Korpikoski Traded For Lisin of the Coyotes

Enver Lisin - 13 goals in 48 games last year. Decent player.

I hope this is just leading up to something better from Sather.

More later

Zubov Deal Getting Close?

So defensemen Sergei Zubov is suposedly getting close to a contract deal with the Rangers. At 39 years old he is able to play well on the powerplay. Over the past serval years, when playing an entire season he is capable of putting up around 12-13 goals. Why Sather? Dont do it. This is not the top line center that the Rangers desperatley need. Go after an offensive for that could compliment Gaborik in the center position, such as Marleau or Sharp. I really hope that happens before this... :(

Fresh article by Stan Fischler

From msg.com, by Stan Fischler. No copyright intended. I just though this was a very well written article by him. I really like this guy, very to the point, educated, well thought out, and nice.

"Sometimes the most unobtrusive of moves turn out to be the ones worthy of fanfare months after they happen.

The signing of Henrik (I Prefer Henny) Lundqvist is Exhibit A.

When the Rangers invited him to training camp in his rookie season, little was known about his NHL goaltending potential. In fact, at best, it was expected that Henny would be the backup to Kevin Weekes, then expected to be the Blueshirts' starter in goal.

So, what happened? Weekes became an afterthought and Lundqvist earned himself a bushel-full of Vezina Trophy votes, although he's never annexed the prize.

The Maven predicts a similar outcome for Glen Sather's latest acquisition, Ales Kotalik. Then again, I'm partial to hockey players named Ales. Oilers winger Ales Hemsky is one of my artistic favorites and, quite frankly, I always had Kotalik tabbed as one of the Buffalo Sabres' most underrated forwards.

I expect that Kotalik will become a linemate for the prize offseason acquisition on Seventh Avenue, Marian Gaborik. You can write this down and check me out sometime around Thanksgiving; Kotalik and Gaborik will make beautiful music together on New York's front line.

Already, this is a better Rangers team than at this time last year; now it's only a matter of guessing at Sather's next move.

So far, so (very) good!"

Byers Resigns With Blueshirts

And will likely be a solid 4th line checker if he makes the team.

Rangers Sign Kotalik + Status Of The Team Thus Far

To a 3 year 3 million dollar contract.
This is a great signing, considering its fairly cheap and it addresses power play scoring woes of last year. Kotalik has put up 20+ goals in recent NHL seasons, nearly half on the power play, where he plays the point. He has a great slap shot and wrist shot from the point. Also known for great hands in the shootout.
I still believe General Manager Glen Sather is not done with big moves this offseason, although he may be done with Nikolai Zherdev, who recently filed for arbitration along with teammate Ryan Callahan. Zherdev will likely be awarded within the $3.75M range, but the Rangers are now likely to leave him behind. Ryan Callahan will likely be awarded around $2-$2.5M, and the Rangers should accept if a deal is not reached before his hearing.
The NY Rangers are in need of secondary scoring, but more a #1 center, perhaps one talented enough to compliment recently signed superstar Marian Gaborik, who, if healthy should put up 40-50 goals this season in NY. Among others, there are rumors of a trade with San Jose with Patrick Marleau, who can provide scoring as well as set up Gaborik. There would have to be a package deal including Redden or Rozsival to free up enough cap space, and most likely a talented prospect or high pick for next years draft to sweaten the pot. I would much rather see Redden gone, as I have no real comlaints with Rozsival and considering how Redden screened Lundqvist on the game winning shot in game 7 of last years playoffs in round one with the Washington Capitals. Redden was “defending” Federov, who has an extremely dangerous wrist shot.
Overall, assuming Sather is not nearly done with major moves, I would say he has been pretty successful thus far. Moving Gomez was the perfect move to change the look of this team, dumping a huge mistake of a $7M+ contract for a decent 20 goal scoring playmaker. The return, Higgins, among a few others, is a great cheaper replacement.
Brashear…. ((( I will never forgive the hit on Betts in the playoffs last year, no matter how much he “enforces” “Protection” of Gaborik. Hate this move…
More to come very soon

Rumors: Steve Zipay of Newsday is reporting Rangers may be done with Zherdev and trade talks with “the west” are currently in action.

Things still in need to be addressed: A #1 center, secondary scoring, a powerplay QB [Might be Kotalik, or a young prospect, or maybe even a new aquistion in a future signing or trade?]

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