Canucks Rob Panthers Obtaining David Booth, Reinprecht For Samuelsson, Sturm

The Florida Panthers have been the most active team in the NHL since the trade deadline last year and that continued today with a potentially significant trade with the Vancouver Canucks.  Florida deal forward David Booth, center Steve Reinprecht and a 2013 third round pick to the Canucks for forwards Mikael Samuelsson and Marco Sturm.

The new-look Panthers have been solid to start the season which makes the selling low of former cornerstone Booth even more surprising.  Booth has yet to fully return to the promising form he had before suffering a major concussion in October 2009 when Mike Richards hit him in the head.  However, in Florida Booth was counted on to play on the top line with inferior talent around him, which certainly wont be the case in Vancouver where he will likely play with Ryan Kesler on the second line. 

A team like Florida that clearly is not a contender dealing for aging veterans like Samuelsson and Strum makes it even more puzzling of a move.  Vancouver appears to be a clear winner on the surface of this deal unless Booth never returns to form, which would make the four-year, $18 mil left on his contract a gamble to take on.

Lundqvist Starting, Bell In; Woywitka, Wolski, Sauer Out

Looking for their third straight win the New York Rangers are tinkering with their lineup inserting Brendan Bell on defense and scratching Jeff Woywitka.  Replacing Woywitka is not a big surprise as he struggled against Calgary, especially in the third period giving up multiple chances and taking a penalty with just 2:44 left in regulation.

One change the Rangers are not making is in net as Henrik Lundqvist will make his sixth consecutive start to open the season.  Love the way Lundqvist is playing, but Biron needs to go on Monday against Winnipeg so Lundqvist can get the rest they talked about so much last season.

Wojtek Wolski is out again, but making matters worse for him is that Tortorella referred to the winger as a "healthy scratch," so he could go but Tortorella is choosing Christensen over him. 






Michael Sauer is still day-to-day.

Mats Zuccarello Dominant Force In Season Debut For Whale

When he was demoted to the Connecticut Whale (AHL) Mats Zuccarello said that he was disappointed that he wasn’t given a shot to stick on one of the New York Rangers top lines saying he would have to prove he was worthy of that shot with his play in the minors.  Last night Zuccarello made his season debut with the Whale and certainly made his presence felt with two goals and an assist during the Whale’s 5-0 win over Manchester.

Playing with John Mitchell and Carl Hagelin, Zuccarello showed that his offensive skills are a dominant force at the AHL level.  Unfortunately for Zuccarello, despite their offensive woes, there does not appear to be a natural fit for him on the Rangers top three offensive lines.  Until there becomes an opening at a skill spot in the lineup or Zuccarello gets traded it will be the Whale that benefits from the 23-year-old winger’s skill level. 

The biggest beneficiary might be linemate Carl Hagelin who like Zuccarello is trying to prove he is NHL ready, but the fact that Hagelin has a better mix of skill, grit and penalty killing ability make him a better fit for the Rangers identity.  For those who want Hagelin now however, he would be just as wasted on the fourth line as Zuccarello was and is better off playing huge minutes in the AHL and developing.

What Is Wrong With Ryan Callahan?

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The New York Rangers had a number of questions that needed to be answered coming into the season, but few if any wondered about Ryan Callahan.  Callahan was named the 26th captain of the franchise because of his leadership, but also in part because his play epitomizes the identity the team strives to have.  The Rangers have failed to establish that same identity as last season or the same style of play and to see why you have to look no further than the play of Callahan himself.

In the Rangers opener against the Kings Callahan played his type of game and had a huge impact recording an important goal to help spark a lifeless team and recording a tremendous 11 shots on goal.  Since then his game has seemingly declined and his impact has been non-existent in the outcome of games, which is not what the Rangers need from his both as their captain and as a player who was given a new contract based on last year’s production.  The question has to be asked; What is wrong with Ryan Callahan?

The two easiest theories revolve around Callahan either nursing some sort of injury that is not being publicly talked about or that he is simply pressing trying to live up to his contract/being named captain. 

Playing through an injury is the one that many will naturally gravitate to because his lack of impact both on the scoresheet and in the regular flow of the game.  Injury could be why he does does not seem to be forechecking quite the same way he has his entire career, throwing his body around with reckless abandon, but there doesn’t seem to be an obvious ailment. 

Callahan pressing over the contract or being elevated to captain of the team is a natural concern that you have with all players trying to prove they deserve what the organization gave them.  Solving that can be more difficult because it is purely mental as all Callahan has to do to prove he is worthy of both the contract and the captaincy is play Ryan Callahan hockey.  Gripping the stick tighter is not going to make the puck go in.  Looking for the perfect pass or shot is not going get more points in the boxscore or end of season stat count.  Play the same honest hockey that he has played his entire career and the results will be there. 

Beyond those two main theories the most noticeable issue for Callahan appears to be him misreading the play significantly more often than we normally see from Callahan. Against Calgary there was a prime example as Brandon Dubinsky drove the zone and fired a backhander toward the net leading to a rebound right out front, but instead of Callahan crashing the net as he typically does he was still in the slot allowing Calgary to clear the puck out of danger.  There were other plays where on odd-man rushes he was the one drifting to the wing while letting Ryan McDonagh be the one driving hard to the net.  All of these types of things are unlike Callahan and the way he has always played. 

An interesting idea that is pure speculation on my part is if Callahan is playing a slightly different game this year because he doesn’t want to get hurt and miss significant time like last season.  The worth of Callahan to the lineup is massive as was seen in his absence during the playoffs and it is the double edged sword when discussing him.  The Rangers need him to play with that reckless disregard for his own health while on the ice, but they also need him to stay healthy and the way he plays (blocking shots, delivering hits), at his best, lends itself to him getting injured.

Those expecting Callahan to continue last seasons .8 point per game pace were always likely to be disappointed because of how drastically it differed from his prior statistical output, but those will more reasonable expectations of 25-30 goals and 55 points will likely get what they are looking for when the season is over. Whatever the issue is for Ryan Callahan over the past few games, the New York Rangers need him to figure it out quick or they are going to continue to struggle to find their stride as a team, instead relying on Henrik Lundqvist to save them long enough for the team to steal some points.

Ryan McDonagh Gives Rangers 3-2 Win With Last Second Overtime Goal

Ryan McDonagh scored with 1.8 seconds left in overtime to give the New York Rangers their second straight win.  McDonagh’s goal was started by a great rush by Brandon Dubinsky into and battle to maintain possession in the zone and Dan Girardi while be pressured at the point fired wide and the puck bounced off the back wall to McDonagh who fired it in for the win. 

This was yet another game the Rangers had no business getting even one point from, but Henrik Lundqvist gave kept them alive long enough for the team to steal not one, but two points.  Lundqvist ended the night with 33 saves including numerous highlight reel saves that bailed out defensive mistakes.  No save was better than the glove rob he did on Tom Kostopolous 8:23 into the game.  Lundqvist is as locked in as it gets right now having caused a team that overall could have zero points right now to get points in four of their five games thus far.

Rest of the scoring:

Marian Gaborik got the Rangers on the board first with a beautiful power play goal from the slot at 4:53. Gaborik started the play when he covered for Michael Del Zotto at the point and kept the puck in the zone.  Gaborik worked the puck to Richards at the other point who played it to Stepan low on the left wing side and he fired a beautiful diagonal pass to a streaking Gaborik in the slot for a wicked one-timer over Henrik Karlsson shoulder.  The goal was Gaborik’s fourth in just five games and the Rangers first on the power play this season.

Calgary struck back quickly as only 58 seconds later Jarome Iginla tied the game from right in front.  Dan Girardi had the puck hop over his stick which created a quick transition play where Alex Tanguay fired the puck across to Iginla, who was alone in front as McDonagh not expecting the quick turnover.

The Rangers took the lead again when Brandon Prust scored a shorthanded goal while Marian Gaborik was in the box.  Boyle stole the puck from Bouwmeester in the corner and fed Prust in front for the shortie.

With just over five minutes left in the opening period Cory Sarich checked Brad Richards into the boards and Kris Newbury took exception to the hit.  Newbury immediately skated over and dropped the gloves with Sarich.  It was the kind of move that is great as a fourth liner standing up for teammates.  The problem with the move however was Newbury got the instigator for it and the Flames made them pay on the power play with Mark Giordano beating Lundqvist to tie it up 2-2.  Lundqvist was very upset with himself after the goal. 

• Tim Erixon was phenomenal tonight and easily the third best defender for the Rangers.  Dealing with the boos each time he touched the puck was enough, but to play as solid as he did, the kid is getting better with every game.
• Marian Gaborik is a completely different player to start the year as he is back to skating and attacking the front of the net again
• Dubinsky had his best game of the year.

Lundqvist Should Get The Nod Tonight

Regardless of how well Henrik Lundqvist plays this season, Martin Biron is going to get 15-20 starts to keep Lundqvist fresh for late in the year and the playoffs.  The question becomes with Henrik Lundqvist as locked in as he is right now, when does Biron get his first start this season for the New York Rangers.  In the New York Post, Larry Brooks thinks that tonight will be that night.  Brooks might be right that tonight is the first start for Biron, but it should not be.

Coach John Tortorella has gone back and forth between the idea of sticking with the goaltender and sticking to whatever schedule he makes out for when Biron will play.  Following Lundqvist 40 save shutout performance Tuesday against the Canucks, he should be the man between the pipes tonight.  Biron could still get a start on the trip, either Saturday against the Oilers or Monday against the Jets.  Let Lundqvist continue his groove tonight and have Biron ready to make his debut in one of the next two.  Certainly a great problem to have for Tortorella as he has one of the best backup goaltenders in the league itching to get in there.

Rangers Need More Production, Less Emotion From Versatile Dubinsky

Last season Brandon Dubinsky had a breakout season leading the New York Rangers in goals (24), assists (30) and points (54).  This summer, after getting to the brink of an arbitration hearing, the Rangers rewarded Dubinsky for his performance with a four-year, $16.8 million contract to keep him as a critical component of the team’s core long term.  Some argued at the time that Dubinsky is overpaid while others said he would have received significantly more on the market, had he been a free agent.  Regardless of your views on what he was paid at the time, the New York Rangers need 2010-11 Dubinsky to start playing this season. 

In four games Dubinsky has no goals, two assists and a whopping 37 penalty minutes.   The Rangers need more from him offensively and less of him parading to the penalty box.  Dubinsky and Callahan are the Rangers two most versatile players in their ability to eat ice time and be effective in all situations.  Dubinsky has not been available enough to that thus far this year.  There is no telling if the weight of the new contract is making Dubinsky press or if it was the shift late in training camp to the top line which initially took away his natural linemates in Anisimov and Callahan, but the Rangers need him to figure it out quick.  While Richards and Gaborik have been inconsistent in their impact throughout games, each has produced on the stat sheet to the level the Rangers would hope thus far and that isn’t the case for the second line.

There is no secret that the Rangers are having significant problems staying out of the penalty box and Dubinsky is leading the way there having racked up six minor penalties in only four games.  One of the keys to Dubinsky’s breakout season last year was an increased maturity on the ice that showed him taking on a leadership role.  There were still times where he took foolish penalties and cost the Rangers power plays by running at guys to stand up for teammates, but the other night against Kevin Bieksa was just foolish.  As much as fans, myself included, enjoyed the emotion of Dubinsky telling Kevin Bieksa and the Canucks bench off with his crotch chop, his emotions have gotten the better of him far too often again to start this season.  On the play Bieksa took a cheap run at Dubinsky and was going to the box, which is where it should have ended.  Dubinsky has to understand the team is up 3-0 late in the final period and about to get a free power play to end the game, but instead he selfishly runs back at Bieksa to settle a score while risking himself getting hurt in a fight.  He is too valuable to the Rangers to take that kind of unnecessary risk.

Brandon Dubinsky is one of the most critical players to the success of the New York Rangers and for the team to get out of their early season malaise they need the emotion and physicality he brings to the ice, but they need him to be smarter about it.  Brining positive emotion and legal hitting to the Rangers forecheck will lead to more scoring opportunities for himself and his line, which the offense needs them to cash in.  Expect Dubinsky to break out of the early funk when he gets back to playing his game instead of trying to justify the contract he signed this summer.

Brandon Dubinsky Telling the Canucks Bench How He Feels

McDonagh's Rising Offensive Confidence Raises Ceiling For Defenders Potential

The evolution of Ryan McDonagh continues and with each passing game the 22-year-old defender takes his game to another level for the New York Rangers.  Last week I took a look at how far McDonagh has come since last year at this time and that he has developed into a top caliber defender that has made the loss of Marc Staal significantly less noticeable than many would have expected.  Last night was another example of how McDonagh not only is taking on the challenge of filling the huge void Marc Staal’s absence leaves on the blue line defensively, but his offense is evolving.  When discussing his offense last week I wrote:

Offensively McDonagh is still a work in progress, but he is gaining in confidence.  The confidence shows itself in him having less hesitation to shoot the puck or even join the rush.  Joining the rush got the Rangers in trouble in the first game when he was called for a phantom penalty in the offensive zone, but the aggressiveness is something the Rangers want to see more of from him. 

The confidence was on full display in the third period against the Canucks as McDonagh pinched deep finding himself open in the slot to take the Brandon Dubinsky feed and beat Roberto Luongo for the Rangers second goal.  Scoring the goal on emboldened McDonagh to be more aggressive on the offensive end and he showed that he can combine his tremendous skating ability with skill and instincts as he danced around would be defenders and then made a perfect pass to Marian Gaborik for a tap-in goal late in the final period.

When healthy, the New York Rangers possess arguably the best top four on defense in the NHL as each of Staal, Girardi, McDonagh and Sauer can play against top lines and be a shutdown defender.  The problem with that grouping is that none of them have truly been able to be a consistent threat on the other end of the ice, but McDonagh has those type of skills if he remains confident in his game.  The Rangers are certainly hoping that Michael Del Zotto and Tim Erixon can use their noted offensive skills to provide that threat from the blue line and combine with the shutdown defenders to make a formidable defensive corps.  

There has always been hope that Staal would take another step offensively and he has shown those flashes, but of the top four from last season it might be McDonagh who is best equipped to become the complete package as a two-way defender.  McDonagh was originally seen as an offensively skilled defender when he was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens 12th overall in 2007, but his focus shifted to defense first during his time at Wisconsin.  Now that he has established he is more than capable of being an excellent defensive defender at the NHL level, and the confidence that comes with that, McDonagh can allow his natural talents to display themselves offensively.

There are few who doubt that McDonagh is going to be a stalwart in the NHL for a long time regardless of whether the offense ever fully develops, but with each step forward his offense takes, the ceiling for him grows exponentially.  Aside from the stellar start of Henrik Lundqvist and possibly the play of Dan Girardi, the elevation and maturation of Ryan McDonagh to start his second season has been the biggest positive of this young season for the New York Rangers.

Lundqvist Brilliance Steals Rangers First Win of Season

The New York Rangers tallied their first win of the 2011-12 season by defeating the Vancouver Canucks 4-0.  That score is in no way indicative of the game that happened in Vancouver this evening.  New York scored all their goals in the final 20 minutes and if not for the stellar work of Henrik Lundqvist the Rangers would have been blown out before the final period even began. 

Lundqvist was unbelievable on the night making 40 saves to record his 36th career shutout.  Lundqvist kept the Rangers alive for two periods as they were outshout 28-9 before the rest of the team decided they wanted to join in on the action.

Mike Rupp kicked off the scoring 2:22 into the final period when he converted a Michael Del Zotto rebound in behind Roberto Luongo.  This was the kind of goal the Rangers have not been getting thus far and gave them the surprising 1-0 lead.  Lundqvist would be tested and make a couple of huge saves to keep at 1-0 before the Rangers opened the floodgates.

Ryan McDoangh made it 2-0 at 9:57 when he took a beautiful feed from Brandon Dubinsky in the slot and fired it over Luongo’s shoulder.  Brian Boyle made it 3-0 when he took a great saucer pass from Ruslan Fedotenko on the type of shift that the line was known for last season.  Brandon Prust won a great battle in the defensive zone, played the puck ahead to Fedotenko who found Boyle for the finish.

McDonagh would get in the act again with just 2:21 left when he did his best Brian Leetch impression dancing through the Vancouver defense and finding Marian Gaborik wide open at the side of the net for the tap-in.

• Lundqvist showed tonight that the only thing standing between him and a Vezina, if not a Hart trophy this year is the play of the rest of his team.
• McDonagh was a beast tonight on both ends of the ice and his growth continues to astound.
• Del Zotto was excellent on the goal and then proceeded to screw up much of the good will immediately after when Edler schooled him and then took a penalty.
• Brandon Dubinsky has been awful so far this year and his penalties are hurting the team severely.
• Callahan has done little to nothing since the first game
• Prust went from benched and in the doghouse during the second period to have two assists
• The penalties still need to end