Blue Notes

Besides Avery, enjoy this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Fe11OlMiz8

If the Rangers could harmonize and blend like those guys in the video, we'd have a winnah.
Merry Christmas.

Hopefully Avery can be the Rangers baby Jesus lol

2-1. Stick a fork in em. I can tell arleady this is going to be painful.

Next summer let's sign more overpaid overrated UFAs.

Don't worry John. They don't need to. They got long contracts. It's too bad, Glen locked em in. They probably have no trade clauses too. What did I say btw? Stick a fork in em, and every minute was painful. No good bounces, no good chances, no good passes, and not a single good SOG. Every single shot is blocked or shot straight into Gerber. You can make any goalie look like a star when you put every puck on the logo. Morons.

"At $173,333/point, Jags is on pace for 57 points... I said 57 POINTS! He isn't making his option triggers and isn't going to get 9.88 million next year unless he goes to Philly."

Whatever. You guys stink, and you make too money...but you got to your retirement team though didn't you?

"At $173,333/point, Jags is on pace for 57 points... I said 57 POINTS! He isn't making his option triggers and isn't going to get 9.88 million next year unless he goes to Philly."

10 of the 36 games they scored 1 or 0 goals. in 20 out of 36 goals they got 2 goals or fewer.

This coaching staff has no clue.

Betts, Orr and Hollweg will never score why waste time on them? It is this love affair with these 3 that is costing us big time. And don't tell me they are 4th line, they are getting big minutes and do nothing. They are really the 3rd line. Orr got 11 minutes tonight. This coach is obviously insance or incompetent.

3rd line is on a short leash and gets little icetime and lost any offensive confidence they had and are soon to become like Betts offensively.

Jagr, Shanahan, and Straka are old and can't carry the team anymore. Shanahan does almost nothing. Drury has been pathetic nonfactor. Prucha is a better player and would outproduce him if given equal opportunities and icetime. No playoffs this season.

Anyone else sick of our 4th line getting so much playing time. I agree they were one of the best lines of the night but with 5 minutes to go, down 3-1 and coming off of a tv break is this really the line we want on the ice. Anyone really believe that is going to keep us on the ice until June??

you can't say the 3rd line is any good either. there's plenty of blame to go around.

WHEW ... thought we would get a point in two games in a row. The fourth line played great tonight ... the third line blows. HEY SATHER WE NEED A F***ING TRADE!!!! WAKE UP AS*HOLE.

Ok.. I am a big Renney supporter for all the work he has done with this team but there comes a point where you need to take that next step.
TR is so focused on trying to prove pts to his players that he constantly puts the HBO line out bc they work hard. He needs to start becoming a better game coach:
1- Push his tops players to success. The top 6 fwds need MORE ice time. All 6 should be between 20-25 mins a night, no exceptions.
2-Offensive zone faceoffs after an icing we should have the Gomez/Drury line out, again no exceptions.
3-After a TV timeout, the Drury/Gomez line should be on the ice. Again no exceptions.

He needs to find little times to get his best players extra ice time. With a terrible 3rd and a 4th line incapable of scoring a goal TR needs to sink/swim with his big guns.
It is time to whip the horses and not coax them.

Just one comment to John about Prucha... you need to get your head out of your ________!!! The kid is soooo overated by you people it is not even funny. Yes he works hard but he creates ZERO offensive chances, is a average skater (quick not fast), has great hands but his game is not GOOD. To say Prucha would do more then Drury, Straka, Jagr or Shanny is ludicrous. It embarrasses me to be a Ranger fan when comments like that come out, it proves that we have too many fans who just flat out dont know the game of hockey!!

Time to Ride the Horses!!! Push Jagr into success!!

This team is a joke. Renny has no clue. Sather is playing golf somewhere and could care less. Jagr and Shanahan are done. The young guys have hit the wall. It's time for change NOW. Start from the top and work down. Fire Sather. Fire Renny. Trade Jagr, Shanahan, Straka, Rozsival, Malik, Mara, and Hollweg. Clean house and start planning for next season. This season is OVER. I knew the predictions of cup contender were crazy but this is a joke. I don't mind losing, I'm used to it with the Rangers. But the continued no heart effort I see on a regular basis from this team is extra painfull to watch. Someday this franchise will turn it around. Someday.

Hey, Kocur, how do you define Fair Weather Fan?

Merry Christmas, Zip.

The EXPERT knew this would happen.

Hey, I got no problem with them being last in the league this year. They should trade Jags, Shanny, Malik, Hollweg, Prucha, etc for a couple of 1st rounders this year...plus lose the rest of the season to get their own. Supposed to be a really, really good draft this year.

"At $173,333/point, Jags is on pace for 57 points... I said 57 POINTS! He isn't making his option triggers and isn't going to get 9.88 million next year unless he goes to Philly."

Woh there Dan!....I am pushing for the Isles to have the same strategy. We can't both be on on the bottom. I have a feeling the Rangers will turn it around, they have the proven talent that just needs to wake up.

Its not really great to be a hockey fan in NY at the moment.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Hey Rucchin I've been a die hard fan for 30 years now and being a realist does'nt make me fair weather. Wake up and smell the coffee. Our coach could'nt motivate the all star team to score a goal and half our players (especialy the captain) only show up when they feel like it. They should all be ashamed of their effort this season. The fire sale before the lockout was the best thing the team did in 10 years. Except for Leetch of course. They should do it again.

I was at MSG for the first time this season, where you can see the whole ice. Bad spacing, COACH, terrible power play, COACH, wrong line match ups, COACH, no one shots the puck, COACH, too much passing, COACH, zero scoring, COACH. The COACH is not out there skating, shooting, passing, scoring. His team is. But, who prepares game strategy? Who runs practice? Who picks the lines? Who directs power play positioning? The COACH, The COACH. The COACH. The Rangers have the soldiers, but the general is mis directing them. We either need a new direction or a new general, to right this ship. Matt Cullen would be leading the Rangers in scoring this year, and he's third or fourth on Carolina. One Rangers with more than 10 goals at this time of the year? It's the SYSTEM, not the players. Send everyone to Carolina and see how there scoring improves...

I agree Art. I haven't broken down and bought any tickets this year and at the rate they are playing and the price of tickets, I'm not going to antime soon. There were a few games a few years ago where I have started a few chants of "Haaaasek, Haaaasek, Haaaasek", or "%%%$$hole, %%%$$hole, %%%$$hole", and thought if I get to a game this would be a good chant.

"Mess behind the bench!"
"Mess behind the bench!"
"Mess behind the bench!"
"Mess behind the bench!"
"Mess behind the bench!"
"Mess behind the bench!"

But like I said, I'm not buying tickets anytime soon. Maybe one of you who actually get to some of the games can start this one for me...

"At $173,333/point, Jags is on pace for 57 points... I said 57 POINTS! He isn't making his option triggers and isn't going to get 9.88 million next year unless he goes to Philly...
Mess behind the bench!"

"Mess behind the bench!"
"Mess behind the bench!"
"Mess behind the bench!"
"Mess behind the bench!"
"Mess behind the bench!"
"Mess behind the bench!"

Actually, it would be even better like this

"Put-Mess, be-hind, the-bench!"

Amen Art. Renny would make a good assistant but he has very little in game talent. He's a yes man for Sather who could give two sh#@s about the Rangers. A real coach would have benched Jagr a long time ago for his pathetic efforts this season. And screwing the lines up all season just to find someone he can play with is a joke. A great player makes the players around him better No? Making him the captain was a joke too. He's been a big baby his whole career and obviously does'nt have the personality for it. Fire Renny now and if the new coach gets the same results, have a fire sale at the deadline and salvage the future of this team. It is a good team on paper but it's not working.

Fire Renney is a good idea, but Messier is not, he hasn't proven anything as a coach, just look at Gretzky.

Prucha has been bad this season, but Drury has been worse. Difference is that Drury gets the PP time and a lot more icetime.

Why doesn't clueless Renney put Straka in the middle with Jagr and Prucha? Then the Europeans can be together on 1 line. The problem with this team is identity. There is a mix of North American and European players.

This team needs one system and players who play the same game. Not the East west Euro garbage or pass the puck to make it look fancy. Drive to the net and put someone on front to screen. With the Jagr power play out there it is always on the faceoff circle.

What system is Renney trying to play? It seems like this team is lost in the offensive zone. They dont know what to do with the puck. Shoot, pass, skate around. No cycle down low or hard hat players working along the boards. Time to trade Straka and Jagr. Let Drury play the 1st line with North American players. How he looks so lost is beyond me because he is a good player. There is a mix and Sather messed up. Sather where are you? I haven't heard from you in while. Are you with Jimmy?

also anybody notice that since Renney made Wolfpack use his system was back in 04-05 season they too had problems scoring and still do?

John,
I agree with you about 99. His team is terrible, but he was never a good leader, he was always a good soldier, the best that ever was and probably ever will be in the NHL. Mess on the other hand was a great leader, the best that ever was, and probably ever will be in the NHL. He's the only person besides Scotty Bowman that has any chance of getting the respect the coach deserves from a group of guys like this. Also, the only way to keep a championship caliber team on the ice consistently is to develop it from within. Yes you need a mix of vets too but the only way to keep them playing is keep the young guys coming in. The reason the River Rats have been so bad in the past seasons is b/c ol Lou always took all the most talented players from the club whenever he wanted (another reason for the Devils consistent success, developing from within). Now the Rats are Carolina's farm team and they do the same thing, but they are a little better than they have been. Yeah the whole team can't be Wolfpack members but you gotta use the farm system if you want to be successful. You have to have young, cheap, hungry, soldiers that have chemistry if you want to field a playoff club. Period.

"Put-Mess, be-hind, the-bench!"
"Put-Mess, be-hind, the-bench!"
"Put-Mess, be-hind, the-bench!"

"At $173,333/point, Jags is on pace for 57 points... I said 57 POINTS! He isn't making his option triggers and isn't going to get 9.88 million next year unless he goes to Philly."

calm down.

And even though I wanted Cullen to go, I have to say that even when he wasn't scoring he was contributing way more than Drury. He had speed and energy and was physical and good along the boards. And is now outproducing Drury by a mile. And take into consideration that Drury always dreamed of being a Ranger and Cullen wasn't really happy in NY. Drury must have wanted to be a Ranger because that is the only place where you can do nothing and get paid insane salary.

Anyone else hearing the Prucha for Malholtra rumor that's been heating up???

http://brochuishockey.blogspot.com

Merry Christmas

Might be a long year at MSG,but it's been a LONGER quarter of a century on Long Island for the poster at 11:58.No matter how poorly the Rangers play we will still have a better year than the icelanders.Merry Christmas to all!

Sather running true to form. When the cap and lack of $$$ in Edmonton prevented Sather from spending foolishly, he hasn't changed a bit. Looking for has beens as usual. When given the opportunity to spend $$$, he's been and is, a big bust.

The so-called strong farm system is crowded with small type players. They do have some talent but no 1st or 2nd liners nor bruising defenseman. Oprik is out there, why isn't Sather thinking of him??

We're doomed until Sather retires or Dolan sells the team.

Lennynyr,

you are an idiot

when was the last time Sather traded any of our youth away for a washed up vet?

When was the last time we had 3 young studs on defense like Girardi, Tyutin & Staal?

Sather traded up to get Marc Staal, does he not get credit for that?

Does Sather not get any credit for drafting someone named Henrik Lundqvist in the 7th round?

We will be adding Sanguinetti & Baranka to the above named 3 defensemen next year, does Sather get credit for that?

I love when losing streaks hit how the gloom and doomers come out in drives, but lennynyr, you actually make no sense!

Even a broken analog clock is right twice a day.

Don't appreciate the name calling, if that's the best you can do, you a pathetic fool and not worth reading any of your comments.

I could pick up an 8 year old's composition in class and it would be more intelligent than anything you write. Go back into the hole you crawled out of.

Long year at MSG....Picked to finish first and set the lights on fire with their 50 million spent on goal scoring.

Wow....This organization is as sad as its owner!

Actually lennynyr, I've been posting here for a long time, what hole did YOU crawl out of, I think that would be the question.

Good job rebutting my post about what Sather has accomplished.

So you don't have anything to say about a future defense of Staal, Girardi, Tyutin, Sanguinetti, Baranka and Sauer?

Sather signed Girardi as an undrafted free agent, any comment about that?

per Josh of Sam's blog sitting tonight:

Hossa
Dawes
Strudwick

M & M on d together. Prucha replaces Dawes.

I think deadline ends after today or after tomorrow. it will be interesting to see if we make a trade with Columbus or whoever.

I bet Prucha and Callahan are re-united the chemistry that only exists in the pea-brain of Uncle Tom.

Dawes sitting is just ridiculous.

stick check,

Apologize for your name calling and I'll get into it with you about Sather, if not, you're on ignore.

My God is Avery a joke. The reason the Rangers won tonight is b/c the first line played well. He AGAIN fought while the refs were holding the Jurricane (who is not even a fighter!)

Watch Campbell give him another pass along with the cheap shot artist Orr. Why ? They are Rangers!

The comedy act continues at MSG !

Tyutin really hasn't been doing much this year, I don't consider him a stud. Girardi is a solid top 4 but no Leetch who can carry the puck up ice and quarterback the power play. I love Girardi and the shot he has on the power play but Leetch could turn the game around in a second. He was always a threat. Leetch could skate circles around Jagr. Man do I miss Leetch.

Staal is too early. He is going ot be good but the first 2 years are growing stages for him. I think he is going to be a stud. But he will make his share of mistakes.

Stick Check,
tend to agree with what you say. Post-lockout Sather has been amazing. As for the Avery cheap shot the hurricane (i dont know who it was) came in anyway , he deserved to get popped.
(Honestly) GREAT game tonight, this is what we need. Gomez, Jagr, Drury, Shanny all to be on the board with some Defensive scoring thrown in along with some FANTASTIC goaltending. If we keep playing like this good things will continue to happen. Its amazing the kind of heart Avery brings isnt it? :-)

Hey lennynyr, ummmmmm, how about No!!!!!

But, if anything you have to say is pre-lockout Sather, then you have nothing to say at all now do you?

How could anyone say "Tyutin really hasn't been doing much this year"? Do you watch the games?

and wow, Girardi biggest problem is that he isn't Brian Leetch, wow, there are about 120 defensemen in the NHL today that aren't Brian Leetch. Dan Girardi wasn't drafted and he's become our top defensemen who, oh by the way, scored the game winner last night.

Girardi and Tyutin are our top defensive pair. Home grown, 23 and 24 years old respectively, Marc Staal is 20.

But lennynyr likes to make stuff up about all Sather does is trade youth for washed up vets.

How completely false is that?

Cheap shot,

The Orr incident wasn't a cheap shot, it was a collision, get some glasses, it shouldn't have even been a minor penalty, no less a 5 minute major for "interference" when the player had the puck.

Avery is God.

THE LATEST RANGERS-BLUE JACKETS NEWS.

COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Aaron Portzline reports being told of no trade in the works between the Blue Jackets and the NY Rangers, although the two teams have talked. Tom Reed meanwhile reports the name of Jackets forward David Vyborny, who is good friends with Rangers struggling scorer Jaromir Jagr, has been mentioned in discussions between the two teams. Reed also claims that, contrary to yesterday's NY Post report, neither Adam Foote or Rostislav Klesla have been discussed in the talks, but any deal between the two teams could involve multiple players. The Jackets are believed interested in Rangers winger Petr Prucha but only as part of a package deal. The Rangers might wish to move veteran blueliners Marek Malik and Paul Mara but the Jackets might be interested in younger Rangers.

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS: John Dellapina mused on the possibility of Petr Prucha playing his final games with the Rangers, wondering if head coach Tom Renney's praise for Prucha's fearlessness and passion for the game was to pump up the young forward's contribution to the Rangers or to pump up his trade value.

Spector's Note: Seems to be conflicting reports out of Columbus on this story, and given the coverage from both cities on this story it certainly appears that a deal is close and might occur as early as tomorrow after the trade freeze has been lifted. Keep an eye on this one.

THIS SHOULD GET SOME OF YOU GOING PRETTY GOOD!

Mara, Malik, Prucha, Dubinsky, Callahan, Hollweg...

Take your pick and send Foote and Vyborny this way!

Trading Dubinsky would be a very silly idea Tissues, cross him off that list.

I could agree, we could argue but why?

All 4 of those kids Dubinsky, Callahan, Prucha and Hollweg play with heart and play their @sses off. But, none get it done...There is a team full of them down in Hartford!

Dubinsky different though, just because he hasn't finished a whole lot this season doesn't mean he is a lost cause.

He has size, grit, talent, I think the scoring will come.

I would be devestated if Dubinsky went in a deal, and I highly doubt he will.

If a team like Columbus wants younger its those 4 guys right there that have actually played with the club...There is bigger and better to look forward to next year playing in Hartford this year.

The Ranger should make a play for Vyborny. There is no doubt there.
But we don't need a Defensemen unless MAlik and Mara are in the extange!
Now lets get real here for a few. Foote is not anything we need on this team. Old and over paid, I say pass. Now Pitts Orpik is more the right move here. He's pretty mean too.
I'd really like to see the Rangers pick up Malone also.
It'll help make this team a little meaner down the road!

Say,
Orpik - Malone - Sergei Anshakov - 4th round pick
for
Hossa - Malik (and/or Mara) - Callahan

Let's play "Make the Trade!"

Prucha - Hossa and Malik

off to CLB for

Vyborny - Klesla - Jakub Voracek (Prospect) Alex Picard (Prospect)

The Rangers need someone mean. Too often Lundqvist has someone camped out in front of him. If another team wants to do that, fine but the Rangers need to get a Beukeboom type of guy who is going to make these other teams think twice before standing in front of Lundqvist.

You gotta love the way Girardi, Staal, Tyutin and Rozsival play but with Mara and Malik back there, they entire group is too soft. I want to see someone lay another guy out for getting close to our goalie. Someone with a mean streak to him.

So far, the only name out there that's been mentioned to fit the bill is Orpik. Give Pittsburgh their choice of Callahan, Prucha or Hossa for him and make a deal staright up.

I would not trade Dubinsky either but his future is as 3rd line center not 1st or 2nd

love how these trades always include Malik and Hossa - get real people have to offer value for value.

JD, I'd love to get Oprik, worth the risk for his upside. Don't know if Pittsburgh would do the deal for either Callahan, Prucha or Hossa. Great deal from our end though.

Let me clear up a few things that that idiot stick check distorted about my original Sather post. Maybe a Reading 101 class should be on his list of things to accomplish.

To begin with, my remarks about Sather were concerns about what he has done in the past when he has had $$$ to spend. I never said he traded good young players for washed up vets as I was accused of saying. I'm still not convinced he won't resort to some of those stupid choices he made spending $$$ before the lockout. Yes, I jumped the gun a little but when it concerns Sather and $$$, as a Ranger fan, I get nervous.

By the past, I mean pre-lockout. Post-lockout Sather has done a lot better. From no farm system, he has now built the best farm system the Rangers have had in years. That said, wish our farm system had some bigger players plus some bruising defensemen who we could sure use plus most of the prospects look like 3rd and 4th liners. But compared to what the farm system was, quite a big improvement, still a way to go.

Plus I like the signing of both Gomez and Drury. So far Gomez has been the best Ranger forward, using his speed and the best is yet to come from him since he is just realizing that he is no longer stuck with the Jersey trap and is enjoying the freedom to play his offensive game here with the Rangers.

For all the knocks Drury has been getting, he still has 10 goals and makes many key plays away from the puck, blocking shots, winning faceoffs etc. He's a keeper as far as I'm concerned.

No way should Dubinsky be traded, he's moves the puck and hangs on to it offensively and has good speed. So far his weaknesses has been finishing and fighting. Regarding the latter, he should just hit and push, not drop his stick and fight because he'll probably lose. As far as finishing, just has to keep working on that and it will come. If he plays with a couple of snipers, he'll be fine.

I think trading Dawes would get the most back. Why? Because a lot of teams most likely recognize that he's a natural scorer and don't care about the rest of his game unlike Renney. As long as Renney is coach here, Dawes doesn't have a chance so the Rangers should get somebody back that will help a Renney run team. Either that, or fire Renney...hmmmm!!!

Trading Malik and Hossa would be lucky to get back a bag of peanuts!!!!!

The whole third line is useless and people need to start looking that objectively instead of through the kid loving glasses! Because, if this team flops this season the same people crying about how great Prucha, Dubinsky and Callahan are will be the same ones yelling and screaming when they sink the team!

I mean come on! Rosival has more points then all of them combined! Dubinsky has as many points as Sean Avery and he has played more then twice the games as Avery. Dawes would have more then all 3 had he not been sent back to Hartford. Callahan has 1 point in 20 games!!!

So before we all cry about the top line hurting us offensively lets take a look at the stats. The top 5 guys on this team are where they belong in the top six...with a surprising Rosival.

Mara and Malik always get added in for wishful thinking. Besides Tyutin, Girardi, Staal and Strudwick. Rosival is the only D that should deserve a shot to play here next season. Mara and Malik will not be Rangers next year...see what you can get for them!

Dawes is ten times better then all three kids on the third line right now! Trade him?????

Some of you are really crazy! Trade the kid that has it and everyone can see it but, keep the kids that are mirrored in what you can watch any given night at an AHL Arena? Why do you think Dawes was sent back to Hartford??? It's the right way to treat real talent, Dubinksy stayed here why?

Tissues, you missed the point about trading Dawes. I totally agree with you but unfortunately Renney doesn't. Renney will make him rot on the bench or in the minors so if Renney is going to remain Ranger coach, Dawes has no chance.

Personally, I would rather fire Renney than trade Dawes but don't see Sather firing Renney.

So lennynyr,

your quote "We're doomed until Sather retires or Dolan sells the team"

was that an imposter or are you one of those multiple personality guys?

Because we obviosuly aren't doomed since we have the "best farm system we have had in years"

under Sathers direction

When I saw Orpik's name, I wanted to smack you. You do not, ever ever ever ever ever ever trade with a division rival. Do not. no uh-uh no!

With that being said, we will be giving up too much if we go for Foote and Vyborny.. I say go after Klesla and Zherdev if we're gonna get rid of Prucha, Malik, Mara, etc

I have to agree that Dubinsky has some upside. On some days, her reminds me of a young Adam Graves. The one who played for the Oilers and Wings, before he came to the Rangers. He needs to get a little tougher but he still has some similarities.

And while Sather has re-built the farm system, it seems like he has packed with a bunch of young skilled speedy wingers who have a tough time being consistent scorers at the NHL level (see Callahan, Prucha, Dawes).

The Jagr days are dwindling and he is looking to pass the scoring torch to someone but right now there is no one to take it. My guess for the next great Ranger scorer is going to have to be one of the young Russians (Cherepanov and Anisimov) The defense looks solid, especially with Sanguinetti and Sauer waiting in the wings but they still need a mean SOB back there too.

Maybe Sather's thinking is that he can use some of these players as bargaining chips to land that big time scorer.

I would love to see Sather package a deal with Montoya, maybe a d-man and a combo of Purcha, Hossa, Callahan or Dawes and make a run for LeCavalier. Sooner or later TB is going to realize they can't afford St. Louis, Richards and LeCavalier and Torterella and him have always had issues.

How can we afford Drury, Gomez and Lecavalier, plus have Henrik's new deal?

Lecav is gonna want near league max once his contract expires. Drury, Gomez and Hank will be our highest paid players for a while

JD, with Henrik, Gomez and Drury, how much $$$ will be available to even consider bringing in Lecav?

Agree about Sather's picks. Lots of good prospects but 3rd and 4th liners plus small. Some should definitely be used to secure that franchise player provided he fits under the cap. The big problem is to decide who is kept and who is dealt. A nice problem to have but nontheless, a problem!!

Hey lennynyr

"JD, with Henrik, Gomez and Drury, how much $$$ will be available to even consider bringing in Lecav"

did I not just say the same thing?

stop stealing my stuff

lennynyr,

Please tell me how we are "doomed" with Sather at the helm, you just will not answer the question!

It's not just the league but also the media that seemingly has it in for the Rangers. The following is a paragraph from the Associated Press about Orr's hit on Cullen:

"The game took a nasty turn midway through the period when New York's Colton Orr leveled former Ranger Matt Cullen with a forearm/elbow to the face. Cullen appeared to be momentarily unconscious, falling face-first to the ice while Carolina's Mike Commodore challenged and fought Orr."

http://www.nj.com/sportsflash/rangers/index.ssf?/base/sports-6/119872376045240.xml&storylist=nj_rangers

The AP did not even both to report that Orr was sent off for Interference, not elbowing, charging or roughing. The Bergen Record also showed a picture of Orr bleeding and insinuated it was the result of the subsequent fight with Commodor when it was almost certainly the result of the collision with Cullen.

The officiating in the NHL is becoming as bad as it is in the NBA and NFL. The call on Orr was no more than a knee-jerk reaction to what looked far worse than it actually was. It's bad enough the hit was ruled a penalty, if a fine or suspension is levied they may as well take checking out of the game entirely.

I still would like to know how Commodore didn't get an instigator penalty for starting a fight with a bleeding Colton Orr last night.

Stick Check,
He didn't get one because until they saw the replay everyone thought Orr had intent to injure Cullen. The play at full speed looks like as dirty a play as you can get but in reality when you slow it down it turns out to just be a collision. If Orr wanted to he could have made that hit far, far worse than it was. If this really was a dirty play it would still be in the sports news and it's not. Orr would be suspended probably for close to 20 games and the Canes would be crying their eyes out on ESPN. Commodore didn't get the call because initially everyone thought it was a cheap shot by Orr when it wasn't...

Also, I see there is starting to be discussion about getting a big hard nosed defenseman to stop players from carrying the puck in the slot, or parking themselves in front of Lundqvist. I'VE BEEN SAYING THAT SINCE MID JUNE AND YOU ALL HAVE BEEN DISMISSING IT SINCE JUNE.

On the trading Dubinsky discussion. Theres a lot to look at here. Maybe he's trade fodder, maybe he's not. If I was going to trade him I would hold him a little bit longer. Try to get his muscle weight up. Let him get a little tougher and nastier. His trade value will be greater. He's got the guts but doesn't have the bulk and toughness to back it up yet but those are two things that can be developed. If you're not going trade him the potential is there to have an Adam Graves type player, but the big question is can he be as effective as 09? Can he get a 50 goal season? Can he be strong enough on the puck to single handedly forecheck away 30-40 seconds of a PK against 3-4 guys? If you are to trade him you have to sell the fact that he WILL do these things, if you're not going to trade him they are the things you want him to do. It may be easier to sell them than get him to do them.

Long year at Nassau Mausoleum....Picked to finish last and set no lights on fire with their 50 million spent on garbage.

Wow....This organization is as sad as its owner!