Category Archives: Rangers Updates
BREAKING: Antti Raanta signs two year deal with the Rangers
Bobby Bevilacqua
The first move of the Rangers offseason was a good one.
The Rangers announced via Twitter today that they had agreed to terms on a new contract with backup goaltender Antti Raanta. The terms were not disclosed, but it is rumored that it is a two year deal with a cap hit of $1 million.
#NYR backup goalie Antti Raanta’s new contract is reportedly two years, $1M AAV. Good deal for both player and club.
— Sean Hartnett (@HartnettHockey) May 2, 2016
Raanta, who turns 27 this month, appeared in 25 games for the Rangers in the 2015-16 season, tying a career high. He finished with a record of 11-6-2 with a 2.24 GAA (8th in the NHL) and a .926 save percentage.
Raanta won each of his first four starts of the season, becoming the first goalie in franchise history to accomplish that feat. He also finished the season on a tear, closing out the year with a 7-1-0 record in his last eight games along with a 2.13 GAA and a .931 save percentage in that span.
Among goalies that have appeared in a minimum of 15 games in each of the last two seasons, Raanta ranks second in the league in GAA (2.10) and fourth in save percentage (.926). He’s also been fantastic on home ice, posting a 19-4-4 record in 31 career home appearances to go with a 1.80 GAA, a .934 save percentage and four shutouts.
This is a really good deal for the Rangers. Raanta played very well for the majority of this season, especially down the stretch. Also, a $1 million cap hit for Raanta for the next two seasons is very affordable, and a good price for what he can bring to the table. The Rangers may need to use him more often and rest Lundqvist down the stretch, especially after a tough outing in the playoffs for him this season.
Good deal for both sides.
Great feeling to come back to @NYRangers thanks to the fans for a great first year and everybody who made NY feel like home! #family 😊😊
— Antti Raanta (@ARaanta31) May 2, 2016
Rangers Practice Report; McDonagh practices in full contact jersey, defensive decisions to be made
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Following a few drills and practices on his own, captain Ryan McDonagh skated in a full contact jersey alongside all of his teammates, marking the first time he’s returned to the ice with everyone since blocking a shot against the Columbus Blue Jackets two weeks ago.
McDonagh was ahead of schedule, and his return was a surprise to his teammates and his coaches. He skated on a defensive pair with Raphael Diaz, who was recalled from the Hartford Wolf Pack, and he had no limitations.
After practice, head coach Alain Vigneault said that McDonagh returning for Game 3 tomorrow night is, “doubtful, but stranger things have happened.” Read the rest of this entry
Rangers Practice Report; Dan Girardi will not play tomorrow, Lundqvist returns to the ice
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers practiced today ahead of Game 2 against the Penguins tomorrow, and Henrik Lundqvist was back on the ice in full gear, practicing with the rest of the team. Dan Girardi was absent, and it was revealed by Alain Vigneault that he would not play tomorrow due to an injury.
The Rangers recalled goaltender Magnus Hellberg from Hartford yesterday just in case they got bad news about Lundqvist. But after seeing a specialist, there is no real damage to his eye, and the concern is about the swelling around his eye (per John Shannon). Lundqvist said his vision was blurry after the incident, but got better as the night went on. Andrew Gross of The Record said that Lundqvist looked sharp in practice.
Henrik Lundqvist will be a game time decision. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers Practice Report: McDonagh OUT for the start of the playoffs, Lundqvist update
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG photos.
The Rangers held their first practice today, and it was certainly an interesting one. Mostly everyone was there, but the biggest scare of the day came with Henrik Lundqvist leaving practice twice and missing most of the day’s events.
Afterward, when Vigneault spoke to the media, it was revealed that Henrik Lundqvist left the ice and did not return due to an illness that didn’t allow him to finish practice. AV said that he thinks he should be fine for tomorrow’s practice. Crisis averted.
However, he also said that Ryan McDonagh “definitely” will miss the start of the playoffs against the Penguins. Some media outlets have McDonagh listed with a broken right hand, but AV says that McDonagh remains “day-to-day.” Read the rest of this entry
BREAKING: Henrik Lundqvist leaves practice…twice
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
UPDATE (3:26): Alain Vigneault stated that Henrik Lundqvist was ill and was not able to complete practice. He didn’t seem concerned and said that he expects Hank to be healthy and ready to practice tomorrow. He also said that Ryan McDonagh definitely would miss the start of the playoffs, and that Girardi, Eric Staal, Zuccarello and Stalberg should be good to go
On Monday afternoon during the Rangers first practice before the playoffs, goaltender Henrik Lundqvist left the ice on two separate occasions and did not return after the second time.
The first time, Lundqvist skated off of the ice and to the locker room, forcing one of the equipment managers to scramble to get changed into goalie equipment. Lundqvist returned to the ice 14 minutes later and practiced for about five minutes. But he wound up going over to head coach Alain Vigneault, speaking to him briefly and leaving the ice for good, being replaced by an equipment manager. (All information from Pat Leonard on Twitter).
This may the worst possible news the Rangers could have received. Henrik Lundqvist has been the biggest reason for the Rangers’ success in recent years, and he’s been the cornerstone of this franchise since 2005. Lundqvist has been phenomenal in the playoffs, especially last season, where he allowed just 20 goals in the first 13 games of the playoffs.
If Henrik Lundqvist is out long term, and this is not confirmed in anyway, then the Rangers shot at winning the Cup this season is significantly impacted. Couple the loss of McDonagh with the potential loss of Lundqvist and the Rangers will have a hard time getting out of the first round.
Antti Raanta would fill in, and thankfully, he’s been stellar to end the season, winning seven of his last eight starts, allowing two goals or less in all seven of those wins. Raanta has shown to be a capable goaltender when called upon, but no Lundqvist would make the Rangers’ lives a lot more difficult.
As far as other news on the Rangers players, Eric Staal, Mats Zuccarello and Viktor Stalberg all skated today and fully participated in the drills. Dan Girardi skated in a contact jersey and Ryan McDonagh skated in a non-contact jersey, but McDonagh left the ice before practice started.
Stay tuned to The Ranger Zone for more updates on the situation.
therangerzone.com 