Blue Notes

And three years from now all islanders hockey fans will be converting over like you did Troll. Because there isn't going to be a team on the island in three years, comprendo!
But you didn't need to plug your job too.

Hey Zip,

As I look at the Rangers roster come September, assuming there are no major trades or signings to come, I see a huge glut of 3rd and 4th line players on our team. Will the Rangers just wait to see who is weeded out through competition during training camp to make decisions on these players?

Speaking of young plyaers, who perhaps need the 4th or 3rd line as a means of getting into the lineup and then moving up the ladder depending upon their ability and stats, we have way too many.

I have no idea why the Rangers signed no-names like Patrick Rissmiller and Aaron Voros when they could have used their Hartford aplayers on the cusp to fill in some spots on the big club as 3rd or 4th line wingers.

Rissmiller is already 30 yrs old and I believe was signed for $1 million or a little over $1 million per year. I know that Lauri Korpikoski has a large entry level deal in so much as his NHL salary I believe would be around $1 million per season. Wouldn't it have been wise knwoing that with their recent moves the Rangers would be pressed right up against the end of our cap? Doesn't it make sense to give Lauri that spot on the team instead?

Will there be spots for Korpi, Dane Byers, Anisimov, Greg Moore and others to have a shot at come training camp?

Here is my lineup as I see it currently contructed come the fall...

FORWARDS:
Naslund-Gomez-Zherdev

Dawes-Dubinsky-Callahan

Korpikoski-Drury-Prucha

Voros-Betts-Sjostrom

DEFENSE:
Staal-Roszival

Redden-Girardi

Kalinin-Mara

GOAL:
Lundqvist/Valiquette

Let me know what you think, Zip..Thanks

They have no plan of getting a new 3rd jersey....does that mean they are gunna bring back the liberty, I already miss that jersey.

I see Zherdev as a second line complimentary player.

Naslund - Drury - Gomez
Zherdev - Dubinksy - Dawes
Callahan - Fristche - Prucha
Sjostrom - Betts - Orr

Orr has to play, I don't really see where Korpokowski fits.
I think they need to trade Prucha to either move in Korpokowski or Dane Byers..

thoughts?

Voros was signed to a 3 year deal averaging 1 million a year.

I think people need to consider that when making their line combinations.

He is going to play.

There are definitely a lot of 3rd and 4th liners on this squad though.

I see more moves before the season absolutely inevitable.

I like Korpikoski and want him to make the team, but the problem with him is that his cap hit if he makes the team is over 1 million.

If this team is looking for cap room, he is going to be going to Hartford unless he has a training camp for the ages.

Dude,

I agree, but in order for him to even have a spot on this team someone else would have to be moved, so that should clear up some cap room.

I'm sure I'll get killed for this, but I just read a report on SI. com that Shanny has decided he'd like to come back for 08-09, prefferably with the Rangers.

I've always loved Shanny, especially with the Rangers. Sure, last year his old age was very evident. Yet, his presence in the line-up, even as a 4th line center, as well as in the locker room, is beneficial for the team.

With Jagr and the "c" gone, perhaps throw the "c" on shanny and give him a 1 yr, incentive laced deal. Pace him through the year and I believe things will work out. He would be good with the likes of Dru and Gomez as well as all these youngers coming in.

Busey,

yeah, agreed

there will definitely be some more moving around before Oct 4th for sure.

Upstate,

Yeah, it's been written all over the placer that Shanny wants to come back, but, where's the cap space and where is the room for him to play?

I love Shanny too, but he is just too old. He would have to accept a minimum contract and limited playing time. I'm not sure a player of his stature would be able to make that transition.

" like Korpikoski and want him to make the team, but the problem with him is that his cap hit if he makes the team is over 1 million."

Where did you get that? I think it is under a million

cap central shows Korpikoski's cap hit at 1.017 million

they are pretty reliable

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/cap-central/team.php?team=NYR

Busey,

Why in the world would you think Drury and Gomez would be on the same line, and Gomez at wing? What are you thinking? Your 2 top centers playing on the same line....makes a lot of sense

Kevo,

Because the team has 5 centers. Someone has to move to wing. I figure Drury is better to stay at center since he is the best face off man. Wouldn't you like to have a dominant line for once? This team hasn't had one in forever. This team doesn't score goals so what is the issue with giving it a try?

Also, if you are a center and you can't make the move to wing as a NHL player. You should probably kill yourself.

........ and because those are the lines I use in NHL '08 and my team kicks ass! haha

Gomez is going to remain at center, the guy will always be a center and the Rangers brought in a couple of high profile wingers in Zherdev and Naslund for him.

I somewhat understand your logic...but first off, if either of the two were to move to wing, it would be Drury but it doesn't matter anyways. Dubi isn't a mainstay yet, so he could always get moved to wing, which is unlikely, and Fritsche played wing for Columbus, and that's if Betts is on the team on opening night...

Besides the fact, I'd rather have more balanced lines than a dominant line. If you face a team with shut down defensmen (Brendan Witt HAHAHAHA) or a good checking line, then you're not going to be able to do anything. With a more balanced attack, they can't focus in on one line. I'm pretty sure you don't face NHL-caliber checking lines in NHL '08 lol. This is kind of why I want Fritsche and the newly acquired 4th liners to make up the 4th line so there is a chance to score, unlike last year with Betts, Hollweg, and Orr.

The lines are still weird and crazy to try and figure out

I think these two lines seem very logical:

Naslund-Gomez-Zherdev

Dawes-Dubinsky-Callahan

Right now, does that mean Drury plays with Voros and Prucha?

and then the 4th line is Rissmiller-Fritsche-Orr?

Then where does Sjostrom and Betts fit? Moore? Byers? Korpikoski?

None of it makes sense and I think it just ends up being impossible to figure out until we see all the moves in store.

Why? You didnt like the combined 5 goals by the Betts - Hollweg - Orr last year?

If they do move Drury to winger, he better still take the face offs for his line. That is where alot of his value is. Puck possession is a key part of the game.

No matter where Drury plays, he still is going to play every powerplay and every penalty kill

He led all the forwards in total shifts last season and no matter what line he is on, I would bet he will again.

I'll give that 4th line 4 and a half goals....In Hollweg's 2 goal game, I think it was his second goal that deflected off of the defensivemen's face and off the top of the goalies head...

Gomez is a very good face off man as well.

Dude, the problem with your second line is that we don't know what to expect from Dubi. Yes, he played on the 1st line last year, but that was with Jagr. I think Drury is gonig to get the 2nd line center spot and Dubi as the 3rd. Here's what I've been thinking of:

Zherdev-Gomez-Maybe Dawes
Naslund-Drury-Callahan
Fristche-Dubinsky-Prucha

I like Dawes, possibly, because he has the speed and the guy can flat out finish. I think Callahan fits in with the style of play that Drury plays. Maybe even put Dawes with them two and have Naslund with Gomez and Zherdev.

I think this way, we have 3 lines that can all make stuff happen, like it was when we were playing well last year.

Here's my darkhorse prediction...don't really think it will happen...but you never know...but if Prucha can get back to near his old form, although small, he could end up on the line with Zherdev and Gomez...not right away of course, but maybe, just maybe...I know it's not likely and people are probably going to go nuts over Prucha, but everyone's entitled to their own thoughts...except when they say Gomez on Drury's wing lol

I still don't get why its so crazy to put your 2 best players on the same line.

Kevo,

I hear ya

I actually loves the Dawes-Drury-Callahan line and wouldn't mind at all if is stays together.

I still have a feeling Prucha is going to be gone because he makes 1.6 million and if they are looking for some breathing room cap wise, there is a nice chunk.

Busey, you really need to watch a few hockey games before you are allowed to comment here. Thought they already banned you months ago. This team basically has Two second lines, as well as Two fourth lines. So sue me.

Jimmy,

I have been playing hockey since I was 5 and played at the HS and Collegiate level...

so blow me.

Because your "two best players" are two of the top centers in the league and are making $7 million to play center. Drury is better served playing center. It's where he has his little intangibles. Good back-checking center, very good face off man, etc. Gomez has those same things. Putting one of them on the wing eliminates it. And I'd rather have 3 very good centers than have Drury on the first line to make a "dominant line", where it won't necessarily be dominant. Drury scored 30 goals for Buffalo but he's not a dominant player. I just think it makes absolutely no sense. I understand when some people have line combinations that I don't agree with but I get what they see; Gomez and Drury together, outside of the powerplay, is just stupid.

Dude,

I did like the Dawes-Drury-Cally line too

Hmm...we're left with....

Prucha (if he's around)-Dubi-Fritshce

That's not bad. Leaves a balanced attack if this guy Fritsche turns out to be something.

I'm assuming then it would be Zherdev-Gomez-Naslund...

Say Voros-Betts-Rissmiller.....

Not bad at all

Kevo,

I'm not the one who made it up. I've seen on multiple media outlets that Drury may play wing this season.

Busey,

I don't agree with those media outlets either. But for those, they are talking about putting him on Dubinsky's wing. That's what I've heard. Have them on the second line and the have Fritsche center the 3rd line. So you stack Gomez with the snipers in Zherdev and Naslund and you still have a very good second line with Dubi-Drury and whoever, probably Dawes. I've heard somethnig along those lines, but not them together. Doesn't make sense, especially in the way Renney coaches. He wants to have those two-way centers defensive responsibility. While Dubi is a two-way center, he isn't anywhere near Drury in that aspect. And with the Rangers going high pressure, fast paced hockey, somewhat offensive hockey, they are gonig to need the defensively responsible centers spread out, hence, Gomez-Drury-Dubinsky-Betts. That makes more sense than say Gomez/Drury-Dubinsky-Fritsche-Betts or something like that.

I just don't think it makes sense because they brought them in as two high profile centers, which they needed to get stronger down the middle, and then put one on the wing.

Fristche can skate well and has size and he has some decent scoring ability.

Hopefully he can stay healthy because he can be a 20+ goal scorer in this league.

He only just turned 23 and has played in over 200 NHL games.

He is from Ohio and I have heard a lot about getting him away from the local boy pressure could be good for him.

we shall see

If Betts is still in the lineup starting first game, I am boycotting the team.

Bob - does that include boycotting this board as well

you wish