Blog Archives
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
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
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
Where the newest Rangers players fit in the lineup
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers didn’t make any big splashes in free agency, mainly due to the restrictions of the salary cap. Instead, Jeff Gorton added some players to help bolster the Rangers’ bottom six forward group, and making other subtle moves to help provide depth.
Barring contract disagreements or trades, the Rangers are likely done making moves to acquire new players. So looking at the new additions for this year, where do they fit in the Rangers plans? Read the rest of this entry
Rangers agree to terms with RFA Magnus Hellberg
Bobby Bevilacqua
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.
Rangers sign goalie Hellberg to two-year extension http://t.co/fW1iwmJnfl
— Mike Halford (@HalfordPHT) July 10, 2015
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
therangerzone.com 