what's going on?

What are the chances the NHL will nullify Wade Redden's contract? Wouldn't that be a dream, especially after Larry Brooks laid out a worst-case Rangers scenario this past weekend. Not that I wasn't trying to find a spot for Avery on my lineup sheet as well, but I'd rather just ignore that possibility as long as possible. All in all I think the Rangers have had a fair free agency. I love Biron, ok with Frolov, preferred Shelley, but will give Boogey a chance. I'm pleased we didn't go all in for Kovalchuk. I kinda figured the arbitration would be more tasty, but Lamoriello V. Bettman is kinda a lose-lose for me. Personally I'd like to see Kovy land in LA. Devils will probably still win the division, those assholes!

So my two sports worlds collided this past weekend when Roger Federer, that extremely cool and handsome guy in white celebrated his birthday with none other than Sidney Crosby! What kinda of demented nightmare was this? Although Crosby looks more like a creepy delivery boy in this pic. Hey Rogers Cup, next time get some Shanny up in there, or anyone but Sid. Federer is currently in Toronto for the main warmup to the US Open. I've been mentally spending a lot of time there because due to the tournament and a screening of Scott Pilgrim V. The World I had the great fortune to see this week. It's excellent and can't be missed. No hockey action for a film set in Canada, still I cannot recommend it enough. Eagle-eyed Sloan fans may recognize a certain bass guitar in battle 3, not too surprising given that Chris Murphy taught the cast how to rock, or at least fake it.

Here's to Roger and his run for a 17th slam at Flushing Meadows. Here's to Scott Pilgrim, may you reign at number 1. Here's to a great training camp (Please sign Marc Staal!). Here's to a great rest of the summer. Enjoy it y'all!

crushing the competition

I took this photo myself, after a heated pileup in Henrik's crease last night against the Maple Leafs. My two fellas gravitated right toward each other and I can only imagine they're discussing which restaurant they're gonna celebrate at later that night. Avery: "Which suit did you wear?" Well they definitely deserve some fun after routing Toronto 7-2, marking 5 in a row after dropping the opening tilt. Everyone contributed. Avery had 2 goals (must have read yesterday's post!) and even Redden had 3 points. You know things are clicking when Wade gets on the board. Now we just have to wake up Rozsy and it's all over. Just hand us the cup. I tease, but my boys in blue have been fantastic. Composed, aggressive. Their passes have been as crisp as I've ever seen them. I did notice a few lost opportunities to clear our zone that I'd like to clean up, but I'll let it go with that type of lead in the third. Now the Kings come in for a visit and I'd like Avery to notch a hat trick, show them how much he likes New York. Maybe with pushups?

Man Chara is huge!

I remember when even just 2 seasons ago the Boston Bruins were powerless to beat us. Not so much anymore- they're very dangerous and built pretty similarly to the Rangers. Last night we had to fight everything - bad bounces, bad miscues, worse plays, fiesty fans - to get two points. But we did and the Rangers won 3-2 in the 4th round of the shootout (thank you Drury, thank you Henke). Having missed the Pens game at the Garden a few weeks ago I was chuffed to be there for this one. After Boston's shortie in the 2nd I had a horrible sinking feeling, but the faith never waivered. I'm loving this line of Dawes, the Korpedo and Fritsche. Who wings Gomez when he's back?
We've kept the lead in the east and Henrik has a league leading 11 wins (sorry Nabokov!). Now that we've taken care of one of the hottest teams in the east, let's stay fohcoosed on one of the worst. I do not want to be Ottawa's best game of the month tomorrow. Shut those fuckers down, right Redden?

Presidents' Trophy here we come!

So yeah, I hope y'all had a great summer. There wasn't much to like or to report about my decimated Rangers, so I said, "Fuck it!" and haven't written in nearly 3 months. Even the start of training camp was too dull to cover. The interviews were unbelievably bland (I'm looking at you Henrik with a sparkle and a wink, which YOU clearly left in Sweden!). The MSG season preview skipped anyone with personality. Sather keeps dangling Shanahan over our heads with the possible promise of someone handsome, charming and angry representing the team. The Rangers couldn't even win a preseason game without J and myself in the audience. Thank god for Europe (the region, not the band). Winning will heal most grievances and we swept our four game trip overseas, so thank you Rangers for pulling it together. Maybe we won't need personality if every postgame is a celebration. It definitely feels good to be at the top of the league even if it's only for a few more days.

The good times started for the Rangers with two exhibition games in Switzerland. I propose that the fabulous showing there was kharmically predestined by Swiss super athlete Roger Federer winning the US Open. Now the two things don't have much to do with each other, but in my sports world July was ruined with Sather's dismissal of my favorite players and Federer's loss at Wimbledon, so obviously I view Roger's dominence at the Open (thanks to me in Arthur Ashe I'm sure) as heralding a positive shift in sports mysticism. I think because I was able to witness Roger kissing the beautiful Open trophy this fall (and perhaps 08-09) will be blessed with all good things. Is this too new agey?

So yeah, Switzerland. After scoring 2 goals in all 6 North American pre-season games and going 1-5, the Rangers rout the Swiss team 8-1. Everyone on the teams scores, it's beautiful. Then the Rangers crush the hopes of Russian champions Metallurg Magnitogorsk by rebounding from 3 zip down to win 4-3 with the beauty Callahan game winner clicking in at 19:39 in the 3rd. The Russians are crying and I'm not sure if it's because they lost out on $100,000 bonuses or because the
KHL (read KGB) plan to hurt their families because they lost!

In a move than can be seen as both classy and dickish, Drury and Gomez decided to let Russian Rangers Zherdev and Kalinen accept this trophy. It's pretty ugly, but it makes a great logo, especially when it used as a Charlie's Angels style wipe during the broadcast. I was just happy to see Zherdev's face because the Rangers hide him away like his lack of English is a major deformity. He's obviously well formed and MSG and the Rangers should know by now that foreigners speaking English poorly is a comic delight and a thrill for fans all over this great nation. Why deny us? I think Zherdev may be my favorite new player aside from Henrik. I'll know for sure when I hear his accent, so get on it John Giannone!

On to Prague. Drury's named captain, and despite his blandness I think he'll make a good one. I'm hoping for great, but we'll see what happens. In my mind I've made him the Atticus Finch of the NHL. I think he's gonna be the a quiet but supportive dad to this team. He's gonna personally teach Zherdev to read, write and speak English, he's gonna convince Dubinsky to abandon his rough trade look (which is somehow worse this season), He's gonna learn Colton Orr scoring touch, and he's gonna keep Redden off the pipe. What a guy- go to it Drury!

We went on to win our first two games that count against Tampa "We'll buy any player available" Bay. The Ace of Base mojo works for fellow Swede Naslund because he scored just moments after "The Sign" shuffled onto my Pod. Thank you Naslund, thank you Pod gods. Henrik played great keeping his GAA nice and low. Thank you Henrik.

Dubinsky, Redden and Gomez chipped in with the other goals. Notice his teammates avert their eyes from Gomer's face. He can perform, but jeesh he's no looker!

The team's looking solid despite a surplus of forwards (note to Sather: Please don't dump Freddie! We love him). Onto the home opener against Chicago. J and I will be in the house. I'm hoping to stay at the top of league for as long as we can manage - shooting for April, hoping for June. Let's go Rangers!

very expensive agency

I can't say if Sather made the right moves on the first day of free agency. Did he get the best price for the best players? I have no idea, but I do know he scored the single hottest player available on the market, Wade Redden. I expect nothing less. I've been pining for Mr. Redden to join my Blueshirts since I first saw him, so I'm happy enough with his 6.5 million pricetag. Now if only Sather can work some magic to retain the very attractive trio of Jagr, Avery and Shanahan I'll be very happy. I know that's a little unrealistic, but he's gotta try for all three because the locker room will be a very somber place without them. Redden's almost as quiet as Drury and Gomez is no spokesman. Maybe Freddie will give all the interviews.