Getting a slow start this morning. Since it will take a while to get a game story ready, here is the lowdown on Marek Malik as far as we know right now. What I've heard is that Malik refused to shake Tom Renney's hand after the win over Atlanta Tuesday night. Renney goes around the room after a big win shaking each player's hand individually congratulating them for their effort. After his best game since opening night, Malik did not shake Renney's hand. There was no argument, no harsh words exchanged, and Malik thanked Renney, but he did not shake his hand. He says he apologized to the coach and is awaiting a decision on his status, which may come as late as next Monday. In the meantime, his locker has been cleared of all his equipment.
This story comes from someone close to Malik. Rangers Report says that the story as I first heard it has been verified by New York reporters. The Daily News and New York Post report that several players immediately got on Malik's case for the obvious snub. It could be the last straw for Malik, the one that broke the back of the camel (or, as some might argue, the mule). We know Malik expressed anger at least twice this season about being scratched, once via sarcastic remarks to the press about the Rangers losing in his absence, and once in Edmonton by storming out of the arena. We know Malik came out after a game demanding to get a plus for a goal that was awarded to a different player -- replays show that the other player was on the ice when the scoring play began and that, at best, Malik jumped on the ice during a shift change way behind the play.
We also know that Renney has often defended Malik from the booing he receives at the Garden, often referring to his character and his team-first attitude. We don't know what happened from Renney's point of view -- after the game, he reiterated that it was an "internal matter" without elaborating. One can only conjecture, after a game when the team finally came together with a complete effort, something Renney has had difficulty getting out of them this season on any consistent basis, that Renney was not happy to see a player make an individual statement in front of everyone else, and decided that it was time to send a message that the only thing that matters here is achieving success as a team.
But the door does remain open for Malik to return to the team -- it's up to Renney. Trade rumors ran rampant yesterday after the initial news that Malik's locker had been emptied. That along with reports from Hartford that Miika Wiikman had supplanted Al Montoya as the Pack's number one goalie, that Wiikman was set to make his third straight start in the Pack's next game and that Hartford coach Kenny Gernander said he might start the game after that as well, fueled speculation that Montoya and Malik were headed out of town in a trade that was being kept quiet so as not to upstage the Brian Leetch festivities. But so far, no news.
Game reports on the Rangers' 2-1 shootout win last night can be found in the aforementioned Post article on Malik, as well as the Daily News, Journal News, Newsday, Times, AP, SNY, NY Sports Day, NYR.com, and AJC. Reports on the Leetch ceremony abound -- see the Daily News here and here, Journal News, Newsday, Times, Post here and here, Record, Star-Ledger, Advance, AP, SNY, NY Sports Day, NYR.com, MSG.com, Courant here and here, Record-Journal, and CBS Sports (shockingly little coverage in the national news outlets other than CBS, and that includes the NHL -- I guess Sidney's ankle is more important than one of the all-time greats). On Graves, see the Journal News, Newsday, Post, Slap Shot, NY Sports Day, and Howlings. For more on Malik, see Slap Shot. In prospect news, the Courant has the Wolf Pack week ahead and AHL All-Star news, and Prospect Park has an update on other action from last night.
Dubi
Was Malik even in hte garden last night?
Posted by: ANT | January 25, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Too bad it came to that but Slats should have traded him a long time ago, even before the season started. There are some really good D in this year's draft so if we trade 3 or 4 guys for a high first rounder I'd be happy.
Posted by: Bones | January 25, 2008 at 12:53 PM
Trade time we need a quarterback for the PP.
Posted by: roc | January 25, 2008 at 01:04 PM
When they retire #9, will it be Graves and Bathgate? Like the Yankees with #8 for Berra/Dickey?
Rumor/Hearsay: A guy on-line (a fan, not an insider) at the Garden last night said he'd 'heard' that Montoya might be part a large offer (a la the Barry Beck 4/5 for 1) for Jay Bouwmeester, along with Mara or Malik and other young players.
Also that Jessiman was offered to Toronto for their Kronwal brother.
Even given our lack of scoring, I have expected changes on D to be the trade focus.
And now maybe this Malik situation makes that even more likely
Posted by: cwede | January 25, 2008 at 01:13 PM
Whether Malik is traded or not, he will never be able to step on Garden ice again without being booed a la Tom Poti. If they want to finish this off right, they should just go ahead and trade Malik to the Islanders...
Posted by: Rob | January 25, 2008 at 01:30 PM
what a moron. cant believe acted like that towards the only guy on his side. looks like we wont be seeing anymore malik meatball passes. the Jay Bouwmeester rumor is intriguing. is hossa, montoya, malik enough? i doubt it. prucha better not being going anywhere besides on the PP more often.
see ya harry. thanks for the shutout goal vs olie the goalie.
Posted by: iceycup | January 25, 2008 at 01:34 PM
Only Malik would gain sympathy for Tom Renney buy showing disrespect.
To be honest Renney does need to send a message here by suspending Malik as one could make a case that Malik's behavior was disruptive to the team.
Posted by: Jess | January 25, 2008 at 02:10 PM
Florida is not going to trade Bouwmeester. He's a big part of their future. As much as I would love having him, they'd be dumb to trade.
Posted by: Pavel | January 25, 2008 at 02:17 PM
Oh and I just had to mention that at Prospect Park I am running a poll as to which Ranger should be resigned and would you guys believe not one vote for Malik?
I am shocked even Strudwick got a vote
Posted by: Jess | January 25, 2008 at 02:17 PM
I think it is understandable that Malik is not happy in NY, given how he has been treated by the fans. I also think he is one of the six best defensemen on the team, and if I were him, I would be unhappy at being benched, but still, this latest act is unsubordination that should result in a trade.
We could use an upgrade at "D." Roszival is solid and we have three terrific kids, but they are relatively green. Strudwick is a spare part and Mara is so-so and going to be gone after the season.
I'm still confused by this team. I don't fault the effort at all. We controlled the puck for 80% of the time, but still got only a handful of good chances. Drury should be a sniper, but he passed up chances to shoot like Michael Nylander. Atlanta got only a couple of scoring chances all game, and none of the gloious variety, but Lundqvist gave up another bad goal. Marty Brodeur would have slept through a shutout in the same situation.
So we're 50 minutes in and badly outchancing a weak opponent, but we're down because of weak finishing and bad goaltending despite giving up only one goal.
Dawes continues to shine. For all those who complained about him being sent down, maybe geting a chance to dominate the AHL made him realize once and for all that he is better than that and to have confidence. He is better now than in his previous stints with the team.
I knew Dubinsky was gritty, but he is showing far more speed than I expected. Sometimes I think he's trying to emulate Scott Gomez, which is nice.
Posted by: paulf | January 25, 2008 at 02:28 PM
Pavel,
Their need for a goalie is pretty large though, From what I've heard (albeit, earlier in the season) The Panthers weren't happy with the way Vokoun was panning out, so you never know, if they want a goalie bad enough.
Posted by: Lynkx | January 25, 2008 at 02:31 PM
Jess, you make it sound like Renney has little respect in the dressing room. I tend to think the opposite is true. I think an insubordinate act by anyone would get a similar reaction.
Posted by: paulf | January 25, 2008 at 02:31 PM
Vokoun has been doing great lately. If we could showcase Montoya a bit, then MAYBE it'd be a possibility.
Posted by: Pavel | January 25, 2008 at 02:37 PM
I would trade just about anyone except Lundqvist for Bouwmeester, which means that rumor is probably too good to be true.
Posted by: John | January 25, 2008 at 03:25 PM
Boumeester is in his walk year and I don't think he's even sniffed the playoffs. He's been through 2 or 3 GM's and 3 or 4 Coaches off the top of my head. Might not be entirely unrealistic to pluck him out of Fla.
Posted by: Lowtide10 | January 25, 2008 at 04:41 PM
Reading that Rangers scouts were at the last 2 Colorado Avalanche games. Either J.M. Liles or young speedster D'man Kyle Cuminsky would look very nice in Ranger blue. Any thoughts?
Posted by: Denver Frank | January 25, 2008 at 06:39 PM
there are only a few players who i think we could actually get for montoya and one of them that i would love to see on broadway is tomas kaberle.
Posted by: carlos | January 25, 2008 at 11:17 PM