Battle Of Hudson

Last month, the Islanders filled a need by adding blueline help- acquiring veteran Lubomir Visnovsky from the Ducks for a 2013 second round pick. A few weeks later, the 35-year old Czech defenseman filed a grievance against Anaheim for trading him due to a no-trade clause in his contract originally signed with Edmonton. The reason it might still be valid is because he didn’t use it when he was dealt to Anaheim in 2010.

“This isn’t an issue with the (Islanders),” said Visnovsky’s agent Neil Sheehy in a Newsday article. “It’s a matter for the NHLPA/NHL to decide. He has a no-trade clause.”

Visnovsky is set to enter the final year of the contract where he’ll earn $3 million. The case will go to an arbitrator who’ll decide if the Ducks violated the terms of the deal. In the unlikely event that Visnovsky wins, he could still be a Duck. Though you have to wonder if such a scenario played out if the Islanders and Ducks would work something out with Visnovsky. With a cap hit of $5.6 million, the Isles were planning to assume the entire salary to help reach the floor. Most importantly, they’re hoping they added a quality player who can log important minutes on a rebuilding club that might feature two rookie defensemen.

The Islanders currently have anchor Mark Streit, Andrew MacDonald, Travis Hamonic and free agent pickup Matt Carkner as the only NHL defensemen on the roster until the Visnovsky situation is cleared up. He would give them a decent top four while Carkner could play a smaller role like he did in Ottawa, leaving room for prospects Calvin de Haan, Matt Donovan and Aaron Ness to compete for the remaining two spots. Garth Snow has gone on record as saying he hopes to see two kids play for the club this season. It’d be a bit easier for the Isles to ease them in if Visnovsky stays.

With an eye towards 2012-13, it’s time to look at our roster. While it should be easy to fill out the top two lines, the hard part remains the third and fourth where a number of players will try to replace popular Blueshirts.

Anytime you subtract character guys like Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, Brandon Prust and Ruslan Fedotenko, it’s not easy. All four were used everywhere by John Tortorella and instrumental on our penalty killing unit. It’ll be up to new acquisitions Jeff Halpern, Arron Asham and Taylor Pyatt to adjust to Tortorella’s demanding style that includes sacrificing body parts. Better known to uneducated Daily News columnists as blocked shots. Encouraging is that all three are gritty and shouldn’t have a problem fitting in.

Brian Boyle remains our top penalty killer who also takes important faceoffs. An area which Halpern will assist in. Ryan Callahan is a heart and soul leader who’ll do anything to win. Other candidates to help the PK are Derek Stepan, Carl Hagelin, Brad Richards and Rick Nash. Our stars shouldn’t have to do it much thanks to the additions of Halpern and Asham, who both are capable in this capacity. Pyatt hasn’t killed penalties much but should become a fixture on a second power play unit due to his willingness to drive the net and screen goaltenders.

If Marian Gaborik were healthy, I’m sure Tortorella would be tempted to put together a star-studded line of Nash, Richards and Gaborik. However, I still believe splitting them up once Gabby returns would be more effective unless they develop chemistry right off the bat. Young guns Chris Kreider and Carl Hagelin are keys to the club’s success. Does Tortorella keep Kreider with Stepan and Callahan while starting with Nash, Richards and Hagelin? That’s probably the most likely scenario.

It then becomes a question of who does Boyle play with and what is the fourth line. Once Gaborik comes back, Tortorella will have the luxury of using Hagelin or Kreider on the checking line which should make us more formidable. Especially given their speed and skill. Until then, the likely candidates to team with Boyle are Pyatt, Mike Rupp and Asham. One will be on the fourth line where Halpern should be an improvement from John Mitchell (signed with Colorado). There just isn’t as much versatility with Dubinsky and Anisimov around as both could double as extra centers. It still shouldn’t be that bad. I just am not sure how much production to expect out of the supporting cast.

Lines Without Gaborik

Nash-Richards-Hagelin
Kreider-Stepan-Callahan
Pyatt-Boyle-Asham
Rupp-Halpern-???

Note: Maybe Micheal Haley or a kid starts with the team on the fourth line.

Lines With Gabby

Kreider-Richards-Gaborik
Nash-Stepan-Callahan
Pyatt-Boyle-Hagelin
Rupp-Halpern-Asham

These are only suggestions. You might see Callahan on the top unit for added scoring. Would you put our Big Three together?

A day later and the hockey world is still buzzing about yesterday’s trade for Rick Nash, who after months of speculation finally landed on Broadway. The 28-year old power forward will team with Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik to bolster an offense that struggled during the Rangers’ run to the Eastern Conference Final.

It’s a whole new ballgame for Nash, who’s lived in obscurity playing for one of the league’s worst franchises in Columbus. Now, he must do better than the 30 goals, 59 points and career worst minus-19 rating in his last as a Blue Jacket. Glen Sather acquired the All-Star to fill a hole. How quickly he adjusts to life under the bright lights will determine whether the blockbuster trade is a home run or just another failed attempt by Slats at a star who’s trending downward.

Nash should have plenty left in the tank. Only 28, he figures to be rejuvenated playing with actual players who can get him the puck. First, John Tortorella will try his new star with Richards and probably Carl Hagelin if it’s our guess. As noted in Monday’s post, it makes sense to keep the All-American trio of Chris Kreider, Derek Stepan and Ryan Callahan intact and let them build off last Spring. They play a North American forechecking style that the Blueshirts will need to get through a tough division. By no means is it a cake walk when the Flyers potentially could be getting Shea Weber and the Pens with a full year of Sidney Crosby. The defending East champion Devils shouldn’t be underestimated despite the subtraction of Zach Parise. The Islanders are at the basement by default despite emerging star John Tavares. It’s possible for all five Atlantic teams to finish with 80-or-more points. The Isles missed 80 by one point last year.

So before you go annointing our team as Cup champs, there’s still much work to be done. It’s not easy to reach consecutive Conference Finals. It’ll also be a challenge to finish as the top seed two straight years. As we’ve learned, seeding means nothing. The Kings had no problem taking out Vancouver, St. Louis and Phoenix before being crowned champs over the lower seeded Devils. It becomes a different game in the playoffs. One Nash isn’t accustomed to unless you actually count that time his team got swept by Detroit. The Rangers could breeze through the regular season and it won’t mean didly squat if they don’t win the Cup. That’s what this trade is about. Bringing a fifth Cup to one of the most unsuccessful franchises in NHL history. One championship in the last 71 years. 1994 is a distant memory. Only Alex Kovalev still plays back home in Russia. Mark Messier and Adam Graves work for the Rangers and Conn Smythe hero Brian Leetch for MSG.

For Henrik Lundqvist, the mission remains the same. He wants to win a championship. The first-time Vezina winner had a nice run finally ditching the one round playoff label. Without him, the Rangers don’t make it out of the first two rounds. He did falter against nemesis Martin Brodeur but the team in front of him also wore down possibly due to two extended series. It was still a valuable experience that should prove beneficial to remaining holdovers Dan Girardi, Marc Staal, Ryan McDonagh, Mike Del Zotto, Stu Bickel, Richards, Gaborik, Callahan, Stepan, Hagelin, Kreider, Brian Boyle and Mike Rupp. Assuming Anton Stralman is re-signed and why wouldn’t he be, that’s 15 Rangers from last season. The bitter taste of being so close should be a motivating factor.

Adding Nash to a roster that often lacked consistent secondary scoring should help. His size (6-4, 216), strength and speed are game breaking. One area he must improve on is the power play. His numbers have slipped. In each of the past two seasons, he’s scored six. For full breakdown of Nash’s pros, cons and power play numbers, please refer to a previous post I did two weeks ago. Part of it has to do with who he played with which wasn’t much unless you think R.J. Umberger is a first line player. Here, he’ll be surrounded with better talent including playmakers Richards and Stepan. Del Zotto isn’t much of a power play quarterback but is a great passer with superb skating ability. If there’s one thing the team still lacks, it’s a true No.1 defenseman who can run the man-advantage. Otherwise known as the powerless play. Hopefully, the combo of Gaborik and Nash along with Callahan will drastically improve our output.

At even strength, Nash only had seven more points than Artem Anisimov. He probably won’t be as solid overall as Anisimov or Brandon Dubinsky but that’s not why he was brought in. He’s here to score big goals and help win a Cup. If the Blueshirts are to go all the way, figure it to be a three-year window with Callahan, Gaborik, Girardi and Lundqvist all due raises following ’13-14. In other words, the pressure is on the team to win now. Anyone who thinks differently is foolish. This is about maximizing the prime years of our best players before things get tricky. With Nash ($7.8 million) signed through ’17-18 and Richards ($6.67 million) here for another eight years, who knows what the cap will look like. That’s the unknown until a new CBA gets done. Hopefully, sooner rather than later.

The Rangers are banking on Nash to return to the form that saw him score 40 goals twice. If it works out, pencil him in for at least 35 and 70 points. We’ll see how he does when lights shine brightest.

Artem Anisimov and Brandon Dubinsky were a big part of the Ranger revival.

Sometimes, sports aren’t fair. One day, you root for your favorite players and then the next minute they’re gone. At least Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov were Rangers long enough to help turn our franchise around. Both were versatile forwards who played in all facets. If you think they won’t be missed, think again. They were two-way players who could be used by John Tortorella anywhere.

In particular, Dubinsky who went from our leading scorer in ’10-11 to a disappointing ’11-12 which saw him score only 10 goals. His 34 points were his lowest total as an NHLer. Part of the reason for the struggle was the addition of center Brad Richards, forcing the popular Blueshirt to play exclusively on the left side. While he did have success there a season before pacing us with 54 points, it still was a tough adjustment for a natural center who Tortorella still plugged there when needed. It says a lot about Dubinsky’s character that he put the success of our team ahead of personal stats.

There were times he drove us nuts. However, the former ’04 second round pick was a good player in five seasons totaling 81 goals and 132 assists for 213 points over 393 games. He gave us moments like that comeback against Boston when a loss would’ve probably meant no playoffs over a year ago. There he was using his size to find the rebound and tie a game the Rangers trailed 3-0 before Mike Sauer stunned the Bruins. Dubi’s strength and speed made him tough to knock off the puck such as a great individual effort to beat Washington here. He was a guy we truly loved. Even if he teased us from time to time, you saw how much he loved being a Ranger. Pride and passion from a guy who never wanted to be traded. At least Glen Sather waited until after his wedding.

Anisimov is a couple of years younger. The 24-year old Russian was likeable with his cool demeanor one of the highlights of HBO’s 24/7 leading up to the Winter Classic. Who didn’t love his shotgun goal celebration, which actually paid tribute to a former buddy who tragically died in the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl plane crash? Maybe the timing wasn’t right with Vinny Lecavalier and the entire Lightning bench thinking his sniper celebration was a cheap shot. But it was fun spirited and not meant that way. Arty still apologized and genuinely felt bad about it.

Somewhat ironically, the three-year Blueshirt who was part of the Draft Line that was forgotten this past season, was also a former second round pick the club selected in ’06. After a slow start, Anisimov picked it up finishing with 36 points (16-20-36) while often being misused by Tortorella. Even in the postseason, Arty was sometimes in the doghouse despite solid production (3-7-10 in 20 GP). Perhaps he and Dubinsky will get consistent minutes in NHL Siberia where they’ll find familiar face Fedor Tyutin. They’ll now be asked to help arguably the worst team turn it around. Both were a big part of our team who gave us moments to remember them by.

It’s never easy when players you love are gone. However, it often happens in sports. Teams are always looking to improve. The Rangers addressed a hole by acquiring Rick Nash for more scoring. They feel he will help put them over the hump and win a Stanley Cup. Trades such as today’s don’t account for team chemistry and overall depth which might’ve been hurt. There are always risks. If the reward means a championship, then I’m all for it. But when you look at the carmaraderie this team had, it might not go smoothly.

Whether you wanted to trade them or not, there’s no denying what Dubinsky and Anisimov brought to the table. Two solid overall players who could play in different situations. In particular on our penalty kill where kids like Carl Hagelin and perhaps Chris Kreider will be asked to pick up the slack. Hopefully, they won’t experience any growing pains. But if Dubi and Arty taught us anything, it’s that not every year for young players is consistent.

Farewell to two good Rangers. Best of luck in Columbus.

Newly acquired Rick Nash will be under pressure to perform as a Ranger.

Rick Na$h finally got his wish. The All-Star forward was traded today to the Rangers in a six-player deal with the Blue Jackets. Going the other way are Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov, who were integral parts of the Blueshirts rebuild that saw them rise to tops in the East and the club’s first appearance in the Conference Finals since 1997.

TSN’s Darren Dreger broke the story before 3 PM, which was then reported by WFAN’s Evan Roberts. Once it was evident that Nash was coming to the Big Apple, I actually guessed the trade. Along with Dubinsky and Anisimov, Tim Erixon and a first round pick go to Columbus with the Rangers also receiving a minor league defenseman and a conditional third round pick to complete the transaction.

What remains to be seen is how Nash adjusts from life in obscurity to playing in one of the largest media markets. Outside of Montreal or Toronto, New York City is probably the third toughest place to play in the NHL. You’re not under a microscope minute to minute like in Canada but the pressure is on the 28-year old former No.1 overall pick to perform. He’s being brought in to add scoring help to a roster that will be without leading scorer Marian Gaborik for at least two months.

Unless Glen Sather overpays for Shane Doan, Nash will feel like he’s still a Blue Jacket. Sure. He’ll finally get to play with a true number one center in Brad Richards or previous deal breaker Derek Stepan. But when you look at our team minus Gaborik, there are no other proven scorers outside of Ryan Callahan, who maybe asked to play on the top line. I’m not sure I’d do it instead keeping Callahan with Stepan and Chris Kreider for a potential second line. The American trio had some success during the postseason, helping offset our top line’s ineffeciency. Without Kreider, they don’t make it past Ottawa. Now, the BC kid will have increased expectations before he even plays a second of a regular season game. It’ll be interesting to see how he adjusts to a full 82-game schedule assuming there’s no lockout.

Encouraging is that Slats was able to bargain Scott Howson down from untouchables Ryan McDonagh, Kreider and Stepan to a reasonable return of Dubinsky, Anisimov, Erixon and a number one. By moving both Dubinsky and Anisimov ($6.75 million), he was able to virtually offset Nash’s hefty price tag ($7.8 million), leaving enough room to possibly add another player while re-signing key restricted’s Mike Del Zotto and Anton Stralman. If it’s Doan, it would be a natural fit with the proven vet capable of filling a void left by Dubinsky. I still think it’s ridiculous to pay a 35-year old superstar money when he’s no more than a 20-25 goal, 50-60 point player. If he wants four years at that price, let someone else have him.

I still like the idea of offersheeting Winnipeg’s Evander Kane. The 21-year old is a budding power forward who just had his first 30-goal season. He should only improve. Don’t forget that Gaborik and Nash won’t be scoring forever. The Jets currently are around $51.2 million. Theoretically, they should have enough to get Kane re-signed. I don’t see anything wrong with forcing them to match. I am not a fan of investing in 30-year olds to win a Cup. It worked once before but this is a different league. A younger one where it still is wise to have kids who can contribute throughout the lineup. On paper, we still have Stepan, Kreider and Hagelin with prospects J.T. Miller and Christian Thomas waiting in the wings. So, it’s not completely bare.

When you assess Sather’s offseason, he’s addressed a huge hole by adding Nash. I still think subtracting Dubinsky and Anisimov hurts our overall depth. Brian Boyle likely plays with Taylor Pyatt and a question mark. Unless old Slats is back by bringing in Doan, who else plays on the third line? Arron Asham or Mike Rupp? Geez. An aspect that overjoyous Ranger fans will overlook is that the supporting cast was just as important as the featured actors. This isn’t a Broadway play. At some point next season, Dubinsky and Anisimov will be missed along with Brandon Prust. Gone are versatile forwards who were a big part of our penalty kill, which might not be so easy to replace.

Boyle is still here and new addition Jeff Halpern probably will get some PK time. Pyatt’s never really played shorthanded. Asham can but eh. The forwards who should get the bulk of the time are Boyle, Callahan, Stepan and Hagelin, who proved to be a threat due to his game breaking speed. My guess is John Tortorella will use Nash, who’s done well scoring shorthanded goals due to his speed and reach. Richards will see time as well but shouldn’t be asked to do it regularly.

If we’re projecting lines when Gaborik returns, I doubt he and Nash will play together. Though a Nash-Richards-Gaborik top line is scary. Can the contrast in styles work? If Kreider can avoid a rookie struggle and Hagelin doesn’t go over a month without scoring, the Rangers should be good. How good remains to be seen.

Boom. That was the thud you heard late last night on the East coast when Shea Weber agreed to a 14-year offersheet with the Flyers worth $110 million. As Hasan previously noted, the Predators have the daunting task of deciding whether to match Paul Holmgren’s ridiculous frontloaded contract that’ll pay the league’s best defenseman 27 million in ’12-13. He’ll earn 14 million along with another 13 million in bonuses in the first year.

What would you do if you were Nashville general manager David Poile? He has seven days to either match or accept compensation that would likely include four number one draft picks. Or there’s choice C of perhaps working out a trade that’d allow Philadelphia to complete the transaction. I am of the belief that Poile should stick to his guns, which he laid out from the very beginning. Something he alluded to in direct response to the stunning offer that’s floored the hockey world.

“We have stated previously that, should a team enter into an offer sheet with Shea, our intention would be to match and retain Shea. Our ownership has provided us with the necessary resources to build a Stanley Cup-winning team. Due to the complexity of the offer sheet, we will take the appropriate time to review and evaluate it and all of its ramifications in order to make the best decision for the Predators in both the short and long-term. We do not anticipate any further comments on this situation until we make our decision within the next seven days.”

Considering that they were shafted by Ryan Suter, who turned down a chance to stay in Music City to play with buddy Zach Parise in Minnesota, you have to think the Predators do have the necessary funds to keep Weber. A game changing player who can dominate games in all facets. Offensively and defensively, he’s the premier blueliner surpassing Zdeno Chara due to age. At 26, he’s in the prime of his career that should include the Norris that went to Erik Karlsson. How voters overlooked Weber’s overall stature is as mystifying as ’93-94 when Ray Bourque won the league’s top defenseman on merit over new Devils assistant Scott Stevens.

Along with Pekka Rinne, Weber is the Preds’ featured star who’s played on a low scoring, defensive oriented team that’s built around him. Having subtracted Suter for an insane 13-year $98 million, it’s hard to see Nashville surviving without the All-Star who is a 20-goal 60-point threat if he plays on a better roster like the Flyers. Maybe that’s why he lost the Norris. All they saw was all of Karlsson’s production for Ottawa, which is also a Canadian market that’s covered more than Barry Trotz’ under the radar club in Tennessee. Everyone knows how special a player Weber is. The kind of difference maker who can supplant Chris Pronger and help the Flyers win their first Cup since 1975. Most expect Pronger to retire due to Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS). It’d be a shame for one of the great blueliners of our time to bow out that way but we’ve seen it before.

Apparently, Holmgren had a back up plan allowing Matt Carle to walk for big money in Tampa Bay. Even after swapping James van Riemsdyk to Toronto for Luke Schenn, the Flyers GM is always looking ahead at ways to improve his team. However, they weren’t alone in the Weber pursuit with the much coveted No.1 D also visiting New York City. Apparently, he didn’t like what it had to offer, angering Ranger fans. At least we know that Glen Sather wasn’t smoking a Cuban chasing more fourth liners. The disturbing aspect is it’s not like Philadelphia is a small town. There’s just as much pressure to perform in the City Of Brotherly Love as there is in Manhattan. The Flyers haven’t won since I was born. Rocky Balboa is still the most beloved sports figure along with Secretariat. That includes the Phillies recently winning the World Series.

Maybe Weber is hoping to duck and cover like a cynical league and owners who want to have their cake and eat it. Considering their recent demands of rollbacks that would include cutting player revenue from 57 percent to 46 along with dramatically reducing long-term contracts to five years maximum, it’s no wonder I’m not excited about hockey starting on time. We’ve been here before under indestructible commissioner Gary Bettman, whose salary has increased since the last lockout. It’s not really all on Bettman, who’s best known for locking out the players twice including following the ’94 playoffs when hockey’s popularity was pushing the NBA.

To be blunt, you have to look at the same owners who sign the paychecks. They’re the ones who approve deals so crazy, you wonder if we can give Krazy Eddie a call. Maybe put him back in business just for old-time’s sake. Who didn’t love those commercials that ended with the catch phrase, “Insaa—–nnnnneeeeeeee,?” Those were glory days as The Boss sang in New Jersey for all to hear.

Even crazier is talk of them wanting to ditch arbitration and put players at their mercy. Hopefully, that’s just a silly rumor from an unreliable source. As Dad’s echoed, this isn’t the 60’s. Even if you believe Larry Brooks, who can sometimes be over the top even if most of his Sunday Post columns usually have some good content. Brooks has always been a PA shill. Even if I’m with the players, you have to look at things rationally. Last time, the league needed a salary cap and won after canceling an entire season. Unfortunately, the way the system was set up had loop holes that have been exposed by GMs, who are just as much to blame for the absurd money getting tossed around.

I agree that these ridiculously long contracts must end. You can’t have teams locking up players until the next decade or say 2025. If you want to pin it on someone, look no further than Islander owner Charles Wang who started this revolution pre-lockout with Alexei Yashin and then defied logic post-lockout with future AARP member Rick DiPietro. Ironic that it’s the same organization that’s hard pressed to reach the salary floor whose fans always blame the Rangers or other big markets like the Flyers. If the Rangers were the worst offenders before armageddon, then it’s the Flyers who continue to push the envelope. Their specialty is signing players to huge deals (ie. Richards, Carter, Pronger, Bryzgalov) and then either unloading them or using offersheets like they did with Ryan Kesler and now Weber. The Blues and Canucks traded offers with Vancouver forcing St. Louis to match on David Backes and then the Blues returning the favor on current Devil Steve Bernier. Seriously.

There also was Edmonton who successfully signed away former Duck Dustin Penner, who never duplicated his production and then suddenly rediscovered himself to help the Kings win the Cup playing with Richards and Carter. How fitting. They also offersheeted Buffalo’s Thomas Vanek leading to a threat to do the same to them. You gotta love it. It’s almost like a game of chicken. In the NBA, nobody blinks an eye when players sign offers. Former Knick Jeremy Lin got the Rockets to overpay, even reworking the contract which New York didn’t match. At least executives aren’t supersensitive about a more common practice.

I fail to see how owners can’t see their hypocrisy. Last time, they cried about financial dire straits and Bettman’s favorite term “cost certainty” was passed around like a joint. Unfortunately, the current CBA hasn’t come close to solving the problem. With a cap as high as $70 million which likely could drop to $62 million when a new labor agreement is reached, it allows teams to make room for big free agents. Did anyone ever think the Wild would morph into the Flyers for Parise/Suter? The same owner complained a couple of months prior before leaks came out about how much they were set to offer hometown kid Parise. Tampering?

It’s extremely hard to figure out where things are headed. Especially with Donald Fehr in charge of the NHLPA. He won’t tolerate any crap. I hope he’s learned from the ’94 baseball strike. Nobody wants to lose another season. I don’t really believe we will. There’s too much at stake. Hockey is still way behind the other major sports and is rebuilding its image. Maybe they’ll even find a way to get it done on time and save everyone money on aspirin.