Blog Archives
Mailbag – Offseason predictions, the potential of trading Lundqvist, and a lack of heart?
Bobby Bevilacqua
Welcome back to another mailbag article, where I answer reader questions and give my honest opinion on the topic. With the Rangers being knocked out of the playoffs much earlier than usual, I might be doing more of these to fill the gap between now and the start of the season.
Check on Facebook and Twitter for an announcement for the next edition, and ask me questions about anything Rangers or NHL.
With that in mind, let’s get started!
What are your predictions for Staal, Girardi and Nash in 2016? Will they be kept and will they improve? Or will they be dealt and if so, what do you see coming in return? – Kevin Kelly
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
Adam Huska, Igor Shestyorkin solidify Rangers’ goaltending future, allow for moves to be made
Bobby Bevilacqua
Adam Huska in net for the Green Bay Gamblers. Photo courtesy of Evan Siegle/Press-Gazette Media
In last year’s NHL Draft, the Rangers selected 6’3” Slovakian goaltender Adam Huska with their seventh round pick, a selection that people didn’t think twice about considering the talent the Rangers already have in their goaltending prospect pool.
Brandon Halverson was considered the brightest goalie prospect in the Rangers organization, winning 40 games with the Sault St. Marie Greyhounds last season in the OHL, and getting regular reps with the USA Juniors team. Mackenzie Skapski was an excellent goalie in the AHL last season, making two NHL starts before a hip injury caused him to rehab for most of this year. Add that with Magnus Hellberg, the goalie prospect acquired from the Nashville Predators in the offseason, and the Rangers are stacked.
So it’s understandable why nobody batted an eye when the Rangers took Adam Huska with the 184th pick of the draft last season. But after being selected, he played well for Slovakia in the WJC, carrying that momentum into an excellent first full season with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL. Read the rest of this entry
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 offense falls flat in crucial loss to Pittsburgh
Alexandra Russo
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
In a game the Rangers had to have, a game that would have evened up this first round series at two games apiece, the Rangers came out and played as if they didn’t understand the significance in the least. From start to finish, the Penguins dominated the game and won it 5-0.
This marks the fifth straight playoff game the Rangers have lost on home ice dating back to Game 2 against the Lightning last season. The Rangers looked flat and lifeless at times in this game, not playing with the urgency needed in a game like this one. It was really disappointing, and the same errors that plagued them all season (bad penalty kill, bad defensive coverage, etc) hurt them again tonight.
This is the third season in a row that the Rangers will face a 3 games to 1 series deficit. Can they come back again? Read the rest of this entry
Rangers bring series to MSG for Game 3; McDonagh a maybe for tonight
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
After splitting the first two games of the series, the Rangers are back on home ice for the first time in the playoffs, looking to pull ahead of the Penguins in Game Three.
The first two games of the series were played in an electric atmosphere at the CONSOL Energy Center. They finally solved Jeff Zatkoff, scoring four goals in 8:01 and skating away with a 4-2 win and tying the series at one game apiece.
But now, the Rangers are back at Madison Square Garden, where they took advantage of home ice and posted a record of 27-10-4 in the regular season. Despite that, Pittsburgh has won 15 of the last 24 games they’ve played at MSG, regular season and playoffs included. It’ll take another complete effort from New York tonight if they want a win. Read the rest of this entry
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