Posts tagged ‘Steven Gelbs’

Just some quick thoughts and observations from inside the Garden last night:

-  It seems the Rangers have made a conscious effort to (finally) embrace their 83 year history.  Last night’s opening video started from 1926 and followed straight through to the present.  Throughout the night the videoboards read “You are Part of a Brotherhood” and the word “Tradition” was used a lot.  Long overdue, but good work.

-  Bad work though on the lack of a Fan Giveaway last night.  It’s opening night people!

-  The Garden fans seemed a little more tentative then last season for the opener.  “Let’s Go Rangers!” chants didn’t have the same traction at points throughout the game that you’d expect out of an opener.  If it’s any consolation though, the “Potvin Sucks” chants were 18,200 strong!

-  While Harry Howell, Andy Bathgate and Adam Graves got a nice ovation before the ceremonial puck drop, it didn’t come close to Leetch’s last season.  I guess that’s to be expected though.

-  Suprise of the Night: Chris Drury getting the biggest ovation.  I thought the King would run away with it, but Dru at least matched him when announced as the 25th captain in Rangers’ history.

-  Aaron Voros will become a fan favorite quickly.  The guy plays the game the right way and is pedal to the metal at all times.  Best of all, he badly wants to be a Ranger.  The Garden fans fed off his energy in a big way last night.

-  Nik Zherdev cares.  It’s early yet, but what I saw up-close and personal last night was a player who not only possesses incredible, raw offensive ability, but hustles and plays physically.  It’s a good sign that I noticed him as much when he had the puck as when he didn’t have the puck.  The kid also wants the puck at all times.  He was noticably calling for the puck all night long.

-  This is a team that New York and the Garden Faithful are going to fall in love with.  They were far from perfect last night, but they hustle, work and take a direct line to the net.  The loudest chant each year at MSG is “Shoot!”  I only heard that once last night and it didn’t sustain itself.  When in doubt this Rangers team throws the puck on net and charges to the front.  It’s going to be a fun year.

Now gear up for the Palin Puck Drop in Philly as the Rangers look to go 4-0 on the year.  Check back at gametime for the Live Blog.

Thanks to loyal reader Gabbi R. for passing this along.  Former Rangers’ head hunter Ryan Hollweg doesn’t seem to have learned the error of his ways after costing the Rangers the Penguins series last season.  Hollweg, now playing for the Maple Leafs, received an automatic two-game suspension after his third boarding or checking from behind major in 41 games.  He received the penalty last Wednesday in a 7-3 loss to the Blues.

My opinion? The two-games isn’t enough.  This guy is dangerous to other players when he’s on the ice.  If this keeps up, the league has to look into making more of an example out of him.

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In other news, the NYRangerscast has officially returned! Episode 65 is now up for your listening pleasure.

PRE-GAME: There were a lot of things to like about yesterday’s game.  We’re there aspects of the Rangers game that needed to be better? Of course. But that’s to be expected early on, especially from a team that was playing almost exclusively split-squad games throughout pre-season.  At this early point in the season it’s all about picking up the points and developing an identity.  What I’d like to see today is a couple of power play goals and some tighter defensive play.

Update 12:06 p.m.: Apparently they don’t have more than one singer in the Czech Republic.  That’s fine with me.  I could listen to this woman all day.

Update 12:19 p.m.: Another good penalty kill highlighted by a great defensive play by Girardi on Prospal. 

Update 12:20 p.m.: And there’s the first fight of the young season.  Aaorn Voros taking on Ryan Malone.  Lasted all of 3 seconds, but good to see from the new Ranger.

Update 12:25 p.m.: This first line looks like a real keeper already.  They’re transition from defense to attack is very impressive.

Update 12:26 p.m.: This just hit me…why is Michael Rozsival still wearing #3???  Is he waiting until it’s officially retired for Howell in February to change it?

Update 12:29 p.m.: Well how ’bout that…Mr. Betts flashing the outside speed.

Update 12:34 p.m.: Great pressure there by the Rangers draws a penalty.  Zherdev with a beautiful dipsy doodle to the inside and Naslund is again flying.

Update 12:43 p.m.: Adam Hall tips a shot from the point that trickles through Lundqvist.  Lighting up 1-0 despite being badly outplayed again.

Update 12:45 p.m. END OF 1ST: The Rangers dominated play that period, but just couldn’t finished.  It’s encouraging that the opportunities are there, but they need to start putting some in.

Update 1:09 p.m.: GOAL! Wade Redden with a beautiful power play goal.  Naslund with an absolutely perfect pass.  Great looking PP and they were able to cash in.  1-1.

Update 1:14 p.m.: The Rangers are outshooting Tampa 24-3 right now and it’s not even that close.  Absolutely dominant right now.

Update 1:24 p.m.: GOAL! Wow. Wow. Wow.  That’s the only word that comes to mind.  This team is dominating like we haven’t seen in a long time.  An absolutely phenomenal shift by the fourth line.  They kept the puck in the zone during a line change and Gomez put one in!  Unbelievable right now.

Update 1:32 p.m.: Power play Tampa after a Rozsival penalty.  Even with the domination the Rangers are only up 1.  They need to kill this off.

Update 1:37 p.m. END OF 2ND: When Glen Sather made the decision to change the dynamic of the team this off-season, that period was EXACTLY what he had in mind.  The Rangers thoroughly dominated that period with a combination of speed and relentless attack.  Olaf Kolzig, who always plays the Rangers tough, is the only reason this game isn’t 7 or 8 -1 right now.  Very impressive.

Update 2:01 p.m.: Nice chance for Betts and Voros on a 2-on-1.  Renney wanted more production from the fourth line this year.  They haven’t finished, but they’ve gotten their chances.

Update 2:09 p.m.: Another great PK for the Rangers, although they did get away with a Redden giveaway.  They’ll go right back on the penalty kill now with Dawes taking an offensive zone penalty.

Update 2:15 p.m.: Good kill and then Drury draws a power play.  Rangers now 8-for-8 on the PK so far this year.

Update 2:23 p.m.: This team is so fast right now that I almost have a hard time seeing the players.  The counter attack of Scott Gomez and the first line rivals the best in the league.

Update 2:28 p.m.: Just when it was getting a little hairy the rookie takes an offensive zone penalty.

Update 2:30 p.m. 2-1 FINAL! RANGERS WIN!: Well that got a little too close for comfort at the end there, but the Rangers held on for a win.  These two games were extremely impressive from a lot of standpoints for the team.  They looked exactly like the team that management said they wanted…fast, relentless, defensively responsible, four rolling lines, puck moving power play that shoots the puck, etc.  Sure both games were only 2-1 wins, but I’m not too worried about the offense coming.  The opportunities are there and Smith and Kolzig were phenomenal in the two games.

So four out of four possible points for the Rangers on the trip and a team that looks to already have the chemistry last year’s team lacked for a lot of last year.  There’s a lot to be excited about if you’re a Ranger fan.

Don’t forget, Eric and I will be back with our first podcast of the season tomorrow!  Give us a call at 347-410-9093 or shoot us an email at hosts@nyrangerscast.com if you want to get your thoughts in before tomorrow’s show.

We know, we know, this win got you all really excited for the first podcast episode of the season, but the thought of waiting until Monday to hear Eric and I talk Rangers hockey is too much to take.  You need something sooner, right?

We knew that that was what all of you were thinking.

Well if that actually is the case then this is your lucky day.  Eric and I are hosting an NHL Preview Show from 8-9 p.m. tonight on a local radio station here in Syracuse.  We will be having Bill Clement, Sam Weinman and Stan Fischler on as guests as well as a couple others.  If you want to listen to the show just go to WAER.org and click the listen live button.

Enjoy!

PRE-GAME: It’s been five months, but New York Rangers hockey (and the NYRangerscast) is back!  I’m running on very little rest right now, seeing as I don’t think I slept for more than a half an hour at a time last night.  It’s just hard to contain my excitement.

After an off-season face lift, we get our first real look at Zherdev, Naslund, Redden and Kalinin.  I’m most excited to see Nik the Great and most curious to see how Redden responds after a sub-par pre-season.

My one prediction for this year: Brandon Dubinsky is going to be a monster.  Whether or not that’s going out on a limb is questionable, but if last year was a revelation for the rookie, this year will be a breakout.

Zipay’s reporting that contrary to the thought yesterday, Petr Prucha will indeed play today.  It’s the right move, especially because Prucha is one of the few actual Czechs on the team this year.  Prior to the news coming out, Larry Brooks had a this to say about the prospect of Pru sitting.  Larry…tell us what you really think!

So here we go.  Rangers/Lightning, Game 1 of the NHL season kicking off in Prague! Let’s kick it off in style!

Update 12:05 p.m.: John Amirante move over…listen to the pipes on this woman!

Update 12:11 p.m.: Can someone turn Joe’s mic on?

Update 12:13 p.m.: Great couple saves by Lundqvist after Kalinin gets muscled off by Lecavalier.

Update 12:16 p.m.: Rangers looking real quick to start the game.

Update 12:21 p.m.: Well Lundqvist certainly looks ready to go. The defense…well that’s a different story.

Update 12:28 p.m.: Nice rush up the ice by Gomez.  A bit of a strange way to start off the season if you ask me.  There just seems to be a lack of atmosphere in Prague with no real rooting interest.

Update 12:31 p.m.: Good work there by the first line to create a couple of nice opportunities.  Now the Rangers with their first power play of the year.  Let’s erase the memories of last year…

Update 12:40 p.m.: Hooking call on Kalinin.  The Rangers defense is looking very, very shaky right now.

Update 12:41 p.m.: Big opportunity for Drury there.  It would have been only fitting for the captain to score there, seeing as Jags lit the lamp first in the last two seasons.

Update 12:44 p.m. End of 1st: Very eh period there.  It doesn’t really have the feel of a season opener.  The Rangers look a lot more north-south then the last couple of years (which we expected), but I’d like to see some more quality shots.  Lundqvist looks great, but the defense is forcing him to have to look that good.

And can MSG get there act together here.  First Joe, then Al.  Anybody bring a backup microphone abroad??

Update 1:05 p.m.: That was a great looking power play.  Fantastic puck movement and a couple of great chances.  Mike Smith and Henrik Lundqvist have been the best two players on the ice today.

Update 1:12 p.m.: Girardi takes a bad penalty on the power play, but you have to give St. Louis credit.  He made that happen with his speed.  The power play for the Rangers is noticeably better so far.  It’s early, yes, but the puck movement and shooting is distinctly different from last season.

Update 1:15 p.m.: If the power play looks good, the penalty kill may be even better.  It’s picking up right where it left off.

Update 1:20 p.m.: Another PP attempt for the Rangers.  It’s about time to cash in one of the chances…

Update 1:23 p.m.: Interesting choice by Renney to roll three forward lines on the power play.  

Update 1:29 p.m.: Another power play for the Rangers after Drury gets interfered with.  Gomez is flying right now.

Update 1:33 p.m.: OH! What a move by Naslund, but again nothing to show for it.  This is eerily reminiscent of last season, when the Rangers would dominate and still go into the third tied or down one.

Update 1:37 p.m.: GOAL! That line deserved to get it.  They’ve looked great the whole game.  Great pass by Gomez, great shot by Naslund.  

Update 1:39 p.m. End of 2nd: Great period by the Rangers there.  They looked very quick and dominated in the offensive zone.  Mike Smith’s been great so far, but the first line, which looks better and better with every shift, was able to break through.

MSG has to be longing for the USA at this point.  The technical difficulties are getting laughable.

Update 1:59 p.m.:  Bad break there for Mike Smith.  Girardi absolutely ripped that one and Smith took it in the arm.  You have to give him a lot of credit for staying in the game and making another fantastic save later in the sequence.

Update 2:04 p.m.: Wow what a goal by St. Louis.  He’s been flying all game.  Kalinin beat on the outside and then a bad angle shot beats Lundqvist.  1-1.

Update 2:07 p.m.: Great hardworking shift by the third line draws a penalty.  

Update 2:11 p.m.: This lack of scoring with the man advantage today is laughable.  The power play looks great, but the finishing just isn’t there.

Update 2:17 p.m.: What a save by Lundqvist on the rookie Stamkos! But Kalinin is making a real case to by Marek Malik’s replacement, getting burned again on the outside.  

Update 2:22 p.m.: Gary Roberts with the high stick on Dubinsky.  Seventh time’s a charm?

Update 2:25 p.m.: GOAL! DUBI DUBI DU! Perfect shot by #17.  It’s a power play goal!

Update 2:27 p.m.: Drury takes a penalty in the offensive zone.  With three and a half minutes to go this might be the game.

Update 2:33 p.m. 2-1 RANGERS WIN!: Well that’s a wrap folks. Very, very solid first game for the Rangers.  Were there mistakes? Sure.  Was there sloppy play at times? Sure.  Was there a lack of scoring? Absolutely.  But there were a lot of good flashes in there.  Lundqvist looked to be in mid-season form already, which is a big relief following that pre-season he had.  The first line, and especially Scott Gomez, looked phenomenal and already look to have the chemistry the Rangers first line lacked for the firs half of the year last year.  And the team looked to be a whole lot quicker than they were last year.

Things certainly need to tighten up, especially the defense, but there was a lot of good to take out of the win.

Not that it’s a suprise, but Tom Renney officially announced Chris Drury as the 25th captain of the Rangers.  Naslund and Gomez each get an “A.”

This was the obvious choice for a lot of reasons.  Drury is a consumate professional and has a reputation as an above average leader in the NHL.  He’s been a captain before and will be around for the forseeable future.  Although I would have had no problem with Gomez as the choice, there’s not much arguing against the way Renney and Co. went.

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In other news, Corey Potter and Brian Fahey have been demoted to Hartford meaning the Rangers will carry 15 forwards and 6 defensemen.  Not exactly ideal.

The three forwards who look like they’ll be the healthy scratches tomorrow are Dan Fritsche, Patrick Rismiller and…wait for it…Petr Prucha.  A bit suprising given Renney’s consistent claim that Prucha would get a shot to get back to form this season.  It’s only game 1, but if Prucha is a consistent extra this year the Rangers have to try and move him.  $1.6 million for a press box supporter is too much dough.

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And so that pretty much wraps up the pre-season talk for the Rangers.  We know we have been in and out throughout the off-season here at NYRangerscast, but we couldn’t be more excited to kick off year 2 tomorrow!

Don’t forget to check back here tomorrow with the first live blog of the 2008-2009 season.  Comment and discuss the goings on throughout the noon game from Prague!

We will then be back with our first (long awaited) podcast of the season on Monday recapping games 1 and 2 this weekend!

Looking forward to talking with everyone tomorrow!

When the Rangers reassigned Thomas Pock to Hartford last week they knew they risked losing him on waivers.  Today they did–and to the Isles no less.  

It’s a good move for all involved.  Pock certainly has shown that he can be a capable NHL defenseman and he should get the chance to prove it on an Islanders team that’s in a period of transition.  From the Rangers’ perspective it was clear that they had no interest in him playing for the team.  With a seventh backline spot still open, cutting Pock and, in turn, leaving him unprotected was pretty telling.

Good luck to Thomas–but not too much…

Breathe easy Ranger fans, the Petr Nedved experiment is over.  The center was among the cuts today, ending his attempted third stint with the Rangers.  That’s not to take anything away from Nedved.  Actually, I thought he played quite well in the pre-season.  But signing Nedved would have signaled a throw back to the dark ages otherwise known as 1998-2004.  To block the surplus of young kids vying for a spot, would have been going against the philosophy of the post-lockout Blueshirts.

Others reassigned included Artem Anisimov, Thomas Pock, Greg Moore and Dale Weise.

In other news, it looks as though the Rangers coaching staff has seen what everybody else has: Brandon Dubinsky is an absolute stud and deserves top 6 minutes.  In today’s practice Dubi moved up to the second line centering Zherdev and Dawes, while Drury moved into the first line wing spot formerly occupied by Zherdev.  Whether or not that’s the correct way to shuffle those six forwards remains to be seen, but moving Dru to the wing and elevating Dubi is the right way to go.

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.

If you want a reason to stay positive and get pumped up following an oh-fer in Pittsburgh here it is.  According to the Rangers Report, here’s Henrik Lundqvist’s post game comments:

“It feels like the difference between these two teams is not that big. It could be one bounce that’s the difference,” he said. “We should go back to New York and put more pressure on them. I think they looked a little better than they are.  I know we can put more pressure on them. We’re going to do that in New York and we’re going to get the win.”

There you have it.  Not “we’re going to try to win” and not “we think we can win” he said “WE’RE GOING TO GET THE WIN.”

You know what? That’s all I need to hear. 

I’m not going to lie folks, I’ve been in a bad way for the last few hours.  The Rangers have really put themselves in quite a hole and it’s going to take some real gumption to climb out of it.  But you know what, I truly think they can do it.

Here’s a couple reasons why you can’t give up hope:

1. I hate to be cliche, but I’m going to.  The Pens just held serve, that’s it! Until you lose a home game in the playoffs, you’re not in trouble!  And guess what? The Garden will be rocking on Tuesday and the Rangers are a very dangerous home team.

2.  This is not a new situation for this team.  This series feels eerily similar to last year’s second round tilt with the Sabres.  For those with a short memory, the Rangers came back and won both games at home to pull right back into that series.

3. The Rangers CAN shut down this Penguins team.  They figured out how to do it today.  If they can score (and this is no Patrick Roy in nets for Pittsburgh) they can win.

4.  This is a young Penguins team that has yet to faced adversity in the playoffs.  They haven’t had to bounce back from a loss in the post season yet and so it’s still a question mark how they will react if the Rangers get the ‘W’ on Tuesday.

5.  BOUNCEBACKABILITY! If there’s one thing the Rangers have done well all year long, it’s rise to the occassion.  I have a hunch they’ll do it again!

So there you go.  This train’s rolling back to “The House that Messier Built” and The King is taking a page out of The Captain’s book.  Time to rally the troops and put some fear into Sid and the Gang!