If you jump around to the various Ranger messageboards, and even some of the major media outlets, you can sense the excitement fans are feeling about the arrival of Daniel Girardi. Maybe that's a little bit of an exaggeration, but really, it is funny how the mere glimmer of hope that a young prospect will get a chance to make an impact on this team sends shockwaves through any Blueshirt related internet site.
Don't get me wrong, there were plenty of discussions about the team's more recent call ups, but it was more along the lines of: Jason Krog??1?!? Jason "f'n" Krog?? and Oh yeah, Brad Isbister is the answer. And more often than not, there was one of those little rolling-eye emoticons behind it indicating the author's sarcasm.
Nonetheless, young Daniel Girardi will make his NHL debut tomorrow against the Flyers. His poor family had intended on watching him play in the AHL All-Star Game in Toronto, but you can tell in his quotes that he would MUCH rather be in Philadelphia.
Blueshirt Bulletin: "I'm just real happy and excited about the shot," . . . Girardi's NHL debut will take place on the same day he was supposed to appear in the AHL All-Star Game in Toronto, his hometown region, along with his junior teammate Ryan Callahan. "I had about thirty people going to Toronto to watch me play," Girardi said of his family and friends. "But I'd rather be here than going to that game. Definitely more excited to be here."
Reports seem to indicate that Karel Rachunek might sit in favor of Danny Boy, and then he would be paired with his partner from last year, Thomas Pöck. In another quote from Blueshirt Bulletin, Renney indicated he liked that idea: "We think we've got a guy that can help us, and we'll give him that chance. If I can put Tommy and Danny together, that's appealing," Renney said of Thomas Pock, who was Girardi's defense partner at times last season in Hartford.
Bruce Bertlet also talks about the defensemen's change of plans and his hockey career thus far: Girardi's first call to the NHL was the culmination of a dream run the past 15 months. He arrived in Hartford without a contract after winning the Memorial Cup with London in 2005. He started last season with Charlotte of the ECHL, was called up Nov. 12 and never left. He finished with eight goals and 31 assists in 66 regular season games and had four goals and five assists in 13 playoff games. He was named to the AHL all-rookie team, got an NHL contract from the Rangers this summer and had a strong start to this season with two goals and a team-high 22 assists in 45 games.
Joe Mac at NY SportsDay: “We looked at a number of people," Renney said. "We always keep an eye on that, what's been going on down there. I went down there to be sure, to confirm in my own mind what I thought and what I had been told . . . And it was a worthwhile trip. We're content with any number of people down there -- there are some kids there in a position to play here and help us. But at this point in time the numbers don't allow that to happen. We have to make some type of provision for that to happen. Whether or not we're able to do that should we choose to, that remains to be seen.”
The other news today focuses on Jaromir Jagr, and his comments that he will try to carry the big load for this team. (P.S. - By "big load" I don't think they were referring to Marek Malik.)
NY Post: Still, no matter how many dominoes eventually tumble, no matter how much Girardi brings to the table - and, really, let's not expect too much too soon from the second-year pro - the Rangers likely are to go only so far as Jaromir Jagr can lead them the rest of the way.
NY Daily News: Going into tomorrow's resumption of the schedule after the All-Star break, a somewhat rebuilt and significantly revived Jagr has a different message for the Rangers: Climb on my back, because I'm now ready to carry you home.
The Journal News: "I'm not going to sit here and talk about how the team should do. I have to be the first guy to do it. I don't play good, the team (doesn't) play good. That's how it is. I'm not saying I'm the team. ... But I don't think I'm going to help anybody by talking about how the team should play if I don't play good," he said.
"That's why I didn't go to the All-Star Game. That's why I want to make the playoffs and do something in the playoffs. These people in New York deserve it. Our team deserves it. I live for it. There's no better place to play. There's no better organization to play for. We get everything we need. Now we have to do it."
The NHL resumes play tonight, but the Blueshirts will get an extra day of rest. They hopefully not pick up where they left off, starting tomorrow in Philly. Game time is 1:00 pm EST.
HDH
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