Betts won't rip Brashear

The swelling has gone down on the right side of Blair Betts' face and he rode the stationary bicycle for 20 minutes today, his first physical activity since suffering a concussion from a Donald Brashear hit in Game 6. Betts, who will be an unrestricted free agent, said he will not need facial surgery because of a broken orbital bone.

Brashear was suspended for six games but Betts said he would have preferred if Brashear had been given a two- or five-minute penalty for what Betts described as a "late hit," something that would have helped the Rangers at the immediate time. Brashear did not play in Game 7 but wasn't likely to anyway.

Still, given every opportunity to take offense at Brashear's actions, Betts did not express any anger.

Brashear had told the Washington Post that, "Anybody who knows hockey knows it was a great hit."

"In my opinion, it was a late hit, he blind-sided me," Betts said. "But his elbows weren't up, it was a good shoulder hit. But it was late. I wish a penalty would have been called during the game. I don't care about a suspension.

"It was close to being a great hit," Betts added. "I just think it was a little late. I don't think it was a great hit. It was close to one. Obviously, I'm upset about it, it took me out of the lineup in a game I would have loved to be playing in. I'll get over it."

Comments

[bob]

We don't have the cap space to bring Zherdev back for 3.5 million? Or you just saving cap for next batch of junk UFAs like Redden?

[Mel_99]

Zherdev for $3.5m? That's insane.

Zherdev put up 58 points this season.

checked salaries by players putting up similar numbers and …

Kesler – 59 pts- 1.75 mill
Pavelski – 59 pts – 1.6 mill
Hudler – 57 pts – 1 mill
Michalek – 57 pts – 4.3 mill
Huselius – 56 points 4.7 mill

If Zherdev stays around the 2.5 mill he is already making, that would be OK.

rangers shouldn't overpay for a player who "might have the skills" to score 40 goals.

[C]

I would rather the Rangers sign Daniel Sedin over Zherdev.

[PuckCentral.net]

The Sedin twins are a package deal and they're asking for $5M I believe per season in Vancouver & that was considered a 'hometown discount'

[LI Joe]

z made $ 3.2 mm this yr. the $ 2.5 mm was the avg of his contract. so any negotiations will be off the $ 3.2 mm

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/cap-central/team.php?team=NYR

can also hit the show cap hits as this tab i am attaching is the actual cash amt for each player and each yr

[bob]

"Huselius – 56 points 4.7 mill"

there you go, I rathergo with Zherdev than garbage like Huselius.

"Kesler – 59 pts- 1.75 mill
Pavelski – 59 pts – 1.6 mill
Hudler – 57 pts – 1 mill"

wait and see what they get when they sign a neaw contract.

[Chris]

Garbage like Huselius? You must not watch much Western Conference hockey, Bob. He has much better hands than Zherdev, and can run a PP. He's expensive, but explosive in the right system (i.e. when he was with Calgary).

Kesler is like a young Drury who will drop the gloves. I would still rather have Zherdev, though. There is more offensive upside to Zherdev. Hudler and Zherdev together would be really interesting, but I guess it's one or the other.

[Mike]

I really hope they bring back Betts; he's my favorite Ranger.