I'm Back!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Hello everyone, I’m back! Well, sort of. First off I’m sorry for the lack of postings (it’s been almost a month) but I am not going to apologize for it either (not my style). For me, personally, there really hasn’t been much to talk about. A couple of deals here and there, but not much else really. Oh, but there has been the whole Kovalchuk fiasco. It still is continuing this very moment! Sorry, but I find the soap opera laughable and boring at best. The NHLPA has now gotten involved. I just make it simple: Kovalchuk is a very good hockey player. But is he Crosby or Ovechkin caliber? Hardly! That’s all I have to say about that…
There is some decent Rangers news in the signing of Alex Frolov. Frolov, the former LA King, signed a 1 year deal at 3 million dollars (probably incentives?). I believe this was a good move by Glen Sather. Frolov automatically gives the Rangers an upgrade at forward. For some reason he had a falling out of LA Kings coach Terry Murray’s good graces. Frolov now has a great chance to resurrect his career (only 28) and give the Rangers a much needed offensive boost. I like the acquisition. It’s now up to the player to perform and live up to the expectations.
The Rangers prospects will gather on September 11 in Traverse City, Michigan to begin their respective journeys into becoming a bona fide NHL player. My question to all the Rangers fans is: Which player will make the jump to the big team? I’m looking forward to your responses. Over and out!
PS: due to spam we have switched the blog’s comment system to moderator approval first- I was getting annoyed with all the foreign spam comments!
21 comments:
I'm happy about the Frolov signing. Mostly because of the actual deal itself (term and money). Fair deal all around. He should provide some extra scoring for us. Plus, I know after watching the Kings for the last few years that he's pretty good at puck possession. We really haven't had anybody that has been good at it since Jagr.
Also, I think McDonagh and potentially Stepan can make the jump to the big squad this year. I know, in a perfect world, Stepan should Hartford it for a year or two... but we are so thin at center that it just might happen.
Wrath, Got to agree with you on Frolov. It's now up to him to put up or...You know LOL.
I like McDonagh chances to stick around the big club. Hopefully Stepan and Gravchev can get a taste too!
Chris, welcome back. I am also on the Frolov bandwagon with cautious optimism. While he is getting paid $3 million (still not chump change), the deal is somewhat low risk as he can be gone next year if things do not work out. In fact, if he gets into Torts' doghouse, which is not all that difficult for European players to accomplish, he can easily find himself on a bus to an AHL game right next to Redden.
On a positive note, his attitude sounds a lot like Prospal's last year. While Frolov was not bought out, he was certainly cast out by Murray and may have something to prove. If he indeed passed on more money from the KHL to stay in North America and show what kind of player he believes he is, the Rangers may have gotten themselves quite a good deal. The downside is that this may be another Zherdev. In any case, Frolov has been around for a while and has shown that he can put up the numbers, so I find the Zherdev scenario to be less likely to occur.
On the prospect front, it would be nice if McDonagh lives up to the hype and makes the big club. This would make sending Redden down to the minors a lot easier. Getting through at forward will be a lot more difficult. There a number of players already on the team that can fill up the entire roster, and the youngsters really have to win the job in camp. Traverse city will be a good place to see whether anyone really stands out.
Hang on to your hats, as it is bound to be a bumpy ride. After all, we are talking about the NY Rangers, and they would not have it any other way.
Jason. Good to hear from you. Frolov's signing was a no brainer. The price was reasonable and length of contract is perfect. If he produces both he and the Rangers win. If not...He's one and done LOL.
Jason, I for one believe it's time for some of the highly touted prospects make their presence known and felt. I say why not now?
Historically the NHL is by far the leader in all major sports when it comes to 18, 19 and 20 year old's making contributions to their respective teams. The Blue Shirts should be no different.
It's almost Hockey time again and I personally am looking forward to watching how it all unfolds. Bumpy you say? We wouldn't have it any other way LMAO.
Kotsy, No doubt the Rangers need the scoring help, and for the time being their really isn’t much else available, but with Torts at the helm not sure this kid is the right fit. I for one am so tired of the "Euro" style in NY and can only hope some kids do come up and fill the spots that players like Redden and Drury occupy. McDonough should have no problem, given his reputation and god given size.
I hope this will be Dubinskys break out year as well.
Pauly, The pickings are getting slim. It's a good move overall because of the terms of the contract. Frolov's signing is not much of a gamble in my opinion.
You know I'm all about North American style of hockey, But the NHL it is what is. There's not much we can do about it.
I'm hoping that some of the prospects can make that jump to the big club. In fact i have a feeling that some will...Just a hunch LOL.
hiya Chris..I like the direction and approach that the entire Rangers staff is taking. an evidence of that is the Forlov signing and cap wise that means the end of Redden if we are to sign Staal..Roszival, Drury, Prospal, Avery and Christensen are coming to the end of their contracts opening up spots for the youngsters, Werek, Stephan and Grachev get a year in Hartford to build chemistry, Weise gets a shot this year along with Byers,,things are looking good..eh
Leatherneck, Frolov's signing was and is a no brainer. Good move by Glen Sather. All the Rangers need now is for Frolov to get back to his 25+ goal ways.
Defintely see the youngsters on the horizon. However I'm not so sure the youth movement is in full mode yet, But I do signs of it creeping around the corner. Good hearing from you.
So I was sitting and pondering the roster for next year and here is what I came up with
Dubi AA Cally
Forly Chris Gabby
Prospal Drury Weise
Boogy Prust Avery
Byers
Staal Sauer
McD Girardi
MDZ Roszy
Gilroy
Lundy
Biron
Johnson
and now we get White...have to say great trade but where does he fit? I dont want to see Weise and Byers lose out over White
What is your thoughts Chris?
Leatherneck, The lineup you have projected looks to be not bad in my opinion. Maybe you throw in Gravchev somewhere in the mix?
The White trade gives the Rangers more bench strength and might be the tipping point for more moves to be made.
I'd also like to see a top prospect or two make a real effort to make this squad out of training camp. Who in particular? Anybody would be fine with me LOL.
My thinking is let Grachev play with Stephan..in Hartford and develop chemistry...I think its a very good situation the Rangers are in...Weise and Byers I really want to see make the team..I am rooting for them
Dear Chris; Would love to do a Biofile QA with you for Blueshirt Bulletin and thehockeynews.com. It's a 20 question interview - your greatest NHL moment, worst moment, funny memory, fav movies, most memorable goal, etc. Please email me at mrbiofile@aol.com if it's no problem to do this, Thanks Scoop Malinowski
New on here, Great Blog Kotsy!! Grew up watching you on "D" with Rangers. I like the Frolov move...less risky than i thought at first. Him with Gabby might be a nice fit?
Jofa-Bourdan, Thanks for checking my blog out. Frolov is a excellent move for the Rangers. 28 years old, has a upside offensively, and seems to be determined to stay in the NHL.
Frolov has a 1 year deal at 3 million. If it works great if not he's one and done. There's no albatross around the Rangers neck.
Playing with Gaborik?...We will have to wait and see. Keep checking back because you never know when I'll post something new.
Kotsy, Leather Neck
U guys don't think the Norwegian MZA will make the team? I'm actually more excited about watching "The Hobbit" play then anyone else.
Ray, It will be interesting to see what MZA brings to the table. He's going to have to be fast because there's not much size at all.
He did have some decent offensive numbers in the Norwegian League. He's 22 and seasoned with some experience of being a pro. Think Martin St.Louis maybe??? We can only hope LOL.
Yo Kotsy; Hope you didn't skip my comment! Please hit me back, mrbiofile@aol.com and we can drop the gloves and do an interview ;)
mrbiofile, I didn't skip it and I sent you a e-mail. I guess you receive it.
Sorry Chris;Did not see it, please try again. my emails are mrbiofile@aol.com and thereisnojoybutcalm@yahoo.com
Thanks very much,
Scoop
Hey there Chris, Time for a new post? Start discussing roster possibilities? I like this Exelby tryout deal. I think a huge trade is in the works, but with whom and what players involved? So lets talk D
Staal will be resigned and McDonagh will make the team, Eminger and Redden will not
Staal and Gilroy
Del Zotto and Girardi
McDonagh and Roszival
Exelby
not a bad group with Sauer in the mix as well. Would like to see Roszival step up or step out and if step out a chance be given to Sauer
thoughts?
Hi Kotsy; Still would like to do that Biofile with you, but have no other idea how to contact you.
Hope you had a great summer,
Scoop Malinowski
mrbiofile@aol.com
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