Tim Kennedy to Seek Trade
I am a fan of Kennedy so if he can find an opportunity to play on another team good for him. He is not going to get a chance on the Rangers anytime soon with the logjam at forward they have and he is definitely an NHL caliber player. Hell ship him over to long island if he wants they can use all the help they can get.
Could the Rangers Really Be Pursuing Richards?
For about a year now there have been rumors of the New York Rangers acquiring Dallas Stars star center Brad Richards. The rumors have been fueled by the Rangers lack of a top center-man for the longest time, Richards’ impending free agency, and Richards’ relationship with John Tortorella.
All of that sounds all nice and good, but the problem is with the money issue. Richards has a cap hit of $7.8 million dollars for the rest of this season and the Rangers only have $1.5 million left in cap space. The Rangers could shed the contracts of Matt Gilroy and Todd White, but that only clears $4 million dollars and then they still need to find another $2 million+ to have space for Richards. The Stars also have more than enough cap space to take back a big contract like Michal Rozsival or Chris Drury, but why would they? It makes no sense for them to take back a bad situation for a great player.
After working out the money situation would you be willing to trade away some of Michael Del Zotto, Derek Stepan, Evgeny Grachev, Ethan Werek, Ryan McDonagh, 1st round picks, etc. to acquire him? Richards is going to cost a steep price and there is no guarantee at all he will stay when he hits the open market this summer and there are going to be a lot of teams seeking his talents.
There is no debate that Richards is a terrific terrific center. Right now he leads the Stars in goals (11) and assists (19) and put up 98 points last year with 36 goals and 62 assists to go along with a ridiculous +33. He is also a great power play guy with 43 PP points last year and 13 this year. I don’t think anyone has to be reminded how much the Rangers could use a boost on the power play. He would be great for this team on so many levels, but with the price tag as a whole could the Rangers really be hot after him? The media seems to think so.
I was told Saturday the New York Rangers’ interest in Brad Richards (set to be an unrestricted free agent July 1) is serious enough that they’re willing to pony up assets before the Feb. 28 trade deadline to make sure he doesn’t go elsewhere should the Dallas Stars decide to put him on the market in order to get value before he leaves. This despite the fact the Rangers could get him July 1 without giving up any assets. – ESPN
This is going to be an extremely interesting situation to monitor. It is a touch call for Glenn Sather to make, but with a team who has a contending shot do you make the dive for this year? I think I would despite the fact that the Rangers have a young team with a bright future.
Chris Drury’s Forever Impending Return?
It didn’t take long for Chris Drury to get hurt this year breaking his finger in training camp, before games even began. He came back for all of one period 2 games into the season on October 15th, but then broke his finger again and was scheduled to miss 6 weeks. Well 7 weeks have passed on Drury took a CT scan with some great results….
It’s believed the captain had targeted either this weekend or next week for his return, but that will have to be pushed back following the CT-scan that revealed the finger has not fully healed. – NY Post
Wade Redden is just Old
“Nice play, old man.”
It was a jibe from an opposing player after the puck hopped over Redden’s stick during a recent game. He’s heard stuff like that and shots about how much money he makes (about $81,000 a game, or more than a typical AHLer makes in a season). – Edmonton Sun
“He’s what I call a ‘pacer,’” the scout said. “He’s used to playing a lot of minutes every night, so he paces himself each shift.” – Edmonton Sun
“I thought his play has been up and down. It’s been a bit of a struggle, he has to finish harder,” Gernander said. “I know he’s not a rock-’em, sock-’em defenceman, but he’s got to finish his checks with force. He has to be there 100%, with conviction.”
- Edmonton Sun
His career is done. He really needs to just retire already and go play over in Europe because he is just going to keep taking constant abuse if he does not. It is a little depressing that he hasn’t even had a little self respect for himself and actually perform well in Hartford. Oh well if I was raking in $6.5 mill a year I would probably do the same…..maybe…..not.
Rangers Recall Jeremy Williams
@byndblueshirts: RW Jeremy Williams has been recalled from the #WolfPack by the #NYR. Williams leads the Pack in goals (4) & is 2nd in points (6) thru 8 GP.
Oct 24, 2010 @ 02:33:49 PM, UTC from web
Brandon Prust will play tonight so there is speculation that he Jeremy Williams may be taking Todd White‘s spot in the line up.
No Suspension for Sean Avery
Even for Sean Avery this was an uncharacteristic play. Don’t get me wrong Avery is far from an angel, but he usually stays away from cheap shots like this and usually just tries to do annoying actions. It did seem like Mike Komisarek was faking a bit as the slash was not that hard, but still a poor decision by Avery. Part of me feels like this was Avery trying to get back at Komisarek who delivered a cheap shot to Chris Drury earlier in the game hitting him from behind into the boards without having the back. In typical fashion the refs let that slide, but Avery got called on his slash when no ref was even watching. Go figure.
Rangers Sign Tim Kennedy
In a surprise move the Rangers have signed 24-year-old forward Tim Kennedy to a one year deal worth $550 K. The main thing about this contract is that it was just a one way deal. Great contract for him by Sather.
Kennedy was bought out of his deal with Buffalo last month after being awarded $1 million dollars in arbitration. During his rookie season last year he posted 10 goals and 16 assists in limited minutes.
The Rangers already had an enormous amount of 3rd/4th line players signed and this contract just stiffens up the competition. Some moves are going have to be made with this many players, but you can be pretty certain that Kennedy will make the team and it might not be a bad thing(see below) with his potential as a great grinding 3rd line player, but players like Sean Avery, Brian Boyle, Todd White, etc. are going to have be on full force during camp.
That goal was just filthy and you can clearly see he has some speed and skill.