Blog Archives
Rangers Update: Qualifying offers extended to all but Conor Allen
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers extended qualifying offers to eight of their nine RFAs, choosing to let Conor Allen walk and become a free agent. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
With the deadline to qualify restricted free agents ending yesterday, the New York Rangers sent qualifying offers to eight of their nine restricted free agents. The only RFA that didn’t get an offer was 25 year old defenseman Conor Allen. He will become an unrestricted free agent tomorrow, July 1st.
Allen was a free agent signing by the Rangers out of UMass-Amherst in March of 2013. Since then, he has appeared in seven NHL games with, spending most of his time with the Hartford Wolf Pack. In his brief NHL career, he has no points, four shots on goal and a minus two rating. This past season with Hartford, Allen tallied 34 points (11-23-34) in 72 games. He also added a goal and an assist in 12 playoff appearances.
Allen is a solid defenseman, so it’s odd to see him go unqualified, but he has the disadvantage of being a left-side defenseman. On that side, the Rangers have Ryan McDonagh, Marc Staal and Keith Yandle in the NHL, with other left defensive prospects in the organization. Unfortunately, the Rangers don’t really have much of an opportunity for Allen, and are looking elsewhere. Allen is a quality prospect, and I’m sure he will get snatched up soon. Read the rest of this entry
Moving Hagelin hurts, but the Rangers can afford to lose him
Bobby Bevilacqua
With Carl Hegelin out of the picture for next season, the Rangers need to reach to the youth to help fill out the depth spots on the roster. Oscar Lindberg deserves a promotion next season. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
As fans and spectators of the game, it’s often hard to remember that hockey is a business. We grow attached to our favorite players that play hard and represent the Rangers well, only to see them traded away or lost in free agency.
Carl Hagelin was “a great Ranger” as Assistant GM Jeff Gorton said. He was a Rangers draft pick in the sixth round, and impressed as a rookie, with 14 goals and 24 assists in his first 64 NHL games. His lightning speed was fun to watch, and he was an excellent defensive player that added depth to the lineup.
Now I’m not saying that the Rangers’ didn’t lose depth or that they’re a better team after the trade. That remains to be seen. But when looking at what Glen Sather got in return as well as some other factors, the team could afford to make this decision. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers prevail over Calgary despite absence of Rick Nash; Talbot earns the shutout
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers congratulate Cam Talbot on his fourth shutout of the season, a complete effort against the Calgary Flames. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
The Rangers (37-16-6) put forth a very strong effort against the Calgary Flames (32-24-4), battling for a 1-0 shutout and extending their point streak to eight games (7-0-1), keeping them in second place in the Metropolitan Division, and just two points behind the Islanders. The Rangers are 8-1-2 since Lundqvist has been out.
Earlier this afternoon, the Rangers announced that they were dealing with some flu like symptoms, but it came as a surprise when it was announced that Rick Nash would be a scratch due to neck spasms. He is currently listed as day-to-day. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers battling illnesses before game against Calgary; Lindberg reportedly called up
Bobby Bevilacqua
The Rangers are back at the Garden to take on “Johnny Hockey” and the Calgary Flames. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
After a shootout victory on Sunday, the Rangers (36-16-6) are set to take on the Calgary Flames (33-24-4) at Madison Square Garden for the second and final matchup between these two teams this season.
The Rangers took down the Flames in Calgary back on December 16th, jumping out to a 4-0 second period lead before finishing with a 5-2 victory at the Saddledome. Rick Nash had two goals in the game, and Chris Kreider scored one of the more important ones, finding the back of the net with 7.8 second remaining in the first period, giving the Rangers a 2-0 lead going into the first intermission. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers Prospect Watch; Duclair scores in pre-tourney game
Bobby Bevilacqua
Anthony Duclair played well in his first game for Team Canada, playing right wing on the first line, and picking up a goal and an assist.
About two weeks ago, the Rangers announced that they would loan 19 year rookie to Anthony Duclair to Team Canada for the World Juniors Championship. The tournament doesn’t officially start until the 26th of December, but teams have already played some pre-tourney games, similar to a preseason.
Last night, Team Canada defeated Team Sweden by a final score of 5-2. Duclair scored the third goal of the game, and also picked up an assist in the game.
Duclair skated on Team Canada’s top line alongside other top prospects, like Sam Reinhart of the Buffallo Sabres, and Max Domi of the Arizona Coyotes. The trio generated a ton of scoring chances, and was one of the best lines on the team. Read the rest of this entry
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