Mottau Joins Islanders and Elite Eight

Hobey Baker winner cum NHL journeyman Mike Mottau completes the New York area trifecta today by signing with a two-year, $1.6M contract with the Islanders. That got me thinking. Who else has played for the Rangers, Devils and Islanders?

It must be early in the morning, because I got as far as Vladimir Malakhov before my brain froze. But thanks to HockeyDB and NHL.com, I've filled in the gaps. Here are the eight players who've donned (or will don in Mottau's case) all three sweaters:

Forwards
Pat Conacher
Sergei Nemchinov

Defensemen
Joel Bouchard
Vladimir Malakhov
Mike Mottau

Goalies
Mike Dunham
John Vanbiesbrouck
Kevin Weekes

Did I hear you right?

I can tell you one thing — we are certainly not going to overpay for free agents. If we can improve with a signing that makes sense, we’ll look into it, but we want to give our guys the first shot.

- Rangers GM Glen Sather

Missing the playoffs by one point has apparently caused Sather to completely re-evaluate his management strategy. Pardon my skepticism.

In an interview with NY Post's Larry Brooks, the Blueshirts GM speaks about why his team missed the playoffs (injuries to Marian Gaborik, Ryan Callahan and Sean Avery) and how he plans to improve the team this summer (let the kids play).

While he says all the right things about next season, you have to wonder if Sather realizes there's a salary cap. As Brooks points out, the GM has around $12 million of cap space to fill nine roster spots, including resigning Marc Staal and Dan Girardi. Hamstringed by overpaying for free agents in the past, the Rangers may be forced into rostering their own prospects as the most viable option available.

But can Sather really stop himself from throwing money at another Wade Redden or Donald Brashear? I guess we'll know on July 1.

Which mistake will Sather try to erase next?

The Rangers put Donald Brashear on waivers today clearing his way out of MSG. Guess there were no biters on that trade request. (Remember when I said Brashear was an upgrade in the pugilist department? I officially apologize to Colton Orr.) While GM Glen Sather can ship the big lug to Hartford, his $1.4MM cap hit remains as a reminder of how useless the summer was for the Blueshirts.

Let's review:

• Tyler Arnason - 487 NHL games and 245 points wasn't enough to crack the Rangers' roster. He was assigned to the Wolf Pack and played a 11 games before leaving for the KHL.
  
• Brian Boyle - Great size but hands of stone. Essentially signed to replace Blair Betts. No insult to Boyle, but Betts was well liked and a freakishly good penalty killer. Boyle is still on the roster but has to be getting a bit nervous.
  
• Donald Brashear - Again, on waivers though that doesn't mean Aaron Voros will lose his seat in the press box.
  
• Marion Gaborik - Up until this week when he cut his leg in practice, this was looking like a pretty good gamble. Hell, if he doesn't play another game this season, it's still the best free agent signing since my hero Marty Straka. Needless to say, Ranger fans will be lighting candles Jarkko Ruutu doesn't give Gaborik an Olympic present the way he did Jaromir Jagr.
  
• Christopher Higgins - Dealt to Calgary in the package for rental Ollie Jokinen and lunch pailer Brandon Prust. You gotta feel for Higgins. He did everything he was supposed to but just couldn't find the back of the net. A New York boy, who didn't want him to enjoy a long run on Broadway? If nothing else, he'll hold a place in our hearts for getting rid of Scott Gomez's bloated contract.
  
• Ales Kotalik - Shipped to Calgary in the deal for Jokinen and Prust. That booming shot from the point wasn't enough to keep him in blue. His 17 PP points still have him tied for 3rd on the Rangers. Kotalik's replacement on the point: Chris Drury and his 3 PP assists on the year. No wonder the powerplay sucks.
  
• Enver Lisin - If he could put the puck in the net more often, he'd be the perfect replacement for Nikolai Zheredev, a tantalizing but inconsistent talent. Not yet a total bust but, unlike Boyle, Lisin is a RFA at the end of the season. Sather can just walk away from this contract in June if he needs to.

So all we have left to show for all that off season dealing is Gaborik, Boyle and Lisin. Yet we're still stuck with the worst contract in the NHL. (Check out #2, another Sather signing.) Can't wait for July 1st.

30th Anniversary: Potvin Sucks!

In 1979, Potvin and Nilsson were locked into one of the better hockey rivalries as the glamorous urban Rangers were trying to hold off the emerging expansion team from the Long Island boondocks.

Potvin was the hard-hitting young defenseman with the Islanders, and Nilsson was the smooth center for the Rangers, one of those so-called “chicken Swedes” who were too mature and too skillful to be intimidated. Hard hits were part of the game.

“With about 1:20 left in the period, Rangers fans saw a sight to enrage them, when Potvin splattered Nilsson against the boards in the left corner,” Lawrie Mifflin, now an editor at The New York Times, wrote in The Daily News that night.

When Nilsson’s right skate caught in a crevice in the ice, the leg took the full weight of Potvin’s hit.

- Slap Shot, New York Times

Throughout the early '80s, the organ at MSG would continue to play the popular arena tune "Let's Go Band." Regardless of the opponent — whether it were the hated Islanders or a non-rival like the Winnipeg Jets — Rangers fans would punctuate the end of the tune with a choir-like refrain of "POTVIN SUCKS!"

In the mid-'80s, Garden management wanted to clean up the Rangers' gameday experience and stopped playing "Let's Go Band." Rangers fans noticed, and started to whistle the tune on their own — punctuating their grassroots version with a "POTVIN SUCKS!" holler at the end.

- Fox Sports on MSN

True blue Rangers fans know to respond to a whistle from the crowd with a hearty "Potvin Sucks", but not all know the origins of the chant. I, myself, knew about the hit on Nilsson which sparked it all but wasn't aware the whistle itself had roots as well.

I love traditions like these. In my hometown, Seattle Thunderbirds fans chant "Portland Sucks" (referring to the archrival Winter Hawks 200 miles south) to the tune of Gary Glitter's arena anthem 'Rock & Roll, Part 2' after every goal, regardless of the opponent. Good times.

Sadly, in recent years, Potvin Sucks has become overused. Instead of the one whistle early in the game from near the press box, it's all night long, particularly if the Islanders are actually in the building - likely a bi-product of the Rangers success over the past few years. It's been fun to go to games again, reviving the popularity of the chant.

Rangers Sweep Lightning in Prague

The Rangers continued their trend of only scoring two goals when facing off against an NHL team. But unlike their experience in the preseason, those two goals were enough to get them by Tampa Bay, who didn't look much improved from their 30th place finish last year. New York swept the series with a pair of 2-1 victories and fly home with a valuable four points.

Some thoughts on the new look Rangers:

• Putting Aaron Voros and Colton Orr on the same line seems like an exercise in redundancy. I'd prefer to see Freddie Sjostrom or Patrick Rissmiller in that wing spot. Orr is ripe for waivers.
  
• If Nikolai Zherdev plans on trying to pull that toe drag bullsh*t five feet inside his own blueline at the Garden, he better be prepared for a chorus of 18,200 boos.
  
• I hate to say it, I'm in love with Brandon Dubinsky. There will be no sophomore jinx. But Portland still sucks.
  
• After getting beat noticeably by the speedy Lightning forwards in the opener, Dmitri Kalinin managed to pull himself together for game two. I barely noticed he was out there today, which is a good thing.
  
• Don't get too excited about the PP goals this weekend. While 18.2% efficiency is much improved from last season's 16.5%, it's still won't strike fear in the hearts of the opposition.
  
• Two goals? Seriously? If the Rangers' manage to make it to the playoffs with this anemic offense, then King Henrik will finally get his named etched on the Vezina.

Rangers score 2 many goals....again

It seems the Rangers have a preseason game every day. In fact, they have six in eight days before heading off to Europe for a couple more. That's a great end to the summer for any Ranger fan, unless you're on the left coast where the box score is the only evidence there even was a game let alone get a look at the prospects.

Thanks to the internet age, I can at least catch the highlights on TSN.ca. But you don't need those to notice a disturbing trend: New York's inability to score more than two goals a game. Actually, anything other than two goals.

The Rangers are sporting a 1-3 record, but I don't put a lot stock in preseason standings. All three loses were a 3-2 final score, which is a disturbing trend and, I shudder to think, a glimpse of the future.

Blueshirt fans can accept a losing season. It's like riding a bike. You never really forget. But if you're going to lose, lose big. There's nothing more frustrating than watching games slip through your fingers. Hope can be a cruel mistress.

Speaking of hope, how about Petr Nedved? With a goal and assist tonight, he's making it hard for coach Tom Renney to send him back home to the Czech league.

Update: Rangers managed to score exactly two goals again tonight in their loss to the Lightning. Will this madness ever end!? Nedved was held pointless and a minus two, so perhaps his return from the dead is not so likely after all.

Hollweg shipped to Toronto

I could tell you I called it, but who didn't see this coming really. The Rangers traded checker Ryan Hollweg today to the Maple Leafs for a 5th round pick. Hollweg was an 8th round pick in 2001, so it looks like GM Glen Sather came out ahead.

The Leafs are looking to increase their toughness. They'll also need to better their penalty kill, which was the league's worst last season. Hollweg has a knack for taking inopportune penalties.

Hollweg's days on Broadway were numbered once New York signed Aaron Voros. Not a big loss for the Rangers, although surely his teammates will miss the lockerroom entertainment.

No room for Jagr on new look Rangers

On the heels of losing Sean Avery to the Stars, Rangers GM Glen Sather has closed the book on Jaromir Jagr as well. Upstaging the press conference to announce the signing of Markus Naslund and Dimitri Kalinin, Slats told reporters that he has informed Jagr that the team will be moving on without him.

I think the New York media themselves will miss the enigmatic Jagr the most. You have to admit he's been a hell of a bargain for the Rangers at just under $5M per year. Though Sather says they never talked numbers, you have to believe it would have taken more than that resign the captain.

Truth be told, if Jagr had clicked with either Scott Gomez or Chris Dury, bringing him back at any price would have been a no brainer. Equally, if Avery could keep his off-ice antics to a minimum, it would have been easy to justify giving the grating winger $4M. In both cases the Rangers chose their future over the present. Jagr's return would have meant another year of Gomez and Drury pushed down the depth chart - and Dubinsky up it before his time...or worse yet, big $$ to Mats Sundin. And who believes Avery would ho have tried to stay in management's good books (remember the media gag?) once he got his NY payday?

Don't get me wrong, both players are worth what they'll earn next season. The price was just too steep for Broadway. And, no, that still doesn't explain giving Wade Redden $6.5M a year.

Unfortunately, Jagr's exit means goodbye to Marty Straka as well. That's a loss I'll feel deeply as I loooove him. I wish I had gotten a Straka jersey at Cosby's when I had the chance.

So out with Jagr, Avery, Straka, Marek Malik, Fedor Tyutin, Christian Backman, and probably Brendan Shanahan. I think Ryan Hollweg's days are numbered as well. I was about to add Paul Mara to this list, but apparently he's in talks to return.

In with Naslund, Nikolai Zherdev, Dan Fritsche, Patrick Rissmiller, and Aaron Voros up front; and Redden and Kalinin on the blueline. The Rangers still need to add a 6th defenseman (if they don't resign Mara) and some scoring depth at wing.

The stars won't be shining as bright on Broadway next season, but that may be a good thing. The Rangers are trying to build themselves into a younger, more hungry team. But now that fans have finally tasted the playoffs for a few years running, will they be satisfied with a quick fourth trip (which would be impressive considering the roster Sather has cobbled together) or is it the Cup or nothing?

A (Not So) Merry Christmas in July

In retail, the day after Thanksgiving is called "Black Friday", the biggest shopping day of the year. The NHL equivalent falls on July 1st and the stores open at noon Eastern Time.

Grandpa Sather went shopping, but unfortunately he forgot to bring the Rangers fans' wish list. And worse than buying a Zune when you really wanted an iPod, he got ripped off by the clerk who talked him into spending more for the useless warranty.

Here's what fans found under the tree today:

Wade Redden - 6 years, $39M
Redden receives a much needed change of scenery without taking in the pocketbook. The Rangers get.. well... um... Let's hope Sather didn't choose to match the no-trade clause he had in Ottawa as well. Adding Redden vastly improves the D corps (admittedly there was a lot of room for improvement) but the price tag was hefty.

Michal Rozsival - 4 years, $20M
Admit it, Rozy was a steal at $2.3M per year. Well, he just doubled that for the next four years. If he can return to form, he will still be overpaid but not grossly so. Redden will take some of the pressure off Rozsival, particularly on the power play.

Patrick Rissmiller - salary undisclosed 1 year, $1M
Healthy sized winger had 17 points in 79 games in San Jose last year. This signing along with Voros points to the Rangers trying to bulk up their checking lines. Rissmiller checks in at a healthy 6'4" and 215 lbs.

Aaron Voros - 3 years, $3M
At 6'3" and 178 lbs, this is the Rangers other "big" signing up front. Rissmiller had 141 PIMs last season to compliment his 14 point in 55 games. Ryan Hollweg's days on Broadway could be numbered as Sather's showing a clear preference for size with some offense upside, neither of which Hollweg has.

Stephen Valiquette - salary undisclosed 1 year, $725K
It's not like there's a huge market for a goaltender that doesn't play. It's here or backing up Martin Brodeur, and Kevin Weekes is still under contract for another year of bench warming across the Hudson. Still Valiquette was a good soldier in his limiting role and earned another year of the same.

Andreas Jamtin - salary undisclosed
Jamtin is a sh*t disturber in the Swedish Elite League. The line between agitator and punk is a bit different this side of the pond, so I'm not convinced he'll turn into an Avery replacement. Call him New York's own little Jarkko Ruutu. I hate Ruutu.

Sather didn't do much to address his holes up front, notably replacements for (or resignings of) Jaromir Jagr, Sean Avery, Brendan Shanahan, Martin Straka - collectively know as the Rangers' top four wingers.

Please, Slats, remember the shopping list tomorrow. Don't come back with Mats Sundin.

Rangers Off-Season Primer

While other NHL teams have been busy making (admittedly nominal) trades, waiving/buying out players and locking up their valued RFAs into long term deals, the Rangers have been inactive in dishing out new deals for the upcoming season. GM Glen Sather may be waiting to see what he can buy at the supermarket on July 1st before committing to his veterans. But like any true blue Rangers fan, I have my own ideas on where the Rangers stand this summer:

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

Sean Avery. The big stat is the Rangers record with (50-20-10) and without (9-13-3) him in the line-up. But no matter how much Avery's agent Pat Morris flogs that fact to Sather and anyone else who will listen, we all know that only three lockerrooms are big enough for Avery's ego - New York, Los Angeles and Toronto - and Slats knows it too. With Marc Crawford out in LA and Darcy Tucker being bought out of his contract in Toronto, those are real possibilities.

If Avery could keep the crap that comes out of his mouth on the ice, he'd be worth every penny of the $4M he's asking for. But, alas, that never will be. Avery's self-imposed media gag late last season proved that he can cease being a distraction for small stretches, but will he show the same discipline without Brendan Shanahan in the dressing room, should Shanny find himself facing retirement?

The Rangers have a ton of thinkers on their roster, but not a lot of raw emotion. I'm in the camp to resign Avery, if for no other reason than if he's not playing in New York I'd hate his guts. Although, I grudgingly admit I did find his turn in Men's Vogue amusing).

Jaromir Jagr. The dilemma is not if Jagr should return to the Rangers for another year (at a salary closer to his price with the Caps' discount), but whether he should continue to be captain. The Stars managed to strip Mike Modano of his "C" while still allowing the former all-star to keep his dignity. It's no secret Jags is a bit "special" with a reputation for requiring kid glove treatment. But let's not forget he took a drubbing last year for his relative lack of scoring and didn't do the disappearing act he did in Washington. In fact, he was even witnessed back checking on occasion.

The Rangers didn't sign Chris Drury to not wear a letter on his chest. He's expected to be a leader on this team, and he's a more productive player when he bears that responsibility. Just ask Flames fans how effective Drury is when he's put in a purely scoring role. His numbers in Calgary were mighty close to his stats last year (read: underachieving). If Jagr can take a page from Modano's book and pass the captaincy to the Rangers' next wave, then resign him.

Brendan Shanahan. I know he played through injury for much of last season, but he's lost a step between 06/07 and 07/08. I don't see the trend reversing in 08/09. If the Rangers were a three line team, I'd advocate resigning Shanahan for his leadership and effectiveness on the PP and PK. But coach Tom Renney likes to roll four lines and that leaves Shanny with too much even strength time.

Shanahan has had an incredible career but it should end this summer. Don't feel too sorry for him, though. The Hockey Hall of Fame will be waiting.

Martin Straka. First, I love Marty Straka. Looove him. He's my absolute favorite Ranger, and if anyone in the front office is reading this, please send me anything autographed by the man.

Straka had a disappointing season last year, but injury and line shuffling kept him away from playmate Jagr for much of the season reducing his effectiveness. If Jags stays, I make no bones about the fact I'd like to see Straka remain on Broadway too. The point may be moot, however, if there's any truth him playing out his career in the Czech league (which his agent denies).

Straka's a smart, underrated player. He does all the little things on the ice that go unrewarded, never takes a night off, and is respected by his teammates. How do you not want that on your team? Did I ever tell you you're my hero? You're the wind beneath my wings.

Marik Malik. There's no need to rehash his fall from grace. I don't think Malik has gotten gotten a fair shake from Blueshirt fans, but his time on Broadway is done. Thanks for the goal.

Paul Mara. He turned his +/- around in New York - as in he actually finished positive for the first time in his career, albeit a +1. Good thing because he was brought in to boost the Rangers power play, which struggled mightily most of the year. There are cheaper versions of Mara on the market, who earned $3M last year.

Michal Rozsival. While it's true, the Rangers probably would not have brought Rozsival to New York if not for wanting to surround Jagr with Czechs. He has nonetheless been an incredibly steady defenseman for the Rangers. Rozsival is effective at retrieving the puck in the corners and evading forecheckers. While not physically intimidating, he can do the job in front of the net. On the other end, he's even shooting the puck now and then.

Even if Sather wins the Bruce Campbell sweepstakes, there's room for Rozy, particularly on a team which lacks depth on the back end. Off-season surgery should keep other teams from inflating Rozsival's worth, keeping him from looking to hard elsewhere come July 1.

Jason Strudwick. "The mustache" is the perfect utility player. He'll sign for the league minimum, is a popular player in the locker room, can play forward or defense, and has no problems watching the game from the press box. So long as he's not a liability during the limited ice time he sees, it's better to have Strudwick as a healthy scratch than prospects Corey Potter or Bobby Sanguinetti.

Stephen Valiquette. He did a competent job last season as the Kevin Weekes to Henrik Lundqvuist's Martin Brodeur (which was ironically Weekes' actual job the previous season). Like Strudwick, Valiquette understands his role on the team - namely watching the game more than playing it. But what if King Henrik is lost for any significant amount of time to injury? Will Valiquette be able to step up? With the Montoya trade, it's not like there's any help waiting in Hartford.

The Rangers are going to have to address their lack of depth in net this summer, either by trade or free agency. There's a couple ways to go. Sign an aging vet who's willing to take a limited back-up role to stay in the game (say, Olaf Kolzig), or resign Valiquette and acquire a vanquished goalie willing to play in the AHL with hopes of being next year's Ty Conklin (say, Andrew Raycroft).

Andrew Hutchinson. Why did we trade for him again? Hutchinson was the third leading scorer in Hartford, but never got the call-up. (He would have had to clear re-entry waivers.) It's doubtful he'd stick with the big club next season, so there's no pressing need to bring him back.

Darius Kasparitius. He's served his sentence and is now free to retire to Russia permanently. Good luck, Kasper. I'll miss those hip checks.

Also UFA: Mitch Fritz, David Leneveu

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

Nigel Dawes. If it weren't for his size, Sather would be scrambling to get Dawes resigned before July 1st. But listed at a very generous 5'9", he's not an offer sheet target. Once Dawes adds a few pounds of muscle, he'll be rewarded with more ice time, particularly on the power play, which will be in desperate need of a sniper once Shanahan is gone. Heck, it needs one now.

Fredrick Sjostrom. Patience is beginning to wear thin with Ryan Hollweg, who found himself a healthy scratch towards the end of the season. Both he and Sjostrom play similar roles - physical forechecking - but there's more upside with Sjostrom who adds an offensive threat with his speed. Hollweg's a harder hitter, but his borderline shots have him on the refs' and the league's radars. Given the choice between the two, I'll take Sjostrom.

Ivan Baranka. He's off to Russia, with no "out" clause. Baranka wasn't very happy playing in Hartford, but the Rangers will retain his rights. Hopefully, he'll return NHL ready.

Hugh Jessiman. Is there any hope for the former first rounder who has spent a good chunk of his pro career in Charlotte? Jessiman turned his game around last year but still isn't ready for the show. Sather would need to qualify him at almost $1MM. And if the rumors about Blake Wheeler are true, the Rangers hardly need two high profile underachievers in Hartford.

Also RFA: Bruce Graham, Chris Holt, Josh Gratton, Rick Kozak, David Liffiton, Greg Moore, P.A. Parenteau (resigned), Matt Zaba (resigned)

TRADE BAIT

Christian Backman. Shaky defense and a $3.4 salary is not a good combination. Despite the impending deadline for buy outs, Sather hasn't added Backman to the waiver wire (the first step in buying a player out). But then again, the Rangers can afford to let people rot in the minors rather than take the cap hit from a buy out (case study: Darius Kasparaitis). Backman and Thomas Pock can spend next season commiserating.

Ryan Hollweg. His game is playing on the edge, but after three seasons he still hasn't learned to stop when facing a player’s numbers. Good thing the Rangers were sixth in the league on the PK last season. As I said before, I'd take Sjostrom over Hollweg, particularly if Sather manages to resign Avery, who will fill the agitator role. Sjostrom will hardly get under the other players' skin the way Hollweg can.

Ryan Callahan. He earned a roster spot based on his play as a call-up in 07/08, but wasn’t able to hold onto it. After being demoted last season, Callahan rediscovered his game in Hartford and was more consistent upon his return to MSG, but his play was still below expectations. The prospect pipe is pretty full for the Rangers, which makes Callahan expendable.

Thomas Pock. He wasn't really happy with his lack of playing time and was vanquished to Hartford as a result. That's usually the first stamp on your ticket out of town. If Sather can't move him this summer, I wouldn't be surprised if Pock asked to play in Europe (with the Euro club picking up his salary) rather than spend another year with the Wolfpack.

Petr Prucha. It's becoming increasingly clear that there's not a top 4 wing spot on the roster for Prucha. But even with his production declining, he still remains a fan favorite. Prucha flings himself around the ice like a ping pong ball, which often results in some fabulously entertaining train wrecks. And like those punching bag clowns, he just pops back up. Sooner or later, Prucha's not going to be so lucky. The Rangers are better off moving him now before he's broken for good.

PROSPECTS

Artem Anisimov. The Rangers are pretty set down the middle. I don't think there's any interest in moving him to wing, so if he makes the big club, that either pushes Drury out of the center spot or puts Blair Betts on waivers. Betts has a lot of value in the face-off circle and on the penalty kill, so unless Anisimov is ready to make a big impact in the NHL, he's likely in for another year of seasoning in Hartford.

Michael Del Zotto. It's rare that a defenseman makes the jump to the NHL at 18. The Rangers’ latest first round pick is no exception.

Alexei Cherepanov. He had a decent but not stellar year for Omsk in the Russian league. Cherepanov has yet to play the North American game. The Rangers will want him to play at least a year in Hartford to learn the defensive aspects before making the jump to the NHL. Unfortunately, Cherepanov still has a year left on his contract with Omsk, so it may be awhile before we see him in Rangers blue.

Lauri Korpikoski. He had a strong year in Hartford and a goal in his only appearence on Broadway. If he can back that up with a strong camp, Korpikoski can force his way onto the roster, likely at the expense of Callahan.

Bobby Sanguinetti. He spent most of last year in the OHL. I consider Sanguinetti a lesser prospect at the same age than Marc Staal, who made the jump from junior after his 19 year. However, the Rangers aren't incredibly deep on the back end, so Sanguinetti could be promoted out of necessity. But if the Rangers are true to their intent of developing players, he's best left to at least start the season with the Wolfpack.

Cancel those tee times...

...the Rangers are still in it.

Finally, Henrik Lundqvist looked like the golden goalie capable of stealing one for his team. You had the feeling halfway through the game that he wasn't going to let one slip by him. It also helped that the Penguins played a conservative road game, until finally loading up Crosby and Malkin on the same line for the third period.

The series now goes back to Pittsburgh, where the Pens will be a bit more serious about trying to finish the Rangers off. The Blueshirts will need King Henrik to step up again...and again...and again to pull off the miracle New York needs to advance to the conference finals.

Rangers down and almost out

Not that I'm taking the blame for the Rangers' inevitable second round exit, but it's not like I didn't ask for it. Obviously, my desire to face the Penguins in the quarterfinals wasn't from watching them steamroll the Senators. Ottawa was in such a state of collapse, I figured just about any team would have swept them. After all, their own coach accused the Pens of tanking the final game of the season so they could face the Sens. And he's probably right.

But the Penguins are a steam engine without breaks. They have beaten the Rangers to just about every loose puck, every player back checks hard, and their 1-2-2 trap seems unbreakable. I still think Sidney Crosby's a turd, but boy are the Pens fun to watch.

New York hasn't actually played all that badly, the third period of game one notwithstanding. They've had their chances. Jaromir Jagr is playing like a man possessed. But Marc-Andre Fleury has clearly out dueled Henrik Lundqvist, who's doing little to live up to his 6-year, $41 million contract. That's good news for Fleury, an RFA at the end of the season and surely seeking a substantial raise.

The difference has been intensity, and the Pens have it it spades. The Flyers will surely try to pound Crosby, Malkin & Co. into submission in the next round, but I don't think there's a team remaining that can match their energy for a full 60 minutes or longer. It will take some lucky bounces to put the Pens on their heels, something the Rangers haven't had much of.

Things clearly aren't looking up for the Blueshirts. Only two teams in NHL history have overcome a 3-0 series deficit - the Maple Leafs in 1942 and the Islanders in 1975. They also have to deal with the possible loss of key penalty killer Blair Betts (fractured cheek) and the real loss of megapest Sean Avery (lacerated spleen - not cardiac arrest as first reported by the loosely fact checking NY Daily News).

Ranger fans better run down to the bodega and get a candle to light. We'll need the power of St. Michael behind our boys.

Rangers advance to Eastern semis

For the second season in a row, the Rangers have advanced to the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. They did so by knocking off the Devils, who dispatched the Blueshirts from the playoffs in 2006.

The moment we all were waiting for, will Marty shake Avery's hand?

And the answer is no. He wouldn't even look his nemesis in the eye. Brodeur actually took all the bumps in stride. It was his teammates and coach Brent Sutter who did all the complaining. I guess he was just holding it all in, waiting for the handshake line to let the world know how he really feels.

To add insult to injury, Avery finally broke his self-imposed media silence.

“Everyone talks about how unclassy I am, but Fatso there just forgot to shake my hand, I guess.”

- Sean Avery

We all know how well it ended last year when Avery lipped off after New York beat Atlanta in four straight. If you need a reminder, Avery was ineffectual in the next round and the Rangers lost to a heart-breaking series to the Sabres.

I was surprised by how many pundits were picking New Jersey to win this series. New York owned Brodeur & Company all season long, going 7-0-1 and earning an important 15 of 16 possible points. In fact, the Devils' game 3 victory was their only win over Henrik Lundqvist all year. (Steven Valiquette was in net for the overtime loss in their final meeting of the regular season.)

The Rangers have been their own worst enemy this season, but when they commit to playing their best game all 60 minutes (or longer if necessary), they're a pretty sound club defensively with the offensive depth to wait for their chances. As much press as their crease-crashing has received, consistency was really the key to New York winning the opening round.

Now Tom Renney and his soldiers wait for Washington-Philadelphia series to conclude. If the Flyers finish off the Capitals, then the Rangers will face the Penguins. If the Caps some how perform a miracle and comeback from a 3-1 deficit, then the Blueshirts will take on the Canadiens.

While the Rangers won the season series against both the Habs and the Pens, Montreal is a different team than they were at the beginning of the season when New York had most of their success against them. Pittsburgh is a hard working team but not strong defensively and can be easily exposed, particularly if they're forced to open up. Scoring first and disciplined defensive zone coverage would be the keys to a Rangers-Penguins match up. Of the those two potentials second round opponents, I'd prefer New York to face Pittsburgh. So, go Flyers!

If Boston upsets Montreal, then New York would face off against the winner of the Philadelphia-Boston series. Doubtful the Rangers would start Flyer-killer Valiquette between the pipes if they draw Philly.

With a goal and two assists tonight, Jaromir Jagr moves into a four five-way tie for the lead in playoff scoring. The last and final trigger to renew Jagr's contract for next season (including the Caps' 50% subsidy) is if he wins the Conn Smythe trophy. Larry Brooks of the New York Post points out that he and two other writers who cover the Rangers beat are among the press who cast ballots for playoffs MVP. I don't think there's any rule that says the Smythe winner has to play in the finals. Hopefully they know their jobs are much easier with Jagr on Broadway.

Rangers raise Leetch to rafters

Calder Memorial Trophy, 1989
James Norris Trophy, 1992 and 1997
Conn Smythe Trophy, 1994
Stanley Cup, 1994

Regular Season:
1205 GP, 247 G, 781 A, 1028 PTS

Playoffs:
97 GP, 28 G, 69 A, 97 PTS

The Rangers honored arguably the best defenseman to call Broadway home. Brian Leetch's number "2" was raised to the rafters of MSG as the organization paraded out a number of Blueshirt luminaries, including Leetch's 1994 teammates - Mark Messier, Mike Richter, Adam Graves and Jeff Beukeboom - and the other memorable 2, Brad Park.

The hour long celebration was highlighted by a classy speech by the honoree. It's no secret Leetch was disappointed to be traded from New York. He managed to reference the trade while still honoring the fans:

"Only once did I have to sit on that visitors' bench and have to represent another organization (boos). And that night, just as you did hundreds of times before, you made sure I knew I was home. And I thank you for that night."

Again, classy. Leetch did seem to take a little delight in the boos at mention of Jim Dolan's name, but so did I.

Forever gracious and reserved, Leetch let a bit of the spotlight shine on teammate Graves, announcing his jersey would be the next retired. Graves should be the last of the Cup winning team to be honored. Beukeboom did not have near the career stats and Sergei Zubov has played the vast majority of his career elsewhere. Messier and Richter are already hanging in the rafters.

For more on Leetch's stellar career check out John Dellapina's Top 10 Brian Leetch Moments and Rick Carpiniello's column in the Journal News.

Leetch's next achievement will surely ba a place in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Rangers Watch: NYR 3, BOS 4 (SO) ...and adieu for now

"I've been saying this for awhile," said Sean Avery. "We need to look at ourselves in the mirror ... Outside of three or four guys, we've all got to be better. I've got to be better. Our line's got to be better. I saw urgency and intensity at the end of last season, but I don't see it now. I wish I could tell you something else."

- Newsday

Amen to that. I'm going to retire the Rangers Watch until the team gives me cause to write something new. I feel for the beat guys who have to come up with new and different ways to the same thing: the Rangers are a crappy team stocked with top-shelf talent. At least in 2003 I didn't kid myself that the Rangers had a chance.

Pardon me if I sound a bit bitter, but the the shear disappoint of the season is finally catching up with me. Today's game was the first of a possible eight points against Boston and Atlanta, two of the teams New York is trying to fend off for the last playoff spot. It gave me little consolation that the Blueshirts walked away with a point. It was just as important they keep the Bruins from adding to their point total. Instead it was a bunch of the same old. And I hate to say it, Sean, but it's not just your teammates who lack urgency and intensity. It's the coaching staff as well.

So, that's it for Rangers Watch for now. I'm still rooting for the good guys, but I have better things to do with my time than chronicle an underachieving season.

Recaps: Y!/AP, TSN Broadband

Rangers Watch: BUF 1, NYR 2

It may have been the first time Chris Drury faced his former Buffalo teammates, but the storyline the night was the two goals from the unlikely five-man unit of Nigel Dawes, Brandon Dubinsky, Petr Prucha, Marc Staal, and Paul Mara. Those tallies proved to be enough to stay ahead of the sagging Sabres.

The Rangers have struggled with consistency all season. Tonight they turned out 60 minutes of quality effort and earned two very important points, putting them back in the eighth spot in the East.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff, who has more whine than a wino, took exception to Brendan Shanahan's cross check to Clarke MacArthur in the dying seconds. The hit dumped MacArthur into the goal post; Shanahan wasn't penalized. Ruff is calling for a league review and suspension. He'd get farther worrying about his team's 10-game winless streak.

Update: Shanny answers back...

“I’ve got no problem with Lindy Ruff saying it was careless and reckless. I felt bad about that,” [Shanahan] said. “But Lindy saying that it was an intent to injure is careless and reckless on Lindy’s part. I know he wants to protect his players, but I think he should know me by now. He played against me. He’s coached against me for a number of years. So while it was careless and reckless, him throwing it out that it was an intent to injure was a stupid remark.”

- Rangers Report

Agreed. Sean Avery has gotten less attention for running goalies, and that's more likely to result in a future injury.

Recaps: Y!/AP, TSN Broadband

Rangers Watch: PIT 4, NYR 1

I'm too cheap to pay the extra $10 a month to get Versus, so I missed last night's game. As I can't really comment on Evengi Malkin's hat trick or the Rangers inability to pick up the trailer resulting in the crafty Penguin's second goal, but suffice it to say the Rangers aren't on the cusp of a turnaround.

"You can have some tough luck around the other team's net and not score and be snake-bitten," said Ranger coach Tom Renney. "I feel we weren't destined for one tonight."

Just about every article had the above quote. Does Renney ever get angry? The fans do. It's admirable he tries to deflect criticism off of his charges, but sometimes you need to go a little John Tortella to keep the players accountable. Something has to change, that's for sure. Even Cujo believes he has a better shot at the Cup elsewhere. It's telling when a goalie would rather play under Iron Mike, who's known for playing mind games with netminders.

Update: Amen, Larry Brooks. Completely agreed.

Recaps: Y!/AP, TSN Broadband

Rangers Watch: MTL 1, NYR 4

The Rangers earn first win of the new year. New York's play was 180 degrees from their recent five-game skid, which ended today with the victory over an under-heralded Montreal team. Marek Malik made his way back in the line up and looked surprising strong, especially on the penalty kill. His only real misstep was getting beat wide early on - Henrik Lundqvist turned away the resulting shot.

Steve Soldwedel makes a case for coach Tom Renney to keep his job and that the team's inconsistency may be more tied to its mercurial captain. Jaromir Jagr is the greatest bargain in the league with the Caps picking up half the bill for the Blueshirts, but if the team's option doesn't kick in, he's not worth twice the price. Whether or not he does return next season, I wouldn't be surprised to see a change in leadership. Does anyone really think they brought in Chris Drury - yet to score 70 points in a season - at $7M a year to be without a letter? Dallas got out of their funk after they took the C away from Mike Modano. No doubt New York is also better off letting Jags do what he does best - essentially anything but backchecking or exhibiting leadership.

Either way, the jury is still out on Renney.

Recaps: Y!/AP, TSN Broadband

Rangers Watch: PHI 6, NYR 2

Oy, it just gets worse.

The Rangers came played a strong first period, on the back of two goals by Ryan Hollweg (that makes five in 173 career GP for the plugger). Then the slide started. During a penalty kill, Chris Drury threw his stick to the defenseless Dan Girardi. That's a no-no:

Rule 45(c): A player who has lost or broken his stick may only receive a stick at his own players' bench or be handed one from a teammate on the ice. A minor penalty shall be imposed for an infraction of this Rule.

And so the Flyers started the second period with a 5-on-3 advantage. Philadelphia quickly scored their a goal, the first of six unanswered goals which also included a natural hat trick for Scott Hartnell.

Henrik Lundqvist has been a bit shaky of late, letting in 34 goals in his last nine starts but only a handful being considered truly soft. Tonight, the King's performance was hardly royal. Like the rest of the team, he looked solid in the first period and then fell apart, letting in six goals on the Flyers' 18 shots in the second and third frames.

Without Henrik being his normal superhuman self in net, the Rangers will have a hard time earning points. Even trigger happy Tampa Bay can't score enough goals to make up for porous defense and falty goaltending...unless of course they're playing New York.

Recaps: Y!/AP, TSN Broadband

Rangers Watch: TAM 5, NYR 3

The injury depleted Rangers faced off against the league's worst road team (2nd worst overall), Tampa Bay Lightning. New York got off to a quick start but then proceed to bungle most of the first two periods, allowing four unanswered goals, three of which can hardly be attributed to Henrik Lundqvist.

The Lightning gave the Blueshirts every chance to crawl back into it. A series of bad penalties beginning late in the second period cut the lead to one on the back of two Rangers power play goals. Despite a slew of PP time, including a 5 on 3, the game tying tally eluded New York.

Consistency has been a larger problem for the Rangers this season than their lack of scoring. New York looked lost tonight and didn't manage to pull it together until they were gifted five power plays. If the Rangers could play 60 minutes of solid hockey as often as the Lightning collapse in the third period, they'd be at the head of the Eastern Conference. Instead, New York risks seeing their playoff hopes slide slowly and frustratingly away.

Recaps: Y!/AP, TSN Broadband