Blog Archives
Vegas expansion and expansion draft changes plans for Dan Girardi
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
On Wednesday, the NHL Executive Committee revealed that they came up with a positive recommendation for a one team expansion in the 2017-18 season, which would be awarded to Las Vegas.
Bill Foley, the man at the forefront of the NHL expansion to Vegas, has already gotten a lease in the new T Mobile Arena as well as getting deposits on 14,000 season tickets. The next step is for Foley to sign the expansion contract and return it to the league along with the $500 million fee.
An expansion team also means an expansion draft, which would probably occur before the start of the Vegas team’s inaugural season. Initially, it was believed that teams would not have to protect players with a NTC or a NMC, but that may have changed. Read the rest of this entry
Jeff Gorton’s Legacy Will Be Defined by Difficult 2016 Offseason
John Dundon
Photo courtesy of Blueshirts United.
The 2016 offseason is shaping up to be one of the wildest periods of personnel movement the NHL has seen in some time.
General managers of cap-strapped teams will be aggressively trying to shed dollars and shakeup the makeups of their respective teams. With an expansion draft looming, and questions on whether the salary cap will even be as high as it was this past season, make no mistake about it—many GM’s will have no choice in this regard.
The team facing some of the most interesting offseason decisions of the summer? The New York Rangers. Read the rest of this entry
Are the Rangers hoping for an overhaul?
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of the New York Rangers.
It’s been known for a little while that the Rangers are looking to move some players and get a fresh start next year. But the level of change that Jeff Gorton is hoping for is still unknown. It could be some minor moves, or just one big trade, or according to other opinions, the team may be looking to trade away many of their core players, or at least listen to deals with them.
According to Elliot Friedman, it looks more like the latter.
While on NHL Network, Friedman was asked about the Rangers and said that the team is asking other GMs around the league to come at them with their best offers. Just about everyone is available, with the only untouchables probably being Henrik Lundqvist, Brady Skjei and Pavel Buchnevich. Read the rest of this entry
Brady Skjei a perfect partner for Ryan McDonagh on the blueline
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Not a lot of good came out of the Rangers’ five game series against the Penguins. With defensive injuries and a slacking team, the Rangers stood no chance against the now Eastern Conference Champion Pittsburgh Penguins.
Despite defensive injuries and problems, Brady Skjei emerged as a strong, consistent defenseman despite minimal NHL experience. In a high pressure situation, Skjei played better than just about every Rangers defenseman in the playoffs.
On top of showing that he could play in the NHL at a high level, Skjei showed something else that was more important – he can play the right side. Read the rest of this entry
Quick Hits: Derek Stepan trade value, AV’s comments on the team, and Beukeboom getting promoted?
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
With the Stanley Cup Finals underway (Game 2 tonight on NBC), there isn’t a lot to talk about with the Rangers until the offseason rolls around. Apart from European and College free agents, not much action has happened and there are just rumors flying around right now.
Everything that can be said about the Rangers has been said. A week or so ago, Larry Brooks surprised everyone by saying that there’s almost nobody that is off limits in a trade, with Lundqvist, Buchnevich and Skjei being the only untouchables. But Alain VIgneault backed that statement, going even further when talking to reporters at a golf tournament in Canada yesterday. Read the rest of this entry
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