Tough Loss for the BlueShirts

Just got in from the game..

1 shot in the 3rd period.. really? My neck hurts from watching all the play in one end of the rink.

Terrible call on Redden. But was expected since we are playing Cindy.

Matt Cooke needed his head punched in by Shelly. Good job Torts on not playing your tough guys. When the score went 4-3, you should have unleashed a line of Avery-Prust-Shelly.

Some positives...

Drury played a great game. Was very happy with his effort. Looks like he is carrying his play over from the olympics.

Callahan will be a future captain of this team when Drurys time is up. He may only score 20 goals, and 20 assists, but he is all heart out there. Love his work ethic.

Dubinsky played a good game, but had his moments. Kid has to learn to more aggresive going to the net, and forget stickhangdling so much. May work 2 out of 10 xs, but the other 8 your gonna turn the puck over. Start shooting kid, you have a good shot.

Hank was awesome. He was going at it with Cindy all night. Guy faced 55 shots, and 2 went off his teammates skates. Anytime your goalie saves 51 shots, you have to win.

We have the softest Defense in the league. Del Zotto and Staal were the only two who used the body.

Im done with Gilroy, bring back up Potter please. Another hobey baker failure.

Honestly, im done with Torts too. This team is a train wreck and has no direction from management to coaching. I was all for Torts and his ways. But its not working out here in NY. After the season, if a good coach becomes available, id dump Torts and jump on that guy. Not sure who would be available, but should a solid guy go, time to replace Torts. Its obvious he has no system. The one thing he preached all season was "conditioning" but i have yet to see a full 60 minute effort. I mean 1 shot on goal. Thats pathetic.

Sather goes to. Cant keep finishing in the lower half of the east year in and year out and keep a job.

Dolan hopefully gets run over by a mack truck or mauled by a wild animal

Up In The Blues Report Card 20 games in

Ok folks, 20 games in, lets see how this season ticket holder grades his beloved blueshirts

Artem Anisiminov - C+ - The Kid dominated the AHL last year, and has shown some great flashes, however, it will take time to really judge where he stands. He does have a nose for a net, which is something you can not teach

Sean Avery - D - What happened to Aves? Hes gone soft on us. Once a pest who threw other teams off their games, we have seen a tame Sean Avery. Are the penalties getting to him? Has Torts used a short leash? Whatever the case may be, Sean needs to use his aggression and pest like ways in order to be effective. So far, he has not been effective AT ALL.

Brian Boyle - C - Kid has tremendous size, but plays as if he was Nigel Dawes. Has performed well on the PK, but we need more now with Drury and Dubinsky out. Sadly, I dont see that production coming from the former LA King.

Donald Brashear - F - Brings nothing to the table, nuff said

Ryan Callahan - C+ - Somewhere over the summer, his scoring touch turned into cement hands. Struggling now, but no denying his heart and hustle. We need goals those, as heart and hustle will only get you so far... see Jed Ortmeyer.

Chris Drury - F - Failure as Captain and player. 7 million a year for what Blair Betts did for the league minimum.

Brandon Dubinsky - D - what happened to this kid? Is the contract holdout effecting his play? When paired with Gabby, you need to produce. Out now 4-6 weeks with a broken hand.

Marian Gaborik - A+ - As good as advertised. Without him, we are dead last. Only guy scoring. By far and wide the teams MVP. A true artist on the ice, he is worth the price of admission

Christopher Higgins - D - another guy who just cant produce. 2 goals isnt cutting the cheese. Would get an F, but part of the deal that ride of Turn Over Gomez, he gets a D for breathing.

Ales Kotalik - B - Great PP specialist, however at even strength is non existent. Will now see time on the First Line with Gabby and Vinny P. If you cant produce there, back to the 3rd line you go.

Enver Lisin - C - kid has skill, great speed, shot and work ethic. Terrible away from the puck. Which means he has to start producing more goals, or all that talent is a waste.

PA Parentau - C+ - solid few games, big shootout goal to win a game, lazy on the backcheck.

Vinny Prospal - A+ - Might be the best captain we have seen since Jagr, even though he doesnt wear the C. Vinny gets it, and has been a Torts Minion before. Love his edge, attitude and ability to mesh with Gabby. I dare you to find a better free agent pick up in the offseason.

Aaron Voros - D - more useful then Brashear, but so is Hugh Jessiman.

Michael Del Zotto - A+ - another kid who gets it. Front runner candiate for the Calder trophy, kid has a very bright future on broadway.

Matt Gilroy - B - after showing flashes of offensive brillance in the pre-season, Gilroy has worked on fine tuning his defensive game. The offense will come folks, the kid is smart and works hard, but right now, you can see him really holding back on the offense to focus on becoming a legit NHL defenseman.

Dan Giradi - C - has some great games, and some terrible games. Needs to be more consistent.

Wade Redden - B - while he is not worth the money he is making, and never will be, Wade has shown a new dedication to the team. Many games have gone by where I dont notice him on the ice, and for him thats a good thing. Has provided veteran leadership on the blueline.

Marc Staal - C - same as Giradi, just when you think he is gonna turn the season around, he has a clunker. 3 year Dman needs to start showing some snarl and consistency.

Michael Rosival - F - Garbage, the Donald Brashear of defenseman

Henrick Lundqvuist - C - An Elite goalie who hasnt lived up to that billing this year, While its true you cant win when your team scores 1-2 goals a game, his penchant for making the big save has disappeared this season.

Steven Valliquette - C - Either he shuts a team out or gets lit up. Could do worse at backup I suppose.

John Torterella - C - what happened to holding players accountable? Being a tough in your face forechecking team? Still only 40 games under his belt, but right now, he has disappointed me greatly.

Glen Sather - B - had a tremendous offseason with trades, drafting and free agent signings. Would be an A if he didnt hand out that terrible contract to Brashear.

OVERALL GRADE - D - after a hot start, this team has gone back to its lazy, spineless, gutless ways. A team who doesnt stand up for their own is a team who wont go anywhere. Looks like another long season on broadway.

Brian Leetch Night

From NHL.com - who did an AMAZING write up on # 2 Brian Leetch

Brian Leetch ranks at the top of great American hockey players and the captain of the 1996 World Cup champions will receive a well-deserved honor Nov. 9 when he is inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame -- even if he questions his worthiness.

"It's a funny feeling because you don't feel like you belong, especially when I look at Steve Yzerman, Brett Hull and Luc Robitaille, great players that I played against. Then there're the older players that I've read about and seen highlights. It seems like they should have a separate Hall of Fame for them that you'd never be able to get into. You're happy just to make this part.

"It's going to be a humbling and strange feeling to be in the same building with so many greats of the game."

Believe us, Leetch's accomplishments are vast. He was a champion high school and prep-school hockey and baseball player while growing up in Connecticut and a member of three U.S. National Junior teams from 1985-87. He also was a member of the 1987 U.S. National team. He became a member of the 1988, 1998 and 2002 U.S. Olympic hockey teams and also was a member of the silver-medal American team in the 1991 Canada Cup.

Leetch was voted the best American player on the silver-medal team at the 2002 Olympics, and at the 1989 World Championship. He was named to the First All-Star Team at the 1987 World Junior Championship.

He played one year at Boston College and took nearly every available honor short of the Hobey Baker Award. He was the first freshman finalist for NCAA hockey's highest award. Leetch was named to the Hockey East All-Star Team and the NCAA East First All-American Team. He was the Hockey East Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player.

"I played that year at Boston College for Len Ceglarski and the competition really improved my game," Leetch said. "I was making a big jump from prep school to college and I got a lot of ice time against guys who were three or four years older than me."

Despite all those credits, Leetch will be remembered most for his outstanding play in helping lead the New York Rangers to the 1994 Stanley Cup, ending a 54-year drought for the Rangers and their fans. Leetch had 34 points, including 11 goals, to lead all players in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner.

"My biggest memory was watching the city celebrate and embrace the team for three days. We knew it was 54 years and to see how much it meant to so many people who followed the organization through parents and grandparents," Leetch said. "Anytime I go back it's inevitable that someone says thanks for 1994. It was a great run and it meant a lot to a lot of people.

"It's always nice to go back to New York, I live in Boston now and we're very happy here, but I go back there once in a while. I sometimes forget that 1994 meant so much to a lot of people. I played so long and people remember that too. I get reminded when people thank me or say 'good to see you.'"

Leetch's 34 points during the 1994 Playoffs were the second-most ever for a defenseman, behind only Paul Coffey's 37 points in 1985. He led the Rangers with 5 goals and 6 assists in the Final against the Vancouver Canucks.

Long regarded as one of the NHL's best offensive defensemen, Leetch was on the ice for 61 of the Rangers' 81 goals in the 1994 Playoffs, including 19 of their 22 power-play goals. He had a point in each of the team's first nine playoff games and in 19 of the 23 games.

NHL awards were not rare for Leetch. The Rangers made him their first pick, ninth overall, in the 1986 Entry Draft and he debuted in 1987-88 with 23 goals and 71 goals to earn the Calder Memorial Trophy. After recovering from a broken ankle, Leetch had his most productive season in 1991-92, when he had 22 goals and 102 points and won the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman.

He was the first Rangers defenseman to capture the Norris since Harry Howell in 1967. Leetch won the Norris Trophy again in 1997 when he had 20 goals and 58 assists. He was also named captain of the Rangers that season, holding the post until Mark Messier returned in 2000.

Leetch said his professional progress was greatly aided by the 1991 trade that brought Messier to New York. The two men became close friends and the leaders of the 1994 championship team.

"When Mark came to New York the first time, it couldn't have been better for me," Leetch said. "Mark is the person who had the most influence, on and off the ice, in my professional career. My parents have had the greatest influence on me, but Mark is next in line. I couldn't have a better person as a friend and teammate. I learned from him because he did such a great job.

"When he left and I became captain, it wasn't a burden for me or changed what I did."

Leetch was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs late in 2003-04 season. He finished his 18-year career with one last season with the Boston Bruins.

Leetch retired with 247 goals and 781 assists for 1028 points in 1,205 NHL games.

Leetch is a quiet, consistent person, and it was reflected in his play. But he admits that he's been riding waves of emotion since being named to the Hockey Hall of Fame in June.

"I think I've had every emotion and I'm definitely nervous," Leetch said. "They only give you four minutes (for a speech),. so I've been paring down notes. I've got at least 15 minutes worth of stuff I want to say. I'll be excited to see the guys go on the ice on Sunday. I've been skating lately, just to see how it feels again."

Leetch loved hockey and chose it over baseball for a professional career, but he never envisioned the day he'd be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

"I grew up in Connecticut and didn't know anybody who was playing in the NHL or had played," Leetch continued. "There was no way for me to compare skills. I looked at the Olympics and saw a bunch of American college kids competing with the best players from other countries. That was my far-off goal, not the NHL. Growing up where I did, you couldn't see yourself making the jump to the NHL. That was too far-fetched.

"I don't think I had any frame of reference to halls of fame until my dad, Jack, got into the Boston College Hall of Fame. I never thought about it for myself until I was about 10 years into my career and writers started to refer to me as 'a future Hall of Famer,' and I'd think to myself, 'What? I've got like what, 29 goals?'"

It's that self-deprecating approach that makes Leetch uncomfortable when compared to great offensive defensemen like Bobby Orr and Paul Coffey.

"I hate it," Leetch said. "Bobby Orr was so far ahead of everybody, it makes others look bad in comparison. Orr could do this or that that Leetch couldn't.' Bobby changed everything, right up to the way hockey was played after him. That's what I mean about a separate wing for guys like him, Gordie Howe, Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, those guys who have done so much in the game. I just don't like those conversations."

Obviously, Leetch was a great competitor, a champion, but it's funny to hear from him where he got the motivation to be as good as he was.

"I didn't look at it as my competitiveness, but rather my responsibility to my teammates," Leetch said. "I got a lot of ice time and I played in important situations so I had a sense of responsibility to not let my teammates down. My motivation was my fear of failure. Maybe that's where you got a sense that I was highly competitive, but I'm not in a lot of ways. I don't always have to win at ping pong. I want to do my best, sure, but if I lose it's not going to bust up the rest of my day. Not so when I was playing hockey.”

Leetch has talked a lot about his dad, Jack, who taught him hockey and was able to give his son plenty of ice time while he managed a Connecticut hockey rink. Brian Leetch followed his dad to Boston College and has been generous in his praise of his father. Leetch was asked how his mother influenced him in life and warmed to the question.

"My mom, Jan, Janice, is the one who has kept our family together," Leetch said. "We have a lot of quiet personalities and it's my mom who is always calling and asking questions and giving pats on the back. I might not talk to my brother or sister for a month, but Mom knows everything that's going on and that's how I usually learn what's up.

"She's a warm, loving person and she passed on to her kids the importance of communication and family. She was the one who did it all the years that my dad was working and sometimes traveling a lot. It's important to have that kind of foundation. Mary Beth and I have three kids, Jack, 9, Riley, 6, and Sean, 4, and we're trying to be the same kind of supportive parents."

Ok Ok... So I havent been around... Lets Catch up..

Not sure where to start on this , but I do apologize for not being around to post since the start of the New Season. So I'll hit a few bullet points home, and hopefully I can continue to update this blog more often.

1. Season started out as a success. Gaborik lived up to the hype, and the team once again came flying out of the gate. Hank was great between the pipes, and the teams future is looking brighter then ever with 19 year old rookie Michael Del Zotto.
   
2. Ahh.. but much like every season prior, we seemed to hit a rut, and the struggles began. The low light coming when we lost to the New York/Kansas City Islanders 3-1.
3. Vinny Prospal has been everything and a bag of chips for this team, and was proudly awarded the second "A" on his jersey. Vinny P has played with courage, grit and is in the top 20 NHL scorers, not bad for 1.1 million a year.
4. For 1.4 million, you can get a 37 year old goon who only dresses every other game or so. Once again, I reiterate , TERRIBLE SIGNING.
   
5. Captain Coma, I mean Chris Drury became the most overpaid 4th line penalty killer in the history of the game. Congrats Captain Little League.
6. The pairing of Staal and Giradi has been somewhat of a disappointment. I believe both these players need to be split up. Let Del Zotto and Staal log 1st line minute ice time, and pair up Gilroy with Giradi.
   
7. Wade Redden has been better, and has won me over with his stellar play. Is he a 6 million + dollar defenseman? Absolutely not. However he came prepared to play for Coach Torts, and is at least showing effort to improve his game.
8. Did I mention this Del Zotto kid is the real deal?
9. Michael Rosival is a complete and utter waste of cap space. He is a horrendous fit for Coach Torts team, and the sad part is, with his hit of 5 million, expect him on this team until the trade deadline.
   
10. The 2009-2010 slogan - " New Coach, Same results"

A few more tidbits

• Drury will be sidelined indefinitely with a concussion
• Dubinsky will be sidelined at least 3 weeks, with what appears to be a broken hand.

What happened last night vs the Flames is inexcusable. Now grant it, this blueseat fan has been overly critical of Captain Drury on many occasions. However, no one wants to see blatant cheap shots to the head. Well, unless your wearing the Blue Shirts Jersey.

How do you not respond in any shape or form when you see YOUR CAPTAIN, get brasheared? Where are your spines or are we reverting back to our jellyfish ways.

What happens next is all teams will be lining up to take shots at Gabby, knowing fully well we don't have anyone capable OR willing to stand up for his teammates.

We are BACK! The NY RANGERS 2009-2010 Free Agent Assestment!

Welcome back to year 2 of Up in the Blues. I intend, hopefully, to keep up as much as possible with this seasons events concerning the NY Rangers.

Now that we have that out in the open, lets begin our assessment of what Uncle Glen and gang gave us over the summer of 09.

First up is Marian Gaborik. The enigmatic RW is without a shadow of a doubt a top 5 NHL Player, WHEN he is healthy. Gaborik was a 1st rd pick of the Minnesota Wild back in 2000. He underwent hip surgery back in January, and appeared in only 17 games for the Wild in the final year of his contract.

Now, most pundits will point out that Gaborik is a delicate flower who breaks at touch. And while, his past does have a few injuries, lets look deeper into it.

• 2001-02 was his rookie season in the NHL, in which he played in 71 games and recorded 18 goals and 18 assists.
• 2002-03 - skated in 78 games and recorded 30 goals and 37 assists
• 2003-04 - skated in 65 games and recorded 18 goals and 22 assists
• 2004-05 was the lockout year ( Thanks Bettman!)
• 2005-06 skated in 65 games and recorded 38 goals and 28 assists
• 2006-07 skated in 48 games and recorded 30 goals and 27 assists
• 2007-08 skated in 77 games and recorded 42 goals and 41 assists
• 2008-09 skated in 17 games and recorded 13 goals and 10 assists

Now - based on that one can assume that he isnt exactly Chris Chelios out there - but he does average 60 games a year, and that # is dropped due to last seasons 17 game effort.

If we can get 70 games out of Gabby - pencil him in for 40-40 easily. We haven't had the likes of that since the arrival of Mr. Jaromir Jagr.

Now - after we got the finesse, Uncle Glen went out and got some brawn, in the name of Donald Brashear.

Its well stated my EXTREME DISLIKE for this man, however, after watching him skate during the pre-season, I must admit his hockey skills are above Colton Orr's ( left for Toronto ). He will provide much needed grit and occasional skill on the 4th line along with Aaron Voros ( hes been a beast in the pre-season) and Brian Boyle. That line will give other teams nightmares, and I honestly cant remember the last time the Rangers were able to tote out a line with that size and strength against opposing teams.

Ales Kotalik is up next - and he comes here after spending time in Buffalo under Lindy Ruff. Kotalik is a former line mate of Chris Drury , and one can hope that Kotalik will spark our captain and get a pulse going again for him. Kotalik is known for his shot and not being gun shy on the point come Power Play time ( or as we call it in section 420 Pee Break time ). He is a PP specialist of sorts, and will get a chance to play on the wing with Drury. The bad knock on him is he is soft in the corners, something that will undoubtedly get him on Torts good side.

Enver Lisin, who I have pegged as my "boy" this preseason, came over from Phoenix in exchange for Lauri Korpokski ( Don Maloney's love child, im convinced ). Lisin has Radek Dvorak's speed, except he isnt afraid to go into the traffic areas. Keep an eye out on him kids, he needs a little more time , and he will become a very solid player.

Vinny Prospal was a late summer addition after Tampa Bay bought out his contract. So what does that mean for us? We get a very good 2 way player, who has EXCELLED under coach Torts, for dirt cheap ( 1.1 for 1 yr ). Prospal has been the best veteran forward in camp, and has earned himself a chance at playing on the 1st line here on Broadway.

Next up tomorrow will be my take on all the young kids in camp.

4 years ago...

Our prospects looked like this..

RANGERS PROSPECTS ATTENDING CALGARY DEVELOPMENT CAMP:

GOALTENDERS:
Chris Holt
Jason LaBarbera
Alvaro Montoya


DEFENSEMEN:
Ivan Baranka
Nate Guenin
David Liffiton
Jonathan Paiement
Thomas Pöck
Corey Potter
Rory Rawlyk
Dylan Reese
Danny Syvret
Jake Taylor

FORWARDS:
Zdenek Bahensky
Dane Byers
Ryan Callahan
Nigel Dawes
Ivan Dornic
Brandon Dubinsky
Lee Falardeau
Rob Flynn
Jordan Foote
Trevor Gillies
Bruce Graham
Dwight Helminen
Ryan Hollweg
Hugh Jessiman
Marcus Jonasen
Rick Kozak
Greg Moore
Darin Olver
Jakub Petruzalek
Roman Psurny
Ken Roche
Juris Stals
Mike Walsh

Whose left in the FA pool?

Besides some of the names we have mentioned, here is a list of FREE AGENTS we would consider good finders here at Up in the Blues...

Francois Beauchemin - coming off a torn ACL - he can be a project for the 2010 season... sign him now, and see what you can do - maybe makes a return for a playoff push. Owns one of the hardest point shots in the NHL. Usually keeps the game simple from the back end. Uses his 6-0 frame to punish onrushing forwards.

Brandon Bell - another guy who can in and compete, and is 26. Owns plenty of offensive upside and the mobility to succeed in a wide-open system. Has improved his defensive-zone coverage at the minor-pro level. Might work well in Torts system. ( RFA )

Marc-Andre Bergeon - Has the ability to rack up points if given enough ice time. Makes a crisp first pass out of the defensive zone and joins the rush with aplomb. Powerplay Specialist - and lets face it folks - we suck on the PP.

Tyler Bouck - Is versatile, pesky and a sound defensive forward. Always gives maximum effort. Displays sound work ethic.

Nick Boyton - Plays a physical game and loves a heavy workload. Reliable in the defensive zone. Smooth skater and sound puck-handler. Possesses a hard, accurate shot from the point.

Dan Cloutier - and play him vs the Islanders - seriously though - if he can accept a backup job at league minimum - it would a MASSIVE upgrade over beachboy Valli.

Kurt Foster - Has a tremendous shot from the point and the potential to become a physical force from the back end--due to an imposing frame.

Jaime Lundmark - Why the hell not....

Travis Moen -Has good size and a sound work ethic. Possesses team skills and is a solid role player. Kills penalties with aplomb and adds toughness to the lineup.

Brandon Morrison - Is an excellent skater and playmaker. Has racked up points at every level. Is an important player on special teams and a decent face-off man

Joe Sakic - Owns one of the league's best wrist shots. Has smooth skating ability and crafty playmaking skills. Sees the ice well and is rarely out of position. - 10 yrs too late maybe.. but a 1 yr deal - maybe he helps drury rekindle his touch