Blog Archives
BREAKING: Kevin Klein OUT 2-3 weeks, Dylan McIlrath to be an everyday player
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
There’s an infestation of injury bugs in the New York Ranger locker room.
Just three games after learning that Derek Stepan would miss upward of a month due to broken ribs, the Rangers announced that Kevin Klein will miss the next 2-3 weeks with an oblique strain.
In last night’s game against the Hurricanes, Klein skated over to the bench, hunched over in the first period. He headed to the locker room and never returned. There was no contact that led to the injury. Read the rest of this entry
Unlike last season, Rangers depth and bottom six is a reason for their success
Bobby Bevilacqua
Dominic Moore and Viktor Stalberg both help provide a lot of depth on this Rangers squad. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
What a difference a year can make.
Last season, the biggest issue discussed and written about by bloggers, reporters, analysts and fans was the lack of depth in the Rangers lineup. Tanner Glass was an everyday player on the fourth line, while Lee Stempniak, Jesper Fast and JT Miller all competed for ice time.
Once the Rangers traded away Stempniak, they really didn’t have a spare forward that could step in and produce. That came into play during the playoffs when Mats Zuccarello went down with an injury, and James Sheppard had to step into the lineup. He didn’t have much of an impact, totaling two points (1-1-2) in 13 playoff games.
More importantly, the fourth line was terrible. Tanner Glass and James Sheppard did nothing to help out Dominic Moore, they struggled against the Lightning’s top players, and spent minimal time on attack. They didn’t do what a fourth line is supposed to do. Read the rest of this entry
BREAKING: Tanner Glass placed on waivers
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Bobby Bevilacqua
After shutting out the San Jose Sharks, the Rangers announced some long overdue news. According to Bob McKenzie of TSN, the Rangers have placed Tanner Glass on waivers, meaning his time as a New York Ranger has likely come to an end.
Tanner Glass (NYR) on waivers.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) October 20, 2015
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If Tanner Glass clears waivers, he will report to the Hartford Wolf Pack, where he will likely play out the rest of the season. However, a team could still wind up claiming him. Glass has appeared in two games this season, tallying no points, two shots on goal, 11 hits and four penalty minutes.
With Glass being waiver, the biggest benefit is the money that the Rangers save. If he clears waivers and reports to Hartford, the Rangers salary cap space jumps from $166,250 to $1,117,222, a massive change that allows for some flexibility and gives the team a chance to make a deadline move if needed. If he is claimed, the Rangers would finally get his three year contract with an AAV of $1.45 million off of the books. Read the rest of this entry
Emerson Etem and Jesper Fast’s development shouldn’t come at the cost of Tanner Glass playing time
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Alain Vigneault has shown an unwarranted allegiance to Tanner Glass since the enforcer was signed to a three year deal prior to the beginning last season. He’s scratched better players in favor of Glass and seems to refuse to acknowledge the fact that he’s a detriment to the lineup.
Glass played all 19 playoff games last season, playing over others who would have had more of an impact, like James Sheppard. He dressed in 66 regular season games, more than Jesper Fast and Lee Stempniak.
Vigneault decided to play Glass the last two games, scratching Jesper Fast in order to make room for him. While he was surprisingly solid against Columbus, recording seven hits and two shots on goal, last night’s game against Winnipeg was a more telling example of his typical performance.
Glass played on the fourth line with Dominic Moore and Jarret Stoll, and they were practically invisible throughout the night. When Glass was on the ice, the Rangers had a single shot attempt. One. That’s it. The Jets had 14 shots on goal when he was on the ice. Read the rest of this entry
Rangers Practice Report: McIlrath, Glass, Lundqvist to play against Jets
Bobby Bevilacqua
Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.
Alain Vigneault made a huge statement after practice on Monday afternoon, announcing that Dylan McIlrath would make his season debut while veteran and $4.5 million defenseman Dan Boyle would be a healthy scratch.
Dan Boyle has not been all that impressive in the three games this season, picking up one assist and making at least one costly defensive miscue. During the home opener, Vigneault switched him and Kevin Klein, relating Boyle to the third pairing.
While he hasn’t been great, this is also about seeing what McIlrath can do. He made the team after a very strong preseason, and having him sit in the press box isn’t going to do him any good. The Rangers could use another defensively responsible, crease clearing physical defenseman on the ice.
This is also a big statement from Alain Vigneault. He’s showing that is doesn’t matter whether you’re a veteran or have a big salary. There are other options throughout the lineup. If Boyle isn’t playing well and if he still isn’t fitting into the system, then McIlrath can come in and steal some games from him. Read the rest of this entry
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