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Rangers sign Cristoval “Boo” Nieves to entry level contract
John Dundon
Photo courtesy of Courtney Sacco/AnnArbor.com
The Rangers have signed their second round pick in the 2012 Entry Draft, Boo Nieves, to a two-year entry level contract.
The contract will kick in next season. For the remainder of this season, Nieves is heading to Hartford on an ATO. The contract comes after Nieves’ senior season playing at the University of Michigan.
The Baldwinsville, NY native will go from the Wolverines to the Wolf Pack, joining the Rangers AHL affiliate in the middle of an epic playoff race. It’s good that Nieves, 22, will be jumping right into the fire and getting some experience in big games. He comes to the Rangers organization after spending 4 years at Ann Arbor. In 148 games as a Wolverine, Nieves registered 28-82—110.
Nieves (6’3-200 Lbs.) can be described as a solid all-around player who isn’t afraid to hold the puck and make a play. He possesses a smooth, powerful stride. In addition to his skating ability, he is an above average passer. If there is a criticism of him, it’s that he’ll often times look to pass before he looks to shoot. In any case, he probably possesses enough skill to eventually make a push for a top-nine spot.
The realistic expectation should be that Nieves will make the Rangers think hard about keeping him up out of camp in Sept. of 2016. This of course depends on what the roster looks like next fall. There may not be a forward spot open. My best guess is that he’ll start the season in Hartford and will be considered throughout next season as a call up.
In his senior season at Michigan, Nieves was an assistant captain.
Mailbag Monday: Playoff matchups, consistency from Zuccarello and Nash and more
Bobby Bevilacqua
Welcome back to the first mailbag Monday in a while. With the playoffs approaching and getting closer, lots of questions are floating around in people’s heads about the Rangers, their chances in the playoffs and more.
If you have a question you’d like answered for the next article, leave it in the comments section below, or click the “Contact Me” tab and send an email with your name and question.
With that out of the way, let’s get started.
Do you thing we have a chance in the playoffs without Nash scoring goals? – Scott Rosenberg
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
When he’s playing at his best, Rick Nash is clearly the Rangers’ best player. We’ve seen it in the past few games, scoring twice in the past four games. And in the last two games, he attacked the net and got some great chances despite not finding the back of the net. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers pick up crucial point in overtime loss to the Penguins
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
It’s never good to lose, but if there’s a way to do it against a division rival battling for playoff position, it’s in overtime. In a very even and tightly contested game, the Rangers (43-24-9) were defeated in overtime by the Pittsburgh Penguins (42-25-8), ending their three game win streak and seeing the Penguins win their eighth game in the past nine contests.
This also marked the third consecutive game that the Penguins have beaten the Rangers, giving New York a record of 1-2-1 in the season series. The overtime loss was crucial, meaning that they would still be a point ahead of the Penguins if they won a game in regulation or overtime (ROW = tiebreaker).
The first period was very even between both teams. Similar possession, the shots on goal were very close (13-11 in favor of New York), and each team scored a goal. Both teams played last night and that showed at first, as both teams were clearly trying to find their legs and stretch the ice. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers play the season’s biggest game against the Penguins at MSG
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
In arguably the most important game of the season, the Rangers (43-24-8) will battle the Pittsburgh Penguins (41-25-8) in a divisional rivalry that could decide the home ice advantage in a likely first-round playoff series between these two teams.
The Rangers currently hold the second place position in the Metropolitan Division, sitting four points ahead of the Pens, although they have a game in hand. Both teams have also been playing very well as of late. New York has won three straight games while Pittsburgh has won seven of their last eight games after losing Evgeni Malkin to injury.
Following a statement win over the Canadiens, tonight marks a great opportunity for the Rangers to gain a foothold in the division and make things easier for themselves as the season comes to a close. Points against the Penguins could secure home ice advantage in the first round. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers win statement game over the Canadiens; Kreider scores twice
Alexandra Russo
Photo courtesy of Getty Images.
It’s been extremely tight in the Eastern Conference, and in a tight push the playoffs, the Rangers recognize how important these points are. John Giannone mentioned before the game that Stepan said the Rangers just want to enjoy the games and play them with passion. They did exactly that, winning big over the Canadiens by a final score of 5-2.
And on a night where both the Islanders and the Penguins picked up wins, tonight’s win was crucial. The Rangers remain four points ahead of Pittsburgh and five ahead of the Islanders.
Just three minutes and four seconds into the game, Keith Yandle recorded his 38th assist of the season as JT Miller gave his team the lead with the game’s opening goal. Derek Stepan took a hit to make a play, and was able to make the pass to Miller to send him flying up the ice. He put the puck on his backhand and slid it past Condon for his 21st goal of the season. Read the rest of this entry
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