While it is ridiculous to think that any prediction about the NHL season this year made now in July will come true, I need something to occupy my time. So I figured why not throw out my predictions just for laughs, and see if any of them come true. But please, for mine and your sake, do not take these seriously. This is just a speculation, and a boredom post.
Eastern Conference Predictions:
1: Washington Capitals
2: Boston Bruins
3: Pittsburgh Penguins
4: Tampa Bay Lightning
5: New York Rangers
6: Buffalo Sabres
7: Montreal Canadiens
8: Philadelphia Flyers
1st. Round
Washington over Philadelphia in 5 games.
Boston over Montreal in 6 games.
Buffalo over Pittsburgh in 7 games.
New York over Tampa Bay in 6 games.
2nd. Round
Washington over Buffalo in 6 games.
Boston over New York in 6 games.
3rd. Round
Washington over Boston in 7 games.
Western Conference Predictions:
1: Vancouver Canucks
2: Los Angeles Kings
3: Detroit Red Wings
4: San Jose Sharks
5: Nashville Predators
6: Anaheim Ducks
7: Phoenix Coyotes
8: Columbus Blue Jackets
1st. Round
Vancouver over Columbus in 4 games.
Los Angeles over Phoenix in 5 games.
Detroit over Anaheim in 5 games.
San Jose over Nashville in 7 games.
2nd. Round
Vancouver over San Jose in 6 games.
Los Angeles over Detroit in 7 games.
3rd. Round
Los Angeles over Vancouver in 6 games.
2012 NHL Stanley Cup Finals:
Washington Capitals vs. Los Angeles Kings
Game 1: Kings 4 - Caps 2
Game 2: Kings 2 - Caps 1 in OT
Game 3: Caps 5 - Kings 3
Game 4: Caps 2 - Kings 0
Game 5: Kings 3 - Caps 1
Game 6: Kings 4 - Caps 3
Kings win Stanley Cup in six games.
Conn Smythe Trophy Winner: Anze Kopitar
Well, there you have it, the Kings are finally going to win their first Stanley Cup next year over the Washington Capitals. Again, don't hold me hostage if this doesn't come true. It's a long season, and if I manage to get at least one of these match-ups right, Ill be happy.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Rangers Resign Brandon Dubinsky
Tell the arbitrators that they can go home, the Rangers and Brandon Dubinsky have finally come to a deal.
Today, the Rangers resigned forward Brandon Dubinsky to a four-year, $4.2 million dollar contract after holding out to the point where it seemed arbitration was going to happen. Dubinsky reportedly had an asking price of $5.2 million, which seemed very steep because its equivalent to players such as Bobby Ryan and Ryan Kesler. While Dubinsky does not live up to that caliber, he is a very good asset to have on a team, and the Rangers got that for a more than reasonable price for both parties.
Dubinsky netted 24 goals and 59 points last season, which were both his personal best. The good thing about this deal is that it allows him to grow more with the Rangers, and grow into the system. Dubinsky is a legitimate threat on the ice, and having him for four more years will only benefit the team.
Now, the Rangers are left with a lone prime free-agent that needs signing in Ryan Callahan. The deal with Dubinsky allows the Rangers to have $10.6 million in cap space, which a good portion of will go to Callahan. Make no mistakes, this is a fair deal, and it benefits all. Welcome home for the next four years, Brandon Dubinsky!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
The Top 10 Rangers Games of the 2010-2011 Season: Part 3
#3: April 9, 2011 (Rangers 5 - Devils 2)
In dramatic fashion like the previous year, the final game of the season would have decided the Rangers fate. This year, they had to face the New Jersey Devils, and a win was necessary to get two points on the Carolina Hurricanes who had the tiebreaker for the final playoff spot with the Rangers. The Rangers got backed up a bit, as Ilya Kovalchuk snapped an early goal past Henrik Lundqvist early on. His goal was promptly followed up by the man regarded as "Captain Clutch", Chris Drury as he got his first goal of the season after coming back from an injury. Late in the period, the Devils would get another goal coming again from Ilya Kovalchuk, the final goal of the game they would get. Nearly two-minutes into the 2nd period, Wojtek Wolski converted on a 2-on-1 to deadlock the score at two. Ten minutes later, another Ranger would get his first goal of the season, and his first NHL goal, as Ryan McDonagh got a brilliant pass from Vinny Prospal behind the net and put the Rangers ahead 3-2. Five minutes later, Brandon Prust got a lucky slide that went in, and in the 3rd, Vinny Prospal got one more to cement a victory on the last game of the regular season. It was a must-win game for the Rangers, who needed help from the Tampa Bay Lightning to get into the playoffs. The chants of "Lets Go Lightning" rang up from the crowd as the game would down and a victory was almost certain. The Rangers got that help, as the Lightning defeated the Hurricanes, and sent the Rangers to the playoffs, but none of that could have been possible without this one goal.
In dramatic fashion like the previous year, the final game of the season would have decided the Rangers fate. This year, they had to face the New Jersey Devils, and a win was necessary to get two points on the Carolina Hurricanes who had the tiebreaker for the final playoff spot with the Rangers. The Rangers got backed up a bit, as Ilya Kovalchuk snapped an early goal past Henrik Lundqvist early on. His goal was promptly followed up by the man regarded as "Captain Clutch", Chris Drury as he got his first goal of the season after coming back from an injury. Late in the period, the Devils would get another goal coming again from Ilya Kovalchuk, the final goal of the game they would get. Nearly two-minutes into the 2nd period, Wojtek Wolski converted on a 2-on-1 to deadlock the score at two. Ten minutes later, another Ranger would get his first goal of the season, and his first NHL goal, as Ryan McDonagh got a brilliant pass from Vinny Prospal behind the net and put the Rangers ahead 3-2. Five minutes later, Brandon Prust got a lucky slide that went in, and in the 3rd, Vinny Prospal got one more to cement a victory on the last game of the regular season. It was a must-win game for the Rangers, who needed help from the Tampa Bay Lightning to get into the playoffs. The chants of "Lets Go Lightning" rang up from the crowd as the game would down and a victory was almost certain. The Rangers got that help, as the Lightning defeated the Hurricanes, and sent the Rangers to the playoffs, but none of that could have been possible without this one goal.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
The Top 10 Rangers Games of the 2010-2011 Season: Part 2
#6: March 6, 2011 (Rangers 7 - Flyers 0)
After having lost to the Flyers on all four of their previous meeting this season, the Rangers needed a shakeup if they wanted confidence in their division. The Rangers decided to shake it up, and wear their away jerseys at home, and perhaps that was just the shake-up they needed. 51- seconds into the game, the man many people regarded as the captain of the Rangers while Chris Drury sat with injuries, Ryan Callahan, got a fortunate bounce of his skates that found its way in. Later on in the period, Callahan sniped the puck over the head of Brian Boucher from a terrible angle to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead. Mats Zuccarello potted one in the 2nd, and the Ryan Callahan again took advantage of a turnover and potted another to give him his first career hat-trick. But he wasn't done there, and the Rangers refused to relinquish pressure and managed to deflect a puck into the net cleanly off of his skates. Artem Anisimov managed to get one of his own, and Zuccarello got another one in the closing minutes of the game to really stake their claim as a force to be reckoned with.
Also, Brandon Dubinsky and Mike Richards added a new chapter to their brawling history in this game. It was awesome.
Also, Brandon Dubinsky and Mike Richards added a new chapter to their brawling history in this game. It was awesome.
Monday, July 11, 2011
The Top 10 Rangers Games of the 2010-2011 Season: Part 1
This season saw many ups and downs on the ice by the Rangers, but overall it was a fairly successful season. The Rangers found ways to win at times when it seemed almost impossible, and overachieved in games when it was a necessity to win. It wasn't a single players effort throughout the season, a plethora of the players that stepped on the ice managed to do great things at important times for the Rangers. When people look back on the 2010-2011 season, these are the games they are going to remember.
#10: March 18, 2011 (Rangers 6 - Canadiens 3)
Right off the opening face-off, you knew this was going to be an entertaining game, as Brandon Prust and Travis Moen had themselves a good scrap one-second into the game. This would translate into a hard-fought, chippy game and would lead to one of the most stellar 1st-periods the Rangers had all season.
The scoring began as Artem Anisimov blocked a shot from the point and had a nearly uncontested breakaway to the net as he put a backhander behind Carey Price. Following a PK Subban goal, Dan Girardi gobbled up a juicy rebound and slapped it home. Several minutes later, Ryan Callahan became the recipient of a fortunate bounce as the puck rainbowed over the back of Carey Price and found its way into the back of the net. This would be the goal that opened the floodgates for the Rangers as swiftly after that goal, Marian Gaobirk followed up with a wonderful snap-shot that found the twine, and then shortly after that Brian Boyle capitalized on a 3-on-1 to give the Rangers five goals in the 1st period, those last three coming in a span of 67 seconds. The Canadiens made a push in the 3rd, scoring two goals, but one more goal from Vinny Prospal, and this wonderful save by Henrik Lundqvist capped a victory for the Rangers on home ice.
#10: March 18, 2011 (Rangers 6 - Canadiens 3)
Right off the opening face-off, you knew this was going to be an entertaining game, as Brandon Prust and Travis Moen had themselves a good scrap one-second into the game. This would translate into a hard-fought, chippy game and would lead to one of the most stellar 1st-periods the Rangers had all season.
The scoring began as Artem Anisimov blocked a shot from the point and had a nearly uncontested breakaway to the net as he put a backhander behind Carey Price. Following a PK Subban goal, Dan Girardi gobbled up a juicy rebound and slapped it home. Several minutes later, Ryan Callahan became the recipient of a fortunate bounce as the puck rainbowed over the back of Carey Price and found its way into the back of the net. This would be the goal that opened the floodgates for the Rangers as swiftly after that goal, Marian Gaobirk followed up with a wonderful snap-shot that found the twine, and then shortly after that Brian Boyle capitalized on a 3-on-1 to give the Rangers five goals in the 1st period, those last three coming in a span of 67 seconds. The Canadiens made a push in the 3rd, scoring two goals, but one more goal from Vinny Prospal, and this wonderful save by Henrik Lundqvist capped a victory for the Rangers on home ice.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Rangers Sign Brad Richards
It's pretty much official, Brad Richards is coming to Broadway to play for the Rangers next season.
The 31-year-old has reportedly signed a nine-year contract for $6.5 million this morning, after sleeping on his decision last night, while the Rangers were hard at work signing Mike Rupp from the Penguins, and re-signing Ruslan Fedotenko. Yesterday, Richards was flooded with offers and contracts from teams like Tampa Bay, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Calgary. The Rangers said they would be willing to match any contract that came to Richards, but ultimately Richards took a discount and left money on the table with the other teams to play in New York.
What does this mean for the Rangers cap situation? Initially, the idea of matching any contract that came forward from another team was petrifying, as it was reported there were some $9 million dollar contracts being mentioned. However, since Richards took the lower amount of money than that, it leaves New York with a bit of wiggle-room that the desperately need in order to sign Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky, Michael Sauer, Artem Anisimov and Brian Boyle who all become restricted free-agents next summer.
However, most fans in New York won't be totally satisfied until he produces for the Rangers. Which is not out of the realm of possibility that he certainly will. Richards has gotten better with age, and has scored more points than games hes played over the past two seasons. There's not a doubt in my mind that he can produce, especially being paired up with Marian Gaborik. Richards won't be a goal scoring wizard on the ice, but he is a fantastic set-up man which is just what Gaborik needs. Along with having a history of winning the Stanley Cup with coach John Tortorella in Tampa Bay, Richards can get an idea of what the Rangers' system will be like and what the coach will expect from him.
In all, I am fairly excited, but tentative at the same time. I pray for this to finally be the contract that is worth the nine year while. I pray for Richards and Gaborik to become so cohesive that they know where each other is on the ice at all times, like some kind of hockey sonar. I pray this leads the Rangers to bigger and better things without sacrificing the home grown talent. And I pray Richards has one of the best runs of his career in New York.
Welcome to the Rangers, Brad.
The 31-year-old has reportedly signed a nine-year contract for $6.5 million this morning, after sleeping on his decision last night, while the Rangers were hard at work signing Mike Rupp from the Penguins, and re-signing Ruslan Fedotenko. Yesterday, Richards was flooded with offers and contracts from teams like Tampa Bay, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Calgary. The Rangers said they would be willing to match any contract that came to Richards, but ultimately Richards took a discount and left money on the table with the other teams to play in New York.
What does this mean for the Rangers cap situation? Initially, the idea of matching any contract that came forward from another team was petrifying, as it was reported there were some $9 million dollar contracts being mentioned. However, since Richards took the lower amount of money than that, it leaves New York with a bit of wiggle-room that the desperately need in order to sign Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky, Michael Sauer, Artem Anisimov and Brian Boyle who all become restricted free-agents next summer.
However, most fans in New York won't be totally satisfied until he produces for the Rangers. Which is not out of the realm of possibility that he certainly will. Richards has gotten better with age, and has scored more points than games hes played over the past two seasons. There's not a doubt in my mind that he can produce, especially being paired up with Marian Gaborik. Richards won't be a goal scoring wizard on the ice, but he is a fantastic set-up man which is just what Gaborik needs. Along with having a history of winning the Stanley Cup with coach John Tortorella in Tampa Bay, Richards can get an idea of what the Rangers' system will be like and what the coach will expect from him.
In all, I am fairly excited, but tentative at the same time. I pray for this to finally be the contract that is worth the nine year while. I pray for Richards and Gaborik to become so cohesive that they know where each other is on the ice at all times, like some kind of hockey sonar. I pray this leads the Rangers to bigger and better things without sacrificing the home grown talent. And I pray Richards has one of the best runs of his career in New York.
Welcome to the Rangers, Brad.
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