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..
After seemingly ages of speculation, the rumored has finally become a reality as Jeff Vanderbeek has sold controlling interest in the Devils (as well as the entertainment rights for the Prudential Center) to a group led by investment banker Josh Harris. After the NHL’s Board of Governors approved the sale today, the official announcement will come 11 AM tomorrow morning at the Rock. Reportedly, the Harris group paid north of $320 million for the joint purchase, which should help to alleviate short and long-term financial concerns for the Devils. Harris is already known in NBA circles as the owner of the Philadelphia 76ers, so clearly owning two major East coast sports franchises means the guy has his piggy bank filled with more than just pennies.
Vanderbeek’s sale ends an era, as the lifelong Jersey fan owned a controlling interest in the Devils since 2004. His tenure certainly had its highs and lows, with the Prudential Center’s rise and current prestige as a venue, and increased fan support in recent years being chief among his accomplishments. Certainly contreversy followed Vanderbeek at times, after the collapse of his firm Lehman Brothers and the pulling out of silent partner Ray Chambers – a big impetus for the move to Newark – money was certainly an issue in the last couple of years. Particuarly considering a good chunk of the debt was tied into the Prudential Center after the economy collapsed five years ago. Also the contreversial Ilya Kovalchuk contract which held the Devils hostage throughout the summer of 2011 was long suspected (if never actually proven) to be Vanderbeek’s doing. Vanderbeek will reportedly remain a minority owner and have a ‘role’ in the organization.
And what of Philly attorney Andrew Barroway, who seemed to have the inside track on buying the team mere weeks ago? Apparently Barroway even loaned the Devils $30 million during the summer, a loan that will be paid back as part of the new ownership deal. I guess nothing’s ever final until it’s final though, especially in sports and big business. Maybe at the last minute Jeff got a better deal, certainly seems like he made out in the end from the sale price, though fine-print details are still sketchy.
An interesting week at the Olympic Training center concluded yesterday in Lake Placid. For Team USA, it was all part of the learning process during National Junior Evaluation Camp at Herb Brooks Arena. They finished up better than they started posting a 5-1 win over Canada.
Quentin Shore led scorers with two goals and a helper. He scored one of his two on a potent power play that connected three times. It was Shore’s first marker on Saturday that impressed. He outhustled a Canadian defender to a loose puck and fired home a shorthanded goal that steered Team USA ahead 3-0. A great individual effort from the Ottawa 2013 sixth round pick who’s entering his second year at the University Of Denver.
Riley Barber got the scoring started on a one-time blast for a power play goal. The Caps’ prospect who was a big part of last year’s gold medal team in Ufa, Russia should be one of its leaders assuming he returns for the World Junior Championship in Sweden. Ian McCoshen finished off a nice passing play from Shore and Bruins’ D prospect Matt Grzelcyk on a five-on-three. USA’s first two tallies came on two-man advantages. Shore got the next pair to put the Americans comfortably in front 4-0.
Devil prospect Stefan Matteau got on the board when he went short side to finish off a two-on-one rush during a four on four. It was the 2012 first round pick’s first of the WJEC. Earlier in the week, he set up a goal. Matteau didn’t have the greatest camp but certainly had to feel good about his final showing. He’ll enter his second year with New Jersey. It’ll be interesting to see if he sticks. The organization got good feedback on defenseman Steve Santini, who played physical against 16-year old Canadian phenom Connor McDavid. In his first junior year with Erie, the 2015 draft eligible tallied 66 points (25-41-66) in 63 games. Everyone is keeping a close eye on him.
Santini didn’t hurt his chances of making Team USA. It’s possible he could be opposite another Devil prospect Damon Severson, who played for Canada. The 2012 second round pick had a strong ’12-13 with Kelowna of the WHL posting 52 points (10-42-52) in 71 contests while adding 10 points (1-9-10) in the playoffs. Already signed, he debuted with Albany registering two assists in two games. Along with Santini and 2010 first round pick Jon Merrill, the Devils have a bright future on the back end.
The Rangers are hoping for similar results from stay at home defenseman Brady Skjei, who acquitted himself well. Though the 2012 first round pick didn’t put up any points, he was steady defensively. Something USA coach Don Lucia is looking for. He enters his sophomore year under Lucia at Minnesota and could do double duty after Christmas. Might Lucia also take incoming freshman Taylor Cammarata? The Isles’ 2013 third rounder bares watching this Fall. Rangers’ 2012 second round pick Cristoval Nieves showed flashes but will need more consistency to make the squad. In his freshman year at Michigan, the forward put up 29 points (8-21-29) in 40 games. Can he take the next step in his development?
For Canada, 17-year old Sam Reinhart broke up Calgary goalie prospect Jon Gillies’ shutout with a sweet finish off a mini-break. In his second full season with Kootenay (WHL), the 2014 draft eligible had 85 points (35-50-85). A 23-point increase from ’11-12 (28-34-62). In a strong start, Gillies finished with 24 saves.
Buffalo second round pick J.T. Compher didn’t dress. The 2013 second round pick will be a freshman for Michigan after spending the past two years with the U.S. National Development Team. He can be followed on Twitter. Sabre fifth rounder Gustav Possler had a good camp for Sweden finishing with four points (2-2-4).
The most impressive player was Chicago prospect Teuvo Teravainen, who paced everyone with eight points (3-5-8). The Finn’s skill is incredible. He teamed with 2013 Montreal second round pick Artturi Lehkonen (5-1-6) to form a dynamic duo. Caps’ first rounder Andre Burakovsky was third with five points for Sweden. Undrafted Swede Filip Sandberg also stood out with four assists. Maybe someone takes a chance in the future. Lucas Wallmark (2-2-4) improved his draft stock for next year and Caps’ D prospect Christian Djoos (1-3-4) was solid. For USA, Will Butcher (Avs) and Adam Erne (Lightning) were strong along with Connor Carrick (Caps). Canada got good play out of Columbus first round pick Kerby Rychel (2-1-3) and Detroit first rounder Anthony Mantha (0-2-2).
Overall, it was a good week that allowed hockey fans to learn more about some of their team’s prospects. Congrats also go out to Canada on winning gold at the U18 Ivan Hlinka Tournament in Slovakia. They defeated USA 4-0. 2014 draft eligible Brayden Point (2 assists) took MVP.
Back in 1994, Alexei Kovalev was a 21-year old right wing in his second season with the Rangers. The former 1991 first round pick had his share of ups and downs under the bright lights. The Russian spent two tours of duty with the Blueshirts including that fateful ’93-94 season when the franchise won its first Stanley Cup in 54 years. He was a key contributor notching nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points in 23 games during his first postseason.
That included one of the biggest goals during a hotly contested Eastern Conference Final against the Devils. Facing elimination in a hostile building at Brendan Byrne Arena, the Rangers trailed 2-0 late in the second period of Game Six. Prior to captain Mark Messier’s legendary natural hat trick in the third, Kovalev took a Messier drop inside the blueline and beat rookie Martin Brodeur to cut the deficit in half. The rest is history.
Following the Rangers’ exciting seven-game series triumph over their Hudson rival, they faced the Canucks in another wild series that went the distance. After splitting the first two at MSG, the Rangers responded to Mike Richter’s highlight reel save on Pavel Bure by taking the next two in Vancouver to go up 3-1. During Game Four, Kovalev scored the beauty above deking Kirk McLean badly. The goal was so pretty, NHL ’95 captured it perfectly as a sliding Kovalev flew into the boards. It inspired a memorable cover of everyone’s favorite hockey game. While NHL ’94 still grabs all the headlines, there probably isn’t a better cover than the one Kovalev made.
Despite possessing some of the best talent ever seen, Kovalev had an inconsistent NHL career. His best years were spent in Pittsburgh following a trade that saw the Rangers reacquire Petr Nedved. While Nedved had his moments mostly playing alongside Czech Mates Jan Hlavac and Radek Dvorak, Kovalev delivered a great season in ’00-01 achieving career highs in goals (44), assists (51), points (95), power play goals (12) and game-winners (9). Our favorite player inspired the classic Kovy274Hart AOL screen name back when I worked for ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut. That year is best remembered for Mario Lemieux’s comeback. Super Mario teamed up again with Jaromir Jagr while Kovalev played with cohesive linemates Robert Lang and Martin Straka. If memory serves correctly, Jan Hrdina got the opportunity to play with Lemieux and Jagr giving them two potent lines. They still were no match for the defending champion Devils in a lopsided Conference Final. New Jersey went onto lose in seven to Colorado.
For his NHL career, Kovalev finished with 430 goals, 599 assists and 1,029 points in 1,316 games. He played twice for the Rangers and Pens while also having a successful stint with the Canadiens before fading out with the Senators and Panthers. He was a solid playoff performer registering 45 goals and 55 assists for 100 points in 123 games. After retiring, AK27 has signed with EHC Visp in Switzerland. He’s 40.
With a little over a month until training camp, here we are in the dog days of summer counting down. In this post, we flashback to 1997 when Ziggy Palffygave Islander fans reason to cheer. Originally a 1991 second round pick, the exciting Slovak electrified Nassau Coliseum with three consecutive 40-goal seasons. From ’95-96 through ’97-98, he scored 43, 48 and 45 for a three season total of 136. While a veteran Ranger squad made one final playoff run led by Gretzky and Messier, the Islanders had the premier finisher in the metropolitan area.
In the clip above, Palffy victimized the Bruins for his third career hat trick in an 8-2 home rout. The poor victim was unheralded Boston ’95 second round pick Paxton Schafer, who only had three appearances all during that season. A look at Palffy’s first two goals might explain why. One thing you’ll notice is his nose for the net. On his third goal of the second period, he beat a Bruin to the spot and buried the biscuit. Interesting to see Robert Reichel and Bryan Smolinski meshing well with Ziggy. Reichel had a solid career while Smoke was a strong No.2 pivot. Too bad the trio didn’t last.
With Palffy recently announcing his retirement from hockey, we wanted to take one more look at one of the most overlooked scorers. Ziggy Stardust averaged better than a point a game during his NHL career. He was a three-time All-Star who finished with 329 goals, 384 assists and 713 points in 684 games. A holdout eventually led to him being packaged along with Smolinski as part of an eight player player deal with the Kings that included Olli Jokinen, Josh Green, Mathieu Biron and a first round pick that turned into Taylor Pyatt on June 19, 1999. A deal that signaled a downturn for the Islander franchise under GM Mike Milbury. Not long after, he packaged Jokinen and former No.1 pick Roberto Luongo to Florida for Mark Parrish and Oleg Kvasha. Luongo went onto stardom playing in obscurity before being dealt to Vancouver while Milbury risked it all on Rick DiPietro. The rest is history.
Devils players Andy Greene and Bryce Salvador in Yankee Stadium
With the 2013-14 NHL season just weeks away now (camps open in about a month) it’s easy to start thinking ahead. Especially if you’re a baseball fan and both your teams’ season is pretty much shot – yes even the mighty Yankees are most likely playing meaningless games this year. That doesn’t mean there won’t be big games in Yankee Stadium when the weather gets colder out though. This year, one of baseball’s meccas will play host to not one, but two outdoor NHL games in a unique facet of the NHL’s ‘Stadium Series’, where the Rangers will take on the Devils on Sunday, January 26 at 12:30 PM…with yet another outdoor game three nights later, this time a Rangers-Isles showdown at 7:30 PM on Wednesday night. Both games will highlight the Battle of the Hudson to nationwide audiences, with the Sunday game on NBC and the Wednesday night game on NBCSN, as commisioner Gary Bettman was among the many to speak at yesterday’s press conference:
“The rivalries between the Rangers, Islanders and Devils are among the most heated in sports. These games in this venue will showcase our players and our sport to a national viewing audience as well as to a variety of visitors who we anticipate will be in the area at that time. I hear a rumor that there is a football game in New Jersey sometime later that week.”
Of course the commissioner was referring to this year’s Super Bowl, which will take place in MetLife for the first time at a cold-weather site, highlighting a truly unique sports week in the Metro area. Hockey fans get a pretty good appetizer though with two competitive division games – with division games meaning even more given the NHL’s new playoff format, where you’re in direct competition with your rivals not only to make the playoffs but also playing off in almost all first and second-round matchups. As Ranger, Isle and Devil fans can all attest though – Metro matchups will always be intense no matter what’s on the line.
However the game turns out, it’ll be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Devil and Islander fans – since neither franchise has yet participated in an outdoor game, while Ranger fans get games in their home state this time after playing a Winter Classic in Philly a couple years ago. Surely it’ll be a nice showcase for 41-year old Martin Brodeur in what may or may not be his final NHL season, and as the new cover boy of NHL14’s video game to boot. Not to mention Jaromir Jagr getting to play in another outdoor game against one of his (many) former teams in what may be his final season as well. Fellow teammates Bryce Salvador and Andy Greene represented the Devils at yesterday’s joint press conference, along with GM Lou Lamoriello, who admitted that he had prior concerns about an outdoor game due to ice safety and logistics, but was ‘glad to be proven wrong’. Interestingly, Greene was pictured with an A on his sweater – perhaps he was given the departed Ilya Kovalchuk‘s letter for next season.
Maybe by then the Devils will finally have new ownership…actually if beat guys Tom Gulutti and Rich Chere are to be believed, the sale of the Devils is imminent and could happen in days. While I hate to see Jeff Vanderbeek go in one aspect (he never had a problem spending, and was clearly devoted to the Devils without being meddlesome), it will be nice to finally put two years of speculation behind us, most of it nonsense from the same two places – Forbes and the NY Post. It was Forbes who published yesterday the Devils would be taken over by the NHL if the team wasn’t sold before the season started. Naturally, commisioner Bettman denied the league was set to take over the team at yesterday’s media event.
Admittedly I’m just writing this blog for the most part to finally get my feet wet with this new WordPress format although the ownership bit is real news, especially when we finally learn the identity of the buyer and the terms of the sale. There may or may not be anything else to report for another month until camps open, other than perhaps an Adam Henrique signing, as the RFA is said to be mulling over two deals – one short-term and one long-term option. Other moves may still happen as Lou himself promised more ‘additions and deletions’ some time back.
On Wednesday at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, a trimmed down USA roster were blanked by Sweden 4-0. Buffalo prospect Gustav Possler tallied one of the four goals. He has two goals and two assists thus far in the National Evaluation Prospect Camp. The 18-year old was taken by the Sabres in the fifth round of this year’s Draft. Buffalo second round pick Justin Bailey took part in two games for Team USA before being cut. Two players to keep track of in Western New York.
Washington first round pick Andre Burakovsky tallied a goal and assist. 2014 Draft Eligible Lucas Wallmark and undrafted 19-year old Tobias Tornkvist added markers. Capital prospect Christian Djoos had an assist making that three for the tournament. Undrafted 19-year old Filip Sandberg, Ludvig Nilsson, Robert Hagg (Flyers 2013 2nd Rd), Jacob de la Rose (Canadiens 2013 2nd Rd) and Alexander Wennberg (Blue Jackets 2013 1st Rd) also added helpers. In total, Sweden placed 10 different players on the score sheet. A nice balance for a good squad. Ottawa 2013 third round pick Marcus Hogberg pitched the shutout finishing with 27 saves.
For Team USA, it’s back to the drawing board later today at 1 PM against talented Finland at Herb Brooks Arena. They better be on their toes. The Devils’ Stefan Matteau,Steve Santini are part of the remaining roster along with Ranger prospects Cristoval Nieves and Brady Skjei and Isles’ 2013 third round selection Taylor Cammarata plus Buffalo prospect J.T. Compher. Flames’ prospect Jon Gillies allowed three goals on 22 shots and 2014 eligible Thatcher Demko stopped 16 of 17. The squad also includes 2013 holdovers Patrick Sieloff (Flames 2012 2nd Rd) and Riley Barber (Capitals 2012 6th Rd).
In other action, Canada defeated Finland 5-3. Here’s the boxscore. We’ll try to get more on Canada tomorrow.
As expected, Team USA cut down its roster this morning. Thirty-one players remain at National Junior Evaluation Camp (NJEC) in Lake Placid. Among the leftovers are Taylor Cammarata (NYI), J.T. Compher (Buf), Stefan Matteau (NJD), Cristoval Nieves (NYR), Steve Santini (NJD) and Brady Skjei (NYR). They’ll participate in three games against Canada, Finland and Sweden.
2013 gold medal winners Riley Barber (WSH Jon Gillies (CGY) and Pat Sieloff (CGY) all remain. Eighteen forwards include Riley Barber, Taylor Cammarata, J.T. Compher, Andrew Copp (WPG), Tommy DiPauli (WSH), Adam Erne (TBL), Hudson Fasching (LAK), Jake Guentzel (PIT), Nic Kerdiles (ANA), Stefan Matteau, Michael McCarron (MTL), Tyler Motte (CHI), Cristoval Nieves, Dan O’Regan (SJS), Henrik Samuelsson (PHX), Quentin Shore (OTT), Zach Stepan (NSH), Dominic Toninato (TOR).
Ten defensemen feature Mike Brodzinski (SJS), Will Butcher (COL), Connor Carrick (WSH), Connor Clifton (PHX), Matt Grzelcyk (BOS), Ian McCoshen (FLA), Brett Pesce (CAR), Steve Santini, Pat Sieloff and Brady Skjei. Three goalies are left over including Thatcher Demko (2014 Draft Eligible), Jon Gillies and Anthony Stolarz (PHI).
Day 3 was a good one for Taylor Cammarata. The Islanders’ 2013 third round selection (No.99 overall) was a factor in USA White’s 5-2 victory over Finland at Lake Placid. Not the biggest, the 5-7, 156-pound showed why the Isles took him. He scored a goal and set up two others while playing on a line with Montreal first round pick Michael McCarron and Ottawa sixth round pick Quentin Shore. The strong performance caught the eye of USA Hockey coach Don Lucia.
“No question he made a big step,” praised Lucia to NHL.com’s Adam Kimelman. “He’s got such an extremely high hockey IQ. He can make plays a lot of guys can’t; you saw that today. For a guy like him, if he’s going to have a chance to make this team, he has to score. It was good for him to see him have the type of game he had because he had a huge impact on the outcome.”
Cammarata shot up the final North American rankings (193rd) after exploding for 93 points which led the United States Hockey League (USHL) in scoring. The Minneapolis native spent the last two seasons with the Waterloo Black Hawks. This Fall, he’ll attend the University Of Minnesota. You can also keep up with him on Twitter (Cammy12Scores). Pretty cool handle if you don’t mind me saying.
“It’s taken me a couple days to get used to things,” Cammarata said about getting adjusted to U.S. World Junior Camp. “I’m still rusty because it’s summer, but today I felt really good on the ice. … Today we had a morning skate and I felt pretty good there. Got a little nap in and I felt pretty good.”
At the very least, he’s made Lucia’s job a little harder. He’ll have to trim the roster tomorrow.
“There were a lot of good things today,” he said. “It forced us, after we met last night, to re-evaluate some things about who we’re going to keep right now.”
Ranger prospect Brady Skjei and USA teammate Connor Patrick. zimbio.com
Team USA will cut down to one roster by Wednesday. Will that include Ranger defenseman Brady Skjei? The 2012 first round pick has yet to register a point but has been steady defensively. Last year, he was one of the final cuts on a team who won gold in Ufa, Russia. Skjei hopes that’s not the case this time around. He discussed that and more in a USA Hockey exclusive interview.
“I think getting that close last year showed me how badly I want to be on the team this year. I think I need to play solid defensively. I don’t think they’re expecting me to put up a bunch of points. But definitely be a shutdown guy. Be hard to play against in the D zone. So be physical and just go and play my game. Hopefully things work out.”
Skjei enters his sophomore year at the University Of Minnesota. He’ll also look to improve on his first season when he posted a goal and two assists with 14 penalty minutes in 36 contests playing in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHL). Getting this experience should only help his development. He can also be followed on Twitter.
Islander third round pick Taylor Cammarata made a strong impression on Day 3 at Lake Placid. hockeysfuture.com
In the second game Monday at Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid, Team USA White prevailed over Finland 5-2 for our country’s first win in four games. Unlike the first three games (all losses), USA White won the special teams battle. They converted twice in six chances on the man-advantage and killed off four of five penalties. Discipline has been an issue thus far.
Islander 2013 third round pick Taylor Cammarata shined with a goal and two assists. He set up Nashville prospect Zach Stepan for the game’s opening tally on the power play and finished a wraparound from Montreal 2013 first round pick Michael McCarron extending the lead to 3-0 halfway through the first period. Cammarata also assisted on USA White’s fourth goal scored by Panthers’ 2013 second round pick Ian McCoshen.
With under four minutes left in the second, McCarron closed USA scoring to make it 5-0. Finland got two goals in the last two minutes of the third from Chicago prospect Teuvo Teravainen and 2014 Draft Eligible Aleksi Mustonen to avoid the shutout. Teravainen has five points (2-3-5) in two games. Otto Rauhala and undrafted 19-year old Henrik Haapala added helpers on Mustonen’s tally that concluded the scoring.
For USA White, Cammarata paced them with three points. McCarron chipped in with a goal and assist. Devil 2013 second round pick Steve Santini picked up his first point drawing an assist on Phoenix ’13 fifth rounder Connor Clifton’s tally that put them ahead 2-0. Boston defense prospect Matt Grzelcyk added a helper. Also making the score sheet were Mike Brodzinski (Sharks ’13 Rd 5), Quentin Shore (Sens ’13 Rd 6), Phoenix prospect Henrik Samuelsson and Tyler Motte (Hawks ’13 Rd 4). All four had assists.
Jon Gillies (Flames ’12 Rd 3) and Collin Olson (Canes ’12 Rd 6) split goalie duty. Gillies made 13 saves in relief while Olson was perfect (15/15). For Suomi, Columbus goalie prospect Joonas Korpisalo went the distance turning aside 26 of 31.
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