Free-agent defenseman Bryan Berard remains unsigned, so he did not accompany the Islanders to Buffalo for tomorrow night’s opener. Obviously, General manager Garth Snow has not been able to clear roster space necessary to sign Berard at this point. So, the same 23-man roster announced Tuesday, including eight defensemen, remains intact.
Berard has been allowed to practice with the Islanders because he is paying his own expenses and assuming the risk. But coach Ted Nolan’s recent comments indicate the goal still is to sign Berard to run the power play. As he said of Berard during an interview today on WFAN, “He’s a special talent. We’re hoping things work out.”
Just to clarify for Cincy and others who have asked about the rules regarding defensemen Bruno Gervais and Aaron Johnson, both of whom are on two-way contracts, they still must clear waivers to go down to Bridgeport because they no longer are on their entry contracts. Jeff Tambellini, on the other hand, could go down because he’s in the final year of his entry level two-way deal.
I’ll be at the morning skate on Friday and will post something by mid-afternoon about the third defensive pairing for those who are curious. But the main focus of the gameday blog will be on new captain Bill Guerin and the dramatic change in the locker room atmosphere. In the meantime, please check out the Islanders advance in Friday’s Newsday. It focuses on Miro Satan and the huge role he can play in making up for the loss of Jason Blake’s 40 goals.
Are you ready for some hockey?
Comments (53)
Cincy, you're famous!
I do not know what is worse about the guy who sang the national anthem for the Rangers.....His voice or his Toupee???
Cincy...I am sooo jealous :)
Thanks, Greg for clarifying that point. Obviously that is the reason that Gervais or Johnson were not sent down as they are too valuable to expose to waivers, and Berard is falling into a loophole until we can make a deal or after game 5 when Simon is eligible to come back, and can open up a roster spot by trying to send Bootland down. I'm sure Garth is trying to make a deal (trading away a defensemen probably Meyer) for another draftpick.
Damn!!!! Some of you were real cruel to Greg about 2 way contracts...and he came back with the TRUTH. Way to go Logan....don't take sh!t from no one!!!!
Thanks for the update Greg. I'll be at the game tomorrow! Section 112. I'm sure it will be easy to find me as i'll be on of 7 Isles fans there. I was there for game one of the playoff series last year and I saw a total of 5 other Isles fans!
Islanders should just get rid of Fred Meyer in any shape or form (waiver or trade) and sign Berard.
Hey Kevin I know how you feel. I was at game 2 of the Isles/Sabres series (DP's return and the lsles only win) and me and my 2 buddies were the only Isles fans. Our seats were right behind the net and we made signs saying "welcome back DP". We'll needless to say they got stolen after the first period when we went up to get beer. We got stuff thrown at us all night, and to top it off, before the game they had a big screen TV with about a million sabre fans before the game. When we walked through the croud with our Isles stuff we were booed and had food thrown at us. But the best part is that they Won! even if it was for just one game.
Good luck tomorrow night.
It wasn't that bad when i went . I just wore an Isles t-shirt, not a jersey. Cause people from buffalo tend to be not too smart. I'll probably do the same tomorrow. And it will most likely be more low key since it isn't a playoff game.
I'm still hopeful the Isles get Berard signed because I really feel that he can make a difference on the power play. Who would have thought the Isles would have a problem trying to finalize the roster.
Lets go Isles.
This is a distraction our boys do not need. If there is something that can be done to resolve Berard quickly then let's do it, but if not then we should leave the team as is and see how things go.
Gervais is still on his ELS contract and does not have to clear waivers.
One-Eyed defensemen are great. Whats next, a one-armed center?
Pinch it off or get off the pot on this berard thing, its old and detrimental to the team.
Rangers looked good in the third. He is a special talent. Congrats on your first win.
A lot of pruple seats I saw on TV. Looked like Barney threw up at MSG.
Why is Deb Kaufman now with the Rags post game?
LOL
First they take Lafontaine, then they take Joe Micheletti, and now the side talker ???
HE being Drury...sorry "Tirsty Thursday!"
Haha the side talker. LETS GO ISLANDERS!!
They can keep her Steady. She really annoys me anyway. Any way we can take The Maven away from the Devils?
I hate the Rangers...so much...but that was quite a showing in the 3rd tonight
None of that matters. According to ESPN, Ranger fans were chanting "we want the Cup" in the 3rd. That's a jinx if I ever heard one. Sorry (well, not really), but their season is done.
(By the way, back when we were still in a fight for first place last season, some friends and I tried to start a "we want first place" chant at the Coliseum. It failed. Regardless, I'm pretty sure that jinxed the rest of our season. Sorry.)
Hey JpinVA, where are thee?
we had a bet, LOL
good luck in Buff tomorrow
Some random (maybe conflicting) thoughts on Greg's post:
I think that there is something to the fact that the Isles haven't just tried to send Freddy Meyer down or straight up put him on waivers. Unfortunately, I think it speaks to the performance of Berard in camp/ preseason. Let me preface this by saying I am a big Berard fan and I did not see any exhibition games. But if he had really blown away the coaching staff, they would have taken a chance on Meyer, or someone else (Johnson maybe?), being sent down and exposed to waivers. The fact Ted Nolan said that Campoli, Martinek or even Sutton could fill the role that they were hoping Berard could play on the PP tells me that he really didn't shine as much as hoped.
Obviously, Ted has also said some things that make you think they want to sign Berard. But I guess the question is whether or not he is such an asset that it is worth risking the loss of even Meyer.
But - if the Isles were trying to dump Meyer to make this happen, and no one would take him, he must not be valued much around the league, and I am not sure why he wouldn't just be sent down or waived outright.
Rangers fan checking in on the Berard conversation.
I think its crap that Nolan was on WFAN - not cuz he's an Isle - but because they never ever talk hockey except when something goes wrong (Simon swinging his stick, Bertuzzi paralyzing Moore, Tocchet indicted, etc.).
I stopped listening to talk radio on AM b/c they never talk hockey and I get sick of A-Rod and Strahan talk.
Get XM and listen to the station there. All hockey, all the time. Real good stuff.
23 -- I didn't hear the Nolan interview the other day, but I did hear M&TMD interview him last year. Expecting the worst, I was amazed at how knowledgeable they were about the Islanders and goings-on in the league in general. They also treated Nolan very respectfully and got an interesting interview out of him. I don't think they have some mean-spirited agenda, I think that they just believe that their listeners are not interested in hockey, probably because of its terrible TV ratings. When NASCAR is getting better ratings in NYC than a late-season Rangers game (in fact I think it was a playoff game), then you know the league's got big problems. The stupidest thing Gary Bettman ever did was dropping ESPN. Hockey is completely off the sports-viewing public's radar now.
I do enjoy the XM guys too, though not all of them are naturals at the art of radio, shall we say.
By the way, there is a second lawsuit against MSG that is heading to trial, this one involving the Rangers' front office, and the details are even more embarrassing than the Knicks case:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/04/sports/04msg.html
As far as I know, no Ranger players or coaches are involved but it will still get a lot of press because of Anucha Brown Sanders' win and the growing infamy of the Dolans.
Hi, I'm Jim, I'm a ranger fan, they suck, but I'm still a fan.
[exactly what I said]
;-)
Congrats on a very good first game. They looked good in the first five mins and the final period. FL just can't be the Devils overnight... they'll find themselves eventually.
The Rangers looked good.
Pitt, Rangers, Philly... The Isles will certainly have their hands full.
...and I can't wait for game one!
Steady,
Leave John alone man. Pick on someone your own size and age! lol...He has been singing at the garden longer then I have been going to games probably been alive too. He is getting old though. Oh yea, We got the side talker (still cute) now and we have the Maven! I hear you guys are talking with Ryan Seacrest...lmao. OK, before someone shoots me, its all in good fun. The Rangers did look good in the 1st and 3rd. The way the game could have turned out had they not taken the second off?
StevenCC,
When I heard that I wanted to throw my beer at the TV screen. How the hell can you chant something like that at the season opener. Settle down idiots! I know you guys probably experience some of the same at the Coliseum. People yelling and screaming the stupidest stuff and dumbest chants. Funny is they are usually the ones that are the least knowledgeable and have no clue. My own fans piss me off more then visitors do.
KH,
The lawsuits are comical to me. I see this as two girls cashing in but, she did win her case so more power to her. None of it bothers me really as a Rangers fan. I am there for the team not the circus. What I find interesting is that she is at the bar after work with a manager. Wow I could be in lots of trouble...lol. I think this one doesn't make it to court after the Sanders case just ending. She is getting her paycheck under the table.
Alright, I have sat on the side lines long enough. This is the time when Snow and Nolan do something wrong as opposed to something right as they normally do. This makes no sense, Meyer has no place on this team or its future. Here is why:
1. Witt: he is 33 years old with two years left on his contract. the contract will end and he will be 35. I dont believe the market for Witt will be that much in two years also I believe with the loyalty of the Islanders and vice versa I think he will be resigned.
2. Sutton: signed for three years will be here.
3. Martinek: 24 years old (2 years younger than meyer) injury prone, yes. but as we saw with David Tanabe and thsoe type of defenseman they dont get picked up right away and I think martinek will be signed.
so far three spots on defense filled for the forseeable future.
4. campoli: already NHK experience and capable of playing on the big club. only 23 years old will only get better. will still be here in 4 years.
5. MAB: here for a whil will get resigned. you do not let a shot like that go.
6. Gervais: see above.
7. Aaron Johnson: do not know enough about him but I would tend to think at 24 years old. similar situation as above.
8. Berard: only 30 years old. if healthy, as proven, could play anther 6 or 7 years. could be with the islanders for 2 or 3.
*In that 2 or 3 year span gervais and campoli can become solid defensemen ex: hill.
Also in the minors, andrew macdonald, dustin kohn.
free agency always an option with they age restriction getting lower. an expensive example is redden. if the isles were willing to pay and did well this year he may want to come here.
9. Meyer: no place in this teams future anyway and he si always replaceable he does not bring anything that a jamie heward would not or tanabe and those gusy are free.
As we saw last year the playoff diference was one point. If we go 0-4 on the power play tongiht and lose a point and not get into the playoffs by one point or even if that is the difference between 7 and 8 seed as it was and playoffs could be very different. Then nolan and snow have made the dumbest move imaginable.
who cares if we lose meyer. he will not be playing this year and most likley not resigned after this year.
Also from the side of Berard. I am saying to myself the loyalty idea is running out because they are choosing meyer over me and also I would bet that other teams have called to sign him, and in a week or two or even days why not take that opportunity.
Mook why werent you at the game? Sure weren't home watching our Amazins LOL. Since there was no way to get you in the draft b/c of the psycho trolls we went on with out you. You will be happy to know I have Lundquist and Jagr! I felt dirty doing it, but picking tenth they were the best available!
The funny thing about the Rangers game last night was I heard BOO's in the second period and then "We want the Cup" in the third....LOL....Gotta love NY !!!!
That is my main point. I laugh my as^ off with all these people putting down each others fans and how they act. WE ARE ALL NYERS PEOPLE.....WAKE UP.....It is in our blood. I bet half of you have Isles and Rangers fans in your family! You definitely should hate each others teams, but to talk about the fans is comical. You are the fans !!!
Score Card: BOBBLEHEADS and SIDE TALKER are mine and I am getting the copyrights for them. :) :) lol
LETS GO ISLES TONIGHT!!!!
If I were an opposing GM I would be saying why should I trade a pick or player for any Isle's D-men when I can just wait them out and get one of their guys for free when they try and clear waivers. I'm sure the Isle's situation on defense is not a big secret around the league. This may not play out as quickly as you would hope.
Sold them, First time I missed the home opener in years. After going to so many playoff games last year (lol) I am going to less regular season so I'm not burnt out later on.
I was waiting to hear back from you about our 'fantasies' as the trolls would say and never saw your response. Thats cool though I have way too many teams already. Jagr and Lundqvist will take you far. Good picks and you took neither in the 10th, TELL THE TRUTH! lol
Man the Garden has it's good people the Garden Faithful and it has the fair weather idiots as well. NY is a tough place to play we all know that.
I will check out the Isles tonight most likely. I mean I am not that big of a minor lea.....OK, I'm done. ;)
As for baseball real quick. How about Colorado? The Indians last night? I am shocked and just goes to show all you have to do is make it.
I thought all the personalities Maven/"Side-talker"/etc were all interchangable because of the deal between MSG/FSNY? I know the play-by-play and CC guys don't exchange but I've seen Deb Kaufman at the MSG sports desk on previous seasons.
On the Berard situation, I agree that this could prove to be a distraction for the team, as you don't know which of your teammates (or yourself) will be cut from the team. On the other hand is it wishful thinking that it will light a fire under the competing d-men?
Berard looked good in the preseason games I saw him, it was certainly night and day on the powerplay and we need someone to smartley feed Bergeron as the little guy seems lost without some help. Poti played this role fairly well.
Also as much as people bash Bergeron for missing the net, he looked like a laser-sighted sharp shooter compared to Poti last year.
We need MAB to have a huge year to compete. Not only does he need to get his shots on net, he needs not to give up the puck at the point every game....He gave up more breakaways last year then Heilman gave up Home Runs!!!
In the game at the garden he looked a little uncomfortable with the puck skating from the back line. I think his confidence has a huge effect on his play. He can play tighter, we saw it last year in spots but I think its tied to how well he's doing offensively. We need to get him up there for some early powerplays and hopefully he gets a few to start it off right.
10 hours to go!
Let's go Islanders!
It still makes zero sense to me to hold up signing Berard on the chance that someone may claim Meyer off waivers. Not like we'd land anyone of significance by trading Meyer anyway, so essentially they're going the first couple of games with a weaker power play, and are running the risk of Berard getting fed up and signing elsewhere, for what may possibly turn into another fourth line winger or possibly a third or later round pick...if they can even find a taker for Meyer. Hopefully there's something more to this that I'm missing.
I hope that they've at least made some assurances to Berard or have helped out with expenses seeing as he's paying his own way right now even though he's gotten other offers. On the surface, it seems like a pretty poor job of repaying the guy's loyalty, but again, maybe there's more to it all than has been made public.
Greg,
How about pointing out how irresponsible Snow has been this summer. He signed Hilbert to an unnecessary contract and now the player who was quarterbacking the power play the day before the season starts is left off the opening roster, only because Snow failed to maneuver his players accordingly.
Snow probably envisions hungry GMs foaming at the mouth, waiting for a chance to pounce on Meyer or Johnson if put on waivers. Lets’ put it this way—if you’re struggling to get a 5th round pick for these guys, then they probably aren’t as good as you think they are. More importantly, I find it unwise to leave the roster with so many question marks at the beginning of the season. But I guess I’m the only one.
Felix,
Martinek is 31 years old...
DOC
Radek Martinek gets 3 year contract extension, keeping him through 2011-2012.
Sorry if this news is known already.
EVERY GAME COUNTS......1 POINT DECIDED OUR FATE LAST YEAR....LETS MAKE EM ALL COUNT....LETS GO ISLANDERS!
Back for the season.
After my two month hiatis it looks like the blog is talking hockey again.
I think the Isles look better on paper at the start of this season vs. the start of last season. No one was predicting Blake with 40 goals and Koz with over 25 goals. All these articles I have read that include the Isles need to replace Smyth is comical. I think Smyth scored only 5 goals in the final 6 weeks of the season for the Islanders. He really didn't have an impact in last year's 92 point season. Infact I believe the team's torrid 6 week pace prior to his acquisition ended shortly after he joined the team. I think the Isles were in 6th or 7th place at the time they got Smyth from a team not in the playoff hunt. Then finished 8th (Yes, I know Dunham bombed) but what does that tell you? The loss for the Isles was the young talent & draft pick that could of been utilized better as far as I'm concerned.
I'm happy with the acquisitions this summer so far. Even surprised by Sim's performance in pre-season.
I'll echo the articles I have read that says DP needs to stay healthy for the Isles to have a chance this season. However, Dubie seems like he can more than hold his own.
The D situation. Losing Poti not a major loss. A lot of talk about the Isles' need to shore up the D over the summer. Now it appears we have a glut. I was never impressed with Meyer. I think Snow is holding out on signing Berard till Simon's suspension is over so he can boot the boot down to the Bridge and open a roster spot. Seems logical. But 8 D-men on a roster doesn't seem logical.
My keys to the season for the Islanders. Simple. Assuming there are no key long term injuries, if the players they have play to their ability and the young guns on the team pick it up a little bit the Isles will be OK.
The biggest Key Factor: Turn around the shorthanded vs. power play ratio. The Islanders were in the bottom 5 of power plays awarded, and in the top 5 of power plays against (Most 5 on 3's against in the league). The fact that they made the playoffs is a miracle considering that.
Specialty teams are vital to a teams success. So even if they are in the middle of the league for the PPF / PPA ratio they still need to improve their power play and penalty killing to improve over last season. Discipline is paramount to improving the PPF / PPA ratio. To many times the Islanders lost a PP by taking a "bone head" penalty while on the power play.
Tonight's game. This isn't last year's Sabres. They are still a dangerous and talented team. It will be interesting to see how the two teams arguably most affected by FA perform against each other.
GO ISLES!!!
19 ISLE in NJ 22, you said it right - stop taking so many dumb penalties!
9 hours to go!
Wow... I'm amazed at how many former NHL execs, or guys with full knowledge of the process, post to this blog.
I didn't know about Marty signing an extension, but if it's true it's great news. If he can stay healthy he, along with Witt and Sutton will anchor the defensive corp
for a good bit of time.
Yes, signing Berard appears to be important. I'm not overly worried about the first five games of the season. Either we have Berard, or we see what Campoli can do in that role. As the 6th or 7th defenseman with limited size and strength campoli hasn't increased his value to the team. So this would be a chance to see if he can at least take a leadership role on the PP. If not, he's best suited for a trip to the bridge... waivers or not.
In the playoffs last year Gervais looked like he was at the level Marty was three seasons ago. He was responsible defensively and was just starting to build confidence as an NHL level puckhandler.
campoli, at his best was a positive rushing through the nuetral zone, creating offensive chances and chasing down his own mistakes. At his worst he was a pinball in front of his own net and loser of MANY one on one battles along the boards. (He needs to improve that before he gets 18-22 minutes of responsible ice time)
So, I think Berard will be an Islander. I have a feeling that something might be in the works that could send CAMPOLI elsewhere. No, GM's aren't drooling for Meyer (or Campoli), but campoli has a nice upside and could fetch an offensive front line prospect which would be nice to have in Bridgeport.
Obviously, that is pure speculation... but I wouldn't rule out not seeing Campoli for the home opener... and the kid could flourish somewhere else... these are the chances you have to take. He's not going to be a top 4 guy here for a while anyway...
Heck, if they were that worried about a PP QB they would have worked harder to develop Grebeshkov (who didn't play for EDM in the opener... but Nilsson played 17 mins).
Famous? Uh, ok. Sure. :)
My buddy and I have had a nickname for Deb Kaufman for a long time. We call her 'Slip Mahoney'. For those younger than me, he's the guy in the old Bowery Boys movies who talked out the side of his mouth. Probably mean-spirited, but I don't think she'd mind that much. She knows she's still pretty cute.
About the Berard/Meyer situation...
This delemma gets cured after 5 games when Simon returns and Bootland can be sent down. The 5 games might also give Ted and Garth a better look at Meyer and Johnson in rela game situations to get a better handle on their real value. I really don't think they're worried about Meyer being claimed off waivers, in that most teams aren't willing to make a move in their opening lineups until they get a better handle on what they have. I just thing Ted and Garth believe they have a bit more time to make a decision, they have an implied committment from Berard to stick with the team, and Berard has an implied promise that he will be signed after the 5th game at the latest.
Rangers looked real good last night. Henrik looked tough as usual and the top 2 lines had good chances throughout. Staal is good, but he's young and vulnerable. And Dubinsky was pretty shakey. And Florida looked GOOD, except for that 5 minutes in the 3rd. They have a tough D.
Switched to the Devils game and was reminded that they signed Zubrus. That is one player I really wanted the Isles to have.
Cincy/JP: Good posts. I guess you guys are just a bit more optimistic about the PP as is than I am. Imo, If they were lighting it up last year, then adding another piece to the puzzle wouldn't be such a big deal. But, and this might be viewed as somewhat of a frightening prospect, Berard is the best chance this PP has to produce consistently, and in "today's NHL," where you get a penalty for looking at another player the wrong way, the PP could very well be the most important aspect of a team.
Berard's greatest asset back there is his ability to spread the puck around. He gets the forwards involved a lot, which means the other team can't cheat and simply shadow MAB, like they did when he was paired with Poti.
I also disagree about not worrying about having the team set for the first five games. Last year, what was it...two or three points separating 7th to 10th in the standings? If we lose a few of those early games because the PP was ineffectual, when the glaringly obvious best choice to lead the PP was sitting at home, then that's a mistake, I believe.
If they do want to see how Campoli does running a powerplay, then there's nothing stopping them from putting him out as the QB of the second unit. But, like I said before, hopefully there's a bigger picture here that I'm just not seeing yet.
If Ted and Garth are waiting for Simon to return to sign Berard thanks to the roster spot that opens up, that does not bode well for Tambellini's chance of cracking the lineup. Maybe I am reading into it too much when Ted said that Tambellini would be up very soon, but I took that to mean when Simon came back and Bootland went to the Bridge. Again, some conflicting thoguhts though - if he does not want Tambs wasting away on a 3rd or 4th line, who does he replace given the loyalty to Dil...I mean Hilbert?
Hey guys, I have an extra ticket for Monday afternoon's game (my friend told me to buy them and then forgot he doesn't have off). If anyone's interested in coming - monty404@optonline.net
By the way, who else thinks Ranger fans chanting "We want the Cup" in the 3rd period yesterday may become the NHL's version of "2007 New York Mets: Your Season Has Come"? It's quite possible.
Forgot to mention....I believe, off the top of my head, the tickets are in the 100's over DP's shoulder for 2 periods...$75 face
Maybe Berard is a medical liability.
I most certainly don't think their PP is "okay" as is.
There is, however, an upside to allowing campoli to work with MAB for a few games, and then pulling the trigger on any moves.
I didn't see any of the pre-season games, but I think they did have some modest success on the PP. I don't know if they rotated campoli with Berard. But here's what I saw last year:
Poti was better as the shooter in the PP scheme than he was the QB. He wasn't that good as the shooter, but he wasn't very good distrubing the puck either. When MAB got there the PP improved, but not because Poti improved in that role... he got unmistakingly worse. He forced the puck to MAB many times, and then MAB promptly broke his stick or dented the half boards.
The PP should be a little more refined to use some more tools AND take advantage of the cannon.
Poti rarely spotted open opportunities to forwards. This is a new year... Satan will be floating around, Guerin making his presence felt, Comrie moving around WITHOUT the puck (RARE IN THEIR RECENT PAST).
I'd even like to see a second unit that included Vasicek and Simon clogging up the crease.
Berard would be an improvement over Poti as a PP QB... but not so much as a 22 min "D". That may be why they're hedging their bets. You know, Sutton and Marty do have some offensive upside.
They are just trying not to rush into anything that will cost them the rest of the year...
Kudos to Snowlan for that.
For those with DIRECTV in their office or home put on channel 624 SPORTS NY....Nystrom just put in the winning goal! 1980 cup...They are doing the interviews now :) :)!
Amazaing how our beloved NVMC went crazy. My God a what team! NO sport will ever see a team like that again. Mostly b/c they were all drafted. In this day and age with free agency we root for laundry.
LET MAKE IT ROCK ON SATURDAY!!!
LETS GO ISLES...BRING THE MAGIC BACK...MAY TAKE TIME, BUT LETS GET IT GOING !!!
WOW...They are doing a marathon. Now it is 81 cup vs. NORTH STARS !!!
Hey Sterling...Enjoy the off season 220 million Dollar CHOKERS
Anon NYI fan,
I hate to burst your buble but the SAME sport had a team like that on the other side of the continent. Right after the ISLE dynasty came the OILER dynasty... then the rangers bought them and made them a one [more] hit wonder. And don't forget the HABS, who are the Yankees of the NHL.
But you do bring up a very good point. It would be rare that a team who wins the cup will have more than 3 or 4 players which they drafted and developed.. and it might be rarer that they have 2 KEY guys that come from their own organization. I don't know the stats on the last couple of winners, but I do know the Isles have but a few on their roster and only 3(DP, Martinek) whom they drafted. (hunter was drafted by the ducks)
So all the hoopla about "let the kids play" is a bit over-rated.
That is why the DP contract, and signing marty (and even Hunter) long term is a nice sign.
the devils have the right idea, building through the draft, and bringing in other players that fit their mold. I'd like to see the Isles move in that direction (which I think they have), but with a more exciting style of play. Championships are nice, but when you need no doze to sit through a playoff game is it really worth it.
Snowlan is still doing all the right things... even after being kicked in the junk time after time... this organizaton will rise like a phoenix... well...at least they won't be moved there!
By the way... after watching the rangers last night I would say the way to knock them out of contention is going to be to KNOCK THEM OUT early. The physical play that we all expect from all the division teams may have the Rangers press box filled with $20 million dollars in cap space in $1500 suits.
JPinVA,
I agree that the Rangers are not near the top of the list when it comes to fisticuffs, but that isn't the only measure of toughness. Finishing checks, blocking shots, sticking up for each other, that defines toughness as well. The Rangers have an abundance of that. Take a look at last night's game against a big, physical Panthers team. The Rangers outhit them 37-26 and blocked 16 shots to FLAs 7.
If you want to drop the gloves all night go ahead and you'll have to face a PP of Jagr, Drury, Gomez, Shanahan, Straka, etc..
Besides, unless you are talking about taking out knees and swinging sticks (which I hope you aren't), you aren't going to send too many guys "to the press box". These are professional hockey players and, as I'm sure you know, they don't come any tougher.
Where is that mid afternoon update talking about the line pairings?