Blog Archives

Quick Hits: NHL Expansion, Patrick Kane off NHL cover, Rangers goalie prospects

Bobby Bevilacqua

Some interesting stories from around the league have come out in the past few days, including some news about the Rangers goalie prospects.

NHL Expansion takes another step forward

Gary Bettman

Gery Bettman has invited the ownership groups in Las Vegas and Quebec to enter Phase Two of the expansion process. Photo courtesy of Trevor Hogan/Associated Press.

As many people know, the NHL is looking to expand the amount of teams in the league for the first time since 2000, when the Minnesota Wild and the Columbus Blue Jackets played their first games in franchise history.

While 16 separate groups/individuals were interested in creating a new team, only two cites had filed an application; Las Vegas and Quebec. Las Vegas has never had an NHL team before, while the small Quebec City was host to the Nordiques from 1979 to 1995, when they became the Colorado Avalanche. Read the rest of this entry

The Top 10 Rangers Moments from the 2014-2015 Season, Part 2

derek stepan goal celebration 5-13

The top five moments of the Rangers season are here. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.

It’s time for the top 5 moments of the Rangers’ season! This contains some of the most action packed games, amazing comebacks, overtime winners and NHL firsts.

What do you think of the list? Is there a game or a moment that you think should be on the list? Let me know in the comments section, on Twitter (@The_RangerZone), or on The Ranger Zone Facebook page.

If you missed yesterday’s article, which contains #6-10, then you can read that HERE. Read the rest of this entry

The Top 10 Rangers Moments from the 2014-15 Season, Part 1

Bobby Bevilacqua

Rangers celebrate Game 7 win 5-13

The 2014-15 season was full of magical moments for the Rangers, so here’s my choice for the 10 best games/moments from this past year. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.

Are you missing hockey? Do you wake up every day craving to see guys glide across ice, throw bone-shattering checks and fire the puck into the back of the net? Do you dream about the Rangers or about watching games? Well look no further!

The 2014-15 season was pretty amazing for the Rangers. It was full of so many great games, great moments, young stars bursting onto the scene in the NHL, and lots of ups and downs. It made for one of the most memorable seasons in the past 20 years (except for the run to the Cup Final of course!).

With all of the amazing moments, games and memories from this past season, it was hard to narrow them down to just a top 10. The list could easily be 20-30 different games or plays from the season. But this is what I think the 10 best moments from this past season were. Read the rest of this entry

Rangers agree to terms with RFA Magnus Hellberg

Bobby Bevilacqua

magnus hellberg

The Rangers have agreed to terms with Magnus Hellberg on a two year deal. Photo courtesy of John Russell/Getty Images.

Jeff Gorton, the General Manager of the New York Rangers, announced that the team has signed restricted free agent goaltender Magnus Hellberg, who was acquired in a trade from the Nashville Predators.

NBC Pro Hockey Talk’s Mike Halford reported that it was a two year deal.

Hellberg, 24, spent most of his time with the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League, the Predators’ AHL affiliate. He appeared in 38 games, finishing with a 15-10-6 record along with a 2.33 GAA and a .913 save percentage, as well as three shutouts. Read the rest of this entry

Mackenzie Skapski sidelined 4-5 months following hip surgery

Bobby Bevilacqua

mackenzie skapski side profile 2-20

Mackenzie Skapski, one of the top goaltending prospects in the Rangers organization, had hip surgery on tuesday to repair a muscle tear. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

New York Rangers goalie and prospect Mackenzie Skapski had arthroscopic surgery to repair a labral tear in his right hip, with the procedure taking place on Tuesday. He is expected to be sidelined for 4-5 months, which will put him out of action until sometime in October or November.

Skapski was called up on Febrary 4th following the vascular injury to Henrik Lundqvist, and backed up Cam Talbot for seven weeks. Dubbed the “Buffalo Killer” by head coach Alain Vigneault, Skapski made his first two career starts at the First Niagara Center against the Sabres, winning both games.

On March 14th, in his second career start, the 20 year old shut out the Buffalo Sabres, become the first Rangers goalie since 1957-58 to post a shutout in one of his first two starts. Skapski was 2-0-0 with a .50 GAA and a .978 save percentage in two games. Read the rest of this entry