Just glad they got outta there and no harm was done to them.
LETS GO RANGERS!
Blue,
it's just prolonging the agony.
They have had a month now to make the decision of the one forward that isn't going to make it.
My only fear is that the only forward that doesn't have to go through waivers is Korpikoski.
I don't care, if they send him down just because they can't decide on Prucha, Rissmiller or Sjostrom I am going to be as pissed as I've ever been as a Rangers fan.
wow renney U SUCK and u have no idea what u r doing
I think they have a pecking order set but takes time to put a deal together...even if it is just the odd man out and a dump for a draft pick. I am hoping there is something bigger in the works. A package including Dawes and Prucha for a proven winger to play with Dubinsky and zherdev would work for me.
I think they will do something by the Chicago game...they have to.
prucha blows
How hard is Sather working the phones right now?
we definitely need a 3 for 1 type deal.
I think there could be something to the thoughts about getting O'Sullivan from L.A.
Blue. I agree with you. I think those forwards are safe. Prucha's contract is a liability at 1.6M
Slow down Dude.
We still have to get Khabibulin from Chicago to replace Henrik this season!
LMFAO!!!
OMG, imagine?
Khabby was on top of the world when Tampa won the cup.
Sometimes when you're all about the money, your career takes a dump.
not that it matters on this team but isn't o'sullivan another center?
O'Sullivan is a young, dynamic player who can score.
Whether he plays wing or center, we could use that.
most teams are not starting until a few days from now so they are still evaluating players hence the problem trading someone. In addition we can bank on a few injuries as have happened throughout NHL history.
would expect something to be done by the home opener. . very surprised Prucha seems to be sitting in a game in Czech Republic.
finally are we in compliance salary cap wise with cutting 2 of lowest salaries.
have to think Prucha is going somewhere. this is a major diss to him in Prague. guys morale has to be at all time low. can't really see him playing under Renney anymore.
They have to stop playing these games with Prucha - re-sign him for $1.6 million and then scratch him for the season opener in his home country? I really expected him to see some more ice time this season, maybe get back into 20 or 30 goal form. Clearly the guy is capable of having thirty goal seaons - he did it his rookie year. I guess this is what happens when you have 15 offensive players on the roster.
they have 15 forwards not 15 offensive players. betts Rissmiller and Orr for example are not really offensive players
I can see a team like LA which I think is still below minimum cap trading for a Prucha after this weekend.
the re-signed Prucha for 1.6 million two years ago, it isn't like they just gave him that deal and then they scratch him.
If Prucha could score, he'd play.
He needs a new start somewhere else.
I had to call my ticket rep today about something and we always talk for a little while. I asked any trades going on joking around and I got a response that there is a rumor going around about Prucha, Dawes, Sagenetti and 1st rd pick for Gaborik
Prucha deserves at least a chance to be what he once was. He has out worked alot of players in camp and still won't get a fair chance. Cut the cord already and trade him. Another example of the Rangers holding on to a guy who they don't plan on using until he's worth nothing.
The best thing they can do is trade Prucha and Dawes for a proven winger with size. Someone that likes to take the body. This team is still too soft on the hitting.
I think Betts and Rissmiler should be the ones scratched. Fristche and Sjostrom are better than both of them.
This team is as usual, two smart trades away from being legit. One big winger and one big nasty D man. With Sather and Renney in charge I won't hold my breath.
Jason - nice dig but doubt there is any truth to that one. If we could make it work with the cap i would do it...maybe get one of the young d-man in return from the wild as well.
Gaborik, Dubinsky and Zherdev would be pretty solid!
I want Fritsche in there over Sjostrom for now. Prucha needs to go. Clearly no spot for him, even as a sentimental choice in his own country.
Renney is saying that Sjostrom earned a spot on this team over Prucha?? You have to be kidding me Sjostrom has been invisible the entire preseason. I know prucha hasnt been able to finish but you cant tell me that Sjostrom has played better than him.
Prucha has played himself out of this lineup and the kids that have come in have taken his spot.
He had a great 'rookie' campaign in which you saw some brilliance. But, fact of the matter is that really stayed in 05-06 and has not carried over. The next year he played more games and produced less.
Rookie year 05-06:
68 games, 30 goals, 17 assist, 47 pts
06-07
79 games, 22 goals, 18 assists, 40 pts
07-08
62 games (6 less then rookie campaign), 7 goals, 10 assists,
17 pts
Yes lets also mention 17 playoff game with 2pts (1G,1A).
Now I know how this works, the Prucha lovers will tell me and all of us that Sather and Renney destroyed the kid and blah, blah, blah.
So I point in another direction.
05-06 Prucha was in a class of his own. What other rookies or kids were there for enough time for us to see anything but, Prucha? He was #5 in points that year behind Jagr, Nylander, Straka and Rucinsky. To me this is why he stuck out and looked promising. Tyutin with 25 pts in 77 games that year as a rookie looked good. Dominic Moore that year as a rookie played 82 games and did not look great doing it. (have to point out Betts had better numbers then Moore in about 20 less games..lol). This was Otrmeyers first year. Loved this kid but, it speaks for itself. Hollwegs first year with the club. Lundmark finally got shipped out. So what I am getting at is yes he played great you can't deny that but, the stars aligned for him to look like something great.
06-07 is pretty much the same story but, Dubnsky, Callahan, Dawes, Girardi and others get a taste and play a few games. Callahan sticks out. Prucha drops in production but, still in the top ten among great hockey players on the team.
07-08 Tyutin, Girardi Dubinsky all play 82 games. Prucha drops to 12th in point tied with Paul Mara. He gets beat out by: Tyutin, Girardi, Dawes, Avery and Dubinsky.
The point I am shooting for here is that Prucha ahs nobody but himself to blame for the situation he finds himself in right now. Or maybe some of us do for placing way too much value on the kid to begin with. He is losing ground on this team because the younger guys around him are gaining it and passing him.
To me the only disappointing thing about Prucha at this point is that he wasn't moved when he was worth something more. I fell he does get moved but the return is nothing but, cap relief unless the deal is bigger then any of us expect.
Also what I am getting at is don't let great rookie year numbers and "he came through our system" blind you.
Heard a great interview with JR the other day where he talked about just this. Rookie years are the easiest he said and the easiest to put up good numbers. Can you sustain that is the question...
Sorry it's long but, had to get some of this off my chest. I am sick of acting like some of the kids here and around the organization are the next coming of FILL IN THE BLANK. We have not drafted one of those guys, Pitts did twice, Washington did...get where I am going. Dubinsky to me is the diamond in the rough for last year and hopefully this year. Maybe Korpikoski is the next but after that they are all worth talking deals about. Prucha First, it's time to go now!
tom renney dropped the ball here
he's sitting Prucha in home country especially when Prucha was 10 times better than Voros, Rissmiller, Sjostrom and even Dawes.
Tom Renney, you lost a lot of respect from a lot of Ranger fans today
Maybe Prucha is being benched because there is an impending move in the works??? I feel horrible for him....being benched in his own fricking country is nothing more that a Dis from Renny..If you want to see this kid play his best, he'll want to do it in front of his family and own country don't 'cha think?..he's so dam close to "getting it", meaning his game back......but perhaps a change of scenery will help him get back to his rookie year...I would like to see Rismiller scratched...I am not impressed w/him. Why go after o'Sullivan?...we have enough players up front.....I'd package Sjostrom Prucha and/or Dawes for a physical D man that won't take any crap in front of Hendrik and Valle and won't take advantage of our kids. As for Dawes. if he has such "Soft Hands", maybe he should go do a commercial for Palmolive \_ _
Jason snap - snap, wake-up, is that a wet dream you're having?
I hope it comes true for you, Gabby is one of my favorite players. If something like that happened it would be like winning the lottery for Ranger fans. TO GOOD TO BE TRUE!!!
To bad for Prucha, even if he is being delt, Renny should have played him in his home country. Sad, very sad, Renny lost some points there.
Gaborik is the perfect option for the Rangers, I they have every intention of going after him whether its now or if hes a free agent. He comes from a defense first coach (like Renney) has the speed there looking for, and is DAM young at 26. As a Ranger fan Gaborik to me is the player i want for the rest of his career. He fills the whole we need, and makes our first 2 lines up there with the best in the league. Were just one hard hitting, solid defenseman away from a Stanley Cup.
missed word in first post
Gaborik is the perfect option for the Rangers, I THINK they have every intention of going after him whether its now or if hes a free agent. He comes from a defense first coach (like Renney) has the speed there looking for, and is DAM young at 26. As a Ranger fan Gaborik to me is the player i want for the rest of his career. He fills the whole we need, and makes our first 2 lines up there with the best in the league. Were just one hard hitting, solid defenseman away from a Stanley Cup.
Drury name captain. Gomez & Naslund alternates
prucha has played better than dawes has. dwes should be sitting not pru, he has been invisible all preseason.
I want to give Renny some space here re: Prucha....not gonna jump all over him (right now)!....I think there is eaither a trade in the works and that is why he is being kept out of the line up, OR Renny and the coaching staff want to light a fire under him...send a message, get him angry, and according to Steve, the latter worked! If he is not dealt within the next 72 hours, I might have reservations on Renny and how he's handled Prucha. renny is very well liked among the NHL, he's a "nice guy", and nice guy's just don't go around treating people like this, so I think something's up. As far as Gaborik com'n to the Rangers, ok, I can dream too 'ya know, but for one thing, we don't have the cap room...we'll just have to wait until he becomes a FA and we have the cap room before making that dream come true. Drury our new Capt....you saw that one confirmed after the Victoria's Cup Game! \_ _
http://www.nypost.com/seven/10032008/sports/rangers/rangers_name_drury_captain_132002.htm
if anyone cares..
Getting Gaborik wouldnt be so hard to work cap wise, and neither would signing him to a long term deal. They only have Gomez, Drury, Naslund, Voros, Redden, Rozy, Staal, Girardi, Lundqvist guaranteed for next year. You might all think im crazy but we are seeing a possible Detroit like dynasty in the making. No matter what the Rangers are just as good if not better then last year. They will go after a winger knowing before they tie up more money on defense. We just gotta hope the defese gives Henrik the protection he deserves. Im all for giving up what we need to get Gaborik. I wouldnt be surprised if we got Gaborik and a defensemen for 2 of our young defenseman dawes prucha rissmiler/sjostrem. If a trade like that happened it wouldnt be surprising. Its pretty clear Gaborik wants out and Minnesota is probably queitly shopping him and they want young players in return and we have plenty. Send Sanguineti, Potter, Kalinin, Dawes, Prucha, Rissmiler, Betts 1st rounder next year get back Gaborik and Skoula and 2 3rd round picks.
I know im crazy but this is a deal that could for sure happen and once monday morning comes dont be surprised if we hear something like this happen. Prague is a taste of what this team is gonna look like but next friday its gonna be a different team.
yoav - i hope you are right. Learn from the Yankees mistake of not getting Santana.....
If you can get a game changer in the prime of his career you do it!
yoav - show me how that works cap wise this yr and down the road. you are taking 5 guys off current roster for one or two. we would have to add 3 or 4 other salaries even at minimum from hartford. the numbers don't add up without moving a top 5 salary.
Gaborik makes 6.3 Skoula 1.8 thats a total of 8.1.
We have around 1.4 in cap space
Prucha 1.6
Rissmiler 1
Betts 615k
Dawes 585k
Kallinin 2.1
Thats all 7.3 only a difference of a around 800k.
These arent exact but pretty close.
The Rangers could do this now but wouldnt need to move a top salary till later on. Maybe teams would be willing to take on Rozy later on or in the offseason if he has a good year and stays healthy. He would be a good player to move after the season and we would be able to hold off on that. Long term 60mil over 8 years come to 7.5. With Naslund coming off at 4mil in 2 years and Drury with 7 off in 4 it would be the perfect match for the Rangers for this year and long term. The Rangers have the young players to bring up and they will ensure they always do. Sather might have overpaid for Redden but he will be the reason Gaborik comes here. You have any idea how much Gaborik would love to win a cup even more so to win it in NY. The Rangers have the make of a team to entice a player like Gaborik to signing a deal like that.
And Dubinsky and Zherdev are both RFA so we know they wont be walking away for nothing, same goes for Cally, Korpi, Fritsche. Getting Gaborik would put us in great shape going forward. But getting him to sign before a trade would be made is key. I wouldnt want to get him if the option for him to be bid on happens. The Rangers need a top winger but more than an avg 7.5 yr would handicap us a bit next year with our other forwards, and going forward to ensure that Gaborik has the players around him to contend for a cup year after year.
Jason F
i wish i knew where this info was coming form
Has Gaborik ever played a full season? The guy gets hurt every season it seems.
Yoav - you forgot to add the salaries of the 3 additional players for this yr and next yr to flesh out the roster. so at least $ 2 mm more so the difference is not $ 800 k but more like $ 3 mm. Drurty leaving in 4 yrs does not help with Gaborik's salary next 3 yrs. the n umbers don't work unless one of top 5 players in salary goes either this yr or next.