Blue Notes

agreed, pittsburgh looks quite scary right now..wonder if they can afford hossa next year..cause i know we can!!! :D

Exactly. No blockbuster for the Rangers, but I think we're a little better now than we were 3 hours ago.

Pittsburgh, though... They have the Islanders-Smyth fever. Trade the future for a rental player.

i am not pissed at the rangers but more to see hossa in pitt who we play 3 times still and possibly in playoffs. seems isles get break tonight with no pens involved in trade being at game

Pittsburgh made a bad deal... how did Hossa perform vs us in the playoffs last year??? 1 assist and -6 in 4 games... not exactly scared of his playoff toughness... although it will be a dangerous combo with malkin and crosby..

Pittsburgh got destroyed by Atlanta. Hossa isn't an impact player anymore, and can disappear in the playoffs. Hello, first round last year?

Getting Dan Carcillo from Phoenix would've been nice, but I think this Sjostrom guy is better than advertised.

Steve What the heck is going on! This team got worse!

Good day in my book.....

Backman has lots of upside and has some chemistry with Hank.

Sjostrom is a good penatly killer and will be a good wing on the 4th line with betts

Gratton is a tough kid with size...maybe a better fit than Orr...or maybe you play them both with Betts on nights when you need the protection..

Either way a little deeper up front, we dumped Montoya which needed to happen and most importantly we didnt do anything stupid and now should have some cash to sign a number 1 d-man this summer...redden perhaps??

roc1193, you can't be serious.

I've got no problems with the trades the Rangers made, I don't think any of the players other than Backman are going to play for the Rangers this season though. Sjostrom and Gratton will probably join the goalie in Hartford.

Roc - don't know how you can say the team got worse...all they gave up was Marcel Hossa.

Actually, Sjo could very well play for us right now.

I assumed a Hossa/Montoya deal was in the works, I just assumed they'd end up with one good player, not 3 role players.

Pitts is a big winner today. Not just cause of Hossa either, Dupuis is someone I wish the Rangers never let go of... he's maturing.

Rangers also got a conditional pick from PHX, any word on that, Zip?

I'm really happy we didn't get rid of Prucha, Dawes, or Callahan. I'd definitely call it a successful day.

Chip, I can see them all playing actually except the goalie.

Backman slides right into the #6 spot.

Gratton replaces Orr (injured)
Sjo should take Hollweg out of the lineup.
Goalie goes to Hartford.

Yes they are all role players but, I am happy today as a fan as should all the youth lovers that flood these boards should be too. We could have traded 5 kids for Hossa and everyone would be calling for Sathers head.

When was the last time you saw a big fish move on deadline day impact the team he went to that year?

Easy guys, my gut says roc1193 is an Isles fan trolling.

I like the Backman pick-up and I'm sure Hank does as well. I would have liked to get Boynton if we were dealing with the Yotes but I'll hold judgement because I know nadda about who we got. I understand his stock is down but I would have thought Montoya would have been involved in a deal with a bigger name, #1 pick and all. But again, not at all upset about how today played out. Most of the talent went out west.

Dupuis is a rental too, UFA after this season, just like Hossa

Pens better win the Cup after this one.

Montoya was a mistake, at least we sent him to the guy who made the mistake.

Mr. Maloney

The Pens got robbed by the Thrashers. Hossa will not resign in Pittsburgh, he will want WAY too much money. They sold the farm for a rental. Esposito (1st rounder this yr), Armstrong (good solid 2nd line RW), Christensin (young center) & a 1st rd pick!

I thought something like Kennedy, Christiansen & a 1st would be a lot but they gave even more!

I am so happy the NYR added some size and toughness (exactly what was needed). I did not want them selling the farm for a one dimensional defenseman like Boyle or Campbell

Only problem might be that Backman is on the books next season for $3.4m, I don't know much about him but read that he plays a physical game and has good size.

Blues:
I don't really know anything about Sjostrom so maybe you're right and he sticks with the club - Gratton hasn't played at all for Phoenix this year which is why I assume he's just going to head straight to Hartford.

If the Penguins are able to sign Hossa for a long term deal then they had the best day of all, adding not just him but Dupis and Gill too. If not, that honor goes to the Caps who gave up nothing to get Huet, Federov and Matt Cooke.

How the hell do we still have that dud malicker on this team? Is he giving sather head or something?

where did u read backman plays a physical game. I have heard he doesnt hit and is injury prone, so just curious

Glad Slats didn't mortage the kids for some fill in star....glad we added a big tough D but still we are w/o a captain and set up guy on the PP. I feel we could have gott'n alot more for Montoya...a 1st Rd Draft Choice and 6th overall...all we got were role players and you'd think we could of received a star player in return...it'll be interesting following Montoya in PHX....only time will tell who truly got he better deal here-let's hope Donny M was wrong all along re: 'Toya, and one last thing: LET'S GO RANGERS' !!!!

Montoya had no value out there today.

3 players and a pick for him and Hossa.
Sound like Maloney owed Sather a favor.

Sounds like Sather still has it if anyone ever asked me.
Awesome day!

James, if this was the day after Monty was drafted, then yes... we could have gotten more for him.

But this is 2008. Monty turned out to be less than everyone thought he was. Not every drafted player stays at 100% what he was worth on day one.

If that was the case, Brendl would still be here.

Perhaps you are right, perhaps we should have moved him sooner....although still hurts to see a 1st rounder/6th overall pick not turn out. Still, I do look forward to seeing Backman and Sjo as both should be in a Rangers Jersey against the 'Canes...the goalie and Gratton along w/Prucha prob. all go down to the 'Pack...on btw, one more thing...sure 'Guins got a lot but they gave up a ton and better find a far better D to support the O.

Definitely glad the young guys on the roster stayed put. Hossa can go. I have no problem with getting rid of him or Montoya, and I always love to get a tough guy on the team. Backman is going to be a great addition to the defense. Trust me on that one.

I think he's a bit underrated. He's no Dan Boyle, but he will be solid on the blue line.

In the earlier trade for Backman the Rangers gave up a 4th round pick, correct? I believe I had read earlier this year that the Rangers already traded away their 3rd rounder in '08 for Avery and their 5th rounder in '08 for Brad Isbister. If this is all true, I'm not so sure I'm tickled pink that half our draft is gone for Backman, Isbister and a possible UFA (Avery) and one of our big minor-league chips in Montoya gone. Does anyone know if those picks are truly gone?

Thank god he didn't trade any youth! Other than that a big YAWN. This teams needs still have not been addressed. I hear Backman is another Malik according to some Stl. fans on another blog. Uh Oh!

I must agree with all those who think today was another solid Deadline Day for Sather.

Montoya wasn't going anywhere with the Rangers. If only for his sake I'm glad he'll get a chance somewhere else.

And I have hopes that Backman will turn out to be well worth a 4th round pick.

vincea,

whats the point of trading malik when you cant get anything for him and we need depth at the position?

use your head, i hate him like you do but we need him right now. you couldnt possibly want strudwick to play every game

2 points:

1. kinda wish we'd be in on the deals for belak and salei; reasonably cheap prices to pay for d-men who can make guys pay the price for parking out in front of lundquist; but maybe backman can be that kind of a player.

2. net takeaway is that slats is doing for henke what he did for jagr: surrounding the franchise player with countrymen he feels comfortable around; can an off-season move for twin joel be too far-fetched? i think not.

Backman's salary next season and 18 hits in 45 games are ridiculous. Sounds like he might be worse than Malik.

Should have traded for the other Gratton and Zhitnik. We basically got more of what we already have too much--forwards that lack scoring, lame goons, average goaltending and soft defensemen.

and why is Malik still here?

Montoya was NOT a big trading chip. He was a back-up goaltender in the AHL with no shot of making the Rangers and everyone in the league knew it. He was traded for someone else's first round pick that wasn't working out for them...that's what happens.

Malik is still here because other GMs have seen him play and know how much he is making.

Blackman's cap hit for next season is only $2.3 million which will be fine considering the team is freeing itself of Malik, Mara, Roszival, Jagr, and Shanny this summer with a number of the replacements (specifically defensive ones) coming from within the organization.

Again, I'm not sure what you guys wanted here - Dan Boyle and Barrett Jackman were both locked up to new contracts and there was no way in the warm down under that Buffalo was going to send Brian Campbell to the Rangers while the two teams are fighting for a playoff spot. They needed a blueliner and got one.

And to the person who complained about the lack of Ranger draft picks, they also got a pick back from the Yotes in the Montoya deal.

vgb... I agree with you 100%

Backman's cap hit will be at least 2.8 million, but likely over 3.

2 more bad trades by "genius" Sather.

Why do we need Sjostrom when we got Prucha, Callahan, Byers, Korpikoski, Moore, etc.?

Why do we need Backstrom when we got much better players in Baranka and Sauer as well as Potter, Pock and Sanguinetti?

Why do we always have to have a big soft defenseman? Popovic, Quintal, Poti, Malik, Backstrom...

Backman's cap hit is 2.3 million dollars next year. His salary will be 3.4 million, but his cap hit is 2.3 million. He has a contract where he made 1 million plus last year, 2 plus million this year, and 3 plus million next year; however his cap hit each year is 2.3

vgb: Backman's cap hit is only 2.3 million (source NHL.com). I'm guessing there was an endorsement from Lundqvist about Backman's game and with Mara hurt, Malik ineffective, and Strudwick being one step faster than Glen Featherstone, getting a depth defenseman for a fourth round pick is not the worst thing Sather could have done.

Sjostrom is a low risk pick up. What exactly did you want to do with Montoya? Forget about the fact that with Lundqvist locked up for the next 6 years he wasn't going to star on Broadway anytime soon, he wasn't even starting in Hartford anymore. As much promise as he had on the day he was drafted, he was quickly going the route of Pavel Brendl.

I will ask again, exactly what did you want to see happen here? The top two targets (Boyle and Jackman) were off the table, Campbell wasn't coming to the Rangers, Foote is 100, and Florida reached a deal to send Salei to the Avalanche.

These were minor moves, moves meant to tinker in a couple of spots and drop some dead weight (Marcel Hossa) the big moves were Gomez and Drury this summer.

As for bad moves by Sather, in all fairness to him, the last bad move he made was signing Aaron Ward. And that came on the heels of the fantastic he job setting the Rangers up coming out of the lockout.

watch Sather draft another goalie in the first round.

when the player is traded his cap hit changes past seasons do not count. Or am I wrong?

vgb,

you are wrong.

Stop nitpicking, Backman is a depth defenseman for the playoff run.

I know a lot of people just are wishing Sather did something to harm the future of the team so they could come on this blog and rip him all night, but, he didn't do that, and he never has as Rangers GM.

WE have a chance to make a great run this spring and the future is very bright,

Why did we get that so called enforcer? We should of signed that kid Kocur from Detroit

Chip,
I see the pick you're talking about -- a conditional 2009. My point is that this spring's draft is supposed to be one of the deeper drafts in recent history (according to the "experts" on TSN this morning). My point is that I'd rather hold onto Montoya until after the season and see if you can recoup even a fourth rounder in this draft rather than getting another minor league goalie and an enforcer to take up space at Hartford. Seems a waste.

Anon,

I understand you wanting to take advantage of the draft, but there are a couple of things to consider with it. 1. Montoya's value was dropping like a stone and 2. The Rangers have done a great job of building up their prospect depth, they can afford to take a couple of less players in this draft because of all the extra picks they had garnered in earlier drafts.

Also the Rangers are going to have a ton of cap space to play with next off season.

As for picking up Gratton - what difference does it make? He's likely going to spend the rest of the season at Hartford.

All in all, I agree with Dude that there is a ton of nitpicking going on over some relatively small moves. I think the problem is that everyone wanted the big name and wanted Malik gone, and neither of those two things happened.

I think we can talk all we want re: salary caps and the players we traded and received. Slats did not give up the future and he supported the present team and I applaude him for doing what he did today. Here is what I am disappointed in: the fact Slats did not get Campbell from Buff.. We have not had a leader on the PP since the days of Brian Leetch. It is this unaddressed issue I fear will continue to haunt us as it has all season long. Had Slats aquired campbell, we would have had a young, talented and quick player to lead our PP into the playoffs and the future...any player from any team can be had for the right price.

I think we can talk all we want re: salary caps and the players we traded and received. Slats did not give up the future and he supported the present team and I applaude him for doing what he did today. Here is what I am disappointed in: the fact Slats did not get Campbell from Buff.. We have not had a leader on the PP since the days of Brian Leetch. It is this unaddressed issue I fear will continue to haunt us as it has all season long. Had Slats aquired campbell, we would have had a young, talented and quick player to lead our PP into the playoffs and the future...any player from any team can be had for the right price.

Rich,

I think we all can agree that Campbell would have been a great pick up. But I think we can also all agree that with the playoff race so tight and Buffalo and the Rangers in the thick of it, it is hard to imagine them sending the Rangers the exact player they needed to cement their playoff position. And if they had been willing to deal Campbell to the Rangers you can bet that the price tag would have been through the roof.

You may be right, but I have seen a lot of crazy deals made over the past 30 years. .....and 'ya have to give up a lot to get a lot...still, we need a PP specialist as we haven't had one in years Chip. Maybe something will fall into our laps come draft day....and it'll be interesting to see how 'Toyas career will go under Donny in PHX.

i got a chuckle reading vgb's posts.

1. is backman not backstrom.

2. he wanted gratton and zhitnik...one question, why?...zhitnik is slower then strudwick if thats even possible. gratton is a center that we have no feasable use for.

3. he says we got what we already had..goons, back-ups, yada yada yada. sjostrom is perfect for them, 4th liner to replace hollweg everyday..with a ton of speed. a penalty killer, so guys like gomez dont risk geting hurt blocking a shot or what have you.
so in no way are they similar to prucha, callahan, etc. backstrom is for depth THIS YEAR. why you bringing up the future at the position that we have, like saguneti, sauer, etc. backman has a role RIGHT NOW, an important one at that.

4. this one cracks me most of all. the montoya thing. when you say "slats is gonna draft another goalie in the 1st rd next year" what exactly do you mean?..cause i know one thing, when montoya was drafted...they had no idea that a 7th rd pick from sweden would become an elite goalie in the NHL, and you know who i mean. therefore montoya was BEYOND expendable right now, and we been sayin since the end of last season to trade him. did u honestly think we could get more for him then we did. when the leauge knows we had hank in the fold and montoya's injuries and struggles. i actully think maloney did us a favor and gave us more than enough. and i hope he enjoys whatever al gives them, cause it wasnt gonna happen here.

you, vincea and kocur need to start your own blog and leave us alone. your negativity to the TRUE, DEDICATED FAN is contagous...so skedaddle yo azz outta here!!

and use your head man, the team improved today.....AND DATS THE BOTTOM LIIIIIIIIIIINE............CUZ T.J. SAID SOOOOOOOOOO!!

rangervile. great post/

some people just need to complain....

they rangers made nice marginal moves, the end..

thx stu, i just try to call out the fools is all. i used think like them, but i wised up. im just frustrated... i think slats has done a great job the last few years, and he rarely gets any credit

I was a little disappointed the Rangers didn't go after Hall Gill.He's a big physical d-man that they could have used.Otherwise,no complaints.
Any chance that LeNeveau will get a chance to play a game or two this year?

Sjostrom played on Phx #1 PP and the top line with Doan.
This happened this season after Nagy left in the summer.
So, since this kid can play the PK and the PP with major ice time, where is he going to fit on NY.
Interesting to say the least.

Anon, The only way LeNeveau plays this year is if both Hank and Valliquette are hurt, so the answer is, "yes there's a chance he could play this year but I sure as s#$% hope he doesn't have to."

I think for now Sjostrom slots into the fourth wing and the special teams - the question I have is what happens when Prucha is ready to play? Will the Rangers go with a fourth line of Prucha - Betts - Sjostrom and take both Hollweg and Orr out of the lineup and essentially leave Avery and Dubinsky as the only guys who will step up to a player taking liberties on the Ranger players or will Prucha, or Callahan, or Dawes be sent to Hartford. Of the three, I would say Prucha is the most likely to be sent down, but that could be a crushing blow to the kid.

I like how Sather keeps all the UFA's he's gonna lose for nothing this summer so we can make a run at the playoffs and then does nothing to improve the team at the deadline. These moves are insignificant. Considering the amount of available players that could actually help this team, coming away with what we got is a disaster. I'm happy he did'nt trade any youth. At least he did one thing right. Backman IS another Malik! All you Kocur haters know where you can go...

As usual there is no shortage of blind sheep to pat Sather the idiot on the back. It's shocking how ignorant most of the bloggers here are about the game of hockey. Great moves yesterday, now we'll really win the cup. DUUUUUUUUUHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

You are such a dumarse

No team in 6th or 7th place playing as well as the Rangers have been playing lately are going to be sellers!!!

And, as usual, Sather didn't sacrifice the future, like the Penguins did yesterday, like the Islanders did last year, because it never works!!!

Kocur, you seriously are the dumbest person alive.

I am still waiting for the post from Kocur or Lenny or one of the others admitting they were wrong.

All you guys were saying was that Sather was going to sacrifice the youth, "as usual" at the deadline.

Wrong!!!!

Kocur, how disappointed are you that you were wrong. It must totally be eating away at you?

Yeah DUDE your killing me. Never said he would trade away the youth. Go find it if I did. You and TJ are by far the dumbest posters on this board.

Un like you and TJ my life does'nt revolve around this blog so good luck eating away at me. Dismissed!

LOL,

why u change your name anyway?

Embarrassment?

It's ok you were wrong!

I changed it cause you are always right. You're the Rangers best and smartest fan. You go girl! I'm Still waiting for proof I am wrong.

Girl?

LOL

Oh, I'll find the proof, just wanna make sure I know all the names you post under Sybil.

It's funny, it's just so much easier when people admit they were wrong.

I'm still waiting!

All I can say is good luck Hossa, hopefully he gets playing time in phx and can prosper into a better player. Everyone trashes him, but I think he has a huge upside. Great hands, good size, excellent on the boards, can play defensively, he just needs to be paired with some players to accommodate his style.

cooper i agree with you ive always liked hossa hes got some good stuff, and the worst part about this is if we play pitt in the playoffs we cant have marcels better chants!

Rucchin, where did you read that the Rangers got a conditional pick from Phoenix? Didn't read anything about getting back a draft pick.

Beside HL, Vally and Wilkman, the new guy, Lenevue, may be good enough to push Wilkman for the Hartford job which will be good for both.

For those who think Sather didn't help the team, let me put it this way.

You are the Rangers GM and another GM calls you and says I'll give you Backman for a 4th rounder. Do you take it or leave it?

Then a second GM calls you and offers you Sjorstrom, Gratton and Lenevue for Hossa and Monyoya. Again, do you take it or leave it?

Me? I'd take both of them. Remember, Sather didn't have many choips to bargain with. He had no Brian Campbell (wonder if anybody asked for Rozsival?), the wrong Hossa or players of that calibre. The team is minisculely better than before the deals.

No idea how long Orr is out, anybody know how he got hurt? Another thugzie type we can sure use, especially if he can skate and be at least good enough for 4th line duty.

Sjorstrom is the sleeper in the deal. A change of scenery may just work for him. Even if he doesn't, can't be any worse than Hossa. We'll get our first look at him tomorrow.

Montoya was constantly getting injured and hopefully Lenevue will be more durable and like I said, push Wilkman.

Even a soft Backman should be better than Strudwick, Mara or Malik. Would have preferred a thumper but they were all sold out. For now, Backman is taking Mara's place. When Mara comes back, Strudwick or Malik will sit.

Question: Do the Rangers get any picks from teams signing their UFA's?

Next order of business, sign Avery, Vally and Dawes. Not sure if I want Rozi back. Depends on who's available as a UFA after this season. Sather will have to look in his crystal ball and make a decision there.

Overall sather did sh-t. He got rid of a lousy hossa and a bad draft pick in montoya.If Sjorstrom shows anything he will be better than hossa,the goalie is a Benoit project. I did like getting Gratton and I think they should play them both and drop Hollywood. It seems we just got a younger malick how wonderful is that two big dman who are wusses. Bravo glenn you are showing just how great you are. No wonder you are a legend in your own mind!!!!!!! No wonder I hat sather

Here's a link to a list of potential NHL Free Agents after this season, some of them have already been signed to new contracts but it should give you an idea of what's going to be out there. For what it's worth, if San Jose doesn't sign him Brian Campbell would be the top choice:

http://www.sportscity.com/NHL/NHL-Free-Agents-by-Position-2008/#Defense

Nicely put Vincea. It's good to see not everyone on this blog is clueless.