Rangers News
(Starting with 2/2/99, scroll down for the more updated news)
2/2/99-
Rangers Reach All-Time Low
After coming off a successful road trip, where they were 2-1, the Rangers' hopes for a playoff spot brightened. However, we Rangers fans have once again been let down after last night's disheartening 3-1 loss to the Washington Capitals. Mike Richter was the only reason why it was 3-1, not 5 or 6-1. Joey Juneau, Steve Konowalchuk and Peter Bondra each scored a goal for the Caps, while Brent Fedyk was credited with his first goal as a Ranger, and his first goal since the 1995-1996 season. Box Score.
2/5/99-
The Gretzky Line a "Click" at the Garden
Adam Graves again showed Rangers management as well as the entire hockey world why he should stay in the Big Apple for years to come, as he scored 2 goals and had one assist last night when his team pounded the Canucks, 8-4. Wayne Gretzky, Graves, John MacLean, Brian Leetch, Brent Fedyk and Kevin Stevens all scored for the Rangers, while Markus Naslund, Ed Jovanovski and Todd Bertuzzi scored for the Canucks. The entire Gretzky line, which consists of Gretzky, Graves and MacLean, combined for 9 points for the night. Gretzky left the game in the middle of the third period when he was checked into the boards by rookie Canuck foward Bill Muckalt. He appears to have reaggrivated his strained rib muscle as a result to this. Former Rangers Captain, Mark Messier ("The Messiah") had no points last night. Box Score.
At 38, the Great One Keeps Going and Going....
The greatest player in all of hockey breaks yet another record. As a result to his goal against the Vancouver Canucks last night, Gretzky now has 1,071 goals in professional hockey, which now ties Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe's, record. He also had two assists last night to go along with the goal. Gretzky then would leave the game when he is checked into the boards by rookie Bill Muckalt.
2/8/99-
Just When Things Started to Look Bright Again...
Despite a comeback in the third period, the Rangers came back empty handed as they lost to the Boston Bruins 3-2. The Rangers showed today that they would never give up without a dogfight. Brian Leetch and Adam Graves scored for the Rangers, and Sergei Samsonov, Dimitri Khristich and Joe Thorton scored for the Bruins. The Bruins led 2-0 going into the third period before Leetch scored off a pass behind the net from Brent Fedyk, who now has a three game point scoring streak (two goals and one assist). Then, while Matthieu Schneider was serving his penalty for cross-checking Samsonov, Adam Graves goes on a shorthanded breakaway and puts the puck through Bruins goalie Byron Dafoe's legs, scoring his 24th goal of the season. The first overall pick in the 1997 draft, Joe Thorton, scores shortly after that to give the Bruins a 3-2 lead. As of right now, Graves has already surpassed his goal scoring total from last year (23 goals) and is on pace to score 38 goals this season (It might also be nice to mention that Schneider hit the inside of the right goal post with less than a minute remaining in the game.). Box Score.
2/13/99-
Will Somebody PLEASE Get Rid of the Rangers Bad Luck Charm??????
As Rangers fans, losing is now turning more and more casual when it comes to watching the Rangers play this season. Therefore, yesterday's 3-1 loss against the Carolina Hurricanes at Madison Square Garden was nothing more than one would expect. Arturs Irbe made 30 saves and made some good saves during the game. Also, during the game, Rangers defenseman Jeff Beukeboom left the game when he complained of dizziness from hitting his head onto Carolina's Martin Gelinas's knee (he eventually ends up with a concussion from that hit). The way things have been going lately usually calls for changes, so many were not surprised when the Rangers announce that they traded away seldom-used foward Sean Pronger to the Los Angeles Kings for Left Winger Eric Lacroix. Lacroix has 1 assist and 14 penalty minutes this year in 34 games, while posting a plus-minus rating of -7. He has a possibility of playing against the Detroit Red Wings at the Garden this Sunday. Box Score.
2/15/99-
Rangers Don't Fall In Love With This Game
The Rangers obviously got off to a bad start and it became costly. The Rangers actually got into a terrific start, as Brent Fedyk hit the goal post on a slapshot 19 seconds into the game. However, the Red Wings decided to score off the Rangers' mistakes after that. By the end of the first period, the Wings led 3-0, and defenseman Peter Popovic was in the hospital from a cut in his eye during the same period. Even though the Rangers was making a comeback effort to tie the score, it apparently became too late. The Wings will led 3-2 with one minute remaining, and the Rangers pulled Dan Cloutier out of the net. With 6 skaters for the Rangers, they still couldnt' score and eventually the Wings scored an empty net goal to win the game, 4-2. Sergei Federov, Steve Yzerman, Peter Klima and Nicklas Lidstrom scored for the Red Wings while Brent Fedyk and Marc Savard scored for the Rangers. Fedyk now has had 4 goals in 6 games. Box Score.
2/16/99
Great Gretzky Rocks Preds' (thanks for the title, Jean)
Wayne Gretzky tied the Rangers team record for assists in a game with 5. To prove to any Gretzky-doubters out there (if there is any...), the player with the second-most 5 assist games, Detroit Red Wings' Steve Yzerman, has only 16, which shows that Gretzky has more than 5 times that amount (he has 96 5-assist games). The Rangers had a MUCH improved first period, in which they lead 4-0 at the end of it. In fact, they lead 6-0 until the middle of the second period, where the Predators started to mount a comeback. The sellout Nashville crowd came alive again and the Preds' rallied back to a 6-4 deficit. However, the Rangers decided to hang on and scored one more goal, making the final score 7-4. The Blueshirts will play the Montreal Canadiens on Wedneday night at 7:30 EST. Box Score.
2/18/99
Shaky Start Still Slumps Rangers
What do you know? After a terrific game against the Nashville Predators, the Rangers decided to have an absolutely awful start as they lost to the Montreal Canadiens, 6-3. Goalie Mike Richter gave up the first three goals in 9 shots and in less than two minutes.The listless crowd began cheering as Richter was pulled in favor of Dan Cloutier. The Rangers had all sorts of problems in their own zones, partly due to the injuries to Jeff Beukeboom (concussion) and Peter Popovic (cut in his eye), the two biggest defensemen on the team. The Canadiens soon took almost 10 minutes worth of penalties in the second period, including a major on Turner Stevenson for cross checking and a double minor on a strange yet extremely amusing play by Igor Ulanov, but the Rangers could only score one goal from those minutes. Mike Knuble scored 2 goals and Petr Nedved scored one for the Rangers, while Martin Rucinsky, Stephane Quintal, Jonas Hogland, Vincent Damphousse, Shayne Corson and Scott Thorton scored for the Candiens. John MacLean left the game with a neck injury suffered in the first period. He hopes to play on Friday. Popovic and Beukeboom are day to day. Box Score.
2/20/99
They Were so Good.......That Even Ulf Scored!
The Rangers finally started scoring again, slaughtering the Pittsburgh Penguins by the score of 6-1. Goaltender Dan Cloutier, who played last game, made some spectacular saves, especially the last couple seconds of the game, as he lifted his legs to kick the puck out of the mid-air and then sprawling from side to side to catch the rebound. Many Rangers had a multipoint game last night, like the entire line of Marc Savard, Kevin Stevens and John MacLean. Kevin Hatcher was credited with the lone goal for the Penguins, while Kevin Stevens (one on the power play and one at even strength), Ulf Samuelsson, Adam Graves, Rich Brennan and Petr Nedved (shorthanded) scored for the Rangers.........Rangers General Manager Neil Smith met with Brian Leetch's agent, Jay Grossman this week. Rumor has it that Grossman gave Smith the guidelines for the new contract extension at that time.............Defenseman Jeff Beukeboom, who suffered his second concussion this year last Friday against Carolina, saw New York Jets' neurologist Ira Casson and was told to withdraw from physical activity for two weeks...............Another defensman, Peter Popovic, will be checked on Monday for his eye and hopes to play next Friday against Phoenix. Box Score.
2/22/99
Rangers Empty Oil Wells From Lucky Bounces
The Rangers finally put together back to back wins yesterday with a good effort from everybody on the team. Mike Richter redeemed himself from his horrendous play his past two games, where he allowed 6 goals in 21 minutes played, with spectacular saves as he robs the Oilers one after the other. The speedy Edmonton Oilers created a fast pace game, making the Rangers stick together both offensively and defensively. The Rangers did not quit either after the Oilers scored their first and then their disallowed second goal. After Mike Grier scored for the Oilers, the Rangers kept trying to pressure the Oilers and finally Marc Savard made a superb goal less than 10 minutes to go in the third period. Also, when the Oilers thought they scored the second goal with less than a minute to go in the third (the goal was eventually disallowed because of Alexander Selivanov's skate in the crease), the Rangers did not give in after that. They stayed with their plan to win the game, and finally did so when Eric Lacroix scored his first as a Ranger, also his first in 50 games. Box Score.
2/23/99-
Canadian Airlines Saddledome...AKA "Rangers' Hell on Earth"
Because of the Rangers' awful start (both defensively and offensively), backup goalie prospect Dan Cloutier allowed 2 goals in 3 shots, causing John Muckler to send Mike Richter out on the ice to replace him. Also, the Rangers received their share of bad bounces, as they hit goal posts and had a goal disallowed when the score could have been 2-1 and the team could ride on some of the momentum gained. However, the Calgary Flames, on their now-11 game winning streak, stormed into the Rangers zone one line after the other, with feisty winger Theoren Fleury leading the way. Manny Malhotra and Marc Savard scored the goals for the Rangers, and Corey Stillman, Phil Housely, Valeri Bure and Fleury scored for the Flames, as the Flames killed the Rangers, 6-2.......Wayne Gretzky was honored with a standing ovation the last minutes of the game. This game may mark the last visit the Great One will make at the Saddledome.......Speaking of the beloved Saddledome, the Rangers have not won in that building for more than 10 years now, as they are 0-9-4 since January 14, 1987. Box Score.
2/26/99
Great One Gone
The Greatest One, Wayne Gretzky, announced today that he will be out of the lineup for at least two weeks because of a disc protusion in his C5 and C6 vertebrae (in other words, there is a bulging disc in his back). Gretzky has complained of numbness in his right arm and soreness in his neck and shoulder area. He thought it was a stiff neck, and he admits that it has happened for since January, but the pain has gone away for a certain amount of time. Gretzky will be reevaluated on March 8th and will decide then if he should play the remainder of the season. He and General Manager Neil Smith also declared that surgery is unlikely the option for his ailing back.
2/27/99
Rangers Blank Coyotes
The Rangers won their first game without Wayne Gretzky in the lineup yesterday, shutting out the Phoenix Coyotes 3-0. The Blueshirts played a solid game, where they frustrated the struggling Coyotes shift after shift. Rookie Manny Malhotra scored on a breakaway in the first period, getting the Rangers into a fantastic start. Then, John MacLean added two more goals and the Rangers defense took care of the rest. The team as a whole shut down the 'Yote's best players, Keith Tkachuk and Jeremy Roenick, along with the rest of the team, who currently have trouble scoring. Rangers fans also had a chance to watch the future of the Rangers, as many of the younger players of the team now has more ice time due to Gretzky's absense. This made the team seem faster, since players like Marc Savard, Malhotra and recently recalled Christian Dube played more yesterday. Box Score.
3/1/99
Nedved Tips Hat (Trick) to the Flyers
Petr Nedved scored a hat trick yesterday afternoon as the Rangers beat the Philadelphia Flyers 6-5 in a action-packed game held at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers lead 5-2 before the Flyers rallied to tie the game at 5 in the second and third period. Then, the roaring crowd was silenced until Petr Nedved scored his third of the game, vaulting the Rangers over the Flyers with a power play goal. The game was basically decided by special teams play, as the Rangers scored 4 of their 6 goals on the power play, while the Flyers scored 2 of their 5 goals with the man advantage. Scott Fraser, Adam Graves and Peter Nedved scored for the Rangers, while Eric Lindros, Keith Jones, John LeClair, Daymond Langkow and Mikael Renberg scored for the Flyers. Box Score.
3/3/99 (Happy Birthday Brian Leetch!)
Rangers Shoot for the Stars
The Rangers remain unbeaten since Wayne Gretzky was taken out of the lineup becasue of a disc protusion, tying the best NHL team (record-wise), Dallas Stars, 2-2. The game was again filled with action, which was surrounded by a loud and excited home crowd, espeically in the third period. Niklas Sundstrom almost broke the tie-breaker in the third period when he hit the post during a shorthanded oppurtunity. The Stars were very fortunate that they came out with a point in this game, since the Rangers charged through their zone whenever they had the chance. The Rangers again worked diligently against a very disciplined Dallas team, and they should be proud of themselves, even though they did not win the game. Adam Graves scored 70 seconds into the game, and Scott Fraser scored another in the second period for the Rangers. Jamie Langenbrunner and Joe Nieuwendyk scored the goals for Dallas to tie the game. Fraser has played well since being recalled from the Hartford Wolfpack, scoring two goals in the three games he has played so far. Box Score.
3/5/99
The Rangers Blow the Caps off....
The Rangers continue with their recent surge even after losing Wayne Gretzky to injury, as they beat the Washington Capitals, 4-2. The Bluehsirts' sudden explosion in the third period shocked the Caps, as the Rangers stunned them with 3 dazzling goals in less than 2 minutes, and with less than 5 minutes remaining in the game. Mike Knuble scored the first two Rangers goals from slapshots, including a shot that went top shelf over Capitals goaltender Olaf Kolzig (Olie the Goalie). Adam Graves scored the game winning goal, with his 31st of the season, while Niklas Sundstrom sealed the victory with his 11th of the season. As for the capitals, Sergei Gonchar socred the first goal of the game with a power play goal 5 minutes left in the second period, and Peter Bondra scored off a rebound with his 30th goal, also on the power play. Bondra also had a mind-boggling 12 shots on goal tonight, three times more than the players with the second highest total number of shots....The Rangers picked up foward Mike Maneluk off waivers from Chicago today. The 25 year old winger is expected to join his third team this season in Boston and may have a chance to play on Sunday against the Bruins. He has 6 goals and 9 assists in 41 games. He was also the AHL's Calder Cup MVP with AHL's Philadelphia Phantoms, the American League affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers. Box Score.
3/8/99(Happy Birthday Brent Fedyk!)
Rangers are Wonderful
Injuries to Wayne Gretzky, Ulf Samuelsson, Peter Popovic, Jeff Beukeboom and Todd Harvey seem not to boggle the Rangers a bit, as they defeated the 8th place Boston Bruins yesterday, 3-1. Since Bruins player Ken Belanger knocked Rangers defenseman Ulf Samuelsson in the first period, the Rangers defense appeared to be in trouble for the rest of the game. However, they continued with their tremendous effort throughout the duration of the game to earn the win. John MacLean opened the scoring in the second period with a slap shot from the left faceoff circle. Then, with the Rangers shorthanded, Niklas Sundstrom shot the puck between the legs of Bruins goaltender, Byron Dafoe, making the score 2-0. The Bruins had a short period of the game, as Landon Wilson scored the only Bruins goal, cutting the lead back to one again. But then Marc Savard made a marvelous pass to ex-Bruin Kevin Stevens for the 4th goal of the game. The Rangers break a 5 game losing streak to the Bruins, which dates back to last year....Samuelsson will be re-evaluated today to decide the diagnosis and the extent of the injury, while Wayne Gretzky will also be examined today for his bulging disc in his back....Rangers commentator, Mike Emerick (from FOX), claims that Rangers General Manager Neil Smith are very close to signing foward Adam Graves to a contract extension....Popovic is practicing with the team and will be back in the lineup soon. Jeff Beukeboom will still be out indefinately due to post concussion syndrome. Box Score.
3/9/99
Back In Where they Belong
The Rangers finally make their way back to .500 last night by defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 in Overtime. The Rangers fell into a two goal defecit early in the first period, as the Leafs scored two quick goals against Mike Richter in less than a minute. However, Petr Nedved ties the game with a deflection off his rear end in the third period and as well as the game winning goal in OT. As far as the race for the final spot of the playoffs, the beloved Blueshirts now have climbed into a tie with Boston for eight place in the Eastern Conference, but the Rangers would receive the invitation to the playoffs because they have more wins than Boston.......Dr. Patrick O'Leary examined Wayne Gretzky's neck last night, and reported no change in his condition. His disc protusion is still present in his neck and will receive a cortizone shot in his neck in the next 48 hours to try to slide the disc back into the vertebrae. Box Score.
3/11/99
There is an End to Everything...
The Rangers six game unbeaten run has ended, and was ruined by the conference leading Ottawa Senators. Goalie Damien Rhodes and his Sens shut out the score by 3-0, as they put away the game with an empty net goal as the Rangers added a sixth skater on the ice to try tying up the game. The Rangers fell into a 1-0 in the first period by a power play goal from possible Hart Trophy candidate Alexei Yashin, and Lance Pitlick scored in the second to make the score 2-0. Yashin scored the empty net goal to make it 3-0, as the Rangers was finally beaten. The Bluehshirts did not have a good start to the game, which have cost them this time. They must start to play a better first period and attempt to score the first goal of the game in order to stop better teams like Ottawa, as they will most likely not be able to overcome the defecit against the tight trapping defensive systems. Box Score.
3/13/99
Third Period Stampede Leaves Rangers' Hearts Smushed
The Rangers have now lost back to back games since their 6 game resurgence, losing to the Boston Bruins, who are also in the close playoff race. In the third period, in which a total of seven goals were scored in a span of 20 minutes, the Rangers blew three of their leads after tying the Bruins in the second period, first at 2-1, then 3-2 and finally at 4-3. Anson Carter scored two goals for the Bruins within 19 seconds of each other, giving the Bruins a 5-4 lead. This game is the last of the Rangers-Bruins season series this year, with the Rangers losing the series this year to the Bruins. John MacLean scored twice, while Adam Graves and Mike Knuble each scored a goal for the Rangers, and Anson Carter, Steve Heinze and Jason Allison scored for the Bruins. Box Score.
3/15/99
Graves Lifts Rangers on his Back
Adam Graves scored his fourth overtime goal, his second OT goal against the Islanders this season, to defeat the Islanders by the score of 3-2. The Rangers again blew a third period lead, when they lead 2-0 with goals by Kevin Stevens and Manny Malhotra scored in the first and second periods. Zigmund Palffy and Marius Czerkawski scored in the second and third periods to tie the game at 2-2. The Islanders carried the play throughout the game, outshooting the Rangesr 33-21. The Rangers were also held without a shot for nearly 18 straight minutes, while the Islanders rushed into the Rangers zone with one shot after the other. Rangers backup goaltender, Dan Cloutier, played well, frustrating the Islanders with big saves throughout the game. Then, Graves winded up and blasted the puck past Islanders (aka Fishsticks) goalie Tommy Salo with a slapshot 40 feet from the goal. The Rangers rebound from their previous back to back losses and seems to be back on track.....It is believed that the Rangers have signed Adam Graves to a three year contract extension with a club option of a fourth year. General Manager Neil Smith is expected to call upon a Press Conference to deliver the good news. This contract would virtually keep Graves with the Rangers for the rest of his career. Box Score.
3/16/99
Rangers Stay Awake to Tie Energized Caps
If anybody have any questions about the impact of the horrible NHL schedule-maker has on the players, he/she should have watched the Rangers play the Washington Capitals as they played to a 1-1 tie. The Rangers played their sixth game in nine nights, a game in which the Rangers looked extremely tired from a schedule coach John Muckler called "impossible." However, they fought through the exhaustion and put up a good fight against the Caps. Rangers defenseman, Rumun Ndur finally scored his first NHL goal to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead in the first period. Ndur wildly celebrated his triumph, as he was so happy that he almost ran to goalie Mike Richter to rejoice, but could not do so because referee Lance Roberts stood in the way. In the third period, Capitals defensman Enrico Cicone received the puck after a faceoff and lightly shot through a screen to beat hot goalie Mike Richter to tie the game. Even though the Rangers were tired, they put up quite a dogfight, especially towards the end of the third period, when the line of Marc Savard, Scott Fraser and Kevin Stevens almost scored the game winning goal. The Rangers will have three days of rest before facing the Buffalo Sabres at the Garden on Friday, which will give them enough time to reengergize themselves for the horrific schedule to come.....Foward Brent Fedyk left the game with a back injury, and the prognosis of the injury is not known at this time....Center Wayne Gretzky claims his neck feels better and will skate on his own during this week to prepare for upcoming games. He will see Dr. Patrick O'Leary again in a week to determine when he may return. He may even be able to play by March 27, when the Rangers visit the Philadelphia Flyers for a showdown in Philadelphia. Box Score.
Graves to Remain a Ranger
Adam Graves signed a three year contract extension before the Rangers-Capitals game yesterday evening. The terms to this deal remain undisclosed, however, it is reported that the deal was in the neighborhood of 11 to 12 million dollars for three years, with a club option to add a fourth year. Reports also say that he will receive 3.5 million dollars this year and 4 million the proceeding years, totaling up to around 11.5 million dollars, but this remains unclear. Now that Graves is signed, General Manager Neil Smith can concentrate on signing a new deal with All-Star defenseman and Captain Brian Leetch. Leetch will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st if the Rangers do not sign him to a contract extension by that time.
3/20/99
The Curse Continues
The Buffalo Sabres continue their dominance over the Rangers, winning off Miroslav Satan's deflected shot in overtime last night, as they won 3-2. Dominik Hasek, the Sabres' world-class goaltender, returned just in time from a nagging groin injury to play his first game in more than a month, and didn't disappoint his team one bit. He amazed the 18,200 fans in Madison Square Garden with dazzling saves one after the other, especially when he swung his legs and rolled across the ice to deny a shot by rookie Manny Malhotra in the second period. The Rangers blew another third period lead, and the Sabres tied the game with a power play goal by Michal Grosek. Matthieu Schneider and Petr Nedved scored for the Rangers in the first and second periods, while Satan had two goals and Grosek had one....Rangers defenseman Jeff Beukeboom announced today that he will sit out the rest of the season because of post concussion syndrome. He plans to be healthy and back in action by next year's training camp. Box Score.
3/22/99
Richter Saves the Day
Rangers goaltender Mike Richter steals the game as the Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins skate to a 2-2 tie. Richter was spectacular, making save after save to bail the Rangers after the blueshirts gave up a 2-0 lead, espeically a save during a Jaromir Jagr breakaway 35 seconds into overtime. Kevin Stevens scored in the first period to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead, and Petr Nedved scored early in the second to make it 2-0. The game was delayed around 35 minutes between the first and second period as a plug used to cover goal post holes apparently got caught into the Zamboni's ice shaving blade, causing it to make deep ruts onto the ice. Bobby Dollos and German Titov scored in the second period for the Penguins to tie the game, 2-2. Rangers defenseman, Ulf Samuelsson blocked a shot in the third period, breaking his fifth metatarsal (broken foot). He will be out approximately 2-3 weeks......Another Rangers defenseman, Brian Leetch says that he will most likely work on his contract with general manager Neil Smith after the Rangers season is over. Leetch could become an unrestricted free agent this summer if the Rangers do not sign him to a contract extension by July 1st, 1999.
3/23/99
Lightning struck, and delivered
Wayne Gretzky surprisingly came back to play against the lowly Tampa Bay Lightning last night, only to see the rest of his team play miserably while he himself played on the fourth line for the first two periods of the game. Many of the goals scored came in bunches; the Rangers' first two goals came 20 seconds apart. Tampa's third and fourth goal came 16 seconds apart, and their fifth and sixth goal came a minute apart. The Rangers appeared to have done the same thing the Lightning have done night after night (except for this one), playing poorly in their own zone and can't score. Rookie goaltender Dan Cloutier was pulled in the second period to try rejuvenating his team, but that tactic did not work either. The Lightning constantly raided the Rangers zone, firing shot after shot, playing as if they were a desperate hockey team. The Rangers are slowly drifting away from the eighth playoff spot again, still five points away from the Boston Bruins, who are currently in the eighth position. With only thirteen games left, the Rangers have to find some way to win on a consistent basis, or else there will be changes in the summer (today is the trade deadline, see below). The Lightning pounded the Rangers 6-3. Box Score.
"The Most Wonderful/Dreadful Time of the Year"
The NHL trade deadline is at 3:00 Eastern Standard Time today, which means many teams will be desperately looking for players to increase their chances of winning the Stanley Cup. Some teams will be desperately looking to dump their veteran players, along with their typically expensive salaries. Now that it's 11:00pm, here are the deals that the Rangers General Manager, Neil Smith made this afternoon, and my thoughts on them:
Defenseman Ulf Samuelsson goes to the Detroit Red Wings for a second and a third round draft pick in the 1999 Entry Draft
Let me say that Ulf Samuelsson is worth MORE than a second and a third round pick. Neil Smith should have gotten more out of this deal, since Samuelsson was a pretty great asset to the Rangers organization. Even though Samuelsson does become an unrestricted free agent by the end of the season, which means that the Red Wings will only be using him for a month or two, the level and the style he plays in shows anybody how valuable he can be to a team. He never gives up and always puts up a good fight (not to mention a good laugh, hehehe). So all in all, the Rangers got jipped in this deal because Samuelsson is worth more than just draft picks.
Smith sends foward Vladimir Vorobiev to the Edmonton Oilers for foward Kevin Brown
Even though I am a fan of Vorobiev, I think this deal might turn out to be quite interesting. As I looked up Kevin Brown's statistics, he has scored 6 points in 12 games this season, and is only 24 years of age. Depending on how much Rangers coach John Muckler uses him (Muckler may send him directly to Hartford), Brown could become a pretty good player for the Rangers. As for Vorobiev, Muckler didn't even give him a chance to audition this year for the Rangers (besides training camp). He is very talented with good size and speed, but cannot score on a consistent basis. He plays best when paired with a playmaking center, like Marc Savard (he and Savard tore up the AHL when put together in Hartford last year). The outcomes of this deal could be fun to watch.
Defenseman Lee Sorochan goes to the Calgary Flames for Chris O'Sullivan
Due to the excessive amount of defenseman the Rangers have stockpiled, Sorochan would have stayed in Hartford anyway, so it was right for Smith to deal him now. Although Sorochan can help provide leadership for the younger players developing in the Wolfpack organization, there are still many veterans in that locker room that will help bring that development along, like veteran foward Bob Errey. O'Sullivan could make our defense look younger, somebody the Rangers could probably use now, and if not, in Hartford. It will also be interesting to watch what Muckler does with O'Sullivan, considering that there is a pretty large amount of defenseman on the roster already.
Defenseman Stan Neckar goes to the Phoenix Coyotes for Jason Doig and a sixth round draft pick in 1999
Poor Stan. Everybody in the organization had so much confidence in him when he was first acquired from the Ottawa Senators, but gave up on him for no reason by the end. Neckar (pronnounced "Nets-Cash") barely played for the Rangers, and usually was a healthy scratch during his time there. Again, Muckler should have let him play and develop into the player everybody expects him to become. Doig is a mean and punnishing defenseman who have good offensive skills to perhaps play on the power play. However, the Rangers must make sure he does not turn into a "goon" or else the skills he possesses will never be put into use. So, Muckler must develop him slowly but carefully and correctly.
2/25/99
Rangers Gain Ground, but Ottawa Shows No Support
The Rangers got a valuable two points from a victory off another playoff racer, the Florida Panthers last night. However, the points they gained still left them five points away from a playoff spot. The Rangers were five points away before the game, but due to a Bruins' 3-0 victory over Eastern Conference-leading Ottawa Senators, the Bruins left the Rangers five points short by the end of the night. For the Rangers, they rebounded from an awful performance against the Tampa Bay Lightning, in which they had many defensive breakdowns, to a hard working game against the Panthers, where they checked and defended in their own zone diligently and consequently earned the two points. Adam Graves scored his 35th goal of the year, his most since the magical 52 goal season in 1994. Petr Nedved widened the Ranger lead to 2-0 off a top corner wrist shot on the power play from almost the blue line. Dan Boyle scored his second NHL goal off a quick 2 on 1 pass from rookie Mark Parrish. Rangers defenseman Brain Leetch missed Parrish on a hip check by the blue line, allowing Parrish to slip by him and set up the scoring oppurtunity. Now, the Rangers only have ten games left in their schedule, so time is ticking, and the playoffs are awaiting them, if they can make it.....The newly acquired players from the trading deadline, Jason Doig, Kevin Brown and Chris O'Sullivan, were immediately sent to Hartford after the trades. Box Score.
3/28/99(Happy Birthday Jeff Beukeboom!)
Lindros slaughters Rangers, Cuts Nedved
The Rangers lost to the Philadelphia Flyers 3-1 yesterday afternoon, making it even harder to approach the eighth playoff spot. Now it is down to nine games, and it's getting harder as each day goes by. Kevin Stevens starts the scoring as he chops at the puck and the puck glides past goalie John Vanbesbrouck's shoulder and into the net. However, partly due to fights that stimulated the Flyers' energy and slowed down the Rangers, the Flyers came back to tie the game by a goal from former NJ Devil Valeri Zelepukin. Zelepukin scored another goal later in the period to give the Flyers the lead, and Karl Dykhuis widened the lead into two as he scored his fourth of the year on the power play. Toward the end of the game, Flyers captain Eric Lindros cut Rangers center Petr Nedved around his eye, producing three deep cuts on Nedved's face. Lindros was given a four minute penalty for high sticking, and a tape of the incident will be sent to the NHL headquarters for further review. The Rangers are now seven points out of the eighth playoff spot, as the Bruins tied against Toronto 3-3 today, and currently stand in tenth place, with the Florida Panthers in ninth place. The Rangers will play against the New York Islanders on Monday. Box Score.
3/29/99
Lindros Finally Punnished
Senior Vice President of the NHL, Colin Campbell, suspended Eric Lindros today for two games without pay due to swinging his stick at Rangers center Petr Nedved's face. Nedved sustained two cuts around his eye and one on his nose from this incident. Lindros swung his stick towards Nedved's face during the third period after Nedved had hooked Lindros down. Lindros will miss today's game against Detroit and Tuesday's game against Carolina.
3/30/99
Men in Blue Sweeps the Men with Fish
Once again, the Rangers beat the New York Islanders by the score of 3-1, due to the leadership and greatness of Wayne Gretzky, the all time greatest goal scorer in the history of professional hockey. The Islanders played a tight defensive game throughout and clogged the neutral zone, limiting the Rangers to shoot from the sides of the Islanders zone, not from the middle. However, on the few chances the Rangers received from the "slot" (the space in the attacking zone that's between the two faceoff circles), goaltender Wade Flaherty came up with huge saves, even on Gretzky's shot before he scored his record breaking goal off his own rebound (see below). Prior to Gretzky's goal, the scored was tied 1-1, with goals off a Adam Graves deflection for his 36th goal of the year, and from a result to a scramble in front of the Rangers net, with Mariusz Czerkawski netting the loose puck that helplessly laid in the crease. Rangers rejuvinated foward (compared to last year) John MacLean added a security goal with his 26th of the season off a clear from rookie Manny Malhotra. MacLean also was a +3 rating in the game, along with scoring a goal and two assists....Rangers center Petr Nedved sustained a strain to his rib cage during the first period. Nedved apparently turned strangely during a faceoff, which caused exreme pain to his ribs, causing him to leave the game. Nedved is now listed day to day, which means he may possibly play during Friday's game against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.
The Coolest Player on Earth Makes History
Rangers superstar center, Wayne Gretzky, sets another record, surpassing Gordie Howe on the most goals ever scored in the WHA (World Hockey Association) and the NHL, including playoffs, combined with his 1072nd goals last night. Late in the third period, with two minutes remaining in the game, John MacLean created a turnover, allowing Wayne Gretzky to retreive the puck and head to the net. Islanders goaltender Wade Flaherty made a terrific save off Gretzky's original wristshot, but lost possesion of the puck. Gretzky eventually found it during the scramble and quickly tapped the puck into the net, scoring the game-winner and the 1072nd goal of his career. The stick and puck that Gretzky used to score the goal will be kept in his father, Walter's, basement, along with the other accolades the Gretzky family has won. This record will not be inside the NHL record books, since the NHL does not recognize any of the WHA's records. Wayne Gretzky is now six goals short of his 900th career NHL regular season goal.
