| OTG NOTEBOOK | |
|
Sunday May 11th For Sean Avery fans, Larry Brooks paints a bleak picture for Avery's return to the club next season. Brooks, who has been an unabashed supporter of the player in recent times, takes the Rangers and Glen Sather to task on the lack of a decent contract offer to the "Grate One". Friday May 9th Perry Pearn has expressed interest in the vacant head coaching job with the Florida Panthers and Rangers GM Glen Sather has said he wouldn't stand in his way. A move to Florida would reunite Pearn with Jacques Martin, whom he was an assistant to while with the Senators. Thursday May 8th Well we are now officially in off-season mode from the papers, with not a single report in any of the major news outlets. The players have dispersed, the coaching staff are taking stock (and perhaps looking at an interview with another team in the case of Perry Pearn), and GM Glen Sather is preparing his plan for next season (or at least we hope he is). There is one story on Dan Girardi and Mike Pelino who will be honored in their home town of Welland. Wednesday May 7th Jaromir Jagr wants to extend his tenure on Broadway and has told reproters that the Rangers are his number one choice. Whether he (and Brendan Shanahan) return will be largely up to what Glen Sather wants to do financially and strategically. It's expected that while Jagr has indicated he'd like to return, there'll still be competition for Jagr's services, both in the NHL and Russia, and Arthur Staple of Newsday tells us ultimately that money will be the deciding factor. Though he leaft the door open for a return to New York, Jagr is expected to take aome time to make his decision, suggesting that it may be after he hears what other teams are willing to offer up. Sean Avery, who is recovering from a lacerated spleen, is in a similar boat, and after telling the Post yesterday that he "bleeds Rangers' blue", he also admitted that it will be a financial decision. Four Rangers players are off to represent their respective countries in the World Championships (being held in Canada for the first time). Fedor Tyutin will join Russia, Henrik Lundqvist - Sweden, Michal Rozsival - Czech Republic and Brandon Dubninsky is making his national debut with the US team. Tuesday May 6th Sean Avery thought he was going to die according today's NY Post. The soon to be UFA, told the Post that he was updating his will last week as he sat in intensive care after suffering a ruptured spleen. Avery was released from hospital earlier this week, and is expected to make a full recovery. The Rangers must look forward to this summer and attempt to figure out what to do with their four veteran wingers who all become UFAs. The future with the Rangers for Jaromir Jagr, Brendan Shanahan, Martin Straka and Sean Avery is unclear at this stage. Newsday says with an expected increase of the cap to $55-56M, and a number of players coming off of contract, they should have the room to make a bid for some of the few quality UFAs out there. Both the .NY Daily News and Journal News say that there's no reason to look at the 2007-08 season as a failure. Both go on to talk about possible moves this summer along with who might, and might not be back. The Times suggests the Rangers may take a run at the player who eliminated them, Marian Hossa. Hossa is expected to be a UFA July 1st, but is also likely to get multi-year deals for $7 million or more. The Winnipeg Sun has an article on hometown hero Nigel Dawes. Monday May 5th Well the season as you know is over, following yesterday's 3-2 OT defeat by the Penguins in Game 5. Marcel Hossa scored two goals in the game, including the OT winner to send the Penguins onto the Eastern Conference Finals. It was a game effort by the Rangers, who fought back from a 2-0 third period deficit and killed off a late double minor to Chris Drury. The loss stunned Henrik Lundqvist and left many Rangers wondering what went wrong...and perhaps where the team is heading now. In the words of Larry Brooks, last year's Round 2 loss felt like a beginning, with this loss and the potential departure of several post lockout Rangers, it feels more like an end. As mentioned in our rumor mill yesterday, Jaromir Jagr indicated yesterday that he doesn't want to retire and that he wanted to continue to play hockey. It remains unclear whether that means he wants to come back with the Rangers, whether it'll be for another NHL team or whether he'll return to Russia to play for Omsk as some rumors have suggested. Whatever his future, Jagr did tell those listening, that he wasn't prepared to make a decision immediately, and that it would take a "long time". It'd certainly be disappointing to think that he left the game with boos from the partisan crowd ringing in his ears. Whether Brendan Shanahan will return with the Rangers is also unclear. Shanahan appeared to struggle late in the season, and was even used on the fourth line at times by Tom Renney, though he continued to kill penalties. At least one reporter (Arthur Staple) thinks it's time for the old guard to move on and the youth to inherit the team. A fine sentiment, though there's certainly some question as to where the scoring would come from in that scenario. Sunday May 4th Well that's another season in the books my friends. With today's 3-2 OT loss to the Penguins, the Rangers officially were eliminated and now will turn their attention to retooling over the season. Several key players will be free agents this Summer including: Jaromir Jagr, Brendan Shanahan, Sean Avery, Martin Straka, Michal Rozsival, Marek Malik, Paul Mara, Stephen Valiquette and Jason Strudwick. Saturday May 3rd The Rangers get a rest today, as also do the Penguins as they prepare for tomorrow's Game 5 in Pittsburgh (2:00pm - Eastern). The Rangers wouldn't be the same next year without Jaromir Jagr according to Bergen Record writer Tom Gulitti. Gulitti is one of a growing number of writers who've been jumping on the Jagr bandwagon. Penguins coach Michel Therrien is confident going into Game 5, and he probably should be given the fact the Rangers have only won once out of six visits to Mellon Arena this year. He does however want a better performance from his team than in Game 4. The Penguins were obviously frustrated at the end of the game, with Sidney Crosby ending up in the box late in the game, for retaliating against a Dan Girardi hit, and Evgeni Malkin joining him on that occasion and then finishing with a game misconduct. Maxim Talbot might make a return to the Penguins line-up tomorrow despite having broken his foot blocking a shot in Game 3. For the Rangers, Chris Drury gave his all to play through a rib injury in Game 4. Remarkably, Drury was 65% in the faceoff circle, despite not being able to finish Game 3. The Rangers handed the Penguins their first loss, and perhaps their first self doubts this postseason. The Penguins don't want to come back to New York for a Game 6 and play against the momentum. Regardless, a Game 5 does have a financial benefit for the Penguins. Larry Brooks praises (for the most part anyway) the way that Game 4 was called, saying the Rangers need the refs to not call a penalty every time Sidney Crosby falls over. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has been doing a daily "burning question"...for today they ask if a Rangers' comeback is crazy. The Penguins failed to get their second sweep of these playoffs, but historically it has been hard to beat teams four straight The Penguins' Evgeni Malkin will not receive any penalty from the league for his slewfoot, but the Rangers were more interested in why Dan Girardi was called for a penalty shot for pushing Malkin. The laws as they're written do not expressly forbid it, but the general feeling (outside of New York) is that they don't want to allow this to happen in the future. Big brother Eric Staal is not taking sides with either of his brothers for the series. Friday May 2nd With their backs to the wall, it was a case of win or go home for the Rangers last night. The mantra in the lockerroom before the game...just avoid the sweep and earn the right to play one more game. Jaromir Jagr and Henrik Lundqvist were instrumental in leading the Rangers to a 3-0 win, keeping alive their season, for at least one more game. Jagr turned back the clock and scored two goals, as well as assisting on Brandon Dubinsky's third period power play. Immediately following the first goal, Jagr was laid out by a big hit by Brooks Orpik, but didn't miss a shift in the game. His late season form and play in the post season has prompted many to call for an encore for the 36 year old winger. Lundqvist too earned his paycheck, and perhaps had the defining moment in the game when he stopped Malkin first on a breakaway, and then on the ensuing penalty shot, his second such shot this playoff season. While they still continue to face elimination, there is a little more confidence in the team, and perhaps a little doubt in the minds of their opponents. The teams will meet now on Sunday in Pittsburgh in Game 5. It was the first time the Penguins had lost a game this postseason, having swept Ottawa and won the first three in the series. It seems not just Rangers fans have noticed the play of Jagr in the playoffs. With three points last night, Jagr now is the leading point getter in the playoffs, with 15 points in just 9 games. Controversy continues to follow the series, with Evgeni Malkin apparently with a deliberate slewfoot on Paul Mara in the dying seconds of the game, a play that earned both Mara and Malkin misconduct penalties for their troubles, and prompted the Rangers defenseman to call Malkin "classless", claiming the Penguin star had taken out his frustration twice in a dangerous manner. Injuries are starting to impact both teams. The Rangers were without Blair Betts (face) and Sean Avery (spleen) while Penguin Maxim Talbot is out day to day with a broken foot. Avery looks like he'll keep his spleen, and is getting plenty of visitors to keep him occupied and wish him well as he recovers. Avery may get to leave ICU as soon as today. Sunday April 27th The Rangers have a shot at redemption today (2:00pm - NBC) in Game 2 of their series with Pittsburgh. While it's not a must win, going back to New York down 0-2 would be a tough situation. If they are to put Game 1's fiasco behind them, then it will be up to their defense to improve. The Rangers blueliners got caught twice immediately after goals by the Penguins, leading to two additional tallies. They'll also have to improve their performance in the second period. The Rangers have struggled much of the season with performances in the middle period, and that has continued into the post-season. Apparently they will also try to drive the net more, which seems surprising given the number of goals scored, but we expect both teams to play better defensively, and perhaps Game 1 had a little to do with rust from the long layoffs. The Penguins for their part will be looking for a better start. Pittsburgh gave up the first three goals in the game, and looked out of it at 0-3. In a surprise move, it looks like Petr Prucha will make his first appearance of the post season. Prucha looks like he'll replace Colton Orr in the line-up. The Penguins' Gary Roberts could miss his second game, and is day to day. The war of words over whether Sidney Crosby is a diver or not continues. Pittsburgh Head Coach Michel Therien jumped to the defense of his star forward, saying that enough is enough and that Crosby doesn't dive. The Rangers accused Crosby of going down easily on the penalty late (i.e. he embellished) in Game 1 that lead to the game winning goal on the power play. Therien vigorously denied the charge. Both teams were apparently not happy with the ice at Mellon Arena in game one. The Winnipeg Sun has an article on Sean Avery....Toronto should sign him in the off-season according to the Toronto Star...and the LA Times and Detroit Free Press have articles on his Vogue internship. And yes, there's yet another article on his antics. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes that the Rangers' roster moves since the lockout have helped turn the club around. We also have yet another Staal article that focuses on the parents of Jordan and Marc Staal. |
What number(s) have been worn by the most Rangers since the last Cup win in 1994? Answer... |
Tune in for the weekly show featuring news and interviews with New York area hockey personlities
| May 4, 2008 | |||||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | T | ||||||
| Rangers | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |||||
| Penguins | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | |||||
|
|||||||||
 |
| Complete Schedule |
| $ather's Hardline On Avery Wi... - New York Post 5/11 Perry Pearn Expresses Interes... - Palm Beach Post 5/9 Girardi, Pelino, Ready For Te... - Welland Tribune 5/8 Jagr Wants To Remain A Ranger - Bergen Record 5/7 Rangers' Avery On Road To Rec... - Bergen Record 5/7 Jagr Leaves The Door Open Wit... - Westchester Journal News 5/7 Returns Iffy For Jaromir & Sh... - New York Post 5/7 Rangers Are Jagr's No.1 Choic... - Newark Star Ledger 5/7 Rangers' Jagr Will Follow The... - New York Newsday 5/7 Jagr Will Take Some Time To D... - New York Times 5/7 Jagr Wants To Extend His Stay... - New York Newsday 5/7 Jaromir Jagr Wants To Remain ... - New York Daily News 5/7 Brendan Shanahan Plays Waitin... - New York Daily News 5/7 'I Thought I Was Done' - New York Post 5/6 |
| More news... |
| Team | GP | W | L | OT | Pts |
| Canadiens | 82 | 47 | 25 | 10 | 104 |
| Penguins | 82 | 47 | 27 | 8 | 102 |
| Capitals | 82 | 43 | 31 | 8 | 94 |
| Devils | 82 | 46 | 29 | 7 | 99 |
| Rangers | 82 | 42 | 27 | 13 | 97 |
| Flyers | 82 | 42 | 29 | 11 | 95 |
| Senators | 82 | 43 | 31 | 8 | 94 |
| Bruins | 82 | 41 | 29 | 12 | 94 |
| Hurricanes | 82 | 43 | 33 | 6 | 92 |
| Sabres | 82 | 39 | 31 | 12 | 90 |
| Panthers | 82 | 38 | 35 | 9 | 85 |
| Maple Leafs | 82 | 36 | 35 | 11 | 83 |
| Islanders | 82 | 35 | 38 | 9 | 79 |
| Thrashers | 82 | 34 | 40 | 8 | 76 |
| Lightning | 82 | 31 | 42 | 9 | 71 |
Click above to put yourself on the OTG map
About Us - Site Map - Contact Us
© Copyright OutsideTheGarden.com 2001-2005
This site and it's content is in no way affiliated with, or representative of the
NHL, NHLPA or the New York Rangers