Just about every article in the local papers today starts off with a title containing either the phrase "fits right in" or "feels at home". Of course they are referring to Petr Sykora. He practiced yesterday for the first time as a Ranger, and according to ALL reports he was very comfortable. I just hope that translates into production.
A lot of people have been wondering what the lines will look like tonight. Renney had Sykora on the left side with Prucha on the right and Rucchin in the middle. The idea was that Rucchin played with Petr in Anaheim and that they would be familiar with each other. But that combination doesn't make best use of the Rangers' abilities. Under this scenario (and according to the practice lines reported by John Dellapina), Michael Nylander would be moved to the third line between Nieminen and Ward. Nylander's skill is as a playmaker. He would be much better suited on a line with Sykora.
This is what I would like to see:
Rucinsky-Straka-Jagr
Prucha-Nylander-Sykora
Nieminen-Rucchin-Ward
Hollweg-Moore-Betts
We'll just have to wait and see. The good news is that Henrik Lundqvist will start in net. That was pretty much a no brainer as the guy hasn't given up a regulation goal for six straight periods.
NY Daily News: Sykora practiced at left wing yesterday on a line with former Anaheim teammate Steve Rucchin at center and fellow Czech and rookie phenom Petr Prucha on the right side, although coach Tom Renney said he might tinker with his combinations prior to tonight's game.
NY Post: Over the years, Sykora has also shown an ability to put the puck in the net, something the Rangers certainly he continues here. Despite the Blueshirts' solid (23-12-6-1) record, Jaromir Jagr and Petr Prucha have shouldered an awful lot of the scoring load, combining for 47 of the team's 129 goals.
The Star Ledger: "There's a lot of guys I know here," Sykora said in his first public comments since the deal that brought him and a fourth-round pick in 2007 to the Rangers in exchange for 22-year-old defenseman Maxim Kondratiev. "It kind of feels like home, pretty much. It's like you're not coming to a new team where you meet everybody and get to know everybody. Here, I pretty much know the whole team."
The Journal News: "It's very exciting for me after those last 40 games I played in Anaheim when I wasn't really given an opportunity," said Sykora, who has seven goals and 13 assists in 34 games this season but topped 20 goals in each of his previous six NHL seasons. "I guess I just wasn't a fit for their style of hockey. I'm just looking forward to getting a fresh start here."
NY Times: The main reason the Rangers have an imposing Czech contingent is their desire to keep Jagr happy. When asked if he would like the entire 20-man roster to be from the Czech Republic, Jagr laughed and said: "I think it would be too much. Around 15 would be a good number. It would be a great number."
Shawn Roarke at Foxsports looks that the Sykora deal and tries to put Ranger fans' minds at ease.
Scott Burnside at ESPN also covers the deal.
Joe McDonald of NYSportsDay gives his take on the Sykora deal and the loss of Kondratiev.
You already know that this Thursday is Mark Messier night. John Dellapina of the Daily News writes an article about #11 and where he rates among the all-time NHL greats.
The Rodent's regular guest contributor, Margaret Hurley, says that she can't wait for this "Messier Night" to be over with. I completely agree with her. It will be nice, it will be fun, but we fans have already moved on.
Time is ticking down on the opportunity to win a free hat. Send in your email for your chance. Check out FashionFlash.net for great deals for Hockeybird readers.
Tonight it's the Flames and Rangers in MSG. Sykora will be wearing #17. The puck drops at 7:00 pm EST. Enjoy the game.
HDH
Posted by Jim at January 10, 2006 09:35 AMeMail this entry!
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