Posts tagged ‘Steven Gelbs’

Okay, so maybe it wasn’t exactly a “scoop” but loyal listener Richard S. did e-mail us earlier in the week pointing out the Rangers precarious cap situation moving forward.  As is our custom, Eric and I discussed the e-mail on yesterday’s episode.  Today, Larry Brooks wrote an article about this topic in The Post and specifically about how it effects Brandon Dubinsky.  Dubi is set to become a restricted free agent this summer.

Give the episode a listen and the article a read to get up to date with the situation, but simply put, it’s not good.  The Rangers have almost $40 million committed to eight players next year and have only ten players (Patrick Rissmiller being one of them) under contract.  That means that at a minimum the Rangers would have to sign 10 players, most likely for a total of around $15 million (there’s a good chance the salary cap goes down a bit next year).  When the list of players the Rangers need to re-sign includes Brandon Dubinsky, Nik Zherdev and Ryan Callahan–all of whom will be expecting and entitled to big raises–it becomes a very sticky situation.

What’s more, it makes Chris Drury’s $7 million, Wade Redden’s $6.5 million, Michael Rozsival’s $5 million and Markus Naslund’s $4 million cap hits the big, big elephants in the room…especially if they continue to underperform. 

At 9-2-1, you’d better hope this year’s Rangers team is the real deal, because unless the Rangers make a deal to shed salary, the future looks a little murky.

Boys and girls episode 69 is now available for your listening pleasure.  In it you will hear our thoughts on:

• - The booing of Avery
• - The 2-1 loss to Dallas
• - The Rissmiller waiving (and lack of assignment)

PRE-GAME: Sean Avery makes his return to the Garden tonight as the Stars make their only trip to New York this season.  As I said in today’s podcast, Avery may get a mixed reaction from the fans during tonight’s game.  If that happens, that’s a shame.  Sean Avery was a great Ranger and about as popular as an athlete can get in New York.  The same reason why Ranger fans loved him during his tenure may be the reason they hate him tonight.  But it would be hypocritical to boo him because of it.

Even now, watching Avery get into it with Dubinsky and Vally, doesn’t make me mad…it makes me miss him more.  

All that being said, the Rangers will need to do their best to tune him out as they go for another two points tonight.  The Stars have gotten off to a bit of a rough start (1-3-1), but they’re a very explosive team waiting to erupt at any second.  The Rangers will have to give a full 60 minute effort (something we’ve really yet to see) in order to take this one.

Rismiller in, Korpikoski out.  Everything else remains the same.

Avery vs. NY, Lundqvist vs. Lundqvist, Rismiller vs. Modano (okay, maybe not the last one).  Should be fun.

Update 7:09 p.m.: The Rangers go on the early power play, but more importantly Avery goes on the early offensive.  Dubinsky and Lundqvist already getting an earful.

Update 7:10 p.m.: GOAL!!! MARKUS NASLUND!  HOUSTON WE HAVE A PULSE! #91 LIVES! 1-0 RANGERS!!

Update 7:13 p.m.: Avery just touched the puck and boos rained down. Ridiculous.

Update 7:15 p.m.: Nice boost by Drury to get a good shot off.  The Rangers looking very quick tonight.

Update 7:18 p.m.: Boy that Gomez line looks good.  If they could get a couple of those on net, we’d be looking at a two goal lead.

Update 7:23 p.m.: “LLOYD!!!” Jeremy Piven of Entourage is in the building.

Update 7:26 p.m.: …and apparently so is Michael Imperioli of the Sopranos.  It’s an HBO Garden Party!

Update 7:34 p.m.: Turco looks very shaky so far.  Too many rebounds.

Update 7:37 p.m.: Great save by Lundqvist.  Terrible job by the fans at the Garden with the booing of Avery.

Update 7:39 p.m. END OF 1ST: Solid period for the Rangers.  They came out strong, dominating the first 7 or so minutes of the game.  The Stars found their footing, but the Rangers had some good chances throughout.  I can’t emphasize enough how disappointed I am in the fans at the game for booing Avery.  Every single person there LOVED him a few short months ago.  Not liked him…LOVED HIM!  He put the Rangers in the playoffs two years in a row and deserves a better reception.

Update 7:58 p.m.: Gorgeous pass from Gomez to Dawes.  Gomer is flying tonight.

Update 8:04 p.m.: The Stars tie the game on the power play.  Gotta give Morrow credit there.  Beautiful goal.

Update 8:09 p.m.: Strong move by Naslund draws a penalty.  Rissmiller comes in with a late hit on Avery after the play.

Update 8:19 p.m.: A pretty clear trip by Ribeiro was just missed.

Update 8:21 p.m.: Nifty little pass there by Zherdev.  The 2nd line looks very strong again, but the Rangers need to pick up the pace again.  The Stars are looking much better here in the second.

Update 8:30 p.m. END OF 2ND: 14.  That’s the big number right now.  The Rangers have missed the net 14 times and it’s cost them dearly.  The Stars played a much better period in the second and the Rangers didn’t necessarily have the same forecheck going as they did in the first.  Yet, whenever they had an opportunity, it seemed that they missed the net.  Especially with a shaky Marty Turco in net, you’ve got to put the pucks on goal.

And if anybody has a Chris Drury sighting, please let me know.

Update 8:59 p.m.: Modano puts the Stars up 2-1.  The Rangers just haven’t had the same jump they had in the first period.  Mikey putting it right where Henke’s vulnerable.

Update 9:02 p.m.: The fans giving Avery the Brodeur treatment, with an “Avery!” chant.  Stupid.

Update 9:06 p.m.: Rozsival with the inopportune penalty.  The Rangers need a big kill…and a big spark now.  It’s a little ironic, but this is a game that the Rangers could really use Avery’s spunk.

Update 9:19 p.m. FINAL – STARS 2, RANGERS 1: And that concludes a tough 7 games in 11 night stretch and the end couldn’t come soon enough.  The Rangers looked good in the first period, but fatigued and slow from there on out.  There really wasn’t much going on from the Rangers end in the final 30 minutes.

Still, when the schedule came out, I don’t know a Ranger fan alive who wouldn’t have signed up for a 6-2-1 record when the dust cleared.  Come Friday though, the excuses stop.  The team seems to be coming down to earth a little bit right now.  Whether that’s a sign of the schedule or the team won’t be known until next week.

PRE-GAME: With the Rangers looking to make history tonight we figured what the heck, let’s start this live blog early tonight.  A win tonight and the Blueshirts would be 6-0 for the first time ever.  Plus with Toronto on the Friday’s docket, lucky number 7 looks to be in reach…but I’m getting ahead of myself.

The revolving door that is the third line left wing continues to roll tonight as Weinman, Zip and Gross are all reporting that Petr Prucha will make his American soil season debut tonight.  For those counting at home that also means that Nigel Dawes is out for the third straight night.

Tonight’s game will be another good test.  The Sabres are no pushover and showed that with a 7-1 drubbing of the Isles on Monday.  I know, I know, it’s the Islanders…but it’s impressive nonetheless.

So we’re about an hour away, let’s keep the momentum from the last live blog rolling.  And if you need something to pass the time before the drop of the puck, look on right side of the site and check out Episode 66.

Update 7:11 p.m.: Orr v. Peters…I don’t even think a punch landed so I’ll say it was a draw.

Update 7:13 p.m.: Gomez draws the early penalty.  6 power play goals in 6 games??

Update 7:17 p.m.: GOAL!! ROZSIVAL! SCOTT GOMEZ WITH THE NICE DROP PASS GETS IN ON THE ACTION AND ROZSI WRISTS ONE PAST MILLER.  PROBABLY ONE HE’D LIKE BACK, BUT WE’LL TAKE IT! 1-0 RANGERS! (Update 7:30 p.m.: Gomez credited with the goal.)

Update 7:21 p.m.: Kalinin to the box.  Couldn’t help but give his old team some help.  Although with this PK, maybe not.

Update 7:24 p.m.: Make that 22-for-22 on the PK.

Update 7:25 p.m.: World class job by Lundqvist to take the bottom of the net away from Spacek.  Another Rangers penalty though.

Update 7:30 p.m.: 23…

Update 7:39 p.m.: Great shift by the 2nd line…what else is new?  You have to like the deep pinch by Staal and the defensive play by Mara on Vanek.

Update 7:41 p.m. END OF 1ST: Another 1st period in the books, another lead.  Not a fantastic period though.  The Rangers went the last 13:25 without a shot and looked a little suspect in front of their own net.  They’ll start off the second on the man advantage.

Update 8:01 p.m.: Lundqvist gobbles up the point blank rip by Kotalik.  His positioning and rebound control still amazes me.

Update 8:05 p.m.: And the streak ends at 23.  Power play goal by the Sabres (although it looked like a Ranger might have pushed it in). 1-1

Update 8:10 p.m.: Looks like Betts put it in while trying to help Lundqvist cover.

Update 8:17 p.m.: Awful, awful undisciplined play by Mara.  It doesn’t matter how upset you are, you simply can’t start wailing away on someone because they tried to hit you.  Five minutes and a game misconduct.  Remember this one if the streak is broken.

Update 8:21 p.m.: And there’s one.  Nice initial save by Lundy, but Vanek got behind the defense and poked in the rebound.  2-1 Sabres.

Update 8:23 p.m.: A bad penalty by the Sabres kills the final two minutes of the Buffalo power play.

Update 8:26 p.m.: Ladies and Gentleman, let me introduce the third line! Great shift by those three.  Let’s see if that can kickstart the rest of the team.

Update 8:33 p.m. END OF 2ND: Well you could see that coming.  The Rangers didn’t look good in the first and it caught up with them in the second.  Only 9 shots on goal so far in the game and the team looks a lot slower than the first five contests.  The first line really has to step up and do something.  Naslund and Drury have been absolute ghosts since returning from Prague.

Update 8:52 p.m.: Renney puts Callahan up on the first line in place of Naslund and it immediately results in a four minute power play.  Genius?

Update 8:53 p.m.: Wow.  Second short-handed goal given up by the Rangers this season gives Buffalo a 3-1 lead.  That’s on Drury.  He simply didn’t pick up his man.

Update 8:58 p.m.: Why is the fourth line taking an offensive zone draw with 30 seconds to go in the power play? Four minute power play over…-1 to show for it.

Update 9:02 p.m.: The Rangers are upping the pressure as Renney is shuffling the lines, but too much is to the outside.  They need to get one quick here.

Update 9:07 p.m.: Smart timeout by Lindy Ruff.

Update 9:15 p.m.: Looks like the Rangers will have to wait until Friday to get win number 6.  Right now the pressure is there, but there are no real threats.  The amount of line permutations in this period has been absurd.

Update 9:26 p.m. BUFFALO WINS 3-1: That’s all folks.  The 1983-84 squad is breathing a HUGE sigh of relief, knowing that they still share a tie of their record.  No beating around the bush, the Rangers simply played a bad game tonight.  They had no forecheck, no special teams and slow legs.  But you know what, before the season started I don’t know a Ranger fan who would have turned down a 5-1 start to the season.

Even still, I’m beginning to wonder if Naslund and Drury are still a part of this team.  Those two need to become a factor if this team is going to be successful in the long run.  The one thing I’m worried about is that Renney is going to begin to shuffle the lines in order to get those two going and actually mess up the chemistry of the rest of the squad.

So it’s on to Toronto to try and win six of the first seven.  Keep an eye out for our next podcast tomorrow about tonight’s game.  Get your thoughts in for the show at (347)410-9093 and hosts@nyrangerscast.com.

Episode 066 – Tragedy Strikes as the Rangers Keep Rolling, is now available for your listening pleasure. Tune in to hear Eric and I break down the Blackhawks, Flyers and Devils games, as well as discuss the tragic death of Alexei Cherepanov.

Plus, you’ll get to hear another old fashioned rant of mine!

Enjoy.

The biggest free agent still on the market is now officially off.  Marek Malik inked a one-year deal with Tampa Bay today.

No word yet on when the Rangers will retire the number 8.

PRE-GAME: The Rangers and Devils renew their rivalry tonight.  Neither team has lost a game yet with the Rangers 4-0 and the Devils 2-0 to start the year.

Dan Fritsche gets his first start tonight in place of Patrick Rissmiller on the third line.

As everybody’s probably already read, Rangers top prospect Alexei Cherepanov died at the age of 19 today.  There is a blog entry below if you would like to comment on his passing.

Update 7:10 p.m.: “Marty!” chants already starting up…gotta love it!

Update 7:15 p.m.: Another great penalty kill.  The Rangers remain perfect for the year.

Update 7:28 p.m.: This fourth line is looking phenomenal so far this season.  Orr, Betts, and Sjostrom are slowly becoming the third line.

Update 7:30 p.m.: GOAL! DUBINSKY! WHAT’S THE ONLY THING BETTER THAN A RANGERS GOAL?? A RANGERS GOAL ON A MARTY BRODEUR MISTAKE! BRODEUR TRIES TO CATCH THE PUCK AND IT DIPS RIGHT UNDERNEATH HIS GLOVE. RANGERS LEAD 1-0!

Update 7:32 p.m.: And the “Marty!” chants come out in force.  The Garden is rocking tonight.

Update 7:34 p.m.: After a bit of a slow start the Rangers have been buzzing the last five minutes.  All four lines are getting a real good forecheck going and the top unit just missed putting the Rangers up 2-0.  This Devils team has a lot of issues scoring so to put another one in before the end of the period would go a long way to ensuring a 5-0 start.

Update 7:42 p.m. END OF 1ST: Another fantastic first period by the Rangers.  It took a couple of minutes, but the Rangers really dominated the last 10-15 minutes of that period.  All four lines got that signature 2008 Rangers forecheck going and the hottest line in the league potted another goal.  Let’s see if the Rangers keep it up this time over three periods.

Update 8:04 p.m.: Extremely chippy game so far.  The rivalry has always been intense, but it seems like last year has the rivalry in a bit of a renaissance.

Update 8:08 p.m.: The Rangers are just continuing to do what has made them so successful so far in the early going.  They are relentless pursuing the puck on the forecheck and all five players on the ice are committed to defense.  Rangers first power play now, with Rolston in the box.

Update 8:11 p.m.: GOAL! VOROS! VOROS IS EXACTLY WHAT THE POWER PLAY NEEDED.  A GUY WHO PARKS HIMSELF IN FRONT AND ALLOWS THE DEFENSE TO RIP AWAY.  THAT’S ANOTHER NICE CHANGE…THE DEFENSE RIPPING AWAY.  GIRARDI TOOK ONE SHOT, GOT IT RIGHT BACK AND DIDN’T HESITATE WITH ANOTHER.  RANGERS UP 2-0!

Update 8:15 p.m.: But Kalinin immediately to the box.  Let’s see if the Rangers can stay 100% on the man down.

Update 8:16 p.m.: Big series of saves by The King.  It’s gotta be difficult to stay in the game with such sparse work.

Update 8:19 p.m.: Another kill…raise your hand if you’re suprised.

Update 8:26 p.m.: Zherdev has to shoot that.  I like the unselfishness, but that’s a time to be selfish.

Update 8:30 p.m.: Well they had to make a mistake sometime.  The second line unable to get the puck out and Madden puts home a rebound after a big save by Lundqvist.  The Devils really have upped the pace the last ten minutes or so.  2-1 Rangers.

Update 8:32 p.m. END OF 2ND: Oduya takes a bad penalty at the end of the period, so the Rangers will get to start the third on the man advantage.  The Devils came back strong in the second half of the period to make a game of it.  Still, a lot to be happy about so far.

I’ve gotta hand the blog off to Eric now.  I have a commitment that I just can’t get out of tonight at 9.  Gotta love DVR.  Great comments so far guys.  Let’s keep it going!

8:45 pm: Hey everyone, no need to fear, Eric is here.  Please refrain from booing.  As Steve mentioned earlier I have been on a long days journey from Baltimore.  But, I have returned to catch the last period of Rangers v. Devis with you kind folks.  I would personally like to send my condolences to those connected to Alexei Cherepanov, it is something I have yet to fully grasp but it is tragic none the less.  But, again I’ll be blogging for the third period…don’t go running for the exits.

8:52 pm: PAUL MARA POWER PLAY GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! RANGERS LEAD 3-1!!!!!!!!!! Might  be credited to Voros…in which case that man is on fire.  Thats how you capatalize on a PP!

8:55 pm: Goal stays with Mara, well deserved.  Mara took control of that PP and had three quality shots before that one went in.

9:00 pm: Excellent save by Henrik!  Langenbrunner was in perfect position and Hank stuffed him.

9:02 pm: Well sorry Paul.  Voros ends up getting credit for the goal, Mara and Girardi on the assists.  Two goals tonight for Voros, three on the season.  Coincidence that he was featured in  my parting shot this week?  I think not.

9:05 pm: Voros now gets called for the penalty.  Slashing is the call.

9:07 pm: Devis PP over.  Rangers penalty kill now 3 for 3.  Rangers PK did a great job of keeping all three of the Devisl shots to the outside.  Couple nice saves by Hank as well.

9:12 pm: Salvador throws the puck into the crowd, that’s gonna get him two minutes for delay of game.  Rangers on the PP.  And a delayed penalty on top of that.  White for high sticking.  Rangers get a 5 on 3 for almost a full two minutes.

9:16 pm: PP over.  Not a very good effort by the Rangers on that one.  The Devils played it nicely but you have to score when your up two men.  Not enough shooting to get the job done.

9:21 pm: The two captains going at it.  A couple of cheap punches by Langenbrunner.  Nice to see Drury getting into some fisticuffs…that’s what I like to see from the C.

9:23 pm: Marty leaves the net with 2:18 remaining.

9:25 pm: CALLAHAN ON THE EMPTY NETTER!!!!!!  Thats the nail in the coffin folks!!! Rangers lead 4-1!!!!  Rangers will move to 5-0!!!!!

End of the Game: Rangers are off the a 5-0 start.  Let me repeat myself.  The Rangers are off to a 5-0 start.  They’re chanting “You Can’t Beat Us!” at the Garden and doesn’t look like anyone can right now.  A great win against the Devils.  This is getting exciting folks, there is no sign of this team slowing up.  Voros gets his second first star.  The 82-0 season is still alive.  Wire to Wire BABY!  Thanks for joining us everyone, we will have a show out hopfully by tomorrow night.

First of all, sorry for waiting a few hours to get this post up.  I was in a car for the last 4+ hours without internet access and Eric is en route from Maryland.

At this point I’m sure all of you have already heard, but the Rangers’ top prospect, Alexei Cherepanov, died a few hours ago while playing in a KHL game.  There were reports that the death resulted from a collision with teammate Jaromir Jagr, however that report has been disputed.  Apparently Cherepanov simply collapsed on the bench and was pronounced dead a short time later.

This is just absolutely devastating news, first and foremost, from a human perspective.  This was a kid who was only 19 years old with a seemingly bright future ahead.

From a Rangers perspective, this is a major blow to the future plans of the organization.  Cherepanov was considered a huge piece of the puzzle and was having a fantastic season so far this year.  Some thought he could even be a part of the big team next year.

Still, it’s hard to look past the tragedy of what took place and think about the future of the organization.  Our thoughts and prayers here at NYRangerscast go out to Cherepanov’s family and friends.

PRE-GAME: The Rangers are looking to start off a season 4-0 for the first time in 25 years.  They’ll look to do it with Nigel Dawes and Henrik Lundqvist watching the game.  Lundqvist will get a rest in favor of Flyer-killer Stephen Valiquette and Nigel Dawes will be replaced on the 3rd line by Patrick Rissmiller.  Dawes has been ineffective at best so far this season, so the former Shark gets his first action as a Ranger.

Update 6:59 p.m.: Kudos to MSG for moving “Hockey Night Live” to post-game rather than pre-game.  Ranger fans tune in at 6:30 for Rangers coverage, not Rangers, Devils and Islanders.

Update 7:00 p.m.: Sarah Palin will drop the puck tonight…thoughts?

Update 7:13 p.m.: Well the Flyer fans just expressed their thoughts…the majority didn’t seem too pleased.

Update 7:20 p.m.: Well that didn’t take long…

Update 7:24 p.m.: GOAL! ZHERDEV! THE SECOND LINE DOES IT AGAIN, JUST AS THE POWER PLAY EXPIRES! 1-0 RANGERS!

Update 7:26 p.m.: GOAL! BETTS! PERFECT PASS BY ZHERDEV, NICE QUICK SHOT BY BETTS! BLAIR HAS BEEN CLOSE FOR THE FIRST 4 GAMES AND DESERVED THAT ONE. 2-0 RANGERS!

Update 7:32 p.m.: GOAL! FREDDIE SHOES!! STRAIGHT SPEED LEADING TO THAT ONE.  GREAT TO SEE THE FOURTH LINE PRODUCING LIKE THAT. 3-0 RANGERS!

Update 7:49 p.m.: GOAL! ROZSI! I’M GETTING TIRED OF TYPING IN BOLD AND CAPS! BULLET OF A SHOT BY ROZSIVAL (LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENS MINUS JJ) PUTS THE RANGERS UP 4-0! BIRON OUT FOR PHILLY.

Update 7:51 p.m.: Dubi Dubi Du! Looks like Brandon took some boxing lessons over the summer.  He more than held his own against Richards.

Update 7:59 p.m. END 1ST: About as perfect of a period as can be played.  This Rangers team is just looking so good early on.  I’ve said it before, but the relentless forecheck is really quite a sight to see and the commitment to backchecking makes it nearly impossible for the opposition to get something consistent going.  Just keep it going and the Rangers are well on their way to their first 4-0 start since 1983.

Update 8:19 p.m.: Offensive zone penalty by Knuble.  Power Play Rangers.

Update 8:20 p.m.: Shorthanded goal by Hartnell right off the face-off win by Metropolit.  Beautiful quick wrister cuts the Ranger lead to 4-1.

Update 8:38 p.m.: Nice power play for the Rangers.  They didn’t score, but had a couple of nice chances and kept the puck in the Philly zone for almost the full two minutes.  Undisciplined penalty there by Mara.

Update 8:46 p.m.: Goal by Gagne makes it 4-2.  A big missed call there by the referee as Richards skated through the crease and made contact with Valiquette that took him out of position.  It’s a game now.

Update 8:47 p.m.: Zherdev continues his strong play by drawing a penalty.  A power play goal would be huge right now.

Update 8:52 p.m.: Scotty Gomez what are you thinking? Terrible, unnecessary penalty.  The Rangers need to kill these last 30 seconds and get out of the period up 2.

Update 8:53 p.m.: So, not exactly the first period performance by the Rangers, but not as bad as 2-0 Flyers either.  Antero Niittymaki has come in and steadied the ship for Philadelphia and has made some big saves.  The Rangers need to regroup during intermission and come back strong in the third.  Kill off the rest of the Gomez penalty and then get that forecheck going again.

Update 9:14 p.m.: Bad giveaway in front for Kalinin and then he takes a penalty to prevent a breakaway.

Update 9:18 p.m.: The Rangers are now 5-for-5 on the penalty kill tonight and 16-for-16 on the year.  Great timeout there by Renney to give the PKers a rest.

Update 9:19 p.m.: Beautiful pass by Briere to Richards makes it a one goal game.  Zherdev got beat coming back by Richards.  The Rangers need to change this momentum quickly and make sure this isn’t another Montreal from last year.

Update 9:25 p.m.: Penalty on Coburn.  Big situation for the Rangers.  They can really nail it down with a goal here.

Update 9:26 p.m.: Post by Gomez is the second power play post by the Rangers.  Naslund had one in the first.

Update 9:29 p.m.: Unfortunate call for the Rangers. Dubinsky for holding the stick.  It was hard to tell whether it was intentional or not, but it was close enough to blow the whistle.

Update 9:31 p.m.: WOAH! I thought that was a tie game right there.  5-on-3 now and the Rangers penalty kill will now really be tested.

Update 9:36 p.m.: An unbelievable 5-on-3 penalty kill keeps the Rangers perfect on the season on the man disadvantage and keeps them up one goal.

Update 9:43 p.m.: Huge save by Vally keeps the Rangers ahead!

Update 9:48 p.m.: RANGERS WIN 4-3!! Well boys and girls that was FAR too close for comfort, but in the end the Rangers pulled it out.  In the second half, the Rangers looked like a team that was a little fatigued after playing two games in two nights and still coming off of a trip to Europe.  But in the end, the Rangers held on and are 4-0 for the first time in 25 years.  There is definitely something to be said for holding off a team that’s fast charging with a home opening crowd behind them.  There’s still a lot to tighten up with this team, but there’s a lot to like right now.  The penalty kill was again fantastic, Vally was solid again and made the big saves at the end and the Rangers got some production out of the fourth line.

Now onto the Devils.