Battle Of Hudson covers the Rangers and Devils, who's intense rivalry heated up in the 90's. With fresh faces added, they battle for supremacy in NYC and NJ..
The story coming out of the Devils first preseason victory wasn’t about the hockey played at Newark. But rather, the naughty video the Devils Twitter account aired in reference to the Islanders who relocated from Nassau Coliseum to Brooklyn for the upcoming season.
For most hockey observers, it was a indirect blow to Islander fans. Even with their team still in the metropolitan area, the once proud franchise that won four straight Stanley Cups now will play its home games at Barclays Center. Not every Islander supporter loves the idea of taking Long Island Rail Road to games like some of their favorite players.
When the ’15-16 season starts, it’ll be bittersweet. It’s just odd that the Devils decided to tweak the Islander fan. No longer run by old school executive Lou Lamoriello, the new management has decided to go completely in the opposite direction. What we got was a poor attempt at humor that didn’t go over well with everyone on social media.
While I did laugh at the ‘reporter’ part, it was definitely below the belt. Which brings to mind what exactly do the Devils have in store for us. These aren’t Uncle Lou’s Devils anymore.
Following their third exhibition game, the Rangers made five more cuts. Brett Bellemore, Marek Hrivik, Tommy Hughes, Jeff Malcolm and Adam Tambellini were assigned to Hartford.
That trims the training camp roster down to 34. Nineteen forwards, twelve defensemen and three goalies remain. Here is the breakdown:
FORWARDS: Luke Adam, Ryan Bourque, Derick Brassard, Emerson Etem, Jesper Fast, Brian Gibbons, Tanner Glass, Kevin Hayes, Chris Kreider, Oscar Lindberg, Matt Lindblad, Jayson Megna, J.T. Miller, Dominic Moore, Rick Nash, Viktor Stalberg, Derek Stepan, Jarret Stoll, Mats Zuccarello
DEFENSEMEN: Mat Bodie, Dan Boyle, Raphael Diaz, Dan Girardi, Ryan Graves, Kevin Klein, Ryan McDonagh, Dylan McIlrath, Brady Skjei, Marc Staal, Chris Summers, Keith Yandle
GOALIES: Magnus Hellberg, Henrik Lundqvist, Antti Raanta
Eventually, they’ll get down to 22 or 23. Zuccarello made his preseason debut Thursday night scoring a power play goal while playing with Brassard and Nash. The trio had great chemistry last season. Gotta figure they’ll be together again barring something unforeseen.
Lundqvist also debuted allowing just a goal on 22 shots before Malcolm replaced him. The Bruins came back from a 3-1 deficit posting a 4-3 win in a shootout. Overtime again was 3-on-3 but with a wrinkle due to penalties. Both teams had 4-on-3 power plays. Neither scored. Malcolm made a big save in the waning seconds and got help from a diving Bourque.
The skill competition was entertaining. After a save from Malcolm, Boyle forced extras with a forehand tuck. But Brad Marchand scored the winner for the B’s.
Among the standouts was Skjei. He scored a goal and assisted on another. The 21-year old defenseman has been noticeable throughout camp. It would be nice to see him make the roster. But with the top six set and Diaz signed as the extra, he’s probably better served starting the season with the Wolf Pack where he can develop properly.
What about McIlrath? Is there a place for him on the roster? He doesn’t have much more to prove at Hartford and can be claimed on waivers. We’ll have to wait and see.
In their second preseason game, the Rangers lost to the Flyers 5-3. The story was the play of Mat Bodie and Oscar Lindberg. Bodie tallied twice and Lindberg had a goal and an assist. While Lindberg solidified his chances with a second straight good night, Bodie opened some eyes.
“I remember him a little bit from last year and there’s no doubt there’s progression on his part,” Alain Vigneault said of the young defenseman in a article that appeared on the Rangers site written by Jim Cerny. “He’s got a real good stick and knows how to use it defensively, and when he’s got the puck on his stick most of the time he makes the right play with the puck. He had a string game tonight. He’s gonna deserve another look.”
Signed out of Union College as a college free agent last year, Bodie had a good first pro season with Hartford putting up five goals and 27 assists for 32 points in 75 contests. He added three goals and four helpers in the AHL playoffs.
The 25-year old from East St. Paul, Manitoba is listed at 6-0 175 pounds. Not the biggest defenseman, he makes up for it with good speed. A fast skater, Bodie would be a good fit in Vigneault’s system. The only problem is there’s a logjam on the blueline. None of the starting six are going anywhere and vet Raphael Diaz was brought in to be the seventh defenseman. Bodie also is competing against Brady Skjei and Dylan McIlrath. Both have an inside track to the eighth defenseman if Vigneault so chooses to keep eight on the roster.
There wasn’t much else positive to take away from the game. The Rangers again took too many penalties and allowed three power play goals. An identical amount as they had Monday against New Jersey. Vigneault said he wasn’t concerned due to most of his penalty killers not being available. I’m sure it’ll get corrected as they make cuts. The first round was announced today with no surprises. Six players were assigned to their junior teams including Brandon Halverson and Ryan Gropp. Twelve players were assigned to the Wolf Pack training camp including Mackenzie Skapski and Calle Andersson.
In his first appearance as a Blueshirt, Emerson Etem struggled. His turnover led to a Flyers goal. Diaz also had a rough night taking three penalties and caught out of position on a couple of goals.
Following regulation, they held a five-minute overtime featuring 3-on-3. The Rangers had a 4-on-3 power play with Kevin Hayes playing the point. He played with J.T. Miller during the game. Despite some looks, no one scored.
The Rangers visit the Bruins tomorrow. Henrik Lundqvist will finally get a start.
They played a preseason game over at 33rd and 7th. The Rangers defeated the Devils 6-3 in the first exhibition for the Garden hosts.
It was the Devils’ second game in two nights. They also lost to the Bruins Sunday night 2-0. At least in this one they scored doing so with three goals coming all on the power play. The goals came off the sticks of Jordin Tootoo, Mike Sislo and Adam Larsson.
For the Blueshirts, the goalscorers were Brian Gibbons, Jayson Megna(2), Chris Kreider, Viktor Stalberg and Oscar Lindberg. They jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead with Gibbons tallying 21 seconds in and Megna snapping one past Devils starter Cory Schneider a few minutes later. Schneider played the first half before giving way to Yann Danis, who allowed three goals including Kreider’s twisted wrister from the right circle top that put the Rangers back up 3-2.
Stalberg followed 1:12 later when he beat Danis from a bad angle. He used his speed to go around the Devils defense and surprised Danis making it a two-goal lead. Lindberg increased the lead to 4-2 when he got to the carom of a Ryan Bourque wide shot and fired off a Devil defenseman for a seeing eye goal. Brady Skjei made a great defensive play using his stick to break up a Devil chance. He calmly poked the puck away which sent Bourque in. He fired off the goalpost and Lindberg got the rebound and finished.
Most impressive were Megna and Gibbons in their Broadway debuts. Brought in as free agents from the Penguins, each impressed finding early chemistry. On the Rangers’ final tally- a 5-on-3 goal- Gibbons coolly dished across for Megna who fired past Danis in the last minute for his second marker. Neither is expected to make the roster. But they each demonstrated speed and skill which had to please the coaching staff.
Lindberg played on a checking line with Bourque and Jesper Fast. They were effective on the forecheck throughout. Antti Raanta and Magnus Hellberg split duty in net with each faring okay. Raanta had 11 saves and Hellberg made 12.
Dylan McIlrath also dressed. He drew a penalty late on Tootoo which led to Megna’s second tally. But the big defenseman also got nabbed for an illegal check to the head which led to the Devils’ first power play goal. Those are the kind he must stay away from.
For the Devils, Larsson played a lot with Andy Greene which should make up their top pair. They killed penalties together. Marc-Andre Gragnani helped set up Sislo’s goal teaming up with Greene to set up his bank shot off a Ranger skate.
Tyler Kennedy made a nice feed in front for Tootoo’s PPG. The gritty veteran forward is on a PTO. He helped his chances. Former Ranger John Moore also got credit for a secondary assist.
The Rangers play the Flyers tomorrow on MSG. It’ll again be Raanta and Hellberg in net.
Somewhat astonishingly, hockey returns to the metropolitan area tomorrow. In fact, the Devils are playing a preseason game at the Bruins right now. The Rangers return to the scene of the crime of last Spring’s awful conclusion. They will host the rebuilding Devils in a exhibition Monday night at the Garden on MSG.
Alain Vigneault revealed the roster for the first preseason game. Per Andrew Gross on Twitter, here are the Rangers forwards and defensemen:
Rangers Fs tomorrow: Gibbons, Glass, Adam Fast Kreider Stepan Megna Lindberg Stalberg Moore Bourque Hrivik
Vigneault said that Antti Raanta and Magnus Hellberg will split duty for the first two exhibitions. Henrik Lundqvist will get a start at Boston Thursday. The third-year Rangers coach plans cuts after the first two games. Interestingly, the Rangers will hold out Mats Zuccarello until the third game so he gets more practices in.
One of the camp invites is former Islanders 2010 third round pick Kirill Kabanov. After spending the past two years in the Swedish Hockey League, he’ll try to make the roster. It’s highly unlikely considering the Rangers’ improved depth with additions Jarrett Stoll and Viktor Stalberg. It would be nice to see Ryan Bourque play his way on. But Oscar Lindberg is the favorite. And what of Dylan McIlrath? Can he stick? The Rangers went out and added Raphael Diaz to be the seventh defenseman. Is AV serious about having eight D? Only time will tell.
On Thursday, hockey training camps finally opened. The Rangers returned to their practice facility in Greenburgh for the official start of camp. Players had been doing skating prior. With workouts finally underway along with scrimmages, Rangers coach Alain Vigneault has turned his attention to winning the Stanley Cup in his third season. His new motto is Failure is Not an Option.
“With the salary cap, there’s spots available, ice times available and roles available. And we’re hoping some of the guys are gonna come in and find a way to contribute a little more than they have in the past.” Vigneault told a group of reporters at his opening press conference Thursday.
“And if you look at the youth we have with this group and rightfully so, I think we should expect more from certain guys and without naming names, it’s normal to expect more from Kreisy, Hayesy, Brass, Steps, etc. … I believe that training camp is gonna unfold and players are gonna make those decisions for us.”
Obviously, Vigneault is referring to Chris Kreider, Kevin Hayes, Derick Brassard and Derek Stepan. In order for the team to be successful, Kreider and Hayes must continue to improve. Ditto for J.T. Miller and Jesper Fast, who were key contributors last Spring. From a Rangers perspective, it’ll be intriguing to see what strides the younger players can make. With the departures of Martin St. Louis (retirement) and Carl Hagelin (traded to Ducks), it puts more emphasis on the kids stepping up. Here are a few questions entering the season:
Chris Kreider jumps into the arms of Derek Stepan and teammates after scoring a clutch tying goal with 1:41 left in Game 5. The Rangers stayed alive with Ryan McDonagh providing the overtime winner with Kreider screening in front. AP Photo by Julie Jacobson/Getty Images
1.Is this the year Kreider breaks out? In Year 2, the physically gifted 24-year old former ’09 first round pick improved to a career best 21 goals, 25 assists, 46 points and 88 penalty minutes with a plus-24 rating in 80 games. Playing mostly with former Team USA World Junior Championship linemate Stepan, Kreider continued to develop becoming one of the game’s better young power forwards. In the postseason, he scored seven times with two helpers. A rare player who combines size, strength, speed and skill, the potential is there to score 30 goals and hit the 60-point mark.
Purple Hayes: Rookie Kevin Hayes celebrates his first career playoff goal. He scored the OT winner at 3:14 to send the Rangers to a 2-1 Game 4 win over the Penguins. AP Photo by Gene J. Puskar/Getty Images
2.Should Hayes stay at center or wing? In his rookie season, the 23-year old former Boston College standout impressed the coaching staff who used him almost exclusively to center the third line. Hayes showed rapid improvement in the second half with 28 of his 45 points (17-28-45) coming from February thru April (35 games). His first playoffs was inconsistent finishing with two goals and five assists. If Vigneault tries him on the wing to replace St. Louis’ scoring, that probably leaves Miller to center the third line. Having Hayes stay in the middle makes them a deeper team.
Miller Time: J.T. Miller finishes off a goal in the Rangers 5-1 win over the Canucks. AP Photo by Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press
3.What is Miller’s role? Last year, Vigneault bounced the former 2011 first round pick around using him everywhere. Following a stint in Hartford, Miller finally stuck going from a supporting role to playing on the second line with Stepan and Kreider. The All-American trio had good chemistry with Miller fitting in as a complementary two-way forward with edge. When he wasn’t on the wing, he also took faceoffs (93-and-112). Much depends on what Vigneault does with Hayes.
4.How much should be expected of Emerson Etem? In the trade of Hagelin to Anaheim, the key player they got back was the 23-year old Etem. A former Ducks 2010 first round pick, he still hasn’t become the player most expected totaling 15 goals and 31 points in 112 games. Last postseason, he scored three times in a dozen games. Etem brings size going 6-1, 206 pounds. Can he replace the speedy Hagelin who was counted on for secondary scoring and a key penalty killer? Let’s see how he does in preseason.
5.What kind of roles will Jarrett Stoll and Viktor Stalberg have? Both Stoll and Stalberg are vets who come over from the West coast. Of course, one has baggage with the 33-year old Stoll having been caught with cocaine possession at a Las Vegas resort. The charge was reduced to a misdemeanor. A former King who was part of two Stanley Cup winners, he’s a right-handed center who can win draws. Not unlike Dominic Moore, Stoll is a solid depth player who gets his nose dirty. Are he and Moore both on the fourth line? What about the 29-year old Stalberg who once was part of the 2013 Blackhawks Cup? Injuries limited him to 25 games with Nashville last year. If the idea is to have him play on the third line, I’m not sure it’s realistic. I believe he’s better served as a fourth line energy guy replacing Tanner Glass. I prefer Fast on the third line following a solid postseason.
Zucc Celebrates: Mats Zuccarello is congratulated by Ryan McDonagh and Chris Kreider after his goal. AP Photo by Bill Kostroun/Getty Images
6.Will Mats Zuccarello be the same player? When he went down in Game 5 of the first round, it wasn’t even certain the 28-year old Zuccarello would return. Little did we know how seriously hurt he was. It was later revealed that Zucc suffered a brain contusion and skull fracture. At one point, he even lost his ability to speak before being retaught from a speech therapist. Very scary. Fortunately, Zuccarello is back without any restrictions. A very skilled player with tremendous heart, will he still play the same hard nosed style that made him one of the team’s most valuable forwards? In Year 1 of a four-year contract that pays him $4.5 million per season, the Rangers hope so.
Keith Yandle celebrates his goal that made it 3-1 late in the second with Rick Nash and Kevin Klein. AP Photo by Chris O’Meara/Getty Images
7.How will Keith Yandle perform in a contract year? When former Rangers architect Glen Sather rolled the dice on Yandle at the trade deadline, he gave up top prospect Anthony Duclair and threw away more draft picks all in an attempt to win now. Ironically, Yandle finished with the exact same output (2-9-11) in the playoffs as he did in the final 21 regular season games as a Blueshirt. He was their best defenseman against the Lightning tallying seven of his 11 points in the Eastern Conference Final. The risk is he just turned 29 and is in the final year of a contract that pays him $5.75 million. The Coyotes pick up half the tab. With the Rangers locked in long-term with Dan Girardi, Marc Staal and Ryan McDonagh, there’s a very good chance they’re gonna lose Yandle next summer.
Cam Talbot acknowledges the home crowd after being selected 1st star during his shutout of the Canes. AP Photo by John Minchillo/Getty Images
8.How much if any will the Rangers miss Cam Talbot? When Henrik Lundqvist went down last January, the club had a great reliever in Talbot. All the popular backup did was win helping lead the team to the league’s best record. He won 21 games and posted five shutouts with a 2.21 goals-against-average and .926 save percentage. That kind of performance boosted his value allowing the Blueshirts to trade him to the Oilers at the 2015 Draft. Replacing him won’t be easy. Former Hawks backup Antti Raanta has been given the task. Despite posting a 1.89 GAA and .936 save percentage with seven wins, he lost the job to Scott Darling. Now, he comes in on a one-year deal with Magnus Hellberg likely the Hartford starter until Mackenzie Skapski is ready. That could translate to more starts for Lundqvist which means he must stay healthy.
Happy Hags: Overtime hero Carl Hagelin celebrates his series clinching goal that eliminated the Penguins in Game 5. The former Blueshirt is now a Duck. AP Photo by Julie Jacobson/Getty Images
9.How much will they miss St. Louis and Hagelin? It depends largely on Hayes, Miller and Fast with help coming from Etem and Stalberg. Even with his struggles at the end, St. Louis had 52 points (21-31-52). His leadership was unquestioned. What he accomplished in 2014 shouldn’t be forgotten. But Slats gave up an awful lot. As for Hagelin, they will miss his speed and forechecking ability. He is a solid possession player who creates shorthanded chances. The 17-18-35 in all 82 aren’t easily replaced. Maybe a Miller settles into that role. I’d love to see Fast become that player but am not sure of his offensive upside.
Finally, Rick Nash celebrates his first goal of the series with teammate Derick Brassard. Game 7 is Wednesday at MSG. AP Photo by Alex Brandon/Getty Images
10.Can a Rick Nash led team win the Stanley Cup? Make no mistake about it. The 31-year old Nash had his best overall season scoring 40-or-more goals for the third time in his career with a career high 42 to go with 27 assists for a team-leading 69 points in 79 contests. He also posted a career best plus-29 rating becoming a two-way threat with a team-leading four shorthanded goals. The Big Easy followed that up with a solid postseason tallying five goals and nine helpers for 14 points ranking second behind Brassard (16). That included a playoff career high four points (1-3-4) in the Rangers’ Game 6 win at Tampa. However, like many teammates he was a no show in a disappointing Game 7. Unquestionably, Nash is the Rangers’ best offensive player. In three postseasons, he’s totaled nine goals and 20 assists for 29 points in 56 games. Last Spring was an improvement. Can he build upon it and lead this team to a Cup in a improved East?
Close Call: The Pens nearly tie it but Marc Staal denies the opportunity in front of Henrik Lundqvist who made the big save on Evgeni Malkin in the second period. AP Photo by Frank Franklin II/Getty Images
11.How much do Girardi and Staal have left? Both are key veteran leaders on the blueline who make up half the top four. Each are in long-term deals which pay them a combined 11.2 million on the cap. Both have showed signs of slowing down. Neither is a great skater or big offensive contributor which Vigneault covets. Both help the team in other ways by doing the gritty defensive stuff that doesn’t show up on the stat sheet. Danny G and Staal always give 100 percent and each played hurt last postseason yet are still heavily critiqued. Both are warriors who need to win now. The window is closing. Ditto on Dan Boyle, who could retire after the season.
12.Will the power play ever live up to expectations? The power play has been a sore spot for Garden Faithful since Neil Smith traded away Sergei Zubov. Perhaps with a full year of Yandle and Boyle, it’ll finally translate to a more consistent level.
13.Which of these three prospects will become a regular?
14.If push comes to shove, will Vigneault adjust his strategy to win in the postseason? He’s come close twice losing in the Stanley Cup Final with the Canucks and Rangers. Last year still stings. The Rangers were shutout on home ice in Games 5 and 7 costing them a chance at playing for Lord Stanley. That’s unacceptable. AV was outcoached by nauseating Bolts coach Jon Cooper. About as loathsome a coach in sports. That one still hurts.
In a move to aid their power play, the Islanders signed veteran defenseman Marek Zidlicky to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million. The 38-year old Czech totaled 34 points with the Devils and Red Wings last season. After tallying 23 with the Devils, he went 3-8-11 in Detroit. In six postseason contests, he went without a point and remained unsigned.
By adding Zidlicky to a strong blueline featuring Johnny Boychuk, Travis Hamonic, Nick Leddy and Calvin de Haan, Islanders GM Garth Snow has put together a roster that should compete in its first year in Brooklyn. With the defense also including Thomas Hickey and Brian Strait, Zidlicky won’t have to play every night. He can be used as a power play specialist. The right-handed defenseman possesses a strong accurate shot. For his career, he’s scored 85 goals with 316 assists for 401 points in 783 games.
Originally a Rangers sixth round pick in ’01, Zidlicky has played for the Predators, Wild, Devils and Red Wings. He’ll join his fifth team in what could be his final year.
Brock Nelson celebrates his game-winner with Michael Grabner in the Islanders’ 4-3 win over the Predators AP Photo by Mark Humphrey/Getty Images
It’s been a busy 24 hours for the Islanders. A day before training camp opened, they re-signed center Brock Nelson to a three-year deal worth $7.5 million. Nelson will earn $1.5 million in ’15-16, $2.5 million in ’16-17 and $3.5 million in ’17-18. With him back in the fold, we’ll see if he can build upon a 20-goal, 22 assist career season.
The 24-year old Beck had eight goals and eight assists with the Predators last season. The Leafs acquired him on July 12 for Jamie Devane. Beck is on a one-year deal worth $875,000. Gibson is a 22-year old goalie prospect who won 24 games and posted a 2.42 goals-against average with the Toronto Marlies in the AHL. Finn is a 21-year old defenseman who split time in the AHL and ECHL. Nilsson is also a defenseman who came over from Frolunda last year and tallied five points (1-4-5) for the Marlies. Verhaeghe is a former Leafs 2013 third round pick who put up 33 goals and 82 points with the Niagara IceDogs of the OHL. He’s only 20 and would seem to have the most upside.
In five seasons with the Islanders, Grabner totaled 90 goals and 54 assists for 144 points in 297 games. Most of the scoring came in his first two years with Grabner tallying 34 goals in ’10-11 and 20 in ’11-12. Eventually, he fell into a checking role under coach Jack Capuano. Sports hernia surgery prevented him from playing the first two months last season. He only got into 34 games finishing with eight goals and five helpers. Grabner had one assist in two postseason contests against the Capitals.
The 27-year old forward was the odd man out with a cap hit of $3 million. He’s owed $5 million in his final year and will turn unrestricted next summer. The rebuilding Leafs were willing to take a chance on him. Grabner possesses great speed and is a good defensive forward who is an asset on the penalty kill with his game breaking speed generating shorthanded chances. If he finished with any consistency, he could get back to being a 25-30 goalscorer. It won’t be in Brooklyn.
After dealing away Grabner, the Isles officially signed ex-Devil Steve Bernier to a one-year $750,000 contract. The 30-year old is coming off a good season in which he tallied 16 goals and 16 assists. He should be a good fit under Capuano, who likes energy.
Ray Shero spent yesterday finalizing the Devils’ camp roster (pic: Hockeynews.com)
On the eve of camp, Devils GM Ray Shero was busy, first inking former Cane Jiri Tlusty to a one-year $800k one-way deal. Tlusty had reportedly five offers for tryout invites to camp (including one from us) but held out for a contract, and with camp beginning today the Devils stepped up and inked the 27-year old Czech winger at a bargain price. A one-time Leafs first-round pick, Tlusty had his best years in Carolina, including the lockout season of 2013 where he put up 23 goals and 38 points in 48 games. Tlusty hasn’t had as good production the last two years but still has twenty-goal talent and that output’s sorely needed on this Devils team. Perhaps Tlusty can also follow in the footsteps of recent Czech imports like Marek Zidlicky and Jaromir Jagr and get a fresh lease on life here. Even with all of the Devils’ recent change, Czech standard bearer Patrik Elias is still around.
Shero also inked a couple of intriguing PTO’s, inviting winger Lee Stempniak and center Tyler Kennedy to camp. Stempniak can compete for a job at RW, where our depth chart is currently Kyle Palmeri and a bunch of question marks. Although he started last season with the Rangers, he was traded to Winnipeg where he made a bigger impact in their playoff push, putting up six goals and ten points in eighteen games there and scoring the Jets’ first playoff goal in nearly two decades. Previously Stempniak finished the 2013-14 season in Pittsburgh and had a strong stretch drive there as well when Shero was the GM. Although another lifetime ago Stempniak actually had a 27-goal season with the Blues, he’s clearly just a role player at this point. Kennedy also played under Shero in Pittsburgh for six seasons and had some solid years there, including a 21-goal 45-point season in 2010-11, but his production’s fallen off significantly since the lockout.
Brock Nelson is congratulated by teammates including Calvin de Haan for his goal. Getty Images/Frank Franklin II
The Islanders and Brock Nelson remain ‘far apart’ according to TSN insider Bob McKenzie. In his second year, the 23-year old forward set career bests in goals (20), assists (22) and points (42) while playing all 82 games. In their first round series loss to the Caps, he tallied twice in six contests.
It’s interesting to note that the Islanders are giving Nelson until Thursday when camp opens to re-sign. McKenzie tweeted that if he’s not signed in two days, he won’t play this season. Under the CBA, the deadline to re-sign a restricted free agent is Dec. 1. However, team owner Charles Wang has imposed a rule that requires Nelson to be signed at the start of camp.
According to NYI club rules, per owner Charles Wang, if Nelson not signed by camp opening on Thurs, he's not eligible to play this season.
Earlier, McKenzie tweeted that the club made Nelson a bridge offer. His cap hit was $2.825 million in ’14-15 with a salary of $900,000. Considering that he’s only played two seasons, it doesn’t make sense for him to hold out. He’s getting bad advice from his agent.
The Isles boast plenty of depth up front. They are dealing from a position of strength. If Nelson doesn’t re-sign, does GM Garth Snow shop him? We’ll have to wait and see.
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