Posts tagged ‘Eric Rothman’

Well, those of you who have been listening to the show for a while know my admiration for Nigel Dawes.  So you can imagine the joy I am feeling right now.

Nigel Dawes will remain a Ranger for another year.  Dawes was a restricted free agent and the Rangers have locked him up for 2008-2009.  The price is $587,500 for the season.

In my mind this is quite a bargain…maybe thats just because I would have been OK with paying him $15-20 million (only kidding folks).

If Nigel playes well this season, he may be the recipient of a Girardi/Tyutin-like mid-season extension, which I am fine with.

Nigel is a solid player, who is still young and really fits the mold of what the Rangers have been aiming towards this offseason.

The Rangers have announced they have reached a two year deal worth 8 million dollars with left winger Markus Naslund.

Also, the Blueshirts have reached an agreement on a one year deal with defenseman Dmitri Kalinin.

But, the Jaromir Jagr Era in New York has come to a close.  The team has decided to go in a different direction and will not be offering a contract to the aging foward.  Here’s what Glen Sather had to say about Jagr, courtesy of the Rangers Report.

“We decided we were going to move on,” Sather said. “Jagr was very respectful when I told him … We talked about his time here and he thanked me and I thanked him. It was a very cordial parting. You just can’t wait forever on these things.”

The Rangers also say they have an offer out to free agent defenseman Paul Mara and that the return of Shanny is still a possibility.

Interesting moves by the Rangers, let us know what you think below.

The Rangers have traded defensemen Fedor Tyutin and Christian Backman to Columbus.

In return the Rangers recieve Nikolai Zherdev and Dan Fritsche.

Zherdev is a right winger who is 23 years old and scored 26 goals and 35 assists last season.  He was drafted fourth overall by the Blue Jackets in 2003.  The Rangers will be paying him $3.25 million this year, but only $2.5 of that goes against the cap.

Between Backman and Tyutin the Rangers owed $5.1 million dollars this year.

This is an excellent trade in my opinion.  Not only does it help the cap and give you more room to sign Jagr and someone else, it gives a reliable young winger.  He has a lot of upside and is still only 23 years old.  Tyutin and Backman were a hinderance to this team in the playoffs this year, I have no problem getting rid of them for Zherdev.

Right now, I’m looking for the Rangers to re-sign Jagr and go after Orpik or re-sign Mara.  Either way this day might not be a bust after all.

Update 5:10 pm: Orpik has just signed with the Pens for six-years worth $22.5 million dollars.

Hey Rangers faithful (is that an oxymoron at this point?).  Well the Rangers have successfully not signed anyone today.  They have also let Avery slip away for less than his asking price and watched Marian Hossa sign a one-year deal with Detroit.

I will be keeping you updated with the rest of the days events while Steve is working with the Yankees Spanish Broadcasting team.

I have also decided to rename the blog from Free Agency Day 2, to a more suitable name Guys the Rangers Didn’t Sign: Day 2.  Let’s keep the money flowing…here are some quick updates from around the league.

Jarkko Ruutu has signed a 3-year $3.9 million dollar deal with Ottawa.

Ron Hainsey has signed a five year deal worth $22.5 million dollars with Atlanta.

More as it comes…

So I know that technically free agency doesn’t start for another twelve hours, but it’s now officially July 1st (despite what it may say to the left of this post) so what the heck, let’s start now!

After months of speculation and plenty of Pepto-Bismal a lot of questions are set to be answered.  It certainly seems as though Sean Avery, Martin Straka and maybe Jaromir Jagr have taken their final broadway bow. Brendan Shanahan, Michael Rozsival and Paul Mara may be out the door as well.  But at this point all we really know is that we know nothing at all.  Agents and GM’s love to posture and leak information in the days before the frenzy and, as Ranger fans, all we can hope for is that much of the information we’ve heard about the Blueshirts is misinformation.

So here’s how this will work.  Anything (fact or rumor) that Eric and I hear or read will be posted here throughout the day in updates on this blog entry.  One or both of us will be here not only to post, but to converse with all of you in the comments section as well.  (Of course there will be a bit of a lull between 3 a.m. and 11ish. Hey, guys have to sleep!)  Anything you hear, feel free to pass along and we’ll try to get confirmation.

It should be a fungut-wrenching day and the NYRangerscast will be with you throughout, so keep it right here.  And don’t forget to take a listen to the most recent episode of the NYRangerscast as you await for the noon bell to ring and free agency to begin!

We’ll kick it off with an update from good friend Sam Weinman of the Journal News.  Sam is reporting the Jagr and the Rangers are still talking.  That could either be a good or a bad thing…depending on whether you want the captain back.  As for this NYRangerscast host, I’m thinking it’s a good thing.  Whether or not the talks mean anything will get done is another story.

Update 12:47 a.m.: Maybe the book on Sean Avery isn’t completely closed after all.  The Fourth Period has quotes from Avery’s agent saying that his number one priority is still to complete a deal with the Rangers.  Not something we haven’t heard before, but I’m a bit suprised to hear that Avery hasn’t essentially told Sather where he can stick it.  So maybe the door is still ajar, but I just don’t get the sense that the Rangers will entice Avery enough.  We’ll see.

Update 11:28 a.m.: Well we’re still about a half an hour away from the opening gun, so here are some things for your reading pleasure as we wait.  Larry Brooks and Steve Zipay basically re-hashes who the Rangers are interested in (which is basically everyone).  Brooks also throws a suprise at us by saying that Brendan Shanahan may cross the river and sign on with the Devils, the place where his hall of fame career began.  Zipay also let’s us knowthat Nigel Dawes and Freddy Sjostrom have been given qualifying offers and we may want to expect a “suprise” before the end of the day.  Sam Weinman reminds us that today really all depends on what happens with Jaromir Jagr.

Update 11:38 a.m: According to Dellapina, Jagr, Avery and Rozsival still badly want to come back to the Rangers and won’t necessarily jump at the first big deal thrown their way.  So that means, even after all of the percieved disrespect felt by these players, the ball is still in Sather’s court.

Update 11:56 a.m.: If Jay Pandalfo was on your list, you can cross him off.  TSN is reporting that he, David Clarkson and Barry Tallackson have re-upped with the Devils.  New Jersey has also declined their option on Sergei Brylin.

Update NOON: GENTLEMEN START YOUR ENGINES!

Update 12:09 p.m.: E.J. Radek is reporting that Joni Pitkanen has been sent to Carolina in exchange for Erik Cole.

Update 12:25 p.m.: Anybody out there hoping for the return of Ranger great Pascal Dupuis?? Well if that was the case for any of you, I’m sorry to dissapoint.  TSN is reporting the winger will be back with the Pens next year.

Update 12:55 p.m.: We have our first free-agent signing with a new team! Radim Vrbata to Tampa Bay

Update 12:57 p.m.: E.J. Radek is reporting Blake Wheeler has signed with the Boston Bruins.  You may remember the Rangers had some interest in the former first round pick a couple weeks ago.

Update 1:19 p.m.: John Dellapina was just on the NHL Network and basically sounds as confused as the rest of us are.  Everything is up in the air still with this team.  Dellapina says he has no idea what Jagr will do, but he badly wants to be a Ranger.  He says Avery will probably be gone despite his desire to stay. And he says he has no idea what Glen Sather is thinking right now.  So what does that all mean? It means that an hour and twenty minutes into free agency, we know just as much as we knew a month ago…NOTHING!

Update 2:04 p.m.: Sam Weinman is reporting that rumblings are indicating Sean Avery is definitely gone and will sign with another team very shortly. 

Update 2:17 p.m.: So we’re over two hours into free agency and I’m wondering if watching paint dry might be a more exciting endeavor than this “frenzy” thus far.

Update 2:21 p.m.: Darren Dreger of TSN is reporting that Mats Sundin is getting some big offers, including an outrageous multi-year deal worth $10 million per season! Rest assured that isn’t from the Rangers…at least it better not be or I’m handing in my fan card.

Update 2:39 p.m.: …and that team is the Vancouver Canucks.  You’ve got to be kidding me! $20 million for two seasons is the offer! Good luck to you Mr. Sundin in the Great Northwest.

Update 2:55 p.m.: Dellapina is saying that the performance bonus cushion is officially unavailable this year.  So it looks like some Charlotte Checkers may have a real shot at making the big club this year!

Update 2:59 p.m.: The FAN590 in Toronto is reporting that the Capitals have signed Jose Theodore to a two year deal. That’s a shocker.  Looks like Huet is on the open market now.  Ottawa anybody?

Update 3:03 p.m.: Sportsnet is reporting that the Penguins have offered Jaromir Jagr a contract.  If #68 was added to that Pittsburgh lineup, the Rangers (and the rest of the Atlantic for that matter) may as well not show up next season

Update 3:10 p.m.: FAN590 now saying that Ty Conklin has signed on with Detroit.  That’s a nice little move for a team that lacks a backup with the Dominator gone.  Pens better hope Fleury stays healthy.

Update 3:16 p.m.: Loyal reader Michael wanted a list of all the FA’s.  Here it is.

Update 3:35 p.m.: Toronto just signed Jeff Finger for 4 years at $3.5 million a year.  JEFF FINGER!? This market is getting absurd.

Update 3:40 p.m.: It looks like Jagr’s gone.  Dellapina talked to him a few minutes ago.  When Jagr says that he thinks the Rangers are “going in a different direction” that means that he’s not feeling the love.  After reading that post, I would now be shocked to see Jagr back.  Dellapina also says that the Rangers may be hot after not just Sundin, but Markus Naslund.  Can you say, building around Lundqvist?  And it really seems as though Avery badly wants to stay a Ranger.  Knowing his personality, I can’t believe he’d even consider still working under Sather.

Update 3:49 p.m.: Stillman to Panthers, Huet to Blackhawks.  A lot of smart signings so far.

Update 3:52 p.m.: TSN reporting that the Rangers have signed Aaron Voros.  Thank God! And I thought Sather didn’t have a plan…

Update 4:05 p.m.: TSN reporting that Darcy Tucker signed with the Avalanche.  Avery to Detroit to keep that rivalry going?

Update 4:48 p.m.:Looks like all the GM’s have gone on a late lunch break.  Small signings to make you aware of…Alex Auld (G) Signs with Senators…Penguins sign Eric Godard (RW)…and accoring to the Columbus Dispatch, Brian Campbell will be getting a deal worth over $60 million.

Update 4:54 p.m.: Welcome Eric Rothman to the live blog.  That update at 4:48 was from the E-man.  I can’t be here every second for a little while so Eric and I will be updating together.

Update 5:13 p.m.: FAN590 saying that Wade Redden is being heavily wooed by Dallas.  They’re reporting a 5 year deal on the table.  The Rangers are still in the sweepstakes but the Stars look like the front runner now.

Update 5:38 p.m.: Since there has been a significant break in action I thought I would pose a question to everyone.  Does the fact that Avery and Jagr have yet to sign elsewhere give you any sort of hope that they may sign with the Rangers after all?  My answer would be no because I figure they have both (or at least Avery) have figured out where they are going to go but just need to sign on the dotted line.  Let me know what you think.

Update 5:43 p.m.: So much for the break. John Dellapina is reporting that the Rangers are close to a deal with Michal Rozsival. No confirmation yet but it looks like the Rangers will at least return one of their UFA’s this year.

Update 5:46 p.m.: The money keeps flowing in the NHL.  TSN is reporting that the Blackhawks have signed Brian Campbell to an 8-year $56.8 million dollar deal. Wow.

Update 6:04 p.m.: Another defenseman off the board.  TSN reports that the Blue Jackets have signed Mike Commodore to a 5 year deal worth $18.75 million dollars.

Update 6:08 p.m.: Another HUGE Rangers signing.  Sam Weinman reports the Rangers have signed Patrick Rissmiller, a left winger from San Jose.  Rissmiller is another big body.  Apparently the Rangers will be trying to push people around this season.  He’s not a scorer or really much of an offensive producer.  Rissmiller had 8 goals and 9 assists in 79 games for San Jose last season.  Also, he is coming off of a sports hernia that he played through in the playoffs.

Update 6:16 p.m.: John Dellapina is reporting that the Devils have signed foward Brian Rolston.  Rolston is a guy that many thought the Rangers were in the bidding war for.  The idea was to put him alongside the speedy Scott Gomez.  So much for that.

Update 6:21 p.m.: As we reported on June 16th, Swedish winger Andreas Jamtin will officially be a Ranger next season.  Also just announced, the Rangers will be petitioning to become the Swedish national team next year.  And just a side note, amid the free agent frenzy, King Henrik has announced plans to buy up properties in Manhattan to open up a “Little Sweden” section of NYC with his Swedish teammates.

Update 6:24 p.m.: It’s Steven here and I just have to jump in with this comment.  What the heck are the Rangers doing?  Are they trying to get a top five pick in next year’s draft or something??

Update 6:49 p.m.: TSN is reporting that the Rangers have officially re-signed Michal Rozsival to a 4 year $20 million dollar deal.  Five million a year for Rozsival and Avery can’t get $3.5? 

Update 7:20 p.m.: Weinman’s reporting the deal for Voros is three years at $1 million a year.

Update 7:46 p.m.: Sorry for the delay in getting this up, but this day has lured me to sleep.  Sam Weinman is reporting that the Rangers have made their first free agent splash of the day and locked up Wade Redden to a six-year deal worth $6.5 per season.  That’s $11.5 million a year in two defensemen, both of whom certainly have their moments.  On the positive side, this is your legitimate power play quarterback.  But on the other hand this now leaves about $10 million left to fill numerous other spots on this team.  We’ll see how it all plays out, but at least it’s something.

Update 8:52 p.m.: Rangers have locked up Stephen Valiquette as well.

No not Carlos Delgado…Michael Del Zotto.

Folks let me ask you a question. What’s better than drafting the best player in the 2008 NHL Draft, Steven Stamkos?

Answer: Draft his best friend!

That is exactly what the Rangers have done with the 20th overall selection in this years draft. Michael Del Zotto from the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League.

Del Zotto is an offensive defenseman who loves to run the power play. In the 2007-2008 season with the Generals, Del Zotto, had 16 goals and 47 assists.

Here’s his profile:

Leave your thoughts on the pick below.

Folks, welcome to middle school bickering…corporate style.

The NHL is filing suit against the Rangers ownership group for breach of contract.  The NHL is seeking disciplinary action against MSG that could result in ownership suspension or termination.

All of this stems from a suit originally filed by MSG against the NHL.  The suit claimed that the NHL was in violation of anti-trust laws because it claimed control of the Rangers team website.  A judge found this to be an illegitimate claim and ruled in favor of the NHL.

The NHL has now countered that argument with a suit of their own.  This suit claims that because MSG accused the NHL of violating anti-trust laws, they were in breach of contract for challenging the leagues rules. 

Now, just how serious is this?

Honestly, I am not too sure.  It’s never good when ownership is feuding with the league.  It’s also never good when the league is threatening to terminate the ownership of the team.

What worries me the most is the timing of this whole thing.  I don’t really think that Rangers ownership is in jeopardy of losing the team.  But, if Dolan is focused on fighting a legal battle instead of spending money on free agents, than it becomes a problem.

Hopefully this whole thing can be resolved quickly…but don’t count on it. 

Well the Rangers have NOT OFFICIALLY made their first off-season acquisition, yet. But, Swedish winger Andreas Jamtin has opted out of his contract with his Swedish team to make another run at the NHL.

Now, Swedish newspapers are reporting that Jamtin has signed with the Rangers. But, this is not official.

Let’s keep the hypothetical points rolling…

If this signing does occur, Jamtin is being described as the Swedish Sean Avery. A guy who apparently doesn’t back down from a challenge.

So, why isn’t he in the NHL?

Well, the Swedish winger was drafted in the fifth round of the 2001 draft by the Detroit Red Wings. They were pretty high on the kid because they gave up two late round picks to move up and get him.

But, Jamtin didn’t pan out the way Detroit had hoped. Billed as the next Tomas Holmstrom, Jamtin never put it all together and the Red Wings cut ties with the winger, allowing him to be a free agent.

Jamtin has been playing for the Swedish team HV71. Apparently, Sweden’s name their teams like the German’s name their U-Boats. But that’s neither here nor there.

The 6 foot, 192 pound Jamtin is billed as intense and aggressive. Two things I think the Rangers need going into next season.

BUT, this all may be useless knowledge if the Rangers don’t sign this guy.

Check out our good friends at Blueshirt Bulletin and The Dark Ranger for more info.

No, unfortunately the Rangers aren’t paying for any new players.  According to Larry Brooks at the NY Post, the Rangers are shelling out dough to former players. 

An arbitrator on Thursday ordered the team to pay the signing bonuses of Bobby Holik and Jed Ortmeyer that were withheld during the 2004-2005 lockout year.

Holik gets the bulk of the settlement.  He will be getting a check for $3.52 million.  Ortmeyer will get significantly less, only $150,000 coming his way.

Regardless of the lockout, it’s a bit ridiculous to not pay a players signing bonus.  It makes the Rangers front office look stingy and disrespectful toward its talent. 

 Paying a player what he is guaranteed in a contract should never have to go to court.  But, for the Rangers and Holik/Ortmeyer it did. 

The Rangers will have to pay up.

…the same.  No big news out of Rangers camp, so let’s keep the e-mails flowing.

From Teresa in Clifton Park, NY

After digesting everything that happened in that series, I still feel unfulfilled and I can’t decide if the season was a disappointment or not.

However, I must say that one thing is abundantly clear.  I know this is nothing new, but the officiating has got to be more consistent.  I know calls will be missed or blown.  It happens to every team and the great teams work through it, but when things are called one way in one game and then called completely different in the next, as a fan, it is frustrating.  I can’t imagine what it is like for the players.  I thought that maybe it was me and my Ranger tinted glasses that were seeing this, but watching the conference finals games, it is not just me.  They put Dallas down 2 men for a roughing call that happens almost after each play at the goal and to send only one guy from one team is just ridiculous.  Tytuin takes down Crosby and it is called; Gil takes down Jagr, looked almost identical and no call.  Make up your mind; is it a panalty or not?  Don’t tell me they missed it; I don’t buy it.

Jagr gets his fair share of time in the box, but the new stars need to be penalized for their actions too.  Malkin can slew foot Mara and elbow Briere and not get a call against him.  I can’t discuss Crosby because until he stands up and plays, who knows what he should get called for.  The NHL is setting themselves up for a league run by spoiled stars who will alienate the fans of the other 29 teams.

From Andy in Nottingham, England

For me we need to resign: Avery, my favourite Rangers player.
Roszival, but I agree with your sentiments $3million is a maximum for me.
Mara, he’ll come pretty cheap I think.

For me if you don’t resign Shanahan, Jagr and Straka, as well as people like Strudwick, Backman etc, we’ll be looking at about $10-15million to spend. That could be used to bring two top end players, a winger like Hossa and the Top line Dman that we lack. I felt it was so obvious that we were poor defensively because we haven’t got that “big name” dman. We need to get either someone like Campbell, if it is him I’ll be happy, who will be great going forward and setting up the transitional play and a quarterback for our PP, or someone in the Boynton mould, doesn’t take up massive amount of cap space and will hit the body hard and just be a stay at home Dman presence. Nick played in Nottingham during the lockout year and was the 2nd best defenceman I have ever seen, behind Jimmy Paek, who also played for Nottingham Panthers.

My personal opinion would be to try and entice the likes of a Malkin, Hossa, Kovalchuk to come to Rangers for a decent, but fair, salary, between $6-9million and use the other on one or two solid Dmen.

Cheers guys, look forward to hearing more from you in the off season.

From Greg in Ridgefield, CT

I know its just after a tough loss but i figure ill look to next season instead of looking back on this one.  I personally think Jags, Avery, Mara and I guess Valiquette should be resigned.  Maybe Straka.  And if Jags doesnt come back, Id like to see Shanny back, even if he is just used for all of 10 minutes a game.