Rangers 2015-16 schedule released

Posted on June 26, 2015 by Derek
The New York Rangers celebrate their game winning overtime goal against the Washington Capitals in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals during the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs, Wednesday, May 13, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

The New York Rangers celebrate their game winning overtime goal against the Washington Capitals in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals during the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs, Wednesday, May 13, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

On Thursday, the NHL released the full schedule for 2015-16. A day prior to the much anticipated Draft featuring stud prospects Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel as the consensus top two picks to Edmonton and Buffalo, hockey fans still recovering from Stanley Cup hangover finally had something to look forward to.

Even if October is still a long way off, fans could start planning out which games they want to see. For the Rangers, they are one of eight teams in action on Opening Night when they visit the Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks on October 7. In the previous post, we already covered this. After visiting Columbus October 9, the home opener is October 10 in a home-and-home against the Blue Jackets.

Of their 11 games in October, seven are at MSG including a rare 1 PM Sunday matinee against the Devils on October 18. In case you’re wondering, that start time coincides with the Jets hosting the Redskins. I venture to guess Hasan won’t be too pleased with this. The Giants play Monday night in Philadelphia. Five of the Blueshirts’ last six are at home with the Sharks, Coyotes, Flames and Leafs all visiting.

Eight of their 14 games in November are at MSG highlighted by the Capitals on 11/3 and the Canadiens on Turkey Eve, 11/25. Prior to that tilt, they’ll visit the Lightning on November 19 followed by the Panthers. On Black Friday, they’re at the Bruins for a special 1 PM tilt and conclude the month with home dates against the Flyers and Hurricanes.

To start the month of December, the Blueshirts finally get their first look at the Brooklyn Islanders at Barclays Center on 12/2. It’ll indeed be odd. I’m still not used to it and might never be. The Isles belong on Long Island. Unfortunate that cold politicians forced them odd. Following a pair of home games against Colorado and Ottawa, the Rangers embark on a three-game Western Canadian trip with stops in Vancouver 12/9, Edmonton 12/11 and Calgary 12/12. Oddly, Garden fans should set aside December 15 because Connor McDavid and the Oilers make the return trip to the Garden. Before the holidays, the Caps revisit the scene of their gut wrenching second round loss on Sunday 12/20. At least that one doesn’t start till 7 PM with the Giants hosting Carolina at 1 PM. The Jets are at Dallas Saturday night. So no football conflict. They conclude the month at Nashville and Tampa. Two good tests.

In the new calendar year, January is a short month with only 11 games. Outside of a three-game homestand between 1/5-11 against the Stars, Caps and Bruins, the Blueshirts will be away for seven of the 11 including a second visit to Brooklyn January 14 followed by a back-to-back at the Caps and Flyers 1/16-17. The final game prior to the All-Star break is home for the Sabres January 25. Hopefully, Jack Eichel will be in town. Might Cam Talbot join him? We’re still waiting to learn where he’ll wind up this weekend with Edmonton, Buffalo, Calgary, San Jose and Florida all interested.

In February, they play 14 times with plenty of good games at home and on the road. If you love rivalries, the Devils host them on 2/2 and then visit MSG 2/8. The Rangers will also see the Flyers 2/6 and visit Sidney Crosby and the Pens 2/10. A three-game homestand follows with the Kings and Hawks in town sandwiched around the Flyers. The Red Wings also visit 2/21 before the Rangers once again go to Newark for their third match of the month against the Devils on 2/23. They then have two tough Central match-ups at St. Louis and Dallas before concluding at home against Columbus on Leap Day 2/29.

For March, rivalry games are again in play with a tough back-to-back 3/3-4 at Pittsburgh and Washington. John Tavares and the Islanders invade MSG two days later. Following a Saturday 12:30 matinee against the Pens, they hit the West coast for the Californian trio of Anaheim, Los Angeles and San Jose between 3/16-19. After returning home for the Panthers and Bruins, they visit the Canadiens on 3/26 for Hockey Night In Canada before seeing the Pens once more a day later at MSG. It’s a pretty good chance these games could decide the Metropolitan Division.

After concluding the month at Carolina 3/31, the Blueshirts finish with four of their last five on Garden ice in April with Buffalo, Tampa, the Islanders and Red Wings visiting. The only road game is at Columbus April 4 but is followed by a back-to-back against the Lightning. The Isles visit 4/7 and the Wings are in town 4/9 for the final game of the regular season at 12:30 PM.

Overall, the Rangers have 17 back-to-backs. So, it won’t be as easy to rest Henrik Lundqvist. Especially if the backup isn’t as dependable as Talbot assuming he gets moved. Here are all 17 back-to-backs.

Fri 10/9 @ Blue Jackets

Sat 10/10 vs Blue Jackets

Sun 10/18 vs Devils

Mon 10/19 vs Sharks

Sat 10/24 @ Flyers

Sun 10/25 vs Flames

Fri 11/6 @ Avalanche

Sat 11/7 @ Coyotes

Sat 11/14 @ Senators

Sun 11/15 vs Maple Leafs

Fri 11/27 @ Bruins

Sat 11/28 vs Flyers

Wed 12/2 @ Islanders

Thu 12/3 vs Avalanche

Fri 12/11 @ Oilers

Sat 12/12 @ Flames

Thu 12/17 @ Wild

Fri 12/18 @ Jets

Sat 1/16 @ Flyers

Sun 1/17 @ Capitals

Sun 1/24 @ Senators

Mon 1/25 vs Sabres

Wed 2/17 vs Blackhawks

Thu 2/18 @ Maple Leafs

Thu 3/3 @ Penguins

Fri 3/4 @ Capitals

Sat 3/12 @ Red Wings

Sun 3/13 vs Penguins

Wed 3/16 @ Ducks

Thu 3/17 @ Kings

Sat 3/26 @ Canadiens

Sun 3/27 vs Penguins

Mon 4/4 @ Blue Jackets

Tue 4/5 vs Lightning

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Carey Price the big winner in Vegas

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Derek
The Price Is Right: Carey Price poses with the Hart, Vezina and Ted Lindsay Award after taking home a record four awards in Vegas. AP Photo by John Locher/Canadian Press

The Price Is Right: Carey Price poses with the Hart, Vezina and Ted Lindsay Award after taking home a record four awards in Vegas.
AP Photo by John Locher/Canadian Press

As predicted, Carey Price was the big winner at the NHL Awards in Las Vegas. The Canadiens netminder swept the Hart and Vezina taking home the prestigious league MVP and top goalie. He also won the Ted Lindsay Award as voted on by the players for Most Outstanding Player and was the recipient of the Jennings Trophy for fewest goals allowed in the regular season. Price made history becoming the first goalie to sweep all four awards.

He easily outdistanced runner-up Alex Ovechkin for the Hart garnering 139 of 157 first place votes to outpoint Ovechkin 1498 to 888. Islanders center John Tavares was third with 739. Ovechkin received eight first place votes while Devan Dubnyk got six and Tavares had four. Dubnyk came in fourth and Sidney Crosby finished fifth ahead of Ryan Getzlaf and Rick Nash.

In winning the Hart, Price became the first netminder to take home league MVP since Montreal’s Jose Theodore in 2002 when he swept both MVP and Vezina. Price is the seventh goalie to win the Hart joining Theodore, Dominik Hasek, Jacques Plante, Al Rollins, Chuck Raynor and Ray Worters.

Erik Karlsson won his second Norris for league’s best defenseman beating out Drew Doughty and P.K. Subban. Doughty actually received more first place votes (53) to Karlsson’s 44 but the Ottawa blueliner had a combined 15 more votes for second and third to outpoint Doughty 964-889. Subban finished third with 801. Shea Weber, Roman Josi and Mark Giordano rounded out the top six. Duncan Keith was seventh and Kris Letang eighth while Ryan McDonagh finished 11th and Anton Stralman 13th. Curiously, Victor Hedman received no votes.

In a very close vote, Aaron Ekblad edged out Mark Stone and Johnny Gaudreau to win the Calder as the league’s top rookie. The 2014 first overall pick came within two points (39) of Bobby Orr’s old mark for most points (41) by a 18-year old defenseman at the start of a season. The Panthers defenseman finished with 71 first place votes to Stone’s 47 and Gaudreau’s 33. Ekblad received 1147 points while Stone had 1078 and Gaudreau 1026. Filip Forsberg, John Klingberg and Mike Hoffman rounded out the top six with Rangers forward Kevin Hayes finishing seventh and Isles’ rookie Anders Lee was ninth.

Patrice Bergeron took home his third Selke for league’s best defensive forward edging Jonathan Toews 1083 to 1051. His 75 first place votes were 24 more than Toews. Anze Kopitar was a distant third with David Backes a point behind for fourth. Pavel Datsyuk was fifth. Rick Nash finished 16th.

Bob Hartley won the Jack Adams for top coach beating out Alain Vigneault and Peter Laviolette. Hartley won handily with 37 first place votes to Vigneault’s 14 with Laviolette receiving six while Paul Maurice got six to finish fourth. Hartley scored 237 points to Vigneault’s 121. Barry Trotz was sixth and Mike Babcock seventh.

Steve Yzerman took home top General Manager honors outpointing Glen Sather 80-49. Bob Murray was third. Islanders GM Garth Snow finished fifth.

Other awards handed out included Jiri Hudler winning the Lady Byng, Jamie Benn receiving the Art Ross, Ovechkin getting the Maurice Richard, Henrik Zetterberg receiving the King Clancy and Toews presented with the Mark Messier Leadership Award. Dubnyk took home the Bill Masterton Trophy for perseverance edging Andrew Hammond and Kris Letang. Personally, I would’ve given it to Letang for what he overcame. He came back from a stroke and probably would’ve won the Norris if he didn’t get hurt. Brent Burns was presented with the NHL Foundation Player Award for outstanding charitable and community work. Well done.

Here are the All-Star Teams and All-Rookie Teams.

2014-15 1st All-Stars

G Carey Price

D Erik Karlsson

D P.K. Subban

C John Tavares

RW Jakub Voracek

LW Alex Ovechkin

NHL 2nd All-Stars

G Devan Dubnyk

D Drew Doughty

D Shea Weber

C Sidney Crosby

RW Vladimir Tarasenko

LW Jamie Benn

The voting for this is odd. Tyler Johnson had 8 total votes and was ninth at center behind Bergeron, Toews and one-dimensional Tyler Seguin. Rick Nash was third behind Benn on left wing. Justified. Corey Perry was ninth at right wing behind Jiri Hudler, Nick Foligno and Radim Vrbata. Huh? In another oddity, Hedman didn’t get one single vote. But Marc Staal got a vote and so did Tyson Barrie. Are the people that vote blind?

All-Rookie Team

G Jake Allen

D Aaron Ekblad

D John Klingberg

F Filip Forsberg

F Johnny Gaudreau

F Mark Stone

If there were a 2nd All-Rookie Team, it would look like this.

G Andrew Hammond

D Matt Dumba

D Damon Severson

F Mike Hoffman

F Kevin Hayes

F Anders Lee

Honorable Mentions-Evgeny Kuznetsov, Bo Horvat, Riley Sheahan, Andrew Hutchinson, Melker Karlsson, Adam Lowry, Josh Jooris

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Rangers visit Blackhawks on Opening Night

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Derek
Sweet Home Chicago: Hawks captain Jonathan Toews lifts the Stanley Cup following the Blackhawks 2-0 home victory over the Lightning in Game 6 to capture the franchise's third Cup in six years. The first time they clinched on home ice since 1938. AP Photo by Charles Rex Arbogast/Getty Images

Sweet Home Chicago: The Rangers will get an up close look of Jonathan Toews and the Blackhawks celebrating their third Stanley Cup in the 2015-16 season opener on October 7. AP Photo by Charles Rex Arbogast/Getty Images

The Rangers will open the 2015-16 season at Chicago where they’ll take on the Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks on Wednesday October 7. Unfortunately, they’ll get a birds eye view of the Hawks raising their third championship banner in six years.

Eight teams are in action on Opening Night. That includes traditional Canadian Original Six rivals the Canadiens and Maple Leafs clashing at Air Canada Centre. In two other juicy Western rivalry games, the Canucks and Flames renew acquaintances at The Saddledome and the Sharks and Kings exchange pleasantries at Staples Center.

The Rangers will then visit the Blue Jackets Friday October 9 before returning for the home opener Saturday October 10 against those same Jackets. We’ll call the home-and-home series an early test for them against what should be an improved Columbus roster assuming they’re healthy.

While we don’t yet know the full extent of the schedule, we already are aware of four dates with the Blueshirts visiting the Canadiens on October 15 for their home opener at Bell Centre. Those are four good early games.

Meanwhile, the Islanders are set to open at Barclays Center on Friday October 9 against the Blackhawks in Brooklyn. It’ll be their first official home game as the Brooklyn Islanders. That’ll feel odd with the former Long Island franchise relocating to Brooklyn. Also on 10/9, the Devils will host the Winnipeg Jets at Prudential Center for their home opener. They will also be in action on Saturday 10/10 at the Capitals.

The Sabres home opener is Thursday October 8 when they host the Canadian rival Senators. That could be the start of the Jack Eichel era. Buffalo is a day and a half away from making it official by selecting Eichel with the second overall pick in Friday’s Draft. The Boston University standout is expected to go number two following the Oilers selection of top rated Canadian prospect Connor McDavid.

The rest of the schedule will be released later today.

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Rangers fielding offers for Cam Talbot

Posted on June 24, 2015 by Derek
Kiss Cam: Chris Kreider kisses Cam Talbot's helmet following his 28-save performance in the Rangers' 3-1 win that moved them into first. AP Photo by Alex Brandon/Getty Images

Kiss Cam: Chris Kreider kisses Cam Talbot’s helmet following his 28-save performance in the Rangers’ 3-1 win that moved them into first.
AP Photo by Alex Brandon/Getty Images

With the Draft two days away, the Rangers are inching closer to trading Cam Talbot. The popular backup who was largely responsible for the team winning the President’s Trophy is drawing plenty of interest from teams who need a starting goalie. With the soon to be 28-year old signed to a one-year deal worth $1.45 million, he’ll be a bargain before his new team re-signs him.

In two seasons on Broadway, Talbot went 33-15-5 with a 2.00 goals-against-average, .931 save percentage and eight shutouts. That included a 21-9-4 mark with a 2.21 GAA, .926 save percentage and five shutouts in 36 games (34 starts) in ’14-15. After Henrik Lundqvist went down with a sprained blood vessel, he posted a 16-4-3 record with a 2.16 GAA, 929 save percentage and two shutouts in 23 starts. That run vaulted the Blueshirts into first in the Metropolitan Division and helped them gain home ice.

When Talbot first arrived, no one knew what to expect. The former University of Alabama-Huntsville star was signed by the Rangers as a college free agent following ’09-10. He spent over three years in the AHL with the Hartford Wolf Pack. After a strong showing in training camp prior to the start of ’13-14, he was recalled by the Rangers to replace Martin Biron as the backup. Showing great poise and maturity, Talbot went 12-6-1 in his rookie season posting a 1.64 GAA, .941 save percentage and two shutouts. He gained the trust of coach Alain Vigneault even starting three straight in late December 2013 when Lundqvist struggled. 

Talbot even had his own trend on Twitter with Garden faithful referring to him as #InCamWeTrust. His amazing transformation made him a fan favorite. The way he handled himself following games was easy to admire. Fans recognized him by voting Talbot the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award winner for ’14-15. His effort was heroic following Lundqvist’s injury.

For the Rangers, it was a blessing in disguise. After Talbot decided to sign for another year, it allowed them to get him at a cheap price. Once Lundqvist went down, he proved he could be a starter increasing his trade value. With rebuilding teams such as the Oilers and Sabres searching for a number one goalie, Talbot is a hot commodity. Similar to Canucks backup Eddie Lack, a trade makes sense. Especially with the Blueshirts looking to recover draft picks. They still don’t have a number one pick in a deep draft. They reportedly turned down an offer of two second rounders for Talbot. TSN’s Darren Dreger tweeted the latest this morning.

The Rangers would like to have something done by Friday. Chances are it won’t wrap up until the weekend. They have their second round pick which is number 59 overall. With Glen Sather mortgaging the future in win now deals sacrificing first round picks for soon to be departed Martin St. Louis and Keith Yandle who has one year left before turning unrestricted, the organization needs to hit a home run with Talbot.

Wherever he goes, I wish him the very best. He certainly deserves the opportunity to start in the NHL. Hopefully, he finds a new home and succeeds.

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Going from 5-on-5 straight to 3-on-3 overtime absurd

Posted on June 24, 2015 by Derek

I was just browsing when I stumbled upon the general managers new overtime proposal. According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, the plan is to go straight to 3-on-3 for the five-minute overtime.

Apparently, the NHLPA was against imitating the AHL by playing five minutes of 4-on-4 followed by three minutes of 3-on-3. So, this is what you get. They just turned overtime into a circus. How exactly would this apply if there’s a penalty? Is it 3-on-2? What about carry over? Did they even think it through?

The idea of going from 5-on-5 directly to 3-on-3 in overtime is absurd. It basically takes out the competitive portion of the game and turns it into street hockey. What is the point of even having OT? I hate to say it. But the shootout is better than 3-on-3. According to Devils GM Ray Shero, they think this will help decrease shootouts. Eh.

I think I’m gonna not watch overtime. It’s not real hockey. It would be like the NBA turning overtime into a half court 3-on-3. It makes no sense. Only the NHL would think of something that makes the sport even less. They just spat in the face of fans.

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Devils 2015 NHL Draft preview

Posted on June 21, 2015 by hasan4978

New braintrust Ray Shero and John Hynes will take part in their first draft with the Devils this weekend (The Record.com)

It’s the dichotomy of draft day, where teams that made the playoffs generally take a back seat to those that don’t.  While the Rangers and Islanders certainly had local hockey fans’ attention during the postseason, now it’s the Devils and Sabres’ turn in the spotlight as the 2015 NHL Draft is set to begin on Friday.  Even though there’s little suspense around Buffalo’s first pick – likely to be megaprospect Jack Eichel from Boston, the Sabres also have four other picks in the first two rounds of a deep draft, and have been among the teams rumored to be interested in Rangers backup goalie Cam Talbot – who’ll probably be dealt to get the Rangers back a first-rounder since they currently don’t have a selection till #59.  However, with the Rangers’ current lack of a first-rounder and the Isles’ first pick at #72 since they traded away their 1st and 2nd rounders, a lot of the early draft focus will shift toward the Devils as well as Buffalo.

New Jersey has three picks in the first forty-one spots of the draft, including the #6 overall as well as two early second-rounders (#36 and #41).  With a glaring need for scoring help all throughout the organization, it’s nearly certain the Devils will use at least two of the above picks on forwards.  In many ways this draft also marks a changing of the guard as it will be the first for Ray Shero as GM of the Devils.  After Shero and new head coach John Hynes hired assistants Alain Nasreddine and Geoff Ward to round out the staff, now their focus will shift toward drafting and signing players, with free agency also around the corner.  What the Devils do with the #6 overall pick could go a long way toward shaping the next several years.  There are a handful of scenarios that could play out on draft day, and with no prior track record here there’s no telling which way Shero will go.

Will the Devils trade the #6 overall for someone like the Leafs’ Phil Kessel?  It’s not unprecented for the Devils to trade a top ten pick for more immediate help, as the 2013 draft-day trade for Cory Schneider attests to.  However, Schneider solved a specific need, the Devils’ answer to who would succeed Martin Brodeur in net.  All acquiring Kessel will do is give us a winger without a center to feed him, and clog up our cap with a moody player that another rebuilding team can’t wait to rid itself of.  Not to mention the Devils having their worst season in over 25 years suggests they shouldn’t be making win-now trades to begin with.  If they do, it’ll be an ominous sign that Shero’s feeling pressure from new ownership to make a big, immediate splash to try to compete with the perrenial contending Rangers and the up-and-coming Isles.

Assuming the Devils do keep the pick, trading up or trading down is always an option, although trading up is unlikely given the top two picks are set in stone and the next tier of players is said to be three deep between forwards Mitch Marner and Dylan Strome from the OHL, and defenseman Noah Hanifin from Boston College.  Marner is 5’11, 160 pounds and projects as an elite scoring winger, putting up a tidy two points per game during his season with the London Knights this year.  Strome is 6’3, 185 pounds and projects as an elite two-way center, who nearly matched Marner’s production putting up 129 points in 68 games with the Erie Otters.  Hanifin’s a 6’3, 203 pound defenseman that is said to be an elite skater and has long been touted as the top defensive prospect in this year’s draft.  If either forward drops to the Devils it seems like an easy choice, but if Hanifin drops it’ll be a tougher call given the Devils have a ridiculously lopsided prospect pool, already stocked with four young defensemen on the NHL roster with other high picks like Steve Santini and Josh Jacobs not far away.

Plus, if you believe some analysts like TSN’s Craig Button, Hanifin may be overranked and not even the top defensive prospect anymore, as guys like the WHL’s Ivan Provorov (TSN rank: 8) and Michigan’s Zach Werenski (TSN rank: 11) have been creeping up the rankings.  You could certainly make an argument for Provorov, who put up 61 points in 60 games for the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings, while Werenski had a solid first season at Michigan and can create offense with elite passing skills.  And all three are left-handed defensemen where the Devils aren’t quite as stocked as they are with right-handed defensemen – both Santini and Jacobs are righties as well as NHL’ers Adam Larsson and Damon Severson.  On the left side the Devils’ depth is all at the NHL level, and Eric Gelinas actually played better on his off (right) side last year.  Still, given just how bad the Devils are at forward both at the NHL level and the prospect level, and the fact free agency doesn’t offer many appealing answers, the time is now to start restocking the prospect cupboard with forwards.

Even if Marner and Strome don’t drop to the Devils’ spot, there are still several intriguing options on the board up front, such as Czech C/LW Pavel Zacha, currently playing for Sarnia in the OHL.  Zacha is 6’3, 210 pounds and while his size suggests he can be an asset as a center, his skillset of being a pure scorer projects more as a wing.  While Zacha’s listed 6th in TSN’s rankings, he’s one of the most polarizing players with people saying he has the most boom or bust potential among the top forwards.  Another big forward is Lawson Crouse (TSN rank: 7), playing for Kingston in the OHL.  Crouse projects as a good power forward but not a big-time scorer and is probably the least likely of the top-ranked forwards to be drafted by us given that we need to find pure scoring talent with a top six selection.  While Matthew Barzal – ranked #9 at TSN – doesn’t have the size of a Crouse or a Zacha (currently 5’11 and 175 pounds), he projects as a dynamic playmaking center who sometimes won’t shoot to a fault but can potentially be at least a young Scott Gomez-type of a player, and if not for an injury during his WHL season with Seattle some scouts think he might have been included in the second forward tier with Marner and Strome.

Options if we trade back a few spots might include Finnish RW’er Mikko Rantanen – who’s more in the mold of a Crouse-type of a player.  Rantanen may not be an elite scorer but can play a physical, all-around game (already with a 6’4 frame and 211 pounds).  QJMHL right winger Timo Meier can play a power game too with his 6’1, 209 pound frame, but could also have more scoring upside, and put up 44 goals in 61 games for Halifax this season.  American left winger Kyle Connor is also an intriguing prospect who rates above average in just about every skillset, and is the top-ranked player from the USHL.  Connor averaged 30+ goals and 77 points per year in two 56-game seasons with Youngstown.

I’ve probably read more about this year’s draft than I have on any previous year’s draft combined given its importance for our team’s future (and the fact there likely isn’t much in the immediate present to look forward to).  I’d be lying if I said I had any clue whatsoever over who we could draft in the second round or later though.  I wouldn’t even be opposed to taking a defenseman with one of our two early picks in the second round given our recent success with second round defenseman.  However in a draft as deep as this there’s no excuse not to come out of it with at least one high-quality forward prospect at #6 and another one or two guys with upside in the second round.  Even after reading scouting reports and seeing all the hype I still have no clue what I want to happen with the #6 pick other than Marner/Strome dropping, though I’d prefer not to use any assets to trade up to get one.  Maybe a best-case scenario would be trading back a few spots and pick up still another high selection, if possible.  Anything could happen with our second-round picks including either a trade up for someone that falls late into the first round, or trading one of the picks for an NHL player.

Whatever happens, it’ll certainly be intriguing to watch.  Though I probably won’t be able to watch Saturday’s part of the draft (2nd round on) live, I’ll certainly be watching Friday night when the Devils draft.

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NHL Draft June 26-27

Posted on June 19, 2015 by Derek
Jack Eichel and Connor McDavid highlight 2015 CSS Future Watch. thehockeynews.com

Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel headline next week’s NHL Draft.
thehockeynews.com

The NHL Draft is a week away. Set to take place at BB&T Center in Sunrise Florida June 26-27, the league announced the draft order for the big event next weekend. The first round will take place next Friday on NBCSN at 7 PM with Rounds 2-7 Saturday on NHL Network at 10 AM.

Most of the focus centers around top prospects Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel. They’re expected to go 1-2 with the Oilers and Sabres the big winners of last month’s lottery. However, it’s a deep draft that also features Noah Hanifin, Dylan Strome, Mikko Rantanen, Lawson Crouse, Mitch Marner, Pavel Zacha, Ivan Provorov, Oliver Kylington, Gabriel Carlsson and Zachary Werenski.

After Edmonton and Buffalo select, the Coyotes, Maple Leafs, Hurricanes, Devils, Flyers, Blue Jackets, Sharks and Avalanche round out the top 10. They should all wind up with good players. It’ll be interesting to see who the Devils get with the sixth overall pick. Their biggest need is a scoring forward. Depending upon what Arizona, Toronto and Carolina do could help determine who they take. Assuming Strome and top rated defenseman Hanifin are gone, new GM Ray Shero could have a interesting choice between Marner, Zacha and possibly Rantanen or Crouse.

There are some other good D options if they go that route in Werenski, Provorov or Kylington. But the Devils are pretty stacked on the blueline with Adam Larsson and Damon Severson key cornerstones. Jon Merrill and Eric Gelinas are part of the top six with 2013 first round pick Steven Santini close to being ready. New Jersey picks twice in Round 2 at 36 and 41 from Florida.

For the Sabres, they’re expected to select Eichel with the number two overall pick. A potential franchise center, he led Boston University to the championship game of the Frozen Four. The 18-year old won the Hobey Baker Award as a freshman with 26 goals and 45 assists totaling 71 points which led the nation. A superb skater with great finishing ability, Eichel is that classic right-handed center who can score and set up teammates. Think Phil Kessel except with a higher IQ. He still hasn’t decided if he’s going to leave school. Most assume he’ll turn pro which would be great for Buffalo.

The Sabres also have another first round pick from the Islanders for Thomas Vanek. They pick 21st. They’re one of six teams who pick twice in Round 1. The other five are Edmonton, Toronto, Winnipeg, Philadelphia and Arizona. The Oilers own the 16th overall pick from Pittsburgh. However, they’re rumored to be dangling it for Rangers backup Cam Talbot. Talbot has drawn plenty of interest with as many as five teams all looking to upgrade in goal. Would new Edmonton GM Peter Chiarelli really give up a first round pick for Talbot? Granted, the Oilers need a goalie badly. Ben Scrivens is signed one more year and Viktor Fasth is leaving this summer.

Buffalo GM Tim Murray will be quite busy with four picks in the first two rounds. The Sabres pick 31st and 51st from the Islanders in Round 2. Maybe he wheels and deals. The Sabres still need to upgrade in net. Anders Lindback is unrestricted and vet backup Chad Johnson has a year left making $1.6 million. Matt Hackett also is a free agent. Might Murray try to bring Talbot to Western New York? It would make sense. Buffalo has a slew of prospects and picks. Something the Blueshirts are in short supply of.

The Sabres also have plenty of cap space with over $27 million. This year’s free agent class isn’t strong. Next year, Steven Stamkos could be available. Imagine if he decides to leave Tampa due to an already odd relationship with coach Jon Cooper. A 1-2 punch of Stamkos and Eichel would be sick. It’s still a long shot. Anze Kopitar and Jakub Voracek also enter their final years. If the Avalanche are unable to sign Ryan O’Reilly to an extension, he would be high on everyone’s list. The Avs also must lock up Nathan MacKinnon and re-sign Erik Johnson. Either should be available. If Johnson hits the market, he could be joined by Brent Seabrook who enters the final year with the Cup champion Blackhawks due $5 million. Any team would improve their blueline if they land the 30-year old Seabrook.

Carolina has two potential chips in Eric Staal and Cam Ward with both entering their final years. They’re expected to dangle both. Staal still has good value while Ward has been inconsistent since his Conn Smythe. The Sabres lack a number one goalie. They have some options. Talbot, Martin Jones and Robin Lehner could all be available via trade. The Canucks also are looking to move Eddie Lack or Jacob Markstrom. As for other potential big UFA’s in 2016, Mark Giordano, Ryan Kesler and Milan Lucic wrap it up. Giordano should be re-signed by Calgary who boast plenty of room for a player who might’ve won the Norris had he not gotten hurt. Kesler and Lucic are hard nosed forwards who will command big money.

The Rangers don’t have a first round pick until 2018. General manager Glen Sather overpaid for Keith Yandle sending the Coyotes a 2017 first round pick. At least it’s lottery protected. But come on. He throws away first rounders like it’s pre-lockout. A no no in a cap era where it’s harder to keep spare pieces. Yandle has a year left and will likely command between $6-7 million next summer. Given how much Slats has committed, it’s unlikely Yandle will re-sign unless they win a Cup and he takes a discount.

Tampa Bay owns the Rangers’ first round pick in next week’s draft due to the Martin St. Louis trade. After helping the club appear in last year’s Stanley Cup Final, the just turned 40-year old struggled mightily scoring only one goal in the postseason. Both he and the club are moving on. They don’t have room to keep St. Louis. Given the development of J.T. Miller, Kevin Hayes and Jesper Fast, the future Hall Of Famer will sign elsewhere. He wants to stay close to his home in Greenwich, Connecticut. Would the Islanders or Devils be interested? At least the Rangers can breathe a huge sigh of relief with Mats Zuccarello expected to make a full recovery from a brain contusion. Zuccarello is signed to a new four-year contract worth $18 million. Hopefully, he’ll still be a significant player. The Blueshirts have their second round pick which isn’t until number 59. The pick they got from Tampa for St. Louis went to Arizona (number 60) as part of the Yandle deal.

The Islanders don’t have a pick in the first two rounds. The Sabres own both. With basically everyone signed, GM Garth Snow will turn his attention to bumping up key restricted’s Anders Lee and Brock Nelson. Both had good seasons and probably will get bridge deals. Thomas Hickey is also a Group II. The Isles don’t pick until number 72 of the third round. A pick they acquired from Florida. They also have their own pick at 82 assuming Snow doesn’t move up. Captain John Tavares is signed another three years earning $18 million with a cap hit of $5.5 million through 2018. Kyle Okposo enters the final year of a contract that pays him $4.5 million. With Snow having locked up Johnny Boychuk and Nick Leddy with Travis Hamonic, there’ll be plenty of focus on Okposo, who can become unrestricted in 2016. They can’t let him hit the market.

Phil Kessel

Kessel On Move? Not only will the stars of tomorrow be on display next weekend. So will trade speculation with Phil Kessel expected to get moved by the Leafs. The 27-year old American sniper still has five years remaining and is owed $42 million including $10 million in ’15-16. His cap hit is $8 million. He is coming off a bad year where he only scored 25 goals and was a minus-34 in 82 games. Kessel had 61 points. His lowest total since ’09-10 when he had 55 with Toronto in his first year after being traded from Boston.

He still got 30 goals in 70 games. He’s scored 30-goals or more five times and hasn’t missed a game the past five seasons. If fully motivated, there’s no reason he can’t become a 40-goal scorer capable of 90 points. Who ever gets Kessel takes a risk. It could either be a home run or strikeout.

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Sweet Home Chicago: Blackhawks Win Stanley Cup

Posted on June 16, 2015 by Derek
Sweet Home Chicago: Hawks captain Jonathan Toews lifts the Stanley Cup following the Blackhawks 2-0 home victory over the Lightning in Game 6 to capture the franchise's third Cup in six years. The first time they clinched on home ice since 1938. AP Photo by Charles Rex Arbogast/Getty Images

Sweet Home Chicago: Hawks captain Jonathan Toews lifts the Stanley Cup following the Blackhawks 2-0 home victory over the Lightning in Game 6 to capture the franchise’s third Cup in six years. The first time they clinched on home ice since 1938.
AP Photo by Charles Rex Arbogast/Getty Images

For the third time in six years, the Blackhawks are Stanley Cup champions. They are officially a modern day dynasty after defeating the Lightning 2-0 in Game 6 at loud United Center where they celebrated their first Cup win on home ice in 77 years. Both 2010 and 2013 came on the road in Philadelphia and Boston. You have to go back all the way to 1938 for the last time they clinched on home ice.

Poetically, all three wins came in six games. I guess that’s the magic number for these Hawks. A team led by captain Jonathan Toews and leading scorer Patrick Kane with a core to die for featuring Conn Smythe winner Duncan Keith, who fittingly scored the Cup clincher late in the second period from Kane and Brad Richards. Richards had a hand in both Hawks’ goals including Kane’s put away with 5:14 left. A play set up by the superb skating of Brandon Saad, who was the Hawks’ best forward in the series. His speed backed up the Tampa D and a great drop to Richards allowed him to dish across for Kane’s first of the series. Of course, Showtime saved his best for last recording a goal and assist after only posting one helper the first five games.

Astonishingly, the Hawks bested the Lightning in six despite only three points apiece from Kane and Toews. However, Toews factored in scoring in Game 4 and setting up Patrick Sharp in Game 5. Both identical 2-1 wins with the more experienced team shining through. Indeed, the championship mettle proved to be the difference with the Hawks holding the high powered Bolts to two goals in the last three games.

Similar to the Rangers, the Lightning didn’t score in a tight checking low scoring game. Tyler Johnson and Nikita Kucherov played hurt and Ben Bishop somehow started with a torn groin. At least it won’t require surgery. How he played after missing the conclusion of Game 2 and sitting out Game 4 for rookie Andrei Vasilevskiy is a wonder. The amazing aspect is he played well the final two games allowing four goals on 61 shots. The only bad goal was Sharp’s in Game 5 when he came out and got run into by Victor Hedman allowing Sharp a freebie. Goaltending wasn’t the issue for Tampa. Offense was. Steven Stamkos didn’t score a goal in the series. Despite some great chances, the Lightning captain was unable to bury any past Corey Crawford including hitting a crossbar with the game still scoreless. He was snake bit.

The Bolts’ most effective line was their checking unit anchored by Craig Paquette with former Ranger Ryan Callahan and J.T. Brown. That line did a solid job throughout blanketing Toews and Kane forcing winning Stanley Cup coach Joel Quenneville to split them up with Kane going back to the second line with Richards and Saad. It worked. He had Marian Hossa play with Toews and Sharp.

A big factor in their third Cup victory was deadline acquisition Antoine Vermette. At one point, Quenneville didn’t play him earlier this postseason. But Vermette came up large scoring two game-winners including Game 5 at Tampa. He also won big faceoffs and anchored a strong third line featuring talented rookie Teuvo Teravainen and Kris Versteeg who returned to Chicago and won his second Cup. He also was part of the 2010 championship team.

The Hawks also got strong contributions from their fourth line with Andrew Shaw proving to be a royal pain in the ass. He produced 12 points during the run and did yeoman work on the forecheck with Andrew Desjardins and Marcus Kruger. They had a tremendous playoff.

There are so many great stories. None were better than Kimmo Timonen with the proud veteran defenseman of 17 years capturing the Stanley Cup in his final game. The 40-year old former All-Star who played mostly with the Predators and Flyers was given one last chance to play on a winner when Philadelphia GM Ron Hextall traded him to Chicago. Timonen overcame blood clots which cost him most of the season before returning to play 16 games for the Hawks. He didn’t play every game during the run but was needed after Michal Rozsival went down. Though Quenneville used him sparingly, it was great to see him skate the Cup with Toews doing the classy thing handing him the hardware after receiving it from commissioner Gary Bettman. You could see how much it meant to him in a emotional interview with NBC rover Pierre McGuire. What a way to go out.

Speaking of Lord Stanley, I enjoyed seeing Timonen hand off to Vermette who won’t be back with the Hawks due to unrestricted free agency. He was a rental and did the job once Quenneville trusted him. Every move they made panned out including the coach benching Crawford in their first round win in favor of hometown backup Scott Darling who got it done against the Predators. Crawford returned and won his second Cup as a starter. Following Vermette was Richards with the elder statesman winning his second Cup and first since 2004 with his former team the Lightning when he won the Conn Smythe. Richards had a impact setting up both goals to finish with 14 points (3-11-14) during the run. Kudos to him. Must feel pretty sweet.

What this Hawks championship is about is perseverance. Being able to overcome the loss of Rozsival which hurt their blueline. Quenneville leaned heavily on Keith, who was an iron man playing over 30 minutes while not missing a beat. It’s amazing to think what the former Norris winner did carrying the load while pacing all defensemen in scoring with 21 points (3-18-21). That included a beautiful winner when he jumped in off the rush taking a perfect Kane feed and followed up his own rebound past Bishop with 2:47 left in the second. Keith is a magnificent player. He took a pounding against the Ducks logging ridiculous minutes in games that went to sudden death last round. His play was outstanding and made him a unanimous selection for the Conn Smythe becoming just the ninth defenseman to win Playoff MVP. He joined elite company with Bobby Orr heading the list.

The Hawks were able to do it because of a top three that features Keith, Brent Seabrook and underrated Niklas Hjalmarsson who always draws the tough assignments. Along with ex-Devil Johnny Oduya, they logged a ton of minutes carrying the load. Quenneville rotated Timonen and Trevor van Riemsdyk in for shifts. To be able to win that way is amazing. It’s so hard especially in today’s physically taxing game. It really tells us how strong their top four is. Especially Keith, Seabrook and Hjalmarsson who was tremendous in Game 5.

The Lightning’s best player was Victor Hedman who was all over the ice throughout. He was brilliant. His performance during the postseason was outstanding. Had they won, he might’ve beaten out Johnson for the Smythe. Hedman had four points in the Stanley Cup Final- all assists. He finished with 14 points (1-13-14) and was a team best plus-11. Swedish countryman and partner Anton Stralman was also steady throughout finishing with nine points (1-8-9) and going plus-one. It’s that top tandem along with a young nucleus featuring Stamkos, Triplets Johnson, Kucherov, Ondre Palat plus Alex Killorn, Valtteri Filppula and Bishop that should make the Bolts a strong Stanley Cup favorite next year. They’re my early pick to come out of the East. Jonathan Drouin got a taste of it and should be a bigger part.

The only thing I dislike is the coach. I find Jon Cooper to be the most obnoxious coach I’ve ever seen. He just is so arrogant. The way he handles the media is similar to John Tortorella but with more of a smugness that rubs me the wrong way. So when he admitted he’d seen many coaches discuss being on the losing side but never thought it’d be him, it just sealed it. I hope he doesn’t sleep much tonight.

As for our former players, I have nothing but admiration for them. Especially Callahan who gets crapped on by bitter fans. In the end, he had every right to do what he did getting his big payday. He didn’t owe the Rangers anything. Glen Sather had no problem overpaying Dan Girardi or Marc Staal with limited no trades. That was his choice. He sacrificed the future for two years of Martin St. Louis who at least got them close last year. Unfortunately, St. Louis has little left and is moving on. I wish him well. What Slats paid was ridiculous. No way should he have coughed up two first round picks. It’s absurd. But that’s what this GM does. He did similarly for Keith Yandle who probably will bolt the following summer.

Kudos to Richards for proving he still could be an integral part of a championship roster. Big ups to Stralman, Callahan and Brian Boyle who worked their tails off. In the end, they wound up on the better teams. So be it.

Congrats to the Hawks and their fans. They once were Cup starved with nothing since the days of Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita plus Glen Hall way back in 1961. Now, they have three in six years. Pretty remarkable. Unbelievable.

That concludes a great season. It’s officially the offseason with the NHL Draft coming up. Plus your usual wild and crazy rumors such as Rick Nash to Buffalo. Sure thing Elliott Friedman. Cam Talbot to Edmonton. Perhaps. We’ll wait and see. For now, let’s just try to take a deep breath. There are awards finally getting handed out for the season. Then the much anticipated draft with Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel along with some pretty significant prospects who we’ll take a look at. Then July 1. Get ready for the summer!

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That Empty Feeling In June

Posted on June 13, 2015 by Derek
Comeback King: An excited Henrik Lundqvist celebrates the Rangers 3-1 series comeback. He made 35 saves in their 2-1 Game 7 win elimination of the Pens and stopped 102 of the final 105 shots. Associated Press/Getty Images

Henrik Lundqvist
Associated Press/Getty Images

It’s a warm Saturday June evening here in New York. Somewhere else, they’re playing Game 5 of the Stanley Cup. I know what the series is at but it just doesn’t matter. I have no juice.

The Rangers should still be playing hockey. Instead, their season ended 13 days ago with a stinker that is hard to comprehend. I was reminded of that at the gym from a passionate Blueshirts fan who vented his frustration. Of course, I knew he’d mention trading Rick Nash to which I just sat there and shook my head. I understood.

I listened to him rant about how they didn’t show up for Game 7. Don’t tell that to any of the players who wear the jersey. They’re the ones who sacrificed. We aren’t professional athletes and shouldn’t pretend to be. A look at the injuries some of those players had and there’s not a doubt that they gave all they had. Even if it didn’t look like it. Getting shutout at home leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. How do you think they feel?

Let’s be perfectly honest. It sucks. Anyone still watching the Stanley Cup Final can’t say with a straight face that they’re enjoying it. I could care less. I refuse to talk about it. It’s just too hard. There’s only so much one can take. I’ve seen plenty of bitter fans on Twitter who don’t want to see our former players win the trophy. I can understand that to a point but those guys were good players here who were part of last year’s run. If they win, so be it. Good for them. It doesn’t matter.

I have a buddy who is a fan of the Lightning. So, he’s very excited and should be. I am friendly with a few Blackhawks fans on social media. For them, they can enjoy this. Their teams are still fighting for the greatest trophy in sports. No disrespect to any of the other major sports. But there’s only one Cup.

It wasn’t supposed to end this way. After a great run last year with the franchise’s first trip to the Stanley Cup Final since 1994, they had their eyes on the ultimate prize. A President’s Trophy gave them home ice. Nobody cared that they set franchise marks in wins and points. It still came down to the playoffs. They were expected to get it done. Even if they were pushed by the Penguins and had to dig deep against the Capitals just to make the Final Four. Their third appearance over the last four years.

Ultimately, they fell short. In what amounted to a Jekyll & Hyde Conference Final, the Rangers played better on the road winning the last two games of the series by outscoring the Lightning 10-4 including a wild and crazy 7-3 win in Game 6 sending it back to MSG for Game 7. A place they’d never lost. But for some reason, they didn’t play well at home dropping the final two games by identical 2-0 scores. It was Tampa that beat them with defense and opportunistic enough to bury their chances even if it came on Henrik Lundqvist in the third period.

It still hurts because it should. It is a empty feeling in June. Sure. We can put on brave faces and still flash that occasional smile letting our friends know everything is okay. We all have our lives to live and work or go to school and hangout. You have to put your best foot forward and move on. But here’s the thing. It still doesn’t take away the sting.

Losing sucks. As sports fans, this is what we signed up for. Especially if you bleed Rangers blue. I’m true blue and have sat in the famed Blue Seats for two decades. Even if it’s not the same due to the renovation, I wouldn’t trade our seats in 419 for anywhere else in the building. Nothing beats the atmosphere. Sitting in our section is like a classic episode of Cheers. “Where everybody knows your name… And they’re always glad you came.”

That’s what it means to be a fan of the Blueshirts. We can all identify with the extreme level of anxiety they give us. The excitement along with the heartache and anguish. One Stanley Cup over the last 75 years will do that. However, I can at least say I saw them win that Cup. There are many older generation who ‘died in peace’ following captain Mark Messier lifting the Cup and celebrating with Conn Smythe winner Brian Leetch, Mike Richter, Adam Graves, etc. In ’94, they partied like it was 1999.

We went to the parade. Still fresh are the “Let’s Go Rangers” chants the Staten Island Ferry. From walking around on a sticky hot 90 degree day just to cheer our heroes. We were the lucky ones. We just didn’t realize it. When your team wins, you always feel they can repeat and have more success like the Yankees. It never happened. Instead, Messier and Wayne Gretzky teamed up with Leetch, Graves and Richter for one more run before getting out-muscled literally by the Legion Of Doom. Who knew at that time that it would be the last taste of playoff hockey for almost a decade?

True enough, the last decade has treated us well. The Lundqvist Era has seen the rebirth of the franchise. The Rangers have made the postseason nine of the past 10 years. We’ve gone from being the underdogs supporting Hart snub Jaromir Jagr to becoming one of the NHL’s best teams. Mostly due to Lundqvist who continues to carry them. Unfortunately, even with improved skill level, he hasn’t gotten enough support. Getting blanked in Games 5 and 7 on home ice is about as despicable as it gets. There are a few expletives I’ll leave out.

Is the window closed? Something the frustrated guy at the gym seemed to think. I don’t know. It largely depends on how much Lundqvist and a core of Dan Girardi, Ryan McDonagh and Marc Staal have left. Especially King Henrik, Danny G and Staal because they’re getting older. As we discovered, the top three defensemen all played through significant injuries. That is why it’s so difficult. You have to get lucky. The 2014 Blueshirts were.

The positive is Derek Stepan, Derick Brassard, Carl Hagelin, Chris Kreider, J.T. Miller, Kevin Hayes and Jesper Fast are all young enough with the latter four capable of improvement. Particularly Kreider who if he can untap his potential, 30 goals and 60 points are possible. I believe he can max out at 70. Miller and Hayes are breakout candidates with each in the top nine.

Mats Zuccarello is expected to make a full recovery. He’s even playing in a charity game in his home country Norway. Amazing. Hopefully, Zuccarello will still be a big part of the Rangers’ chances. They sorely missed his unique blend of skill and grit. Signed for four more years at a bargain $18 million, Zuccarello is irreplaceable. Keep your fingers crossed.

It’s hard to predict the future. I won’t. I don’t have anyone traded. I hate projecting ahead. Even if some want Nash gone. Do you actually believe they’re a better team without that production? He wasn’t consistent in the postseason but at least showed capable of some big games. The Rangers aren’t a juggernaut. It’s harder to score goals in the Spring. They could use another big body that crashes the net. Given the current state of the cap, it probably must come from Kreider and Miller.

As for Keith Yandle and Dan Boyle, both should return. Yandle a bargain with the troubled Coyotes picking up half the tab for the offensive defenseman, Boyle with a year left after performing better in the postseason despite the criticism. What about moving Kevin Klein? Unlikely. If the rumor about the Oilers considering trading their 16th overall pick for Cam Talbot has legs, it’s a deal they have to make. Even if I hate to worry about who the backup will be.

So many thoughts about the offseason and it’s not officially summer yet. In a perfect world, we would be at The Garden tonight rocking the house supporting our boys. Instead, it’s crickets. On the sad one-year anniversary of the Kings ending the Rangers’ run, it’s more melancholy. We wonder what could’ve been. Why us? Because if you root for this team, they break your heart.

I hope one day the younger generation who missed out on the ’94 fun can finally celebrate a Cup. It better come soon.

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Rangers’ 2013 Draft has potential of big winner

Posted on June 6, 2015 by Derek
Pavel Buchnevich is one of four remaining prospects from a strong 2013 Rangers Draft. Getty Images

Pavel Buchnevich is one of four remaining prospects from a strong 2013 Rangers Draft.
Getty Images

With the season now over a week old, it’s time for Blueshirt fans to move forward. As tough as it is, the Rangers fell short of delivering the franchise’s first Stanley Cup in 21 years.

As we draw closer to the NHL Draft, it’s an unfriendly reminder that current general manager Glen Sather (at least for now) sacrificed our first round pick to the Lightning as part of the Martin St. Louis trade. At least they’ll get a second round pick back due to Tampa re-signing Ryan Callahan. In a deep draft, they can still get someone decent. Even if that pick won’t be until very late in Round 2, the organization has proven it can find steals. They’ll have to do it again.

Editor’s Note: Due to the Keith Yandle trade, it isn’t known which second round pick the Rangers have.

As recently as 2014, they did well selecting American goalie Brandon Halverson in the second round 59th overall. The 19-year old posted a 40-5-2 record with a 2.63 goals-against-average, .913 save percentage and six shutouts playing for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. A talented roster that featured prospects Anthony DeAngelo (Bolts), Sergey Tolchinsky (Canes), Nick Ritchie (Ducks) and Justin Bailey (Sabres). Halverson also represented Team USA at the Under 20 World Junior Championship making one start- a 14-save shutout in a 6-0 win over Germany.

Along with Russian prospect Igor Shestyorkin who the club stole in the fourth round of last year’s draft 118th overall, the future in net looks promising. Shestyorkin was a standout for Russia in the WJC posting a 1.98 GAA and .938 save percentage in five starts. He went 3-0-3 with a 2.33 GAA and .917 save percentage in six games for St. Petersburg SKA of the Kontinental Hockey League.

Shestyorkin is one of two fourth round picks the Rangers selected as part of a trade down with the Capitals for their third round pick (Nathan Walker) last year. They also grabbed defenseman Ryan Mantha. The younger brother of Red Wings’ prospect Anthony Mantha. In his first year with the Niagara Ice Dogs of the Ontario Hockey League, the former USHL prospect registered 10 goals and 15 assists with 45 penalty minutes and a plus-21 rating in 52 contests. He added a goal and five helpers in the playoffs.

Third round pick Keegan Iverson came back in exchange for valuable fourth line winger Derek Dorsett who had a good year with the Canucks helping them return to the postseason. Iverson plays for the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League. His numbers weren’t earth shattering dropping from 22 goals to 15 with 24 helpers and 91 PIM while adding two goals and seven assists in the playoffs. Hopefully, he’ll pan out.

While it doesn’t look like they did too badly last June, the Rangers have to be excited with the 2013 Draft. In a year where they didn’t have a first or second round pick with the Blue Jackets getting the first rounder (Kerby Rychel) as part of a blockbuster deal for Rick Nash, they were able to do well with a third round pick turning into Pavel Buchnevich.

The 75th overall selection recently starred for Russia at the WJC tallying a goal and five assists in seven games. He also had a breakout year for Cherepovets Severstal of the KHL posting 13 goals and 17 assists in 48 contests. A talented forward with great skill, the 20-year old Buchnevich still feels he needs another year before coming over. He re-signed with Cherepovets Severstal agreeing to a one-year deal. Blueshirt fans will have to be patient.

Another third round pick whose stock rose was Anthony Duclair. Selected number 80 by the Rangers, the diminutive forward impressed coach Alain Vigneault enough to keep him up with the big club. A very skilled player who has great offensive instincts, Duclair got into 18 NHL games registering a goal and six helpers before the organization loaned him to Canada for the WJC. Nicknamed Duke, he put on a show tallying four goals and four assists in helping Canada win gold. Playing on a line with Coyotes’ stud prospect Max Domi, Duclair performed well setting the tone in their gold medal win over Russia by scoring on the first shift.

An exciting player who concluded the year with the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey league tallying 26 points in 22 postseason contests while going 2-2-4 in the Memorial Cup, Duclair was dealt to the Coyotes along with John Moore, a 2015 second round pick and a lottery protected 2016 first round pick for Keith Yandle, Chris Summers and a 2016 fourth round pick. The rationale behind the trade was simple. The Rangers were going for it and needed a offensive defenseman who could aid the power play. The 28-year old Yandle tallied seven of his 11 points in the third round against Tampa. He’s signed one more year with the Coyotes picking up $3 million of his remaining salary ($5.75 million). Whoever is GM, there’ll be pressure to re-sign him the following summer. Otherwise, they’ll have nothing to show for Duclair, who could be a future star. It would help if they won a championship.

Even with Duclair gone, the remaining four players they took in 2013 make it a strong draft. Third round pick Adam Tambellini had a big year for the Calgary Hitmen (WHL) scoring 47 goals with 39 assists along with a plus-43 in 71 games. The 20-year old Edmonton native followed that up with a big postseason registering 13 goals and 13 helpers in 16 games. Listed at 6-3, 191 pounds, Tambellini is a left-handed center with size. With the team already locked into Derick Brassard and getting ready to re-sign Derek Stepan while getting a good first year out of Kevin Hayes, perhaps he shifts to the wing. Hayes isn’t a natural center either. Tambellini is signed and probably will start in Hartford this Fall.

The remaining two picks from that draft also are worth following. Already, we got a taste of sixth round pick Mackenzie Skapski with the 20-year old posting two wins in two starts allowing just one goal against the Sabres. Unfortunately, he’ll be out for the start of the AHL season recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right hip due to a labral tear. He had a good first pro season with the Wolf Pack winning 15 games with a 2.40 GAA, .914 save percentage and three shutouts in 28 contests. Ironically, he was born a day after the Rangers last won the Cup. If the club does move backup Cam Talbot at some point, Skapski could find himself on Broadway. However, who knows when especially after surgery.

Defenseman Ryan Graves was taken in the fourth round 110th overall. He’s the other D prospect in the system. With much of the discussion centered around Brady Skjei who finally turned pro debuting with the Wolf Pack, the recently turned 20-year old Graves has flown under the radar. The 6-5, 215 pound blueliner put together a big season playing alongside Duclair for the Remparts posting 15 goals and 24 assists in 50 games. Graves also was productive in the postseason with five goals and six helpers in 21 games. For his size, he’s a solid skater who can also defend well. It’s nice to know that the Rangers have another defenseman who could be part of the future.

Overall, the 2013 Draft has the potential of a big winner. Even after parting with Duclair, the Blueshirts should be pleased with the progress of remaining four prospects Buchnevich, Tambellini, Skapski and Graves. Indeed, there’s a lot to look forward to.

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