TheMessiah

http://www.torontosun.com/Sports/Hockey/20...677057-sun.html The first week of free-agent movement was enticing for hockey fans, as one high-profile free agent after another made the news. The spotlight hopped from one team to another. But in the midst of it all, two of the National Hockey League's more established patsies made some moves that, added together, could turn out to have the greatest impact. They signed some quality free agents, but also picked up some lesser cogs and, to complete the process, re-signed some of their own players to enhance stability. One such team is the New York Rangers, technically not a patsy, having finished only one point behind the division-winning New Jersey Devils last year. But in the longer term, the Rangers certainly qualify and they got blitzed in the playoffs -- which can happen when your best defenceman, your top scorer and your starting goalie are all hurt. But they re-signed Martin Straka, thereby guaranteeing that Jaromir Jagr will continue to enjoy the support of one of his favourite linemates. Yesterday, they signed veteran winger and longtime Team Canada fixture Brendan Shanahan. They also signed Michael Nylander, who always plays well when he is not asked to be the team's offensive leader -- which is certainly the case here. Matt Cullen, pried away from the Carolina Hurricanes, will be a major addition, especially since he will be able to return to his natural position as a centre -- and point man on the power play. And to stabilize the defence, the Rangers acquired Cullen's teammate on the Stanley Cup winners, Aaron Ward. In addition, Karel Rachunek was brought back after spending the past two years in the Russian league, where you can't survive if you're not a great skater. The Rangers, whose salary-cap position is ameliorated by the Washington Capitals' generosity in picking up a large part of Jagr's salary, are not finished yet. Sources say they are considering repatriating Brian Leetch, who is 38 but still a highly skilled defenceman and a crowd favourite at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers will need a repeat performance from goaltender Henrik Lundqvist next season, and it wouldn't hurt if Sandis Ozolinsh could conquer his personal devils. But there is every indication that the Rangers have turned the corner. The other long-downtrodden club showing signs of emerging from the ranks of the stiffs is the Minnesota Wild. Despite flawless fan support -- never an empty seat -- the Wild has been notoriously frugal. The excuse, tenuous at best, was that the Wild was waiting for its home-grown talent to develop before surrounding it with expensive players. Perhaps with better players around, the talent would have developed more quickly. This time, instead of doing battle with Slovakian superstar forward Marian Gaborik and making him miss training camp, the Wild came to terms on a three-year, $19-million US deal. Then they brought in his buddy, Pavel Demitra, another one of those players who tends to be undervalued in the eyes of easterners because he plays in the west. A USEFUL PAIR The Wild next grabbed a pair of useful free agents who had been established parts of the Philadelphia Flyers, defenceman Kim Johnsson and forward Branko Radivojevic. Johnsson is especially valuable, as long as his concussion problems are behind him. Also added were Mark Parrish, probably the best player on the New York Islanders last year, and solid defenceman Keith Carney. In addition, the team re-signed Brian Rolston. Now, the spotlight is on coach Jacques Lemaire who must realize that in the new NHL, defence alone is not enough. There is no doubt that Lemaire is a brilliant coach, but the question is whether his pride will let him change his style. If Lemaire adapts, the Wild will make tremendous strides. As we have seen, the jump from the bottom of the league to the top no longer needs to be a long-term process.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=170921&hubname=nhl The New York Post reports that forward Brendan Shanahan has agreed to a one-year contract with the New York Rangers. The Post adds that the 37-year-old veteran took the deal - worth about $4 million for next season - after turning down more lucrative offers from both the Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens. Shanahan reportedly informed Canadiens GM Bob Gainey Saturday he was rejecting his team's bid to sign him. Shanahan had 40 goals and 81 points last season and earned $2.28 million US. The 18-year NHLer played for nine seasons in Detroit, helping lead the team capture three Stanley Cups. In 1,350 career games with the Red Wings, Hartford Whalers, St. Louis Blues and New Jersey Devils, he has 598 goals and 1,232 points.

http://www.nypost.com/sports/rangers/range...arry_brooks.htm Ten years after failing to ante up and acquire Brendan Shanahan from Hartford to play with Wayne Gretzky, the Rangers head into this weekend as one of three teams bidding for the 37-year-old free agent left winger, The Post has confirmed. Sources have told The Post that Shanahan has one-year offers of varying degrees from the Blueshirts and Canadiens in addition to one from the Red Wings, for whom he has played the last nine years and whom he helped lead to three Stanley Cup championships. It is believed that Shanahan has offers of between $3.25-$3.5M from the Rangers; slightly more than that to return to Detroit; and significantly larger than that from Montreal. Despite reports elsewhere, neither the Kings nor the Bruins are in the hunt. And despite the fact that the Rangers are currently offering less than his other two suitors, Shanahan, who began his career in New Jersey in 1987 and is expected to make a decision no later than early next week, is known to be intrigued by the opportunity to play on Broadway. Although no longer the power forward of his youth, Shanahan remains one of the game's purest snipers, scoring 40 goals while adding 41 assists last year for Detroit. A right-handed shot who plays the off-wing, he'd provide a complementary left-circle threat on the power play - where he scored 14 goals last year - to Jaromir Jagr. Regardless of whether Shanahan signs with the team, the Rangers are expected to complete a one-year deal with Martin Rucinsky. There is essentially no interest in bringing back Petr Sykora for an encore.

Well you were very close

I feel like you overpaid for him....there wa sa war between the Rangers and the Devs to sign him and at the last minute he decided to go back to the swamp

http://www.newyorkrangers.com/pressbox/pre...ses.asp?id=2212 Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with free agent defenseman Aaron Ward. The 6-2, 225-pounder, appeared in 71 games with the Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes last season, registering career highs in goals (six), assists (19) and points (25). His six goals tied for first among Carolina defensemen, while his 25 points ranked third among team blueliners. Ward also led the team and tied for 13th in the league with 164 blocked shots. In 25 postseason contests, he notched two goals and three assists, along with 18 penalty minutes, helping the Hurricanes capture the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history. "Aaron is another proven winner joining our lineup, having won three Stanley Cup Championships", said Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather. "He brings leadership and experience to our team and adds a competitive edge to our defensive corps." A member of three Stanley Cup championship teams, Ward has skated in 552 career NHL games with the Detroit Red Wings and Carolina Hurricanes, registering 31 goals and 68 assists for 99 points, along with 501 penalty minutes. He has also appeared in 78 career playoff contests with the Hurricanes and Red Wings, collecting three goals and five assists for eight points, along with 65 penalty minutes. Ward was originally the Winnipeg Jets' first round choice, 5th overall, in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft. On June 11, 1993, his rights were traded from Winnipeg, along with Toronto's fourth round draft pick (John Jakopin) in 1993 Entry Draft, to Detroit in exchange for Paul Ysebaert and future considerations. After seven seasons in the Red Wings' organization, he was acquired by Carolina on July 9, 2001, in exchange for a second round draft pick in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

Don't forget to add that Straka was just resigned

They say he is not physical, but he can move the puck well and is a good skater. PS your avatar is my old one from the GMB

The Ducks are going to win the cup

I do not know, I would probably expect to see Immonen down there It is funny I met jason back in I believe 2000 he was very nice we were in contact with each other for a short while but then they kind of broke off.

I want scranton again!!!!!!! No more Jason in net, you won't score on a horrible goal . It was a great series.

Nice trade by the Giants....It was a fun season and although I hate the Devs I think they will win the cup, not because they beat the Rangers but because of the way they play hockey they don't make mistakes and they lay back and wait for the other team to make the mistakes. There PP is crazy me and my friend could not watch when they where on the PP.

It is all good, I told you it probably more of my venting than anything. You seem like a cool cat, but since I went to the medowlands Devil fans where pissing me off throwing beer at me and telling me how much my team sucks. O well I will be there whether they win or lose have a great rest of the season and I do not want to discourage you from posting here(which I am sure that I did not) but hey you never know(NY LOtto matto)

I normally don't do this but after reading this and your thread that you posted on the devils section I must, you are starting to get on my nerves. I have been nothing but nice and have not spoken down about anyone of your players(I know that there is not much too do it when your team is losing) but even during the regular season when the Rangers where on did I say anything bad or negative I always gave credit where it was due; I can not stand another one of your posts they are all stupid they consist of a sentence and then an emotion, put some substance behind what you are saying. This might be venting as my team nears elimination but you are going to have too eat some major crow if the devils lose this series. I hope there players have the same mentality as you do look right past this round it is already won.

I am going to the game and the draft so I will start the thread early again One shift at a time one period at a time one game at a time Rangers in 7

How about the Maple Leafs and the Islanders...don't get cocky you still need a game

The game is on Sat and so is the draft, I will be at both

My point is that no matter how bleek something may look there is always hope, and I was giving you an example that it has happened.

Your right the BRaves were alot more dominant than the Devils but we are not talking about baseball

It is more than that, it was a stupid shot but Peter Forsberg does it all the time, he was taking one for the team he was sending a message too the team that even though we are losing 6-1 I will be on the ice when I don't have too be and be physical too let the Rangers what it is all about. Jagr isn't playing I don't think, he said it; I hope he does but the Rangers hopefully will win tommrow and make it a series.

Thanks

I am starting it early again I will be at the game

7 games

We didn't look that bad without him game 2, special teams once again and Martin Brodeur killed us John Madden also hel(l)ped. Keep the faith we are in the Garden Lundqvist will start we will win game 3 and 4 and soon it will be tied 2-2 but take one period at a time.

BY STEVE ZIPAY Newsday Staff Writer April 25, 2006, 1:55 PM EDT GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Dealing the Rangers another blow before they can even return to the Madison Square Garden ice, Jaromir Jagr said today he will be unable to play in Wednesday's Game 3. Standing on a stationary bike in a t-shirt and shorts, Jagr told reporters the upper body injury that he suffered late in the third period of Game 1 will keep him out of action tomorrow. The Rangers are trying to dig their way out of a 0-2 series hole after losing Game 2 in New Jersey yesterday, 4-2. Jagr missed the game with an injury believed to be a dislocated left shoulder. Rookie goaltender Henrik Lundqvist also sat on the bench, a coach's decision, in favor of backup Kevin Weekes. Indications at today's Rangers practice are that Lundqvist will return to the net in Game 3. http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/range...ports-headlines