What's Next for the Rangers?

Torts sets the tone...

Prospect camp setting tone for September
Tortorella makes conditioning a No. 1 priority at all levels of organization
Jim Cerny, newyorkrangers.com/June 29, 2009

John Tortorella was not on the ice when the Rangers opened up their five-day camp for prospects on Monday at the MSG Training Center, but his presence was clearly felt by the young players who were put through intense conditioning workouts and tests by Hartford Wolf Pack head coach Ken Gernander and his assistants J.J. Daigneault and Pat Boller.

Tortorella -- who was seated alongside Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather and the club’s Assistant G.M. Jim Schoenfeld in a special area overlooking the rink -- designed the prospects camp to mirror the first few days of what his initial training camp with the team will look like in September. A grueling battery of on-ice and off-ice conditioning tests began on Monday and will continue throughout the week, with a sprinkling of on-ice hockey drills mixed in.


“These are young men that have played in all different programs, have been pretty good players in those programs or they wouldn’t be at this camp, and this is a good situation to let them know what is expected,” said Tortorella. “It’s going to be tough, but at least they’ll know if they get invited to the big camp what is expected of them. And they might have a leg up on the other guys.”

Five of the players selected by the Rangers this past weekend in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft -- including top pick Chris Kreider -- are taking part in this week’s camp. In addition, two of the organization’s top prospects from the 2008 draft -- defenseman Michael Del Zotto and winger Evgeny Grachev -- are also participating, along with recently-signed defenseman Matt Gilroy, who won the 2009 Hobey Baker Award as college hockey’s top player, and Finnish import Ilkka Heikkinen.

In all, 26 players were on ice on Monday, though only a handful will take part in the Rangers training camp come September.

“I’ll be honest, there are guys here we will not see for another three or four years,” said Tortorella. “But there are also guys here that are knocking on the door. And if you are a player coming into Rangers camp this year and you’re knocking on the door, it’s a pretty good thing because I think we need to change the look of our club. It’s wide open. And that’s a good thing for a young player.”

At the draft in Montreal on Saturday, Sather mentioned five young defenseman from within the organization who will be in the mix to battle for legitimate shots at making the NHL roster. Two of those defensemen -- Del Zotto and Gilroy -- are at this camp, while Bobby Sanguinetti, Mike Sauer, and Corey Potter played full seasons in the AHL at Hartford in 2008-09 and have moved beyond the realm of this particular, introductory camp.

In addition, the 19-year-old Grachev -- perhaps the most explosive offensive talent within the organization coming off a 40-goal season with Brampton in the OHL -- is getting a very close look this week, and will be a threat to capture a slot with the Rangers in the fall, as well.

“I’m not afraid of youth as far as jumping in there and adding something in key situations and key positions,” Tortorella noted. “It’s going to be done on merit. So for young guys, I think it’s a great situation for them.”

The Rangers head coach went on to explain that no one on the roster is guaranteed a certain status or playing time except Henrik Lundqvist, whom Tortorella clearly stated is the team’s No. 1 goaltender. Each and every player will be forced to earn his way right from the first day of training camp in September, and Tortorella believes that good, young, hungry players pushing for roster spots is a great way to achieve the desired goal.

With a full summer to learn more about the prospects in the system, and a chance to conduct his own training camp, Tortorella expects much to change from last season. Tortorella joined the club more than halfway through the 2008-09 campaign, and it was all he could manage just to try and steer his club into the playoffs.

Now Tortorella will have the chance to lay out his blueprint, make the changes he wants to make, and create the type of team he believes will have success both in the present and in the future.

“I think we are soft thinkers,” Tortorella said of his Rangers. “That’s where it all starts. I think we need to grow in what we feel we have to do in preparation, our practice habits, and that leads us to the games as far as being a tougher team to play against. That isn’t being soft physically, that’s being soft thinkers. That’s a huge part of winning, your mental toughness. And that’s something we’re going to try and improve on.”

Tortorella added that the players are treated so well by the Rangers organization, that now it is time for some payback.

“Instead of asking for more and putting your hand out, take it away and start getting things done,” said Tortorella emphatically.

That message was delivered to the players after the Rangers were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round by the Washington Capitals, and it is being shared with the prospects this week.

The other main message shared in the spring and being emphasized to the youngsters at the prospects camp is that all players within the organization must be at an elite level physically in order to compete the way Tortorella demands. And certainly that point was made loud and clear on Monday as one-by-one the young players expressed some wide-eyed surprise at how hard they were being pushed and how much of an emphasis was being placed on their conditioning.

“It’s definitely the first time I’ve ever gone through something like this, but it’s a new philosophy they’ve got going here and they want to see how hard we work so it’s going to be a good test,” said Del Zotto. “Looking ahead to training camp, obviously it’s going to be tough. This will make us work that much harder in the off-season to try and get ready for that.”

With Gomez to Montreal for Higgins, as reported by TSN and RDS today, the Rangers move a massive contract out...and get back a strong two-way forward in Chris Higgins.

Should be interesting to see the New York media take on this one...

DTR, I have watched alot of Chris Higgins play, a two way player is a bit of an overstatement in my opinion.

Excellent deal for both sides. Higgins is an amazing PKer. A nice, defensively oriented, probably 25+ goal man who should sign for 2.5 tops.

Very nice.

Here is the official press release...

RANGERS TRADE SCOTT GOMEZ TO MONTREAL
Acquire Chris Higgins, Ryan McDonagh and Pavel Valentenko from Canadiens

New York, June 30, 2009 – New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has acquired forward Chris Higgins and defensemen Ryan McDonagh and Pavel Valentenko from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for forwards Scott Gomez and Tom Pyatt, and defenseman Mike Busto.

Higgins, 26, has skated in 282 regular season contests with Montreal, recording 84 goals and 67 assists for 151 points, along with 96 penalty minutes. The 6-0, 205-pounder has eclipsed the 20-goal mark three times. In 2007-08, he established career-highs in games played (82), goals (27), assists (25), points (52), power play goals (12), game-winning goals (five), and shots (241). He led Montreal in shots, tied for second on the team in power play goals and game-winning goals, and ranked third in goals. He was also one of only three Canadiens to skate in all 82 games during the season. Higgins registered 11 points (six goals and five assists) in the first 13 games of the season, and went on to surpass the 20-goal plateau for the third straight year.

Higgins appeared in 57 games with the Montreal Canadiens this past season, registering 12 goals and 11 assists for 23 points, along with 22 penalty minutes. He tied for second on the team with two shorthanded goals, and placed sixth on the club with 151 shots despite missing 25 games due to injury.

In addition, he led the Canadiens in goals (five) and shots (40) during the month of November. He tallied his first career hat trick on November 11 vs. Ottawa to cap off a season-high, four-game scoring streak that began on November 1 at the New York Islanders, registering six points (four goals and two assists) over the span.

As a rookie in 2005-06, he led Montreal with three shorthanded goals. In addition, Higgins has registered six goals and five assists for 11 points in 22 career postseason contests with Montreal. The Smithtown, New York native was originally Montreal’s first round choice, 14th overall, in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

McDonagh, 20, skated in 36 contests with the University of Wisconsin Badgers of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) this past season, registering five goals and 11 assists for 16 points, along with 59 penalty minutes. The 6-1, 212-pounder established career-highs in assists (11), points (16) and penalty minutes (59) in his second season with the Badgers. The St. Paul, Minnesota native was originally Montreal’s first round choice, 12th overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Valentenko, 21, split the 2008-09 season between Dynamo Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League (AHL). The 6-2, 220-pounder collected one assist in eight games with Dynamo Moscow after beginning the season in Hamilton, where he tallied two assists in four games. he Nizhnekamsk, Russia native was originally Montreal’s fifth round choice, 139th overall, in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

Gomez, 29, appeared in 77 games with the Rangers this past season, collecting 16 goals and 42 assists for 58 points, along with 60 penalty minutes. He was acquired by the Rangers as a free agent on July 1, 2007.

Pyatt, 22, appeared in 73 games with the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL) this past season, registering 15 goals and 22 assists for 37 points, along with 22 penalty minutes.

Busto, 23, skated in 54 games with the Charlotte Checkers of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) this past season, recording three goals and eight assists for 11 points, along with 41 penalty minutes.

Dany Heatley is next.

i can just hear torts ripping heatley day in and day out

Take NYR's 1st, because that iwll be a lotto pick. If thye dont get the 1st, I will be upset.

Oh Dung, true enough. Not a lottery pick though with Lundqvist, but yeah, they will suck.

Hmmm...how to get that first in there and still come out ahead. :??:

Should we ask how you know? Or was he on your list to call?

I think N4L just figured out a way to pad his post total by, oh, about 700.

Well there *is* that feature.

man N4l, i don't know what you're drinking but you're making me thirsty, i'm off to the depaneur for some cold ones! :___:

Long time--since 1954 to be exact--Rangers observer, chronicler and critic, Stan Fischler, muses on the state of hockey affairs in New York City.

CHANGES NOT FOR CHANGES' SAKE
Stan Fischler, Game On!/MSG.com, July 2, 2009

During a conference call with Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather the other day, he stressed one point which is evolving into a daily truism — "A general manager should not stand pat; change is important."

The most dramatic changes have been the revolving door in which Scott Gomez exited to Montreal and Marian Gaborik made his way to Seventh Avenue.

Then, there's the Chris Higgins return to the metroplitan area and the lower-level stunner whereby erstwhile heavyweight contender Colton Orr zips off to Toronto, while occasional NHL heavyweight champion — give or take Georges Laraque — Donald (Basher) Brashear walks into the 33rd Street players' entrance.

If nothing else, the events have been stunning and since Sather advises that there still are "balls in the air" (translated: trade talks continuing — agents to whom he's talking) more movement should be anticipated; if not today then tomorrow or next week.

What has captured my attention are players who will become conspicuous by their absence; and I'm not talking about headliners.

Namely, Fred Sjostrom, Nik Antropov and Blair (Don't Forget Me) Betts.

Sjostrom has moved on to the Calgary Flames where he's come under the wing of Devils-deserter-coach Brent Sutter.

Granted, Freddie Boy was not exactly a world-beater, but he sure was fine as a fourth-liner.

Together with Betts, he gave New York a penalty-killing duet extraordinaire and that's not something to forget.

Antropov was another story — sort of schizophrenic if you want to get shrinky about it.

Same as in Toronto, he alternated between sensational and sorrowful with the hope that, someday (tomorrow!) he'd fulfill his notices.

If it happens, it will be in Atlanta where the Thrashers have signed him as a free agent, and that's that.

Meanwhile, Betts — at least temporarily — remains in limbo while his nemesis, Brashear, has been welcomed by Sather who asserts that The Other Donald will be equally embraced by a team that needs an enforcer with Orr off to Maple Leaf land.

Where Betts ultimately lands will be most fascinating — especially with Basher now a Ranger.

This rebuilt Rangers squad will be carved into John Tortorella's mold and you can bet that the process has only begun.

Fasten seat belts, lads and lassies, the fun has just begun!

The New York Rangers--and Glen Sather in particular--come in for a fair amount of abuse on this forum, exacerbated by the presence of one Wade Redden--consigned to the dustbin of hockey history by a number of vocal Sens partisans--among them.

The Rangers have long been a team that actually enjoys playing the villains. Maybe it's 'a New York thing'. I can attest, as a former Manhattan resident, that New York hockey has a built-in belligerence. Nothing new of course, as anyone who remembers the Original Six will tell you...and in more recent history, the salacious stories from those who knew them first hand, about Phil Esposito and Carol Vadnais enjoying the forbidden delights of the Big Apple. But I digress...

Here's a perspective on the coming season from Rangers blogger Andrew Gross:

How it looks, for now
Andrew Gross, Ranger Rants/July 10, 2009
http://njmg.typepad.com/rangersblog/2009/07/how-it-looks-for-now.html

Driving to Syracuse this morning for a semi-impromptu college reunion - the immature boy in me loves the fact that I'll be playing darts at a kegger on Saturday - but I'll be monitoring things in Rangers-land.

But before I head out, thought I'd post my line and defense pairing projections.

Please note the inclusion of Sergei Zubov in the top six defensemen. That's my prediction for GM Glen Sather's next offseason move. Please note the exclusion of Nikolai Zherdev and Lauri Korpikoski.

Marian Gaborik-Chris Drury-Ales Kotalik
Christopher Higgins-Brandon Dubinsky-Ryan Callahan
Sean Avery-Artem Anisimov-Evgeny Grachev
Donald Brashear-Brian Boyle-Dane Byers (Henceforth designated the new Killer Bs)
Marc Staal-Dan Girardi
Wade Redden-Michal Rozsival
Matt Gilroy-Sergei Zubov

Would that work for you guys? Talk to you later from the 'Cuse, where I wouldn't be surprised if it was snowing this weekend.

Ales Kotalik’s stay with the Rangers likely will be longer than fellow right wing Nikolai Zherdev’s seems destined to be.

Kotalik, 30, agreed Thursday to a three-year deal worth $9 million after splitting last season between the Sabres and Oilers compiling 20 goals and 23 assists while reaching 20 goals for the fourth time in six NHL seasons.
“Actually, it came together pretty quickly,” Kotalik said by cell phone from Italy, where is vacationing before returning to his native Czech Republic . “The Rangers were in the mix of the teams that were interested, they gave me a fair offer and once they did that, I would say it was a quick decision for me.”

But by signing Kotalik, the Rangers have likely signaled the end of Zherdev’s one-season run on Broadway. Zherdev, despite 23 goals and 35 assists after being acquired from the Blue Jackets, lost ice time after John Tortorella took over for Tom Renney.

He filed for arbitration after the Rangers tendered the 24-year-old restricted free agent with a $3.25 million qualifying offer. The Rangers would likely walk away if Zherdev was awarded a higher salary, making the Ukrainian an unrestricted free agent, and Zherdev could also choose to play in the KHL.

“To be fair, we haven’t played the Russian card,” Zherdev’s agent, Rolland Hedges, told ESPN.com. “We can play in Russia tomorrow if we want to. We can make more money in Russia, no question – it’s nontaxable. But Nikolai Zherdev wants to play in the NHL. The only way he’ll go to Russia is if he’s not wanted in the NHL at fair market value. We just want to see what New York is prepared to pay on a fair-market-value basis.”

But with the 6-foot-1, 227-pound Kotalik on board, the Rangers’ need for Zherdev has decreased and their salary cap figure has tightened.

Kotalik, the Sabres’ sixth-round pick in 1998, has 121 goals and 130 assists in 445 NHL games. Forty of those goals and 54 assists have come on the power play. Not coincidently, the Rangers’ anemic power-play unit finished 29^th in the league.

“I’m going to play whatever role I’m going to get,” said Kotalik, a teammate of captain Chris Drury with the Sabres and defenseman Michal Rozsival with the Czech national team. “I’ve made a name for myself to be a good, solid player. I hope that I’ll get the opportunity with the Rangers.

“I’m really excited,” added Kotalik, the Rangers third impact free-agent acquisition after forward Marian Gaborik and enforcer Donald Brashear. “I think the team has got big potential.”

E-mail: grossa@northjersey.com

With all the 'love' for the New York Rangers on these boards, Larry Brooks provides more reasons to 'love' them, and especially Glen Sather...


GIVE CREDIT TO RANGERS GM SATHER
Larry Brooks, The New York Post, August 5 2009

NO one had more of a vested interest in Nikolai Zherdev succeeding as a Ranger than Glen Sather. And yet not even the general manager, who sacrificed Fedor Tyutin to get Zherdev last summer and who exercised his ruling authority to extend the 24-year-old winger a $3.25 million qualifying offer for 2009-10, could conceive of paying him even a nickel more.

So Zherdev was as good as gone the moment he filed for salary arbitration. He knew it and so did readers of The Post. Now, following yesterday's announcement that the Blueshirts had exercised their right to renounce arbitrator Elliott Shiftman's illogical $3.9 million contract award, Zherdev can be described as either a free agent or as unemployed, depending on one's perspective.

Credit Sather for not throwing good money after bad. Credit Sather for not compounding the error he made last July in believing Zherdev could replace Jaromir Jagr as the Rangers' go-to guy.

And then credit Sather -- who did not make himself available for comment yesterday -- for somehow constructing a roster that appears to be a mediocre, crazy-quilt patchwork of players collected from outposts around the league while somehow almost spending to the cap.

Credit, indeed.

Tyutin, who for a long time was considered the crown jewel of the organization (how's that for being damned with faint praise?), didn't merely become expendable last July 1 when the Blueshirts signed Wade Redden and re-upped Michal Rozsival, he all but had to go, given his contract and status.

His status was that of a third-pair defenseman -- Redden, Rozsival, Marc Staal and Dan Girardi were ahead of Tyutin on the depth chart -- who somehow would be making $2.875 million. No third-pair defenseman in hockey is worth that much.

Of course, there had been no reason whatsoever for Sather to give Tyutin a contract of that magnitude, except perhaps that the defenseman was represented by Paul Theofanous, with whom Sather has an interesting relationship, to say the least.

Tyutin for Zherdev represented a fair exchange. But there is no lens through which bringing Zherdev back for $3.9 million could be portrayed as reasonable.

You don't overpay one player because you have overpaid others; you don't give Zherdev more than he's worth -- or anyone other than arbitrator Shiftman believes he's worth -- because you have done so with Redden or Chris Drury.

The Rangers underwent an extreme makeover last summer, notably cutting ties with Jaromir Jagr, Brendan Shanahan, Martin Straka and Sean (he's baaaack!) Avery. Then they traded Petr Prucha, Nigel Dawes, Dimitri Kalinin and Dan Fritsche during the season. Now, 10 of the 21 players who appeared in the first-round series against Washington are no longer in the organization.

What's the frequency, Slats? What's the plan when an Ales Kotalik is signed for three years at $3 million per rather than leaving a spot open for one of the young guys the organization always seems to be touting? What's the plan when Lauri Korpikoski is traded away after one season for a project named Enver Lisin?

What's the plan when a third-round draft pick is traded for a fourth-line center named Brian Boyle?

The NHL's statistically-best penalty-kill unit of Blair Betts and Fred Sjostrom was not invited back. The critical power-play deficiency at the point has not been addressed. There is no bona fide first-line center. There is no bona fide No. 1 defenseman. There is no cap room.

There is also no Nikolai Zherdev. Credit Sather for getting one right.

larry.brooks@nypost.com

Nice article... Harsh but true.!!!

Del ZOtto and Gilroy already look better than Redden.