Chris Drury's Contract Buyout In The Works

Turn your watches, folks. Chris Drury's days as a Ranger are numbered.

There have been quite a few reports coming from different sources that General Manager Glen Sather is planning to buy out the final year of Chris Drury's 5 year, $32.25 million contract. The captain missed 58 games this season, and tallied just one goal, and four assists all year.

It is quite unfortunate for Drury's circumstance, because the only thing he's done wrong in the time of his captaincy was convince Glen Sather to overpay him after having a 30+ goal season when he was on the Buffalo Sabres. Drury had done what he needed to when it counted most, lets not forget the tying goal on his first shift in the last game of the season against the Devils. However, the Ranger have a new mindset. They are preparing for the free agency of Brad Richards, and allowing them more room to maneuver if Richards becomes too steep of a price. From a business standpoint, it's a very good decision for the Rangers to make.

This buyout will also relinquish the captaincy of the New York Ranger. Filling Drury's captaincy will not be an easy task, for he was such a good role model for the young talent on this Rangers team to have while he was there. The best option (as I've noted in an older article) would be Ryan Callahan. Many of the fans looked to Callahan as the captain of the Rangers this season because of Drury's prolonged absence. If the Rangers want to follow up their captain with another good captain, they'd be wise to pick Callahan.

As for Drury, his career won't end with the Rangers. Drury's clutch-ness and versatility, especially on the penalty-kill, could entice quite a few teams that need that final piece of the puzzle to make a complete team. Drury will go to another team, and he will go fast. Let us hope for their sake they get more than one goal and four assists though, because we all know Drury is better than that.

Au revoir, Chris!

Derek Boogaard Found Dead at age 28

I never thought when I began this blog I would have to report on the death of a player, nor did I ever want to. But Im afraid this is no rumor, Derek Boogaard, the Rangers enforcer of 22 games this season was found dead in his apartment, at age 28.

Boogaard was a very unique player. Its fairly obvious that he wasn't the most skilled player, tallying his first goal since 2007 this season against the Washington Capitals. Boogaard was a physical powerhouse, and was garnered around the league as being the most intimidating person to play against. Every time he stepped onto the ice, the other players noticed. 

I never had the pleasure of seeing Boogaard play in person, but his mystique caught my attention long before he came to the Rangers. I remember hearing about this guy called "The Boogey Man" who was apparently the most feared NHLer on the ice. When I found out who he was when he was still on the Minnesota Wild, I instantly became a fan. I looked up a lot of his fights, and his commercials that made me laugh for minutes on end as well. The day I found out he was signed by the Rangers, I freaked out. I was so happy, and I didn't care that he was considered overpaid. He was my favorite NHL enforcer, and I could not wait to see him lay-ith the smack down on the Rangers' opponents.

I am truly sad, and I pray that I never have to write one of these articles ever again. As a fan, I love the Rangers and never want to see anything like this ever happen. I send my regards to all of Boogaard's family and friends, and wish them well during these hard times.

Farewell, buddy. This shot will go down in infamy.

The Sean Avery Gay-Rights Fiasco

A while back, I did an article about Mr. Sean Avery talking about how he is a decent person off the ice, and leaves his game on the ice. Well, Sean did something very bold and noble by making a commercial advocating the rights of marriage-equality, while sporting some very Harry Potter-esque glasses. However, debates on the this topic have been blown out of proportion, and now both sides are firing away at one another, as it should have been expected. Recently, an agent from Uptown Sports went on record to tell the media that he believes in the sanctity of marriage, and he believes that Avery is wrong. However, said agent claims that he does not hate homosexual people, or Sean Avery, he just believes differently. 

Well, lets take a good hard look at this issue that has been done a million times over. Sean is the first gay-rights advocate athlete, and supports the marriage of same-sex couples while still being heterosexual. Todd Reynolds, the agent, claims that he is also heterosexual, but believes in the sanctity of marriage between one man and one woman and feels gay people should not have the right to marry. This is what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object.

First off, let me state right off that bat that the The New York Rangers Clinic is all about hockey, and will stay that way. With that being said, The Clinic supports the New York Rangers. Therefore, The New York Rangers Clinic supports their players in every situation. Meaning, this blog supports Sean Avery and the belief that two people should be allowed to get married if they so choose. Period, end of story.

There is no true way to get around this issue. So long as gay people exist, they will want to get married. Gay people are not going anywhere anytime soon, and neither are the people who do not like them. It is unfortunate, but that is how the world works.

However, as Rangers fans, it is our duty to stand with our players through the toughest of situations and support them. If Sean believes that two people deserve to be married despite being the same gender, we support him. Rangers fans have stuck through the antics of Avery before, and just because he touched on a very sensitive issue does not mean that we turn our backs on him now.

For the people who hate Sean Avery, I would like to point out once again that Sean is the first marriage-equality athlete to publicly advocate it. The man who has been regarded around the NHL as being the target of so much hate and adversity, and has had his manhood questioned a multitude of times stood up will balls of steel, and supported proudly what he truly believes, and does not give a damn what you think about him. You want to use his stance against him? Go right ahead, sooner or later, you'll be the one looking like a jerk. Players who don't like him want to make a comment about him and his stance on this topic, go right ahead. You will be suspended and made look like a jackass by the entire hockey community.

Sean is not doing this for the attention, or to rile up anyone. He made this commercial and chose his stance because he truly believes in the freedom of marriage-equality. Love him or hate him, this one deserves some respect. Way to be, Sean.

Dr. Daps' Playoff Predictions

Hello, if you are stumbling across this, this is typically a New York Rangers blog. In the off-season, many different topics are discussed on this blog that may or may not pertain to the Rangers. This site will continue to keep the Rangers as its top priority, but will post content about other hockey news while the post-season goes on.


Hello viewers! Since theres not much activity in the Rangers world today, I figured I would throw out my picks for the second round of the playoffs.


Vancouver vs. Nashville


The Canucks managed to beat the Blackhawks in OT after dropping a 3-0 lead to exercise their demons and move them into the second round. The Predators ousted the Ducks in six games and are gearing up for their first second round appearance ever. The Canucks have the edge in this match-up, because they have more firepower than the Predators do. However, Roberto Luongo has struggled as of recently, while on the other side of the spectrum, Pekka Rinne has been an absolute brick-wall. As of right now, I think the Predators have the defensive advantage, but they will have their hands full with a very powerful Canucks team. Vancouver wins 4-3.


San Jose vs. Detroit


San Jose and Detroit is probably going to be the most exciting series to watch out of all four. Both of these teams are very poised with talent, and it will be an offensive show for the viewers. In the goaltending department, I think San Jose has more of an advantage because of the experience Antti Niemi has gained last year with the championship-winning Blackhawks. However, San Jose still has the label of being the "choke-job" team around the NHL. I'm not saying I'm guaranteeing a loss, but if its going to happen, it'll be against Detroit. Detroit wins 4-2.


 Washington vs. Tampa Bay


This series will be the true test for Washington to see if their change in defensive strategy that took place in the middle of the year will work. The Tampa Bay Lightning are a very dangerous team. They seem to have a player or two on every line that can put the puck in the net with consistency. If Washington is going to prove their new system, it'll come with shutting down players like Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis. The goaltending is going to be an absolute circus. We will get to see if the old man, Dwayne Roloson, of the Lightning can teach the youngster, Michael Neuvirth, a thing or two. Or, perhaps Neuvirth will show Roloson the skill he's gained through the season. Either way, it's going to be really interesting to see what happens, and I believe that if the Caps do win this series, they can go a lot farther than recent years. However, I think the Lightning are going to be too much to handle. Tampa Bay wins 4-2.


Philadelphia vs. Boston


This series will be the most closely contested out of all four matches. The styles of both the Flyers and Bruins are very much equal. The Bruins try to obliterate everything thats on the ice, and the Flyers, well, are the Flyers. Someone will be checked through the glass during this series, and I would be willing to bet an ample $5 on that to anyone who's willing to match that. I bet Bruins fans have a little bit of a hole in their stomach for this match, because of last years miraculous 4-3 series loss after the Bruins lead the Flyers 3-0. But I believe its safer to say this season that the Bruins are a lot better off than they were last season, and I believe they will come out on top this time. Boston wins 4-3.


There you have it. I will be doing my next round predictions as well, all the way up to the final series of the 2011 season. I look forward to watching a lot of hockey, and keep an eye out for more random articles by me!

Can The Blackhawks Pull Off The Comeback?

Hello, if you are stumbling across this, this is typically a New York Rangers blog. In the off-season, many different topics are discussed on this blog that may or may not pertain to the Rangers. This site will continue to keep the Rangers as its top priority, but will post content about other hockey news while the post-season goes on.

If you aren't in-tune with the hockey world, or any sports for that matter, I would like to pose a single question to you: If a team is up three game to zero in a "best-of 7" series, the chances of a comeback are nearly impossible, right?

Well, as fate would have it, the Chicago Blackhawks have erased the three-game lead on the President's Trophy winning Vancouver Canucks in the first round of the playoffs. Tonight is the final game of the series, and everyone is feeling the tension.

Just one year after the Philadelphia Flyers overcame a 3-0 deficit against to the Boston Bruins in the semifinal round of the playoffs, the Blackhawks are looking to follow in their footsteps this year, and continue their streak of eliminating the Canucks from the playoffs for the third straight year. Only this year feels like it will sting just a bit more if they manage to pull it off.

It's been said around the hockey world that much of the blame for the Canucks' collapse falls on the shoulders of goaltender Roberto Luongo. Truth be told, Luongo hasn't been absolutely stellar for the past three games. In fact, head-coach Alain Vigneault decided to give Luongo a chance to gather himself just in-case of the inevitable (thus being Game 7), by starting backup goaltender Corey Schneider in Game 6. However, fate would have it that Schneider would eventually let in the tying goal of Game 6 on a penalty-shot by Michael Frolik, and in the process, injured himself. The Blackhawks had no choice but to send Luongo back into net, where he allowed the final goal of the night in during the overtime period from Ben Smith.

It's also been said that the Blackhawks are "inside Roberto Luongo's head." This statement could in fact hold some water. I mean, if you had to face the same team three-years in a row in the playoffs, after they've beaten you twice, and now you've given up a lead that if you potentially lose it, it will be remembered in the memories of sports-lore for the rest of time, you would probably be a little psyched out too. Not to say Luongo is not capable of winning the game tonight, but the thought of him being tormented by the Blackhawks.

I for one, will be rooting for the Blackhawks because I want to see a miraculous comeback once again. And since it's not the Flyers doing it, it'll be a lot easier to cheer for the team coming back. No offense to the Canucks or anything, I just love me a good underdog-Cinderella story.

Rangers Eliminated In First Round of 2011 Playoffs 4/23/11

The Rangers were eliminated from the playoffs today, after a 3-1 loss to the Washington Capitals dropping the series 4-1 on Washington ice.

The Rangers failed to establish much momentum in the game, as the Capitals scored the first goal of the game in the 1st period, the first 1st period goal of the series. The Capitals scored one more goal in the 2nd and one more in the 3rd to seal their victory and advance them to the next round of the playoffs. As for the Rangers... their season is over.

Give the Capitals a lot of credit though. They didn't pay attention to anything that happened during the regular season between these two teams, and played their game excellently. Had the Capitals had a more experienced goaltending corps, they would be my pick to head all the way to the Finals.

But as for the Rangers, while I am disappointed, a lot of positive things came out of this season. The Rangers found secondary scoring, something they've needed for such a long time in players like rookie Derek Stepan, and Brian Boyle. Fixtures in this lineup have grown into their own and have become major threats like Ryan Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky. The defensive powerhouses in Marc Staal and Dan Girardi are now being revered around the league for their fine defensive work. And above all, the Rangers have found an identity as a team.

For many years, the Rangers have gone out and ruined each team that seemed to get a bit of chemistry under their belt. This season, no mercenaries were brought in, no washed up veterans, and the Rangers managed to survive just fine without them, which in turn allowed their young players to blossom at a young age. Now, under coach John Tortorella, the Rangers have developed this tough, gritty, hard-working, grinding team that plays tough hockey in order to win, and thats the first identity this team has had in a while, and it works.

This playoff series was good for the youth of the Rangers. They got to experience playoff hockey at such a young age against some of the greatest players in the world. This series taught these players so many lessons that they will be able to hold onto for the rest of their careers, and use it to better themselves. Remember the Blackhawks two years ago? The Blackhawks did not make it into the playoffs for five straight years before that year, and they went all the way to the Conference Finals that year. The next year, they came back and won the Cup. The experience of playing in the playoffs is something so valuable because it shows the players what they need to be in order to be the best.

This season overall was fairly positive for the Ranger, despite their shortcomings in the playoffs. I am proud as a fan for the determination this team showed from Day 1 and look forward to seeing their future as Rangers.

As for the Clinic, I will not lie, it might slow down during the off-season. For the fact that mainly there isn't a whole lot of news that goes on every day in the hockey world during the summer. However, I will continue to post content through the playoffs like my predictions and recap and my thoughts on things just to keep myself, and hopefully my readers, entertained for the length of the off-season. But, you can be sure the Clinic will be back once hockey beings to pick up again, ready to blog the entire next season.

I began this blog in late November. Since then, I've had 1,021 views on my blog from many different countries around the world. That enough for me is an achievement. I love blogging for this team, no matter how much they stress me out, and I look forward to the next season. I'd like to thank everyone who views my blog, and I would like to thank the Rangers for allowing me to put my time into something I love to do. For that, I salute all of you!

2011 Playoff Prescription: Rangers vs. Capitals Game 4

Game four, ladies and gentlemen!

The Rangers managed to cut the series lead of the Capitals to just one game three days ago, after a 3-2 victory at Madison Square Garden. The winning goal came in the final two minutes of the game off of a fortunate bounce in front of the net set up by Brandon Dubinsky, who was sporting a new playoff mustache that would make Lanny MacDonald smirk.

Now, the Rangers finally have some momentum in their favor heading into tonights game. They had a good three days off to prepare, and to work on the things they did well on in Game 3. By the good things, I mean playing as if you are trying to take the heads off of the opponent within the restraints of the rules. In the first period of Sundays game, the Rangers were flying around the rink hitting everything like a bunch of wrecking-balls on crack. that is what the Rangers need to do in order for them to make a statement right from the get-go.

Another thing that this long break has brought to this series is it's share of smack-talking. Bruce Boudreau, head-coach of the Washington Capitals made a few comments taking shots at the Garden faithful, and the Garden itself. Boudreau went on to say that MSG isn't too loud, the fans aren't too loud, the benches are cramped, the locker rooms are crappy, blah, blah, blah. Not sure whether or not this is a tactic by Mr. Boudreau to try and get into the Rangers' head, but I can tell you right now, the Rangers fans in attendance are going to let Boudreau hear it, big time. My wish would be for the Rangers to just go "rat-trick" on the Capitals, except this time instead of toy rats, throw ice-cream bars onto the ice. The Rangers would subsequently get a penalty or the delay-of-game, but it would be SO worth it.

Luckily for the Rangers, they have not taken exception to the words of Boudreau. John Tortorella said his team is not worried that the refs are going to be swayed by all the "whining" going on by Mr. Boudreau, and they are only going to focus on their game, which is the right mindset.

The Prescription


Comments aside, I believe the Rangers are going to come out with the edge in all their aspects in tonights game. I also truly believe that tonight is the night where Marian Gaborik, who has been slumping lately, finally breaks through tonight. Gaborik, who had an assist in the last game, is going to get a majority of the chances for him to feel more comfortable on the ice. I also anticipate the Rangers to play just as, if not more, physically in this game than three days ago. The formula is working, and if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Enjoy the game!