Rupp's Knee Becoming Increasing Concern For Rangers

The New York Rangers signed forward Mike Rupp this summer hoping to add some grit, a little offense down the roster and someone to take a little of the fighting burden off Brandon Prust.  Rupp has been unable to get much going early in the season dealing with a “cranky” knee that has caused him to miss the last two games and the concern over that knee is only growing by the day to the point where surgery appears to now be in the discussion even if coach John Tortorella won't publicly acknowledge that piece. 

Rupp is said to be seeking another opinion, likely to avoid going under the knife, but having surgery might be best option.  By getting the problem fixed now he can focus on recovery and coming back later in the season at 100% instead of continuing to try and rest and play with it and having it nag him all season. 

Rangers To Place Avery On Re-Entry Waivers Monday

Larry Brooks of the New York Post tweeted that he has confirmed the New York Rangers will place forward Sean Avery on re-entry waivers Monday.  Should he clear he would be able to play on Thursday against Anaheim.  Most don't seem to think that Avery is going to get claimed by another team on re-entry. 

This feels like a move to appease the fan base for a slow start and not one that has a legitimate possibility of changing the team.  Should be interesting to watch Tortorella and Avery over the next couple of weeks as this seems like a move that went above Tororella's head.

Rangers Signing Stralman Soon?

Last night Larry Brooks at the New York Post reported that the New York Rangers were still waiting on defenseman Anton Stralman to inform them of his decision on their contract offer from last week.


This morning Swedish tabloid Aftonbladet said that Stralman is set to sign with the Rangers shortly.  

The decision to send Erixon down last night signals that another move on defense is likely coming in short order, but these "conflicting" reports do not shed much light on how certain Anton Stralman is to be that move, at least short term.  For tomorrow expect Jeff Woywitka to be back in the lineup on the third pair with Steve Eminger.

No Further Discipline For Wolski?; Rupp, Anisimov, Del Zotto Missing At Practice

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun tweeted that there is no disciplinary hearing scheduled for Wojtek Wolski in regards to his high hit on Daniel Alfredsson yesterday, so he does not believe there will be any further discipline.  Somewhat surprising given the call on the ice and the fact that Alfredsson is out today because of the hit, but good news for the Rangers as Wolski was instrumental in two goal yesterday.

In practice news there was no Mike Rupp, Artem Anisimov or Michael Del Zotto on ice during practice (via Rangers twitter). Rupp has been dealing with a "cranky" knee, Del Zotto has had a sore hip and Anisimov is more than likely the result of soreness from yesterday's meeting with the glass.

On the good news front there was consistency with the forward groupings today as these top two lines showed some spark yesterday.  Andrew Gross reported the lines from practice ...

Wolski-Stepan-Gaborik
Dubinsky-Richards-Callahan
Fedotenko-Boyle-Prust
Deveaux, Christensen skating together

Video: Talbot Sings "Moves Like Jagr" During Jagr Interview

Fans in Philadelphia are having a lot of fun with "Moves Like Jagr" and it appears they are not the only ones.  Last night following a 5-1 win over Carolina Jagr was meeting with the media when teammate Max Talbot came into the dressing room and started singing "Moves Like Jagr."

Talbot appears at 2:31 mark of the video.

Video via Broad Street Hockey:

Sean Avery Coming Back To Rangers?

Update: Avery to be placed on re-entry waivers Monday.

When Sean Avery was demoted to the Connecticut Whale at the end of training camp it appeared likely that his days with the New York Rangers were finished.  His relationship with coach John Tortorella and his uneven play of the past two seasons looked like a recall would be a virtual impossibility.  However, after a slow start by the team, playing lifeless hockey for far too many periods of the young season, the return of Avery might just be what is in the offing, at least according to one radio host in New York.

Boomer Esiason tweeted the following this morning...

Little birdie telling me Sean Avery is back! Thank God! Finally some energy! For the NYR.

Obviously this is not a beat writer or the team announcing it so there has to be a high level of skepticism involved, but why would Boomer to put his neck on the line with false information?  Esiason is a fan first in this situation and certainly not a reporter, so it could be more wishful than anything else.

Note of caution for all the Avery fans is that he does have to clear re-entry waivers before he can report to the Rangers so he would not be there for Monday's game and could always be claimed by another team.  There have been murmurs the Islanders could be interested.

Rangers Call Up Andre Deveaux?

On Saturday night the New York Rangers announced that Tim Erixon and Kris Newbury were being sent down to the Connecticut Whale (AHL) and the speculation began as to who, if anyone, would be coming to the Rangers.  Most of the speculation surrounded Mats Zuccarello, John Mitchell and prospect Carl Hagelin, but none of those appear to be the option.  While there is no official announcement as of yet, Rangers prospect Carl Hagelin announced via twitter that his roomate Andre Deveaux is heading to New York.

Deveaux is a good fit for a fourth line type role to play limited minutes, bring some toughness to the team and add another player capable of dropping the gloves.  Deveaux has racked up huge penalty minute numbers in his AHL career but has also shown some offense in recent seasons.  He currently has four goals, two assists and 23 penalty minutes in 9 games. 

For those who wanted a bigger name or someone with more offensive upside realize that the Rangers had some good work offensively from Wolski-Stepan-Gaborik and Dubinsky-Richards-Callahan lines today and Tortorella doesn't like to touch the Boyle line as his third line.  Taking those as the top 9 there is no reason to call up a legit prospect who should be getting more minutes in an offensive role.