UPDATE: Thomas Pock claimed by Islanders. This is actually a good thing for the Rangers, for Pock, and probably for the Islanders. For Pock, obviously, he has a chance to play in the NHL. For the Islanders, anything is an improvement at this point. And for the Rangers? Now they don't have to pay Pock, given that they already decided he was not going to make the team, and they do not have to worry about a cap hit should they ever have had to put him through re-entry waivers.
We're in Bern, reporting live from the Rangers' Victoria Cup games. The Rangers practiced today, and they used some unconventional lines that Tom Renney suggested would be seen at least in part tomorrow night when they take on SC Bern, the host team. See Blueshirt Bulletin+ to read more -- click here to read it if you subscribe to Blueshirt Bulletin and have registered for BB+ access. If you need instructions on how to access BB+, write to us at [email protected]. If you are not a subscriber, E-mail us or click here to learn how to take out a subscription to get the magazine as well as BB+ access.
Dan Rosen of NHL.com and Dan David of NYR.com are reporting live from Bern too -- see Rosen's first two posts here and here, and David's first two here and here. Ranger Rants reports that Marc Staal missed practice yesterday with an injury, but he practiced today. In other Ranger reading, Steve Zipay Czechs in from Prague at Blue Notes and also writes at Newsday, Stan Fischler has a post at MSG.com, Beyond the Blueshirts has Renney talking about his Russians, Prospect Park has an update on last night's action, and Howlings reports live from Wolf Pack training camp.
I'd venture to guess the injury for Staal is his hand after he blocked the Brian Rolston shot in the last game....
Posted by: Chris QCT | September 29, 2008 at 01:08 PM
tomas pock was claimed off waivers by the islanders
Posted by: amos | September 29, 2008 at 02:54 PM
are we going to open up comments again?
If not im going to make a message board for everyone to come to during games
Posted by: Chris | September 29, 2008 at 05:11 PM
Yeah dude, this is tough not having a message board anymore. I know, I know BB+..but this was a part o my day that I miss :(
Posted by: MikeA | September 29, 2008 at 05:42 PM
i remember pock in like his first NHL game he ripped a shot from halfway from the neutral zone and he scored and messier jumped on him. It was pretty cool. I thought he was gonna be good offensive defenseman but it never worked out here. Hopefully he doesn't burn us as an Islander.
anyways usually i don't listen to Eklund but he made some valid points about the Rangers. He says that they are looking for a goal scorer and that the Rangers have too many playmakers and not enough finishers.
Well the Rangers have Drury he's a finisher but Renney has been using (more like misusing) him as a playmaker. Like i've said all along Shanahan is a better goal scorer than anyone the Rangers can put out on the 2nd line right now. Move Prucha and Rissmiller and Shanahan's salary can be had.
Naslund-Gomez-Zherdev
Dawes-Drury-Shanahan
Korpikoski-Dubinsky-Callahan
Voros-Betts-Orr
Fritshe-Byers
I'd have no problem if that was the Rangers lineup going into the season.
Posted by: oleosmirf | September 29, 2008 at 05:57 PM
Don't get used to it. Pretty sure Dubi will have to shut it down as the behavior starts to deteriorate and instead of covering the Rangers, he has to play kindergarten cop.
Probably an oversight anyway that it's open.
The other message board is just a click away for BB+
Posted by: Bob Merchant | September 29, 2008 at 05:59 PM
Nedved!!!
Posted by: Roc | September 29, 2008 at 06:01 PM
bob
i think bb+ will actually make the comment section relatively problem free
Posted by: oleosmirf | September 29, 2008 at 06:09 PM
I'm losing patience with prucha he constantly either shoots right into the goalies chest or completely wide
Posted by: bdubs | September 29, 2008 at 06:43 PM
http://members7.boardhost.com/RangersTalk/index.html?1222741297
I will host this board during the season for game discussions if anyone is interested.
I can IP ban people here and if anyone is a problem, they wont be for long.
Posted by: Chris | September 29, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Pock had loads of potential. I really thought he'd end up being a mainstay as a 3rd pair defenseman here, it's a shame he never panned out.
Posted by: Jameson | September 29, 2008 at 11:10 PM
There have always been a multitude of players with enough skill to make a splash & impress at the minor league level. But most of them just don't have quite enough to do it in the NHL. Pock skills never stood out against NHL players & given that he was soft & very weak defensively, I always figured he was just AHL material. I wish him well & I hope he gets a chance with the Islanders
Posted by: Jxmarts | September 30, 2008 at 02:08 AM