Rangers Finally Take to the Garden Ice Tonight

The Rangers completed their training camp on Thursday with team-building exercises in West Point that included a mock hijacking of their bus, moving large objects, and a paintball war (see Newsday and Blueshirts Blog). They open their pre-season tonight at the Garden, the last NHL team to do so. They will give fans a first look at their new jerseys (appropriately enough against New Jersey), and give centers Artem Anisimov and Brandon Dubinsky a major audition as their top two centers as they try to land a job in the NHL (see game preview at NYR.com and season preview at the Sports Network). Jaromir Jagr and Scott Gomez (the subject of an article in the Times today), along with Chris Drury, will play tomorrow night against the Flyers.

In Hartford, the Wolf Pack opened training camp yesterday. Their current roster includes 13 players reassigned from Ranger training camp (Joe Barnes, Clayton Barthel, Alex Bourret, Brodie Dupont, Mitch Fritz, Bruce Graham, Chris Holt, Greg Moore, Jordan Owens, Corey Potter, Tommy Pyatt, Jake Taylor, Matt Zaba), five other players who played in Hartford and/or Charlotte last season (Michael Busto, Ryan Constant, Rick Kozak, Mark Lee, Mike Ouellette), Ranger draftee Eric Hunter, and fourteen other players trying out for a roster spot (see the complete list at the WP web site). However, with the Rangers still having to cut 14 players from their roster before the start of the season, most of the players currently training with head coach Ken Gernander and his staff will end up in Charlotte or elsewhere rather than in Hartford. Bruce Berlet has a report from the first day of camp in the Courant, which includes the news that Bourret originally injured his shoulder lifting weights over the summer (which we showed you on video a few weeks ago). But Bourret scrimmaged yesterday and was involved in some feistiness, according to Bruce.

In the past, we've brought you daily prospect updates throughout the season here at Blueshirt Bulletin. This season, we're pleased to introduce you to the Prospect Park blog recently launched by Jess Rubenstein, where you will be able to get more detailed updates than we have room for, as well as Jess's analysis of Ranger prospects. Today, Jess writes about how to fairly rate prospects. Also check out his prior article on Hugh Jessimen. There is more there too. The Rangers' top prospect outside North America, Alexei Cherepanov, returned to action the other night and scored in his first game back. He was named second star of the game in Avangard Omsk's win. Here is a video clip of his goal -- that's Alexander Popov making the great move for the initial shot, which Cherepanov knocks in while being taken down in front after releasing from the man defending him -- a gritty goal for a finesse player in his first game back from a concussion:

By the way, for those who may wonder based on his surname why Dubinsky is playing on Yom Kippur, he told us last week that he is Catholic (both of his parents are).

Comments

[paulf]

Nice hard-working goal.

[Bob Merchant]

Wondering what the consensus is on Alex Bourret? I heard the Thrasher's were very high on this kid before losing him to the Rangers.

[Mike]

Bob,

The consensus on Bourret is that he is a bona fide second line NHL player. The Rangers were going to draft him in the first round but some kid named Staal dropped and fell into their lap.

Not sure if he fell out favor in ATL but there were some reports that he did not play well in the AHL last year as a rookie. He finished strong in Hartford, especially in the playoffs.

In any case, it was a virtual coup that the Rangers got him.

[David]

Yeah. Cherry, takes a monster hit from Sutter and gets up right away, granted with a concussion. Scores goals like this. Soft Russian, right? Cant wait till this kid is wearing true blue.

[czechthemout!!!]

happy holiday to you and jess,dubi!

[CML]

VOTE FOR BLUESHIRT BULLETIN FOR THE BLOGGERS' CHOICE AWARDS!

Show your support for Dubi!!!

http://www.bloggerschoiceawards.com/blogs/show/28653

[rangerbill94]

Dan Cloutier waived!

[Ruttster]

Someone said center ice is showing exhibition games? Is this true?

[iceycup]

Dan Cloutier waived?

Whats his cost if picked up? I saw he was making 2.55 in LA but is that still the case? I'll never forget the game when he was with the Rangers when he skated by the other teams bench with his jersey off and was challenging people to fight...lol that was great.
Oh well. Hes probably washed up and overpriced.

Valli isnt going to be a great back up and Montoya is too costly.

Woo hoo... 30 minutes to go !

[Matty]

"Someone said center ice is showing exhibition games? Is this true?"

Yes, I did ... go to the Bruins website and launch their Bruins TV thing, there is a Center Ice TAB there and if you click on it then you just choose the preseason game you want to watch ... is free

[Matty]

BTW here's the YouTube thingie from the Rangers/Islanders when Dan C. beat up Salo and challenged the Islanders bench ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x-NGx_6SSs

I never want to see Henrik do that but boy was that awesome? lol

[Ruttster]

What's the link Matty?

[iceycup]

weekes has no idea where he is. 7:20pm EST

[rangerbill94]

2-0 NYR, Girardi 2 assists. Any info on the defensive play?

[Matty]

http://bruins.nhl.tv/team/console is the link

so we are leading 3-1 ... good deal for our prospects

[stevek]

According to Yahoo and HockeyBuzz.com, The Rangers are considering ex flyer Robert Esche, so much for the
Dan Cloutier dream.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/rumors/post/Esche-bound-for-Broadway;_ylt=Alq1uLzK.48_h1kGNg4Dm797vLYF?urn=nhl,46091
Esche bound for Broadway?
With the season quickly approaching, it appears the New York Rangers would like to improve their back-up goalie situation and could sign former Philadelphia Flyer Robert Esche.

Esche, who was born in upstate New York, is an unrestricted free agent. He played in 18 games for Philadelphia last season. Stephen Valiquette is listed as the No.2 goalie for the Rangers behind Henrik Lundqvist. Valiquette appeared in three games for New York last season

[rangerbill94]

iceycup

You don't want Cloutier. Locker room problem. Head bigger than his helmet.

[jas]

Dubi's has two sweet assists...Staal, Sauer and Girardi looked VERY solid on D...Montoya looked sharp in net...Byers and Jessiman using their size well...Cally hustling all over the place...THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT...

and Kaspar looks awful.

[Matty]

Poor Kaspar, but even when I learned that he shed the 20 lbs I was skeptical about his readiness ...

[jas]

Oh, and AA looks good, too!

[imitation]

matty it's his first game in a long time. I'd give him a little more rope.

[Matty]

"matty it's his first game in a long time. I'd give him a little more rope."

Yes, I know that but given the fact that he hasn't looked that impressive in Training Camp, and now not impressive in this game and given his salary I just think that he is destined for Hartford ... which is why I feel badly for him, that's not to say that he turns it around there and is picked up by someone or even as he's sent down if he has to go through waivers ...

[pghas]

A few observations:

1. Dubinsky is ready. Should undoubtedly make the team and probably be third line center. Is musch quicker to the puck, but still very strong on the puck. Made two absolutely beautiful passes where he took his time with the puck and passed it directly across the crease for slam dunks by Straka and Callahan.

2. Anisimov looks strong as well, great in both ends and has a good puck sense. Made a great move to split the defense and burst in alone but couldn't finish. Definitely will be a player here and a good one, but I just think Dubinsky is better. So Anisimov will likely be #1 center in Hartford.

3. Staal looked good especially defensively and could make the team, Sauer also looked solid but needs at least a year in the AHL.

4. Jessiman was actually fairly impressive. Certainly has a lot more skill with the puck than Hollweg or Orr, a decent shot, and did a real nice job of forechecking down low and using his size to both get and maintain possession of the puck. I actually think he'll wind up in NY at some point if not this year, then next.

5. Smith will be lucky to make the Pack. Byers is OK.

6. Kasparaitus is done. he'll be sent to Hartford and even if they need a call-up it will never be him. He was among the worst defensemen out there tonight. The post-lockout NHL is not for him. no other team will trade for him. He's off the books.

7. Hutchinson was eh, allright. I would keep Staal up here way over him. nothing real special about him.

8. Valiquette should not be this team's backup goalie. He made a few great stops, but was out of position in terrible ways a few times and also should have stopped at least one of the two he let in. montoya had a few escapades but he'll grow out of those - IMO looked much better positionally and has better fundamental skills and quickness. he should be Hank's backup and get 17-20 games this year.

9. Girardi, Callahan, Avery all looked terrific as well.

10. The team above just beat the Devils opening night roster sans Brodeur and Rachunek. Our roster was missing Jagr, Gomez, Drury, Prucha, Malik, Rozival, and Lundqvist. The Rangers looked like a cohesive unit. Such an encouragement over the past. We have a real future for once. i know they want the Cup this year. Whatever. We'll be solid for years.

[czechthemout!!!]

My impression of the game is as follws.

montoya-was very good,needs to stop over handling the puck,thought he was better than valliquette.

staal-was very steady,needs to play in the nhl.he is ready to play,will only get better with more time like his brothers before him.

sauer-same as staal.good defensman,better than i expected.

hutchinson-not impressed at all.was bad defensively,better offensivly.pock looked much better to me last year.

kasper-too bad,but he’s done.too slow,makes too many mistakes.

strudwick-slow,is nothing more than a number nine dman on this team.

girardi-was his steady solid self,looked like he added a physical element with some solid hits.

lessard-sucks!

mark smith-was a little better than i thought,should do well in hartford as veteran presence,has no buisness anywhere near this team.

hollywood-he is what he is.and will never be anything ellse.

betts-very good pk,good on faceoffs and blocks shots just like last year.

byers-impressed with his strengh behind the goal.needs to work on his skating a little more although he is much bettter than orr.will ultimatley replace him.

hugh specimen-did some good things,but also needs to work on his skating,still probably one year away.

straka-good as usual,looked almost in midseason form.played well with his linemates.hustles his ass of even in preseason.

callahan-what else can you say,plays both ends of the ice,blocks shots,takes the body,good passer,and scores.great total package just like last year!future star in my opinion.will score 30 goals and 30 assts for ten years.

dubinsky-ladies and gentleman,your third line center,brandon dubinsky.looks much faster and stronger on his skates than last year.looked like a future second line player.may one day be the total package.won 75% of his faceoffs and back checked real well.

avery-in mid season form as well.

shanny-unfortunatly,looked old and slow.hopefully it is nothing more than him trying to get his feet under him.i hope he can go for at least one more year.

artem anisimov-looked real good at times and very impressive.will be a top line center one day.needs to get more muscle mass.needs to develop a physical elemnt to his game.

I was impressed by the fact that the devils had many more of their regulars than we did and we dominated the game at times.that is a testament to the young talent on the team.sather and his staff deserve some kudos for that.

[Matty]

The problem with Montoya being Henrik's backup, as Dubi and others have mentioned, is his price tag at the NHL level. With the Rangers cap situation that makes it nearly impossible for him to be up with the big club unless they shed more salary between now and the start of the season ...

[K]

The NHL is already having problems with its stats. I went to nhl.com to see the ice-time breakdown, but they don't even have the right roster. Apparently Joe Barnes and Mitch Fritz played in tonight's game.

[smitty]

"By the way, for those who may wonder based on his surname why Dubinsky is playing on Yom Kippur, he told us last week that he is Catholic (both of his parents are)."

NOT busting chops here, but isn't Dubinsky clearly a Polish name? If it is, and given that Poles are 95% or more Catholic, I don't understand the confusion or the joke if it was meant to be one...

Again, not busting chops here, just confused. FYI, I am neither Polish nor Jewish, so I got no beef here.

The Rangers clearly showed a winning attitude and desire tonite, from top to bottom. Amazing what a little winning and a proper structure that allows for internal competition can do to a team!

[Lynkx]

Sauer, Staal, Anisimov, Dubinsky, they stood out to me big time, even with my blurred vision and headaches (i wound up getting pretty sick tonight during the game)

Also, Dubi, since I wasn't able to make an order yet, cause of all the money probs i've been havin, I scrounged up a couple bucks and bought the Sept. Edition of BB at Crosby's. I love it, keep up the great work, as soon as I get some spare cash, you can expect an order from me

[ANT]

I know hes a devils and all but anybody knows what happened to Weekes

[imitation]

Weekes is day to day, usually 7 ;-)

[Lynkx]

Looked like a concussion, ANT,I had a perfect angle of Avery skating by him and being shoved around, and Avery crashed into weekes hard, It looked like Weekes head hit either the post or the ice, like I said, my vision was a bit blurred from sickness, but he was down for a good 10 mins and they had to help him to his feet and off the ice

[imitation]

smitty I agree. What's with the religion comments on a hockey blog? The aclu will come down on this site , they don't like most religions , except Muslim.

[smitty]

what is everyone's impression of Esche as a backup if it comes to pass?