Battle Of Hudson

Czech Mate: Jaromir Jagr could be teaming up with Patrik Elias in New Jersey. Getty Images

Jaromir Jagr is one of the greatest hockey players to ever play the game. The NHL’s eighth all-time leading scorer is rumored to be landing in Newark. As hard as it is to believe, the 41-year old legend could be a Devil next week. After touring the Prudential Center Friday, it’s all but done according to a report from the Czech Republic.

Since returning to the NHL in 2011, Jagr has been well traveled playing for three teams in two seasons. After spending the entire ’11-12 season with the Flyers, he split time this past year with the Stars and Bruins. In 45 combined games, he tallied 35 points (16-19-35). Despite not scoring a goal in the playoffs, he still managed 10 assists in Boston’s run to the Stanley Cup Final. They lost to Chicago in six games. Ironically, the last team Jagr beat to win Lord Stanley teaming up with Mario Lemieux to repeat with Pittsburgh in 1992 at age 20. He’s the only player to play in the Cup Finals as a teenager (19) and at over 40 years of age (41).

If Devils President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello has decided to sign Jagr for a year, he’s making the obvious play after losing star Ilya Kovalchuk to the KHL. Undoubtedly, Jagr’s not the same player he was with the Rangers following the ’04-05 lockout when he set franchise records with 54 goals and 123 points. However, he’s still a presence whose size and strength should boost the Devil forecheck. The idea that Jagr could reunite with Czech buddy Patrik Elias is intriguing. Even at this late stage of his career, Number 68 still possesses great hands. His playmaking capabilities can aid New Jersey’s power play. Don’t forget countryman Marek Zidlicky. It could have a similar look to the ’05-06 Rangers. In an Olympic year, will we see Jagr once more on the biggest stage in Sochi, Russia? That remains to be seen. He might be better suited using the Olympic Break to rest.

As we’ve seen, Jagr no longer can take the grind of an 82-game schedule and playoffs. How coach Pete DeBoer handles him will be similar to Martin Brodeur, who’s expected to split duty with Cory Schneider. Don’t forget the 22 back-to-backs the Devils have. Something that should be closely watched.

For his NHL career, Jagr is the all-time leader in goals (681), assists (1,007) and points (1,688) among European-born players. His 1,391 career games are second to Roman Hamrlik (1,395) just ahead of Teemu Selanne (1,387) on the active list. With 199 career playoff points, Jagr moved ahead of Brett Hull and Paul Coffey into fifth all-time. His next point would be number 200. Only all-time leader Wayne Gretzky (382), Mark Messier (295), Jari Kurri (233) and Glenn Anderson (214) have more.

After re-signing Jacob Josefson, the Devils have approximately $9.88 million left to re-sign Group II Adam Henrique. They’re close. There’s enough room for Jagr. It would be his 20th season. He’s played for Pittsburgh, Washington, New York Rangers, Philadelphia, Dallas and Boston.

The Rangers’ 88th season features two games in the NHL Stadium Series including one against Hudson rival New Jersey at Yankee Stadium. Could it be an epic meeting between Henrik Lundqvist and hockey legend Martin Brodeur? espn.com

It will be another challenging start to the season in 2013-14 for the Rangers. They open in Phoenix on October 3 at 10 ET. It’s part of a nine-game road trip which includes a tough three games in four nights at Los Angeles, San Jose and Anaheim. They’ll also visit St. Louis before headed East for Washington. The first meeting against Hudson rival New Jersey is on Saturday, Oct.19 at the Prudential Center. They then visit Philadelphia and face new Eastern Conference addition Detroit to conclude a record trip.

Finally, they return to MSG Oct.28 to host Montreal. The game doesn’t start till 7:30 with NBC Network airing it. The Rangers visit the Islanders the following night. Of the five meetings, it’s the only time they’ll visit Nassau Coliseum with the Islanders hosting the second game of the Stadium Series Jan.29 at Yankee Stadium Wednesday night at 7 PM on NBC Network. The Islanders come to the Garden for the first time on Dec.20.

The Devils and Rangers also meet five times with New Jersey hosting Game One of the Stadium Series on Sunday, Jan.26. The first game will air on NBC at 12:30 PM. The Rangers host the Devils twice at MSG including Nov.12 and Dec.7 a day before my birthday. It kicks off a season long nine-game home stand that stretches to Dec.23 with Toronto the final opponent. The final meeting against the Devils is Mar.22 in Newark.

The Rangers and Penguins play four times including the first meeting at MSG on Nov.6. Of course, Sidney Crosby’s first visit is on NBC Network at 7:30 PM. The rematch is Dec.18 at a special start time of 8 PM also on NBC Network. The Rangers visit Pittsburgh on Jan.3 and Feb.7 right before the Olympic Break. Twenty days later, the Stanley Cup champion Blackhawks are at MSG.

With the additions of the Blue Jackets and Red Wings to the East, the NHL shockingly changed the Atlantic. It includes Boston, Buffalo, Detroit, Florida, Montreal, Ottawa, Tampa Bay and Toronto. The Rangers now play in the oddly named Metropolitan Division. It features Carolina, Columbus, New Jersey, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Washington. How they decided on this is mystifying. They couldn’t just honor history. As was noted yesterday, there will be 30 games against your own division and 24 against the other inside the Conference. The remaining 28 are versus the West.

It’ll be interesting with Columbus now in the Metro. Rangers Ohio includes former Blueshirts Artem Anisimov, Brandon Dubinsky, Tim Erixon, Marian Gaborik and Fedor Tyutin. Rick Nash’s return to Columbus is Thursday, Nov.7 at 7 PM on NHL Network. How will he be received? It’ll be a great storyline along with Derrick Brassard, Derek Dorsett and John Moore also coming back. The Jackets visit MSG on Dec.12. Will Gaborik get cheered? What about Dubinsky and Anisimov? There’s no doubt that a new rivalry will evolve with the teams playing in the same division. The final two meetings are Jan.6 at MSG and Mar.21 in Columbus.

Two games you won’t want to miss are against Vancouver. Former coach John Tortorella returns to the Big Apple on Saturday, Nov.30 at 2 PM. The battle of ex-coaches with Alain Vigneault facing the Canucks will be broadcast on NHL Network. In a twist, they’ll also meet on April Fool’s Day in Vancouver at 10 PM. It’s part of a tough four-game Northwestern swing for the Rangers with stops in Calgary, Edmonton and Colorado before returning to host three of the final four games against Ottawa, Carolina and Buffalo. The Sabres visit MSG Apr.10. The Rangers also host them on Halloween and visit Buffalo Dec.5.

Breaking it down further, the schedule isn’t too bad once you get past the nine-game trek and late four-game trip. Perhaps due to the renovation, they only have 13 sets of back-to-backs. That’s not bad compared to the Devils’ league high 22. If the Rangers can hang in there early, they should be alright.
The final game of the season concludes at the Bell Centre against Montreal on Saturday, Apr.12 on Hockey Night In Canada.

National TV: The Rangers are on national TV 28 times. The breakdown is 16 on the NBC Sports Network, 10 on NHL Network and two on CBC. They appear twice on NBC including Black Friday when they visit the Bruins at 1 PM on Nov.29. The other is against Hudson rival New Jersey on Jan.26 at Yankee Stadium. The remaining 14 are on NBCSN.

10/16 @ Capitals 7:30 PM NBCSN
10/26 vs Red Wings 7 PM NHL Net
10/28 vs Canadiens 7:30 PM RDS, NBCSN
11/2 vs Hurricanes 7 PM NHL Net
11/4 vs Ducks 7:30 PM NBCSN
11/6 vs Penguins 7:30 PM NBCSN
11/7 @ Blue Jackets 7 PM NHL Net
11/16 @ Canadiens 7 PM CBC, RDS, NHL Net
11/19 vs Bruins 7:30 PM NBCSN
11/29 @ Bruins 1 PM NBC
11/30 vs Canucks 2 PM NHL Net
12/10 vs Predators 7:30 PM NBCSN
12/18 vs Penguins 8 PM NBCSN
1/4 @ Maple Leafs 7 PM CBC, NHL Net
1/8 @ Blackhawks 8 PM NBCSN
1/12 vs Flyers 7 PM NBCSN
1/18 @ Senators 2 PM CBC
1/19 vs Capitals 7:30 PM NBC, NBCSN
1/26 @ Devils 12:30 PM CBC, NBC
1/29 @ Islanders 7 PM NBCSN
1/31 vs Islanders 7 PM NHL Net
2/27 vs Blackhawks 7 PM NHL Net
3/2 vs Bruins 7 PM NBCSN
3/9 vs Red Wings 7:30 PM NBC, NBCSN
3/13 @ Wild 8 PM NHL Net
3/26 vs Flyers 8 PM NBCSN
4/5 vs Senators 7 PM CBC
4/12 @ Canadiens 7 PM CBC, RDS, NHL Net

The wait is finally over. With temps hitting triple digits, starved hockey fans can hardly wait for the season. After much delaying due to the Olympics in Sochi, the NHL finally released the schedule.

It’ll be different than before with realignment shifting Columbus and Detroit East. There will no longer be six divisions with instead 30 teams crammed into four. That includes the renamed Metropolitan Division featuring the Blue Jackets, Capitals and Hurricanes added to the Devils, Flyers, Islanders, Penguins and Rangers. Oddly enough, the Atlantic Division now consists of the Lightning, Panthers and Red Wings added to the Bruins, Canadiens, Maple Leafs, Sabres and Senators.

Out West, the new Central features the Avalanche, Blackhawks, Blues, Jets, Predators,
Stars and Wild while the new Pacific includes the Canucks, Coyotes, Ducks, Flames, Kings, Oilers and Sharks. The realignment favors the West due to two fewer teams in the conference. Don’t ask why they signed off on this. My guess is eventually, the NHL will expand to 32. Possible destinations could be Kansas City, Portland and Seattle.

Under the new realignment format, all 30 teams will play each other at least once. The divisional schedule is a bit different. Division opponents play 30 games. For eight team divisions in the Eastern Conference, that consists of playing two teams five times and the other five four. For example, the Rangers see the Penguins four times. It’ll be a traditional two at home and two away. When they face the Devils and Islanders, the classic trio meet five times with one team getting three home games and two road and vice versa. That includes the 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series January 26 and 29 at Yankee Stadium with the Devils and Islanders the home teams.

Inside the conference, teams will play the other division 24 games. For example, the Islanders take on all eight Atlantic opponents three times. Again, it will be odd with three games against each team translating to four teams getting two home games and one road and vice versa. The Devils face the Canadiens three times with Montreal hosting two. It’s the same for the Rangers who’ll visit the Molson Centre twice after hosting them on October 28 in their home opener following a nine-game road trip.

The remaining 28 games are against the opposite conference. For the West, it works out perfectly due to having 14 teams. Not so for the East with 16 creating an uneven distribution. The Rangers see the Canucks twice with John Tortorella returning to MSG November 30. If you include a preseason match at Rogers Arena on September 26, Tortorella and Alain Vigneault will cross paths three times. In what can best be summed up as an April Fool’s joke, the Rangers visit Vancouver on April 1 as part of a four-game Northwestern swing that includes a final stop in Colorado April 3.

In an Olympic season, there will be a 17-day break from February 9 to February 25. Twelve countries will compete in the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Olympic hockey begins on Feb.12 and ends Feb.23. Group A includes Russia, Slovenia, Slovakia and the United States. Group B features Austria, Canada, Finland and Norway. Group C consists of Czech Republic, Latvia, Switzerland and Sweden. Germany and Belarus failed to qualify and are replaced by Slovenia and Austria. On paper, Canada looks to have an easy road while our country dukes it out against Russia and Slovakia. Group C is probably the most balanced.

Olympic participation can impact NHL teams. The Rangers should be affected with Henrik Lundqvist representing Sweden and possibly Carl Hagelin while Ryan Callahan, Ryan McDonagh and Derek Stepan all could represent Team USA. Dan Girardi and Marc Staal should get consideration for Canada while Rick Nash is a given. Anton Stralman might get a look on Sweden and assuming he’s back, Mats Zuccarello will play for Norway. For the Islanders, John Tavares is a lock for Canada and Evgeni Nabokov will play for host Russia. Lubomir Visnovsky should represent Slovakia and Michael Grabner gets a chance with Austria.

The Devils should be represented by Czechs Patrik Elias and Marek Zidlicky. Might Jaromir Jagr join them? There’s no guarantee Martin Brodeur makes Canada. Cory Schneider could be in the mix for USA. Adam Larsson should play for Sweden and Anton Volchenkov Russia. Andy Greene could vie for a spot on the American blueline. Buffalo’s Ryan Miller figures to be part of a strong American goalie trio that includes Jon Quick and Jimmy Howard. Don’t forget Craig Anderson either. Thomas Vanek will represent Austria and Ville Leino probably makes Finland while Henrik Tallinder and Jhonas Enroth could be part of Sweden. Can Tyler Myers rebound?

Teams with strong depth should benefit. Staying healthy will prove vital. The top 12 teams in each conference will be 1-6 seeds with four wildcards. It’s possible for five teams from one division to qualify for the postseason while three make it from the other. What if a sixth team from a stronger Metropolitan gets left out? Not to be redundant, but the new playoff system is flawed. Regardless, it’ll be a return to glory days with two divisional rounds and conference championships deciding who reaches the Stanley Cup Final. No more classic Devils/Rangers series. It’ll be more challenging to make the playoffs. Anything’s possible.

Dustin Brown’s extension could impact Ryan Callahan. Getty Images

So much for the NHL schedule being released. While the league keeps us in suspense, the Kings made a splash by signing captain Dustin Brown to an eight year extension worth $47 million that keeps him in Hollywood through 2021-22. The new deal won’t kick in until 2014-15. He has a year left on his original contract and will earn $3.5 million.

Brown’s new contract will pay him an average cap hit of $5.875 million per season. Selected by the Kings in the infamous ’03 Draft 13th overall, the 28-year old forward from Ithaca, New York has developed into one of the NHL’s best leaders. His hard nosed approach is similar in stature to Ranger captain Ryan Callahan. Callahan was drafted in the fourth round 127th overall by the Rangers in ’04. Both have represented our country at the Olympics, teaming up at Vancouver in 2010 for Team USA’s silver medal. Each only knows one way to play. All out. They’re frequently among the league leaders in hits with Brown reaching 300 in ’10-11 while Callahan’s best (285) came in ’09-10.

They’re looked at by teammates to score important goals and put together inspirational shifts. In many aspects, they’re mirror images of each other. The only difference being Brown has done it longer producing 181 goals and 207 assists for 388 points in 641 career NHL games. He debuted the same year he was drafted appearing in 31 games before playing in the AHL during the ’04-05 lockout. Callahan took a different route staying in juniors with Guelph (OHL) for two years and then dominating with Hartford in ’06-07 before being recalled by the Rangers- getting into 14 games and 10 postseason contests. Oddly enough, he struggled in his first full season similar to Chris Kreider getting sent down before returning a more mature player. He was 23 and hasn’t looked back since.

Brown scored over 30 goals once notching 33 in ’07-08 and 60 points. Both career bests. He’s posted five seasons of 50 points or better. He’s not judged on stats. But on effort. A quality Callahan brings to the rink. The 28-year old Rochester native posted career bests in goals (29), points (54), power play goals (13) and game-winners (9) in ’11-12. His first season as captain, the Rangers won the Atlantic Division and had the best record in the Eastern Conference reaching the Conference Finals. He’s scored over 20 goals three times and tallied at least 40 points in three seasons. He’ll earn $4.275 million in the final year of his contract.

What does it all mean? If you’re a tough critic, Callahan is overpaid. Brown is making less and has already led his team to a Cup. Of course, it can’t be judged so plainly. Los Angeles boasts a better roster that includes a legitimate top center in Anze Kopitar with Jeff Carter and Mike Richards as their second and third with Jarrett Stoll fourth on the depth chart. The Rangers aren’t as strong with Derek Stepan the number one pivot out of necessity. Unless Brad Richards has a bounce back season and Derrick Brassard proves he can be consistent over 82, there’s no comparison. Adding Dom Moore to Brian Boyle was a smart move that provides flexibility. Drew Doughty and Slava Voynov provide two big weapons on the blueline that the Rangers lack. A true power play quarterback. At least Ryan McDonagh is signed long-term.

The Kings have a comparable to Henrik Lundqvist in former Conn Smythe winner Jon Quick. The younger goalie makes $5.8 million annually through 2019-20. Lundqvist already makes $6.875 million and will command the richest contract for a backstop next year. With the former Vezina winner top priority, Callahan falls in line with Dan Girardi, who’s also unrestricted in 2014. He makes $3.325 million and could command almost double based on market value. The scary aspect is Callahan probably will become a $6 million a year player. Essentially, the Kings locked up Brown for the rest of his career. Do the Rangers want to take a similar risk with their captain? Don’t forget he’s smaller. At 5-11, 190 pounds, Callahan’s the most physical player on the roster. That in itself is worrisome. How many more injuries can he play through before it takes a toll? On a team that doesn’t have much scoring to begin with, they need him to focus more offensively. Outside of Rick Nash, there aren’t any other 30-goal scorers on the current roster. Callahan isn’t expected to start the season. Neither is Carl Hagelin.

The importance of Kreider and Stepan’s former Team USA linemate Danny Kristo can’t be understated. While Kreider should be a lock as a top nine forward, Kristo must prove he’s ready for primetime. That’s why Ranger GM Glen Sather traded for him. They’re banking on the kids to step up. A list that includes J.T. Miller, Oscar Lindberg, Marek Hrivik and Jesper Fast. With new hire Alain Vigneault brought in to win now, it’s not just about now but the future.

Callahan will get his new contract and hopefully remain a Ranger for the rest of his career. Let’s just hope it’s not as long as Brown’s. He might have to take less if they’re to keep Girardi, who could become a trade candidate. Nothing is guaranteed. Only Lundqvist and Nash are untouchables. Six years between $34 to $36 million is fair for Captain Cally. He’s always been a team player.
 

Michael St. Croix edmontonsun.com

When it comes to prospects, the Rangers boast few scorers in their system. The recent second round swap with the Canadiens that sent Christian Thomas to Montreal for Danny Kristo could pan out. That story will be worth following this Fall. As for recent drafts, Michael St. Croix comes to mind. He’s hardly ever mentioned despite consecutive strong offensive showings with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League. The son of former NHL goalie Rick St. Croix (Flyers, Leafs) is looking to prove critics wrong.

Selected by the Rangers in the fourth round 106th overall of the 2011 Draft, the 20-year old St. Croix followed up a 45-goal 105-point season with 37 markers and 55 assists totaling 92 points in all 72 games. While the production didn’t match ’11-12, the Winnipeg native lit it up in the WHL playoffs tallying 13 goals and 13 helpers for 26 points- leading the Central Division winners to the WHL Finals where they fell short in a bid to repeat losing in six games to the Portland Winterhawks for the championship. Here’s a closer look at the center the Rangers signed last year (9/14/12).

PLAYER: Michael St. Croix
Position: Center
Shoots: Right
Height: 6-0
Weight: 179
Born: 4/10/1993
Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Drafted: New York Rangers 2011 Round 4 No.106

2010-11: In his second season with the Oil Kings, St. Croix improved across the board achieving new highs in goals (27), assists (48), points (75), plus/minus (28) and games played (68). He scored a goal in four playoff games. It impressed Ranger scouts enough to take him in the fourth round.

2011-12: Year Three was a breakout with St. Croix’s 105 points placing eighth in WHL scoring that included notables Emerson Etem and Ty Rattie. His 45 goals and 60 assist ranked in the top 10. He also improved his plus/minus to plus-40. The offensive explosion garnered East Second All-Star Team honors. In the postseason, he tallied seven goals and 12 helpers for 19 points in 20 games helping lead the Oil Kings to the Chynoweth Cup. Edmonton advanced to the Memorial Cup where they fell to eventual host champ Shawnigan. St. Croix was held to one assist in the tournament.

2012-13: His 92 points (37-55-92) was seventh best in the WHL. He was named to the East First All-Star Team. St. Croix established a career best in power play goals (20) and had six game-winners. Nearly half his production came on the power play totaling 44 power play points. His improvement during Edmonton’s run to the Chynoweth Cup Finals is a positive. Thirteen goals and 13 assists is a nice split. Only four of his 26 points came on the man-advantage. His point total ranked third best.

Scouting Report: I couldn’t find anything recent. Judging from previous accounts, most are undecided on him. The pluses are St. Croix’s offensive capabilities. He possesses good hands that can both finish and set up. He is undersized. Don’t put too much stock into him being generously listed at six feet. He definitely must get stronger. Especially entering his first year as a pro.

Video: There really isn’t much. Considering his numbers, it’s kind of a downer. I did find this scrap from a couple of years back.

Ironically, recent highlights of two goals he scored comes via NYR Blog contributor Adam Herman.

Future: Given that the Ranger organization unloaded another smallish prospect Thomas, it’s hard to say what his future is. It could depend on how quickly he adjusts to a more physical game in the AHL. Maybe he’s one of those classic overachievers. Only time shall tell.