Blue Notes

Thanks for the weather update Zipppayyy!!

Why even bother teasing us with a Cammalleri decision? Pointless.

I don't really believe other teams are waiting to see what happens anyway. Kings already said they will abide by arbitrator's decision.

Where do we need help that we can afford against the cap? I'd rather give some guys out of Hartford a shot.

NYR Rock

Phil- you miss the point. So dense.

I agree with Zipay. I think we will have a new defenseman by the middle of next week.

Rag Contraction- are you bored?

Is it possible that the Rangers fans could be dumber?

I just want to know how we can get an above average defenceman when we are already over the cap by $1.7 Million. We are going to have to unload someone to squeeze into that cap. So who can we unload to make up for the $1.7M and then some to acquire that above average defenceman without deminishing the impact of who we receive in return?

I know we have a couple of weeks into September to get this settled, but look how fast August got here.

I wish we could of gotten Gomez for a bit less. Living in NJ i've had the opportunity to see him play a lot. He definitely isn't worth the $10M he's getting this season. He makes us better, but I'm just concerned because 13 goals don't equate with his contract numbers.

I guess I should be looking at the silver lining since we have a great quality forward locked up for a while. I'm just still haunted by the Holik debacle, but he did have one good season.

First of all, the Rangers will not be 1.7 million over the cap.

Shanahan's bonuses will be extended to next season's cap which saves 2.5 million and Kasparitis salary will not count once he is sent to Hartford, saving another 2.9 million.

The Rangers will be 3.7 million under the cap on opening night, barring any further moves.

Secondly, we couldn't have gotten Gomez for any cheaper, because another team would have stepped up and grabbed him.

He is only 27 years old and has already had 3 seasons with over 50 assists.

How many assists do you think he could get this year playing with Jagr? 80?

How many assists do you think he could get in a couple of years playing with Cherepanov?

Gomez has Gretzky like on ice vision and passing ability.

Holik was a 4th line center who the Rangers decided to give 9 million a year to and ask him to be a first line center.

The only similar thing about the way Holik and Gomez play is, well, actually there is nothing at all similar.

Also, Drury is a RFA in 2013 when the ccap #'s are at a potential 46% increase based on tik sales, espn's new contract and monday nights. What we need is to move Avery at the trade deadline and jel this team.

Jim

Thanks for clearing up part of my concerns. I didn't know the Rangers could send Kaspar to Hartford to clean cap space without exposing him to waivers. I guess the Rangers can do that without worrying anyway since no one will pluck him up. I knew that Shanny's bonuses would defer to the cap next season already. There is a site called NHL numbers or something that had the Rangers 23 man roster over the cap right now. So I guess it is how creative the Rangers can be with posting the roster in September that will be the determining factor.

Also I wish I shared your optimism about Gomez. I have no concern about his ability as a player. Sather said something that irked me during an interview where he said he knew his offer was more than what any other team would offer Gomez so he wasn't concened. I asked myself what does that mean? Then I figured that the stock on Gomez around the league was lower & the Rangers could of got him for less.

I'm naturally cynical so excuse my pessimism, but on the Gretzky / Gomez comparison, I think that is a more than a bit over stated. I lived in LA from 89 - 93 and saw Gretzky play 80/82 games a year. Then of course with the Rangers here. I mean come on! He was the Great One for God's sake. Even with Gomez's great vision he just doesn't compare. I just hope I'm wrong and you are right.

NYR Rock

Jim I like the way you think. I think ahead too. However I have learned not to assume to much as I'm an insurance underwriter. As far as Drury goes. I'm not concerned about 2013 for cap space. To many things can happen in the next 7 seasons.

Especially projecting a 46% rise in the cap. You think ESPN is going to pay the grovelling NHL / Bettman a premium for hockey? As I understand it will only REPLACE the game of the week that NBC would of done. Obviously the Vs. / NBC deal isn't working. So maybe by then ESPN will have exclusive cable rights. I'm not counting on a good network deal until the NHL has its house in order.

Also consider this. The recent cap rise was due to higher ticket prices, but mostly because of Canadian revenues being up and the fact that the Canadian dollar has been rising against the dollar and is almost equal to the American dollar now. This is great for the NHL because it makes Canada's rabid affection for the game translate to more revenue in American dollars.

Frequent reader 1st time poster.

Phil if you live in NJ why are you on a Newsday blog? I used to live in NJ myself. Don't they have hockey blogs in the Star Ledger or Bergen Record?

Don't worry so much think of it this way. The Rangers were only a goal or two per game from making it to the semis. Bottom line is they are better team now then last season. I'm not paying their salaries so who cares? I'm just glad Sather does what it takes to get the players he feels will make a difference. Stop bringing us down.

I didn't post the 2013 comment.

Imposter, the last thing I want to do is see Avery leave, so if you are going to keep pretending you are me, stop saying I want him out.

If you want, start writing posts that Avery is the greatest player ever, he is better than Gretzky, that kind of stuff.

I don't think saying someone is "Gretzky like" means they are as good as Gretzky.

By the time Gretzky was 27 years old, he already had a season of 163 assists, among other seasons of just insane numbers.

Gomez is not Gretzky, of course not, but I think he has the ability to see the ice the way Wayne did and I think he is only entering his prime now.

The only thing that matters is that the Rangers win. The numbers that Drury and Gomez eventually will put up do not matter at all, all that matters is winning. The contracts are signed, it doesn't matter anymore what the money is.

We are a better team than we were when the season ended in May.

We were 7.7 seconds away from going up 3 games to 2 vs Buffalo with game 6 at home.

We signed the guy who scored that goal with 7.7 seconds left.

We signed a key member of a team across the river that won 2 Stanley Cups during his time there and he is only entering his prime now.

I cannot wait until October 4th!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm confused now. Someone is an imposter for Jim?

Well, I'll keep my optimism in check for now. I still think even mentioning Gretzky in the same breath should be reserved for players like Crosby not Gomez.

I've been a fan since the start of the '79-80 season, wrong time to start following the Rangers if you get my meaning. The one time the Rangers win the cup I was living in Chicago, so just once I'd love to see all these superstars or as my wife says, "suedostars" bring home the cup while I'm living in the NY metro area. Every summer it's the same thing. When we acquired Jagr I seriously was thinking dynasty. Never get my hopes up again.

NYR Rock

Phil- The pieces are in place for a strong playoff run. The imposter is in the habit of posting responses, thus, half of what you read is not me. I think Gomez is an all star and better than Jagr at this point(all round game). Frankly, the PP not withstanding, Jagr doesnt fit a team of character(IE. Gomez, Shanny , Avery etc..). Perhaps Avery is a stretch since his character is questionable. As long as the Blueshirts sign 1 to 2 D Men, or use trade bait like Avery to add depth on the D line, we have a sincere shot at the Cup. We are literally the opposite of the Fishsticks!

I wonder if Sather could move Jagr? What are teams willing to give up for him?

I sense that Monday night will be big. Coincides with Pizza Box Night too.

Jim must be very bored?

Real Jim

I really wish I could grasp onto your enthusiasm. I don't know how old you are, but I've seen GREAT Ranger teams over the last 27 years and some not so great. This roster doesn't floor me. Mostly because of defence, lack of cap wiggle room even if we are a little below it. Shanny is up there in age and will he been the same since that midseason injury? Jagr has become brittle, no news there. That leaves us with Drury & Gomez. 80 assists for Scott? In my dreams. Who is going to score the 50 goals that go along with that?

I have been far removed from the Ranger Islander rivalry since I haven't lived on Long Island since 89. I'm only back in the North East since 2002 living in NJ. Frankly I've been more concerned with the Devils success than anything the Islanders do.

It seems that my fellow Ranger fans are more concerned about the Islanders than anything else. Why? They have their own problems. Who cares what they do? They could finish the season with no wins and it doesn't help us at all because that means everyone else has beaten them too. I'm more concerned with the other 13 teams we have to deal with in the Conference. The Flyers are going to really be good this year too. So let the fishsticks rot in their own problems.

Trading Jagr? Interesting. Are the Caps still paying part of his salary? If so he might be easier to move. I'm sure Sather is keeping all options on the table. I guess a contender with some spare quality parts that we could use that doesn't mind his brittleness might bite. The only problem I have is wouldn't we be giving up lots of offense? Who is going to be taking passes from the two allstar centers that we have? Shanny can only play one shift.

Phil- I'm 30 for the record. And, I am optimistic based on severalthings 1) trade deadlines usually covet offensive prowess and the Rangers are loaded. If Defensive depth is needed, we have trade bait, albeit future trade bait 2) no ther teams scare me
The obesession with the Islanders is more of a fun rivalry thing--they do have the Dynasty and a core(but small) group of loyal, dumb fans. I'm not certain of the imposter is a Islander fan or juyst a lunatic.The Islanders, as you say, are fairly irrelevant to our fortunes.
My significant other is from Jersey actually and he always complained about the number of Ranger fans at Devils games. I think the Devils are in for a few years of mediocrity but I have great respect for their accomplishments the past 10 years. They did it with Defense. We will have to do it with offense. The Rangers are the Indy Colts of football..the defense will take time to gel, but, the offense will win enough games to bide us time.I get your points Phil..perhaps my rosey glasses are a function of missing hockey :-)

Jim, I happened to check the Islander blog and saw your post . I have to hand it to you, great one! Nothing like crushing Islander fans. Bravo. Is Washington still paying Jagr?

Jeff Blueshirt,

Posted words from a computer nerd don't crush people. You must be a little kid or a tard. Go outside and get some air, loser.

It'll be funny to watch you kids cry when the Rangers crash and burn this year. LOL

Hey guys quick question,
i was just in italy for 17 days and i just read zipp's comment sis we give an offer sheet to Cammalleri? And if so for how much? thanks great to hear aout avery and hossa too

We were bored this weekend weren't we boys. Trading Jagr: Not going to happen unless the Rangers are in the basement.
It won't be a trade like the one that got him in NY. It'll be big draft picks, prospects, and younger NHLer(s).

Oct 4 cant come fast enough...to much talk, not enough Hockey!

no, im not talking about charles.

Just some facts to digest....

ISLANDERS: (1972-Present)
Stanley Cups: 4
Stanley Cup Finals: 5
Conference Championships: 6
Conference Finals: 10
Division Championships: 6
Playoff Appearances: 21
Presidents Trophy: 0
Best Season: 118 Points
Worst Season: 30 Points

Most Goals in a Season: Mike Bossy 69
Most Assists in a Season: Bryan Trottier 87
Most Points in a Season: Mike Bossy 147
Most Penalty Minutes in a season: Brian Curran 356
Most Points in a season, defenseman: Denis Potvin 101
Most Points in a season, rookie: Bryan Trottier, 95
Most Wins in a season: Billy Smith; Chris Osgood, Rick DiPietro 32

RANGERS: (1926-Present)
Stanley Cups: 4
Stanley Cup Finals: 10
Conference Championships: 1
Conference Finals: 8
Division Championships: 6
Playoff Appearances: 50
Presidents Trophy: 2
Best Season: 112 Points
Worst Season: 17 Points

Most Goals in a Season: Jaromir Jagr 54
Most Assists in a Season: Brian Leetch 80
Most Points in a Season: Jaromir Jagr 123
Most Penalty Minutes in a season: Troy Mallette 305
Most Points in a season, defenseman: Brian Leetch 102
Most Points in a season, rookie: Mark Pavelich 76
Most Wins in a season: Mike Richter 42

SUMMARY: Rangers around for and played 47 more years then Islanders which resulted in same amount of Stanley Cups, 5 more trips to Stanley Cup Finals, 5 less Conference Championships (must have only counted from after the 40's?), 2 less Conference Finals, same amount of Division Championships, 29 more Playoff Appearances, and 2 more Presidents Trophys (don't know when this started) then Islanders in total. Rangers best Season 6 points behind Islanders. Rangers worst Season 13 points worse then Islanders.

Individual stat-wise, Islanders in their history had bests in Goal Scoring (69 vs 54), Assists (87 vs 80), Points (147 vs 123), Penalty Minutes (356 vs 305), and Points in Season by Rookie (95 vs 76). While Rangers had bests in Points in Season by Defenseman (102 vs 101), and Most Wins in Season (42 vs 32).

A few facts for the jaded history presented by our LI "cousins". Prior to 1969 (I think), there was no common NHL draft. In fact, Montreal always got the top 2 players from the Quebec League. Seems the implementation of the Draft virtually coincided with the addition of the Isles to the League. Unfortunately for the Blueshirts, Emile Francis had developed a pretty strong team who naturally picked way down. The Isles used their #1 pick to take Denis Potvin. The Rangers, have never had an overall #1. Torre indeed drafted well & made terrific trades, but in those early years had the benefit of drafting low. Seems our Islander buddies forget that the Rangers won the Cup their 2nd year in existence & again 4 years later. Furthermore, no NHL team was decimated by the World War II call up like the Rangers. Seems its real easy to put the Blueshirts down, but let's get the facts straight. By the way, how have the Islanders done since their dynasty?

My name is Rio'!!

Rag Contraction - Jim from Marryberry are the same person; and is the Jim from Woodbury imposter.

I think the Rangers severely over paid for Gomez. They should have signed Drury, kept Nylander and signed a quality defenseman. Souray, for example, would have been an exceptional upgrade over the "talent" currently on the Rangers' backline.

Also, I rarely engage in debates with fans of opposing teams, but Jim from Mayberry really gave me a chuckle by posting all of those stats.

A very nice job by Jimmy posting stats and facts from the past. However, good ole Jimmy conveniently forgot to post the stats from the Rangers-Islanders last playoff meeting ...

WINS
Rangers - 4
Islanders - 0

GOALS
Rangers - 22
Islanders - 3

There you go, Jimmy. Now, then. Who's hungry for Fishsticks?!

RC - has to live in the early 80's past. his team has done zilch since 1993 in the playoffs. 25 yrs since your good ole days.

and the biggest disgrace is not the team itself but rather the fans. between that pathetic displays of littering the ice in the playoffs at least twice and the fans of the early 80's who have given up on the team (can you say front runner) the fans are the disgrace not the players.

"Rag Contraction - Jim from Marryberry are the same person; and is the Jim from Woodbury imposter." -Anonymous

Is there anyone your not claiming I am? I only post under this handle, unlike you, Anonymous. Maybe I even post under Anonymous. You purposely didn't accuse me of that. Maybe I'm you?!?!?

Scott,

"However, good ole Jimmy conveniently forgot to post the stats from the Rangers-Islanders last playoff meeting ..."

Names not Jimmy. Its Jim. Scotty Boy. Read it, learn it, say it. J I M spells Jim.

I only posted general stats. Both good and bad for both teams. So people know some history about the team they support and the rivals history. We can post specifics that look bad for both teams very easily. Quite a few embarassing playoffs that the Isles knocked out the Rangers for example. But that wasn't my intent. You might need to reread what I wrote. I know the stats are embarassing to a Rangers fan... can't be helped your team has a pathetic history. But at least there are some bright spots for you guys.

LI Joe,

Your team has done zilch since 1994 in the playoffs. 13 yrs since your good ole day. LOL

As for the fans... some fans are embarassing for any team... generalising that all fans are is the dumbest thing I've ever heard ...including Anonymous's postings.

Whats with the hostility anyway.... are you bitter about your teams failure thus far as a franchise? Be bitter at your team, not me.

having the second lowest attendance in the league is not a generalization, it's an embarassing reality.

lack of support,

That is certainly true. What Im saying is that you can't lump all fans into it. Thats generalising its all fans. There are still fans that show up every game win or lose to support the team. Every team has its fairweather fans... we just happen to have a large ratio of them.

Mayberry - maybe you support the team in a big way - I know lots who used to don't. And maybe you did not throw things on the ice - many did or tried and missed. Clearly I'm not naive enough to think every Islander fan threw stuff but many did or support those who did.
What those fans did is wrong and I would say the same if they were Ranger fans. Notice the reception Ranger fans gave to their team after game 6 vs Buffalo. I was there and it was a very touching moment. That is what real true fans do. Isles fans of a certain generation were spoiled. The next generation does not give a crap since all they know is misery and many of the older fans are now in the fair weather fans category.
Which translates to a rapidly diminishing fanbase.

The hostility re track records is - let it go 1983 is 25 yrs ago. Stop living in the past. And I for that very reason do not chant Potvin s*cks.

And by the way I don't post or read the Isles blogs - now who has the hostility.

"espn's new contract and monday nights"

Ok. When are we going to be done bickering over which NY team is better, has a better history blah, blah, blah, blah, "my team is better", "no it isnt", "your team stinks". wtf are we in? The third grade?
Right now two things matter. What happened in last years playoffs, and what is going to happen in the remainder of the offseason. It could be worse.
Now on to more important matters...
I can't stand ANY comparison to TGO even when ESPN cries Sid the Kid is TNO (they are a pack of morons). As far as ESPN signing a new NHL contract I don't think it is going to happen. From what I have gathered from some people in TV and player affairs office I had the pleasure of speaking with, there isn't much of a chance. They didn't go into explicit detail but they did say that, "Right now the NHLs plan was to work with Versus for the long term", but then again this was last summer...things may have changed but it sounded to me as if there were irreconcilable differences bewteen the two. We will see.