2011 Unrestricted Free Agents

So here's the complete list of available Unrestricted Free Agents for the 2011 campaign. What do you all think?

Complete List of UFAs

Kinda slim pickens for good players. Might be better off making a trade or two.

Rangers have 16million available in Cap space, but spending needs to figure in new contracts for Dubinsky, Callahan, Boyle and Gilroy. Just like last off-season we need to free up some space somewhere

Oh and heres the complete list of Restricted Free Agents:


The difference between the two types is that an Unrestricted Free Agent wasn't protected by his team in the final year of the player's contract so he is free to field better offers from other teams. A Restricted Free Agent can not, but if his team chooses not to protect him during his second to last year of the contract, the player's status will change to Unrestricted during the final year of the contract and the team risks losing that player.

Basically the Rangers would have to pick from the UFA list, and wait another year (or trade this summer) for players on the RFA list.

So leave your thoughts in the comment section as to who you think the Rangers should go for

Ranger Fans,

I know everyone is writing up their Season Recaps and taking a break from hockey, but it's not going to happen here at the Blueshirt Brigade because I feel we're just getting started with the process of putting together a stronger, championship-caliber club. I wrote a quick overview of the Washington series over at The Hockey Writers site which you could read here if you're so inclined, but aside from that I'll just leave you with this:

2009-2010 New York Rangers GP: 82 W: 38 L: 33 OT: 11 @Home: 18-17-6 PTS: 87 Standing: 9th Place Playoffs: NO

2010-2011 New York Rangers GP: 82 W: 44 L: 33 OT: 5 @Home: 20-17-4 PTS: 93 Standing: 8th Place Playoffs: YES

Cold, Hard Facts: Improvement.

So we're going to continue throughout the summer with Ranger articles, transaction updates, opinions, more things like this, and some playoff observations regarding the teams still involved because these games have been fantastic and I can't stand golf

So hang in there Blueshirt fans. I wanted us to go further too.

But better days ahead.
~~Rich Baiocco

BACKS AGAINST THE WALL, THE BLUESHIRTS COME OUT BLAZING

We're in a tough spot but we have to take the same approach as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid did: Come out shooting.

Everything to the net today Rangers. Leave it all out there. Let's bring this series back to the Garden!

Go Blue!

Boudreau And Caps Silence Raucous Garden In Game 4

Damn that hurt.

I haven't had the wind punched out of me like that since Ryan Hollweg took a penalty in the 2008 Rangers/Penguins playoff series that led to the series winning goal and Jagr's subsequent retirement following the most determined postseason performance he'd given in a Rangers uniform. But who has time for the past right now?

I do. A few notes about last night's game in order to confront the demons and then prepare for Saturday.

Gaborik didn't cost us the game, but he cost us a goal. Just say it and get it over with. As much as McDonagh's giveaway to Semin cost us a goal, Gaborik's attempt to blindly swat at a loose puck with one hand instead of letting Lundqvist (who was facing the action and could see who was coming down on him) cover the puck, was a desperation play in a non-desperation situation (it was a 2 on 3 rush). The Rangers--with an exception to Lundqvist--seemed mentally fatigued in the 3rd period and both overtimes and this play seemed a direct result of that. We stopped forechecking and creating strong chances and got on our heels. It's a fine line in overtime as I'm sure the natural philosophy is to protect your zone and when you notice an opportunity then go for it. But the best way to protect your zone is to control the puck, and the best way to take an opportunity is to make an opportunity happen for yourself. The Rangers were hesitant, maybe tired, and the Capitals had a few players who seemed to get stronger as the game progressed (Semin, Fehr, Chymera).

Still, when Hank stopped Ovechkin on that breakaway I thought we'd steal the momentum we needed to slip one by Neuvirth, but it wasn't the case.

Prior to the extra sessions, I thought Gabby was cruising out there and his backdoor goal not only supplied a personal drought with some rain water, but gave the Rangers that elusive two-goal lead it had thirsted for through 3 playoff games. I have no ill will towards Gaborik, just as I have no ill will towards McDonagh (a rookie playing over 30 minutes against one of the most potent offenses in recent NHL history, expected to play pristine mistake-free hockey? If you criticize him I'd like to know what you've done lately?). I'm sure Gabby feels bad the game ended the way it did and he'll do everything he can to get on the scoreboard on Saturday, in fact if there's every been a motivation for the superstar to put together a magical game it's right now. Let's take that and ride with it because being down 3 games to 1 is all about finding positives and eliminating negatives.

The Power Play blows. Coach Tortorella didn't so much admit it during his postgame but he certainly alluded to it. He commented that since the man-up is clearly not working the only thing the Rangers can do is fight that much harder to kill off Washington's Power Plays. In a way he's right (though it reads like a cop out) because the penalty kill can be something you can control--you can work harder for it because it is rooted in your survival instinct. The Power Play is different: it's more of a feel. It takes some vision, some vision that this particular group of guys may not all have, and if the wrong guy has the puck and he bobbles it, or gives it away, or loses the faceoff, and you're facing one of the best Penalty Kills in the league in Washington, you're toast. For now with our backs absolutely up against the wall I agree with Tortorella that a Penalty Kill far outweighs the chance that we happen to figure out a PP goal, but this summer it must be corrected if the Rangers want to be considered a threat. Going 0-fer on the PP when you have multiple chances in the 3rd period or overtime to put a game away against the #1 seed is just not going to cut it.

No Surge Protector. Hank could stand on his head, and I did get the feeling that he would've saved pucks last night until the Rangers found a way to win--he was THAT KIND OF ON, but if the team doesn't monkeywrench the momentum back from an opponent's surge Time will find a way to award the other team the win. The McDonagh giveaway exposed a chink in the armor after the Rangers played what uber-qualified Mark Messier called 'one of the best periods I've seen in 5 years', but it was the 2nd goal that was the back breaker for me. Weak side coverage has been a problem for the Blueshirts all season (ie. teams throwing pucks cross-ice for unexpectedly open or weakly covered teammates to tap in). When Brooks Laich chases a puck to the outer hashmarks and wheels and blindly fires it cross ice, he's not making a specific pass but hoping someone will be open. The Rangers, who were already beginning to back off their gameplan and watch the Caps skate a little too often, drifted towards Laich and left Johansson wide open in front. The subsequent tying goal was an unlucky tip but at that point the Rangers had already lost the momentum. You can't give away goals to the Capitals--they will make you pay. This game was lost in the 3rd period, not the overtime.


And still, I think of the Hank save on Ovechkin in the first extra session. King was on, he was giving us a chance to win and that is why this game hurt so much to lose. We didn't get blown out, we haven't been blown out this series, we've been right there at the buzzer. But we haven't found a way to get it done as often as they have found a way. But it takes 4 wins to move on and the Blueshirts still have an opportunity to find a way.

I thought Boyle put it best:

"I'm not looking for three in a row. We're looking for one. We just want to win Game 5. Tonight will be tough to be positive. We're going to dwell on it, and I think that's part of it. If you're not a little upset about what happened there's something wrong with you."

Game 4 was a tough pill to swallow, no doubt, but there is no way to change it or make it hurt less. Take the pain, confront the 3rd period in tape and at practice, take accountability for the Overtime goal, and use it all to motivate a spirited comeback game in Washington DC because amidst the hostile Red Crowd the Rangers need to play a focused dead-on road game.

We want the Blueshirts back at the Garden. If anything for another chance to prove Bruce Boudreau wrong. Can You Hear Us??

Pre Game Quote submitted by Liquid Gearheart

Inch by Inch, Row By Row

Someone Bless These Seeds I Sow

Til The Rain Comes Tumbling Down

--David Mallett

These words seem apt to describe the Rangers' hard work in this series--especially at the faithful "Garden". They need to work even harder tonight then they have before because as emotional as Sunday was, it means little unless we tie this series up tonight.

I wrote an article on Fedotenko and doing the little things right for The Hockey Writers website, and if the Rangers keep doing the little things right as a team and continue to pound the net the Rains Will Come Tumbling Down.


So, enough said. Stay focused and let's get it done at the LOUD GARDEN TONIGHT!
Go Blue!

Classy Stash and a Gritty Net Crash: Dubinsky Comes Through In Characteristic Ranger Style

by Rich Baiocco

I tell you, it's one thing for the players to be in better spirits after holding onto a win to regain ground in this series, but as a fan coming into work Monday morning the difference between 2-1 and being down 3 games to nothing probably saved the life of someone I would've killed on a miserable morning commute had the Blueshirts lost. But that's not the case(Thankfully!), due to Brandon Dubinsky and a tremendous Ranger team effort yesterday at the Garden.

I wrote an article about Rangers resiliency for The Hockey Writers website (kind of an NHL.com type site, with more in-depth articles) in response to all the doubts and negativity that was infiltrating the media after the first 2 games of the series and as expected the team came through.

The Blueshirts took it to the Caps from the jump, utilizing the energetic Avery-Boyle-Prust line to set the physical tone for the tilt. The Rangers were finally able to control the offensive zone with a sustained forecheck that kept the top-seed on their heels and caused them to take 8 penalties. Normally that wouldn't have been a problem since the Rangers were an anemic 1-31 on the PP, but with tension mounting Erik Christensen rifled a wrist shot from the goal line into the crawl space above Michal Neuvirth's shoulder and gave the Rangers a confidence in themselves they would not lose.

Yet it certainly would be tested. The Caps' captain and most lethal player freed himself from Brandon Prust on a broken play and was able to tip a puck over the pad of Henrik Lundqvist with time dwindling in the period. The Rangers didn't panic though, but rather kept their foot on the gas and veteran Ruslan Fedotenko--who played a spirited and gritty game on both sides of the puck--somehow jammed a wraparound/centering pass past Neuvirth with .1 second remaining on the television clock. The crowd went bananas but unfortunately the goal went under review and was overturned due to a discrepancy between the actual game clock and the television clock. Why in hell the two tickers would be different is mind boggling, but the Blueshirts kept their poise, marched into the locker room and came out with a continued intensity and attack in the next period.

Then Brandon Dubinsky took over. Playing on a line with Marian Gaborik, the two stifled shooters combined their efforts to make something happen in game 3. Gabbi weaved down low and got a puck to the net and Dubi used his size and strength to free it from Neuvirth's pounce, wheel into the corner and cycle back up the boards where he arrowed a pass to Marc Staal at the point. Making an adjustment to Washington's shot-blocking strategy, Staal waited for his checker to go down then fired chest high blast with Gabbi screening in front. Neuvirth made the initial save but Vinny Prospal crashed the net and banged in perhaps the juiciest rebound of his career. It was a prime example of the Rangers figuring out the extra yard to push in order to score a goal in a tight playoff series like this one.

The Caps wouldn't quit though, and Ovetckin again made a big play to keep his squad in the game, faking out Girardi on the PP then hitting Backstrom on a cross ice feed. Lundqvist stopped the one-timer, but Mike Knuble slammed in the rebound. Being that the games were so defensively locked both teams were clearly looking to make plays happen around the net, crashing the blue paint to create rebounds and cash in.

The Rangers would crash harder though, and again it was Brandon Dubinsky rising to the occasion. The newly placed center ran a monstrous forecheck in the corner, jamming up the boards like a rally car crash-up. With Fedotenko cheating in for a pick, Dubi used his skate to muscle the puck out of the corner and then made a key play that will hopefully signify a slight change in the attitude of attack the Rangers are taking: rather than taking the puck behind the net for a probable perimeter cycle, he cut short, using his big body as a screen and dragged the puck out and jammed it hard on Neuvirth. To quote Caps disgruntled coach Bruce Boudreau the puck "hit off a guy's stick, went up into the air and tumbled behind the goalie and in. It counted." Damn straight Bruce, it counted. And it set the Garden fans into a frenzy.

The Rangers were able to fend off a final Caps surge on the strength of a Marc Staal extra effort along the boards that led to a clear. The win was dramatic and resilient and everything the Rangers needed it to be to give themselves some confidence in this series. But Washington never quit either, and with a trip back to DC looming, it is vital the Rangers bring the same intensity Wednesday night to knot this series up and put pressure on the #1 seed.

Great win Blue. Let's keep it fighting.

RANGERS' RESILIENCY TO BE TESTED IN GAME 2

The instant Alexander Semin rocketed a Marc Staal turnover past Henrik Lundqvist's blocker nearly 18 minutes into Overtime on Thursday night, the Rangers cut ties with the loss and began preparing for Game 2. You have to, really--the Playoffs are all about a short memory. The ability to rebound after tough losses has been a core strength for the Blueshirts throughout the season and resiliency to pessimism and extended periods of lazy play has forged their team identity and muscled them into the playoffs. But now what?

Obviously offense was a problem in Game 1 as the Rangers couldn't threaten with much danger and gain the 2-goal advantage after jumping out to the lead. In a tight playoff game against the #1 seed, you will need to steal a game or two on the road to win the series and with the chance presented to the Blueshirts they were unable to deliver. Critics of Marian Gaborik are ready to write off the snakebitten star, and even die hard supporters must cringe when he stuffs goal mouth opportunities into the goalie's stomach instead of showing his characteristic soft hands around the crease. I have faith in Gabby's ability to put together a big game, espcially this year as his inconsistent offense has come in spurts, and that may be exactly what the Rangers need to even up this series. It seems today he'll be back with Christensen on his line and the directive to the two of them is certainly: SHOOT.

Another aspect of the offense that is problematic concerns the amount of shots getting through. The Capitals clogged lanes on us and blocked 32 shots, leaving Neuvirth to save the scraps and though he was solid he wasn't exceptional. We need to test the young goalie's mettle and make him feel the intensity of our attack. Our young rookies played well in their first Playoff experience, Gilroy scored on the best shift we were able to put together, but there were some nerves to deal with as expected. Step and Zucc (if he's in the lineup. My gut opinion, he will be) need to dig their skates in and get inside to the tough areas as do the Rangers in general. Playoff games aren't won on the perimeter and the Rangers have to do whatever it takes to get inside.

Defensively I thought we played the game we wanted, but it wasn't enough. Staal and Girardi shut down Ovetchkin except for one shift where the Russian Bull showed his fortitude and jammed a puck past Lundqvist on the rush. Prior to that the Dynamic Duo had shut down Ovie, Semin and Backstrom the entire season--keeping the trio off the scoreboard. Lundqvist was for the most part brilliant but had help from the Post and his teammates clearing out dangerous rebounds in front. To take a 1-1 game with the Capitals into overtime I can't imagine the Rangers would argue with their defensive effort. It will need to be there all series.

The Rangers can gain some ground if they can get their Power-Play settled. It's clear to me that we can't put Washington up a man, but if we get the chance we need to take advantage. The momentum gained on a playoff kill can throw the home team over the top and in an already hostile building the Blueshirts can't give the Caps any edge.

We need to execute a great road game. We came close in game 1, but if the players have chosen to forget about it, the fans should too. Let's get inside, get grittier, and like the Knicks MSG commercial suggests "you don't just play, you play harder. You don't just work, you work harder."

Let's Go BLue!