Blog Archives

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

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

The Ranger Zone Podcast: Playoff Preview

rangers salute the crowd 4-4

The Rangers are primed to make another long playoff run, and they’re my pick to hoist the Stanley Cup in June. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.

In this podcast, I discuss my 2015 Stanley Cup Playoff Bracket and discuss the first round matchups, my thoughts, and who I think will advance.

I chose the New York Rangers to hoist the Stanley Cup come June. This is one of the deepest and most complete Rangers teams that we have seen in years, and it’s hard to find another team with the forward depth and defensive talent the Rangers have, on top of an elite goalie in Henrik Lundqvist. Read the rest of this entry

Aaron Ekblad should win the Calder Trophy; Kevin Hayes impressive in his first season

Bobby Bevilacqua

aaron ekblad profile

Aaron Ekblad has had a tremendous season with the surprising Florida Panthers team, and should take home the Calder Trophy at the end of the season. Photo courtesy of Elliot J. Schechter/Getty Images.

Sorry Filip Forsberg, what you have done in Nashville has been tremendous, but Aaron Ekblad of the Florida Panthers deserves to take home the Calder Trophy for the NHL’s most outstanding rookie.

Anytime you watch a Florida Panthers game and see Ekblad skating on the first defensive pairing, it’s easy to understand why Dale Tallon, the General Manager of the Panthers, drafted him with the first overall pick in last year’s draft. Read the rest of this entry

Rangers fall in overtime to Red Wings in a defensive and goalie showdown

Bobby Bevilacqua

rangers vs red wings 3-4

The Rangers dropped an extremely competitive game to the Red Wings, losing in overtime but gaining a point in the standings. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Whenever the Rangers (39-17-7) and the Red Wings (36-15-11) face off, they always tend to be very close and exciting games. That was the case tonight, as both teams dueled all the way to overtime, with the Red Wings eventually coming away with a 2-1 victory.

The Rangers earned a point in the game, which ties them with the Islanders in points, but puts the Blueshirts in first place. The Rangers have two games in hand on the Isles, and they play tomorrow night.

While both teams had their fair share of chances, defense and goaltending was the name of the game. Despite the very tight checking, the Rangers managed to get 40 shots on goal, with Detroit firing 31 shots at Cam Talbot. After the game, the Rangers players said that they didn’t get enough traffic in front of Howard to jump on second and third opportunities. Read the rest of this entry