What a year it has been. We saw the cancellation of an NHL season, a bitter labor war, the settlement of the lockout, significant changes in the way the game is played, the implementation of the shootout, and an entirely new economic landscape via the salary cap.
The Rangers were predicted to be the worst team in hockey, yet they have somehow found respectability after they horded every available Czech player they could find. We have seen the team give up on some hopefuls (Jamie Lundmark and Jozef Balej) while placing the future of the franchise squarely on the shoulders of some new ones (Henrik Lundqvist and Petr Prucha).
We have seen some great careers end (Mark Messier, Al MacInnis, Ron Francis, Scott Stevens, and Brett Hull) while we have seen some promising ones begin (Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Lundqvist, Prucha, and Marek Svatos).
Everything isn't peachy in the world of the NHL, though. There are still some franchises in trouble, most notably the Rangers' opponent today, the Pittsburgh Penguins. The league is broadcasting their nationally televised games in the U.S. on a second rate network. Some people feel that the quality of the games has been steadily declining since the opening weeks of the season.
While things can certainly get better overall, we can enjoy what the Rangers are doing right now. For the most part, they have provided us with energetic, hard working hockey, and it has paid off in the standings. Hopefully, 2006 brings us continued improvement and the commitment to building a young, solid core of players that will bring success to Broadway for many years to come. Perhaps someday in the not-too-distant future we could see (dare I say it?) . . . a Stanley Cup.
As for what's going on today:
NY Post: Three legitimate Calder Trophy candidates will skate in the matinee, and two of them are Rangers. Rookie phenom and first overall draft pick Sidney Crosby will suit up for the Penguins, but Blueshirts forward Petr Prucha and goaltender Henrik Lundqvist may end up stealing his thunder.
NY Daily News: A grandfather clause in the new CBA enabled [Jagr], at $8.36 million, to be the only NHL player who this season will exceed the league's $7.9 million cap on individual salaries. The Rangers signed a slew of his countrymen to envelop him in comfortable surroundings. And new rules and stricter interpretation of old ones made him virtually impossible to defend.
The Journal News: Jaromir Jagr, who can joke about any subject, was discussing the latest plan of one of his former teams, the Pittsburgh Penguins, to finance a replacement for the outdated Mellon Arena. The team has partnered with a gambling-industry company, with the deal contingent on securing a slots-casino license.
NY Newsday: Two extra-special rookies will take the ice Saturday in Pittsburgh when the Rangers visit the Penguins. One is Sidney Crosby, who is so famous that even your mom might have heard of him. The other is Petr Prucha, whom your mom would know only if she's a Czech or a Rangers fan.
The Rodent talks about the promotion of Maxim Kondratiev after his demotion from a couple of days ago, and includes and interview with the young D-man.
I don't want to start any trade rumors or anything, but these moves are all a little suspicious to me. He gets sent down and Tom Renney talks about getting him some playing time, then he plays one game with the Wolf Pack and gets called back up. I would imagine it was because Tom Poti missed practice (and might miss today's game) because of the flu. Isn't this like the third time this year Poti has had the flu? Either his immune system is as soft as his physical play, or something is up. Nonetheless, Poti has been playing very well lately and I don't want to see him out of the lineup.
Steve Rucchin also missed practice with a bruised foot, and might have to sit out this afternoon.
Scott Burnside gives us Part II and Part III in his series on the shootout.
So, it is the Rangers versus the Pens in Pittsburgh. The puck drops at 1:00 pm EST. Enjoy the game, and then:
HAVE A SAFE, HEALTHY, HAPPY, WONDERFUL NEW YEAR!! As always, we thank you for visiting Hockeybird each day. We hope you continue to do so for 2006 and many years to come.
Be careful out there tonight . . . DO NOT drink and drive.
HDH
Posted by Jim at December 31, 2005 10:06 AMeMail this entry!
|
Recent Articles
|
|
|