Blueshirt Boggle

More Moves and Non-Moves (Quick Update)

Marc Staal, brother of Carolina's Eric Staal, was the Rangers' first round selection in the draft today after they traded up to #12 in order to get the big defensive defenseman. Full report on the draft later this weekend.

Tom Poti received a qualifying offer, as did Kevin Weekes, Jamie Lundmark, Jed Ortmeyer, and a few other marginal minor leaguers. The Rangers announced the signing of Hugh Jessiman and Henrik Lundqvist Friday.

There was some confusion in CT that day about Darius Kasparaitis -- he was supposed to appear there Friday evening, but had to turn around and return to his home in Westchester, some said because he received news of being bought out of his Ranger contract. They must have heard wrong -- the news he received was that he was not going to be bought out.

Buy-Buy Bobby!

As expected, the Rangers bought out Bobby Holik's rich contract today, making the once-heralded checking center a free agent and freeing up a big chunk of change under the salary cap. Surprisingly, Darius Kasparaitis was not bought out. His contract, longer but not as obviously prohibitive as Holik's, proved to be more palatable to Ranger management, who may have decided it would be more prudent to buy him out after next season, when payments are more flexible and bought-out players can be re-signed.

All this made the Post's report this morning of the Rangers leaning toward keeping both Holik and Kasparaitis only half right. The rest of the local news reports this morning were about Bob Goodenow's resignation as PA director. The only report worth linking to in this regard is the Canadian Press article saying that Goodenow resigned against his own judgement after being asked to do so by Trevor Linden.

The hockey portion of Next Shift's Pucks Putters and Poker fantasy camp may be over, but the action here in Connecticut continues. Last night, a benefit poker tournament was held, with Tim Fox, a former NFL defensive back, winning the event over minor league defenseman Kyle Rossiter, NHL referee Mike Hasenfratz, and one-time Ranger Rob Zamuner. The consensus opinion was that Fox was extremely lucky to beat out the others, who played better poker. The consensus opinion between Rossiter and Hasenfratz is that they were furious at the result. Blueshirt Bulletin editor Dubi Silverstein made the final table, ending up in eighth place in the no-limit hold'em event. He fared far worse in the golf tournament today, barely able to get off a shot while playing in a foursome with Bill Fairbairn, Ken Morrow, and Ed Van Impe.

LB, Lyndon Byers, told another funny story today of some interest to Ranger fans (via our fierce rivalry with the Islanders, and one Islander in particular). He told about when he was an 18 year old rookie and played on the Island. Their was a tribute to Denis Potvin that night. Lined up against Potvin during a face-off, LB praised his veteran opponent. When the puck dropped, Potvin slashed him across the mouth, opening up a cut that required stitches. While he was being repaired by the Islander trainer, LB asked if Potvin always played that way, and when he was told yes, he vowed to exact payback. Sure enough, on a dump-in, he got his chance, lined up Potvin, loaded up his elbow, and drilled him into the boards. His satisfaction only lasted a second, though, as Bob Nystrom came in and pounded him in retaliation.

Twists and Turns

The Jaromir Jagr saga has died down stateside, but it continues to be a big story back in the Czech Republic. Hockey Rodent continues to follow its every twist and turn. Today's twist: Jagr is trying to nullify his Ranger contract because it was altered by the new CBA. Today's turn: Is there a romantic reason for Jagr's sudden devotion to playing in Omsk?

Coverage of Al Montoya's signing that we first reported yesterday: Times, News (Hugh Jessiman is on the verge of signing too), Newsday, and Journal-News (plus an analysis of Ranger goaltending). The Post looks past Montoya to the potential inking of another prospect in net, Henrik Lundqvist of Sweden. Montoya, Jessiman, and recent signee Rick Kozak will be joining NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman in ringing the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange Friday morning, an event usually seen live on CNN every day.

How the roster shapes up in terms of the new budgetary reality of the NHL was the subject of a Newsday analysis yesterday. Looks like the Rangers are nearly set on D with Fedor Tyutin, Maxim Kondratiev, Dale Purinton, and Jason Strudwick sure to play and Tom Poti a likely returnee. Add Thomas Pock to the mix plus a buy out of Darius Kasparaitis, and all that remains is one major free agent signing, possibly (according to Newsday) Brian Leetch or Scott Niedermayer. Goal is set with Montoya signed and Kevin Weekes likely to battle Lundqvist for the top spot. The team is still extremely thin up front, with Jagr and Nylander needing a winger on the top line, and only Lundmark, Balej, and Ortmeyer already in tow as NHL-ready forwards.

Scuttlebutt from Next Shift's Pucks Putters and Poker fantasy hockey camp: Talk of NHL players who ate themselves out of the league became more specific today as folks started talking about Eric Lindros having blown up to somewhere north of 300 pounds (hard to believe). One participant who has stayed in touch with former linemate Mark Messier confirmed media speculation of a falling out between the former captain and team management (Messier has already sold his New York area house). Another participant believes Theo Fleury's problems date back to his junior days, which he has yet to confront. Latest installment in Theo Fleury's "life is getting better" soap opera. No doubt to be followed soon by the next installment of the Theo Fleury meltdown.

Rangers Will Have Jagr, Sign Two Prospects

The Jaromir Jagr story was the top Ranger news at the top of the day, the one where he says he is deciding whether to play in Russia or return to New York. The Daily News, however, reports that the NHL's international transfer agreement with the IIHF prohibits Jagr from playing for anyone other than the Rangers. But Hockey Rodent, which has been leading this story over everyone else with their Czech connections, says the IIHF transfer agreement has not yet been ratified (they have more on Jagr in addition to that). The News also echoes earlier reports that the Rangers have yet to contact Bobby Holik about any possible contract buy-out. Friday is the deadline for buy-outs that will not count under the salary cap.

The Rangers just announced that they have agreed to terms with 2004 first round draftee Al Montoya. The Post had reported earlier today that the Rangers were close to giving him part of what he was asking for in order to sign with the club rather than return to college -- the maximum 2004 entry level salary and signing bonus, which add up to over $1.3 million. Performance bonuses had not been finalized at press time, but apparently have since been settled quickly.

The Rangers previously made their first roster move of the new season, signing Rick Kozak, a gritty junior player acquired from Philadelphia in the Vladimir Malakhov trade. The Ranger web site has a reprint of Hockey's Future's draft preview for the club, citing defense as the area most in need of attention.

The second day of Next Shift's Pucks Putters and Poker fantasy camp was even more fun than the first day thanks to some of the story-telling by some of the former NHLers in attendance, particularly LB (Lyndon Byers, cousin of Ranger prospect Dane Byers) and Randy Burridge, and the practical jokes, all involving shaving cream, perpetrated by Rich Pilon and linesman Kevin Collins.

The Blueshirt Bulletin team lost again by an unsightly 12-8 score, but there were still plenty of personal thrills for reader Joe Polowchuk, who finally scored a late goal after having numerous chances, including a penalty shot, and editor Dubi Silverstein, who set up the opening goal by Rick Middleton. Reader Lenny Schlegel also had a penalty shot that was stopped, and reader Rick Pilsner, the best of our bunch, had a ton of great scoring chances but was robbed by the opposition goalie. Bill Fairbairn scored two goals on one shift to close the gap to 8-6 in the third period, but Jay More responded quickly to re-open our deficit.

LB, possibly better known these days as a morning drive time radio personality than as a hockey player, told one story of interest to Ranger fans, even though the players were still with Edmonton at the time. He recalled the triple-overtime playoff game between the Oilers and Bruins during the 1990 Cup finals. He was sent out on the ice against Mark Messier, who was bent over with fatigue after logging nearly sixty minutes of ice time. Messier saw him and said, "LB, what are you doing out here this late in OT?" LB responded, "Look at it this way Mess, you're out here with me, so either you're as bad as I am or I'm as good as you are." Messier just laughed off the insult, but Jeff Beukeboom was not amused and went ballistic on Byers. The way he told it was a lot funnier.

Reeling and Rocking

No word on yet on whether Glen Sather has returned from the Dolan family fishing trip to start reeling in some players to wear Ranger blue when the season starts October 5th. The Daily News blasts MSGN for soft-pedaling his embarrassing absense on the NHL's re-launch day, the network's coverage that day having to settle for area rival GMs Lou Lamoriello and Mike Milbury instead.

The News also reports that likely buy-out targets Bobby Holik and Darius Kasparaitis, likely qualifyee Tom Poti, and former first round draftees Hugh Jessiman and Al Montoya are waiting to hear from Sather as well about their fates for the upcoming season. Jessiman and Montoya both told the Journal News they feel ready to leave college and join the Rangers' organization.

Sather himself may be waiting to hear from Jaromir Jagr before deciding what moves to make. The original plan was to rebuild the team nearly from scratch around Jagr and his cap-friendly split salary. But ESPN is reporting that Jagr told a Czech paper that he doesn't like the new CBA and may choose to play in Russia next season. "My heart is pulling me toward Omsk but my mind is leaning toward America," he said. Hockey Rodent has more on the situation, which is tied into Jagr's financial woes. "If I still belonged to Washington," Jagr said, "I would remain in Omsk for sure. And for some other RSL club instead of Omsk, I would prefer to remain a Ranger."

Ranger fans turned out in force for yesterday's free giveaway and got a bit of a chance to vent, with both the Daily News, Journal News, and Times quoting several of them.

Blueshirt Bulletin is well-represented in Next Shift's Pucks Putters and Poker hockey camp currently taking place in Connecticut at the Hartford Wolf Pack practice rink. Readers Lenny Schlegel, Rick Pilsner, and Joe Polowchuk joined editor-publisher Dubi Silverstein for the welcome reception last evening and on the ice today for the first session and are having a rocking time.

The New York contingent made up the core of one of the two squads, with our four joining other New York-area participants (which includes Lasker Rink manager Al Strachan) and Ranger alumni Bill Fairbairn, Rich Pilon, and Rick Middleton, and Middleton's friends from the Bruins, Bob Sweeney and Randy Burridge.

Ranger draftee Jay More (he played one game as a Ranger prospect and came back late in his career for 14 more) was supposed to join us as well but he suited up for the other team instead. The opposition, which won the opening match 10-9, also includes current NHLers Jim McKenzie and Jeremy Stevenson of Nashville and former NHLers Lyndon Byers and Ric Nattress. Many more current and former pro players, including Darius Kasparaitis and Martin St. Louis are expected later in the week for the golf and poker tournaments to be held for the benefit of several charities.

24% Rollback in Blueshirt Bulletin Subscriptions!!!

Everyone is doing what they have to do to get hockey fans interested in the NHL again. Blueshirt Bulletin is no exception. For the next week, credit card subscriptions or renewals placed via fax, E-mail, U.S. mail, or PayPal using our online form will receive a 24% rollback.

The rollback will take the form of credit to the number of issues you renew for -- you'll get 12.4 issues if you order 10, 24.8 issues if you order 20, 37.2 issues if you order 30 (we'll figure out how to deal with the fractions later, but you'll get at least the whole number of issues you ask for).

Those of you who were dedicated enough to subscribe or renew during the lockout, thanks very much for your support -- we will retroactively apply the rollback to your previous orders, less any bonus issues you may have already earned from previous offers.

The deadline for receiving orders is midnight, August 1st (postmark in the case of snail mail). It will not apply to orders received by phone (only because we have been experiencing difficulty with our phone system and cannot therefore rely on it at this time).

We have a second offer to make too. Our old tag line [see photo at right] is obviously outdated since last Friday (at least the second part of it). We're looking for a new tag line. We will give a free subscription of 10 issues (or subscription extension of 10 issues to current subscribers) to two readers, the one who submits the tag line that we choose to use heading into next season, and the one who submits the funniest tag line that is just too out there to use.

We will not make a decision until after August 1st, though the offer will remain open until we announce the winners here on Blueshirt Bulletin's web log. Submissions will only be accepted via E-mail -- please do not call them in, write them in, or send them in via "Comments".

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Monday news update: Footnotes to Alan Hahn column in Newsday: "Great (and disturbing) nugget in yesterday's Daily News, which reported that Glen Sather is on a fishing trip in Vancouver instead of preparing for the opening of NHL business ...In this new era of fast-break, offensive-minded hockey, how many free agents are going to want to come play for coach Tom Renney, a notorious trap tactician? Don't expect Mark Messier to be one of them." Larry Brooks has the details of the revenue sharing program in the Post, demonstrating how Jed Ortmeyer and his minimum wage contract may end up subsidizing Olaf Kolzig's multi-million dollar contract. Randy Sportak of the Calgar Sun says, "The Rangers youth movement will be in full swing but rest assured they'll try to add some vets, with Brian Leetch expected to return." Al Strachan of the Toronto Sun talks to Renney about his commitment to the youth movement and the status of Dan Blackburn.

First Signs of Movement (Player Movement)

"This lockout, from a purely hockey point of view, was the best thing that could have happened to us," Don Maloney told the Daily News, reiterating the team's commitment to rebuilding with youth rather than signing free agents now that they will be free of every expensive contract they doled out except for Jaromir Jagr and Michael Nylander, both reasonably priced under the cap. We shall see, considering that the free agent crop will be younger than ever from here on out. John Dellapina reports further that "the Rangers have all but decided to make the $2.356 million qualifying offer required to keep defenseman Tom Poti [blecch!]. And they plan to re-sign veteran goaltender Kevin Weekes," whom the Post reports can be qualified at slightly north of $1 million.

The Rangers failed to pay Bobby Holik and Darius Kasparaitis bonuses that were due them July 1st, irrespective of the lockout, a sure sign that they plan to buy the two players out, says Larry Brooks of the Post. Brooks also reports that Al "Montoya is more likely than not to return to the Wolverines for his senior season if the reluctant nickel and diming Sather does not offer the maximum bonus package, plus what's now a cap of $984,200." Mark Everson of the Post is of the opinion that the NHL's defense vs. offense philosophy was salary-driven, an opinion we have held all along.

The Rangers will be giving free tickets away tomorrow, part of a campaign to lure fans back to the Garden. We're in the same boat here at Blueshirt Bulletin, so check back this evening or tomorrow for a special subscription offer.

Clear Sailing At Last

You what it's like to be stuck in a traffic jam. Frustrating as all get out. No end in sight. Nearly unbearable. Especially when you don't even understand why there's traffic in the first place. Then it suddenly clears up. You get back up to speed instantly. And you don't even think about the traffic you were just stuck in anymore. It's clear sailing ahead, and that's all that matters.

So it is with the NHL lockout. Sure, the new CBA will be dissected, prodded and poked, analyzed to death. But it will be forward-looking, it will be in the context of how the fait accompli will affect your favorite team and the league and game in general. Of more immediate concern, however, is how your favorite team will look when it gets back onto the ice in October -- who will be bought out, who will be drafted, who will be signed.

Whatever else happens, one player is certain to be central to the Rangers -- Jaromir Jagr. Larry Brooks in the Post believes the new rules adopted yesterday will unleash the Jagr of old, to the benefit of the Rangers and their fans -- and at a bargain price of $4.25 million under the cap thanks to the Caps.

And whatever else happens, Jimmy Dolan and Glen Sather will still be in charge of the Rangers, with Sather executing Dolan's bidding. Yesterday, on the day the lockout ended, on the day the NHL embarked on what Gary Bettman called "A New Era", on the day Sidney Crosby was awarded via the draft lottery, on the day new rules were announced, on the day signings and buy-outs began, on the day all this happened, Sather was a continent away in British Columbia fishing with the Dolans, as unable to say, "Hey, I should be there reeling in players, not casting live bait," as he has been unable for years to say, "No, I'm not signing another over the hill fading star, I'm going to develop a real team."

The Rangers might have experienced some bad luck in finishing 16th in the draft lottery, but they had a small bit of good luck when Philly and Toronto finished #20 and #21. With the draft reversing order in the next round, that means the Rangers, who own those teams' second round selections, will choose #40 and #41, plus their own #45 pick, giving them four of the top 45 draftees. We can just see it now -- Glen: "At least we're sure to have a shot at Zagrapan, Abdelkaber, Pokulok, and Heshmatpour." Jimmy: "I think I just felt a nibble. Dad, was that a nibble?"

Bad Luck Rangers Bitten Again

Rangers get the #16 selection in draft. Sidney Crosby is going to Pittsburgh. If the Rangers didn't have bad luck, they'd have no luck at all. Sure, much of that is they're own doing. But dropping ten spots in the draft from #6 (their reverse order of finish in the 2003-04 season) to #16 because of this freaking lockout, the last of the four teams with three balls to get picked, that's just plain bad luck.

Rule changes approved today by the NHL Board of Governors:

1. Red line no longer to be counted in assessing two-line passes
2. Three-man shoot-out after 5 minute OT (sudden death shootout if still tied after three)
3. Touch icing remains, with linesmen having the discretion to wave it off on attempted passed, and no line changes allowed for teams icing the puck
4. Tag-up offsides
5. Zero tolerance on interference and obstruction (deja vu all over again)
6. Reduced goalie equipment size
7. AHL-style limits on puck handling by goalies except behind their own net
8. Nets moved two feet back toward end boards, blue lines moved two feet toward red line, increasing the length of each offensive zone by four feet and reducing the length of the neutral zone by four feet
9. Delay of game for shooting the puck over the glass in defensive zone
10. New disciplinary actions against a player that instigates a fight in the final five minutes of a game and his coach
11. New disciplanary actions against diving

The Final Countdown ... As the countdown toward the official end of the NHL lockout continues, as we await the results of the draft lottery (prediction: fix is in for Boston or Chicago), as we await the announcement of the exact rule changes that will be implemented next season, here is some light reading material:

Larry Brooks of the Post is cynical about the NHL's ability to market itself and raise revenues, or whether it even wants to raise revenues. Sherry Ross returns to hockey at the News and is not so sure owners won an all-out victory in this CBA war, mainly due to the lowered age of free agency. Johnette Howard of Newsday has a typical "step on the NHL while it's down" column ("I've already been through Shock, Anger, Channel Surfing, and 'Heyyyy, this poker show looks kind of interesting ... The Fossilman looks a bit like Denis Potvin, don't you think?' Now I seem to be stuck on Contempt."). And the Toronto Globe and Mail reports that removal of the center red line for offsides and increasing the playoff pool to 20 teams may not pass muster with the Board of Governors today. Recap of all of yesterday's proceedings at the Post, News, Newsday, Ledger, and Record.