Blue Notes

He wasn't even among our top 20 prospects and they probably weren't planning on signing him by the deadline without losing his rights where he would go back into the draft, so they got a little something for him.

Another draft pick that may be used for maneuvering on draft day.

C'mon Maloney, trade for Montoya, you love him, you know you do...

Sorry Steve but had you read my post last night you would have known that I knew that the Rangers were not signing Russell.

Did they make a mistake? I believe so but drafting is never an exact science and the Rangers tend to make an annual screwup with who they sign/don't sign.

Last year it was signing Potter when they should have signed Guenin.

And here is something for you to think about, unless the Rangers trade up to the top of the draft (James Van Riemsdyk) or reach at 17 (Brendan Sutter) the Rangers will either wind up with another defenseman or even another smallish forward.

Of course smart Ranger fans subscribe to the Blueshirt Bulletin so they can get a look at possible draft picks from someone who covers the prospects FIRSTHAND.

Jess,

what do you think of Turris?

Do you think his numbers are inflated because he didn't play junior A?

Jim

To be honest Turris plays for a BCHL team so I would have liked to seen him play at the WHL level.

I think he will drop in the draft as go 3rd maybe 4th in the draft.

Right now the NHL is holding their draft combine and it will be interesting to see who "makes or breaks" their draft position.

BTW Turris is college bound as is Van Riemsdyk so whoever drafts them will have to be patient.

Of course IF you subscribe to the Blueshirt Bulletin (www.blueshirtbulletin.com) then you will be able to read my draft preview.

I don't think the Rangers are in need of any immediate help from their draft pick considering the talent they have that could be ready to play next year.

Guys like Callahan, Dawes, Dubinsky, Bourret.... they should be all given regular jobs with the big club next year and there is no way all of them will, so there is no real reason to think if the Rangers do trade up and draft one of the top players in this draft, it's a failure if he doesn't play immediately.

That being said, I think the biggest thing this franchise is missing is a franchise centerman. We definitely have the goalie, and looks like we could have the defenseman (Staal), we have some very talented young wingers. If Turris has the skill to become a franchise centerman eventually, I'd be wiling to sacrifice Montoya and our pick at 17 to get him.

People should stop trashing on eachother and just talk hockey and stop trying to make fun of eachother in hopes to act like the nba and stoup that low, which is pretty sad, our game already gets ragged on from the rest of the country, y give them more reason not to watch.

I guess I should accept Glen's offer for 4 years to play at MSG for the Rags.

?

Please dont even joke about that

Yashin was just paid 18 million dollars for nothing from the Islanders.

18 million.

For the next 8 years, he will count 2.2 million against their cap.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey, if Yashin wants to sign a 1 year deal for the league minimum for the priviledge to be a NY Ranger next year, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

He may score 40 goals properly motivated.

If we lose Nylander, and sign one of the big fish out there, Yashin to a league minimum 1 year deal could work out well. If he sucks, just send him packing.

No ... It would be bad because hes not signing for the minimum. If he wasnt an Islander i would think about it but we saw him destroy their team why even give him the chance to do that to us ... bad idea

Only if he would take the minimum, for 1 year.

If not, then no way.

He will probably end up in Phoenix or someplace for like 3 mil a year.

Jim - Sorry, but I'm a bit confused by your reaction to the Yashin buyout.

You've expressed your belief that Yashin is only worth "the minimum, for 1 year." But you're laughing at Islander Fans even though the team saves almost $10 million in cash (more if the time value of money is factored in) and an average of $4.5 million in cap space over the next 4 years (after which they incur a $2.2 million cap hit per year for the next 4 years).

What are you laughing at?

I'm laughing at how much of an idiot I am. I make fun when Yashin is on the roster and tell everyone that the Isles have such a worthless player on their team and I make fun when they buy him out because how much they spent to do so. I can't make up my mind. One thing is for certain, I'm still a Rag troll.

I was actually saying that I would be willing to give him a minimum salary 1 year deal to give him the privilege of being a Ranger.

If he sucks, at 500k, you can just get rid of him after a couple of months, no big deal.

This I was saying if we lose Nylander, because he may be pricing himself too high, and after we sign one of the big fish out there like Drury or Gomez. If we keep Nylander, than I wouldn't want Yashin even at the minimum.

If Yashin is motivated he could be a real bargain at 500K for a season.

I was laughing at the Islanders for giving him 18 million dollars for nothing.

Chances are he will sign with someone in the NHL, and come to the Coliseum and probably score a goal or two, and the Isles will be paying him for that, and going a couple of million againast their cap.

Yeah, I still find that pretty amusing.

I actually kind of feel bad for Islander fans right now believe it or not.

There are a lot of people posting how great it is that they got rid of Yashin, and now all we have to do is sign Smyth, Blake, Gomez, Drury and we will be all set.

It's baffling to me that you guys think that anyone wants to be an Islander.

I am honestly not being facetious here.

You guys really think that Ryan Smyth wants to be an Islander. "Captain Canada".

yeah ok

There are at least 15 teams in the league that would pay him whatever he wants, and all of them would have more than 6 thousand fans show up for a home game in December.

What's the incentive for signing with the Islanders?

Yeah, I am looking for an organization with lousy fan support and wacky ownership and a front office with about 8 people and no one knows who is calling the shots.

Last summer, Brendan Shanahan called the Rangers and said I want to play for you.

Who in their right mind wants to play for the Islanders?

You guys may have a shot at Nylander I guess, if he insists on 5 million a year and he wants to stay in the area, you guys may get him after all the big fish are gone.

Seriously, Isles fans, get a little reality grip here.

List of the top 30 UFA's this summer:

http://www.thefourthperiod.com/topfas.html

Smart drafting and good trades make a Stanley Cup winner. I tip my hat to Brian Burke and the Ducks.

The Rangers could have Getzlaf in 2003 a big center instead they took Jessiman and who knows if he will make it in the NHL. He has struggled in the AHL the last 2 years.

Burke went out and signed players we never heard of before. Kunitz and MacDonald. Great moves that paid off 2 years later. Big name free agents mean crap.

So let Yashin go. He is a dog in the playoffs. Why do the Rangers need a overprice center that disappears in the playoffs and is on the 4th line? Do the Rangers need that?

Remember what Buffalo did? We need North American gritty players who can fight along the boards for the puck. Not a soft 4th line Center who is washed up.

C'mon, I give you sloppy seconds Ranger fans. I just want to help team. Please take me. I will be good Ranger. I am old, lazy and like to be overpaid. I fit Ranger like latex glove. C'mon, what you say ?

I am very interested in talking to Yashin's agent. I think if Avery can make him his girlfriend like he did to Jags we can we may have similar results.

Sorry, Real Jim, but I think you're underestimating the actual and perceived effect that Nolan/Snow have had on the Islanders, as the degree of true influence they exercise in running the team. Free agency obviously treated them quite well last summer (while the team was the supposed 'laughing stock' of the league), and it's widely acknowledged that Nolan is respected and admired as one of the best coaches to play under.

And while I don't say this to be a 'Ranger-basher', I do think that your OVERestimating the attraction of playing in Manhattan. Not to say that it's not an attractive place to play... but it's generally accepted that Shanny wants a position in the league office, which happens to be in NY. And he's at the very end of his career. And I would exactly consider Sather's reputation to be spotless as a GM that players are dying to play for.

At the end of the day... it's pretty bad to have to pay Yashin 17 million for nothing, but it would be even worse to pay him 27 million for nothing. And it's hard to deny that the Isles have an attractive coach, that they had goos success last year under that coach, and that the style of players needed in the system that the team will play is not usually the type that break the bank. So things are looking up in Islander land (as they are in Ranger land). July 1 is just around the corner and both teams have some cap space (the Isles have more). The teams finished 2 points apart last year. This year should be a lot of fun.

I am absolutely fine if the Rangers do not sign one free agent, plenty of young players waiting for a spot. In fact, I'd prefer signing no one new.

The Islanders need to sign many free agents just to ice a team right now, and plenty of Islanders fans are talking a lot of smack about a team that basically doesn't exist yet.

And, as far as Sather goes, he did have a long period of crappiness, but since the lockout, he really has done a great job. Nylander and Straka have been great the last 2 years, both free agent signings, and the Avery trade may end up being one of the best trades ever considering waht they gave up.

Even if the Islanders are lucky enough to sign a few of the prominent free agents, did the Islanders not learn from the Rangers of recent history that a bunch of hired guns do not make a team?

I'd put even less effort if I played for Rangers.

I don't think Nolan is looking for 'hired guns'. He wants passionate, gritty players. So it's probable that the Isles won't get caught up in the spend-mentality in their UFA signings. It would be great to sign Gomez, but if not, there's plenty of reasonably priced talent out there. It's not talking smack to say that refusing to overpay for Blake and continue to live with Yashin is a great move. But the back line is fairly solid (it could be better, but so can the Rangers back line) and there is enough young talent (we's always love more) to support the veteren grit that the Isles should be able to easily affort (and convince to come to the Island).

the buyout of yashin is admitting a mistake. the draft day deal to get him goes down as a top 5 worst trades of all-time. it was the only thing they coulda done. real jim is right tho, no STARS will go there to play. they can have the sillingers and simons of the world, we'll stab at the drurys, shannys, etc. smyth is gonna use the isles as pawns, to go somewhere in canada...if we lose nylander, we have to get gomez or drury. not briere, he's to soft i think...

...would the isles be insulted if the rangers signed blake?..lol..timmonen is attractive also.

No to Blake tj in rangerville, but Ryan Smyth would be nice!!

wouldnt that piss the icelander fans off!

7.7 seconds from heaven. LOL. CHOKE!!! PICTURE REGGIE MILLER DOING THE CHOKE GESTURE AT YOUR SILLY RAG BENCH.

7.7 seconds from "heaven"?

They were 7.7 seconds from going up 3 games to 2 over Buffalo.

Buffalo was a team that couldn't handle Ottawa, and Ottawa was a team that couldn't handle Anahiem.

Anaheim is the only team that is in heaven right now.

However, Isles fan, have you read the latest Isles news?

Okposo isn't near ready, going to stay in college, Bergenheim isn't going to sign and it is now June 8th and Ryan Smyth hasn't signed yet. Getting very close to that July 1st date.

And, as far I know, the Isles still don't have 1st and 2nd round picks for the draft taking place on June 22nd.

If I were an Isles fan, I would be so so so so quiet right now.

Hey, at least you can celebrate Mike Sillinger's 36th birthday on June 29th right?

7.7
7.7
7.7
7.7
7.7
7.7

I think my glove hand is better than Ray Emery's. Really, I think it is!!!

Hey, come celebrate MY 36th birthday in February. Of course, my groin is 60, and my shoulder is 143!!!

Jim - thanks for the link that you posted on June 6th re the top free agents.

LI Joe,

I think one UFA that the Rangers should be making a phone call to at 12:01am on July 1st is Scott Hartnell.

The guy is only 25, is 6-2 and can be penciled in easily for 25 goals a year.

They may also take a look at Ladislav Nagy, but he is more finesse. He obviously has that Czech connection that the Rangers love and could thrive playing the other wing with Jagr.

Who is signing Darius Kasparitis paychecks in 2007-2008? LOL LOL LOL

Yeah, I think Kaspar's buyout will be 1 million, which is about 16 million less than Yashin's and 7 years less of salary cap space used.

It was a good try though 7.7.

My head still hurts from Avery standing on it!

Season only 3 months away, not getting any better..

WHAT TO DO?????????

I am gonna be 36 years old, I have never been among the 10 best players on my team in my whole career, and now the Islanders expect me to be their best player and captain next year.

Too much pressure! I could cry!!!

Have I really been on all these teams in my career?

New York Islanders
Nashville Predators
St. Louis Blues
Phoenix Coyotes
Columbus Blue Jackets
Ottawa Senators
Florida Panthers
Tampa Bay Lightning
Philadelphia Flyers
Vancouver Canucks
Anaheim Mighty Ducks
Detroit Red Wings

I guess there is a reason that every team wants me gone after awhile!!!

Hey at least thoes male nurses are cute at the hospital ... mmmm i want some of thoes

Two excellent items from Larry Brooks today:

As an over-35-year-old signing a one-year contract, Brendan Shanahan would be eligible to receive signing, games-played and performance bonuses that would allow the Rangers to exceed the cap by 7.5 percent or alternately be applied against the 2008-09 cap if they didn't have that space. Thus, Shanahan, who played for $4 million last season, could sign a deal for a cap-applied base of $2 million with readily attainable bonuses to allow him to earn another $2 million without jeopardizing the Blueshirts' position.

And on Chris Drury:

Folks around the league who presume Chris Drury will leave Buffalo to play in either L.A. or Colorado are overlooking the Big Moment Kid's lifelong desire to play the Big Stage on Broadway, and the reciprocal interest the Rangers' organization has in him.

sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!!!!!!!!!!!

If the Rangers sign Drury and bring back Shanahan, I really think they are going to try and trade Matt Cullen.

Unless Nylander really doesn't come back, but I just can't imagine Nylander being nearly as good as he has been the last two years without playign with Jagr.

Nylander should just take the 3.75 million for 3 years he was offered here and be happy, instead of taking 5 million a year from someone like Washington or even worse, the Islanders, and never be heard from again. (Worse for Nylander's sake if he joined the Isles, not worse for our sake)

Nylander will go back to what he was before he got to center Jagr. About 15 goals and 35 assists, for about 5 million a year centering Aaron Asham.

possible lines without Nylander:

Hossa-Drury-Jagr

Shanahan-Avery-Callahan

Prucha-Cullen-Straka

Hollweg-Betts-Orr (Dawes, Bourret, Dubinsky, Byers) whichever youngster makes it out of camp.

With that much depth, I wouldn't bat an eyelash if Nylander left to take 5 mil a year somewhere else.

This really isn't fantasy to come up with that team.

Shanahan will either be a Ranger or retire and Drury was a very real possibility even before reading Larry Brooks column this morning.

I wish it was July 1st already.

Story from the Edmonton Journal discounting the idea that Ryan Smyth will go back to Edmonton, pretty much get the idea that for the Isles to keep Ryan Smyth, they will have to overpay severely.

As an Islander hater, not sure what I would want more. Isles to lose Ryan Smyth, or for them to give him an outlandish contract like 7 years 50 million.

http://www.canada.com/topics/sports/hockey/story.html?id=478e9f52-f244-4624-a864-13bf219a5a7d&k=58913

Sorry man but i think Cullen is a solid fast player. We need him. If we sign a 1st line center think about it our third line could be Straka - Cullen - Callahan (assuming Avery playes on the second line) thats a pretty sick 3rd line that most teams cant match. That would be an added strength.

Yeah, I pretty much agree about Cullen, and I think his numbers will improve his second season with the Rangers.

But, If Drury comes and they somehow keep Nylander, someone up front can be used as trade bait to improve the defense.

Ranger fans... Interesting column from TSN on the only team for which McCabe might be willing to waive his no-trade clause. I personally think he's way overpriced, but it speaks to the so-called 'unattractiveness' of the Islanders to UFAs.

http://www.tsn.ca/tsn_talent/columnists/darren_dreger/

Sauce,

I am not going to get into more of the debate whether or not the Islanders are going to be an attractive team to UFA's, we will see come July 1, however, I wouldn't be suprised if McCabe wanted to come back to Long Island. I have heard how much he loved it here, but honestly, you cans can have him.

I also no longer believe it is impossible that Ryan Smyth not re-sign with the Isles.

I am starting to believe Wang will do one of those wacky contract offers, something that Ryan cannot refuse right before July 1st.

I am thinking a deal for 7 years, 52 million, no trade, captaincy, pretty much everthing including the kitchen sink.

As an Islander fan, I hope you're wrong about the 'kitchen sink' thing. If it's 7 years, I'd hope Snow would have the authority to keep the offer below $42 million. Of course, as a Rangers fan I'm sure you're hoping for the Smyth mega-signing. Just like I'm hoping that Sather overpays for Nylander. In any case, I really can't see Smyth agreeing to anything before July 1. He's got nothing to lose by seeing all his offers.

Agree, Smyth HAS to wait until after 7/1 so he can field some other offers. This is his one chance for that mega contract before he retires.

On McCabe, isn't his wife from LI? Wouldn't be surprised if the little lady has something to do with that. Anyone who is married knows what I'm talking about...LOL.

I think the only chance the Isles have to bring him back is to blow him away with an offer before July 1st.

I disagree. If I were Snow I'd be realistic about Smyth's desire to see all of his offers from other teams. So the smart thing would be to get a simple 'gentleman's understanding' from Smyth's agent prior to July 1 to give the Islanders a chance to bid last. Snow gives Smyth the dignity of finding his true market worth, then Snow gets the chance to add the 'premium' the Isles are willing to pay to keep him on the Island. Smyth can accept or decline.

wheres the column on mccabe?..the link is for a sundin story..help me, im computer illiterate

Bad news from Larry Brooks in his column today.

Jarko Immonen and Bryce Lampman are leaving the Rangers to play in Finland next season.

There is no way either of them were going to make it onto the big club next season ahead of some of our other prospects, and they are both going to make more money playing in Finland than they would get playing with Hartford.

Now we have many propects who have passed Immonen by, but the sad thing about this is that we are slowly but surely started to show absolutely nothing for the Brian Leetch trade.

The deal:

Maxim Kondratiev (gone), Jarkko Immonen, a first-round pick in the 2004 draft, which became Lauri Korpikoski, and a second-round pick in 2005, which became Michael Sauer.

Korpikoski really needs to step it up this season in Hartford before he starts to look like a bust the same way we look at Jessiman.

Sauer looks like he can be a solid defensive defenseman in maybe 3 years or so.

Immonen was the centerpiece of the Leetch deal though and he just never really seemed to have it. I don't know if he just wasn't given enough of a chance, he just didn't seem to have the desire.

Sather has got to take the hit on this one. I was one of those people who defended the Leetch trade from the standpoint of using him as an asset to acquire young talent to start and rebuild.

You would think if he was going to do something as unholy as trade Brian Leetch without letting him know before hand you would be getting talent back you knew was NHL caliber without a doubt.

Guess Sather and Maloney didn't do enough of their homework before making the Leetch deal and they should definitely take hits for this.

Hot rumour that actually makes sense.

Yashin will be signing with the Capitals to be Ovechkin's center.

Jim - I disagree that Immonen was the center piece of the Leetch deal. He was certainly not in the top tier of the Leafs prospects at that time. I believe he was an 8th rounder or there about. The center pieces were the draft picks. With the upcoming lockout and salary cap that all knew were about to arrive the Rangers were not operating from a position of strength. We wound up getting very little from the Leetch deal but in my mind from reading a lot of the Leafs boards at the time Immonen was not the future star some Ranger fans thought he would be. Why they thought he would be I have no idea.

I have no hard feelings seeing either Immonen or Lampman go. It didn't pan out, whatcha gonna do? If Larry Brooks has any insight and the Rangers actually go after both Gomez and Drury, that would be absolutely ridiculous... ridiculously amazing that is. However, I know better than to think they would both, or even one of them will wind up in New York. We shall see.

Yashin to the Caps though, does make sense. If that guy actually plays like he used to, that could be one serious offensive line.

Equally hot rumor from the European press... Yashin might play for the Hamburg Freezers (Deutsche Eishockey League, Germany).

Gotta agree with Joe on this one ... the third line is definitly a strength of the Rangers that other teams wont be able to match.
On the subject if Nylander dosent want to sign let him walk ... because if he wants 5 million we can spend 6 on Drury and then possibly get Gomez too. Think about that and a solid defenseman ... that would be pretty sick.

Matt cullen sucks, what did he have like 4 points during the playoffs? Wow thats some great production!!

41 points out of a Matt Cullen is exactly what kind of numbers a third line center should be putting up. He is a fast and smart player who has a ring and knows what he is doing. And i imagine if Straka and Callahan are his linemates next year his number will go up. Perhaps hell have annother 25 goal year and as for assists Straka and Callahan can score so i would say possibly 30-40. Im not saying its going to happen but theres a chance it might.

Matt Cullen would be the #1 center on the Islanders right now.

It's not even debatable.

True

Draft only 9 days away....

I think it is so cool that it will be prime time, 7pm friday night June 22nd.

Besides the draft, the best thing about it is the anticipation of some trades.

Can't wait

Immonen looked decent. He was good on faceoffs too, which the Rangers sucks at.

What Islander idiot said something about Cullen ?? I guess he doesnt care to know or remember that Cullen scored the game winner, which turned out to be the series clincher, against Atlanta.

Yeah i stand by the fact that i think Cullen is a solid player. Yeah he had a goal and three asists in ten games, big deal. Hes playing on the THIRD (if you missed the hint ill give it again THIRD line) hes not going to put up massive numbers on the third line. Also i found him rather effective pointing the powerplay on the second powerplay unit, anyone think that may be a nice combination for next seaon? I like his slap shot, he can snipe every now and then and the best thing about him is hes not afraid to shoot and he wont overpass. On the subject of power play Mara needs to QB our powerplay if we dont get an offensive defensman from this Free agency list. But Maras pretty solid, he does pretty well in the clutch on the PP.

Yeah i stand by the fact that i think Cullen is a solid player. Yeah he had a goal and three asists in ten games, big deal. Hes playing on the THIRD (if you missed the hint ill give it again THIRD line) hes not going to put up massive numbers on the third line. Also i found him rather effective pointing the powerplay on the second powerplay unit, anyone think that may be a nice combination for next seaon? I like his slap shot, he can snipe every now and then and the best thing about him is hes not afraid to shoot and he wont overpass. On the subject of power play Mara needs to QB our powerplay if we dont get an offensive defensman from this Free agency list. But Maras pretty solid, he does pretty well in the clutch on the PP.

You think Cullen would be a number one center on the islanders? Your an idiot. Reguardless keep Matt Cullen we dont want him, in fact NO ONE wants him. Yeah he cant point the power play ... big deal so can Tom Poti. Cullen blows get over it.

You think Cullen would be a number one center on the islanders? Your an idiot. Reguardless keep Matt Cullen we dont want him, in fact NO ONE wants him. Yeah he cant point the power play ... big deal so can Tom Poti. Cullen blows get over it.

What centerman on the Islanders right now is better than Matt Cullen?

Yeah, thought you wouldn't be able to think of anyone.

Shut your computer off, you lose.

Sillinger??? Hahahahahahah, Islanders fans (all 9,000 of them) are such clueless idiots.

I would have to say that Islanders Rule's sheer stupidity has confirmed that Us Ranger fans are once again correct in that Matt Cullen would be the best center on the Islanders

Agreed.

Cullen was 16-25-41, even +/- last year. Sillinger was 26-33-59, +5. Cullen is under 50% in career face off wins. Sillinger wins 58% of the time.

I'll take Sillinger.

Cullen is 5 years younger.

We'll take Cullen.

Oh yeah, and we also have Straka, Avery, Prucha, Betts who can all play center besides Cullen.

Who else do the Isles have right now at center?

Sauce, you can have Sillinger. Enjoy a guy who has played on 11 teams centering your #1 line!

I'm surprised, given your last bunch of posts I wouldn't include you amongst the numerous Isles fans with zero knowledge. You appeared to know what you were talking about.

I thought Jim's question was... "What centerman on the Islanders right now is better than Matt Cullen?"

Sorry fellas, but Cullen's age is completely irrelevant to that question. The fact that the Rangers have "Straka, Avery, Prucha and Betts" is also irrelevant to that question. Of course, only Straka's numbers are better than Sillinger's. But he's not even a natural center, and the fact that his face-off numbers stink just goes to reinforce that.

And I also don't think that the sum total of teams that a player has played for somehow "de-values" the 26 goals he's scored or his lifetime 58% face-off win percentage. It's also irrelevant, Brian. If anything, I'd consider his league-wide experience to be a plus in terms of team leadership ability.

The question was asked, and I answered it. And I gave numbers to back up my answer. I'm well aware of the holes in the Islanders lineup as a result of the number of impending UFAs. That's why this post-season has got the edge of excitement to it. We'll see what shakes out after July 1. From what I can see the Rangers are also looking for a 1st line center, right? (Assuming Nylander doesn't sign).

Sorry, that was me.

Sauce,
Ill give you that sillinger has a better face off % but i think Cullel is a shiftier and slicker player than Sillinger is. Cullen is faster, younger (yes age does matter because the younger you are the better condition your body is in) and Cullen has Playoff experience with a ring on his finger. All that translates into a solid center who i would 100% take over Sillinger. BTW thank you for not being like every other islander fan and imputing 0 knowlage ... its nice to have an actual convorsation about hockey

Yeah, when we start debating who is better, Mike Sillinger or Matt Cullen, it's makes me think we need to start this free agent season ASAP!! LOL

Hey, these reports of the Rangers targeting both Scott Gomez and Chris Drury are nice fantasy, but I don't see it happening.

I absolutely see the Flyers going hard after everyone especially Gomez, they have plenty of cap room and always seem like a place that star players want to play.

They absolutely fleeced Nashville in the Forsberg trade, and they have the 2nd pick overall, so they are set in the youth department for awhile to go along with Carter, Richards and Pitkanen. If there is any team that I can see signing two of the big time free agents, it is definitely Philly.

I'd be happy if the Rangers just signed Drury and re-signed their own players and gave a couple of the kids a realistic shot.

sillinger is a solid 2 way player, he scored some big goals too. he's comparable to cullen. gun to my head i'll take cullen tho.

july 1st cant come soon enough.

i forgot to mention during the playoffs, that "mad dog" calls colton orr...COTTON ORR, lol. just a random thought...hehe.

The Maddog is a hockey numbskull. He thinks icing is what the zamboni does between innings. He still can't pronounce Dipietro's name.