The NHL regular-season schedule traditionally is released the day after MLB's All-Star Game. We'll provide highlights and dates to circle for the upcoming season when we get 'em. Opening night at the Garden is expected to be Oct. 10, after the Rangers return from the opening two games against Tampa in Prague on Oct. 4 and 5. Remember,
Rangers and divisional opponents will play six, not eight times. All-Star Game in Montreal was announced yesterday; Wrigley Field outdoor game on Jan. 1 should be official today or tomorrow as well.
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Forward Freddie Sjostrom's qualifying offer was extended past yesterday's 5 p.m. deadline to Aug. 4. "We're still negotiating," Sjostrom said in an email late yesterday. No word from Nigel Dawes, but I believe his offer was extended as well.
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In New York, Shea and Yankee stadiums have a date with the wrecking ball next year. Turns out that so does the Spectrum in Philly, the scene of numerous NHL bloodbaths on Broad Street, according to local news reports. Kate Smith may be tossing in her grave.
Comments (9)
I want Dawes and Sjostrom back - I'm hoping they work this BS out.
Thanks for the update Steve :)
you got to figure Sundin is somehow a factor in all this negotiating and extending with Dawes and Sjostrom.
what is the effect of extending (or not)? what does this mean regarding Greg Moore and Huge Speciman?
This Sundin issue has me scratching my head...what exactly is going on is beyond me. With players like Zetterburg available next year, I wonder if it's best we don't go after Sundin?.....we'll need plenty of cap room for the fabulous and talented UFA's next year so Sather has to remember that as I ma sure he has. I like Dawes but am not convinced he's going to be a 20-30 goal scorer. I'd give him this season to determine this....gotta sign Sjostrom, as I feel he will blossom here. I also, as I have said many times, hope Sather finds us a bruising D man...we need that more than Sundin I can tell you that!
This Sundin issue has me scratching my head...what exactly is going on is beyond me. With players like Zetterburg available next year, I wonder if it's best we don't go after Sundin?.....we'll need plenty of cap room for the fabulous and talented UFA's next year so Sather has to remember that as I ma sure he has. I like Dawes but am not convinced he's going to be a 20-30 goal scorer. I'd give him this season to determine this....gotta sign Sjostrom, as I feel he will blossom here. I also, as I have said many times, hope Sather finds us a bruising D man...we need that more than Sundin I can tell you that!
I just don't see Sundin coming to NY. I also don't see the point. The Rangers need some wingers. If Prucha could add about 10 pounds of muscle, that would be a big step in the right direction. As for waiting for next years UFAs...you can't guarantee any of them will be available. If Gaborik is available, heck yeah you get him. How many other teams will be gunning for him? I would assume tons!!!
If they wreck the Spectrum in Philly, where will the Phantoms play?
@ pribs - the spectrum is being demolished next year - the phantoms will play there this season. after that, apparently the owners are looking into other options. which ones they might be, i'm not sure.
back to the rangers. i'm against signing sundin. the team has done enough to go against the supposed youth movement by signing redden and naslund (imho, two players that are past their prime). sundin would occupy the same role that jagr did on the rangers - the one guy everyone expects to produce. not re-signing jagr makes me believe that the rangers are no longer interested in having such a player on the roster. add this to the fact that barring an absurd trade, there's no way the blueshirts have the cap room to sign sundin, especially if you think about how much some of the deals he's been offered are worth.
an issue of more concern, i believe, is figuring out who is actually going to make this team. we have ten guys fighting for five forward spots. interesting to see how it will shake out. here's my take on the opening day lineup:
naslund gomez zherdev
prucha drury callahan
dawes dubinsky sjostrom
voros betts fritsche
rozsival redden
staal girardi
mara kalinin
lundqvist
valiquette
thoughts?
Dave, you sounded very intelligent, but then came your lineup which are idiotic.