Ranger Rants

For the time being

Still on vacation through Monday but wanted to pass along a couple of links and chime in on Nikolai Zherdev. Arbitration hearing today, we know. Technically, ruling due in 48 hours, though it might wait till Monday and then there's another 48 hours for the Rangers to decide if they want to walk away from ruling. I'll be back at work next week to report on that (though I'll be commuting to Albany to cover Little League softball as well).

For now, please enjoy...

Rangers Examiner Rob Cristino on Christopher Higgins' appearance at Comix.

A web interview with ex-Rangers goalie great Mike Richter conducted by NPR's Scott Kanofsky.

Also, a shopping alert courtesy of The Record's marketing department: Check out page A18 of today's edition for some good deals at The Sports Authority.

Headed toward a spin-off

On vacation this week but wanted to follow up on this topic, which was discussed a few months ago when the idea first surfaced. Cablevision is going ahead with plans to spin off MSG into a separate company, part of which would be ownership of the Rangers (and Knicks). In no way, though, does this impact James Dolan's ownership of the Rangers, which would be the main talking point for Rangers fans.

Also, tomorrow would be Nikolai Zherdev's arbitration hearing. Nothing new on that. Rangers are still at their $3.25 million qualifier while Zherdev is seeking more, in the neighborhood of $4 million. So, there's a very good chance tomorrow will be the beginning of the end of Zherdev's one-year run on Broadway.

The Cablevision/MSG press release is below.

Morris to Bruins

The Rangers may have had some discussions with Derek Morris' rep about bringing the defenseman back, but, as was expected when he was acquired at the trade deadline, the veteran was just a late-season rental.

Morris has signed a one-year deal with the Bruins, who just sent former Ranger Aaron Ward (acquired by Boston from the Rangers from Paul Mara, who just signed with Montreal) back to Carolina.

With Mara and Morris gone and without another deal coming this season (still possible), here's what the Rangers' D looks like:
Wade Redden, Michal Rozsival, Marc Staal and Dan Girardi with Bobby Sanguinetti, Michael Del Zotto, Matt Gilroy, Mike Sauer and Ilkka Heikkinen among those who will be given a chance to secure a roster spot.

Quick plug

Anybody looking for a chance to see new Ranger Christopher Higgins up close, he'll be at the Comix comedy club at 14th Street just east of Ninth Avenue in the Meatpacking District next Thursday (July 30) at 7:30 p.m. Higgins will be the celebrity interview for the 12 Angry Mascots show.

No promises but mention you heard about the show here on Ranger Rants, there might be a discount.

Rangers ink Lisin

Back at the Stadium for tonight's Yankees-Orioles game. But in ice matters, the Rangers and newly-acquired forward Enver Lisin, a restricted free agent, have agreed to terms. No contract terms yet but he earned $850,000 last season with the Coyotes.

As for the question posted before about arbitration rumblings. As far as Nikolai Zherdev is concerned, there's little chance this gets settled out of court. Zherdev clearly wants more than the $3.25 million he was qualified at and the Rangers are not so inclined. Don't see these sides meeting in the middle as so often happens.

Lisin press release below. My presence is required in the Yankee clubhouse.

Willing hosts

Here at Yankee Stadium covering tonight's game against the Orioles. But, when hockey happens, we report.

Actually, just a minor note. At a press conference today to officially announce the Stadium will host college football in 2010 (and presumably beyond) when Army plays Notre Dame, Yankees COO Lonn Trost was asked about the possibility of the Stadium hosting an Winter Classic. It's expected the Stadium might be a top choice for the Jan. 1, 2011 game, though not a lock.

Trost said the Yankees would like to host an outdoor game.

"Whether we have a plan or not, we have to work it out with the NHL," Trost said. "The answer is yes (in terms of desire) and we have to work that out with the NHL."

This is interesting

News today that the NHLPA is recommending its members not skate during Olympic camps in August because of insurance concerns.

Most likely, something will be worked out in the next month to the NHLPA's satisfaction. But if you're a young player such as the Rangers' Ryan Callahan or Marc Staal, going to their first Team USA and Team Canada Olympic camps, respectively, how strong is the urge to be on the ice? Plus, in Callahan's case, he has Rangers coach John Tortorella as a Team USA assistant. Will that work in his favor if he's not on the ice or the other way around?

Again, I expect these issues to be worked out well in advance. But it bears watching.

Sullivan officially on board

One of the most non-secret, non-denied, can't-be-discussed NHL coaching moves finally became official this afternoon when the Rangers named former Lightning assistant (and Bruins coach) Mike Sullivan as John Tortorella's assistant.

The Rangers tried to make this move when they hired Tortorella in February but the paperwork couldn't be worked out. Instead, assistant GM Jim Schoenfeld took on interim assistant coach duties. When Tortorella was asked about Sullivan during the prospects camp, he hemmed, hawed and finally said he couldn't say anything. Yet.

No word on whether Sullivan will be Tortorella's only assistant along with goalie coach Benoit Allaire but that has to be the assumption. Tortorella said himself he preferred having just one bench assistant.

Press release below.

Tracking the ex-Rangers

So maybe the Coyotes won't be so much the Rangers West after all.

Restricted free agent Nigel Dawes, who had been seeking a deal less than $1 per season, was instead waived by Phoenix and claimed by the Flames. Dawes, currently, is scheduled for arbitration but, presumably, the Flames claimed him with the intent of making a deal.

Meanwhile, the Coyotes did sign Lauri Korpikoski to a two-year deal. Korpikoski made just under $1 million last season and while financial figures were not immediately available, it's likely Korpikoski received at least a modest raise. So, given, they were both going to get in the same ballpark for salary, it's interesting how Coyotes GM Don Maloney, the man who drafted and traded for both, rated them.

About that raise (Update)

Finally caught up to Ryan Callahan, who on Monday agreed to a two-year deal worth $4.6 million, a nice upgrade from the $600,000 he earned last season.

(UPDATE: Two Rangers for the price of one. Here's a link to a podcast interview with defenseman Matt Gilroy conducted by my friend and fellow Syracuse guy, Steven Gelbs).

Callahan is enjoying his summer home in Rochester before reporting to the U.S. Olympic camp Aug. 17-19. After that, he said he plans on returning to Westchester to begin training at the Rangers' facility.

Not surprisingly, Callahan, 24, was thrilled with the deal.

"It shows they have confidence in me," Callahan said. "It helps my confidence. If they think I'm deserving of all that cash, it's a confidence boost for me."

Besides, agreeing to terms meant Callahan avoided his arbitration hearing, slated for July 23.

"It's nice not to go to arbitration," he said. "I wasn't nervous about arbitration. That's how it goes sometimes. Obviously, if you can avoid it, you'd like to."