Have arrived in Syracuse and it's not snowing. Most of this Rangers' info is out there already but just wanted to post it collectively.
- The Rangers have agreed to terms with Dane Byers, who should have a very good chance of making the team out of training camp.
- Paul Mara has signed a one-year deal with Montreal. No contract figures available yet. Just a quick word on Mr. Mara. You're not supposed to root for these guys because being objective is the prime directive of journalism. But you're not human if you don't develop some affinity for the people who treat you well. So let it be on the record that Paul Mara is one of the truly good guys in hockey, both to us in the media and, more importantly, to his teammates. I actually think the Rangers are making a mistake here in letting him go and I'd say that even if he was a miserable SOB. The way he looked out for teammates, the way he cared about the other people in the room, well, that should be the norm but it's seldom that way. He had improved himself last offseason into a very solid defenseman, including very solid physically. He had a good shot when he took it. I have nothing concrete on this but this is the second team Mara has had to leave shortly after John Tortorella became the coach. Just saying.
- Speaking of Torts, tonight at 8:30 on MSG, Fans Most Wanted entry on the Rangers coach.
- The NHL has sent out a release saying it will make a "major announcement" Wednesday at Fenway Park. Just a guess here but since the event is at Fenway and Wednesday is the day the NHL schedule is to be released, odds are the Bruins are hosting the outdoor game this season. Regarding the schedule, some teams have started releasing their preseason schedules. Checked with the Rangers yesterday and was told there's no timetable yet for their announcement of their exhibition games.
Heading over now to my college housemates' house. They married and never left Syracuse. I have just confirmed they still have their pet pot-bellied pig, though I'm told the porker is 17 and on its last (short) legs. Still, should be interesting.
Wasnt it Mara who came to Betts rescue when that goon blindsided him... Ugh! Hopefully he will be able to pop in here and see your nice comments about him...
Posted by: Mike | July 10, 2009 at 03:33 PM
Any chance the pot-bellied pig is named Glen or Wade?
Posted by: Rogan | July 10, 2009 at 04:28 PM
Probably James and goes by Jim...
Posted by: chris | July 10, 2009 at 04:42 PM
Wonder if the pig plays guitar and comes from lots of money
Posted by: Rogan | July 10, 2009 at 04:56 PM
"I have nothing concrete on this but this is the second team Mara has had to leave shortly after John Tortorella became the coach. Just saying"
Andrew, I love Mara but as I'm sure you noted his playing time went down when Torts came onboard ... unfortunately the issue is his skating to keep up with what Torts wants from his D ... of course I would keep him over Redden but then that's not an option
Posted by: Matty | July 10, 2009 at 05:22 PM
would put Zubov with Staal. Zubov not only adds offense on the pp but 5 on 5 and he'd have Staal covering up for him much like he had Lowe, Hatcher, and Sydor doing over the course of his career.
Posted by: graves9 | July 10, 2009 at 08:30 PM
my parents met at syracuse and were married. didn't stay though. i also have an ageless pet in a frog that will be celebrating its 20th birthday this year. have fun.
Posted by: amos | July 10, 2009 at 09:08 PM
Looking at the roster and the payroll breakdown right now it appears the team has about 6 mill left and it still has to sign Dubi and Cally (most reports about 2 mill each) but that is counting 1 mill each for Voros and Rissmiller. My question is why are those guys still around? Torts doesn't want Voros and Rissmiller didn't do anything at all and he's slow. Why not free up some dollars so they aren't right up against it? I also saw some Zubov rumors but Columbus, SJ and Edmonton were listed and not NY. That's fine-play some young guys. Along with that why don't they fill out their roster with their young talent from the minors for the forwards they need at this point? They are only going to get better if they play-no sense in paying a veteran when Torts basically rolls three lines anyway.
Posted by: Keith | July 11, 2009 at 08:16 AM
I remember that Drury has lots of friends in LA and loves to surf. He would likely waive his no trade to LA.
Drury + Rozsival for O'Donnell + Handzus or Stoll
Posted by: bob | July 11, 2009 at 10:13 AM
keith - they're still around because they signed 3 yr deals. and waivers (which have to be done every yr) are done in sept/oct
Posted by: LI Joe | July 11, 2009 at 10:14 AM
bob he won't this yr. maybe in a couple of yrs
Posted by: LI Joe | July 11, 2009 at 10:50 AM
LI Joe - why wouldn't he this year? I'm not giving you a hard time -- genuinely curious as to the thought process.
Posted by: Rogan | July 11, 2009 at 11:00 AM
rogan - because he wants to prove himself here to be the winner he has been a good amt of his life. and grew up a ranger fan.
do think dynamics can change ina yr or 2. if the fans turn on him as many have done on the net could change his mind. also if torts and sather make it clear they don't want him it could easily change his mind. i just don't see that now but i could see it in a yr or two.
question is what is considered a success for him individually. would 28 goals and 63 pts be enough to keep the wolves away.
he'll be 33 next month and this is his best chance at "redemption". in2 yrs he'll be 35 with 1 yr left and may want to find a place to renew the contract. won't happen here except at significantly lower money
Posted by: LI Joe | July 11, 2009 at 11:52 AM
I am not one of the haters when it comes to Drury. People just have to realize that that one big year he had was not his usual. He is a good all around player although I could stand to see him improve on faceoffs. LI JOE-I cannot believe that those guys signed 3 year deals!! WTF was Sather thinking? I didn't remember that-well thats fine-I will be waiting patiently for those two duds to get waived-they better get waived.
Posted by: Keith | July 11, 2009 at 05:07 PM
LI Joe - thanks for the explanation -- very cool. I'm with Keith on Drury; I always thought his contract was in part paying for his intangibles, leadership, proven winner. I never really had a problem with it. I'm not sure it makes sense from a cap perspective, but that's Sather's fault. I see him as a 25 goal, 35 assist guy. I don't know what to make of his leadership. I also think he got roped in with Gomez -- they were tied together as they signed together. Gomez being gone might be the best thing for Drury.
Posted by: Rogan | July 12, 2009 at 01:05 AM
Andrew, in regards to your schedule question, Tom Reed of the Columbus Dispatch reported last week that the preseason schedule is supposed to be released today and the regular season schedule on Wednesday.
http://blog.dispatch.com/cbj/2009/07/scheduling_dates.shtml
There are four confirmed preseason games for the Rangers so far. They are:
September 15th - vs. Boston, 7:00 PM
September 18th - at Detroit, 7:30 PM
September 19th - at Boston, 4:00 PM
September 21st - vs. Detroit, 7:00 PM
Posted by: Paul | July 13, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Mara may have been a good character guy, but he doesnt have the speed to play in torts' system. him and hal gill are going to be taking a lot of hooking/holding penalties for montreal next year which will be nice to see. if they could move rosi id grab zubov, but if not play some kids at this point
Posted by: Pete | July 13, 2009 at 12:04 PM