Monthly Archives: September 2009
Yesterday, John Tortorella said that Michael Del Zotto said that defenseman Michael Del Zotto will start the season with the Rangers.
“He’s going to start here with us. Right now, he has made the club, it has nothing to do with minors or juniors. We’re not looking at age . . . His strength is obviously offense, but he’s shown he’s really willing to compete away from the puck and in his end zone. It’s the responsibility of the coaches to teach him that part of the game – situational play – and not screw around with his offense and his creativity. We need to step out of the way there.”
If Del Zotto plays on Friday night against Pittsburgh, he will be the youngest Rangers defenseman since Dave Maloney in 1974. He would also be the first 19 year old defenseman to play for the Rangers since Brian Leetch did in 1988.
While he has this vote of confidence now, Del Zotto says the goal is to make it through the whole season.
“There are still lots of deadlines and markers ahead for me,” said Del Zotto, who can play in nine NHL games without giving up his eligibility to be returned to his major junior club in London. “My goal is to be here all year. They could send me back before nine games, or even tomorrow, for all I know. So I am here to prove myself every day.”
Del Zotto says the hardest part is that its all business:
“The biggest thing I’ve learned is that there are no days off here,” said Del Zotto. “You’re here to work every day. It’s all business. And it’s not just on the ice, it’s off the ice, as well, how you control yourself and how mature you are.”
For more, visit Newsday and NewYorkRangers.com
…The biggest thing for me with Del Zotto is to not get carried away if he struggles. It may be facts, but its not great for Del Zotto to be in the same sentences as Leetch this early on. If Del Zotto develops the right way, he will be a real special player for the Rangers, but there are going to be hiccups along the way.
Also, will Del Zotto play with Staal. His offensive abilites need to be paired with a strong defensive defenseman and Staal fits that bill. It also gives a look at how the Rangers top pair could look for years to come. That leaves Matt Gilroy to play with Dan Girardi and everyones favorites, Michal Rozsival and Wade Redden.
On June 30th, The Rangers traded Scott Gomez to Montral and aquired Christopher Higgins as part of a package in return.
Higgins, a three time 20 goal scorer thinks he can help the Rangers with his skill set:
“With my speed and anticipation, I create a lot of chances for players on the line
“”I like to go in front of the net and get a lot of goals that are close to the net — rebound-type goals and stuff-ins, so hopefully I’ll be able to bring some of those dirtier-type goals to the team.”
Higgins also thinks he can helps last season’s dreadful powerplay:
“I usually play in front on the power play,” he said, “so I can help screen the goalie on point shots, and do some work on the low plays where I’m able to put pucks in that are lying around the net off rebounds or tips.
For more, check out the New York Post.
…Higgins is already being pushed by John Tortorella which is a good thing. He sees the talent that Higgins has and wants him to explore all of it and reach his potential.
Plus, his talk of chipping in and tipping pucks on the powerplay is invaluable. That is how Petr Prucha scored most of his 30 goals his rookie season, from in front of the net off rebounds. Fancy or not, a goal is a goal.
After the Rangers loss to Washington on Sunday, John Tortorella said that he was dissapointed with defenseman Dan Girardi.
Tortorella said:
“To say the least, I’ve been disappointed with his camp,” coach John Tortorella said. “We’ve had a running conversation throughout camp about [his approach]. He’s got some work to do; he’s got a pretty good week of work ahead of him.”
Yesterday, Girardi responded to Tortorella’s remarks about his play:
“Maybe I wasn’t playing my best,” the defenseman said Tuesday as the Rangers began preparing for Friday’s season opener at Pittsburgh. “I’m known as a pretty simple D-man. I can’t be comfortable just doing the minimum.”
For more on Girardi visist The Record. Also for Andrew Gross‘ NHL Preview, click here.
…Girardi fit in better with Tom Renney’s defensive style, but that doesn’t mean he can’t try and adapt to Tort’s style of play. He will probably finish last of the Rangers defenseman in points, but as long he plays strong defense it shouldn’t matter.
Rangers prospect Chris Doyle, 5th round, 2008, has been charged with assault.
Officials with the team said forward player Chris Doyle, 19, spent the night in jail following the incident some time last week, but are giving no further details.
So far this season, Doyle has three goals and two assists in five games.
Hat tip to Beyond The Blueshirts on twitter for this.
At a press conference in Sweden today, Mats Sundin has announced his retirement.
Sundin spent last season with Vancouver after choosing them over the Rangers.
Drafted 1st overall in 1989 by Quebec, Sundin played there until 1994-95 when he joined the Toronto Maple Leafs.
He ends his career with 564 goals and 785 assists in 1346 games.
The Rangers are holding a contest on their website asking fans to vote on the Rangers top moment of the pre-season.
The choices, with video evidence on the page, are:
- Artem Anisimov‘s goal vs Boston.
- Anisimov’s goal vs Detroit.
- Matt Gilroy‘s goal vs New Jersey.
- Marian Gaborik‘s goal vs Washington, first as a Ranger.
To vote, click here.
…My vote goes to Gilroy, Anisimov’s goals were great but Gilroy showed this great offensive instict from a defenseman that the Rangers haven’t had in a while.
Steve Zipay, of Newsday, has the list of the 10 Rangers who will appear on the Late Show With David Letterman tomorrow night to read the “Top 10″ list.
Henrik Lundqvist, Sean Avery, Marian Gaborik, Marc Staal, Ryan Callahan, Chris Drury, Donald Brashear, Dan Girardi, Brandon Dubinsky, Christopher Higgins
….Solid list, expect Lundqvist to get #1, him or Avery.
As noted earlier, John Tortorella told the media today that 19 year old defenseman Michael Del Zotto will be with the Rangers when the season starts.
“Right now, he’s made the club,” Tortorella said. “Based on his play, he’s made the team. It has nothing to do with minors or juniors.”
Del Zotto can play up to 9 games with the Rangers before his contract officially kicks in.
…I am not surprised that Del Zotto has made the team. I wouldn’t have guessed so at the begining of training camp or even after a few games, but it certainly seems right to give his offense a chance at the NHL level for 9 games. At worst, he struggles and gets sent back to London, but if that happens he has the experience of going through an NHL training camp and a few NHL games.
Del Zotto’s main competition for the sixth defenseman spot, Alexei Semenov, told Andrew Gross that he had no news for him in regards to making the team or receiving a contract.
Gross notes that Glen Sather said that Semenov could start the season on a try-out from the Rangers.
…Like Gross says, it seems like the Rangers want to see who gets put on waivers before committing to Semenov.
John Tortorella also spoke today of trying to shield Henrik Lundqvist from the media as to keep him fresh.
For more, visit Ranger Rants.
Update 2:45PM: Another player rumored to the Rangers at various points is now off the market too, Robert Lang has signed a deal with the Phoenix Coyotes, pending a physical.
Lang was rumored to be an option at Center before the team signed Vinny Prospal.
Original Post: Bob McKenzie is reporting, via twitter, that Maxim Afinogenov has earned a spot with the Atlanta Thrashers.
Afinogenov had been rumored to have interested the Rangers, Isles and Flyers at different times over the summer.
(Update 1:40P) – Bob McKenzie notes that he will be running the power-play.
According to Steve Zipay via Twitter, rookie defenseman Michael Del Zotto has made the team.
Monzo: This excites me. He can play nine games before getting sent back to juniors. This will be based on his play.
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