Monthly Archives: September 2015
The backup battle: Antti Raanta vs Magnus Hellberg
Bobby Bevilacqua
Who will backup Henrik Lundqvist for the 2015-16 season? Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After the Rangers traded away Cam Talbot, their backup goalie for the past two seasons, Jeff Gorton was left to search for someone else to sit behind Henrik Lundqvist on the depth chart. Over the past two seasons, the Rangers learned the importance of having a quality backup, and the team did their best to fill that vacancy in the offseason.
Shortly after the NHL draft, the Rangers acquired Finnish netminder Antti Raanta from the Chicago Blackhawks for prospect Ryan Haggerty, a relatively low price to pay for a backup. It seemed as if that role would be his by default, but Gorton traded for another goalie just a few days later.
Jeff Gorton made a great depth trade, snagging 24 year old goalie prospect Magnus Hellberg from the Predators for just a sixth round pick, and signing him to a two year deal shortly after. Nashville had a log jam of goalies in their system and needed to clean house, which the Rangers took advantage of.
So the question that remains is who should backup Henrik Lundqvist when they open the season on October 7th? Read the rest of this entry
The Ranger Zone is looking for writers
Logo made by zjograffix on Instagram.
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Ranger Zone is looking for new, experienced writers that are knowledgeable about the Rangers or about the National Hockey League and are willing to dedicate a few hours a week to writing opinion articles, game previews and recaps and anything else that is approved.
I posted on my Facebook and Twitter yesterday explaining my current situation, but in case you don’t follow me there, I’ll explain it again here. Read the rest of this entry
Quick Hits: Patrick Kane update, Viktor Stalberg and Henrik Lundqvist talk Rangers
Bobby Bevilacqua
With informal skates and practices beginning, and hockey season just 27 days away, things are starting to pick up, with player participating in the NHL media tour and getting prepared for the start of the season.
Patrick Kane’s Grand Jury Hearing postponed
Photo courtesy of Brian Casella/Chicago Tribune.
The biggest ongoing storyline in the NHL is the Patrick Kane saga. Last month, Kane was accused by a young woman of sexually-assaulting her in his Buffalo home following a night at a downtown bar. Investigations have been ongoing, and Kane was scheduled to meet before a Grand Jury.
When a case gets that far, it usually means that the prosecution believes that they have enough evidence to make a case, and there may be testimonies taken from witnesses.
However, the meeting scheduled for yesterday afternoon was postponed unexpectedly. Supposedly, it was delayed because of the potential for settlement talks between Kane and the alleged victim. (LINK) Read the rest of this entry
Rangers back on the ice at informal skate; Zuccarello “As good as new”
Bobby Bevilacqua
Mats Zuccarello is healthy and ready to have an impact on the ice with the Rangers this season. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
For the first time in quite a while, the New York Rangers were back on the ice, participating in an informal skate while getting re-acclimated to the ice at the MSG Training Center in Tarrytown, New York.
Almost all of the Rangers players were on the ice for the Tuesday afternoon scrimmage, excluding Henrik Lundqvist and Captain Ryan McDonagh, who are both away participating in the NHL Player Media tour. Amongst the mainstays and newcomers at the scrimmage was Mats Zuccarello, five months removed from a scary head injury.
In Game 5 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Zuccarello was struck upside the head by a puck, causing him to miss the remaining 14 games of the playoffs, and leading to some scary symptoms. He suffered a brain contusion, a skull fracture, and the loss of speech for four days.
Thankfully, Zuccarello has said that all of the symptoms stemming from his head injury have subsided, and that he will not have any side-effects heading into the season. Although he still needs to get accustomed to skating and playing hockey again, his health is fine, which is most important. Read the rest of this entry
Chris Drury named Rangers Director of Player Development
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of Goldfield/New York Daily News.
On September 4th, New York Rangers GM Jeff Gorton announced that former Rangers captain and 12 year NHL veteran was named the Director of Player Development, where he will help mentor the Rangers’ young prospects in the AHL and throughout the organization.
Throughout his career, Drury has always found success. Starting at Boston University, where he played for four years, winning the Hobey Baker as the best college hockey player in his senior season. The next year, he won the Calder Trophy with the Colorado Avalanche in the 1998-99 season, and then winning the Stanley Cup in Colorado in 2001.
He would wind up playing a total of 12 seasons in the NHL, starting in Colorado, then going to Calgary and Buffalo before finishing his career with the Rangers. In 892 games, he scored 255 goals and 360 assists, adding another 89 points in 135 playoff games, earning him the reputation of being a clutch performer. And last month, he was elected to the United States Hockey Hall of Fame. Read the rest of this entry
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