Battle Of Hudson

We’re still a few days removed from training camp, but already the Rangers’ goal tending situation seems to be a good one. When camp opens on Friday, the Rangers will have five net minders under NHL contracts. Of course Lundqvist will be number one and, barring injury, will be between the pipes for a good 60-70 games. This begs the question of who should be the backup? Stephen Valiquette did a decent job for the Rangers down the stretch last season with the injury to Kevin Weekes. In 30 games with the Wolfpack, Valiquette was 17-12 with a 2.34 GAA and 0.909 save percentage. With the Rangers, he recorded one win and two losses in three games played, 3.16 GAA and 0.867 save percentage. The Rangers also have rookie Al Montoya, who posted a respectable 27-17 record in 48 games last season with a 2.25 GAA and 0.916 save percentage with the Wolfpack. The two remaining contracts belong to recently signed Miikka Wiikman and the under performing Chris Holt. With Lundqvist a lock for all but say 15 games this season, who would you rather see in the backup role, Valiquette or Montoya? Should Montoya back up to get NHL experience, even if it is only two or three games a month? Or should he start the season in the AHL to keep loose? Comments are strongly welcomed.

Everyone make sure to check out the re-vamped Kukla’s Korner, coming soon!

http://www.kuklaskorner.com

The New York Rangers have confirmed that Brian Leetch’s number 2 jersey will shortly be hanging above Madison Square Garden with the likes of Mark Messier, Eddie Giacomin, Rod Gilbert, and Mike Richter. On January 24th, when the Rangers host the Atlanta Thrashers in a rematch of the first round of the playoffs, Leetch will be entrenched in Rangers’ history forever. This is a classy move by the Rangers, and the right move. Leetch will forever be known for his days as a New York Ranger, bringing determination, grit and leadership to the Broadway Blueshirts. Congrats Brian!

Hall of Famer Jiggs McDonald will be calling Icelander games with Howie Rose working for that other New York team during October. Should be fun.

Billy Jaffe will unfortunately return from the start.

So, we’ll go back to fairly regularly posting from here on in.

Jeremy Roenick signed a 1-year deal with San Jose today. So I have a question to pose to the readers?

Say JR scores 10 goals this year, plays a checking role and the Sharks win a Cup.

Is he an HOFer?

Say 10 goals, 15 assists and a Cup this season, these would be his career stats.

REGULAR SEASON:
505 Goals
690 Assists
1195 Points

IN THE PLAYOFFS:
51 Goals
65 Assists
116 Points

Plus a potential Cup.

What does everyone think?

Another Super Series game, another injury to a Rangers prospect. Artem Anisimov left game three of the Super Series after a knee to knee incident involving Colton Gillies. Anisimov came across the middle of the ice, Gillies stuck his knee and and clipped Anisimov’s knee and lower leg. The play came on a delayed penalty, with Canada already one man down, and went unpenalized. It was originally thought that he had sustained torn knee ligaments, but he was back in action for the September 1st Game 4. He was still feeling the hit a little bit, but he looked alright according to several articles. Just another incident that calls for the Rangers to be protecting their prospects so close to training camp and the NHL season.

Here is the video, again from youtube.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=h2omAZz5aTQ

Alexei Cherepanov, the New York Rangers’ first pick in this year’s draft, was injured yesterday during the Russia vs Canada game in this year’s Super Series. Cherepanov came down the ice into his own zone, clipped Canada’s Brandon Sutter on the leg, knocking him to the ice. Cherepanov then received the puck and brought it into the Canadian zone, pulled up to look towards the net and was met with an elbow to the head by Sutter. Not only was the hit mainly with Sutter’s elbow, but he also left his feet when delivering the hit. Cherepanov sustained a mild concussion on the play, and is said to be out at least the next two games.

At what point does Glen Sather get on the phone and have his number one draft pick removed from the tournament? I understand the fact that Cherepanov is thrilled and honored to be representing his homeland Russia in this tournament, but the Rangers have an asset to protect. Cherepanov has been compared to Pavel Bure by several scouts recently. If that’s true, he would be a force in the NHL in the coming years. Pull him from the tournament, let him get healthy in time for training camp and watch him start to light the lamp in the Rangers’ system for right now. He has a whole career ahead of him in the NHL to look forward to, let’s not jeopardize it now before he even gets here.

The video can be seen on youtube via this link:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=x7WTtWHOmf4

According to a report, Pittsburgh and Buffalo will take each other on at Ralph Wilson Stadium on New Year’s Day at 1:00 PM on NBC.

http://pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/rss/s_523982.html

Neither NBC or NHL officials would confirm, but the announcement is expected on Sept. 10

After setting a deadline of today to be offered a contract by the New York Rangers, it looks like Michael Peca will be joining.. the Columbus Blue Jackets. Glen Sather opted to pass on signing Peca, and I for one feel it is a good non-signing. Leaving the cap room available should we acquire a defenseman is the first good thing that comes from this. Second, should Hossa not be on the top line, replaced by Straka, it gives some kids a chance to compete for the third line center position. Thoughts?

Keep Boltsmag head-man John Fontana in your thoughts, as he is recovering from surgery right now. John has helped with a couple of my undertakings over at SFM, and is a stand-up guy. Pray for him.