Dr. Feelgood Pays Henrik a Visit

The Rangers took the early lead tonight against Montreal at the Garden -- just like they did in their last two Garden games against Tampa and Philly. They even took a 2-0 lead, like they did against Philly. But just like they did against Philly, they got themselves into trouble with penalties shortly after taking that lead, including another lengthy five on three early in the second period, which was the beginning of the end against the Flyers when they converted theirs. But not this time. This time, despite a lack of work until then, Henrik Lundqvist made several big saves -- not many, but high quality saves.

"It's huge for us," Chris Drury, who put the Rangers on the board early on a nice give and go goal with Marcel Hossa, said of those early power play saves. "They got a great power play, we know that. As much as we talk about not getting penalties, we did take a few too many. And he's back there making saves like that -- it's huge for everybody." Those saves spurred the Rangers to step up their attack. "He looked very sharp on them," coach Tom Renney said. "He was completely square to the puck. He made them look easy. It brought focus into his game real quick, and that helped our team. You just knew he was on it early, which helped us push forward."

The impact of Lundqvist's goaltending showed in the Rangers' body language -- last game, you could see them sag when their lead evaporated and they fell behind on a series of goals that don't usually get by Lundqvist. But this time, you could see the extra jump in their step knowing he was on his game. "Tonight I tried to played more on my toes," Lundqvist said. "It was a good feel, the first period. There were a couple of times the puck just bounced our way, and it felt really good. I had to finally feel it. It was our night tonight. It was that kind of feeling. I just had my pad there, and it went over the net. It's been a tough stretch. It's still just one game. I know my game is right there -- I need to just stay focused no matter what happens."

Focus is the key for Lundqvist, who doesn't believe that his technique has slipped at all. "I was talking to Benny the last couple of weeks," he said, referring to his goalie coach Benoit Allaire. "What can I change? What can I do better? Then I realized, it's not techincal, it's more about focus. I have to play sharp -- I have to be focused. It's easy to say, but it's the toughest part of being a goalie, to be mentally prepared. A lot of goals you let in is just a lack of concentration. One percent missing, and they go in. You have to make quick decisions -- you make a poor decision and it's a goal." Tonight, a sharp focused Lundqvist made all the right decisions, and the Rangers won.

The penalty kill helped -- Montreal did get ten power play shots, and many were high quality, but the penalty killers also blocked ten Montreal power play shots, especially during the two lengthy two-man advantages the league's top power play was awarded (they got only two shots during nearly three minutes of five on three play). "The penalty kill worked hard," Lundqvist said. "Montreal was all power play -- it could have cost us the game. We had a good talk on the PK this morning, and it looked really sharp today. When we gave up five on three for almost two minutes against the best power play in the league, all the guys felt really good -- that was the turning point." Renney agreed. "They were excellent," he said. "A couple of five on threes -- those were huge huge kills, probably the game right there."

Like Drury, Renney lamented the number of penalties the Rangers took. "We can't do that," he said. "As much we had a nice game tonight, if we spend time in the penalty box like that, we're not going to get this done." No one pointed a finger at the referees. But one has to wonder how a team that rarely has possession of the puck, as evidenced by the Rangers outshooting them 32-9 at even strength, could have earned an 8-3 advantage in power plays. How can Marc Staal be called for boarding when the player he hit never hit the boards? Why was it a penalty every time the Rangers got their sticks up, but not a penalty when Jaromir Jagr was held trying to get off on an odd man rush, or when Scott Gomez was cross-checked hard from behind when he wasn't even in possession of the puck? And how do you take a goal away from a team by calling a penalty for goaltender interference when the goalie is out of the crease and dives after the penalized player pulls up to a stop in front of him?

The Rangers' kid line of Brandon Dubinsky centering Nigel Dawes and Petr Prucha was a bright spot in the otherwise dismal loss to Philly the other night. They were even more of a bright spot tonight, generating two goals, with Prucha getting a goal and an assist, Dawes getting a goal and an assist, and Dubinsky getting an assist and winning 65% of his draws -- all three were +2 and they had eight shots on goal between them. "They're excited to play together," Renney said. "They do the things we look for and they take great pride in it. I like the synergy between those three kids. They work hard in both ends of the rink and have the ability to score."

"Even the last game, Dubinsky, Prucha, and I, we had our opportunities," Dawes said. "We knew we just had to keep getting pucks deep and get in on the cycle. We're going to get our chances and eventually it will pay off. Prucha did a good job finding the opening on the back side. I saw him when I was circling out behind the net, but I knew I couldn't pass right away. I was hoping he was still going to be there, that he hadn't moved -- he was still there and he made a good play." The other night, Dawes passed when he was in good shooting position. Tonight, he scored by making the goalie think he was going to pass. "He was kind of cheating," he said. "I didn't have the best angle. I definitely tried to look him off, he opened up a little bit, and I found my spot." If he keeps it up, he will realize his goal of having to skip the AHL All-Star game, and the Rangers will have found themselves a dynamic third line.

Imagine that Jagr played one of his strongest games of the season, bullrushing his way through Montreal's defense almost at will, and barely gets mentioned. His line with Gomez was bolstered by the return of Martin Straka one game sooner than expected -- Straka got the Rangers' second goal after Jagr used his strength to maintain possession of the puck seemingly forever before finally getting a pass off. With Brendan Shanahan resting his sore knee, back, hips, and hamstring and with Sean Avery still out with a bone chip in his wrist, a makeshift second line of Drury centering Hossa and Greg Moore did not inspire anyone to sit down and think up a catchy name for the unit. But Hossa and Drury made a nice play to open the scoring, and all three played well.

Having taken the first step in breaking their debilitating losing streak, bookending it with a matching win over the Canadiens, the last team they beat, way way back in 2007, the Rangers must now build on the win and craft a hot streak that puts them back on track. Just as no one was comfortable with a 2-0 lead tonight after what happened to their 2-0 lead the other night, one win -- even three wins in a row, which they achieved with their last win over the Habs -- does not a turnaround make. When the Rangers maintain the goal scoring -- the balanced goal scoring -- and match it with the defense, goaltending, and penalty killing that got them through their November hot streak, and run off a series of streaks broken only by singleton streak-breaking losses, only then will be back where they expected to be this season.

Game reports: Daily News, Newsday, Times, Post, NY Sports Day, NYR.com, SNY, AP, and Montreal Gazette -- a couple of the above confirm that Glen Sather has inquired into the possibility of signing 40-year-old free agent goalie Curtis Jospeh. Pre-game notes from Blueshirts Blog, Rangers Report, Blue Notes, and Slap Shot -- post-game from Blue Notes. Newsday catches up on Scott Gomez's all-star selection. Sunday columns -- John Dellapina of the Daily News on a possible Yankee Stadium game between the Rangers and Islanders, Steve Zipay of Newsday on trade deadline possibilities, and Larry Brooks of the Post on the ramifications of Alex Ovechkin's landmark contract. Also in the Post, Phil Mushnick is shocked -- shocked! -- that the Garden is making money off of Brian Leetch night. The Wolf Pack won their second straight on their road trip (see the Courant and Howlings). Prospect Park reviews Saturday night's prospect action.

Comments

[czechthemout!!!!!]

Ok,here comes some credit.GREAT JOB BY RENNEY tonight making the lines.The lines looked real solid and they all seemed to have good chemistry.Also the effort,tenacity and determination to finish checks was there.They seemd to be inspired tonight.Great game by the king when he was needed.I liked the style of game they played.the agressive forcheck with speed,reminded me of how they played down the strecth last season.I hope Renney continues to play this style of game instead of the laid back and passive approach.Kudos to Renney for getting the team to dictate the flow and style of the game,some I 've been waiting to see all season.Only problems were the penalties and the blown coverage by Malik on the habs goal.Otherwise even he played a good game.

On a side note,Dubinsky in my opinion is oh so close to going on a major tear.The pace of the game seems to be slowing down for him.What a move he put on in the third,faked the guy out of his pants.

DID I MENTION KUDOS TO TOM RENNEY?

[jason]

He may no be flashy but Nigel Dawes knows how to put the puck in net. He deserves to stay up for good, unspite of hossa's good pass on the first goal.
Great game from everyone except for the penalties.
3rd line had A lot of chances created by a lot of hard work.

[ivrydov]

The team was hitting in the offensive zone, which was Avery hockey without Avery. Both teams were credited with 35 hits but only 11 of the Rangers came from D while 15 for the Habs, which means their hits were weighted in their zone. (Orr led the Rangers with six.) They also, finally, got secondary scoring with Dawes doing what Callahan wasn't able to do, making that line a scoring threat. It also shows that Shanahan really hurt the team by playing hurt although I know he meant well. I hope he doesn't come back unless he's 100 per cent. The question is who goes, Moore or Hossa. I like Moore.

Montreal has the best PP in the league and their announcers said eight power plays was the most they've had in one game this year so it shows how good the PK was. The Rangers tempted fate and got away with it

Every team in their division except the Rangers has been hot in the last 10 games, so it was really was now or never. Not all five are going to make the playoffs because they knock each other out, but it may be that four will like last year.

Here's a trivia question. The Kostitsyns are the 15th set of brothers to play for the Habs, the first to combine on a goal since Frank and Peter Mahovlich. How many brother sets have played for the Rangers? I don't know the answer.

[dtaild]

Excellent game by all..That includes Malik who made some great plays on the 5 on 3, and besides that gaffe leading to the goal, he was very solid...All the lines played real well, but wow, Dubinsky's line was pretty amazing.

[akayama49]

As you know I've been Nigel's biggest advocate in the blogosphere all year; tonight's contest is no surprise to me; however, there's an aspect of his play that's quite ironic, namely, that Dawes and Prucha in particular show chemistry togehtwer that has been lacking for each of them individually. Dawqes has excellent p[laymaking and passing ability. Last nite tho the dubinsky line did not get huge minutes, they played like a line throughout. A quality game by all of them bodes well for overall team results. It's one game, but getting that line contributing could be a major boost for team results in the future. BTW Dawes' head/pass fake was the very same he used in a more static manner way back when he beat Brodeur on the power play at MSG. Overall verdict: As advertised here previously SIXTY MINUTES OF (COMMITTED) HOCKEY RULES!!

[NCSteve]

I want to like the players on this team just like anyone else, and after last night's matchup with the Habs I can once again rest easier. It's got to give Ranger fans hope for the stretch run and then the playoffs. Drury, Gomez, Jagr, the King, et al put together a game to build on. For me, the difference last night was the team's willingness to send in the extra forechecker and challenge Montreal's breakout play. Hmmmm. Sounds like the Rangers stole a page from their opponents' game plans. And I keep hearing "on our toes." Going to the net is another area where the Rangers have improved. Looks like the Blueshirts are finally getting the message.

[Tucson Ken]

Last night's game was a joy to behold after the recent uninspired play. It was a pleasure watching the Rangers simply out work the opposition for a full 60 minutes, & Jagr actually operating around the net where he needs to continue to keep his big body & make plays that have a high chance of paying off. We constantly had guys in front of the net, willing to pay the price while others were working hard along the boards. This is a GOOD team when they play hard all game, pure & simple.
Can't understand all the negativity about Dubinski. I see a multi-talented, skilled, hard working kid who is willing to play physically & appears fearless & will develop into a scorer as well.
I think Prucha, with the 2 goals before he had to sit out a few games, & last night's top shelfer, has broken out of his "A-Rod-like" mental funk and will regain confidence and once again become the productive scorer he was. He's never stopped working hard, & now maybe can relax, stop over-thinking & just let it rip.
Not sure how well the new defensive pairings really worked, but perhaps it helped jolt the team, as a whole, out of its lethargy, & play with more intensity on every puck battle.
Amazing how hard offensive forechecking & dirty work results in a better defensive effort.
Henrik made key saves, & also caught a few breaks which I think is what happens when a team plays hard. If they will only continue to work hard they will do well, if not they won't.
Nothing else is needed.

[NCSteve]

ivrdov How many brother sets have played for the Rangers? I don't know the answer.

Not much happening today (waiting for 4:30 Jints kickoff), so I went through the all-time roster on the Rangers website:

dave and don maloney, bill and fred "bun" cook, muzz and lynn patrick, ron and harry howell, frank and andy bathgate, greg and pat hickey, bryan hextall, jr. and dennis hextall, mac and neil colville, chris and peter ferraro (identical twins), gus and bill kyle, eric and daniel lacroix(?), kevin and kelly miller, and grant and bill warwick.

This is definitely not a list of brothers who played TOGETHER on the Rangers, but rather pairs of brothers who are on the roster. (Though it seems most have played together.)

Things I learned (or had forgotten) while checking out the all-time roster: Fred "The Fog" Shero had played for the Rangers in the 1940s; Greg Hickey had been signed in hopes of luring the more talented Pat Hickey (it worked!); Bill Cook scored the Rangers' first-ever goal; Gordie Howe, whose younger brother Vic played with the Rangers, came to the Rangers' training camp in 1944 but went home!; and, (my favorite) Steve Budinski, who played nine games in 1942 with a 5.89 GAA, earned the nickname Steve "The-puck-goes-inski." I feel your pain.

[rangerbill94]

Anybody have a replay on the "Malik Gaffe"? What I saw was a great pass that Hank missed with his pad. If Hank got the pad on it, there was no goal and the rebound was right in front of Malik. Easy clear! I just don't see the gaffe.

The word after this game is ...sustain...One good game is only one good game. If the third line and consistantly provide a threat and some performance, that will help.

[Matty]

Malik, had a very good game, but it was a mistake that he made on that goal because he is watching the puck all the way instead of covering his man ... it still doesn't take away from the excellent game he played otherwise ...

I just hope that last night is something that is going to be the norm and not the exception because against high scoring PIT they'll need to play like last night and take less penalties ... Ty Conklin is playing out of his mind so Henrik will once again need to continue his return to his old self ... It can be done and it should be done ..

Here's hoping our 3rd line gets more ice time tomorrow specially against a young team like the Pens

[ivrydov]

NCSteve

Pretty impressive list. No need for the question mark after Lacroix. The story on Gordie Howe, if it's true, was that he showed up as an 18-year-old and was told he'd better think of another vocation because he'd never make it as a hockey player.

[Ros]

rangerbill94, a "pass that Hank missed with his pad."? Why is a goalie supposed to stop a PASS with his pad? when have you seen a goalie place his pad perpendicular to the net to stop a pass across?

That was Malik's responsibility all the way.

[marge]

ros, rangerbill94

Hank could've gotten it with his pad, and we've all seen goalies take out passes that way, but in terms of responsibility, ros is absolutely right. Malik had the responsibility of physically keeping the man in front of the net from getting his stick on that puck.

[saget]

If a person can find a way to complain about that game last night, that person will never be satisfied. Pretty much as solid a game from every player on the team, in every situation.

[Dubi]

Oh, come on! Give the guy a freaking break! He stepped in under difficult circumstances and played a great game! Why don't you talk about his work on the five on three, which he played almost every second of? And he was still being booed with the Rangers up 3-0, 4-0 in a must win.

[Jess]

Saget

Ah but if you wander the web you are in fact seeing that. People ripping on Malik, or saying that Renney did not deserve credit.

They do not mention the legit complaint which would have been about all those penalties. You are right though those are fans who would rather see the team fail.

It was a good win last night, it was not perfect but what it was was a win. Now the key is to sustain it so this win has value and allow the team to build some momentum.

[oleosmirf]

Jess

one game doesnt let go of the fact that besides Sanguinetti and Cherepanov the Rangers prospects are mediocre at best.

[rangerbill94]

ros

I'm not blaming Hank. He DID through out his pad to stop that pass. He DID miss it. I also don't blame Malik. This is a powerplay, we're down a man, can't cover everybody. My point was that a very good pass was made that resulted in a goal. I don't see anybody as a goat in this one. Maybe you should critisize MON for allowing Prucha to score a goal from right out in front, or was that just a great pass from Dawes!

How 'bout we give credit where credit is due. The guy made a great pass and the other end finished it. That's all. I looked at Hanks reaction and thought that he thought he should have gotten that one. I'm sure if he was asked, he would tell you he should have gotten that one.

Now, on to Dubi's point. Malik played a soild game with Rozsival at his side. He earned another game. The mix up of defensive pairings looked fine to me. I'm still not a Mara fan. I think the only thing he has is a hard point shot. The problem is, I don't think he knows where it is going!!!

[saget]

Jess:

I see no reason to do anything but enjoy as solid a game as this team has played all season. Malik has been unfairly treated by the NYR fans forever. Renney made a difficult decision to switch up the defense pairings and it paid off. I'm also assuming that 30 minute session he had with the players before practice on Friday had a positive effect - the team seemed to be focusing on what it had to do, rather than on what it had to stop the other team from doing. So far, the NYR organization responded as well as we could have expected.

Now we have a big game against Pittsburgh, 6 points ahead of us, with a goaltender who is 9-0-1, with a 1.79 GA and .945 SP. The team needs to come out as strong as it did on Saturday.

[i]

the DDP kid line needs to stay together & progress. That's been one of the missing pieces of the puzzle.

[ORR Says "Trade to get Tootoo & Cheechoo" !!]

I do give Renney some credit for the win. As for Malik, he played a basic game, which for him is always good. Except for the PP goal that the Habs scored, Harry shoulda had his man. But i can let that slide.

Rangers gotta keep it up though.

[marge]

Malik played well, but I do think he should have taken Kostitsyn out in front of the net. And, yes, I do believe Prucha's goal was a result of Montreal's D making a mistake in letting him hang out alone next to the net. That doesn't take anything away from the Kostitsyns, Prucha, or Dawes: This game involves offense and defense, and goals probably more often result from combinations of good offensive plays with defensive gaffes than they result from great offensive plays alone. The skill the Kostitsyns, Prucha, and Dawes displayed was in taking advantage of the respective situations, and I'm pretty sure that's the skill we call hockey sense. To say the defenders could have stopped them is not to say they didn't make great plays.

I think Renney must have done something great to make last night's game go the way it did (I didn't think he had it in him), and I give all the credit in the world to the players for a solid 60-minute effort. Fans booing Malik is dumb and counterproductive. Fans booing the team after they give up many bad goals to Philly is appropriate and potentially productive. Fans at the games do not do enough cheering to encourage the Rangers and get them going (we can take a lesson from the Calgary fans here).

Malik played hard, and didn't take stupid penalties, and did all that under very difficult circumstances (playing at home). I compliment him on last night's performance, but I still respectfully submit that when he's the D-man in front of the net on the PK, he has to be more physical.

The Dubinsky line was amazing, and I bet they can keep it up. Nothing about last night's lineup should change until the Rangers lose. In fact, I might even go so far as to keep Shanny out of the lineup until he's fully healed just to see if the current lines keep working out.

The refs did suck, and Dubi's comment about the boarding penalty drives that point home. If the Rangers ever win another Cup it will likely be with the refs playing for the other team (especially against a Canadian team; we should start tallying penalty statistics in American vs. Canadian and small-market vs. big-market games just to prove to ourselves we're not all collectively crazy).

I think the point of this post is to say we can criticize things that happen on the ice in an effort to measure the team's progress, regardless of whether the team wins or loses, without being happy about the team losing. No one will be more relieved than I when the Rangers get through a whole game without doing anything stupid. Until then, spotting mistakes and pointing them out, while still appreciating a good effort and complimenting progress, is worthwhile.

oleosmirf

Do you want Jess to kill you?

[Jameson]

The one thing I can't deal with when it comes to Malik is the penalties he takes. He gets beat and then takes so many penalties. I understand defenseman aren't perfect, and as long as Malik isn't on the top pair it isn't that big of a deal to me.

Hossa had an under the radar game, I think he played well. I hate when everyone gets so crazy when Hossa is on the 1st line like they get THAT much more ice time than the 3rd line does. And Hossa is a solid player.

Great overall win though, hope it continues.

[Jasper]

The team did come together and play a solid game for the most part. However, I did notice that they slacked off a bit toward the end. I can understand somewhat that perhaps they felt confident enough about getting the win that they were all taking a collective sigh of relief, so their priority was not to push to score again. But their last power play toward the end of the game looked, well like it's looked for the last two weeks, no shots on goal and no threat. That was the only thing that was just a little bit disappointing to see, that lack of killer instinct for 60 minutes, but hey, it's a start and 2 points is 2 points. BTW, can't help but wonder if Dawes and his line mates would have made any difference in Western Canada.

[Matty]

one game doesnt let go of the fact that besides Sanguinetti and Cherepanov the Rangers prospects are mediocre at best.

Oleo,

I am sorry but you've come to this conclusion based on what exactly? You have seen the kids play for months on end to make such a determination? Or you are just going by what scouts that barely pay attention to some of our prospects write about them? No seriously I would like to know ... Because Dan Girardi was passed over in the draft and no one, except people here like Jess, was talking talking about him and look at what we have now ... no one considered Henrik an elite goaltender, defenitely not one who's been a Vezina finalist in his first two seasons ... so if you are going by what those National Scouting publications are posting or TSN then I guess our prospects would look mediocre to you but why take their word for it when they aren't the ones who see(or follow) the kids play day in and out?

[Jess]

one game doesnt let go of the fact that besides Sanguinetti and Cherepanov the Rangers prospects are mediocre at best.

Really in what areas then cmon if you are to trash the kids show me where because it is more than just one game.

Dawes/Dubi/Prucha have been the Rangers best line for the last 2 games.

But it more than that you keep ignoring Anisimov which suggests to me that you really do not know how good the prospects really are or that you even have any idea about them.

Really tell me about Ryan Hillier what is wrong with his game? Really on the night where Hillier scored his 51st point of the season you are trashing these kids.

How about Tomas Zaborsky, David Skokan, Carl Hagelin or Max Campbell?

Cmon break these kids down and show the rest of us why they are no good.

You call Ranger prospects mediocre so how come the Rangers sent the most prospects of the NHL team to the WJC?

Why when other teams call about trade that they are asking for so many of these supposed mediocre prospects.

The best you can respond has been a one line sentence. You offered zilch in terms of why Ranger prospects are so bad in your eyes so please I ask you to tell me exactly why I am wrong about these kids when I say there is a solid positive future for the Rangers thanks to these kids.

Saget

You are so right

Marge

Sorry I will not kill him because I think he is misinformed. Unlike others I also do not believe Oleo is being mean spirited and wanting to see failure.

[Jess]

Jasper

Since I was on the scene in Western Canada, I have to say that I really doubt the DDP line would have made a difference. The Flames game hurt but the Canuck game beat them down so by the time they got to Edmonton they were basically emotionally dead.

Those who served in the service would have called the Rangers as "shell shocked".

[jack]

How about Brodie Dupont, Dane Byers, Al Montaya, Alex Bourret, Mike Sauer, they might not turn in superstars but you are talking about grinders, a goalie, shut down defensemen and a potiental 30 goal scorer. There is only one Sid Crosby. A team is grown from within. This is the best our system has been since, Amonte, Weight, Marchant etc....

Learn about talent before you make foolish comments.

[oleosmirf]

Jess

Callahan 1 goal 0 assists in 25 games
Dubinsky 4 goals 10 assists in 45 games
Prucha 5 goals 7 assists in 42 games
Dawes 6 goals 2 assists in 24 games

What makes you think these guys are gonna be top scorers in the NHL!

My problem is that the Rangers prospects are average 2nd-3rd line guys but when was the last time we had a top notch prospect who made capable of putting up 30 goals on a consistant basis?

[oleosmirf]

Jess

when skokan, zaborsky campbell, hagelin, hillier, anisimov play minutes in the NHL I will tell you what I think about them then but I am only talking about Dubinsky, Callahan, Dawes and Moore (to a lesser extent).

but what current Ranger prospect is going to be a bonafide goal scorer and from what I have seen at the NHL level the answer is noone.

[akayama49]

Oleo:
I'll name one who can consistently score 30 goals in the NHL: Given 18 minutes of playing time on average (including PP time), in my opinion Nigel Dawes can become a 30 goal scorer on the lines of Brian Gionta and Martin St. Louis. He is a better player than either of them were at age 22. He just has to get the playing time and reasonably skilled linemates to achieve that total. My opinion is based on 45 years of watching Ranger prospects come and (often) go, as well as a careful review of Dawes' career totals his point and the intangibles he possesses.

Little known Dawes' factoid: Nigel Dawes dad played on the Canadian national rugby team where Paul Kariya's dad was his captain. Given the nature of rugby, Nigel is no stranger to the rough and tumble of contact sports and can take the hard knocks of NHL hockey notwithstanding his smallish stature. It's in his genes.

[oleosmirf]

jack

a sidney crosby comes along once a decade. I'm not saying that blue chippers like Dubinsky and Callahan mportant pieces but goal scorers are more important and from what I have seen we have none of them.

[rangerbill94]

oleo

You are right that we don't have a Crosby or similar player in our system on the offensive side of the puck. We do have that in goal and on defense right now. That's a great start. The Rangers will always be able to trade/sign a top established player. Cap or no cap, there are plenty of high profile, franchise-type players that would just love to play in NYC! We are beginning to see a trend. First DiP gets a crazy contract, now Ovechkin and I think there is another that I forget right now. Teams understand that if they want to keep their #1 guy, better get him signed long term. When you see a player in that class who doesn't want to resign a long term deal, he could be looking at NY or his home town. I think that was the deal with Gomez and Rafalski. Our farm is full of the very players that put many clubs over the top at playoff time. We are going to be very deep and even if we don't sign a top rated NHL forward, we'll end up with 4 solid lines. The only question will be "Can we hold these guys together in a cap environment?" I think Jess has a good grasp of the kids in the system. While some the ones he may be high on may end up getting traded by the Rangers, the quality of the kids in the system shows promise. No team will be able to afford a Gretzky, Messier, Kurri, Fuer, Coffey, Anderson, Lowe, etc. in the world of a cap. So depth will be the cornerstone of future champions. We are positioned well. Be calm!

[iceycup]

I kinda like the way prucha dubinsky and dawes looked. makes me feel good about the future. drury is showing flashes of brilliance. his acclimation time is not surprising given what he's said about being traded in the past. i think it took him some time to get over the fact that he wasn't retained by the sabres. i think he's really starting to feel like this is home. maybe even that he has come full circle in his life, geographically at least. i am happy for him and happy to have him here. i appreciate how after only half a season here, that gomez, a homegrown devil as we all know, is pissed off about how things are going now and could give a shit about the ASG. he is a winner.

i guess i'm feeling pretty good about the team; the two aforementioned centers, the kids coming up and the kids that have come up and are playing so well.

i'm not happy about some other things but i gotta say that the future looks bright.

btw, so happy for alex the great. his quote about his sleeping after signing the contract was great.

in a related story,

IM SO PISSED HE"S GONNA BE THERE FOR THE NEXT #%@*!&! 13 YEARS AND NOT HERE!

[oleosmirf]

rangerbill

the problem is Jagr and Shanahan are on their last legs and Straka isnt too far behind. Those guys will need to be replaced and the guys in our system are not the ones to do it.

I'm all for going out and signing/trading for a superstar player but if we are going to win a cup its gotta happen.

[Jess]

Oleo

You are kidding me you expect these kids to be 30 goal scorers the moment these kids show up in the NHL perhaps.

But wait Prucha scored 30 goals in his rookie season so you don't even get out of the gate before making a mistake

You said Ranger prospects you did not say which ones so your words were a blanket statement.

So then if we use your idea of logic then these players would never amounted to anything (all played no less than 55 games in their rookie season which is more than you gave the Ranger rookies)

(A) 13 goals

(B) 17 goals

(C) 19 goals

(D) 3 goals then 16

(E) 13 goals

(F) 9 then 11

Now to make this even more fun each of these that I just listed were top first round picks.

Now imagine if some GM had listened to you then based on your logic then all of these guys would have been failures.

(A) Vinny Lecavalier

(B) Alex Tanguay

(C) Scott Gomez

(D) Joe Thornton

(E) Patrick Marleau

(F) Olli Jokinen

It takes time to develop these prospects some take a year others take 2. I know that in time both Dawes and Callahan will be legit NHL snipers maybe not 30 goal scorers but no less than 25 a season.

Anisimov when he grows into his body will score 30.

I think if they maintain their current rate of development then Ryan Hillier (25)and Tomas Zaborsky (20).

Now add in Cherepanov and you have an entire team that can score which we call a balanced attack.

Sorry Oleo but go re-read the back end of Jack's comments please.

[ant]

why do we need joseph?

[oleosmirf]

ant

cause Valiquette is garbage