Tuesday, April 26, 2011

April 26, 2011, Metro NYC Newspaper's New York Rangers breakup day package

x


Rangers: Talent Wanted



GETTY IMAGES

Marian Gaborik and the Rangers went 1 for 20 on the power play against the top-seeded Capitals.


More about Rangers
Rangers offseason decisions: Who stays, who goes, who signs
NHL Playoffs: Rangers better put on their thinking Caps
Young Rangers take their lumps
NHL Playoffs: Rangers double the pain

Click here

NEW YORK
DENIS GORMAN


Published: April 25, 2011 8:44 p.m.
Last modified: April 26, 2011 6:33 a.m.
Email

more
Be the first to comment
Print article
Text size



While the cheering levels were debated the last two weeks, there’s no doubt who had more talent in the Capitals’ 4-1 quarterfinal series win over the eighth-seeded Rangers.


Alex Ovechkin recorded six points (three goals, three assists), Alex Semin totaled four points (three goals and an assist) and despite accounting for just one assist, Nicklas Backstrom seemingly had the puck on his stick every time he took to the ice.


Unlike last spring, when the Rangers missed the playoffs by one point and appeared to be consigned to an elongated journey of self-realization, John Tortorella believes the bar as to what the team must be in order to be successful was set this past year.


The Rangers led the NHL with 2,333 hits and their 1,301 blocked shots ranked fourth. As a result to their commitment to defensive play, the Rangers’ 2.38 goals against average was fifth best in the league.


“We’re happy with a lot of things but there are a lot of things we have to work on,” Brandon Prust said. “That’s part of (being a pro). Take those experiences and just try to keep getting better.”


But what the 4-1 series loss to Washington proved was that the Rangers talent level is not conducive to playoff success, especially against teams with superior personnel. Alex Ovechkin recorded six points (three goals, three assists), Alex Semin totaled four points (three goals and an assist), and despite totaling just one assist, Nicklas Backstrom seemingly had the puck on his stick every time he took to the ice during the five games.


Tortorella routinely expressed his concern about the Rangers talent level during the final weeks of the regular season and during the series against Washington. He reiterated that belief yesterday.


“We have to add skill within our lineup,” Tortorella said when asked if the high-end talent was in the system or had to come in via trade or free agency. He declined to comment when asked about a New York Post report that stated he signed a three-year extension. “We need to look at all avenues. We’re building the right foundation. We had some really good growth and some surprises. When you get into the real stuff of the playoffs and play a skillful team like Washington, you can see where we need some help in that area. We’ll have to look at all areas. ”


The Rangers have $16.787 million in cap room but will provide raises for core components Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky, Artem Anisimov, Brian Boyle and Mike Sauer. Still, it is expected that the organization will be in the Brad Richards bidding this summer. The Dallas UFA center, who was key for Tortorella’s Cup-winning Lightning team in 2004, totaled 28 goals and 49 assists for 77 points in 72 games this season.


Richards would fill three glaring holes: A legitimate No.1 center, he could play alongside Marian Gaborik. Also, he could provide a stabilizing presence for a power play that connected on a 16.9 percent rate during the regular season but was a ghastly 1-for-20 against the Capitals.


“(GM Glen Sather) will obviously have to decide that,” Gaborik said when asked if he thought the organization needed to add more skill. “More skill will help.”


Three offseason questions:


1: Is the intangible quality of leadership and the tangible abilities to win faceoffs, kill penalties and block shots worth $7.05 million? That is what the franchise’s decision makers will determine when the name of Chris Drury is brought up in organizational meetings. Judging by what was — and what wasn’t — said, it appears that Drury does not have a future with the Rangers.


2: Would the Rangers buy out Drury? He would be a cap hit of $3.71 million in 2011-12 and $1.6 million the following year. But by buying him out, it would allow Drury to shop himself on the free agent market. He has the respect of everyone within the organization so he will not receive the same treatment as Wade Redden, who was banished to AHL Connecticut.


3: Would the Rangers buy out Redden? Uh, no. The defenseman would be a cap hit of $1.833 million in 2011-12, $3.33 million the following two years, and $1.833 million in 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17. To buy him out in a cap world would be suicidal. They will keep Redden in the American League, unless he opts to play in Europe, as he suggested earlier in the season.


More about Rangers


http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/article/842306--rangers-talent-wanted--page0






x


Rangers offseason decisions: Who stays, who goes, who signs



NEW YORK
DENIS GORMAN

Published: April 26, 2011 6:36 a.m.
Last modified: April 26, 2011 6:38 a.m.
Email

more
Be the first to comment
Print article
Text size

Who stays with the Rangers:


1: Marian Gaborik. His goal total fell off by 20, his point total by 38 and was often invisible on the ice in 2010-11. So why would the organization not try to deal him? He has three years and $22.5 million left on his deal. Also, according to John Tortorella, “he cares.”


2: Matt Gilroy. John Tortorella praised Gilroy as one of the players who understood what was needed to win as the series with Washington progressed. Gilroy, whose goal in the third period of Game 1 opened the scoring in the series, may have kept his job with his play against the Capitals.


3: Mike Sauer. A restricted free agent, Sauer was partnered with Ryan McDonagh on the second defense pair early in the season to form a formidable unit. Sauer and McDonagh were often the targets of praise from Tortorella for their work.


Who goes:


1: Chris Drury: Merely one of the greatest American-born players in history, the unfortunate reality is that Drury’s production (one goal and four assists for five points) does not equal his pay ($7.05 million). “I just kind of take it one day at a time,” Drury said when asked how he views his contract and the summer buy-out period. “I just kind of always prepare for the next practice and the next game.”


2: Vinny Prospal: John Tortorella admitted that he thought Prospal, who missed 53 games while recovering from knee surgery, would not play this season. Instead, Prospal returned for the stretch run and contributed nine goals and 14 assists for 23 points in 29 games. Still, he’s 36 and made $2.48 million last year.


3: Alex Frolov: Signed to a one-year, $3 million deal last summer with the idea that he would provide secondary scoring behind Marian Gaborik, Frolov was mostly invisible the first four months of the season and a target of the Garden denizens derision. Four goals and 16 points will do that.


Who the Rangers sign:


1: Brad Richards: Marian Gaborik has had a revolving door at center for two years. For two years, nothing has worked. Brad Richards is among the pre-eminent set-up centers in the league. Glen Sather did not mortgage the system at the trade deadline for Richards. Now all Sather has to do is ante up cash for the best UFA on the market.


2: James Wisniewski: John Tortorella said one of the reasons the power play struggled following the trade for Bryan McCabe was that the defenseman was forced to fill the roles of quarterback and shooter with the man advantage. Almost certainly, the Rangers will look at add a defenseman in free agency. Wisniewski, who earned Sean Avery’s enmity for a crude gesture in an October game at the Nassau Coliseum, can control the power play with his passing and shooting abilities.


3: Chad LaRose: The UFA left wing earned $1.7 million with the Carolina Hurricanes last year. He recorded 16 goals, 31 points, 59 PIMS, 196 hits and 23 blocked shots. His production and style of play matches the Rangers perfectly, as does his age, 29.


http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/article/842608--rangers-offseason-decisions-who-stays-who-goes-who-signs

posted by Denis P. Gorman at 11:07 AM

April 26, 2011, Associated Press story on New York Rangers break up day story

GREENBURGH, N.Y. — On a day when a lot was said, it was what wasn't said by the New York Rangers that reverberated the loudest.


Two days after the Rangers' season ended, the team gathered at its training facility to meet with coaches and the media.


One of the bigger questions surrounding the team is whether 34-year-old captain Chris Drury will return next season. Drury was sidelined for two months after a knee injury that required surgery sidelined him Feb. 3. He returned and scored a goal in New York's regular-season finale — a 5-2 win over New Jersey on April 9 that put the Rangers in the playoffs.


"I didn't expect him to be back," said Rangers coach John Tortorella. "I was so happy for him when he scored the goal and who knows? Because of the stupid (points and shootout) rule, we might not have been in (the playoffs) if he doesn't score the goal."


Tortorella acknowledged that Drury wasn't at his most effective in the playoffs.


"He tried like hell but he slowed down as it went on. I thought he did a great job ... but honestly this is something we have to look at. Where does he fit now? We are going young. We're trying to build it up again."


The Rangers signed Drury to a five-year, $35.2 million deal following the 2007 season. He had 62 goals and 151 points in 264 regular-season games, and four goals and seven points in 16 playoff games with New York.


If the Rangers decide to buy out the remainder of Drury's contract, he would become a free agent and New York would be on the hook for a $3.7 million cap hit next season and a $1.6 million hit in 2012-13.


Drury tap-danced around the subject of his future with the Rangers.


"I just kind of take it one day at a time," he said. "I just kind of always prepare for the next practice and the next game."


Tortorella said he was "disappointed" that the season was over. He also noted that his disappointment in several unnamed players had changed to worry.


"We were counting on some people to step up and it didn't happen. It didn't happen," Tortorella said. "I can say it now. When you lose a guy ... It put more pressure on guys to step up and I didn't see it happen. That was disappointing. I'm not going to name names."


One player the coach talked about was Marian Gaborik. The right wing struggled in his second season with the Rangers, finishing with 22 goals and 48 points. He had 42 goals and 86 points in 2009-10.


Gaborik, who sustained a separated shoulder and a concussion during the regular season, denied that injuries played a role in his sub-par year. Tortorella said one of the team's priorities this offseason is to add some pieces to complement Gaborik.


"We have to add skill within our lineup," Tortorella said. "We need to look at all avenues. We're building the right foundation. We had some really good growth and some surprises. When you get into the real stuff of the playoffs and play a skillful team like Washington, you can see where we need some help in that area. We'll have to look at all areas."


http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/c9b9962bda744e3a919420304ec9aa17/HKN--Rangers-Decisions/

posted by Denis P. Gorman at 11:03 AM

Friday, April 22, 2011

April 22, 2011, Washington Capitals-New York Rangers Game 5 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals advance with notebook for Metro NYC Newspaper


x


NHL Playoffs: Rangers better put on their thinking Caps



BRUCE BENNETT/GETTY IMAGES

Henrik Lundqvist.


More about Rangers
Young Rangers take their lumps
NHL Playoffs: Rangers double the pain
NHL Playoffs: Rangers plan team effort to slow Ovie
NHL Playoffs: Blueshirts taking a quick crash course

By the numbers


1.45
Outside of that powerful second period in Game 4, the Rangers have yet to seriously test Michal Neuvirth. The playoff rookie is tied for third with a 1.45 goals against average and fourth with a .942 save percentage.


-5
So much for being a sparkplug. Sean Avery is a minus-5 with two assists and no goals in his last 10 playoff games vs. the Caps.


4
Alex Ovechkin has two goals and two assists this series.

“Goals are scored right in the crease. So [we] just have to drive the net and find something there.” –Marian Gaborik


Click here

NEW YORK
DENIS GORMAN

Published: April 21, 2011 9:51 p.m.
Last modified: April 22, 2011 6:26 a.m.
Email

more
Be the first to comment
Print article
Text size

While Bruce Boudreau made his feelings on the discrepancy between the home atmospheres quite clear in a radio interview earlier this week, the truth of the matter is the Rangers won both regular season games at the Verizon Center. They’ll need another victory there Saturday to keep their quarterfinal series with the Capitals alive.


The Blueshirts are still recovering from a painful 4-3 double overtime home loss in Game 4 that saw them blow a 3-0 lead.


“This isn’t a time to get down. We can’t start pointing fingers, getting frustrated and getting down on ourselves because we still have a series here. We just have to find a way to win a game there,” Brandon Dubinsky said. “We knew we were going to have to win at least one [on the road] to win the series.”


They also have to put the puck in the net when given abundant advantages. The Rangers have totaled seven goals in the four games, and are a miserable 1-for-17 on the power play.


“It’s a struggle,” Tortorella said. “Until our power play gets going, we have to continue to try to kill their power plays off. It’s been a struggle. It’s been a struggle. We’ve tried a lot of different people. It just hasn’t worked. So our penalty killing has to be that much better until we find a way to score a power play goal.”


So the tasks for the 12 forwards and six defensemen is simple: Shoot from everywhere and drive to the net. Michal Neuvirth appeared flustered when the Rangers pressured him and took residence in his crease in Games 3 and 4. Neuvirth allowed six goals on 74 shots in the two games at the Garden.


“We (have) been talking about that,” Marian Gaborik said earlier in the week. Gaborik scored his first playoff goal since the 2006-07 postseason Wednesday night. It was a side-of-the-net jam shot that pushed the Rangers’ lead to 2-0. “Just got to keep skating and drive the net


“Drove the net and goals are scored right in the crease, right in the goal. So just have to drive the net and find something there.”


Otherwise, a season in which the groundwork for future teams was laid will be over.





Blueshirts Notes


Let’s call Bruce Boudreau’s comments to a Washington D.C. radio station Monday about Madison Square Garden and Rangers fans what they really are:


A cheap parlor trick that very nearly backfired.


Washington has lost four of the last five playoff series in which they have had 2-0 leads. By making the state of the Garden, and its atmosphere, a topic of conversation, Boudreau was attempting to deflect pointed questions away from his team.


Following Wednesday night’s 4-3 double overtime win, he and the Capitals were able to laugh about the cauldron of noise that was the Garden. The building was loud during John Amirante’s rendition of the National Anthem and grew progressively louder through the first two periods, capped by chants of “Bou-dreau” and “Can you hear us?”


“They are passionate people. It was great. They responded well. The atmosphere was great tonight,” Jason Chimera said. “We were laughing before the game when they were saying, ‘Shut up, Bruce,’ before the puck drop. It was pretty funny. ‘Can you hear us?’ was pretty good. It was pretty funny.


“Anytime you look up and everyone is yelling, it’s great. It’s playoff hockey.”


-- Marc Staal and Dan Girardi were dominant in the loss Wednesday. Girardi, who Tortorella said earlier in the week has “b—ls the size of the building” blocked nine shots in 39:95. Staal had three hits and five blocked shots in 36:55, along with a great play in the second overtime to force Alex Ovechkin to take an off-angled shot.


In the immediate aftermath, though, Staal was in no mood to reflect on what the Rangers’ top pair had accomplished.


“Playoff time is about wins and we couldn’t get it done,” Staal said. “As far as personally and things like that, it all kind of disappears in the playoffs.”


-- Mike Knuble was scratched in Game 4's victory. It is believed he injured his hand while scoring the goal that tied Game 3 at 2-2.


-- Both teams will have Friday off. Game 5 is Saturday afternoon at the Verizon Center. NBC will have the broadcast.



More about Rangers , NHL playoffs



http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/article/839794--nhl-playoffs-rangers-better-put-on-their-thinking-caps--page0

posted by Denis P. Gorman at 10:14 AM