A Ranger Fan's Plea

Hey all, I haven't written on here in a while, but I figured that I'd sound off on the whole "Fire Renney" sentiment that many Ranger fans seem to be sharing lately.

Being 25th in the league on the power play, amounting to 25 PP goals scored, and 12, YES TWELVE, shorthanded goals against so far this season. That's almost a 2:1 ratio of PP goals scored and SH goals against. This is unacceptable.

This team needs a shakeup. The parts needed to land a prime time scorer are those that most that are reading this and a semi-competent GM would not want to part with and because of this should be kept in order to stay away from depleting the pool of NHL prospects that the team has at the present time. This is why I think that a trade is not the answer at this point and time, also taking into account the four albatrosses that are Drury, Gomez, Redden, and Rozsival.

What's the next best thing for a shakeup of the team? Some heads need to start rolling. I don't have to tell any of you reading this that what the team is doing now, most specifically in the power play and overall utilization of players on the team, is not working. If a coach's system of play and utilization of his players is not working, a change needs to be made. I have not, and never will doubt Renney's credibility as a coach, I just simply think that he is the wrong guy to be at the helm with the team the way it is. I would love to keep Renney in the organization as long as he is in scouting or in a front office job. However, his methods behind the bench simply have not been working with this group of players.

My opinion, in short, is very simple. Fire Pearn, and "remove" Renney from the head coaching position.

Rangers Look To Turn It Around Against the Lightning Tonight

After two less than stellar performances this past Saturday and Tuesday night against the Leafs and Islanders, respectively, the Garden faithful have already managed to find a new scapegoat to replace Marek Malik (who, by the way, makes his triumphant return to the Garden as a member of the Lightning tonight). It now appears that Michal Rozsival is the new target of the boo birds. Rozy has earned the jeers not only for his horrific play, namely in the most recent game Tuesday night against the Islanders, but also for the amount that he is being paid after signing a 4 year extension worth $20 million with the Rangers in the offseason. With the signing of Redden for six years at $39 million, signing both of these defensemen was not a smart move on Sather's part to begin with.

For the record, I did not like the signing in the offseason when it was first made public. With contract extensions due for Dubinsky and Zherdev this offseason and for Staal and Girardi next offseason, the Rangers are in for a very tricky financial future where the cap will most likely not increase substantially when the players I listed above are due for raises.

In regards to Rozsival's most recent play, I will be the first to defend him and say that while in the defensive zone, he makes the smart play and clears the puck out of the zone in a very swift manner. However, when it comes to the power play in the offensive zone, it is a complete different story. Rozy has a rocket of a shot, but instantly holds off on the shot and passes it off if a penalty killer on the opposing team even breathes into his shooting lane. Also, as evidenced by the most recent game, I would say that Rozsival is among the worst point men in the Eastern Conference in terms of puck control and positioning. I will go on record and say that he was directly responsible for both goals that the Islanders scored on Tuesday night. Giveaways at the blue line that lead to odd man rushes for the shorthanded team are inexcusable. These giveaways were caused most in part due to poor positioning, and could have easily been prevented.

This leads me to my next point. The power play for the Rangers has been abysmal. Guys such as Dubinsky and Voros that are comfortable crashing the net for rebounds and working in the corners become useless when anyone out on the ice refuses to shoot. Although it may be due to an elbow injury, Redden has all of a sudden stopped firing hard shots from the point. I described the situation with Rozsival above, and while Mara has intentions of shooting, his shots have not been hitting the net recently and have often led to the opposing team clearing the puck out of the zone. You may ask me why a guy like Voros has gone on a multiple game dry streak for points. This is mostly due to the fact that not many quality shots are getting to the opposing team's goalie where a guy like Voros, Callahan, or Dubinsky could knock in a rebound. Start shooting on the power play guys, you're almost making me miss the days of Jagr running the power play from the right half boards.

However, the ultimate problem that I feel has contributed to the team's poor play as of late is a complete 180 in terms of style of game played. This team went from a free wheeling, hard working, aggressive forechecking team in the first 5 games to reverting to the old trap system employed the past couple of years when the old guard of Jagr, Shanahan, Straka, and Nylander were still on the team. The days of being that type of team are older. I feel that the talents of guys like Redden, Drury, Gomez, and Zherdev are being wasted to an extent because of this relapse in team philosophy. The type of game that these players play will thrive more in a system of a quick North-South game that allows defensemen to join the fast breakout and rushes that a guy like Gomez is notorious for. Believe me, it is no coincidence that the Rangers were 5-0 during the stretch of time where they played this system.

Perhaps playing Tampa Bay again tonight will revive old memories of how the Rangers played this style of game earlier this season. We as a fanbase just need to have faith that our Blueshirts will turn things around before things start to get ugly.

Rissmiller Waived by the Rangers

As per http://tsn.ca, Rissmiller has been waived by the New York Rangers. All I have to say is that it's about damn time. His signing has been a head-scratcher from the start, as it took place right after Aaros Voros was signed to a 3 year deal by the Rangers. I'm not saying that he is a bad player, but the $1 million cap hit that he carries is a very tough pill to swallow given the Rangers' tight salary cap situation.

Best of luck Pat!

RUMOR: Shanahan Signing With the Rangers "Imminent"

From Darren Dreger of TSN, it appears that the Rangers will sign Shanahan for one more run this year on the New York Rangers.

I'll update with more information as I have it, but I don't like this move for a few reasons. This means that Prucha will almost certainly be shipped out of town with his salary number with rock bottom value. Also, Shanny will probably be playing in the top 6 if he is signed, somewhere he does not belong considering his age and speed.

Put him on the 4th line with power play and penalty kill time and I'm all for this signing, but using him in any other way is a mistake if you ask this Ranger fan.

Rangers' Two Game Series in Prague Offers A Taste of What To Expect This Season

As all of you loyal Ranger fans know, the Rangers played a two game series in Prague over this past weekend, both of which were won by the Rangers 2-1. With a game on Saturday and Sunday, residents of the Czech Republic were able to see what the "new" post lockout NHL is about. Although the games were very fun and exciting to watch, there were certain points when fellow Ranger fans and I watching the games were already in mid-season form criticizing certain individuals and the play of the team. Here are some things that stood out to me during the course of both games:

• Nigel Dawes looks invisible- While Dawes may be notorious for starting off the season slowly, he is picking the wrong season to do so. With Dubinsky, Zherdev, Gomez, Naslund, and Drury filling the other top 6 forward hole, the 2nd line LW slot is wide open. I hae always defended Nigel, but I feel that he is on the 2nd line with Dubinsky and Zherdev by default based on his performance last season. So far, he has been less than spectacular and not noticeable on the ice. Dawes has to get it going, and quickly.

• The line of Naslund-Gomez-Drury looks phenomenal- I have not seen a Rangers line move the puck this well since the old combination of Straka, Nylander, and Jagr back in 2005. Gomez's pinpoint pass to Naslund that resulted in the first Rangers goal of the season was absolutely amazing. Although this line may not be the biggest, I think that this line will continue to prove the old mantra that "speed kills" in the NHL.

• The Rangers Power Play looks a lot better without Jagr- With no more Jagr to QB the power play from the right end boards, other players on the team are now able to be more creative and work the puck faster. The game tying goal for the Rangers on Sunday is a prime example of the new Rangers power play. The Rangers were able to cycle the puck around in the offensive zone and keep it in there for over a minute and a half before Redden finished off a great feed from Naslund in the slot. The power play this season should surely see an improvement from 22nd overall in the league last season.

• Kalinin is this year's Malik- But not in the way most of you may think. This guy will be the best bottom pairing defenseman this team has had since the lockout. He is sound positionally, and makes good decisions with the puck. He is apt to make a mistake or two, but what defenseman hasn't made a boneheaded move? The way some people are jumping on him and trying to make him the scapegoat of the team TWO GAMES INTO THE SEASON is unbelievable (Yes, I'm talking to you guys over at HF). Wait until this guy legitimately costs the Rangers a couple of wins this season before you guys burn him in effigy over Section 420.

As for a general observation, the team went into Prague with 15 forwards and 6 defenders. Now, only 12 forwards are able to be dressed each game, meaning 3 will take a seat each game. This is occurring while Corey Potter and Brian Fahey, both of whom made strong cases to earn the 7th defenseman job at the very least, are down in Hartford while the team carries only 6 defenders. This has lead me to believe that a trade is in the works involving the movement of some of the team's excess 3rd line players for draft picks or even an upgrade for someone that can possibly play on the second line. Maybe it's a pipe dream, but Patrick O'Sullivan anyone?

That's all from me for now. Be sure to watch the home opener against the Blackhawks on Friday at 7pm!

New York Rangers Preseason: Cutting Nedved was the Right Decision

When I found out that Petr Nedved had been invited to New York Rangers training camp back in August, my first reaction was to laugh. Right after that, I started to think if Petr actually did have a shot to play in a limited role with the Rangers. Watching a few of the Rangers' preseason games a week ago, it appeared that he exhibited some of the best skating that I can remember from him. Nedved also helped his own case by scoring a couple of nice goals in the course of the week. However, this was not enough to earn Petr a spot on the Rangers' roster, as the Rangers brass cut him over the weekend.

Some may argue that Nedved would bring some veteran leadership to a team that needs it, all the while chipping in a goal every now and then on the team's 4th line. I wholeheartedly disagree. While Nedved would bring some offense to the 4th line, he has never been known to be very strong on the defensive side of the puck, something that is all but required to be an effective checking line forward.

In addition to this, a move of Nedved to the 4th line would beg the question of where Blair Betts would play. The answer would be not on the Rangers if this were the case. In my opinion, this would have been an awful move to inject Nedved into the Rangers lineup at the expense of one of the best defensive centers in the game. Betts is the type of player that teams win championships with. Take the most recent Cup winners. Detroit has Draper, Anaheim has Pahlsson, and Carolina has Brind'Amour. Every team that has won a cup in the post-lockout era has a good defensive center that is a key part of the team's penalty killing unit, and is also able to win a key faceoff when called upon. You simply do not get rid of a player like that, especially if the guy replacing him is over 35 years old and hasn't played a full NHL season since before the lockout.

For my final point, every person that follows the Rangers very well knows that they have an abundance of forward prospects that are knocking on the NHL's door. After watching the Rangers' exhibition against SC Bern, it is clear to me that Korpikoski in particular should be a part of the NHL club right now. If Nedved had still been around, Lauri's shot at the NHL this season all but goes out the window. It also appears that players like Anisimov and Paranteau would be the first call-ups in case of injury this season. Both of these guys, in my opinion, are close to if not NHL ready right now. Adding Nedved to the Rangers' roster would have done nothing but further clog up the pipeline of Rangers forward prospects. For the reasons above, I am glad that the Rangers brass made what in my mind was the right call, and as a result allow for the progression of letting some of the Rangers prospects play a role in the big club's success in the near future.

New York Rangers Training Camp: Prucha, Dawes, Sjostrom Among Others Should Look to Impress

With a short six days until training camp, many Ranger fans, including myself, are eagerly awaiting the start of the 2008-2009 NHL season. Similar to the situation last year, there will be many new faces on the team, while some old familiar ones have moved on for one reason or another. While some argue that this team will not contend for a playoff spot next April, I tend to disagree. This season will be a matter of how the new members of the team will mesh with the existing core of players remaining from the previous couple of seasons. If all goes well, I will not be surprised to see playoff hockey in New York for the 4th consecutive season. However, I will not be surprised if the opposite comes true.

As for the issues the team is facing now, there are a few spots on the roster to be had, with the departures of Jagr, Straka, and Shanahan (or maybe not). With the rumors of Sundin becoming a New York Ranger finally cooling down (thank God), there are holes to be filled, most notably among the top 6 forward group. With the signing of Naslund for two years, and the acquisition of Zherdev in the offseason, two wing spots in the top 6 are all but cemented for them. With Gomez and Drury likely candidates to be the top two line centers, that leaves 2 wing spots to be played for.

Towards the final part of the season and the playoffs, Nigel Dawes was the 2nd line left winger on a line with Shanahan and Gomez. With Shanahan not likely to return, some shuffling of the lines is bound to happen. In my mind, one left wing and one right wing spot is open on the top 6. Although I see Nigel as a favorite to win the left wing spot, whether or not he gets it will hinge on many factors. For one, guys like Sjostrom, Fritsche, and Callahan will be fighting very hard for spots on a team deep with 2nd/3rd line talent. If one of these guys make a convincing case and plays outstanding during training camp, Tom Renney will find himself having to make a couple of pretty difficult decisions.

On top of this, believe it or not, I see Artem Anisimov, of all players, deciding how the rest of the top 6 will fill out. Tom Renney has gone on record stating that the only thing separating the 20 year old Russian from the show is his weight. At 6'4" and a reported 200 pounds, Renney would like to see Ani fill out his frame a little bit more so he would be able to endure the grind and more physically demanding NHL game. However, almost none of us expected Staal to go from training camp walk on to the team's #2, or arguably #1 defenseman as a 20 year old down the stretch last season. If Anisimov has a good training camp and Traverse City tournament, I can see him being a New York Ranger playing the games in Prague against the Lightning.

If Anisimov makes the team, you may ask, what about Dubinsky? Great question. We all saw the surge of Brandon last season centering two very experienced and skilled players in Straka and Jagr on the first line. Some have even said they see future captain material in him. One poster on HF even went as far as to compare Dubinsky's style of play to shades of Messier. That, my friends, is a scary thought. While I do by no means endorse Dubinsky as the next Messiah, I believe that he has a lot of potential as a top 6 forward, and being a key player to the organization for years to come. However, with the log jam at centers that the Rangers have, I believe that playing him on the 3rd line with checking forwards would hinder his development. My suggestion? If Anisimov makes the team, put him on the left wing of a line with Drury and Zherdev. Dubi's big body and prowess along the boards would free up space for Zherdev to do his magic and score and set-up a lot of goals. This would also immensely help out his development playing with two very skilled players while Anisimov gets his feet wet on the 3rd line.

With this scenario, this would only leave one more spot on the top 6. My personal opinion is that it should be Petr Prucha's spot to lose. Playing on a line with Gomez and Naslund would be filled with such speed and skill that Petr would pay out big time. Combine Naslund's experience and Gomez's playmaking abilites, and I truly believe that we will see the Prucha of 05-06 show up to the Garden again, and not the shell of his 07-08 self. This, however, would demote Dawes to the 3rd line, where his soft stick and finishing roles on the team would be greatly diminished. You never know what will happen in training camp, and obviously, I am not the coach of the team. Tom Renney and Co. know a lot more about the players in the organization than you and I would ever dream to know.

Without further ado, my projected forward lines for the opening games in Prague:

Naslund-Gomez-Prucha

Dawes-Drury-Zherdev

Fritsche-Dubinsky-Sjostrom

Voros-Betts-Callahan

Orr

As for the defense, I believe that the 6 defensemen who make the team are all but set in stone. It is a matter of seeing what combinations work and which one's do not. This may take some time, but overall, this group of defensemen is a lot more skilled and mature than last year's. What is up for debate, however, is who the 7th defenseman that the team carries will be. Thomas Pock in my mind is the most logical and cap friendly option, but guys like Corey Potter, although I believe is overrated, and Brian Fahey will all draw consideration. To be honest, I cannot say who will be the 7th defenseman on Opening Night, as it is too much of a crapshoot to say one guy for sure.

Some may say that Sanguinetti is ready for the big show. I respectfully disagree. While there is no denying his talent, his play in his own end leaves a lot to be desired. Working towards this, as well as serving as the power play QB of running Hartford's power play from the point, will prove to be very valuable experience for him. I have hopes that Bobby will be an absolute power play monster from the point for the Rangers, so there is no point is rushing him and throwing him into the fire of the NHL too early. I do, however, believe that he is all but a lock for the team next year if he shows encouraging signs of development in Hartford. I also would not put a brief NHL call up out of the question this season in case of injury.

The defensive pairings on Opening Night (or what they should be anyway):

Staal-Redden

Mara-Girardi

Kalinin-Rozsival

Pock/Fahey/Potter

As for the goalies...you really don't need to ask.

Lundqvist

Valiquette

That's it from me for now. Let the countdown for training camp and the regular season begin!