Blue Notes

Hey Steve,

I keep reading that Peca back to the Leafs is a mere formality.

Good moves promoting Schoenfeld and Gernander, happy with those announcements.

Ooops, after I posted that, I just read that Peca wants to go back to Buffalo. Oooops.

http://www.thefourthperiod.com/news/buf070720.html

I'd prefer Dubinsky over Peca.

I'm with you c. observer. I think Dubinsky will be ready to step up come training camp.
Just say no to Peca.

Welcome back, Zip!
I'd take Peca, on the cheap.

Jim - Sather said Avery's return was a formality, too.

Blues Acquire Toivonen From Boston for Carl Soderberg.

I don't see how the Rangers could fit another salary on the club without making another trade. Additionally, why waste $ and a roster spot on an injury prone player?

I'd take Peca for Avery any day.

true that Rabbi!

I'd like to see Jim from Woodbury be silent for 1 day. Just go elsewhere and stop being a kid dude.

Hey Real Jim,
Why? What's Peca got over Avery when it comes to "fitting in" on the line up?
I take Avery only for his ability to effect other players and grit.

I can't decide on Peca. I would love to see Dubinsky step up and take the 3rd line center position, but what if he's not ready? Peca could be valuable in the face-off circle and on the PK as long as he stays healthy. We lost some valuable PK people but I just can't get over Peca's injury history and not to mention his propensity to go knee on knee, a play I have never been able to stomach! I guess it would make sense if he will sign on the cheap and then stay away from the cheap plays. But for now I will hope that Dubinsky is the real deal and ready to come up with the big boys.

Dennis- peca, while injury prone, is known as a clutch performer. His defensive prowess is phenom and he can help mask and Defensive lapses on the team. Also, putting him against some top lines in Washington and Pitt would be fantastic. Avery was great last year, but, he's a role player and I think a team should expect more for his salary.

ok fair enough. I also agree with the more for your Avery buck too.
I don't think Peca's role would be as good a fit as Avery's role today. Now if it was last Feb and the Rangers were looking at Peca then, I'd go with Peca. But after the trade for Avery, I don't think there was a better trade made at the deadline. Not one that had the impact.
I do want more points from Avery. I'd like more even play from game to game. He picks his moments well though. Give him a season to step up his game there. Then let him go, or send him packing.

Avery should go nowhere except right on the wing of Drury and Shanny. He is an agitator/ spark plug who gets more points than any other player in that role. And I don't want to hear anymore talk about using him at center. It completely negates his ability to run up and down the boards when he has to worry about defensive responsibilities etc. Just because he has the speed and some times the hands to play center doesn't mean he is necessarily a natural center. Keep him on the wing and watch him annoy the hell out of the entire league while getting his fair share of points!!! If Staal and Dubinsky are ready than we have one scary team coming out of the gates!!

Realist,
Did someone say something about using Avery at center? You are 100 % correct though... if Stall and Dubinsky are ready there will be a nice chance at seeing a Division Title.

Paying an agitator that kind of money is steep. Shanny has the physical tools to create space himself, and, Peca is clutch. I wouldnt say Avery had a good series vs. Buffalo

Yeah, Avery did run his mouth a bit and then not back it up in the playoffs...but if I am correct that was his first real playoff experience. So let's hope it was a big learning experience.

Dennis,

If you look back over the last few blog headings you will see more than a few posts saying we can just use Avery as 3rd line center. So no it wasn't a response to any of your posts on this new thread. People seem to think that because he CAN play center means he SHOULD play center.

Jim,

Agreed Shanny can create some room, but for maybe one more year at best. We will need some physical presence with skill for the years after he retires. I think locking up Avery for 3 years or so at about 2.25 million is fitting. Anything more than that and you start to get into the whole paying Cullen too much to be a 3rd line center territory. I also think he gets the fans excited and can be used to promote the team and the league. Something I think is really over looked. Once he learns when to open up and when to turn it down a bit, I think he can be a big personality in the league like a Roenick.

My concern is like what happened with the Kings--Avery wears out his welcome and his agitator status brings unwanted attention. We dont need a side show. We have the talent to dominate.

I say, let Byers of the Wolfpack come up cheap and turn some heads. He drives players insane(more so than Lessard or Orr)

You are all missing the point on Avery. Comparing him to Peca is like comparing apples and oranges. Maybe Avery is a role player as far as scoring is concerned but he posseses several intangibles that are rare finds in several players let alone one.
1. He gets fans into the game home and away and this is good for him. He thrives on attention (thats when he plays better).
2. He can manipulate players emotions easily and get them off their game (see Ilya Kovulchuk in Round 1)
3. He is a lightening rod and gains more attention than he should from rival fans, players, and coaches. If the attention is on him that takes pressure off NYR lines, players, and coaches.
4. He is learning on when to turn it off and on. His "fight" with Kovelchuk was a feeble attempt to draw a pentalty. Although he is criticized for not dropping the gloves against Kovi, he did get the big guy off his game and off the ice for 5 minutes. That's 5 minutes without your best player. Very, very intelligent.
5. Finally, and here is the main reason they should sign him is that he was the GLUE that brought the Blueshirts out of the basement into the top eight teams in the league. They had the talent but for some reason couldn't get their $h!t together. Once Avery got there for some reason everyone started playing well and clicking together. Who know why the hell he works out that way for the team but he does. I don't think Peca can bring ANY of these things to the game, but he can bring things that Avery cannot. So like I said, apples and oranges. If you want to compare Peca to someone compare him to Cullen. SING SEAN NOW! Don't wait till you don't have enough cap room!

1) sounds like he's selfish
2) should just concentrate on his own game or lack therof
3) his attention IS the teams attention. Freak sideshow
4)here i agree with you--who cares if he fights. Its the FAG new NHL that made fighting almost a non factor. Number of fights in playoffs? Exactly my point.
5) he is not the glue- he's a piece of a puzzle. And, like in LA, on a short leash. I'd take Mike Peca but I agree they are diff altogether.

Oh, I know I'm going to get it for this one...enough of the love fest.
You gained two quality centers, no doubt, but your losses aren't insignificant.
So long Nylander and your 80 points, so long Ortmeyer, bye-bye Cullen, adios Rachunek.
Scary team out of the gate? If we awarded the cup based on the FA signings there's a couple teams ahead of the Rangers on that list.
You still have youngsters pegged at some important positions. It's rare a defenseman steps in and makes an impact off the bat. Not everyone can be a Phaneuf.
And Avery...I agree, he has to be signed, but lets not anoint the guy Pope. He has decent skills and pisses people off, valuable yes, invaluable no.

Adios Rachunek? The guy was terrible. TERRIBLE!

And I'm one of those who loved Sean Avery and what he brought to the team. I brought a sign up to Boston for a game in March proclaiming such.

But he wore out his welcome in LA, and while I know they weren't very good, don't be surprised if it happens here also...

But re-sign him so we can gun for the Cup this year.

Let's Go Rangers!

Avery may be trade bait in the spring

"So like I said, apples and oranges. If you want to compare Peca to someone compare him to Cullen"

Couldn't agree more....
Peca for faceoffs and playoff shut-down role....

Avery...agitator extraordinaire...jusy look at him and you know he's a pain in the a&*...

Is adding Peca even an option? Unless my numbers are off (from NHLPA) the Rangers may actually need to hold off until Hossa and Avery are in the mix and even then may not have enough to participate. I know there are likely a few 2-way deals in the NHLPA numbers but it still seems pretty prohibitive. Especially, if you want to add parts during the season.

Maybe someone has a better grasp on the figures?

outsidethegarden.com seems to have the numbers in order. Usually a day or two behind with the updates.

lets go devils

Anyone have a vintage islander lighthouse jersey....? Offering $1

I'll check with my Woodbury neighbor. I'd say $1 is rich; try, .75

JP
I've got a used Devils tampon, and a set of Islanders baby wipes for sale. Bidding starts at 2 bucks. Interested?

Jim and JP--are your anti-islander rants useful? Who cares about them? Go to the islander blog.

All this talk about Avery I want to chime in a little bit.
Avery is a good enforcer. He can score goals and put points on the board. The same as Domi, Simon and some others before him. Here is the problem with Avery though. He will be or should be limited to third line duty. You can not put him on the top line with Jagr and Gomez because he is not offensive enough to be put there, not fast enough to put there and he is a PIM machine. Racking up PIM's like they going out of style. You do not want a guy like that on your top line because conceivably he is going to be taking the puck out of the hands of Jagr and Gomez way to often. especially Jagr because he does not kill penalties on a regular basis.

Now Avery on the second line while interesting, he still will not fit there. His role of an agitator is already taken up on the line by Drury and Shanny. Why have a whole line like that. I would see putting Avery on that line if Drury is an offensive machine. But he is not. Drury is a typical Michael Peca type player. Probably slightly better offensively. Defense is his game but can put points up if he gets the minutes as well. That line of Drury and Shanny is going to need another offensive weapon, weather it is straka or Hossa (if signed). Avery is going to be good on the third line. Your checking line. Where he can agitate offensive players and not be expected to chip in offensively.

I've heard that the reason Avery went to arbitration is that he wants to be paid as a 2nd liner, which he was last year, but the Rangers are seeing him as a 3rd line player.

Avery would add some offense to the 3rd line, and be a gritty guy. He's out of his depth on the 2nd line. We may see Callahan or more likely Prucha on the 2nd line, with Avery, Dubinsky and Prucha/Callahan on the 3rd line.

Callahan needs to show that he can keep his play up over 82 games before he gets anything guaranteed, IMHO.

Aveery is a good 4th liner and thats it.

Hello?

Islanders are great golfers. They get extra tee times after failing to make/advance in playoffs.

Gord,

You couldn't just leave well enough alone huh? (just kidding). But again with the transition from my saying we have a good team, to you and others taking it as a cup guarantee. I clearly stated that IF Dubinsky and Stall are ready then we have a scary team out of the gate. But just like horse racing...you can have the best horse and the best jockey going into the gates but nothing says the horse won't get spooked or it will start raining or the horse takes a spill going into the second turn (great now you guys have me joining in on all those wonderful "what if's"). As far as your question about cap room for Peca and the Hockey #'s site. Keep in mind that it is almost a given that Kasparitus is going to be sent down to Hartford, and the second he is than $3 million dollars comes off the cap. Also, a lot of those sites are misapplying Shanny's salary. They are putting the total possible salary of about 4.8 million against this year. If I am correct then he gets the base 2.5 against this year and then any bonuses go against next year because of his age.

PJ,

Wow, you made a lot of very confusing and misguided statements. I don't think anyone has ever put forth the idea of Avery on the top line. Top line LW options will be Straka and Hossa. If you don't think Avery fits on the second line than I would have to ask you if you watched any of late last season? As far as your calling Drury and Shanny agitators?? Unless you are talking about other teams getting agitated watching pucks go behind their goalies then I have no idea what you are talking about. You call Drury a typical Peca player??? I don't think I have ever heard that before. Exactly when has Drury thrown his body around like Peca, especially in a cheap- intent to injure kinda' way? And although I wouldn't go as far as saying Drury is an "offensive machine", I would say he is FAR more offensive then Peca was at any point in his career. And whether Avery is expected to or not, he has shown a knack for getting his points in. Avery is not an enforcer and nowhere near a Domi or Simon.

JP,

Avery a fourth liner? How many fourth liners go out and draw penalties, score goals, get assists, and completely alter the game plan of the opposition? Avery is 3rd line at worst and that will only be because of the depth of the rangers team. His chemistry with Shanny should keep him on the 2nd line for next year. Fourth line as far as the team stands now should be Hollweg/ Betts/ Orr...with a possibility of Hossa or this new guy the got from Tampa Mitch Fritz who I don't know much about a tall...but listed at 6'7" and about 260lbs I am thinking he might be a replacement for Orr??

Speaking of this Fritz guy, anybody have any insight on the guy at all?

oops...I obviously meant Staal, not Stall.

"1) sounds like he's selfish
2) should just concentrate on his own game or lack therof
3) his attention IS the teams attention. Freak sideshow
4)here i agree with you--who cares if he fights. Its the FAG new NHL that made fighting almost a non factor. Number of fights in playoffs? Exactly my point.
5) he is not the glue- he's a piece of a puzzle. And, like in LA, on a short leash. I'd take Mike Peca but I agree they are diff altogether.

1.) Who the heck cares if Avery is selfish. Last season if he was a factor in the game, they won, and when they are winning nobody cares if the guy is selfish. 2.) His own game is getting players off their game. Its what agitators do. Every team has one and if you have the best, you're in better shape.
3.)Freak sideshows are factors in games. It just happens that when this freak was in the game last season this team tended to win. 4.) Yes, the NHL killed fighting, but you have to admit, it sure was beautiful seeing a wus player like Kovi drop and think he was going to fight Sean.
5.) If he didn't bring the team together why did they play as a very good cohesive unit right after he came to the club? Why did they go on tear after he was acquired? It sure as hell wasn't Jagr. Avery was a factor in every single game and he seemed to bring the team together. Yeah. That is a piece of the puzzle and I would venture a crazy guess that for some weird reason he brought chemistry to the team. Call it what you like but I would call that glue.

Enough Avery talk already! Hes a small part of this team. You guys need to get a life.

Jimmy- relax. We are free to discuss who we want here. Avery is a great topic of conversation and no one gives a rats ass if you like it or not. Ok?

This blog is so bad.

Deep up front...i get that. Two very good lines with serviceable 3rd (i still think that 4th line with the two thugs is doomed...poor Betts)...but what about the D? Rozival and Mara have offensive talent and Tyutin can punish in the back but who else? Girardi, Hutchinson, Staal, Poeck, Strudwick? That's a lot to ask of that group. One of those has to be top 4...god bless Henry, he'll be earning his ducats this year.

Gordo- With the pk talent and pressure our pp and top three lines put on the opposition, a "great D" is not needed. Do you like men?

I have to agree with "jim from woodbury" actually...but I could care less if you like men.

The fourth line will consist of the players that will fill important roles. Betts for face-offs and PK, Hollweg for energy and momentum and Orr for protection of Jagr etc. Betts is more than capable of taking a responsible and sometimes surprisingly offensive shift. The other two can sit and wait for their role to come up. The other three lines bring a non-stop offensive onslaught, or so I hope. Everybody says Orr sucks, but remember what Philly did when Orr wasn't on the bench. And it looks like the Islander fans are out for blood as far as Avery and Hollweg, so we will be in need of an Orr type player.

The defense has shown an ability to play well. Hopefully Staal works out. But I do agree that there is no present big name d-man to really scare off forwards from chasing the puck down. But with trades always an option for later, I would say I am pretty content for now.

Pock and Girardi are still young D-man.
Girardi was a +7 in 34 games. That's not bad by any means of the imagination. Given a full season and some regular ice time, this kid show the ability to hold the blueline well. Why else would Sather and Renny play him up from Harford if this wasn't the case? Why the doubt? He's a kid from our farm system, support is key to his development. Support from the fans as well.
Pock, his numbers at Hartford in 05 were great. I'm not sure why he isn't developing as qiuckly as we'd like, but he still hasn't played more than a half season. Maybe he sucks, maybe he's not as offensive minded as he leads us to believe.
He can move the puck, he can shoot and he's always seems to be in position. We saw him do this a few times last season. And more of it while Rozey was hurt.
Maybe moving Malik off the PP, and Pock up, we might see more numbers put on the board. He certainly shoots and scores more, has less PIM, and more fan support than Mailk.
But after all is said and done, I agree that the "D" has shown the ability to play well also.
The proof is in the pudding. Feb-Mar-Apr

No need for Orr..better to have someone to log 4th line minutes and actually play in the playoffs.

Are you asking me out Jim? I'm flattered, but I don't think of you that way. Keep trying, I'm sure there's someone for everyone. Move to Vermont...I think you can get married legally up there.

Defense isn't important? You build from the goalie out. Look at the teams in the finals...Pronger, Neidermeyer, Beauchemin, Volchenkow, Redden, Phillips. I would take any of these guys over the D on both the Isles and the Rangers. The Rangers need to make room for a big D-Man addition or else Henry will be dizzy by December.

Gord
I’m sure you would, you just named "the" 6 big d-man with a great game. I'm sure building the team on your EA sports isn't anything like reality.

Gordos way to build the best team in history...
Go to rosters - edit rosters - move all the "cool players" to the team logo you like so much and save. Begin career.
Wow look, you’re a Champion now. Great Job. Good for you. Nice knowing you boy toy.
Welcome, here at the Rangers Blog, were people who talk out the sides of their necks, writing just to write, while sitting at home, alone, fat, with pizza sauce all over their hands and man sauce on their faces! Welcome to Team Gord! Were winners win, and he talks about dreams till you kill yourself.
Anyone else on this string of B.S.,
Why do the Rangers need a Big D man? What is wrong with the defenseman they have lined up for 07-08? 9 d-men to choose from, I think they’ll do just fine.
It isn’t like any of you are good enough to play for them, myself included. The same things said by the same people over and over again, like there isn’t anything better for the mentally challenged to talk about. Same people giving answers, same people talking sh!t, missing the point of the answers they them selves asked for?
Peca is not the guy for this New York Rangers Team, but I sure as heck would cheer him on if Sather hired him.
As long as Avery is a Ranger this yr, plays like he did in Mar, well then who cares what position he plays. The fact that he’ll be in the top 3 lines should be enough for Ranger Fans.
And the talent in the farm system is what it is; better than most, not as bad as some will believe, and some of them are ready to play in MSG.
I haven’t missed more than 10 games since 2004. I haven’t missed being at a home game since 2004. And the only reason those dates don't go back further is because I went to play in the desert for a while.
I’ll tell you something, no one is going to talk us (FANS) down from the high of having a chance at being one of the best team this yr. No amount of whatever it is you think you know, can bring us down. Take your convoluted in sight some place else.
Herbs!

One up-and-coming center who has really made a name for himself over the past season is 20-year-old Brodie Dupont, who has surged up the depth chart as fast as any prospect within the system

Dupont set the bar high for 2006-07 after enjoying a breakout junior year in 2005-06. In only his second season with the WHL's Calgary Hitmen, Dupont netted 30 goals and 23 assists for 53 points. But last year, the Russell, Manitoba, went even further, recording 37 goals and 33 assists for 70 points and 90 penalty minutes.

From NYR.com

Gord-

Are you frustrated?

When I'm frustrated, nude men make me feel better.

Frustrated, nah...I just didn't realize the short bus let everyone out so early. Make sure you have your helmet, Corky.

Retard jokes after being called out as a "know it all, b.s. artist"
I thought you were a hockey fan!
I'll be in sec 112 all season, I'm sure you and your couch won't be parting anytime soon.

Ranger D is very similar to last years. What happens if they start the year out the same they did last year. Henry had a stellar second half but the first half was not so good and the only defense upgrade the rangers made this off season was in the addition of a center (Drury).

This team is either going to come out looking like the Second half team of last year or the first half team of last year...and it rests all on the shoulders of Henrik.

Drury and Gomez are a great addition. But how much better then Cullen and Nylander. We are not talking exponential numbers.

This is going to be the year that Henry is going to have to prove if he is the ranger future or if they have been wise for holding onto Montoya and drafting a goalie this year.

Enough...

Retard jokes after being called out as a "know it all, b.s. artist"
I thought you were a hockey fan!
I'll be in sec 112 all season, I'm sure you and your couch won't be parting anytime soon.

Never gotten below 300 level. Let me know if you have an extra ticket. I would love to see a game up close.