NY Rangers Summer 2012 News

[Commish Bub(NYR)]

Coming Soon!

[Virtual Jarmo]

[Commish Bub(NYR)]

[DallasSean]

Or, in Australian...

[SharksGM]

Boy that under construction banner brings back memories of the mid-90s internet. This thread is not 28k safe. Hell it's not even 56k safe.

[Commish Bub(NYR)]

Hey, just doing my part to increase the diversity of image posts around here.

[Commish Bub(NYR)]

DRAFT PREVIEW 2012

The Rangers created some buzz on the eve of the EHEC draft by plunging into the deep end of the trading pool. Top-pair D Michael Del Zotto and first liner Patrick Marleau were dealt to the wheelin' and dealin' Minnesota Wild for three first round draft picks and upcoming prospect Tom Kuehnhackl. With the picks, the Rangers see the return of their 20th overall in this year's draft, and receive two picks in the 2013 draft, from Minnesota and Winnipeg. "We were going to stand on Del Zotto," said GM Pat Webber, "but we started seeing a lot of interest in him and thought this was an offer we couldn't pass up." When asked if there were more deals in the works, Webber said "Don't be surprised." Rumors have been circulating the the team will either enter into a rebuild, or will deal some of the picks for vets to continue competing in the 2012-13 season.

The Rangers now have two first round picks, and have somehow managed to hold on to this year's 2nd round pick as well. With three picks in the top 60, Webber feels confident that he'll be able to restock the team's somewhat depleted prospect cupboard. "I feel pretty confident that we'll be able to restock the pantry," said Webber. "Wait...didn't you just say that?" Sources have also reported that a shake-up behind the bench is in the works as well, with the possibility of head coach John Tortorella being replaced. Webber had no comment, although sources add that the team recently cancelled production of Tortorella's off-Broadway musical "My Way," and workers have been tirelessly chiseling off Tort's features from the numerous statues that line the hallways of MSG.

[Commish Bub(NYR)]

Off-Season Brings Big Changes

Following an ugly second-half to the season and a disappointing first round playoff defeat at the hands of the Boston Bruins, changes were abundant once the off-season got under way. A week before the draft, team management announced that Head Coach John Tortorella's contract would not be renewed, ending the madman's tenure behind the Rangers bench. "I think we're done here," was GM Pat Webber's only comment. Replacing Torts would be Mike O'Connell, the then-coach of the Rangers AHL affiliate, THE CONNECTICUT WHALE. As of this writing, O'Connell's replacement for the WHALE had not been announced, but front runners are believed to be current Rangers assistants Brad Shaw or Brian Leetch, or assistant GM Jim Schoenfeld. It is rumored that WHALE staff and players are relieved that Tortorella will not be named the new WHALE head coach.

Changes behind the bench were quickly followed by numerous changes in the on-ice product. The first trade saw the departure of youngsters Mikael Salmivirta and Seb Wannstrom, as well as veteran holdover Ryan Callahan. Arriving in New York were veterans David Booth and Eric Brewer. While the addition of Booth and Brewer adds needed size and grit to the team, the trading of Salmivirta and Wannstrom is believed to be a tacit acknowledgement that the 2010 draft was a relative failure. Said Webber, "Look, Bogdan Kiselevich could still grow into a bottom pair defenseman and Iiro Pakarinen is on his way to becoming a solid checking center, but yeah, we did miss out on some top-end talent."

Next up was a minor deal with Washington, sending prospect D Linus Hultstrom to the Caps for sniper Shane McColgan. "Both guys are long shots," said Webber, "so it was a no risk/some reward deal."

Those deals were just a prelude to the blockbusteriest deal of the off-season. Packed off to the Minnesota Wild were center Patrick Marleau and defenseman Michael Del Zotto, along with Pittsburgh's 2nd in 2013. The Rangers received prospect Tom Kuehnhackl and three first round picks -- their own this year (previously sent to Minnesota for Pierre-Marc Bouchard) and Minnesota's and Winnipeg's picks next year. More than any other, this move showed Webber's decision to focus on the future, rather than retool for the 2012-13 season. "We figured we needed to make something happen, and to try to reconstruct this team via the draft. To that end, we feel good about the first rounders we have for next year, and the picks we began acquiring for the current draft." Webber added that this was not the first offer he had on the table. "We worked the phones pretty hard to move into the top four in this draft, and had a couple of deals nearly finalized, but they all fell through. Still, although losing Zotts is tough, we feel we can find an adequate replacement or replacements soon enough."

Not quite done yet, Webber pulled the trigger on three more draft day deals that significantly altered the makeup of next year's team. Leaving the team were: Kimmo Timonen (to the Islanders), Simon Gagne (to the Predators), and Marc Staal (to the Devils). Those three deals netted the Rangers four picks in this year's draft, defenseman Johnny Oduya from New Jersey, and the Rangers own first round pick next year. "Again, hard to lose those solid players, but vets like Timonen and Gagne just don't have the trade draw they used to. Staal was a core part of our defense, but Oduya is solid, and given that we're rebuilding, I didn't like not having our own first rounder next year. We now have three first round picks next year, which -- depending on where teams finish -- we can use ourselves or have as parts of potential trades." The late stages of the draft saw a minor deal with Toronto, sending next year's fifth round pick for three fifths in the current draft.

All told, the Rangers ended up with seventeen picks in this year's draft, and currently have eight picks for the 2013 draft, including three first rounders. "We're going to have an...interesting...team this year, but I like where we stand heading into the future." When asked if he was done making trades for the season, Webber said anything was possible. "We're not looking at any deals right now, and I won't trade any of the remaining core parts of our team without significant return, but you can never say never."

[Commish Bub(NYR)]

Rangers 2012 EHEC Entry Draft Review

Thanks to numerous draft-month trades, the Rangers had a remarkable seventeen picks. Needless to say, there are now more than a few prospects in the pipeline, although many are projects that may not quite develop as hoped. Let's take a look...

Round 1, #20 Overall: ANTON SLEPYSHEV, LW/RW. Metallurg Novokuznetsk, KHL.
Although unsuccessful at moving into the top ten in the draft, the Rangers are more than satisfied with their first pick. Slepyshev appears to be a prototype power forward, with size, speed, and a solid offensive game that could propel him to a top-line spot one day. Not the hardest worker, he'll need to fit with high-energy linemates to keep him motivated. PROJECTION: 1st line scoring winger/2nd line power forward.

Round 1, #29 Overall: NICOLAS KERDILES, LW/RW. US National Team, USHL.
A bit of a reach at this point, but the team figures Kerdiles will develop beyond what some scouts are seeing right now. If the Rangers scouts are right, he should become a second line winger, with some two-way and penalty killing chops. A non-stop worker, with a little grit in his game, he'll have to keep the silly penalties to a minimum to be effective. PROJECTION: 2nd line winger/3rd line energy winger and SHG threat.

Round 2, #47 Overall: VYACHESLAV OSNOVIN, C/LW. Traktor Chelyabinsk, KHL.
Solid but unspectacular, Osnovin figures to be a quality set-up man, with enough faceoff ability to hang on a top line. Osnovin is also a swift skater, has some defensive abilities, and will pop in a few goals from time to time as well. A very nice value for the second round. PROJECTION: 1st or 2nd line center, set-up man.

Round 2, #50 Overall: JAYNEN RISSLING, D. Calgary Hitmen, WHL.
The Rangers finally addressed another of their core needs by drafting Rissling, a large and solid (6-4, 226) physical blueliner. The nephew of former NHLer Gary Rissling (who, although just 5-9, was a nasty piece of work on the ice), Jaynen figures to supply enough nasty of his own. Plus, his Twitter handle is riznasty09. PROJECTION: Smash-mouth physical D.

Round 3, #63 Overall: REECE WILLCOX, D. Merritt Centennials, BCHL.
If one physical defenseman is good, then two must be better, right? Willcox, who's headed to Cornell in the fall, shares many traits with his now-teammate Rissling. Both project as big, physical stay-at-home defensemen, good skaters, and with solid work ethics. Willcox, however, plays a more sound positioning game, and figures to stay out of the penalty box more than Rissling. PROJECTION: Third pair smart physical D.

Round 3, #64 Overall: ANDREW RYAN, LW/RW. Halifax Mooseheads, QMJHL.
Although Ryan plays in the high-scoring Quebec League, his game at in the EHEC will probably feature more prominently at the other end of the rink. Although plagued with some inconsistency, Ryan figures to mature into a decent hitting winger. A speedy skater, he also stays out of the penalty box. PROJECTION: 3rd/4th line grinding winger.

Round 3, #67 Overall: MITCH MOROZ, LW/RW. Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL.
Another third round pick, another big forward. Already solidly built, Moroz plays a tough, physical game for the WHL's Oil Kings. Moroz adds another piece to add to the bottom lines, although he should develop enough offensive touch to chip in the odd goal or two. PROJECTION: Another grinder winger, could earn some power play time as he develops.

Round 3, #77 Overall: JOHN DRAEGER, D. Shattuck-St. Mary's, High School.
Currently an offensive stud with high school powerhouse Shattuck. Draeger won't fully replace Michael Del Zotto, but he will have enough offensive game to be a 2nd pair guy and get plenty of power play time. Not a physical D by any means, Draeger at least plays a nice positional game. Needs to work on his skating, but should prosper at the top level. PROJECTION: Solid offensive D.

Round 4, #110 Overall: SAMUEL FEJES, LW/C. Shattuck-St. Mary's, High School.
By the fourth round, you're trying to find value in whatever places you can. The Rangers went back to Shattuck, choosing Draeger's teammate Fejes (who goes by Hunter). Right now quite a long shot, but if he fully matures, Fejes can become a quality two-way forward and elite faceoff centerman. He is not physical, which will hamper his game somewhat, but he does have a nice scoring touch. PROJECTION: Jim Slater-type with more offensive pop, or AHL all-star.

Round 5, #124 Overall: JORDAN MARTINOOK, LW/RW. Vancouver Giants, WHL.
A bit of a wild card, as he figures to develop a wicked shot and a nice positional checking game, but may not be physical enough to stand up to the rigors of a grind line. Will probably be something of a tweener, but on the right line he could score more than a few goals. Could be money on the power play as well. PROJECTION: Fourth line trap guy with power play time.

Round 5, #125 Overall: DAMON SEVERSON, D. Kelowna Rockets, WHL.
Another physical D, but a bit of a step down from Rissling and Willcox. Seveson has developed a rep for taking a few shifts off, but when he's on he'll be a big, ferocious hitter. Won't scare anybody with his skating, but his D is already at an AHL level. Could be signed in camp. PROJECTION: Third pair or spot duty D.

Round 5, #127 Overall: ADAM JOHNSON, LW/RW. Hibbing (MN), High School.
Another US high school prospect who has a long way to go to get to the E. Johnson does have the chops to become a player similar to Fejes: decent offense, good positional play, nice faceoff ability, and a hard worker. Won't hurt a fly, however. PROJECTION: Trap forward or AHL star.

Round 5, #133 Overall: DEVIN SHORE, C/LW. Whitby Fury, OJHL.
Yet another Shore. Also, yet another decent two-way, non-physical forward. Good puck possession skills, plus enough defense and faceoff ability to be another trap-type forward and penalty killer. More likely, top-tier AHL star and EHEC fill-in. PROJECTION: See above.

Round 5, #140 Overall: SAMUEL WALSER, C/LW. EHC Kloten, Swiss A-League.
The Swiss Bull; already a monster hitter and quite strong, but needs at least a year or two in the AHL to round out the rest of his game. Skating is weak, however, gets out of position to make the big hit, and not very fit at this point. He is already 20, so will get to start in the AHL. PROJECTION: Hitting winger, 3rd/4th liner.

Round 5, #148 Overall: TAYLOR LEIER, LW/RW. Portland Winterhawks, WHL.
The love affair with dainty two-way forwards continues. Leier will need to work hard to reach his full potential, but if he does he could prove better than Fejes and Johnson. Again, not a threat to harm anyone older than 16, but he is a smart player who can dish the puck and outwork most guys on the ice. PROJECTION: Bottom-line two-way guy, penalty killer.

Round 6, #170 Overall: JAMES MELINDY, D. Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL.
Another potential value pick, as Melindy will need to really work to reach his full value. If he does, he becomes another part of the rotation on D. Has more offensive potential than Rissling/Willcox/Severson, which could help him. Skating is an issue, tho. PROJECTION: Possible 2nd pair guy, if he develops.

Round 7, #200 Overall: ALEXEI FILIPPOV, LW/RW. Traktor Chelyabinsk, KHL.
A pure project. Has the size and potential to become a very nice defensive forward. Filippov's problem is he has no work ethic as of yet. He could find himself as part of a trade featuring prospects who need better homes to reach their full potential. PROJECTION: Quality defensive winger, with right team.