Not that Sean O'Donnell. He is an old now-retired defenseman. This guy is a 25-year-old RW who played four years at St. Mary's and finished last season in the ECHL. He's just an extra body at this point destined for the minors.

On another note, I'm getting the sense that one or both of Marek Hrvik and Oscar Lindberg are going to break camp with the big team. AV has been talking them up and it seems they are putting in some good work at practice. Am interested to see both players.
- gkmkiller

it's just weird, even with Cally, Hagelin and Stepan out, there seem to be SO many bodies around here, seems weird to waste a spot in tonight's game on somebody so clearly not in the mix.

it's just weird, even with Cally, Hagelin and Stepan out, there seem to be SO many bodies around here, seems weird to waste a spot in tonight's game on somebody so clearly not in the mix.
- jimbro83

Yeah, but by the same token I think they need to figure out where this guy fits in the organization. Is he an AHL guy or an ECHL player? Again, I would have thought there were much better options but maybe they see something in this kid. Plus you know that many of the jobs at the NHL level are locked up so this gives the coaches and FO a chance to look at some of the guys they may not have seen a lot of yet. O'Donnell for example was too old at 25 to play in the TCT.

Just a few player notes:

Stepan: Remember in July when Stepan was almost labeled a $5M dollar man? Lol, gotta love Slats trying to push the $2.5M envelope.

Lindberg: Should and Will make the team. Kid has all the goods. Snipes it top corner against the grain from a pass across from Fast. Did you see his SO goal? Kid has a level of poise and quick hands. Slipped that puck 5 hole like a 10 year vet.

Boyler: Looks reeeeeal good. Showing a level of poise and confidence in his game that we saw 2 years ago and in the playoffs. Hope he really brings it this year, love the guy.

McD: Big Mac is gonna tear up the scoresheet this year. You could see just in camp how much more he wants to carry the puck, make moves and shoot.

DZ: Hope he brings his confidence back. So far, he still looks a little tentative in his game.

Brass-Zucc combo: Look out tonight. I have a really good feeling about keeping these 2 guys together. They are gonna turn the opposition inside out with their puck movement.

Hank: What can I say? So far, the guy has pretty much been unbeatable in camp. Have another feeling that he's gonna post his best numbers yet and thats saying alot considering 2011, 2012. Contract year, I'm thinking he wants to be a $9M dollar man.

Stralman: Don't let this guy walk. One of our most consistent quiet performers. Love how much he is shooting in camp. I think he may even outshine Del Zotto this year in terms of blue line offense. Stralman has a very cool calm collective play about him.

Just a few player notes:

Stepan: Remember in July when Stepan was almost labeled a $5M dollar man? Lol, gotta love Slats trying to push the $2.5M envelope.

Lindberg: Should and Will make the team. Kid has all the goods. Snipes it top corner against the grain from a pass across from Fast. Did you see his SO goal? Kid has a level of poise and quick hands. Slipped that puck 5 hole like a 10 year vet.

Boyler: Looks reeeeeal good. Showing a level of poise and confidence in his game that we saw 2 years ago and in the playoffs. Hope he really brings it this year, love the guy.

McD: Big Mac is gonna tear up the scoresheet this year. You could see just in camp how much more he wants to carry the puck, make moves and shoot.

DZ: Hope he brings his confidence back. So far, he still looks a little tentative in his game.

Brass-Zucc combo: Look out tonight. I have a really good feeling about keeping these 2 guys together. They are gonna turn the opposition inside out with their puck movement.

Hank: What can I say? So far, the guy has pretty much been unbeatable in camp. Have another feeling that he's gonna post his best numbers yet and thats saying alot considering 2011, 2012. Contract year, I'm thinking he wants to be a $9M dollar man.

Stralman: Don't let this guy walk. One of our most consistent quiet performers. Love how much he is shooting in camp. I think he may even outshine Del Zotto this year in terms of blue line offense. Stralman has a very cool calm collective play about him.
- xcheckmajor

Well said and I agree with a lot of what you had to say here.

Boyle should be interesting. I think this is a contract year for him; as is Brassard (I know the Rangers have more pending UFA's, but those obvious guys--Hank, Cally--will be resigned).

I think Hagelin is also a guy you need to watch. Can he play up to par with that new contract?

Bickel is playing tonight. If his back doesn't let him, we get to see McIlrath in his place.

So Stepan's negotiations aren't as far apart as Sather's media rhetoric would imply. According to reports, Stepan is seeking a 2yr deal at $7M. Sather is reported to be offering 2 yrs at just below $6M. Seems like Sather is offering the Kadri deal at $2.89M or something close. I think a deal should be reached soon.

Individual game tickets go on sale september 26th for those that were asking

Just saw a new rule is no tucked jerseys anymore, why?

About to leave for the Crock, can't wait for some live Rangers hockey!

they are officially moving Del Zotto to the right side. I have said this numerous times, I think this is a bad idea

http://nypost.com/2013/09...kate-on-right-with-staal/

Individual game tickets go on sale september 26th for those that were asking
- TrueBlue9182

they are officially moving Del Zotto to the right side. I have said this numerous times, I think this is a bad idea

http://nypost.com/2013/09...kate-on-right-with-staal/
- jimbro83

Odd-number of left-handed versus right-handed d-man, so not surprising someone had to switch sides. Given MDZ's strugges last year, do you really want to subject him to that kind of adjustment?

Just saw a new rule is no tucked jerseys anymore, why?

About to leave for the Crock, can't wait for some live Rangers hockey!
- cranford93

Gretzky would have been fined every game

they are officially moving Del Zotto to the right side. I have said this numerous times, I think this is a bad idea

http://nypost.com/2013/09...kate-on-right-with-staal/
- jimbro83

They want him to play more offensively. Being on the Right Side will allow him to be more aggressively offensive with his forehand open for shooting and passing rather than defensive N.A. Hockey with the forehand along the boards for clearing the puck. Lots of Euro style coaches prefer this. DZ will just have to make sure he holds Defensive Body positioning in the outside lane.

They want him to play more offensively. Being on the Right Side will allow him to be more aggressively offensive with his forehand open for shooting and passing rather than defensive N.A. Hockey with the forehand along the boards for clearing the puck. Lots of Euro style coaches prefer this. DZ will just have to make sure he holds Defensive Body positioning in the outside lane.
- xcheckmajor

Del Zotto is admitting himself that the transition has been difficult.

this is a kid who has had a tough time playing his natural position on the left side and has looked like a fish out of water when he has played the right side.

There are 4 lefty D men on this team in Mcdonagh, Staal, Del Zotto and Moore.

Why does it have to be MDZ moving?

I don't like it, he is being setup to fail

Del Zotto is admitting itself that the transition has been difficult.

this is a kid who has had a tough time playing his natural position on the left side and has looked like a fish out of water when he has played the right side.

There are 4 lefty D men on this team in Mcdonagh, Staal, Del Zotto and Moore.

Why does it have to be MDZ moving?

I don't like it, he is being setup to fail
- jimbro83

I can see why they want him to do it opening up more one time shots from him and quicker harder passes into the middle, but I agree with you too. Johnny Moore would have been my pick to switch. His natural skating ability will allow him to cover more mistakes while he's adjusting. Plus the fact, I think DZ should be on the 3rd pairing until he proves his consistency. At this point, I think Moore has looked more like the #4 than DZ has.

I can see why they want him to do it opening up more one time shots from him and quicker harder passes into the middle, but I agree with you too. Johnny Moore would have been my pick to switch. His natural skating ability will allow him to cover more mistakes while he's adjusting. Plus the fact, I think DZ should be on the 3rd pairing until he proves his consistency. At this point, I think Moore has looked more like the #4 than DZ has.
- xcheckmajor

Agree with you amd jimbo here. Taking someone struggling and making him think even more rather than reacting defensively.

Agree with you amd jimbo here. Taking someone struggling and making him think even more rather than reacting defensively.
- airjan23

we are already at the point where the less than intelligent population of our fanbase hates everything Del Zotto does. It's going to take some patience for MDZ to succeed playing out of position and not a lot of people have it.

new blog up