Drury Returns on Fourth Line; Torts Will Scratch White or Christensen

There has been a lot of speculation as to what the return of Chris Drury to the Rangers lineup will mean for the rest of the guys on the team, especially those on the fringe, but today’s statement by coach John Tortorella concerning who might be the scratch tomorrow against the Penguins caught many of us off guard.  I will not say that we did not think this guy was above being scratched, especially when Vinny Prospal comes back, but to possibly scratch him in favor of Todd White would be surprising.

According to Andrew Gross reported earlier that coach John Tortorella has said that the healthy scratch for tomorrow’s game will be either Todd White or Erik Christensen.  Many of have said that Christensen is in trouble when Prospal returns but to see White who has done little to nothing might play over him is a little stunning.  Christensen is probably the most frustrating New York Rangers player because the skill is obviously there to be a very solid NHL player but there is absolutely no consistency to his play, so as excited as he can make you with a brilliant play it is even more infuriating when he fails to do anything.  This talk from Torts could be a mind game with Christensen to put the pressure on him to keep producing and earning his minutes and he could back that up by sitting him tomorrow and bringing him back on Thursday, we will see.

As for my question yesterday of where Drury will slot into the lineup, score one for me, for correctly predicting at least for the opening shifts of the game he will be on the fourth line with Avery and either Christensen or White as Torts does not want to disrupt the other three lines.  Word of advice for Stepan, Anisimov, Fedotenko and Frolov would be to produce early in the game because we know Tortorella will not hesitate to mix it up and now he has a new ping pong ball to put into the line lottery drawing.

Lines to expect tomorrow:
Ruslan Fedotenko-Derek Stepan-Marian Gaborik
Brandon Dubinsky-Artem Anisimov-Ryan Callahan
Alex Frolov-Brian Boyle-Brandon Prust
Sean Avery-Chris Drury-Erik Christensen/Todd White

Scratch That: Rangers Will NOT Put Kennedy On Re-Entry Waivers or Trade

So the other day there were various reports about how the Rangers had given Tim Kennedy permission to seek a trade from his current state of exile in the AHL where the Rangers would likely not be able to call him up on re-entry waivers since they would lose him for nothing as his cap hit would be a measly 275K, which prorated at this points is more like 180K.  Well, Larry Brooks of the New York Post today said via twitter:

Sather:NYR have NOT told Tim Kennedy or agent they would put him on re-entry for trade. "Not a chance" GM tells Post.

That seems like a pretty adamant contradiction to the earlier speculation and understandable since they would very likely lose him for nothing by putting him on re-entry.  What I do not understand is why they would not look to move him for something/anything in a trade since he will never play here and is not exactly lighting up the world in Connecticut.  Sure at this point Kennedy wishes he has signed with a team like the Islanders or the Devils for as bad as their records are at least he would still be in the NHL right now trying to keep his career going in the right direction instead of watching at least a year fade away.

Rangers Have Found Meaning of Team Thus Finding Better Results; Consistency Next?

Consistency is a buzz word that has surrounded the New York Rangers the past few seasons and the search to find it not just in the results, but also in the process.  My penchant for focusing on the process as much as the results themselves can tend to make me come off more pessimistic than some others might.  For me the reason the process is so important is because using the right process and getting results makes those results more likely to be repeatable on a consistent basis as opposed to when you can escape with the result even if you did not really earn it.

For me in order for a team to be consistent it needs to first have an identity (system/style) and a common purpose.  One of the reasons this organization has failed to garner consistent results the last few seasons is they have lacked a team identity.  When it has come to Rangers over the last few years when speaking about the team it felt as if “team” was more appropriate because it really was a collection of individuals all collecting their checks from the same place and having no common purpose. 

This season the Rangers have done a much better job of developing their identity as a team that is hard to play against, works the forecheck and cycle games, blocks shots and hits.  What this sense of identity or at least a consistent style for the team has done is allowed them to have a different mentality within games.  From the preseason there were differences in this team that were noticeable in the way they competed especially when they would fall behind in games and continue to battle where in those situations a season ago they would have cashed it in for the night.  This sort of mentality change has been evident for most of the season as the Rangers even in their up and down phases have rarely had whole games where they just did not show up.  There have been quite a few times especially leading up to the Washington game where they had significant lapses in their focus, but rarely the clunker they mailed it in on.  Having a system you are always trying to get back to gives a team a foundation to build from and a goal to push towards in each game.

Beyond just the system itself though there must be a common purpose and a collective identity in the room in order to truly be a good team.  This is one of the areas the Rangers have improved in the most as they have consistently stood up for one another, filled in for each other and stepped up in the absence of others in doing what has been necessary for the team first.  Part of the change might be that there was a whole offseason with a guy like Brandon Prust around because he certainly showed a willingness to do all those things in his stint to close last season or maybe it is the addition of Michael Sauer from the minors who defends his teammates and bring a toughness that can be contagious.  I cannot honestly say there is one player this season who on the ice has acted as if they were bigger than the team or the sweater as all have sacrificed their body for hits, blocked shots and to make plays.  Obviously some have done it more than others, but all have shown a willingness to do it and that makes it easier to believe and build upon.  I also think that guys like Prust or Boyle or even Sauer doing it is one thing as for them that is a role they can play but when your teams best player this season, Brandon Dubinsky, is constantly scrumming and scrapping for his mates it sends a message on a totally different level.

Last season thru 32 games the New York Rangers were 14-15-3, while this season they are 18-13-1.  On paper the Rangers are not much different than a year ago as they have the same coaches; many of the same players; approximately the same overall talent level.  For me what accounts for the difference in the results is just what I have described they have a more consistent system in not lines and they have an identity not as individuals but as a unit.  As sad as it is going to sound the difference might be as simple as it seems they care more not just about the results but each other; the mentality of the club is different.  Obviously on many nights a team with superior talent will win out, but as was evidenced in the game against Washington when you can mix your talent, whatever amount it is, with a collective purpose you can be a lethal combination, especially against a until that has talent but no cohesion. 

It is refreshing after the past few seasons to see the Rangers actually playing as a team and to this point they are being rewarded in the standings.  The next key for the Rangers is to apply the differences in their team this season on that consistent basis not just from game to game, but within games for the full sixty minutes and once they do that, then the process will be complete and on most nights the results will take care of themselves.  Only time will tell if this year is the time when that combination comes together or if this is just another foundational year building for the future, but either way the signs among the team are good because they are pointing in the same direction.

Video: Jonathan Quick With Save of Year Entry To Rob Holmstrom

The Los Angeles Kings took on the Detroit Red Wings in Detroit on Monday night and if the 51 saves Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick made in the win were not impressive enough he put up this gem to rob Tomas Holmstrom of a sure goal. Quick made the initial save on a point shot from Brian Rafalski and he always is Tomas Holmstrom was in front of the net to grab a rebound and he had a wide open net to shoot at but Quick did not quit on the play diving back and stoning Holmstrom with the goalie paddle. Yes, the final outcome was 5-0 but if you notice the game was 1-0 at that point so if that goes in who knows what happens. Tremendous stuff.

Daily Recap: Drury to Return, Where Will He Play?; Staal Evolution; Tyutin Rangers Rumor; Zuke Leads Whale

Coming off last night’s blowout win against the Capitals all was well in Rangers universe and if that itself was not enough positive news, the team would find out last night after the game that their Captain, Chris Drury, would be back in the lineup on Wednesday against the Penguins for the first time since Oct 15^th.  Drury to Return Wednesday; Kids Stay, Who Goes? Where Does Drury Fit? examines the situation as it stands in relation to the lineup as it has been, who might be out of the lineup with his return, if any roster moves need to be made and where I would look to put Dru back in.  The chemistry within the team is something that must be taken into consideration while working Drury back in and I think the solution I have offered will help do that while using the strengths Drury has for team advancement.

Before I got to the Drury story this afternoon I used the morning to discuss the continued evolution of Marc Staal from a defense only guy into a well-rounded player who is adding more and more offense at this level.  Marc Staal: Following His Instincts To Rise To Another Level looks at the progression along with examples of how and where Staal is using his instincts and new found confidence to be a threat on the other side of the ice while not sacrificing his primary responsibilities.  This addition to the game has not come without it’s bumps in the road, but the payoff can be huge and will play a large role in shaping the future of this franchise because Staal is the cornerstone of the defensive unit.

This evening I took a look at yet another trade rumor involving the Rangers and the idea that they would be interested in reuniting with Fedor Tyutin who they sent to Columbus for Zherdev a few years ago.  Inside is my take on the rumor itself, whether the need actually exists for the move, what the biggest cons of the move are, what from the Rangers might interest the Blue Jackets and under what circumstances I would make the move to bring Tyutin back.

Last but not least I took a look at yet another win for the scorching Connecticut Whale, their fourth in a row.   The game recap goes through the particulars of the game along with having highlights of the action and detailing how various prospects performed.  Once again it would be prospects that would lead the way to this win as the standouts in this one were again Mats Zuccarello, along with Chad Kolarik and Dale Weise and goaltender Cam Talbot keyed the victory.  When finished with the game recap itself I went through each of those three prospects to see which might be the most NHL ready if a call is to come.

Finally on a personal and site note I am proud to say that FanFeedr which does such a great job of compiling and disseminating information on any of your favorite teams has listed this site along with the many other great Rangers resources out there.  I would highly suggest that you both go to the site and follow them on twitter, and the Rangers feed on twitter is @nyrangersff.

Rumor: Rangers Looking To Bring Back Tyutin?

Yesterday in reading New York Rangers columns I came across yet another trade rumor in connection with the club.  What was different this time than all of the other rumors I have read of late was that it involved the Rangers dealing for a defenseman despite the fact they have seven capable ones already on the roster.  The source of this rumor was Larry Brooks'column in the NY Post in which he discusses the Rangers possible interest in bringing back Fedor Tyutin to the Rangers 2 ½ years after the team traded him to the Columbus Blue Jackets.  Here is the main part of the rumor:

The Rangers may have interest in re-acquiring Tyutin, a left-hand shot (who played the right side) with one more year at $2,843,750 remaining on his contract.

I know the Rangers played the Blue Jackets the night before, but this is below what we expect from someone like Larry Brooks who usually does a good job of tamping down speculation.  I would expect to find this at few well know rumor mongers who are also considered to basically make most of their material up and claim it to unnamed sources.  I am not saying that Brooks is making it up, but I find no common sense reason for the Rangers to bring back Tyutin based the Rangers current and future situation on defense nor is there any justification based on his play this season.  This from a person who liked Tyutin when he was here and thought he was a better player than Girardi who they chose to keep instead.  The Rangers took the gamble on Zherdev finding his full potential here and walked away from that experiment a year later having given up Toots and signed Redden.  Not saying if they never make the trade with Columbus they do not sign Redden, but certainly less likely.

I understand the draw of writing about a guy who used to be here, and more importantly connecting that with the fact the Rangers are said to be looking for a left handed defender, but Tyutin this has more of a nostalgia than present feel as is not playing better hockey than any in our current top six and probably not even better than Gilroy.  Tyutin in the two games leading up to the Rangers game in Columbus was a healthy scratch and on the season he has 4 points in 26 games while be a plus two.  If that was not enough to make this a bad idea, the fact that he has another year at the 2.844 million dollar cap hit should more than seal it if you are looking at him as a third pair defender.  That is nearly equivalent to another Boogaard salary for the production you can expect from it.  Right now the Rangers third pair combines to make, ironically exactly what Boogaard does, 1.625 million and even with raises at the end of the season if both are back Eminger and Sauer will combine for at most 2.2 million which is a much more attractive option for the team.

I can hear the calls now that if Columbus would take Rozi then it would be worth saving the two million on the cap next year, which I probably still would not do, but that is the only scenario where I would even think twice in a one for one move.  If the Rangers had to take on a Tyutin salary for an extra year it would have to be accompanied by a piece the Rangers really wanted for the future in terms of a prospect or a pick.  I could see the Blue Jackets who need a PP QB having some interest in giving Gilroy a shot there or maybe another enigmatic player in Alex Frolov, but maybe they have had their fill of those.  I would gladly trade either or both of those to Columbus but not to bring back Tyutin, unless there is a nice sweetener, as the extra year on his deal is a huge negative in my book.

If the Rangers did deal for Tyutin you have to suspect, if not already involved, Gilroy or another defender would have to be moved in a separate deal, but before the Richards rumors get connected to this realize that 2.844 million in cap hit Tyutin adds next year makes Richards than much less affordable. 

Have at it.

Whale Win Again Behind Talbot, Weise, Zuccarello, Kolarik

Two games in two days and just another two wins for the red-hot Connecticut Whale as the New York Rangers were not the only ones rolling on Sunday.  The Whale with their current four game winning streak and longer 6-0-0-1 record since becoming the Whale have gone over .500 (12-11-4) for the first time since late October.  Saturday was about Mats Zuccarello, Evgeny Grachev and Ryan McDonagh stepping up from the prospects down there and Sunday saw Zuccarello again with Chad Kolarik and Dale Weise doing the lion’s share of the damage in the 4-3 win over the Flyers affiliate, Adirondack Phantoms.

Drury To Return Wednesday Against Pens; Who Goes? Where Does Drury Fit?

Following last night’s game it was announced that Rangers Captain Chris Drury has been fully cleared by the medical staff, which means full contact practices starting today and that John Tortorella said he will be back in the lineup Wednesday against the Penguins.  The obvious question his return leads to is who is gone when he comes back, but I have a few others as well:  What position is he going to play and where does he slot in the lineup?  

Marc Staal: Following His Instincts To Rise To Another Level

With each player the evolution and maturation of their game happens at different times, paces and rates and the Rangers have seen that first hand with the growth of their young core.  As important as Brandon Dubinsky is as a goal scorer, Ryan Callahan as a leader, Dan Girardi as defender of the main parts of the young core who have been here the last few years none are as important to the long term viability of the New York Rangers as Marc Staal.  The now 23 year old defender, currently in his fourth season, has been a defensive stalwart for the Rangers nearly from day one.  Over each of the last few seasons there has been a desire from the fans and the coaching staff for him to take the next step offensively to go with his prowess as a shutdown defender.  There were those who criticized Glen Sather for the amount of money he paid to a one-way defender over the summer because of his lack of offensive results.  I wonder if those people are still talking now as the evolution of Marc Staal continues to happen before our eyes.

Daily Recap: Rangers Trounce Caps; Dubi fights Ovie; Frolov Being Traded?; Zuccarello/Whale Shining

After a game like last night the world for the New York Rangers can seem pretty bleak, but a game like tonight goes a long way to erasing that memory.  Early in the season there was a lot of discussion of the rollercoaster action that was this team and there is no greater swing in the rollercoaster of emotions than what has been the last 28 hours with this team.  Tonight the Rangers would paste the frustrated Washington Capitals behind a total team effort that saw the Rangers dominate the Caps in every phase of the game.  The full game story is in the link in terms of all the details of key plays in the game including each of the seven goals the team would net in the onslaught.  The game was led by the Rangers homegrown talent which is always great to see and featured a Gordie Howe hat-trick for Brandon Dubinsky who has been the Rangers best player this season.  There is also a note about the disgraceful actions of some fans during the game.

As many of you know the Gordie How hat-trick is a goal, an assist and a fight and for the fight Brandon Dubinsky would take on a very frustrated Alex Ovechkin during the second period with the Rangers already up 4-0.  In the video you will see what led to the fight, and the fight itself which Dubinsky clearly won and Ovechkin deserved a couple of instigator penalties for in terms of starting the fight and then starting it while wearing a visor.

The other NHL story for the Rangers today was about a rumor that the Rangers are trying to trade Alex Frolov.  I am not a big fan of the source, but I think most Rangers fans are hoping that it is true and that Frolov is moved.  See exactly what the rumor says and my take on why it would be coming out now and if that reason only further diminishes the value the Rangers could get.

Finally most of the rest of the day was spent on the Connecticut Whale and Mats Zuccarello in particular.  This morning coming off the awful offensive performance I revisited the calls for Zuccarello to be called up  For the Whale itself I looked at Saturday’s game against the first place Manchester Monarchs and how Zuccarello, McDonagh and Grachev led the way in a Whale Feast.  The recap details all the action, the significance of the plays for each guy involved and has the highlights of the game from the Whale organization.  It is truly amazing to see how big a turnaround this team has made in the last three weeks and while I bashed the staff down there when they struggled I must give them their stick salute for the work going on right now. looking at what I had said before, what if anything had changed based both on the Rangers and his own situation.