Devils re-sign Bratt, is Timo next?

Posted on June 17, 2023 by hasan4978

With the NHL draft set to begin in two weeks, thankfully this year is one of the few I’ve paid little attention to in the last decade or so, given the fact we have no pick until late in the second round. Not that you can’t pick good players in the late second round and beyond (recently departed Damon Severson being one such example), but it’s even more of a crapshoot from a fan’s perspective. Ironically the only way the draft is really relevant to me this year is as a flashpoint for our big-name potential RFA signings. Thankfully GM Tom Fitzgerald got half of that problem solved with the announcement of an 8-year, $63 million extension agreed to with Jesper Bratt about two weeks before this year’s draft.

After all my kvetching over Bratt’s contract situation (and some by Fitz himself after last offseason) with two previous failed long-term negotiations, I have to admit part of me thought we were headed to a fatal crossroads this month. With the unofficial deadline approaching, it was going to become apparent very quickly whether Bratt and his agent’s priority was maxing out on money or getting the best deal he could to stay here. Fortunately, the answer proved to be the latter. Especially since the perceived deadline looks like it became a real one indeed:

Things were always going to be decided this month. If Fitz don’t get a long-term commitment in a third negotiation (whether it was one year on an RFA deal or a two-year one a la Vladislav Gavrikov in LA, anticipating a higher cap at that point), odds are Bratt would have gone to free agency – and if that was the case you couldn’t do what the Islanders did with John Tavares and let him walk for nothing in return, even if the return likely wouldn’t have been ideal for a team that’s now transitioned from worrying about the future to supplementing the present.

Thankfully, when push came to shove Bratt did indeed want to stay. While I think the idea of Jack Hughes’s deal being a cap on all Devils contracts was vastly overplayed (especially with Dougie Hamilton already making more), it may well have been an unofficial ceiling in Bratt’s case – if only because he’s clearly not the player Jack is. Bratt was certainly important to retain long-term however, given his two straight 73-point seasons with a career-high 32 goals in 2022-23, and being one of the key figures in the Devils’ turnaround.

Make no mistake though, this wasn’t any kind of a lowball – it was a fair deal for all in the end. Could Bratt have made a $500k to a million per year more if he slow-walked it to free agency? Perhaps, but then you can’t exactly control what team is the one that’s offering such a contract, assuming there is going to be one out there. We’ve seen time and again where players get their payday on bad teams, then aren’t happy there while the player can’t do anything to help said bad team win and a long-term divorce is inevitable. Bratt in the end getting his jersey number ($63) in millions on his extension wasn’t quite Sidney Crosby type $8.7 per year superstitious but it worked out nicely all things considered.

Both Bratt and Fitz met with the media yesterday morning and ironically, I’m probably going watch both of those pressers right after this blog as I haven’t had the time to do it yet. Let’s face it though, you can get the big nuggets via Twitter and other avenues anyway. I’m not sure if Bratt really had one per se other than saying he texted Nico Hischier to let him know about the extension before it became public a couple days ago.

Given the departure of Severson this offseason, if pending UFA Miles Wood also doesn’t return, Nico and Bratt will both become the longest-tenured Devils on the roster with six seasons each. My, how time flies. While Nico was the #1 overall pick in 2017, Bratt took the longer road to get here after being an unheralded sixth-round pick in 2016. He scored thirteen goals and 35 points and played 74 regular season games as a 19-year old rookie and played a role in getting the Devils back to the postseason after a six-year absence, but Bratt only got in the lineup for one of the team’s five first-round games. Bratt, like the team stagnated to an extent the next couple years but had a true breakout in 2021-22 with 26 goals and 73 points in 76 games.

Was last offseason’s failed long-term contract negotiation in part a product of Fitz saying ‘do it again’ first? Perhaps…thankfully, we no longer have to speculate on Bratt’s contract status until the next decade. With Bratt done, Timo becomes the next focus, then after that Dawson Mercer is up for his first post-ELC extension after this month. Fitz made no bones about where he stands on both – in regard to Mercer saying he wanted to have discussions about locking up the Devils’ breakout second-year player long-term. First things first, however and that’s dealing with Timo before the draft.

I’ve been a little nervous about how that negotiation would go but Fitz dropped this little nugget during his 25-minute presser:

Given that Fitz exuded confidence in the Bratt negotiations before officially getting it done, how can I doubt him now? Of course, long-term deals aren’t the easiest thing in the world to negotiate – but if player and team’s interests are aligned in wanting to stay then it seems a matter of when and how, rather than if Timo will re-sign at this point – which would be a tremendous boon to the Devils’ offseason plans assuming his contract also got done in the next couple of weeks.

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Off-season Begins: Golden Knights crowned new champs, Bratt re-signs with Devils, NHL Draft, July 1 ahead

Posted on June 15, 2023 by Derek

On Tuesday night in Vegas, the NHL crowned a new champion. In only their sixth year, the Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup. They did it in convincing fashion by defeating the Panthers 9-3 in Game 5.

The Knights defeated the Panthers in five games. They were clearly the better team. A dominant five-on-five team that played strong defensively in front of Adin Hill, Vegas ultimately proved that they were the best team in the playoffs. They finished 16-6 during the four rounds. That included eliminating Winnipeg in five, ousting both Edmonton and Dallas in six before conquering Florida.

It was a total team effort. Featuring Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Marchessault, whose 13 goals paced them, they had four 20-point scorers, including postseason leader Jack Eichel (6-20-26), captain Mark Stone (11-13-24), and Chandler Stephenson (10-10-20). Possessing scoring balance with all four lines chipping in, they were deeper than opponents. That included misfits Marchessault, William Karlsson, and Reilly Smith. They remained a key factor for winning coach Bruce Cassidy.

Deadline addition Ivan Barbashev was also instrumental in helping the Golden Knights reach the finish line. The former Blue tallied 18 points (7-11-18). He also mixed it up when necessary. Unlikely to return, there’s no doubt Barbashev increased his market value this off-season. Along with Max Domi and Vladimir Tarasenko, he’ll be part of the free agent class this July. Astonishingly, that’s around the corner.

The biggest reason the Golden Knights won their first championship is due to the superb defense they had. It always helps to have a strong back end. Featuring Shea Theodore and former Blue Alex Pietrangelo, who won his second Cup, they defended well and protected the house. That made it easier for Hill to make the big saves after he replaced Laurent Brossoit during the Oilers series. He certainly did his part to help them win.

However, the commitment from all six defensemen, including Brayden McNabb, Zach Whitecloud, Alec Martinez, and Nicolas Hague. They all played key minutes for Cassidy, who went from losing his job with the Bruins to winning the Cup with the Golden Knights. His former team had a historic season but was upset by the scrappy Panthers. A team that didn’t have much left in the tank by the Stanley Cup Finals.

It still was great run by the eighth seed. The Panthers beat the top three teams in the Eastern Conference. They took down the Bruins, Maple Leafs, and Hurricanes. They were led by Matthew Tkachuk. He scored clutch goals and set up the series winner Carter Verhaeghe scored to stun Boston. Unfortunately, he suffered a broken sternum on the big open ice hit Keegan Kolesar delivered. He somehow managed to play Game 4 despite needing help to dress. Tkachuk was unable to go in Game 5.

Brandon Montour played with a torn labrum. Aaron Ekblad had a broken foot, a torn oblique muscle, and two separated shoulder dislocations. Radko Gudas has a high ankle sprain. Eetu Luostarinen also had a broken tibia. When coach Paul Maurice revealed the injuries to Jackie Redmond on TNT, he didn’t make any excuses. He gave credit to the Golden Knights. Maurice also spoke highly of how much he loves sports and how special a group those players were to coach. It was quite an interview.

Sometimes, it isn’t always about winning and losing. What Maurice gave Redmond in that interview provided the viewers with a lot more substance. How much he loves competitive sports is why we watch. I’ve seen plenty of fans rip into players when their teams lose. Unless you’re there in the locker room, you don’t know anything. These guys care. They’re people. Just like us.

I think sometimes, we forget that these are human beings. They’re not perfect. As much criticism as a select number of players received for the Rangers’ failure to advance past the Devils in the first round, they lost as a team. We don’t know the mental side. So much of sports is mental. Mental affects physical. Vice versa. I find the more you do, the better you’ll feel. But I don’t play professional sports. The most pressure packed games are under the spotlight. It isn’t easy.

Regarding the off-season that’s coming up, every team is looking to improve. There’s 31 teams chasing the Golden Knights. Vegas is certain to lose a few guys from their Stanley Cup roster. That’s how it works in the salary cap era. They had an estimated $96 million in cap. The most ever. Long-term injured reserve allowed them to find enough room to add key pieces. Between LTIR and taxes in states such as Vegas, Dallas, and Florida, it is a flawed system that can use correcting. But that’s not why the Knights won. They proved to be the best team. They flew under the radar due to the Oilers and Avalanche.

When it comes to cap space, that determines what each team can do during the summer. The Rangers have $11.7 million left. If there are no moves, that means prioritizing key restricted free agents Alexis Lafreniere and K’Andre Miller. Whatever is left over, it becomes about what both Chris Drury and new coach Peter Laviolette want to do. Of the unrestricted free agents, only Tyler Motte and Jaroslav Halak are realistic options at re-signing. Expect Patrick Kane and Tarasenko to leave. Niko Mikkola will likely wind up elsewhere.

While the Blueshirts have an important off-season ahead of them, the rival Devils already kick-started theirs by agreeing to an eight-year contract with Jesper Bratt worth an average cap hit of $7.875 million.

The cap number isn’t surprising. Especially considering what Cole Caufield received from the Canadiens. It’s eight years for $63 million. The numbers are identical to Kevin Fiala, who received the same contract with the Kings last year after the Wild traded him.

The Devils still have $25.5 million remaining. Timo Meier is the next order of business. He’ll be a little more expensive. Figure the power forward to come in around $9 to $9.5 million. That should leave around $16 million. Erik Haula is one of the UFA’s who indicated he’d like to return. Ryan Graves could be expendable due to the arrival of Luke Hughes and possibly Simon Nemec. They also have to re-sign RFA’s Mike McLeod, Nathan Bastian, and Kevin Bahl. They have decisions on Yegor Sharangovich and Jesper Boqvist. Mackenzie Blackwood, Tomas Tatar, and Miles Wood could wind up elsewhere.

With the NHL Draft taking place at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville beginning on Wednesday, June 28. Connor Bedard is expected to go first to the Blackhawks. After that, it’s between Matvei Michkov and Adam Fantilli. It’ll depend on what the Ducks and Blue Jackets want to do with their picks. There are rumors that the Canadiens might be interested in moving up. They pick fifth behind the Sharks.

The Rangers have a first round pick. They select number 23. The Devils gave up theirs to San Jose as part of the Timo Meier deal. As we draw closer, I’ll have more on the draft.

Once it concludes on June 29, that’s when the action should pick up. The free agent frenzy begins on July 1. There are also some stars who are a year away from hitting the market. Auston Matthews and William Nylander are entering the final year of their contracts. The Leafs’ off-season should be interesting to watch.

Expect the Hurricanes to sign captain Sebastian Aho to an extension. They must keep him. One big name who could surface in trade speculation is Connor Hellebuyck. He has a year remaining on his deal at a cap hit of $6.17 million. He’s indicated that he doesn’t want to stay in Winnipeg, who is also likely to move on from Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele. Both have moderated no-trade clauses entering their final year.

Keep an eye on Alex DeBrincat. The restricted free agent could again get moved. After changing addresses last year from Chicago to Ottawa, he might not want to sign long-term with the Senators. A former 40-goal scorer, he should be available. If he’s acquired, the team that gets him would have to extend him. Otherwise, they risk losing him next summer.

All of this makes the summer compelling. Even without hockey during the warm weather, there’ll be plenty of action. We’ll see how it all plays out.

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Rangers make it official by hiring Laviolette as the new coach, pressure on Drury

Posted on June 13, 2023 by Derek

It’s official. The Rangers have hired Peter Laviolette as the new coach. He becomes the 37th coach in franchise history. He takes over for Gerard Gallant, who had success by posting a 99-46-19 record for the second best winning percentage in team history.

Gallant’s first season saw the Rangers make the Conference Finals. They lost to the Lightning. After a second straight year of posting over 100 points, they suffered a disappointing seven-game first round series loss to the Devils. That was enough for Team President and GM Chris Drury to part ways with Gallant.

It took a while for the Rangers to make a final decision on the new coach. They interviewed Laviolette twice and also considered John Hynes. Hartford coach Kris Knoblauch was interviewed. They never considered Patrick Roy or the controversial Joel Quenneville. Credit Mollie Walker for getting it right on both.

As it turned out, the hold-up was due to the organization waiting to see what would happen in Pittsburgh and Toronto. It was fairly obvious that Drury had strong interest in Mike Sullivan. But new Team President Kyle Dubas decided to keep the Penguins bench boss. The Maple Leafs look to be retaining Sheldon Keefe after losing to the Panthers in the second round.

As Walker reported, the Rangers will introduce Laviolette next Tuesday at a press conference to make it official. He will get to bring in his own assistants. The organization let go of former assistant coach Gord Murphy. Hot tip to Arthur Staple.

Laviolette, 58, has been around the block for over two decades. He started out with the Islanders, getting them back to the playoffs in 2001-02 and 02-03. They were eliminated in the first round both times. His time in Long Island is best remembered for the memorable seven-game series against the Leafs. It was hard fought. But Toronto came out victorious. After losing to the Senators, the Islanders moved on.

Laviolette was hired by the Hurricanes in 2003-04. He replaced Paul Maurice. After missing the postseason, he guided the Hurricanes to a first place finish in 2005-06 with 112 points. After coming back to beat the Canadiens in the first round, they defeated the Devils to reach the Eastern Conference Final. There, they went back and forth with the Sabres before eliminating them in seven to reach the Stanley Cup Finals. It was there that they won the franchise’s only Cup by edging the Oilers in seven.

But following winning the Stanley Cup, the Hurricanes failed to reach the playoffs the following year. They became the first defending champion to do so since the Devils in 95-96. With the pressure on, Laviolette was dismissed in his third season 25 games in. Ironically, Maurice replaced him and led the club to the Conference Finals.

During 2009-10, Laviolette landed on his feet when the Flyers decided to make a change. He replaced John Stevens. He was able to get them in the playoffs. Once there, they defeated the Devils to advance to the second round. In a stunning upset, they successfully rallied from a 3-0 deficit to come back and defeat the Bruins in seven. They made history by joining the Islanders and Maple Leafs as the only teams to do so at that point. The Kings became the fourth in 2012.

The Flyers then took out the Canadiens in seven to reach the Stanley Cup Finals. Matched up against the star-laden Blackhawks that featured dynamic duo Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, the Flyers put up a good fight. However, it was the Blackhawks that prevailed when Kane scored in overtime to stun the Flyers in six. Laviolette guided them to a second straight postseason. But after defeating the Sabres in seven, they lost to the eventual champion Bruins, who avenged the previous loss by sweeping the Flyers.

The next year, the Flyers again reached the postseason. They beat in-state rival Pittsburgh in a memorable first round that featured plenty of scoring and fights. But following the six-game series win that’s still fondly remembered, they were upset by the rival Devils in five. That was the beginning of the end for Laviolette, whose team missed the playoffs during the shortened season in 12-13. With his job clearly hanging in the balance, it only took three losses at the start of 2013-14 to fire him. It was absurd.

Laviolette eventually took over in Nashville for Barry Trotz. Starting in 2014-15, he had some success in Music City with the Predators. After a good first season where they won 47 games and had 104 points, they lost to the rival Blackhawks in six. The following year, Laviolette got them to the second round by edging the Ducks in seven. But they were ousted by the Sharks in the second round.

It was during 2016-17 that the Predators achieved their most success. After squeaking in with 94 points, they went on a memorable run to the Stanley Cup Finals. They finally got the better of the Blackhawks by sweeping them. Then, they defeated the Blues in six to reach the Conference Finals. It was there that they defeated the higher seeded Ducks for a second consecutive year. This time, they did it in six to reach the Stanley Cup Finals.

Although they had a very good team that featured Pekka Rinne, Filip Forsberg, Mike Fisher, Viktor Arvidsson, James Neal, Roman Josi, P.K. Subban, Mattias Ekholm, and Ryan Ellis, they were unable to defeat the Crosby/Malkin Penguins. They repeated as champs by taking the final two games after Nashville tied the series at two apiece. The Pens outscored the Preds 8-0 in Games 5 and 6.

Over the next two years, Laviolette continued to have success there. Ironically, the best season the Predators ever had was in 2017-18. They won 53 games and had 117 points for the top seed. But as often happens when you have a great regular season, it becomes harder to win. After defeating the Avalanche in six, they lost in seven on home ice to the Jets. Most discouraging is Winnipeg beat them 5-1 after they took Game 6 in enemy territory 4-0. Sometimes, the playoffs don’t make sense.

Following another good season, the Preds were eliminated in the first round by the Stars in six. That setback put Laviolette’s job on the line. Ironically, it was eerily similar to the path he took in Philadelphia. In the coaching business, it’s all about results. What have you done for me lately, basically. With the Predators struggling at the halfway point, Laviolette was dismissed in favor of Hynes. He got them to the playoffs, but they lost early. That became his undoing. Andrew Brunette recently replaced Hynes as Trotz’ choice. Go figure.

For the last three years, Laviolette spent his time in Washington DC. With the declining Capitals, he was there to see Alexander Ovechkin make history by passing Gordie Howe for second all-time in goals. However, after losing early the previous two seasons, the Caps failed to qualify for the playoffs. A mediocre third year doomed Laviolette, who refused to play some of the team’s young prospects. With Nicklas Backstrom struggling with his back and inconsistent defense and goaltending, it wasn’t a surprise they missed the postseason. They weren’t that good.

It was clear that the Caps wanted to go in another direction. They decided to let Laviolette go and hire Spencer Carberry. The former Leafs assistant is only 41. Even with an aging Ovechkin chasing Gretzky, the Capitals will look to rebuild. That’ll be interesting to watch considering Ovechkin’s pursuit of Gretzky’s all-time goals record. He needs 72 to tie and 73 to pass the Great One. That could be done in two years when he’s 39.

Although Laviolette has an impressive resume, having won a Cup and guided three different teams to the Stanley Cup Finals, he’s a retread. The record speaks for itself. His 752 wins rank first all-time among American born coaches. John Tortorella is second with 704. Among active coaches, Laviolette is third trailing, Lindy Ruff (834) and Maurice (817). The Devils are expected to bring back Ruff following their breakthrough season.

The only question is, is Laviolette the right coach for the Rangers? That remains to be seen. It’s obvious that Drury’s trying to save face.

The first round ouster after adding big fish Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane was unacceptable. Especially when the team hardly competed in a lopsided Game 7 to the Hudson rival Devils. But that was his roster. Gallant was right when he voiced his displeasure. It lacked the grit they had in 2021-22. That’s why it was ridiculous what most thought about the talent. Talent doesn’t win. The best teams do.

Now, it’s Laviolette’s job to try to get the most out of a roster that features Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, Adam Fox, Igor Shesterkin, and the puzzling Artemi Panarin. A star player capable of 90-plus points who struggles in the playoffs. Can he change? Laviolette is tougher than Gallant. That $11.6 million cap hit isn’t going anywhere. It’s up to him to help Panarin produce when it matters most.

There are still questions for Drury as the off-season approaches. What will he decide on key restricted free agents Alexis Lafreniere and K’Andre Miller? Lafreniere should be more affordable. Miller, who knows? If his agent plays games, I’d consider trading him. Given his age and skill set, there should be plenty of interest if he prices himself out. Look at the return the Flyers got for Ivan Provorov. Only time will tell what happens regarding Miller.

The Rangers have over $11 million in cap space. If they retain both Lafreniere and Miller, that’s at least half. What about Barclay Goodrow? He has a moderated no-trade clause. I would ask Laviolette his opinion on Goodrow, who’s an effective player if used properly. His role decreased due to Kane and Tarasenko. Maybe they decide to keep him and try Goodrow with Vincent Trocheck as part of a checking line. It depends on what’s discussed between Drury and Laviolette.

They need to decide on a backup goalie and sixth defenseman. I’d ask Jaroslav Halak if he wants to return. He was good in that role. The market isn’t great. As far as defense goes, a lot depends on Miller. Niko Mikkola was low maintenance and did a solid job. But he’ll probably sign elsewhere. I’m open to giving Zac Jones another chance. He’s proven himself with the Wolf Pack, who made a good run in the Calder Cup Playoffs. It’s time to find out about Jones and possibly Matthew Robertson. Don’t forget that Ben Harpur was re-signed.

Tyler Motte is a free agent. He’s much more affordable than either Tarasenko or Kane (hip resurfacing surgery). Motte again proved he was a good fit on the checking line and penalty kill. He indicated he would love to return. I’d love to see him stay. Adding another gritty physical forward in the mold of Garnet Hathaway is something they should explore. They weren’t tough enough.

Whatever happens, there will be pressure on both Drury and Laviolette. Either it works or disaster awaits. Shesterkin’s future depends on the next two years.

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Stanley Cup could be awarded to Golden Knights tomorrow

Posted on June 12, 2023 by Derek

It’s been a pretty easy ride for Vegas. The Golden Knights are one win away from winning their first Stanley Cup. They can wrap it up tomorrow night at the Fortess against the Panthers.

Unlike recent years, the Knights flew under the radar entering the playoffs. They won the Pacific Division. Despite finishing atop the Western Conference with 111 points to clinch the top seed, most including yours truly didn’t think they would come out of the West.

The Oilers were the trendy pick led by the explosive duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. But when the teams met in the second round, the Knights were the superior team. After dismissing Winnipeg in five, they eliminated Edmonton in six.

Then, they went up against the Stars. I thought it could’ve been a better series. But perhaps Dallas being forced to go the distance in the first two rounds hurt their chances. It did go six, but when push came to shove, the Knights easily ousted Dallas in enemy territory to reach the Stanley Cup Finals for the second time in franchise history.

Facing the upstart Panthers, who became just the second eight seed to make the Stanley Cup Finals by stunning the Bruins and defeating the Maple Leafs and Hurricanes, it’s been the steady play of the Golden Knights that has them up three games to one. They’ve led most of the way in all four games, including Game 3, when a late Matthew Tkachuk goal led to Carter Verhaeghe overtime winner.

In Game 4, Vegas got the jump on the Panthers by scoring early. Thanks to a pair of Chandler Stephenson goals, they eventually took a three-goal lead. But on a fluky bounce off two different skates, the Panthers got some life to make it 3-1 before the second period expired. An Aleksander Barkov goal in an intense third period pulled Florida within one with plenty of time left.

Although they mostly sat back by clogging up the neutral zone and relying on a strong defense anchored by Alex Pietrangelo, the Knights had one strong shift where they had the Panthers pinned in for nearly a minute. Radko Gudas made a big mistake in the neutral zone by going for a big hit. Instead of going for the puck, he missed completely, allowing the Knights to kill some time in the Cats’ zone. Gudas also had a giveaway during that long shift. But Sergei Bobrovsky was able to freeze the puck to get a line change.

In crunch time, the Panthers were able to lift Bobrovsky for the extra attacker with over two minutes remaining. They came close once to tying it. But Adin Hill made a big pad save. The virtual unknown who once was a Shark has made timely saves when his team has needed it. Since taking over for the injured Laurent Brossoit, he’s been strong in goal. Whoever would’ve believed Hill could take over and have Vegas in position for their first Cup?

Although the Knights hung on to win on Saturday night, there was a missed call on Brayden McNabb that saw him deliver a cross-check to the back of Tkachuk, who went down. The refs blew the play dead. But after Tkachuk went back at McNabb, there was nothing called. That puzzled Paul Maurice on the Florida bench. Had they called it, his team would’ve had a six-on-four with 1:26 left.

Instead, a Pietrangelo delay of game with only 17.4 seconds left gave the Panthers a six-on-four a little too late. They fiddled around after winning the key offensive draw. That was a big mistake. Especially the way the Golden Knights blocked shots. For the game, they blocked 30. That mindset has them within a grasp of the Cup. Eventually, the Panthers forced Hill to make one save. Then, a centering feed for Tkachuk in front saw him get off a dangerous shot with 0.1 seconds to go. Hill made the save. It wouldn’t have counted. But he was there.

Of course, chaos ensued once the final buzzer sounded. With Tkachuk and Brandon Montour battling in front, there was a big scrum. Tkachuk gave Pietrangelo a chop after the game ended. Hill went after Sam Reinhart. The ever entertaining goalie who won’t tolerate anything made it fun to watch. Montour charged McNabb. Penalties were handed out. It was all bookkeeping.

Maybe if they hadn’t fallen behind by three goals on home ice, the Panthers might be all even entering Game 5 tomorrow. Instead, it’s do or die. A tough situation to be in. Especially with how well Vegas played at home to take the first two games of the series.

For the Golden Knights, Jack Eichel has gotten most of the kudos. He’s delivered in his first postseason with 23 points (6-17-23). He did some of his best work against the Oilers by playing two-way hockey. However, it’s been the play of mainstays Jonathan Marchessault and William Karlsson that has Vegas ready to celebrate. Marchessault leads the postseason with 13 goals. His 24 points are tied for the most with Tkachuk and Roope Hintz. He’s a plus-16 with three game-winners during the run. He is likely the Conn Smythe favorite.

Karlsson remains a good overall player who makes things happen. Even though he’s never been able to match the incredible 43 goals and 78 points he hit in the inaugural season as a Golden Knight, Wild Bill plays both sides of the puck. He excels in all situations, including the penalty kill. His speed and skating continue to be on display. It was his 11th goal of the playoffs that proved to be the winner the other night. Very quietly, Karlsson has 16 points with a plus-9 rating. He gets it done.

What makes Vegas tough is their balance. Captain Mark Stone has been strong, producing eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points. Key deadline pickup Ivan Barbashev has added 17 points (4-13-17) along with edge when it’s been needed. He’s also a plus-13. Barbashev is unrestricted this summer.

Stephenson remains a productive player. He has 10 goals and 9 assists for 19 points in the playoffs. Even role players such as Brett Howden, Nicolas Roy, and Michael Amadio have contributed. Maybe the biggest play of the series was when Keegan Kolesar delivered a clean hit to Tkachuk, who clearly is playing banged up. Kolesar is a checking player who brings energy. The same as Howden, who has been used by coach Bruce Cassidy on the third line.

With a strong blue line led by Pietrangelo and Shea Theodore, the Knights don’t have many weaknesses. They’re tough to play against at five-on-five. That’s why they’re a win away from making history.

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Severson moves on to Columbus in sign-and-trade deal

Posted on June 9, 2023 by hasan4978

While the Golden Knights and Panthers are still contesting the Stanley Cup and the NHL draft remains a couple of weeks away, at least there’s a timely resolution for arguably our biggest-name UFA in Damon Severson. New Jersey and Columbus completed a surprisingly rare sign-and-trade deal, allowing Severson to go to Columbus on an eight-year deal at a reported $6.25 million per season, while we receive a third-round pick from Columbus (#80 overall – transferred from Calgary) in exchange for trading his rights and facilitating what can only be described as a win-win deal for all parties.

Reading the tea leaves as a Devils fan, you knew this day was coming probably from the moment that Tom Fitzgerald acquired defenseman John Marino last offseason and suddenly our right side was stacked with not only Marino and Dougie Hamilton, but also #2 overall pick Simon Nemec – who had a terrific AHL debut season with 12 goals, 34 points and a +13 in 65 regular season games (as well as a goal and three assists in six playoff games). Not to mention the as-of-yet unsettled contract situations with RFA forwards Jesper Bratt and Timo Meier make cap space more limited than it appears. Fitzy was (as usual) honest when discussing the future with Severson this offseason:

It was just going to be a matter of where Severson wound up and how it happened. To his credit, Severson never let his uncertain future affect his play this year, as he was finally able to enjoy a little more team success after one playoff season (2017-18) surrounded by a whole bunch of losing the rest of his career since debuting as a rookie in 2014-15. Admittedly, the fact Severson has been so identified with the losing years here (and the fact we have bigger fish to fry this month with our RFA contracts) makes me a bit more…blase about losing a guy who’s been here for nine seasons and performed at a reasonably high level than I should be, though at times he also made annoying mental mistakes and his plus-minus – if you want to put anything into that – left a lot to be desired too.

Maybe to a degree I’d describe my feelings for Severson as love-hate, but one thing I won’t deny is that he is a good person and loyal soldier who never caused any real controversy through a lot of lean years, so I’m happy he was able to get every penny he could in free agency. I’m not sure he’ll be getting any more than that – although Columbus is clearly making yet another desperate attempt at win-now this offseason given their recent rumored hiring of the controversial Mike Babcock as coach, and their recent trade for Ivan Provorov from the Flyers. Still, it would be a bit of a cruel joke if Severson finally had one year of team success then went right back to losing with Columbus.

Of course, a lot of the time you can’t get both money and a good team in free agency because usually the good teams don’t have enough cap space to throw around big contracts – exhibit A our signing Hamilton when we were still in the middle of losing while needing to hold onto cap space now to retain our own guys. And given that we did trade him in division, I can’t say I’m exactly rooting for Severson to have a lot of team success. I do like that Fitz did right by him and allowed him to get an eight-year deal, though certainly a mid-third round pick is a nice little enticer to do so as well.

Not entirely through fault of his own, there weren’t really a lot of Severson highlights to cite or remember prior to this season but he certainly had a seminal moment in January with his OT winner against the Rangers that completed an emotional comeback from two goals down and helped stop our December swoon:

Seeing how neat and tidy the Severson situation got resolved makes me wonder why there aren’t more sign-and-trades in the NHL. Certainly the player has motivation to do so, wanting to get the extra year on their contract though admittedly most guys who’d command max term usually get re-signed by their teams, or at least they try to do so until the last minute. Also Columbus had no intention of getting into a July 1 bidding war with other teams, most of whom are closer to winning on paper in spite of their so-far splashy offseason moves. When you’re not a premier destination, your only potential advantages in signing guys are money and getting negotiating rights before free agency. Maybe deals like this and the quasi sign-and-trade with Matthew Thachuk last offseason will facilitate more of this from NHL GM’s.

Hopefully Sevo enjoys good health, a good family life and individual success in Columbus.

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Puzzling coaching search continues for indecisive Rangers

Posted on June 5, 2023 by Derek

As we approach Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals tonight in Vegas between the Golden Knights and Panthers, it appears that the Rangers are no closer to making a decision on a new coach. They continue to mystify the media and fans in their coaching search.

While some teams have made decisions such as the Predators opting to replace John Hynes with former Devils assistant Andrew Brunette behind the bench, you still have the Rangers and Flames remaining without a coach. Even the Blue Jackets decided to go with Mike Babcock, who gets four years to try to turn them around.

With it appearing that Mike Sullivan will stay put in Pittsburgh following the hiring of former Leafs GM Kyle Dubas as new Penguins president of hockey operations, that eliminates the favorite. All of that nonsense well known reporters put out about Dubas and former Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe being a package deal proved to be wrong. As it turns out, nobody knows anything.

At this juncture, no one has a clue what the Rangers are thinking. While beat writer Mollie Walker and the well-respected Elliotte Friedman have reported that both Peter Laviolette and Hynes remain the favorites for the job, Team President and GM Chris Drury still hasn’t made a decision. If they were certain about who they wanted, maybe it would’ve been announced already.

What’s more surprising is that Walker’s latest breaking news is that the Rangers won’t consider Patrick Roy. The former Avalanche Stanley Cup hero who coached Colorado for three seasons between 2013 and 2016 went back to running the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL. They won the Memorial Cup last night by defeating the Seattle Thunderbirds 5-0. It was the second time Roy won it. This was his last year as coach. If he isn’t hired, he’ll move upstairs with the Remparts.

With Roy likely out, that leaves the Rangers with potentially four candidates. They can go with an established coach who’s been successful. Laviolette checks off those boxes, having won a Stanley Cup and taking three teams (Hurricanes, Flyers, Predators) to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Hynes is close to Drury. He has coached both the Devils and Predators. A disciplinarian who emphasizes defense, he’s never made it out of the first round. Most interesting, Hynes replaced Laviolette in Nashville. He made the playoffs twice with the Preds just missing out to the Jets this year.

If the Blueshirts opt for someone with less experience, then they could stay in-house and promote Hartford coach Kris Knoblauch. A successful coach who once helped guide the Erie Otters to the OHL Championship, he parlayed his junior success with the Kootenay Ice and Erie Otters by becoming a Flyers assistant for two seasons.

Since departing the Flyers, he’s been behind the bench of the Hartford Wolf Pack the last four seasons. The Wolf Pack reached the third round of the Calder Cup Playoffs before losing to the Hershey Bears. Given his familiarity with some young players, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to hire Knoblauch. He’s paid his dues.

The question is, would the Rangers really put their trust in an unproven coach who’s only been behind the bench on an emergency basis due to Covid? Given how the organization operates with all the pressure now on Drury to deliver a winner, that could mean a conservative choice like Laviolette or Hynes. Is that the way to go? I have my reservations.

There’s also Seattle Kraken assistant Jay Leach available. The Rangers have yet to schedule an interview with him. A former player who played in 70 NHL games, he was a former assistant coach on Sullivan’s staff when he ran Wilkes-Barre Scranton. He also served as an assistant for the Providence Bruins. Eventually, he coached them before getting hired by the Kraken to be an assistant coach to Dave Hakstol in Seattle. Now 43, Leach is hoping to land an NHL position. Will either Calgary or New York consider him?

At this point, only time will tell what the Rangers decide. With Joel Quenneville still not cleared to return to the NHL following his suspension for his knowledge of the sexual assault that happened to former Blackhawks player Kyle Beach, it doesn’t seem realistic that he would be an option. Even if he becomes available, hiring him would be a public relations nightmare. Fans are divided on him. I remain steadfastly against it. I can’t support it.

It really seems like it’s going to be either Laviolette or Hynes. While you can at least rationalize hiring Laviolette due to his resume, everyone I’ve spoken to is against Hynes. It would almost feel like Drury was going with a buddy who can be controlled. That wouldn’t sit well with fans. If that’s really what they do, then Drury may as well get behind the bench. It’s his job on the line.

Whatever happens following the decision, the next two years will likely determine the fate of Igor Shesterkin. Signed through 2024-25 at a cap friendly hit of $5.67 million, he wants to win badly. It would be unacceptable if the Rangers fail to do so with an elite goalie of Shesterkin’s caliber in his prime.

Can they succeed in a very tough Eastern Conference that will continue to improve due to the emergence of the Sabres and Senators? Whoever is hired will be under the pressure cooker.

As the Stanley Cup reaches its conclusion, the Rangers must have a new coach in place before the NHL Draft. Following Draft Weekend in Nashville at Bridgestone Arena, July 1 looms. That’s when key decisions will be made by the organization on restricted free agents Alexis Lafreniere and K’Andre Miller.

They’ll also decide on unrestricted free agent Tyler Motte, who is a realistic option to re-sign over Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane, who had hip resurfacing surgery. He’s expected to be out 4 to 6 months. That could affect the market.

There’s also the issue of backup goalie. Jaroslav Halak did a fine job. After a slow start, the well-respected veteran settled in to become a trusted second goalie behind Shesterkin. For some of his flaws, Gerard Gallant did a good job utilizing Halak to spell Shesterkin, who made a career high 58 starts. If Halak is open to a return at slightly over a million, I’d consider bringing him back. If not, there aren’t many options. Unless you think Thomas Greiss can rebound. It’s slim pickings.

With just over $11.7 million to work with, how much of that will be tied into Lafreniere and Miller? You hope both accept bridge deals. Miller is dealing from a position of strength while Lafreniere isn’t. I still wouldn’t go long-term with Miller, whose first round was underwhelming following a career best 43-point regular season. He still needs to improve defensively.

If Niko Mikkola leaves, that opens up a spot on defense. What will Drury decide? Is Zac Jones going to get another chance? They wisely re-signed vet Ben Harpur, who can be the seventh defenseman. So, they could go the cheaper route.

I wouldn’t mind the Rangers going after a high energy depth forward, who brings grit to the table. If Barclay Goodrow is subtracted due to his lofty $3.6 million cap hit, that could free up space for another key move. We’ll see what happens.

For now, the Rangers are in a holding pattern. They’re an unsolved mystery. Cue Robert Stack.

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Gritty veteran Marc Staal chases Cup with Panthers

Posted on May 27, 2023 by Derek

Back in 2005, the Rangers selected defenseman Marc Staal out of Thunder Bay, Ontario, with the 12th pick. In a late NHL Draft due to the lockout finally ending, I didn’t even know where the Rangers selected. Jury duty called.

After having my Dad tell me that the Penguins won the lottery to select future Hall Of Famer Sidney Crosby, I was irate. The Rangers dropped out of the top 10 due to the weighted lottery system they had. It figured. After nearly a decade out of the playoffs, even then, they couldn’t catch a break.

Looking back at how that draft played out, getting Staal turned out to be one of the best things to happen for the Rangers. They needed help on the blue line. So, the Senators’ mistake of taking Brian Lee ninth benefited the Rangers. If you take a closer look at who went before Staal, aside from Crosby, Bobby Ryan, Carey Price, and Anze Kopitar, they wound up with a pretty good player. One who would become a staple on the playoff contender Blueshirts, which featured future Hall Of Famer Henrik Lundqvist.

For Staal, he had a good career as a Blueshirt. A gritty player with size and reach who played with edge, he ranks sixth on the all-time franchise games played list with 892. Five more than Lundqvist, who had his number retired. While everyone chanted, “Hen-rik, Hen-rik,” in salute to the King, Staal was right there for most of it. Along with Dan Girardi, Ryan McDonagh, and Anton Stralman, they comprised a strong top four on defense that made the Rangers tough to beat.

Nicknamed the Black and Blueshirts due to their penchant for sacrificing by blocking shots and delivering big hits, they laid it all on the line. That tenacious style led to three trips to the Conference Finals. That included defeating the Canadiens to win the Wales Trophy in 2014 before a raucous MSG. It was the best game I ever attended. The Rangers’ only trip to the Stanley Cup Finals since 1994.

If it weren’t for the sacrifices Girardi, McDonagh, and Staal made during that run, it wouldn’t have been possible. Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the way that team rallied around Marty St. Louis following the untimely death of his Mom France. They made franchise history for the first time by rallying from a 3-1 series deficit to come back and defeat the Crosby/Malkin Pens in an emotional second round. There was the St. Louis goal on Mother’s Day, which was fitting. The Garden shook.

Then, the clutch saves from a locked in Lundqvist in preserving a 2-1 win to stun the Penguins in Game 7. St. Louis set up Brad Richards for the series clincher on the power play. When Lundqvist wasn’t stopping everything, he had gritty efforts from Staal, Girardi, and McDonagh. They blocked shots and did whatever it took to win.

Without that core on the back end, there’s no deep playoff runs in 2012, 2014, and 2015. The latter of which remains mind-numbing for loyal Blueshirt fans. If it’s true that Derick Brassard, Derek Stepan, Chris Kreider, Rick Nash, Jesper Fast, St. Louis, Mats Zuccarello, Brian Boyle, and Dominic Moore were key parts to the team’s success up front. The same can also be echoed for Girardi, McDonagh, Staal, and Stralman on defense. They logged the important minutes.

When Staal was bought out following 2019-20, it was a predictable move. With Ryan Lindgren, Adam Fox, and Jacob Trouba arriving, it was time to move on from one of the true warriors the team has had. If you are one of those naive fans who only cites puck possession stats, ask Crosby about what it was like going up against Staal. Or did you forget the cross-check he delivered to the back of Crosby’s neck in that memorable second round series?

After spending two seasons with the Red Wings helping guide Moritz Seider, Staal joined older brother Eric in Florida. A player who was thought to be done following his final year on Broadway has been a staple for the Panthers.

He’s played in every game, including all 82 during the regular season. Then, all 16 in a postseason that’s seen the Cats stun the Bruins, dominate the Maple Leafs, and then sweep the Hurricanes even though every game was decided by a goal.

There’s Staal still logging key minutes under veteran coach Paul Maurice, who forgot more about hockey than the corsica crowd that doesn’t get it. He’s had Staal team up with Brandon Montour on the top pair. While Montour finds offense due to his speed and skill, Staal plays the same rugged style he always has. That means thumping opponents and even getting in extra shots during scrums while playing his position well. He’s not the fastest, but he makes up for it with intelligence and experience.

With Maurice able to play the 36-year-old Staal over 20 minutes, mostly at five-on-five, that’s allowed him to have Gustav Forsling team up with Aaron Ekblad for a good second pair. They’ve been superb during the Panthers’ Cinderella run to the Stanley Cup Finals. Even the third pair featuring physical force Radko Gudas with Josh Mahura has been solid. That’s allowed Maurice to trust all six defensemen.

While the dominant Matthew Tkachuk is deservedly getting all the headlines for his unbelievable postseason, the Panthers are also here due to the play of that defense. They aren’t making many mistakes. Instead, they’re doing a good job boxing out in front of Sergei Bobrovsky, who’s been brilliant since taking over for Alex Lyon against Boston. Bobrovsky has rediscovered the form that led to two Vezinas in Columbus. Along with Tkachuk, he’s in the conversation for the Conn Smythe.

The Panthers have a good offense. With Tkachuk leading the way with a remarkable three overtime winners and the unbelievable series clincher with over four seconds left to end the Hurricanes’ season, they boast the most dominant forward left in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. His 21 points (9-12-21) rank second in the postseason behind Roope Hintz (10-14-24) of the Stars. Nobody’s been more clutch.

Teammate Carter Verhaeghe certainly has delivered in critical moments. None bigger than his overtime winner to beat the Bruins in Game 7 of the first round. He had a couple of big ones against the Leafs. His three game-winners trail both Tkachuk and Joe Pavelski.

Aleksander Barkov has been superb overall. The former Selke winner has only been on for one goal against at five-on-five. The Florida captain’s play sway from the puck has been outstanding. His 14 points have come within the way he plays. His line with Verhaeghe and former Ranger Anthony Duclair has been effective since Duclair returned. He adds that extra speed and plays more responsibly.

The Panthers have gotten key contributions from Sam Bennett and Nick Cousins. Bennett centers Tkachuk. A foreign concept in Calgary when he was behind Elias Lindholm and Mikael Backlund. Now, Bennett is more than just a gritty center who finishes checks. He assisted on Verhaeghe’s sudden death winner to end Boston’s season. A play made possible by the hard work of Tkachuk.

There’s the solid play from Anton Lundell, Sam Reinhart, and Eetu Luostarinen. Reinhart’s scored some big goals while Lundell plays a two-way brand of hockey. Luostarinen wins battles. They’re a good third line.

Even the elder Eric Staal is effective when the fourth line is sent out. The former Stanley Cup champion has provided energy while playing with Ryan Lomberg and Colin White. Lomberg scored a key goal in Game 4 set up by White and Staal.

It must be an interesting dynamic for both Eric and Marc to be chasing the Cup. They once had a short-lived stay together when the Rangers rented the older Staal in 2016. It didn’t work out. This time, the brother reunion might. They bested Jordan Staal and the Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final. The handshake and acknowledgments were great between the three brothers. It was one of those cool moments.

Can the Panthers go all the way? It’s their first trip to the Stanley Cup Finals since 1996. They certainly have great chemistry and good balance. They’ll await the winner between the Golden Knights and Stars. Vegas will have a second straight chance to wrap up the Western Conference Final tonight.

If he were to win the Cup, it would be pretty sweet for Marc Staal. Especially after being written off by many pundits. He’s still got that warrior mentality that teams need at this time of year. That is a key ingredient for succeeding in the playoffs. We’ll see if it is a storybook ending for the well respected Staal.

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Kravtsov heads home, Rangers’ drafting and development issue at the forefront

Posted on May 24, 2023 by Derek

Earlier this week, Vitaly Kravtsov signed with Traktor for two years to return to the KHL. He’ll play back at home over the next two seasons after flaming out with the Rangers and Canucks.

Originally, a first round pick selected ninth overall by the Rangers in the 2018 NHL Draft, Kravtsov signed very early with the club. At age 20, he was anxious to come over and get his feet wet. Perhaps that was a miscalculation by both the team and player.

Most Russian players that get drafted usually stay over in the KHL for a few years to develop. A good example of that is Wild star Kirill Kaprizov. Following Minnesota grabbing him in the fifth round back in 2015, he became a dominant player while starring for CSKA Moscow.

It wasn’t until he was 23 that he debuted in the NHL, winning the Calder in 2020-21. Since that rookie year, he’s posted consecutive 40-goal seasons, including topping 100 points in 2021-22. Kaprizov is an outstanding star player who the Wild count on.

Regarding what happened to Kravtsov, he showed a little promise late in ’20-21. Under former coach David Quinn, he scored two goals and added two assists in 20 games. While the production wasn’t overly impressive, it looked like he had the potential to become a top nine forward. His skating and instincts were noticeable. He didn’t look out of place for a 20-year-old.

What transpired following that season were wholesale changes. Quinn was let go along with John Davidson and Jeff Gorton. Chris Drury took over as both Team President and GM. He hired Gerard Gallant as the new coach. Brought in to change the mindset, Gallant certainly accomplished the team’s goal of returning to the playoffs.

While the Rangers had more success than expected in the playoffs, 2021-22 was a nightmare for Kravtsov. With it expected that he’d make the roster and have a prominent role, instead he was beaten out by Dryden Hunt. Lost in translation was whatever the perception was for Kravtsov.

After being designated for assignment to Hartford, Kravtsov decided not to report. On bad advice from his agent, he exercised his opt-out clause to return to Traktor in the KHL. That was his choice. He could’ve stayed and learned the North American game playing for the Wolf Pack. But he felt more comfortable going home to play professionally in Russia.

Left unsaid was the berating he took from Drury. A public spat that probably didn’t help his confidence likely led to Kravtsov deciding to play for Traktor. After initially struggling when he came home, Kravtsov had a good Gagarin Cup, posting seven goals with three helpers over 15 games.

Following that postseason, there were lingering questions about what his future was with the Rangers. Having asked for a trade through his agent, Kravtsov, instead cleared the air with Drury. Entering 2022-23, he was supposed to have a clean slate. But that’s not what happened.

Following a so-so training camp where he didn’t impress Gallant, Kravtsov would get the treatment from a coach who preferred gritty veterans to skilled types. Even when he played, there were too many instances where Kravtsov didn’t know if he’d see the next shift. It was an untenable situation.

Following a good game where he scored a goal in a win, he was a healthy scratch the next game. That was a puzzling decision by Gallant, who never fully explained it to reporters. If Kravtsov couldn’t get a fair shake following a game in which he performed well, then what was the point of keeping him? Gallant diminished Kravtsov’s value to virtually nothing.

After playing 28 games and tallying three goals and three assists, he was traded to the Canucks for basically nothing. All Drury could get back was William Lockwood and a 2026 seventh round pick. They may as well have just waived Kravtsov. That’s how little interest he received.

A year earlier, the Canucks were rumored to be very interested in acquiring Kravtsov as part of a package for J.T. Miller. A player who could’ve helped the Rangers. However, Drury balked at the price. It definitely would’ve been interesting had they been able to bring back Miller. It wasn’t a realistic option.

When he was dealt to Vancouver, Kravtsov readily admitted that his confidence was lacking. The way he was handled by Gallant made one wonder if he stole his lunch money. It never made sense. Even with improved puck possession metrics, he never received consistent ice time. There wasn’t any patience shown.

It didn’t get any better playing for new Canucks coach Rick Tocchet. A very demanding bench boss who expects a lot from his players, he didn’t like what he saw from Kravtsov. Both he and former Russian linemate Vasily Podkolzin found themselves out of the lineup often down the stretch. That didn’t bode well.

In fact, after finally scoring his first goal as a Canuck, he only dressed in two more games. Afterward, he was a healthy scratch for the remainder of the schedule. Kravtsov totaled only two points in 16 contests for Vancouver.

A recent interview with Tocchet saw him question Kravtsov’s commitment. He definitely felt that the former first round pick needed to spend more time in the gym. Despite being listed at 6-3, he’s only 186 pounds. It isn’t so much a skating issue, as Kravtsov is very elusive. It’s more about getting stronger to win the board battles.

The question for the Canucks is, was 16 games enough for Tocchet to give up on him. If it was, that doesn’t say much for the Rangers when it comes to drafting and development.

In 2018, Oliver Wahlstrom was available when the Rangers picked. However, hockey insiders knew they liked Kravtsov. That was who they selected over Wahlstrom and most notably Joel Farabee. The shift in organizational philosophy didn’t help. They went from the letter to fans indicating a rebuild to suddenly throwing nearly a combined $20 million at Artemi Panarin and Jacob Trouba. That was still under Davidson and Gorton.

They asked Quinn to help develop high first round picks Kaapo Kakko and Alexis Lafreniere. He also did a good job with Adam Fox and Ryan Lindgren. It was under Quinn that Panarin worked best with Ryan Strome and Jesper Fast. A player Panarin liked playing with due to the grit he brought. The Rangers passed on re-signing him due to Fast wanting four years at around three million per season. He eventually landed in Carolina for less due to taxes.

When Gallant replaced Quinn behind the bench, he emphasized more grit and toughness. That led to Drury bringing in Barclay Goodrow and Ryan Reaves. The Rangers were certainly harder to play against in Gallant’s first year. For whatever reason, Drury went away from what worked. That meant losing Andrew Copp, Frank Vatrano, and Tyler Motte. He added Jimmy Vesey, whose work ethic was a good fit under Gallant.

However, keeping Hunt was a mistake. He’d eventually be waived. The same player Gallant loved wound up on three more teams, including the Avalanche, Maple Leafs, and Flames. Drury signed former Golden Knight Ryan Carpenter. A fourth line player who had success under Gallant. He didn’t last long. Eventually, he cleared waivers and went down to Hartford.

There also was Reaves, who fell out of favor quickly. From being a high character guy who played on the fourth line while pumping up the locker room before games, he eventually got his request out of the Big Apple to Minnesota. You have to wonder why the philosophy dramatically changed.

The Rangers went from a unique combination of skill and grit to almost all skill. How else to explain Drury adding less than 100 percent Patrick Kane when he previously traded for Vladimir Tarasenko, who fit in better. At least Niko Mikkola came in that trade to help solidify a shaky blue line. Drury also brought back Motte, who again was a fixture on the checking line and penalty killing unit.

The trouble was that the Rangers relied heavily on their top six. That hurt Kakko, Lafreniere, and Filip Chytil, who was re-signed by Drury. They always played second fiddle behind Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, Tarasenko, Kane, and Vincent Trocheck, who never found consistency with the Bread Man.

It eventually led to a first round disappointment where the Rangers lost to the Devils in seven games. They were uncompetitive in Games 5 and 7. They blew a two games to none lead. There was a disconnect between both the GM, players, and the coach. That’s why Gallant is gone.

It doesn’t change the drafting and development issues that exist within the organization. How else would you explain them not sending down Kakko in a rookie year where he wasn’t ready? It was all PR. He would’ve benefitted from going down to Hartford. He finally cracked the 40-point mark. But one goal and one assist wasn’t enough production in the first round for a player who’s yet to hit 20 goals.

Lafreniere was mishandled by Gallant until mid-January when he was finally moved back to the left wing to play with Kakko and Chytil. He finished with 39 points, including a career high 23 assists. However, he went without a point against the Devils. Although his work ethic was there, he didn’t make a difference. It still would be a big mistake to give up on him. He’s 21 and is willing to drive the net and win board battles. The instincts tell me he’ll become a good overall player.

Would both Kakko and Lafreniere be producing so little on another team? In NYC, they’re blocked. Neither has been given the keys to unlock their full potential. Kakko deserves to be given an extended look with Zibanejad and Kreider on the top line. Lafreniere needs to be in the top six even if it means Panarin shifts to the right side. It makes no sense to continue undermining him. He should be on the penalty kill. More power play time for both Lafreniere and Kakko is a necessity.

Of their recent first round picks, defensemen K’Andre Miller and Braden Schneider have developed the best. Miller went over 40 points for the first time. The problem is that his defense still wasn’t consistent. He didn’t have a good series against the Devils, tallying only an assist. With Drury being hindered by the cap, he could try to bridge Miller and Lafreniere, who doesn’t have as much leverage.

Schneider showed signs of becoming that stabilizing force on the right side behind Trouba. He had some big hits during the season. He also got better at jumping into the play, finishing with five goals and 13 assists. More of a rugged defenseman than Miller, who relies on his reach, Schneider plays with more physicality. He has another year on his entry-level contract.

While they’ve had more success with developing defensemen, including the otherworldly Fox with partner Lindgren, there was a big swing and miss with the Lightning first round pick that became Nils Lundkvist. A player who fared well on the wider ice surface in Sweden.

Even with Drury taking over for Gorton with Gallant behind the bench, they were excited for what Lundkvist could bring. But after a good showing during camp, Lundkvist struggled to adjust once the regular season began. An undersized right defenseman who had offensive instincts, he found himself behind Fox and Trouba. That meant little power play time due to the over-reliance on the top unit. A Gallant special.

Eventually, Lundkvist fell out of favor due to the emergence of 2020 first round pick Schneider. He was a better fit. That left Lundkvist floundering at Hartford after being guaranteed a job. Similar to the way the Rangers did things with Kravtsov. It’s no wonder Lundkvist asked out. The operation is run like a carnival. Nobody knows what to expect. That’s what happens when Sather is still pulling the strings with Dolan.

Eventually, Drury dealt Lundkvist to the Stars for a conditional first and fourth round pick. The Stars’ first round pick was top 10 lottery protected this year. With them making the Conference Finals, that means the pick will be around where Lundkvist was taken. The fourth round pick in 2025 would become a third if Lundkvist can total 55 points by next season. That doesn’t look promising. He totaled 16 (6-10-16) in 60 games this season before losing his job. He hasn’t played during the postseason.

The issue here is whether Lundkvist was worth being taken at number 28 as part of the failed Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller deal. Astonishingly, Brett Howden scored a key overtime winner to beat the Stars in Game 1 for Vegas. He’s having a good postseason and could join McDonagh as a former Ranger to win a Stanley Cup. Somehow, Libor Hajek still remains along with Karl Henriksson. AHL players.

Right after the Rangers took Lundkvist, the Maple Leafs selected Swedish teammate Rasmus Sandin. Toronto could rue the day they gave away Sandin to the Capitals to rent Erik Gustafsson. Rugged left defenseman Mattias Samuelsson was also available when the Rangers grabbed Lundkvist. Instead, he’s part of a promising young D cote with the Sabres that features Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power.

The Caps took Martin Fehervary at number 46 in the same draft. A similar style player to Samuelsson. Both have established themselves while Lundkvist hasn’t.

There have been other first round misses. Lias Andersson tops the list. The old regime reached for him with the seventh pick in 2017. Despite winning a silver medal, which is best remembered for him chucking it into the stands, he never distinguished himself as a Ranger.

In fact, Andersson admitted to suffering from depression when he was living in Hartford. It was another epic fail. He was moved to the Kings for a second round pick in 2020 that became Will Cuylle. A high-energy forward who could be on the roster next season. He had a goal and two assists under Kris Knoblauch in the Wolf Pack’s run to the third round of the AHL Playoffs. Cuylle got into four games with the Rangers.

Andersson went before Casey Mittlestadt, Owen Tippett, Martin Necas, and Nick Suzuki. Robert Thomas went later in the first round right before Chytil. Jason Robertson wasn’t taken until number 39 by Dallas. Those are some well established players that the Rangers passed on.

At least Chytil has panned out. Hopefully, he can build on his career high 22-goal, 45-point season. With his new cap hit of $4.4 million kicking in next season, the Rangers need him to become more consistent. Hopefully, he makes a full recovery from the fractured cheekbone he suffered during the World Championships.

The Rangers should be encouraged by recent first round pick Brennan Othmann. After helping Canada repeat at the U20 World Junior Championships, he’s helped lead the Peterborough Petes to the Memorial Cup. After winning the OHL Championship, they’ll participate in the prestigious Memorial Cup. It begins this Saturday when the Petes face the Seattle Thunderbirds. They’ll also play the Kamloops Blazers on Sunday, followed by the Quebec Remparts next Tuesday. The semifinal is June 2, with the final June 4.

During the OHL Playoffs, Othmann had eight goals and 17 assists for 25 points over 23 games. The 20-year-old must be better handled by the Rangers when he turns pro this fall. If that means spending time in Hartford to fine-tune his game, so be it. Unless he blows everyone away in camp, Othmann shouldn’t be rushed. Look at the recent history.

As for the narrative about Kravtsov, who failed to meet expectations, there was too much confusion on Broadway. Whether he ever has the desire to return to the NHL remains to be seen. No matter how you view it, the Rangers look bad here. Another failed prospect. At some point, that must change.

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Rangers and Devils will participate in 2024 Stadium Series

Posted on May 23, 2023 by Derek

Confirming the rumor that had been discussed, both the Rangers and Devils will participate in the 2024 NHL Stadium Series next year. It’ll be held at Met Life Stadium in February 2024.

As reported by David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Stadium Series will feature four classic division rivals. One match-up will have the Devils taking on the Flyers in the old I95 rivalry down the Turnpike. The second game will have the Rangers taking on the Islanders. A rivalry that’s over hald a century.

For the Battle of Hudson, it’s a chance to be back on the national stage in a classic setting. Outdoor games have become a hockey tradition since the Oilers and Flames held the inaugural Heritage Classic in 2003. Since then, the NHL brought the Winter Classic to the hockey in 2008 when the Sabres hosted the Penguins at Ralph Wilson Stadium. It’s become a fixture ever since.

The NHL recently added the Stadium Series. The first one was held in 2014. It featured four different games and seven teams, including the Rangers. They played in two games at Yankee Stadium. It drew over 50,000 for each day. The Rangers defeated the Devils 7-3 and then were victorious over the Islanders 2-1 in late January 2014.

There have been games every season except 2021. One of the unique things about these outdoor games is the classic venues. Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, Dodger Stadium, Soldier Field, Michigan Stadium, Notre Dame Stadium, Navy-Marine Corps Stadium, and Carter-Finley Stadium have all hosted the big event.

For the Devils, it’s only their first outdoor game since the Stadium Series in 2014. They have never been put in the spotlight for the Winter Classic. Featuring stars Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Timo Meier, the time is coming when they should be featured in that traditional game following the New Year. They’re much more marketable now.

This will be the fourth time the Rangers get to take part in a marquee NHL outdoor event. Having also defeated the Flyers in a memorable Winter Classic in 2012, that’s best remembered for Henrik Lundqvist stoning Daniel Briere on a penalty shot at Citizens Bank Park to preserve a 3-2 win, they’re a perfect 4-0 in such games. They swept the Devils and Islanders two years later at Yankee Stadium. Then, they defeated the Sabres 3-2 in overtime at Citi Field in 2018.

It’ll be interesting to see how well the NHL markets these games. In recent years, they haven’t promoted it as much. Marketing its brightest stars still leaves something to be desired.

Whenever they talk about growing the game, you wouldn’t know it. The Stanley Cup Finals is about to feature the Panthers, who shut out the Hurricanes 1-0 on the remarkable goaltending of Sergei Bobrovsky. They lead the Eastern Conference Final three games to none. Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk are about to get the big stage unless the Canes can make history.

You also have the Golden Knights leading the Stars two games to none. Game 3 is tonight in Dallas. These aren’t traditional markets. But they feature some of the game’s best players. Vegas is getting a Conn Smythe performance from Jack Eichel. The Stars are here thanks to the emergence of top center Roope Hintz. Both teams have other quality players. It’ll be interesting to see how well the Stanley Cup draws.

The Rangers remain in search of a new coach following the breakup with Gerard Gallant. It’s become a long process with no end in sight. They’ve interviewed Peter Laviolette and Mike Babcock. The latter of who I want no part of. I don’t think Laviolette is the right fit. I’d much prefer a younger candidate like Kris Knoblauch or Jay Leach.

Such is life for an organization in chaos. How else would you explain the Garden not commenting on former longtime trainer Jim Ramsay after he was unceremoniously let go? It’s hard to have faith in the Rangers when you know Dumb and Dumber are still pulling the strings. Why else did Patrick Kane come when he was hurting and didn’t fit in?

As far as star players, they boast a few highlighted by Igor Shesterkin, Mika Zibanejad, Adam Fox, Artemi Panarin, and Chris Kreider. The question is, can Chris Drury figure out a way to find the right balance. The cap isn’t favorable. Are they going to do the right thing by keeping both Alexis Lafreniere and K’Andre Miller?

At this point, anything is possible. At least they get an outdoor game for fans to attend in the freezing cold.

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Rangers let go of longtime trainer Jim Ramsay

Posted on May 19, 2023 by Derek
Jim Ramsay served as an athletic trainer for the Rangers for 29 years. He was mysteriously let go today. Getty Images

In startling news that left a bad taste in many fans’ mouths, the Rangers let go of longtime trainer Jim Ramsay. The Athletic’s Arthur Staple broke the news.

Nobody knows why. Ramsay joined the Rangers in 1994. He’s been a staple as an athletic trainer for 29 years. It’s hard to believe that he’ll no longer be part of the organization. This is a good man who is outstanding at his job.

Of course, there was silence from the Rangers on social media. What else would you expect from an organization that’s become dysfunctional? I guess it’s too much for the team to recognize Ramsay’s hard work and dedication over three decades. He helped many players who suffered injuries during games.

Nobody has any idea if this was a mutual decision. That explains how this team does things. It’s hard to take them seriously. That’s why more loyal fans who have had season tickets are not going to many games. The whole operation doesn’t give anyone a good reason to trust them.

While they continue to search for a new coach by interviewing candidates, including Hartford bench boss Kris Knoblauch, who’s probably the best candidate left after Mike Sullivan announced that he’s committed to the Penguins, you really wonder what the heck is going on. Some will say it’s business as usual for Dolan and Sather.

It’s embarrassing that Sather is still involved in the process. It doesn’t say much for Chris Drury, who had a lousy season. Following a feel-good story in 2021-22, the Rangers never were consistent despite their record. The force-fed Patrick Kane trade hurt team chemistry. They were then ousted by the Hudson rival Devils in the first round.

That led to the dismissal of Gerard Gallant, who wasn’t on good terms with Drury. After reading about how bad things were during a poor stretch where they even lost badly to the tanking Blackhawks at home, it sounds like they should’ve pulled the plug last December. Instead, they let things play out. The unhappiness of several players on breakup day doomed Gallant, who lasted two seasons.

It’s hard to fathom why Ramsay is gone. It doesn’t say much about the organization. They clearly have lost the trust of many, including me. I have no idea what to expect this off-season.

They have a month to decide on a new coach. Then comes the hard decisions on key players, including Alexis Lafreniere and K’Andre Miller. Does anyone feel confident moving forward?

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