He scored 14 goals in 61 games last season and could score 20-plus with more ice time, so restricted free agent winger Nigel Dawes and the Rangers have agreed to a one-year, $587,500 deal. (I was initially mixed up, the Freddie Sjostrom negotiations are apparently about more than one year).
Dawes, 23, who earned $475,000 last season, had four game-winning goals and also tallied 14 times in Hartford.
Sjostrom, by the way, had just returned from Rome where he attended an NHLPA meeting, and told me, "I continue to discuss my contract". His qualifying offer from the Rangers is required to be 10 percent higher than his 2007-08 salary, which was $800,000.
Comments (39)
Steve,
Important to remember, especially with Shanahan unlikely to return…the Ranger’s top 3 penalty killing wingers are all gone (Straka, Shanahan, Avery). Of the remaining forwards, I remember Callahan and Sjostrom killing penalties with any kind of regularity. With Drury and Gomez the likely choices as centers for the top two units, I think it might be wise to use their PK pairing as even strength as well.
Gomez and Callahan
Drury and Sjostrom
With Gomez and Zherdev reputedly swift of skate, they seem a lock to be top center and winger.
Naslund doesn’t kill penalties, and skates around 17 minutes a game per last season, I can see him using penalty minutes to rest, and then join his countryman Sjostrom with Drury at 5 on 5.
Callahan-Gomez-Zherdev
Naslund-Drury-Sjostrom
I like these even strength trios, as it is unlikely that Freddie and Ryan will play much on the power play. The labor is distributed, and Gomez and Drury should be logging the most ice time of all the forwards.
Dubinsky spent half of last year on the third line and half on the first line. I see him reprising his role as third line center, and hope to see him repeat his 40 or so points. I expect the same amount for Nigel Dawes, and truth be told, Petr Prucha. This line should skate mostly at even strength, and probably get some power play time as a unit, maybe 30% of the total. 120 points for these guys and at least an even rating would make me want them all back for the next four years.
I don’t really see much of consequence coming from the fourth line, and am indifferent between the possible centers and wings. Betts maybe needed for PK, but may not be needed. I don’t care.
My lines:
Callahan-Gomez-Zherdev
Naslund-Drury-Sjostrom
Dawes-Dubinsky-Prucha
Would love some comment on the reasoning.
Steve,
I'm not sure what league you think the rangers are playing in, but in the NHL Callahan is a regular 3rd line player. If there are injuries, he could see minutes on the second unit. The day Callahan plays on the first line is the day the rangers become an ahl team.
And i'm not sure who you're kidding putting sjostrom on the second line.
For the Penalty kill, Betts was a regular in the last few years. Assuming he isn't traded away, he's a lock for one of the PK units, as is Drury. Sjostrom and Callahan can definitely kill penalties.
zg,
I wouldn't say Straka & Shanahan were the top PK's on the team. Avery rarely played the PK. As for Drury and Betts, that's your bread and butter on the PK. Shots blocked for Betts, take away blocking and PK TOI for Dru. I will say Straka's abilities on the PK will be missed.
Callahan on the top line? No way is that happening. But I wouldn't mind seeing it work. Failing I couldn't handle.
Prucha, Sjostrom (some hands), Dubinsky and Dawes I see fighting it out on the top line position.
Renney will give consideration to everyone except Prucha.
just a hunch.
I'd also go as far to say making the top line Zherdev, Gomez and Naslund, put Drury at second line center and let the kids show us what they got on the wings! "Move it or lose it"
Prucha Dubinsky and Dawes had great numbers together last Jan. Could be?
I have to disagree on the forth line comment. I think that is why Voros and Fritsche were signed. I think Orr will be gone soon too.
Let the defense stand up of the forwards.
Dubinsky, Gomez, Drury, Naslund, Dawes and Callahan can all stand up for themselves as we know, but probably not all good fighters. It just might be that the Rangers are thinking of going into the season without a heavyweight. But a couple of middle-weights ain't bad either.
Faster and younger. More goals. from here on out!
Burt and Dave,
You both make very good points. It does seem nutty to have Callahan on the top line at even strength, and the same goes for Sjostrom on the second line.
However,
According to Short Handed Time on Ice per game, Shanahan, Straka, and Avery were 1,2, and 3 as forwards. With none of them back, the responsibility will have to fall to someone. Callahan and Gomez were a tandem, had success, and showed some chemistry. If Gomez and Zherdev are a poor team's Jagr and Nylander, then Callahan can be the Straka. It's a model that works on succesfull teams.
While I truly admire Blair Betts, he went from being number one on face-offs to number four. With the solidity of the defense much higher, the need for a dedicated checking center is lessend. I don't see Betts making the team. That makes Drury and Gomez the top PK centers, and I think they absolutly should have one of their even strength linemates as PK wingers. Since Naslund and Zherdev don't kill penalties, the next two wingers with PK experience are Callahan and Sjostrom. If i'm looking at this lineup as a coach, and want to make sure the ice time is properly distributed (at least to begin the season) then this is how the chips fall.
Callahan-Gomez-Zherdev
Naslund-Drury-Sjostrom
Dawes-Dubinsky-Prucha
This-That-Other
Comments and questions? Especially, is the PK tandum = EV tandem a valid concept?
like the XTC pull there, zipper.
I'll hold off on the lines until I see who makes the team out of camp. They have a log jam of forwards and they should put a package together for another goal scoring winger. Too many 3rd and 4th line players. Gomez, Drury, Zherdev, Dubi, Naslund should be a lock for five of the top six forward positions. Another scorer and they'll look prety good up front. Defence is still too soft and worries me. Renney will be juggling lines till march looking for "Chemistry". I have no faith in him. He's over rated and somehow free from scrutiny from the press. A sniper, a big punishing defenceman and a quality coach away from being true contenders. One of these days they'll figure it out.
I want to hear from several fans on this site when we miss the playoffs, how do you replace Jagr, Shanny, Avery, Straka and HWeg?? You dopes dont see how Soft this team has gotten. Fire Sather Now.
that wasn't me... impostor on the loose.
The Jagr era is over! This team belongs to Renney.
that wasn't me... impostor on the loose.
The Jagr era is over! This team belongs to Renney.
zg,
you lost me at poor team's Jagr, Nylander
I don't like the tandem concept at all. I like the PK pairings. The common man doesn't like Betts. he brings value, and would be better with faster defensive wingers.
Switch Prucha n Dawes with Sjostrom and Cally.
With Dawes's new mutli year deal it looks like the Rangers are betting on Dawes to score goals.
we got plenty of players that can kill penalties: Drury, Callahan, Sjostrom, Moore, Fritsche, Gomez, Korpikoski, Dawes, and I am guessing Anisimov, but really it is a possition where almost anybody can excel at.
Dawes should be on top 2 lines. Callahan should be on 3ed line. Betts has to be gone. Sjostrom, Rissmiller, Orr and Prucha all probably better off gone and replaced by Anisimov, Moore, Korpikoski and Byers.. Trade them for draft picks, or for a goalie prospect or for a physical defenseman.
How about a Drury-Anisimov-Zherdev line?
Ahh, soft they might look on paper Island trash. How's Nolan's Type Team doing you turncoat two faced slug. The better coach just got canned, is that what you tell yourself? Ohhh poor Islanders, looks like the ship has sailed yet again (16) on another hopeful season. When are you going to come to the realization that Wang-doodle and his hockey rejects are fleecing the fans and the island. They're leaving soon toolbox. Leaving, because they have no intentions of making the team anything but what it is today. The fans will never return. The world will never miss you. There for expendable!
Hamilton is going to love that team. they'll welcome each and every single player into their homes and into their hearts. It'll put Hamilton on the map and long island will just be... on the map.
Bob that idea is kind of nuts. loco. you know that right.
But that line sounds fun.
I agree with those that say it doesn't matter where we put people until all the trades have been made and training camp closes...but having said that, here's my opening night line-up as of now.
Naslund Gomez Dubinsky
Dawes Drury Zherdev
Sjostrom Fritche Callahan
Voros Betts Orr
this all changes the second there is a trade including Prucha, Betts, Dawes, Callahan or Rissmiller etc. And then you throw either Anisimov or Korpikowski into the line-up.
I think another solid top line winger is needed more than a burly d-man, unless Orr is gone and then we definitely need a bruising d-man. I'd rather Dubinsky and Drury stay at center but as of now there are not enough center spots open for all the centers we have.
So in conclusion, this was an exercise in futility as we have no idea who will even still be here come opening night. Anyway, I am about as excited about the rangers as I have been in a LONG LONG time...tons of potential and possibilities all over the place.
Burt - i can't see putting Hollweg in the same sentence as the others. he is terrible and a selfish player with no hockey iq. the Rangers will not miss him.
Burt, is that insane rant directed at me?
Steve,
Here's what I think the lines should look like:
NASLUND GOMEZ ZHERDEV
DAWES DRURY PRUCHA SJO./KORP DUBINSKY CALLAHAN
RISSMILLER BETTS FRITSCHE
STAAL REDDEN
ROZ. GIRARDI
KALININ MARA
POCK
To balance out the scoring I would switch Naslund for Dawes.
PP1
DAWES GOMEZ ZHERDEV
REDDEN ROZ
NAS GOMEZ ZHERDEV
STAAL REDDEN
PRUCHA GOMEZ ZHERDEV
RED ROZ
PP2
NAS DRURY PRUCHA
STAAL REDDEN
GIR ROZ
DAWES NAS DRURY
NAS DRURY ZHER
DUB DRURY PRUCHA
PK1 AND 2
DRURY NAS REDD STAAL
BETTS DUB KAL GIR
DUB CAL KAL MARA
Joe, how am I to respond to that? I said nothing of Hollweg?
Kocur. No. the impostor from 19:01. But I like Renney and I like the farm. I think this was a realistic turnover after the Jagr era. The Rangers are going to be good for a long time.
Amazing how many people rather see Blair "2.5 assists" Betts than Rissmiller or Fritsche or Anisimov or Korpikoski or Moore.
Does Sjostrom really weigh 217 pounds? check this video http://youtube.com/watch?v=XgPea0YySGU
Looks more like 190 at most.
The real Burt. Cool. I thought it was a troll. Some people never grow up. I like the farm too. Just having Jagr gone is good enough for me this season.
I dont like to screw around with the possibilities for the Rangers lines this coming year. No matter how you match it up, this years team pales compared to last years.... on paper
Last year's team was garbage, a bunch of big names that played small.
Shanahan, Straka, Jagr, Malik, Hossa, Strudwick, Backman, Betts, Hollweg are all garbage. Only decent players that left are Avery and Tyutin.
And on top of that Callahan, Dawes, Dubinsky, Staal and Girardi were pretty much rookies, now they are a year older and better.
And we added Zherdev, Naslund, Fritsche, Redden, Kalinin, Voros, Rissmiller, Jamtin, as well as rookies Anisimov, Byers, Korpikoski, Moore, Potter, etc.
I just realized that I made the point for Effigy with the players I just named, Duh. My parents should sue the Private Shcool they sent me to.
Pulled your legs, eh. Now, Pull my Fingrer...Burt, thanks for your comments on the Islander site, Now we,re mad too.
RE: the icelanders...only problem is their biggest problem...the same person who bailed them out is the root cause for their problems...Wong himself. I respect that he is a respected businessman, and a very successful one at that, BUT, he has no clue how to run a hockey team, which is good for all of us! IF he had a hockey braincell, he should of kept Neil Smith and Nolan...that would have been one heck of a tandem, and again, better for us and better they keep doing what they are doing. One day, Wong will get it, and I just hope that day isn't any time soon. With regards to all the moves...I like 'em, and I know it's gonna take until the Allstar Break to determine the chemistry and potential future of our team. I think we're gonna have 4 good lines, we need to sign Orr and find a big string D'man, as I have said before. Forget Sundin-not gonna happen....I'd rather wait and go after Zetterburg next year who will be a FA.
I think the Islanders fans are so upset over what's happening on their team that they're losing control of upper brain function.
TRolle- pull legs, pull finger...? WTF are you talking about silly troll? If that tiny little head of yours has come to the conclusion that i'm your troll, you need ANOTHER lobotomy SFB’s.
I do like that troll though, he makes some pretty compelling points for island trash, like you any ever person to ever wear that jersey you low life sack o’shiite.
I hate the island too. Nothing but golden poluted beaches, horrid people, just the worst kind.
I've meet the enemy face to face and they had more dignity and respect for the the people around them then any islander fan I've ever meet. low life trash is what they are.
High society loves the Hamptons, loves L.Island. Good, someone has to be fooled into overpaying for crap land with dirty beaches and crappy water.
I hate the ialanders too.
a one year deal makes Dawes trade deadline bait.
Gus...you must be some sort of uneducated jealous jack*** for the moronic things you said about Long Island...and apparently you cannot afford to live here. ...normal people just don't say the stupid things you've said. I am and for 40+ years been a die hard blue blooded NYR Fan, and I'll support my team 100% regardless of the way they play or the moves they make!!! But at the same time, I'll defend my Long Island as well.....with fabulous beaches along the Atlantic, the LI Sound, excellent fishing, shopping, county and town parks, great and varied restaurants, award winning wineries out east, the Hamptons, camping, etc. etc., you cannot beat it. I'll agree on 3 negs; high taxes, congestion and a pathetic hockey club-that's it! Maybe one day when you can afford it, you'll come to appreciate it.
bob: Jagr played small ? Straka played small ? Straka might not be the hitter you wanted him to be, but he played with no fear (maybe he had a fear of shooting, or a fear of what happens if he doesnt pass to Jagr though). Jagr sure was small with those 15 points in 10 playoff games !!!
You think Naslund, Zherdev, Pissmiller, Varos
are better than
Jagr, Avery, Straka & Shanny (not that I want Straka or Shanny back)
bob: I'd love nothing more than to see Byers, Korpokoski, Moore, Pock, Potter or Anisimov on the team, but they dont have the payroll to allow these kids on the team right now. Maybe if they sent Fritche, Varos, Kalinen, Betts and Pissmiller to the minors, they could play a few more kids, but I doubt thats going to happen.
yes, I think we got a TEAM now, not an abomination that was for the last 3 seasons. And first of all it will be Dawes, Naslund and Zherdev replacing Jagr, Straka, and Shana-Khan and hell yeah!!! the new 3 are better than the the 3 stoogies. Not sure who replaces Avery, maybe Callahan, maybe Fritsche, it won't make too much difference as he was injured half the time.
We definitely have the cap space to play the prospects, the only problem is the roster spots and by trading away Betts, Sjostrom, Prucha and Rissmiller they open up some spots.
I am so excited about this team that I am not even calling for Renney's head...yet.
Jagr's 15 points in the playoffs was him playing for a new contract.
Rich, please don’t take this a bragging
I made more money today than you will make in a year. You should have traveled the world in your 40 + years buddy. You've missed allot. So just like the Islanders you're stuck in mediocrity. Long Islands beaches stink. I’ve never had a bottle of wine I wanted to share with guests that came from L.I. I looked a property on the island. Why spend the kind of money I’d have to spend to live in the Hamptons, when I could build and own twice as much land, on the water, somewhere else. SUCKERS are what I call those people.
Good luck to you sir. Good luck living the rest of you’re know it all life in Long Island. I’m sure they love you there.
Burt.
I live on the island. I work on the island and that is an impostor.
Coward!
THE REAL BURT!!!!
Rich,
What do you care about what some guy on the internet says about long island? It's not the nices place in the world. I think the beaches are ugly and the water is dirty. But that's my opinion. How does that effect you?
Burt you're a marked man. You might want to change your name.
Schedule's out:
Rangers 2008-2009 Regular season
Sat Oct 4, 2008
Rangers Lightning (Prague, CZ) 12:00 PM ET
Sun Oct 5, 2008
Lightning Rangers (Prague, CZ) 12:00 PM ET
Fri Oct 10, 2008
Blackhawks Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Sat Oct 11, 2008
Rangers Flyers 7:00 PM ET
Mon Oct 13, 2008
Devils Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Wed Oct 15, 2008
Sabres Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Fri Oct 17, 2008
Maple Leafs Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Sat Oct 18, 2008
Rangers Red Wings 7:00 PM ET
Mon Oct 20, 2008
Stars Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Fri Oct 24, 2008
Rangers Blue Jackets 7:00 PM ET
Sat Oct 25, 2008
Penguins Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Mon Oct 27, 2008
Rangers Islanders 7:00 PM ET
Thu Oct 30, 2008
Thrashers Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Sat Nov 1, 2008
Rangers Maple Leafs 7:00 PM ET
Tue Nov 4, 2008
Islanders Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Thu Nov 6, 2008
Lightning Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Sat Nov 8, 2008
Rangers Capitals 7:00 PM ET
Mon Nov 10, 2008
Oilers Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Wed Nov 12, 2008
Rangers Devils 7:00 PM ET
Sat Nov 15, 2008
Bruins Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Mon Nov 17, 2008
Senators Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Wed Nov 19, 2008
Canucks Rangers 7:30 PM ET
Sat Nov 22, 2008
Rangers Senators 3:00 PM ET
Mon Nov 24, 2008
Coyotes Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Wed Nov 26, 2008
Rangers Lightning 7:30 PM ET
Fri Nov 28, 2008
Rangers Panthers 7:30 PM ET
Sun Nov 30, 2008
Panthers Rangers 1:00 PM ET
Wed Dec 3, 2008
Penguins Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Thu Dec 4, 2008
Rangers Canadiens 7:00 PM ET
Sun Dec 7, 2008
Flames Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Wed Dec 10, 2008
Rangers Thrashers 7:00 PM ET
Fri Dec 12, 2008
Rangers Devils 7:00 PM ET
Sat Dec 13, 2008
Hurricanes Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Tue Dec 16, 2008
Rangers Ducks 10:00 PM ET
Wed Dec 17, 2008
Rangers Kings 10:30 PM ET
Sat Dec 20, 2008
Rangers Sharks 10:30 PM ET
Tue Dec 23, 2008
Capitals Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Sat Dec 27, 2008
Devils Rangers 7:30 PM ET
Mon Dec 29, 2008
Islanders Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Sat Jan 3, 2009
Rangers Capitals 7:00 PM ET
Mon Jan 5, 2009
Penguins Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Wed Jan 7, 2009
Canadiens Rangers 7:30 PM ET
Fri Jan 9, 2009
Rangers Sabres 7:30 PM ET
Sat Jan 10, 2009
Rangers Senators 7:00 PM ET
Tue Jan 13, 2009
Rangers Islanders 7:00 PM ET
Fri Jan 16, 2009
Rangers Blackhawks 8:30 PM ET
Sun Jan 18, 2009
Rangers Penguins 3:00 PM ET
Tue Jan 20, 2009
Ducks Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Tue Jan 27, 2009
Hurricanes Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Wed Jan 28, 2009
Rangers Penguins 7:30 PM ET
Sat Jan 31, 2009
Rangers Bruins 1:00 PM ET
Tue Feb 3, 2009
Thrashers Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Fri Feb 6, 2009
Rangers Stars 8:30 PM ET
Mon Feb 9, 2009
Rangers Devils 7:00 PM ET
Wed Feb 11, 2009
Capitals Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Fri Feb 13, 2009
Rangers Panthers 7:30 PM ET
Sun Feb 15, 2009
Flyers Rangers 3:00 PM ET
Mon Feb 16, 2009
Rangers Blues 7:00 PM ET
Wed Feb 18, 2009
Islanders Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Sat Feb 21, 2009
Rangers Sabres 7:00 PM ET
Sun Feb 22, 2009
Maple Leafs Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Wed Feb 25, 2009
Rangers Maple Leafs 7:30 PM ET
Thu Feb 26, 2009
Panthers Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Sat Feb 28, 2009
Avalanche Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Thu Mar 5, 2009
Rangers Islanders 7:00 PM ET
Sun Mar 8, 2009
Bruins Rangers 3:00 PM ET
Mon Mar 9, 2009
Rangers Hurricanes 7:00 PM ET
Thu Mar 12, 2009
Rangers Predators 8:00 PM ET
Sat Mar 14, 2009
Rangers Flyers 1:00 PM ET
Sun Mar 15, 2009
Flyers Rangers 3:00 PM ET
Tue Mar 17, 2009
Rangers Canadiens 7:30 PM ET
Sat Mar 21, 2009
Sabres Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Sun Mar 22, 2009
Senators Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Tue Mar 24, 2009
Wild Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Thu Mar 26, 2009
Rangers Thrashers 7:00 PM ET
Sat Mar 28, 2009
Rangers Penguins 1:00 PM ET
Mon Mar 30, 2009
Devils Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Thu Apr 2, 2009
Rangers Hurricanes 7:00 PM ET
Sat Apr 4, 2009
Rangers Bruins 1:00 PM ET
Tue Apr 7, 2009
Canadiens Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Thu Apr 9, 2009
Flyers Rangers 7:00 PM ET
Sun Apr 12, 2009
Rangers Flyers 5:00 PM ET
Does anyone have any real information on Shannahan? Not speculation... Real info. Is everone just guessing that he won't be back?
Hey Slick.....I didn't say Long Island was the best place to live...just a real nice place to live. The beaches are ugly?...your insane 'bud....'ya really are. I will agree that thw water is not as clean as it could be, but then again, all the way the east coast the water is the same. This isn't about Long Islands beaches btw, this blog is about "our" NYR, so, with that being said, the new schedule is out and I'm gonna do my best to attend the Oct 20th game and let Avery know how much I appreciate what he did for us...his hustle, and passion and playing every shift like it was his last!
For Burt, this is a hocky blog site not a " I hate Long Island site" Long Island is not for everyone just as each state, land, or whatever is not for everyone. As a lover of fine wines, I can tell you Long Island has some of the best wines in the United States. Remember I said the United States, not in the world. Secondly outside of the Carribean on the atlantic ocean you cannot find crystal clear water. Just not the beaches of Long Island that are polluted. In closing if you dislike Long Island that is fine you are welcome to your opinion, but this is a sport blogging site so reserve your opinions to hockey only.