Boots, Sticks, & Controllers

New York Rangers: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

2011-06-13T22:05:00.000-07:00

The final segment features restricted free agents Matt McCue & Pavel Valentenko.

Matt McCue, Defense/Left Wing

Reasons to stay – A contract offer of any kind from the Rangers means they’re still interested in McCue.

Reasons to leave – None.

Analysis – Played in 43 games for the Dayton Gems of the CHL. Did not get any matches at the ECHL or AHL level.

Speculation – McCue seems to have fallen off of the club’s radar. With so many young forwards heading up to Connecticut for this fall, you have to wonder where a player like McCue will fit in. I anticipate that no contract will be offered to McCue for the purpose of releasing him from the club.

Pavel Valentenko, Defense

Reasons to stay – Is getting close, so close, to breaking into the Rangers’ 7 defense spots.

Reasons to leave – Maybe doesn’t want to sign a two-way NHL contract at 27 years old. Absence of a substantial AHL raise on a two-way contract offer. Probably has a place to go play in the KHL for a better wage than the $62.5K U.S. he was making at Connecticut.

Analysis – After two seasons of part time duty at Dynamo Moscow, Valentenko put together a very sharp year at the Wolf Pack/Whale. Played 79 matches scoring 17 points and was +21. Played all 6 Calder Cup matches for the Whale. Valentenko can expect to press for a place amongst the current log jam of qualified defensemen this fall at the Rangers’ training camp. Valentenko has not once played for the New York Rangers.

Speculation – The Rangers would be foolish to not retain the services of Valentenko, 23, who is putting in the yeoman’s work to earn a place with the New York Rangers. Rangers offer Valentenko a two-way deal with significant AHL pay bump. If Valentenko and his agent balk at the Rangers’ offer, Sather might try to deal the rights to Valentenko at the draft in an attempt to gain an early round pick.

This ends this summer's edition of Should I Stay or Should I Go? Stay tuned, watch this space.

New York Rangers: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

2011-06-12T13:04:00.000-07:00

This feature examines the free agent scenario of New Y0rk Rangers players that are currently out of contract. Today's segment examines the situations of John Mitchell & Tysen Dowzak.

John Mitchell, Center/Wing

Reasons to stay – Thinks the Rangers are on their way to a brighter future and wants to be a part of it.

Reasons to leave – Mitchell, 26, probably doesn’t want to sign a two-way contract at this stage in his career.

Analysis – Although Mitchell has 159 NHL matches under his belt, he finished the year with the Connecticut Whale in the AHL where he scored 12 points in 14 games. He did not once play for the Rangers last season. Mitchell is a lower line forward. The Rangers have a ton of depth with this type of player, but not so many with the amount of NHL match experience that Mitchell has. The Rangers picked up Mitchell from Toronto late in February for a 7th round 2012 draft pick. Mitchell was a playoff ace for the Whale playing all 6 Calder Cup games scoring 6 points along the way. His NHL point production curve has plummeted over his three NHL seasons.

Speculation – All depends on whether the Rangers believe that Mitchell is in their future plans and/or which other free agent forwards leave the club. He will likely have to sign a two-way contract to stay in New York if all the other forwards stay. At the age of 26 I doubt Mitchell has any intention of signing a two-way deal. Club and player may choose to part ways.

Tysen Dowzak, Defense

Reasons to stay – If the Rangers offer Dowzak any sort of deal at all, he should sign quickly before the club changes its mind.

Reasons to leave – None. The Rangers are nurturing a long-term project with Dowzak. He needs the Rangers more than the Rangers need him.

Analysis – Dowzak, 23, played the entire 2010-11 season with the Dayton Gems of the CHL. He is a prospect that is falling off of the Rangers’ radar quickly. The Rangers have a ton of depth at defense.

Speculation – Rangers allow Dowzak to remain a restricted free agent as a means of releasing him from the organization.

Tomorrow's final segment of "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" features RFAs Matt McCue & Pavel Valentenko.

New York Rangers: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

2011-06-11T13:53:00.001-07:00

This series examines the free agent scenarios of New York Rangers players who are currently out of contract. Today we examine restricted free agents Justin Soryal & Brodie Dupont.

Justin Soryal, Left Wing

Reasons to stay – If offered a contract, it would be sensible to re-sign, as Soryal’s numbers might not float him to a new pro hockey destination. As a restricted free agent, has very little bargaining power.

Reasons to leave – Considering retirement from hockey. Thinks he can get a better deal from another team.

Analysis – Soryal, 23, is currently a fringe player in the Rangers’ organization. He is a very hard character and handles part of the policing duties on the Wolf Pack/Whale. In his 3 AHL pro seasons, Soryal has been unable to match his best scoring numbers from his junior days at Peterboro. It seems the hope here, as it is with DiDomete, was that Soryal would not only bring his toughness from junior but also some of his offensive ability. In 3 seasons with the Wolf Pack/Whale (189 games) Soryal has managed a total of 11 goals, 14 assists for 25 points and 493 minutes in penalties. Soryal was a scratch in 5 of his club’s 6 Calder Cup Finals matches this year.

Speculation – If the Rangers believe that Soryal can develop enough to contribute more offensively and/or that he is a must have as an enforcer Soryal will be offered a contract. If the Rangers feel they have many redundancies in the enforcer department, Soryal may be allowed to remain a free agent as a means of releasing him from the club. Soryal gets offered either a one year contract, or isn’t offered a contract at all.

Brodie Dupont, Center/Left Wing

Reasons to stay – At 24, Dupont is a mainstay player for the Rangers’ AHL affiliate. His AHL salary at the end of his contract was $75K/year, this is a good real-world salary. Got his first game with the parent club during the Rangers’ winter injury difficulties. As restricted free agent he has little bargaining power.

Reasons to leave – Has toiled on the farm for 4 seasons and only has one NHL game to show for it. Thinks he can get a better deal from another club.

Analysis – Has played 297 games for the Wolf Pack/Whale posting numbers of 58 goals, 90 assists for 148 points with 389 minutes in penalties. With AHL goal totals in the range of 9-18 and points in the range of 22-45, Dupont has established himself as a gritty and consistent player who can make decent offensive contributions. Played in all 6 of the Whale's Calder Cup Finals matches. Seems to have the confidence of management going forward as he got his first NHL game this last season. Essentially the club likes Dupont’s work rate, scoring, and consistency.

Speculation – Dupont will likely be offered the same contract or one with a slight AHL raise. The deal must be two-way and will likely have no increase for the NHL salary level. I expect Dupont will be offered a deal for 2-3 years duration.

Tomorrow's segment will have a look at the free agent scenarios of RFAs John Mitchell & Tyson Dowzak.

New York Rangers: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

2011-06-10T12:06:00.000-07:00

This is a segment in a series examining the New York Rangers free agent scenarios. Today we examine the restricted free agents Dale Weise & Devin DiDiomete.

Dale Weise, Right Wing

Reasons to stay – At 22 years-old he still has time to hone his skills in the AHL and think things through. The Rangers seem to be keen on Weise, so it would benefit him to flow with the program.

Reasons to leave – Weise is a player who has scored a bunch at the AHL level, and has a fair amount of grit to his game. His AHL salary is $65K, and there might be other teams willing to offer more and nurture Weise’s development to his target role as NHL checking line player.

Analysis – Weise has played well in his three seasons for the Wolf Pack/Whale and earned enough confidence from management to be an injury replacement for 10 games with the parent club this season. Made no offensive contribution at pro level, with a penchant for taking knucklehead penalties, and needs more seasoning in the nutmeg state. An intimidating and uncompromising player, Weise will have a blue sweater waiting when his offensive numbers and discipline in the AHL translate to his game in the NHL.

Speculation – Weise signs a deal for what he currently makes or a bit more for a duration of probably 2 years.

Devin DiDiomete, Left Wing

Reasons to stay – Perhaps there is not so much league interest for this player. A second chance to work on the offensive part of his game.

Reasons to leave – Considering retirement from pro hockey. Thinks he can do better than the Rangers’ offer in free agency. I heard that DiDiomete got to help call some games with the Wolf Pack’s/Whale’s broadcasters and acquitted himself very well, perhaps Devin’s destiny lies in broacasting.

Analysis – The Rangers saw a rugged player with a two-way game when they drafted him out of the OHL’s Sarnia Sting where DiDiomete posted personal a personal best season in goals, assists, & points with 23-33 56 and 216 minutes in penalties. In his 3 year AHL career DiDiomete has only managed a total of 10 goals, 11 assists, and 661 penalty minutes in 170 matches with the Hartford Wolf Pack/Connecticut Whale. Both the Rangers and the Whale have players that can not only handle the policing duties, but can also score and set up goals.

Speculation – The Whale are about to get reinforced with some pretty good talent. I don’t foresee that there will be enough ice time to go around. Although DiDiomete has unquestionable prominence in the heart department, it probably won’t be enough this time around to earn a contract. The Rangers organization will likely let the young left wing explore restricted free agency as a way of releasing him from the club.

Tomorrow's segment will discuss the restricted free agents Justin Soryal & Brodie Dupont.

New York Rangers: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

2011-06-09T13:58:00.000-07:00

Today's segment explores the predicaments of Ranger's restricted free agents Stu Bickel & Chad Johnson.

Stu Bickel, Defense

Reasons to stay – For now, has a regular place in the team with the Connecticut Whale in the AHL.

Reasons to leave – At 24 years of age, Bickel may be looking to take his rugged style of play to a club that needs a first team player. Would probably like an AHL salary better than $62,500. The Rangers have a several defensemen in the system and promotion to New York from the farm seems currently out of reach.

Analysis – This season was the first where Bickel played close to a full AHL season(60 games between Syracuse and Hartford/Connecticut). Performed reasonably well, but nothing outstanding. Bickel is super rugged - a very hard player.

Speculation – The Rangers would be smart to retain Bickel, but he’s going to want an AHL raise. The contract will have to be two-way, but the AHL salary is going to have to go up if the club is serious about him. Bickel will probably sign a 1-2 year deal for in the range of NHL $875K/AHL $70-85K. The leverage is in the hands of the club, so probably not a big raise. Redden, Parlett, Niemi, Valentenko, Nightingale, Kundratek, maybe Del Zotto, and McIlrath will all be needing minutes, who will have a chair to sit down in when the music stops?

Chad Johnson, Goaltender

Reasons to stay – Johnson carries the bulk of the load in minutes played for the Connecticut Whale. Johnson may be able to position himself as the Rangers’ new backup. As restricted free agent, he may not have a lot of options to move.

Reasons to leave – At 24 years old, he has to be wondering if he’s going to become an NHL player or a career AHL player.

Analysis – Though he has 87 games and 40 wins under his belt for the Wolf Pack/Whale, he has only appeared 6 times for the parent club – acquitting himself quite well when called upon with 1 win, 2 losses, with an overtime result, a .911 save percentage and a 2.59 goals against average. Was at entry level AHL salary of $62,500 at the end of his contract. Clearly Johnson is good at stopping pucks.

Speculation – Johnson is only behind Rangers’ backup Martin Biron on the organizations depth chart. Although the Rangers’ number one goalie Henrik Lundqvist is on a long term contract, Martin Biron’s expires after the 2010-11 season. If the Rangers are unable to or unwilling to re-sign Biron, Johnson may get his chance to join the Rangers’ squad. Rangers will offer a reasonable if unspectacular two-way deal and in all likelihood Johnson will sign.

In tomorrow's segment we examine Rangers' restricted free agents Dale Weise & Devin DiDiomete.

* * *

UPDATE - The New York Daily News has reported that the New York Rangers intend to buy out the contract of center and captain Chris Drury.

New York Rangers: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

2011-06-07T11:53:00.000-07:00

Today we look at restricted free agents Artem Anisimov & Brian Boyle.

Artem Anisimov, Center

Reasons to stay – Has the confidence of both coach and GM illustrated by his regular place in the team. He is enjoying his best season yet in a blue sweater with season-highs in goals, assists, and points. He seems to be marked as a key part of the club’s revival.

Reasons to leave – The free agent market will not let the Rangers keep Anisimov’s salary point at $822K.

Analysis – Has played all 82 games in his first two full NHL seasons. Steadily improving in both scoring and defending. A good solid player. Decent on face-offs.

Speculation – How much of a raise is Glen Sather prepared to offer Anisimov? A competing club may be willing to offer
Anisimov more free agent money than the Rangers care to or can afford to match. Anisimov will be re-signed unless another club overpays for him. A likely contract scenario sees Anisimov signing a one-way deal for 2-3 years somewhere around the $1.2M-2M mark.

Brian Boyle, Center/Wing

Reasons to stay – Boyle is enjoying the best professional season of his NHL career with highs in goals, assists, and points. He has finally earned the confidence of management with a regular place in the team. Of all the forward lines for the Rangers this year, Boyle’s has seen the least tinkering from Torts the tinkerer. Is a restricted free agent which narrows his options.

Reasons to leave – His season numbers indicate that a raise is in order. The Rangers may not be able to retain him for the $525K that he currently earns.

Analysis – A 500% improvement on his production stats from last season tells me Boyle is playing for a bit of job security and a raise. Played all 82 games. Worked hard previous summer on improving his skating. Scored NHL highs of 21 goals, 14 assists, and 35 points.

Speculation – Has worked hard enough on his game to earn a raise, but a raise of how much? The Rangers will probably re-sign Boyle to a one-way contract in the range of somewhere between $800K-1M. The contract length will likely be a 1-2 years, as the Rangers will want to wait and see if Boyle’s dramatic improvement becomes consistency before attempting to retain him for bigger money and longer term.

Tomorrow's segment will feature restricted free agents Stu Bickel & Chad Johnson.

New York Rangers: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

2011-06-06T07:05:00.000-07:00

A continuing series examining the situations of New York Rangers free agents. Today we continue looking at the Rangers' restricted free agents Matt Gilroy & Michael Sauer.

Matt Gilroy, Defense

Reasons to stay – Finally seems to have earned Torts’ confidence and the 26 year-old seems to have a regular place in the team.

Reasons to leave – Rangers offer a salary cut that is too steep. Rangers demand he sign a two-way deal.

Analysis – Gilroy got 58 games (more than McDonagh and Del Zotto) with the big club this last season and this shows some confidence in his abilities. Brian McCabe was traded for and this shows that the club isn’t sure about Gilroy’s viability over the long term. Gilroy is a plus-player, very coachable, skates like the wind, and has a good shot. Two solid years with the big club stand him in good stead in his contract negotiations.

Speculation – The Rangers like Gilroy, but do they like him over the long term at $2.1M/year? Rangers re-sign Gilroy in the range of $2.1-2.5M/year. If Gilroy lacks confidence in the club it will be a one or two years deal. If Gilroy is confident of his place in the “young core” perhaps he will sign a 4-5 year deal. The organization does not truly have a prospect in waiting (or a line on a free agent defenseman in waiting) that can replace his experience and this will be an advantage in Gilroy’s contract talks.

Michael Sauer, Defense

Reasons to stay – Has finally earned a regular place in the team after years of toiling on the farm. The Rangers need his grit and willingness to stand up for teammates.

Reasons to leave – It took the Rangers a combination of a long time, and a fair amount of desperation to give Sauer a proper chance at the NHL level. Lowball contract offer. Rangers demand Sauer sign a two-way deal.

Analysis – This guy just keeps getting better, and his numbers support that. 76 games with the big club with no demotions. Sauer brings his brand of rugged and steady play to the rink each day. Led the Rangers in plus/minus with +20.

Speculation – How much of a raise are the Rangers prepared to award Sauer? I’m going to guess that less than $1.5M isn’t going to cut it (As he was making $62.5K/year for the better part of 3 years), and that suitors will be lining up for his services. If the Rangers are willing to reward Sauer for being a faithful servant of the club Sauer will re-sign. If the contract offer doesn’t reflect the significant impact he has had in the team, Sauer may elect to hold out. Sauer will likely re-sign for 2-3 years on a one-way contract of between $800K-1.2M. If better money is offered, the Rangers may be able to lock up Sauer in a 4-6 year deal. If the Rangers are only offering a two-way deal, the AHL salary had better be more than $75,000/year.

Tomorrow's segment features restricted free agents Artem Anisimov & Brian Boyle.

New York Rangers: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

2011-06-03T14:49:00.000-07:00

Today's segment is the first segment in a series examining the New York Rangers' restricted free agents. The first two RFAs we will look at are Brandon Dubinsky & Ryan Callahan.

Ryan Callahan, Right Wing

Reasons to Stay – Attachment to club and city that seem to love his combination of grit, speed, and skill. A chance to be a part of something amazing, if the Ranger management can ever properly fine tune the mix. Fans expect he will be named captain when (current captain) Chris Drury’s contract expires after the 2011-12 season.

Reasons to leave – A lowball contract offer from Sather. Does Callahan feel he is laboring in a vacuum, with not a Stanley Cup sniff in sight? A number of teams would give their eye teeth to sign Callahan to their roster.

Analysis – Callahan is a model of consistency on and off the ice. He seems to have the confidence of Sather, Torts, fans, and supporters. He is currently an alternate captain with the team. Callahan gives everything every shift, he plays in all situations skates, defends, scores, passes, hits early and often, and blocks shots - often to his own physical detriment as both his hand and his ankle were broken this year blocking shots. Callahan has demonstrated again and again that he is a vital part of what the Rangers are trying to build. Sather must re-sign this player at any reasonable cost.

Speculation – Callahan will sign a long term one-way deal of 4 to 6 years at a salary point in excess of $4M a year, a significant raise from his previous salary of $2.3M/year. The Rangers have the cap room to accommodate this, and they would be foolish to alienate him. A holdout situation would be a PR disaster for the club, and for Sather.

Brandon Dubinsky, Wing/Center

Reasons to Stay – Like Callahan, Dubinsky is enjoying robust success with the club and seems to have the confidence of both coach and GM, Seems attached to club, city, fans. He survived a holdout against the club over salary by responding with a good year.

Reasons to leave – A lowball contract offer from the club.

Analysis – The amount the Rangers are willing to spend on Dubinsky will likely determine whether or not he remains in a blue sweater. Dubinsky makes vital contributions to the Rangers by: defending, scoring goals, setting up goals, hitting, the odd scrap with unruly interlopers, power play, penalty killing. The Rangers simply can’t afford to let Dubinsky leave.

Speculation – Dubinsky re-signs with the club on a deal similar to the one that will retain the services of Ryan Callahan. A holdout situation is unthinkable from the standpoint of either club or player…Dubinsky will show his resolve by holding out if the negotiations are not carried out in good faith.

Tomorrow's segment will feature restricted free agents Matt Gilroy & Michael Sauer.

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New York Rangers - Trade Update: The Rangers have acquired defenseman Tim Erixon and a 5th round 2011 draft pick, in return for center Roman Horak and both of the Rangers' 2nd round draft picks in the 2011 draft.

What Calgary Gets: Calgary gets a good prospect in Horak, and adds two high draft picks.

What New York Gets: Although Horak and the 2 second rounders would have been good to keep, Horak and the players that would have been selected in the second round have zero games of pro experience. Erixon has 140 pro matches under his belt with his Swedish club Skelleftea with the 5th round pick added to even things out a little bit.

Analysis: This trade favors New York in the short term, and Calgary in the long term.

Speculation: Adding another defenseman with pro experience means that the battle for the Rangers last starting defense spot has become even more intense. This deal will impact Matt Gilroy, Michael Del Zotto, Steve Eminger, Dylan McIlrath, Blake Parlett, and others throughout the organization's depth chart. This deal also provides cover at defense in the event that Steve Eminger leaves the club.

New York Rangers: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

2011-06-02T12:25:00.000-07:00

Today's segment examines two of the New York Rangers unrestricted free agents. In today's case we will examine Bryan McCabe & Steve Eminger.

Bryan McCabe, Defense

Reasons to stay – I can’t think of any, and McCabe’s forgettable late season addition didn’t exactly impress the Rangers’ fans.

Reasons to leave – Can test the market as an unrestricted free agent, and probably finds a place on someone’s blue line for maybe a bit more than the Rangers are willing to offer.

Analysis – The trade that sent young Tim Kennedy to Florida for McCabe was a rental gamble that McCabe would be a steadying veteran presence on the power play. This gamble failed.

Speculation – The Rangers let the 35 year-old (36 in June) defenseman and his $5.750M contract drop off of the salary cap. McCabe walks in search of greener pastures.

Steve Eminger, Defense

Reasons to stay – Torts likes Eminger’s physicality and has given him preference for ice time – perhaps over players who are more talented and skillful.

Reasons to leave – Eminger has perhaps grown tired of being the pawn in the power struggle between Tortorella and Del Zotto.

Analysis – Athough Eminger is a more consistent player than Del Zotto, it seemed over the course of last season that when one was playing, the other was a healthy scratch. Eminger brings consistency and physical play to the Rangers' blue line. Conversely, Eminger is nearly 30, and is not the passer, shooter, nor skater that Del Zotto is. Should Eminger re-sign with the club, he continue to compete directly with Gilroy and Del Zotto for a place in the starting six defensemen. If it’s Eminger’s goal to sign a one-way contract with the Rangers, he might have to acknowledge that he may be the seventh defenseman and ride the pine pony.

Speculation – The million dollar question, literally, is: Does Eminger love playing for Torts and the Rangers enough to risk riding the pine when his betters figure out how to appease Tortzilla? If the Rangers still feel they need Eminger as cover for Del Zotto, Gilroy, and McDonagh they must re-sign him. Then, it’s a matter of price. For Eminger’s skill level and age, the Rangers won’t be prepared to pay more than the $1.125M he was making on his previous contract. So if he likes playing in New York, he’ll accept a renewal of the previous contract or a slight pay cut. If Eminger is interested in a higher salary, he might be able to find it, but not in New York. This one is too close to call.

In tomorrow's segment I will begin examining the New York Rangers' restricted free agents. The first two RFAs up will be Ryan Callahan & Brandon Dubinsky.

New York Rangers: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

2011-06-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

Today we examine the situations of New York Rangers unrestricted free agents Jeremy Williams & Chad Kolarik.

Jeremy Williams, Right Wing

Reasons to stay – Has enjoyed success at AHL level with Connecticut Whale. He was making about $200K/season playing AHL hockey. As real-world salaries go, that’s not too bad.

Reasons to leave – When Rangers experienced severe injury attrition during the 2010-11 NHL campaign, they did not call upon Williams to step in and help carry the load in Manhattan – Perhaps management lacks confidence in Williams? Williams has only played one game for the parent club in which he played less than 5 minutes. Isn’t going to want to sign another 2-way contract. At 27 years-old maybe Williams would like to go somewhere he can play a full year of NHL hockey.

Analysis – Played 75 games for the Wolf Pack/Whale, and appears to be a player the organization needs. The Rangers have had difficulty scoring goals, especially on the power play. Williams scored 15 power play goals last season for the Wolf Pack/Whale. Williams was the Wolf Pack/Whale’s leading goal scorer with 32, and second in scoring with 55 points. Essentially, the Rangers need to decide if they think Williams can replicate his AHL scoring in Manhattan.

Speculation – Rangers offer two-way contract for 1-2 years, entry level at maybe as much as $600K/NHL and $250K/AHL. Williams and his agent balk. Williams moves on as an unrestricted free agent. Hopefully he won’t sign with the Islanders as P.A. Parenteau did last season when the Rangers wouldn’t pony up the cash/ice time to keep him.

Chad Kolarik, Center/Wing

Reasons to stay – Got 4 games and 1 assist during the Rangers’ mid-season injury attrition. At 25 can afford to sign a two-way deal for one or two more seasons. The Connecticut Whale is about to be reinforced with a number of very young talented forwards that may precipitate a deeper Calder Cup run.

Reasons to leave – Not getting any younger and has a total of only 6 NHL games in pro experience. That’s gotta be getting stale after toiling on the farm for 4 years. The Connecticut Whale is about to be reinforced with a number of very young talented forwards. Made $62,500 playing mostly minor league hockey last season. Probably wants to make more.

Analysis – Kolarik finished 6th in scoring for the Wolf Pack/Whale during the 2010-11 season. Kolarik scored 21 goals (including 6 on the power play), for second in the team behind Wolf Pack/Whale goals leader Jeremy Williams.

Speculation – Kolarik’s situation is very similar to that of Jeremy Williams with the only difference is that Kolarik is a bit younger. Kolarik is a proven AHL level player, but will that translate to NHL success. I believe that the Rangers will offer a two-way contract. If that contract is a one year deal that respects his contributions thus far (i.e. an AHL salary of more than $62,000/season) perhaps Kolarik will sign it. I believe that Kolarik will test unrestricted free agency, and that one of the 29 NHL teams will offer him a better situation than the New York Rangers. Too close to call, Kolarik probably walks. Hopefully he doesn’t sign with the Islanders, Devils, Penguins, or Flyers.

Tomorrow's segment will feature unrestricted free agents Bryan McCabe & Steve Eminger

New York Rangers: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

2011-05-31T10:58:00.000-07:00

Today we look at New York Rangers' unrestricted free agents Ruslan Fedotenko and Todd White.

Ruslan Fedotenko, Wing
Reasons to stay – Seems to enjoy playing for Torts, meets Torts’ demands of skillful and physical

Reasons to leave – May get a free agent offer too sweet to turn down as his last contract was for $1M/year. Young talent nipping at his heels in the form of two year AHL vet Evgeny Grachev, along with pro hockey noobs Christian Thomas, and Carl Hagelin.

Analysis – The Rangers are a team that desperately needs the production and defensive steadiness of a player like Fedotenko. Fedotenko is a veteran winger. The Ukranian forward has 10 years of NHL hockey under his belt. In seasons where he plays at least 60 games (the fewest he’s ever played in a NHL season is 65) he can be counted on for at least 10 goals and 25 points. The Rangers also need his flexibility as Fedotenko can play both right and left wing. The flip side of the coin is that the Rangers may be getting ready to integrate young forwards into the team. If Fedotenko re-signs on a one way contract, he could become cover if any of the aforementioned young left wingers rise to prominence.

Speculation – Too close to call. Whether or not Fedotenko re-signs with New York depends on too many x-factors. If he should re-sign, the 32 year-old Fedotenko could find himself riding the pine, existing as a living reminder that the club has experienced options if forwards get lazy. If the Rangers’ future stars aren’t ready for the penetratingly bright lights of Manhattan, Fedotenko will be sorely needed to both score goals and help the defense keep its shape and composure. On the strength of his professional relationship with Tortorella, and the current needs of the Rangers for flexible veteran forwards, Fedotenko probably re-signs on a one year/one way deal plus incentive bonuses.

Todd White, Center/Wing
Reasons to stay – Few that I can think of as he was demoted to the Connecticut Whale, passing through waivers to do so (this means that no one else in the league wanted to take on his contract).

Reasons to leave – Doesn’t seem to fit into the Sather/Torterella vision of the Rangers’ future as he is not an intimidating figure, outstanding in ability, or young (White turned 36 this May). The Rangers have signed a number of forwards that will compete for places with the Rangers and their AHL affiliate.

Analysis – Played 18 games for the Rangers with little result. Had 5 points in 9 games for Hartford/Connecticut in the AHL. 

Speculation – White is an older player, didn’t get a ton of games, his contract has expired, and he passed through waivers without any sniffs upon his demotion to the AHL. White will test free agency and examine whether or not he wants to continue as a professional hockey player. White is nearing the end of his career - may retire or accept sweet free agent dollars to provide depth for a rebuilding team. White is clearly being phased out, with the Rangers recouping the $2.375M in cap space. Don’t expect him back.

Tomorrow's segment will feature unrestricted free agents Jeremy Williams and Chad Kolarik.

New York Rangers: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

2011-05-30T16:38:00.000-07:00

This is the first in a series discussing the New York Rangers' players who are currently unrestricted or restricted free agents. Today we begin with unrestricted free agent forwards Alexander Frolov and Vaclav Prospal.

Alexander Frolov, Left Wing

Reasons to stay – New York is a major media market. The Rangers are in the process of building a team that will contend for years. Failed to boost his salary/trade value and needs a complete and successful season to do so.

Reasons to leave – Trying to stay out of Torts’ doghouse gets stale quickly. Frolov admittedly signed with New York to boost his salary/trade value so perhaps has little attachment to club or city.

Analysis – Frolov isn’t a bad player, but at his current salary of $3M/year the Rangers expect much more than 43 games and 16 points. With his production dwindling (points since ‘06-’07: 71, 67, 59, 51, and then 16 in his injury shortened stint in Manhattan) the 29 year-old Frolov would have to accept a drastic salary cut to stay.

Speculation – As his agent will expect more money, and the Rangers won’t want to give it, expect Frolov to hit the bricks and test unrestricted free agency. If he and his agent can’t find the deal they are looking for in the NHL, expect Frolov to head for Russia in search of big KHL rubles.

Vaclav “Vinny” Prospal, Left Wing/Center

Reasons to stay – Prospal has enjoyed success with the Rangers. He seems to enjoy playing for Torts. Though the Rangers are attempting to build something long lasting for the future.

Reasons to leave – Prospal has offered his services to the Rangers at a steep discount for two years now as he nears the end of his career – money talks.

Analysis – When healthy (60 games or better), Prospal is a reliable 40-80 point player. Prospal has played well, producing better numbers in less games than teammates that make far much more money than he does. Prospal can play center as well as wing, and allows the Rangers great flexibility, which the Rangers need, as Tortorella loves to bench players to make his point.

Speculation – Rangers will again offer Prospal a short term contract but with lucrative incentives. As Prospal isn’t getting any younger, he will likely re-sign with the Rangers.

Tune in for tomorrow where we will look at the situations of Ruslan Fedotenko and Todd White.

FIFA and/or EA Sports must really hate the United States

2011-05-20T20:05:00.001-07:00

So I was at home, hangin’ out playing FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa for XBox 360. You might ask “Why?”. I would answer that my FIFA 2011 game disc is useless now because of small fractures that occur when placing the game disc on its spindle in the case, and when taking the game disc off of said spindle. It’s the second time that I have had a disc damaged this way. At $60 a go, and no way to really contact anyone at the company it’s a bit irritating. But I digress. We’re here to talk about FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa. Good news! I won the World Cup with America....wOOt! Won fair and square Portugal 0:2 United States...it was awesome. So I wanted to see if I had won the Golden Boot for Jozy Altidore. Apparently not. Apparently he had only scored the two goals in the final, and that’s all. I knew that couldn’t be true, so I checked the team stats for United States. It turns out that the game records indicated that NO ONE Had scored a goal other than Jozy scoring his two in the Final. This is impossible. Also for what is probably the first time in the history of the World Cup (video game or real-life) no one from the championship side was selected to the All-Tournament team or won either the Gold Ball, Silver Ball, or Bronze Ball. Weird eh? Skeptical?...I thought you’d be, so I made some photographs of the screens to prove it. FIFA and/or EA Sports...shame on you. Do you really feel the need to blot out American achievements even in a video game? We yanks have been unable to win the actual World Cup Finals...could you at least let us dream of doing it?

p.s. - It’s hurtful when the game news text in FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa keeps saying that every team in the world should beat the USA...You would like to think America's recent positive results against Argentina, Spain, & England would entitle the USA to a little bit of football respect...apparently not.

Week 4 Q&A

2011-02-24T11:44:00.001-08:00

1) According to the text "Remediation" the author uses the phrase (in relation to Hollywood's use of computer graphics)
"remediation operates in both directions" - what is meant by this?

The author is articulating that new technologies, such as CGI and digital compositing, have the ability to reshape film and television. In turn, the reverse is also possible. Television and film directors can use their media to reshape ways that these new technologies are implemented.

2) What does Michael Benedikt, author of "Cyberspace the First Steps" introduction argue had happened to modern city by the late 60s, having become more than 'a collection of buildings and streets'?

Benedikt stated that “...the modern city was more than a collection of buildings and streets...The city became seen as an immense node of communications a messy nexus of messages, storage and transportation facilities, a massive education machine of its own complexity, involving equally all media, including buildings...”

3) In his short story "Skinner's Room" William Gibson describes how Skinner watches a tiny portable 'pop-up' TV set. What can skinner no longer remember? (remediation in relation to television as an idea is neatly summed up in this sentence!)

Skinner “...can’t remember when he ceased to be able to distinguish commercials from programming...”

(Burns and Allen during the birth of television had commercials during programming http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uwPFvWwnQ8, for Carnation Condensed Milk among others.)

4) Author of the famous pamphlet "Culture Jamming" Mark Dery paraphrases Umberto Eco and his phrase "semiological guerrilla warfare". What does this mean?

“semiological guerrilla warfare” would be mass subversion of advertising (or of any medium) for the purposes of more realistically rendering products and their effects rather than the sanitized version presented by profit seeking companies.

5) From Mark Dery's pamphlet, briefly describe "Subtervising"

The act of “subvertising” is to take an existing advertisement and subvert the advertisers intent by altering it in ways that draw attention to the true nature of the products and services presented.

New York Rangers: Building Through Youth? Alexander Frolov, Welcome to the Fish Bowl

2010-08-02T19:13:00.000-07:00

The Rangers have undoubtedly done a good thing by signing Alexander Frolov. Where Frolov goes, he generally tends to win things. In international play he has won five medals with the Russian national team. This includes his World Junior championship gold medal, and also a world championship gold medal from a year ago.

For seven years, interrupted only by a stint back in Russia during the 2004 NHL lockout, he has been a faithful servant of the Los Angeles Kings hockey club. During his tenure with the Kings, he has scored 168 goals and 213 assists for 381 points in 536 matches. This translates to roughly a goal every three games and nearly a point a game (.71).

Shortly after the deal on July 27th, there was a Stanley Cup match from this Spring on television. I watched Frolov play several shifts. His intensity level seemed to be quite high. Frolov wasn’t shy about hitting, and also set up a goal with a one-time pass from the side of the net. Effort, execution, and desire don’t seem to be problems for Frolov, which is good as Ranger’s coach John Tortorella will consistently demand it of him.

On the negative side:

1. Frolov has only signed for one year, admittedly to increase his bargaining position with NHL clubs. The Rangers are a club desperately searching for consistency and continuity.

2. For an organization that insists that they are building through youth, signing a 28 year old free agent to fill a gap that could be filled by one of the Rangers’ promising young farmhands at Hartford, doesn’t exactly demonstrate confidence in the club’s young prospects.

We keep hearing about how Derek Stepan, Ryan McDonagh, Chris Kreider, Ryan Bourque, and Evgeny Grachev among other prospects in the Rangers’ organization are going to be stars. Going to be.

During an NHL on NBC intermission analysis presented by Mike Milbury and Pierre Mcguire, Mcguire said something like ‘…the future looks bright for the New York Rangers..’ to which Milbury contended along the lines of ‘…great, then I’ll buy tickets to the future.’

When is the future going to be now for the New York Rangers?

US Soccer: Qualifying Cycle for World Cup 2014 Brazil

2010-07-25T13:28:00.000-07:00

The World Cup in South Africa is all in the books, and the United States team is going to do what it always does. Rebuild, and have another go at it. It’s the human way - things get torn down or destroyed, and we rebuild them.

The US squad for the next World Cup, to be held in Brazil in 2014, is likely to be one that is very different from the one we know today. Although being over 30 years-old isn’t a death sentence in football, the extra mileage does make it difficult to quickly recover (or get up from) from those knocks that weren’t such a big deal when you were 22.

Let’s use our crystal ball, and see what things might be like in 2014 for the good ol’ US of A.

Carlos Bocanegra and Steve Cherundolo are 31. Jay DeMerit is 30. 8 other players in the 2010 World Cup squad for America will be over 30 when the 2014 finals in Brazil roll around. You would imagine that Landon Donovan, fitness permitting (at age 32), will make an attempt to feature in a 4th World Cup Finals. Donovan is a generational talent, and I can think of no replacement for him in the American team at this time. So if he is fit, it’s a safe bet that he will be there, provided that the United States qualifies. The same may apply to Dempsey who will be 31 in 2014.

Goalkeeper:

I can’t think that it will be anyone other than Tim Howard in the number 1 shirt, unless he is ill or injured. Brad Guzan (28 in Summer 2014) and Chris Seitz are also candidates for the job, and/or backing up Howard.

Defenders:

Of the group that went to South Africa it is possible that none of them will play in the next World Cup Finals. So, you have to wonder if maybe it will look something like choosing 7 from this lot:

Chad Marshall, Heath Pearce, Drew Moor, Edgar Castillo, Etchu Tabe, Jamil Fearrington, Erik Hort, Eric Lichaj, Ryan Miller, Jay Needham, Michael Orozco, Michael Parkhurst, Jonathan Spector, Zak Whitbread, Marvell Wynne Jr., Dasan Robinson, Tim Ward, Carlos Borja, Jonathan Bornstein, Eric Brunner, Kyle Davies, George John, Mike Chabala, Ryan Cochrane, A.J. De La Garza, Sean Franklin, Omar Gonzalez, Kevin Alston, Seth Sinovic, Jeremy Hall, Tim Ream, Tony Beltran, Bobby Burling, Ike Opara, Jason Hernandez, Patrick Ianni, Nathan Sturgis, Tyson Wahl

Midfield:

From: Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey, José Torres, Stuart Holden, Maurice Edu, Benny Feilhaber, Landon Donovan, Robbie Rogers, Sacha Kljestan, Alejandro Bedoya, Eddie Gaven, Dax McCarty, Freddy Adu,

Forwards:

From: Jozy Altidore, Robbie Findley, Eddie Johnson, Charlie Davies, Mike Grella, Marcus Tracy

If that seems like a long list of defenders, it’s because I think the United States has to almost completely rebuild their back four due to the old guard aging out. So it’s a matter of who is going to step up and play the best at defense.

Generally the optimum age for outfield players seems to be 24-28 years old. This is usually the best window in terms of fitness and experience - any older and fitness tends to dip, any younger and inexperience may cause a shortfall in performance on the world stage. A few players play in world cups past the age of 30, especially goalkeepers who have a much harder time amassing their match experience.

Stay tuned…

New York Rangers: The Off-Season to Date

2010-07-22T14:57:00.000-07:00

The NHL off-season. Free agents leave, free agents re-sign. Players get traded, and then we see what remains.

The Rangers have re-signed 7 of their free agent players.

The Rangers added 8 new players through trade or free agency.

The Rangers lost 12 players to trade or free agency.

The most notable free agent that has not yet re-signed with the club is defenseman Marc Staal, who is arguably the Rangers’ best and most consistent defenseman. Let’s hope that Glen Sather manages to re-sign Staal…because if he doesn’t, I don’t think that he has much longer before he gets the sack.

Notable free agents that have re-signed with the Rangers are: Vaclav Prospal and Dan Girardi.

Notable additions to the Rangers are goaltender Martin Biron, enforcer Derek Boogaard, and the entry-level signings of World Junior Championship star center Derek Stepan, and defenseman Ryan McDonagh.

Noteworthy players leaving the Ranger organization (through trade or free agency) are defenseman Ilkka Heikkinen (HC Sibir Novosibirsk of the KHL), enforcer Jody Shelley (who signed with arch-rival Philadelphia for 3 years), Olli Jokinen (who signed on for another run in Calgary), defensemen Corey Potter (Pittsburgh), Bobby Sanguinetti (Carolina for two draft picks), forwards P.A. Parenteau (to the Islanders), Corey Locke (Ottawa), and goaltender Steve Valiquette (CSKA Moscow of the KHL).

True statement: The Rangers as an organization have gotten a lot younger, and a lot meaner.

True statement: With the addition of Biron, King Henrik won’t have to play 70 matches this year.

Stay tuned…

New York Rangers: Better Know a Ranger on the Bubble - Corey Locke

2010-07-05T19:25:00.000-07:00

Corey Locke was highly motivated to score a bunch in the AHL this year. So motivated in fact, that he finished third in scoring in the league with 31 goals and 54 assists for 85 points. Locke is at the end of an entry-level contract @ $500K/year (AHL salary $275K/year). The 85 point season is Locke’s way of saying he’d like to become a millionaire. Wait a minute, the Rangers need scoring...nah, it’s too simple, Slats (Rangers general manager Glen Sather) will never go for it. Locke is a slightly built player at 5’ 9” and 189 pounds. The Toronto native is also a pacy skater, with deadly accuracy on shots and passes.

Prediction: Rangers retain Locke

The Rangers would be foolish to overlook scoring when it’s right under their noses. If you look at Locke’s resumé he scored a silly amount of points in junior (132 goals, and 180 assists for 312 points in 186 matches with the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s. That’s a rate of 1.7 ppg.), and has produced consistently (466 matches, 141 goals, 252 assists for 393 points with Hamilton, Houston, and Hartford - an average of 0.84 points a game.) as a professional in 6 AHL seasons. I think it’s fair to label this guy a veteran, at the age of 26. Oddly, he has only played in 4 NHL matches, one with Montreal, and 3 last season with the Rangers. Why has no one given him the better part of an NHL season to prove himself at the top level? Do the front offices in Montreal and New York know something we don’t about Locke? His record indicates that all this guy does is score. However, now that he’s 26, it’s going to take some grown up professional player dollars to sign him. You get the feeling that if the Rangers don’t want to make him a millionaire, another club surely will be happy to oblige him.

New York Rangers: Better Know a Ranger on the Bubble - Marc Staal

2010-07-04T13:53:00.000-07:00

Should Glen Sather fail to re-sign Marc Staal, things could get bad - very bad on Broadway. Staal is acknowledged to be one of the top shut-down defenders in the NHL. Staal very quietly and efficiently does his job. At the end of the last season, he also began to score some goals. Staal is also very young and at the end of a contract that paid him $765,000. This makes him a restricted free agent and places him in a position to sign a multi-year big money NHL contract. The question is, how much is Sather willing to part with to keep his star young defenseman?

Staal by the numbers: 13 goals, 39 assists for 52 points in 244 matches in 3 full seasons with the Rangers. Staal played 80 matches of 82 his first season, and in the last two he has played in all 82. In his NHL career he is also +6 with 150 minutes in penalties.

Staal is young (23 years-old), durable, calm and skillful.

Prediction: Rangers will retain Staal...provided they have the cap space to do so.

Staal, and his agent NHL Hall of Famer Bobby Orr, will see to it that the new contract reflects Staal’s ability and accomplishments. The big question is, now that the Rangers have developed him, can they afford what they have created? The bigger question is, can the Rangers afford not to sign him?

At this writing, Staal is in negotiations with the Rangers. Rangers’ GM Sather has stated in the press that the two sides are far apart on salary, going so far as to describe the discrepancy as a “chasm”.

Larry Brooks of the New York Post recently reported:

“...Our information in this case is that the Blueshirts have made an equitable offer to the defenseman in the range of four years for $14 million, but that his agent — a fellow who once played named Bobby Orr — is seeking substantially more than that...”

There are also rumors that Staal is seeking a 1 year deal, so that he can then be eligible at the end for salary arbitration.

If the Rangers fail to re-sign Staal, it doesn’t say much about an organization that has repeatedly stated that it is committed to rebuilding through youth within the organization. In fact, losing Stall would effectively show the Rangers’ management to be hypocrites of the highest order.

New York Rangers: Better Know a Ranger on the Bubble - Mike Sauer

2010-07-03T09:55:00.000-07:00

You get the feeling that it’s going to be now or never for Mike Sauer. The Minnesota native has faithfully toiled for 3 seasons with the Hartford Wolf Pack, awaiting his chance to finally make the Rangers squad. By the numbers, Sauer has played in 177 matches for the Wolf Pack, totaling 13 goals, 33 assists, for 46 points, +29, and served 160 minutes in Penalties. Sauer made $62.5K (His AHL salary, had he played for the Rangers it would have been $600K) this last season, and now his contract is up.

By all accounts Sauer is a gritty and hard-working defenseman, sacrificing scoring chances and flashy play for disciplined positioning and delivering punishing body checks with his 220 lb. frame. Despite this, he has only played 3 matches for the New York Rangers.

The Rangers now have 10 prospects at defense, 11 if you count Friday’s drafting of Dylan McIlrath, a punishing, uncompromising, gritty, tenacious competitor who also skates very well and possesses the potential for great offensive upside. Space could be made for Sauer on the Rangers, but you have to wonder if Sauer is the sort of player that head coach John Tortorella wants in his team.

Sauer’s achievements seem to speak for themselves, but in the endgame, Sauer’s work ethic and discipline may have nothing to do with whether he stays in the Rangers organization or moves on as a restricted free agent.

Prediction: The Rangers let Sauer test free agency.

Word on the street is that Torts wants a defenseman who will jump into the rush and is comfortable pinching for 50/50 pucks in the attacking zone. Sauer is not this type of defenseman. Instead Sauer is known to play a more conservative and disciplined game in the model of the stay-home defenseman. The decision will have less to do with Sauer’s actual skill and commitment, and more to do with the style of the current Rangers’ head coach. Sauer will play in the NHL, the question is...will it be with the Rangers?

New York Rangers: Better Know a Ranger on the Bubble - Dan Girardi

2010-07-01T20:09:00.000-07:00

The 26 year-old veteran defenseman has played all 82 matches for the Rangers these last three seasons. He is now a restricted free agent. His salary last season was $1.55M.

Girardi is an excellent and consistent competitor. He packs his lunchpail and stays until the work is done. He is a vital part of the Rangers’ defense corps. Steady if unspectacular, Girardi gets the job done. He makes reasonable offensive contributions, and does a good job of staying out of the penalty box.

He has little standing in the way of his recommendation, and I have no doubts that there are a ton of teams who would love to add him as a free agent pickup.

Prediction:

Rangers opt to retain Girardi.

Barring a ludicrous salary demand from his agent, Girardi and his proven work record will remain in Manhattan to the delight of all. The Rangers should be prepared to offer him a substantial salary increase. Not a silly increase, but a substantial one. If the Rangers aren’t willing to do that, I can think of a number of teams with salary cap room that would be happy to pay what Girardi’s agent is asking. The bargaining leverage, although slight, rests with Girardi and his agent. Although the Rangers organization has great depth at defense Bobby Sanguinetti only played 5 matches for the Blueshirts last year and Corey Potter only played in 3. This says that the club, at least at the end of last season, weren’t completely sold on Sanguinetti and Potter as regular blueliners for the Rangers while young Mike Sauer wasn’t sent for at all. At the end of training camp this year though, it could be a very different situation as amateur defense prospects Ryan McDonagh and Tomas Kundratek will be looking to earn entry-level professional contracts with the Rangers.

New York Rangers: Better Know a Ranger on the Bubble - Enver Lisin

2010-06-30T13:24:00.000-07:00

Enver Lisin’s $790,000 contract with the New York Rangers has expired. He is now a restricted free agent.

In his first full season with the New York Rangers, Lisin managed 6 goals and 8 assists in 57 games for 14 points. With only 18 minutes in penalties, Lisin did a good job of staying out of the penalty box. The speedy right wing has promise to spare, occasionally dazzling with his blazing pace and stick-handling ability. Some concerns stem from Lisin’s lack of offensive production and his lack of consistency in his most recent big chance on the NHL stage.

Prediction:

The Rangers would like to retain Lisin, if only because the club’s depth chart is so thin at right wing. However, if Lisin and his agent are unwilling to consider a two-way contract (at the tender age of 24, Lisin could benefit from a couple of good years in the AHL), or ask for a significant raise beyond his last contracted salary. Lisin and the Rangers may just as easily decide to part ways. The Rangers possess the bargaining leverage as young Dale Weise seems like he might soon be ready to make the leap to Broadway. Lisin’s agent should be mindful that Weise is not only developing a consistent scoring touch in Hartford, but also has a rugged component to his game that Lisin does not seem to possess.

World Cup 2010 South Africa: End of Second Round June 29th

2010-06-30T13:03:00.000-07:00

PAR 0:0 JPN - And now for something completely different...instead of a match analysis, let my match notes be a primer for those who think a 0:0 draw is a listless unexciting thing to watch:

Lucas PAR stopped point-blank by Kawashima, rebound scrambled away 20’

Matsui JPN hits the bar on 22’

Santa Cruz PAR mashes one wide from a corner on 29’

Honda JPN blasts wide on 40’

South American sides 14-0 v. Asia in World Cup

Tulio JPN heads wide on 63’

Lucas PAR heads to the goalkeeper with pace on 95’

97’ Valdez PAR stopped point-blank by Kawashima

99’ Honda’s JPN free kick beaten away by Villar PAR

101’ Barreto PAR chips over his own head and just over JPN goal

Penalties-
PAR - Barreto - Made
JPN - Endo - Made
PAR - Lucas - Made
JPN - Hasebe - Made
PAR - Riveros - Made
JPN - Komano - Missed, smashed off of the crossbar
PAR - Valdez - Made
JPN - Honda - Made
PAR - Cardozo - Made
(Paraguay advance to quarter-finals 5:3 on penalties)

ESP 1:0 POR - Spain dominated Portugal in Cape Town, keeping the bulk of possession and having the lion’s share of the better chances. Too much for Portugal to handle, Spain advance to the quarter-finals on a 63rd minute David Villa goal. Credit to Portuguese ‘keeper Eduardo for keeping 9 of Spain’s 10 chances out.

New York Rangers: Better Know a Ranger on the Bubble - Brandon Prust

2010-06-28T19:57:00.001-07:00

Currently a restricted free agent, Brandon Prust made half a million dollars last year playing for the New York Rangers.

At the age of 26, Prust has newly come to the New York Rangers by way of Calgary. The trade sent underachievers Chris Higgins and Ales Kotalik to Alberta in return for Olli Jokinen and Prust.

A developing player with 115 NHL matches under his belt, Prust was given a chance to contribute...and contribute he did.

Prust’s game is simple and has few unnecessary parts in it. He works tirelessly, keeps his feet moving, delivers crunching body checks any chance he gets, and should someone in the lightweight to middleweight divisions get out of hand - keep the peace. Prust was assessed with 25 major penalties for fighting last season. Of those 25 times Prust bested his opponent or held his own 18 times (If you don’t believe me, check it out at hockeyfights.com). Prust took on the job of Sheriff of Rangertown after his predecessor, veteran tough guy Donald Brashear failed to keep the peace on Broadway. Prust sent the message that any grievous offenses against his Calgary and New York teammates would be unacceptable, with severe consequences for offenders.

In addition to the tough rugged game he plays, Prust also actually knows how to play hockey. Yes, hockey - skating, passing, and shooting. In his 26 matches with the Rangers, Prust scored 4 goals along with 5 assists for 9 points. Not bad for a tough guy. In addition, Prust finished +3 in plus minus, on a Ranger team that had a habit of bleeding goals at inopportune times.

Near the end of the season formed a potent checking line with Jody Shelley and rookie center Artem Anisimov that not only stayed the opposition, but also added goals. The Anisimov/Shelley/Prust line experiment was considered a limited success in a season where success often went wanting.

Prediction:

The Rangers opt to retain Prust.

The Rangers would be insane to not resign this player. Prust has proven his commitment to the Rangers, often with his own blood, bumps, and bruises. I believe that Prust would re-sign for a modest to decent raise, which I believe that he has earned. The bargaining leverage is a little bit in Prust’s favor as not only did he do very well in defending his teammates and add a bit of scoring, but that the Rangers don’t necessarily have a replacement enforcer on standby as Kris Newbury and Jody Shelley are also free agents with little organizational depth behind them in the tough guy department.

World Cup 2010 South Africa: Second Round Matches June 28th

2010-06-28T19:03:00.000-07:00

NED 2:1 SVK - Arjen Robben’s 18th minute goal today in Durban set the tone for their elimination match with Slovakia. The Slovaks fresh off of their recent giant-killing of Italy began the game playing beautiful and composed football, with good passing and combination play. After Robben’s goal though, the Dutch seized the match by the scruff of the neck and went into tactical counterattacking mode. Although the Dutch had more quality chances at goal, Stekelenburg did well to keep out the few dangerous chances created by the Slovaks. For long periods of the game the action was mired down, not because of any lack of skill or effort, but just the opposite. Both sides were working so frantically to put their stamp on the match that they were canceling each others efforts. Sneijder added a second for the Dutch off of a counterattack on 84 minutes. Stekelenburg did make one error late in stoppage-time, fouling Jakubko in the area. The Dutch goalkeeper was booked for his trouble and conceded a penalty that was ably converted by Vittek. After the penalty was scored, the referee blew for full-time. The late penalty makes the match look closer than it actually was, as the Netherlands had the overall edge from the run of play. Vittek seems to have written his own ticket, and may have several attractive offers from big clubs. Small consolation for the Slovaks who are now eliminated. On another day, this match might have gone very differently. Cheers to the Slovaks for their incisive and pacy football. Netherlands advance to the round of 8.

BRA 3:0 CHI - In an evenly played match in Johannesburg, Brazil managed to dominate on the scoreboard. This match appeared to be an example of similar efforts from both sides, with the only difference being that Brazil finished their chances, while Chile were unable to. Brazil advance in the tournament thanks to goals by Juan, Luis Fabiano, and Robinho, all of which were scored between the 35th and 59th minutes. The Samba Kings advance to the round of 8, surprise surprise.

Tomorrow’s matches will round out the remainder of the round of 16. Paraguay will face Japan in Pretoria, and Spain will take on fellow Iberians Portugal in Cape Town. The Japanese have nothing to lose and only respect to gain. They are the only Asian side left in the tournament. Paraguay, you would think, will be expected to win. I expect an even and difficult fight between the Paraguayans and the Japanese. In the late match it will be the relentless attacking style of La Furia Roja pitted against the fluidity and deftness of touch that are hallmarks of the Portuguese game. As the two nations share a peninsula and are adjacent, we will see if familiarity indeed breeds contempt.

New York Rangers: Rangers draft for toughness and grit, Sanguinetti traded

2010-06-27T19:59:00.000-07:00

NHL Draft day in Los Angeles...The Rangers are on the clock...With the Ranger brass about to select 10th in the first round it seems that Windsor Spitfires and USA World Junior standout Cam Fowler is still available...the breath of collective fans catches...and then the club selects Dylan McIlrath of the Moose Jaw Warriors. A player sometimes called “The Undertaker”, McIlrath was assessed 19 fighting majors last season for the Warriors. My first thought was something along the lines of “What the What!”

At the conclusion of the Draft, it became a bit more clear that it was the Rangers intent to draft for both skill AND toughness. Judging by the way Philadelphia edged the Rangers for a playoff spot this Spring, perhaps this was a good direction to go in. General Manager Glen Sather, Director of Player Personnel Gordie Clark and their entire staff of scouts seem to be making a bold statement that softness will no longer be generally tolerated. The scouting contingent had apparently focused their attention on a handfull of players who had made recent dramatic improvement. This included McIlrath who had won most improved player twice in two years at Moose Jaw.
 Perhaps the writing was on the wall when the trade with Calgary that sent Higgins/Kotalik to the Flames for Prust/Jokinen that the Rangers were trying to harden themselves up for the future. The later acquisition of Jody Shelley would seem to show that the Rangers were looking to add toughness without sacrificing skill...a more difficult thing to do than you would imagine.

It remains to be seen what the overall effect this draft class will have on the future of the organization. But it seems like the message to prospects in the Rangers system is a very loud and clear statement of “Play up or we’ll find you another place to play!”

During the draft, defense prospect Bobby Sanguinetti (2006 1st round/21st overall selection by the Rangers) was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes for a 6th round pick in this draft and a 2nd round pick in next year’s draft. Sanguinetti, a New Jersey native and lifelong fan of the Manhattan club, was envisioned as a Rangers puck-rushing defenseman of the future with big offensive upside. It has been speculated that Sanguinetti showed up for camp out of shape last year, and had been tagged as a consistent under-performer at the Rangers AHL Hartford affiliate. Time will tell what the impact of this deal will be.

Here are the latest additions to the Rangers burgeoning stable of up and coming prospects:

1st Round/10th overall pick - Dylan McIlrath, D, Moose Jaw Warriors

2nd Round/40th overall - Christian Thomas, RW, Oshawa Generals

4th Round/100th overall - Andrew Yogan, C/LW, Erie Otters

5th Round/130th overall - Jason Wilson, LW, Owen Sound Attack

6th Round/157th overall - Jesper Fasth, RW, HV 71 Jr. (Sweden)

7th Round/190th overall - Randy McNaught, RW, Saskatoon Blades

What all of this might mean:

McIlrath, should he be true to his press, can put a guy through the boards, score a goal, and then defend a teammate with his fists before the horn finishes blowing.

Thomas and Fasth are known as very good skaters and goal scorers.

Yogan and Wilson seem to be gritty pluggers that can put the puck in the net.

McNaught seems to be a straight-up enforcer.

Central Scouting capsules of these players are available for viewing at the following URL:

http://rangers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=532791

If’n you like the fisticuffs, there is a You Tube video of a fight between McIlrath and McNaught that sort of gives you the idea that neither of these gentlemen puts up with much nonsense on any given night. Good times.

World Cup 2010 South Africa: Second Round Match Summary for June 26th & 27th

2010-06-27T19:08:00.000-07:00

Uruguay 2:1 Korea - Through a driving rain in Port Elizabeth, Uruguay managed to eliminate Korea through a late Luis Suarez winner. Suarez hit the second of his goals in the 80th minute, this one to seal the win. Korea made a game effort though, answering Suarez’ first strike in the 8th minute, with a Chungyong goal scored in the 68th minute, twelve minutes before Suarez completed his brace. Suarez’ quality was the difference in what was an extremely tight game. The Celeste see their way through to the last eight.

United States 1:2 Ghana - In Rustenburg, the venue that saw America successfully deadlock England, a quite different result played out against the Black Stars of Ghana. Ghana would get off to a shock start with a 5th minute goal from Kevin Prince Boateng. The Americans reeling from the goal that was set up off of a Ricardo Clark turnover in midfield, doubled their efforts in an attempt to level and settle the match. In the 62nd minute Dempsey was fouled in the penalty area by Ghanian defender Jonathan. This set up a spot kick for Donovan which he ably converted, beautifully bending the football off the inside of the post to level at 1:1. No one could have forseen the strike by Gyan, three minutes into stoppage-time that would put Ghana ahead 1:2. With literally seconds left, there was no time for the Americans to answer. The inconsistency in the American defense was their undoing. The Americans, fresh off their Group C victory, found themselves shattered and going home. Though the bulk of the match was evenly played, United States would once again experience football’s cruel nature, as their quality could not carry them past the unpredictability of the Ghanian attack. For the second World Cup in a row, America would see themselves sent home by Ghana, by the same 2:1 score. Ghana advance to the final eight.

Germany 4:1 England - Bloemfontein saw perhaps the most controversial refereeing decision of the World Cup thus far. Klose and Podolski staked Germany to a 2:0 lead on 32 minutes that would be halved 5 minutes later by Upson. With the Germans leading England 2:1 late in the first half, Lampard smashed a shot off of the crossbar. With the rebound clearly deflecting to the ground behind the goal line, play continued with no goal being counted to England. Müller would smash two more goals for the Germans in the 67th and 70th minutes. Though the statistics show the game as more or less evenly played, Germany were evidently more precise with their finishing. We will be left to wonder if the match would have been different had Lampard’s strike been correctly counted to level the match at 2 goals each. Germany’s achievement of 4 goals truly reflects their quality and it is a shame that this match will be remembered for an English goal that should have been counted, and not Germany’s sharp finishing. Die Mannschaaft advance to the last eight...with an asterisk.

Argentina 3:1 Mexico - In Johannesburg, CONCACAF would see their last remaining representative drummed out of the World Cup. Other than an early Mexican effort smashing off the crossbar, this match was all Argentina, all the time. Though Mexico saved some face with a late consolation goal, it was clear from the first goal that Argentina were the superior side. Argentina’s opening goal from Tevez seemed to be definitively offside though the officials made no call. Would it have made a difference...who knows?

Stay tuned over the next two days for the rest of the second round results.

World Cup 2010 South Africa: End of Group Summary for Groups E - H

2010-06-27T17:55:00.000-07:00

Group E:

Denmark 1:3 Japan - Despite the Danes superior possession and gritty tackling, Japan found themselves leading Denmark 0:2 in Rustenburg on 30 minutes. John Dahl Tomasson got one back for the Danes on 81 minutes, but Okazaki would hit a 87th minute dagger to end the match at 1:3. Japan punch their ticket to the second round 6 points to the good.

Cameroon 1:2 Netherlands - Though the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon made a game effort in Cape Town, they simply couldn’t get past the Dutch. Though many aspects of the match were dead even, the Dutch enjoyed the more frequent and dangerous goal scoring opportunities. After van Persie opened with a goal in the 36th minute, Cameroon gamely answered with a Thomas Eto’o penalty on 65 minutes. It was Huntelaar who would hit a late winner in the 83rd minute sinking Cameroonian hopes in South Africa. Netherlands cruise into the second round on maximum points.

Group F:

Slovakia 3:2 Italy - In a fantastic result that no one could have predicted, the scrappy Slovaks edged out the experienced Italians in Johannesburg, not only knocking the Italians out of the match, but knocking them out of the tournament. Vittek opened with two for the Slovaks in the 25th and 73rd minutes. Italy, out of sorts and with little time remaining, hit back in the 81st through Di Natale. Seemingly Italy was gearing up to try and eliminate the Slovaks on grit and pride alone. Kopunek promptly answered on 89 minutes with a dagger of a goal seemingly closing the door on Italian World Cup hopes. Quagliarella would hit a second goal for Italy in stoppage-time, but there just wasn’t enough match left for the Italians to level. The only way the Italians could’ve gone through was with a win. Instead the Squadra Azzuri return to Italy eliminated and heartsick. Slovakia through to the second round on 4 points.

Paraguay 0:0 New Zealand - After a scoreless draw in Polokwane, New Zealand finish a performance that saw them exceed their wildest dreams as they managed to go unbeaten in the group stage of a World Cup Finals. Unfortunately they didn’t win any matches either, and Paraguay cruise into the second round on 5 points.

Group G:

Portugal 0:0 Brazil - A scoreless draw in Durban was all that Brazil and Portugal needed to see them through to the round of 16. It was an ill-tempered standoff with seven total players booked. Though Brazil dominated possession and chances at goal, the two sides finished level.

DPR Korea 0:3 Ivory Coast - This match in Nelspruit was largely a formality with neither Ivory Coast nor North Korea starting the match in a position to advance, regardless of the result. Goals by Yaya Toure, Romaric, and Kalou earn respectability for the Ivorians, but not a second round World Cup berth. Chelsea and Ivory Coast standout Didier Drogba was named Man of the Match. North Korea ended a lackluster tournament that included a low point against Portugal where they were overwhelmed by a margin of 7:0.

Group H:

Chile 1:2 Spain - Pretoria hosted a match between group leaders Chile who were on 6 points and second place Spain, just behind them with 3 points. David Villa opened for Spain on 24 minutes. Iniesta would add a second in the 37th minute. Despite Millar’s 47th minute strike for Chile, Spain would prevail seeing the two sides tie for first on points. The tie was broken on goal difference with Spain’s +2 bettering Chile’s +1. This result saw both Chile and Spain through to the round of 16.

Switzerland 0:0 Honduras - This match in Bloemfontein was rendered meaningless by the Chile/Spain match. Honduras and Switzerland played to a mostly listless scoreless draw. Though both sides demonstrated flashes of skill, there were no goals to be had on the day. Both the Swiss and the Hondurans crash out of the tournament. Honduras particularly disappointed its supporters as they failed to score a goal in the tournament. Despite an early shock victory against the Spaniards, Switzerland were unable to find enough consistency to advance despite earning a respectable 4 points in group play.

World Cup 2010 South Africa: End of Group Summary for Groups A - D

2010-06-27T17:54:00.000-07:00

Group A:

Mexico 0:1 Uruguay - Uruguay finished group play undefeated by defeating Mexico in Rustenburg. Luis Suarez scored on a nifty header in the 43rd minute. Uruguay won the group outright with two wins and a draw and will advance to knockout play. Though Mexico did not earn a result, their points from previous group matches were enough to send them through to the round of 16.

France 1:2 South Africa - In Bloemfontain, France were defeated by hosts South Africa. First half goals by Khumalo and Mphela were too much for Les Bleus to overcome, though they hit back for one in the 70th minute through Malouda. Though South Africa were level on points with Mexico at 4, their goal difference of -2 wasn’t enough to beat Mexico’s +1 in the tiebreaker. South Africa played with a lot of heart, and a fair amount of style. Only their 0:3 loss to group winners Uruguay prevented them from advancing. France could not overcome poor form, (1 point from a possible 9) results, and their efforts were undermined by infighting within the squad and staff.

Group B:

Nigeria 2:2 Korea - In Durban, Korea had the twice as many meaningful chances as their opponents, the Super Eagles of Nigeria. Nigeria struggled to keep up, giving two fouls for every one by their Korean counterparts. Uche opened the scoring for Nigeria on 12 minutes, but Korea roared back scoring in the 39th and 49th minutes to take a 1:2 lead early in the second half. Yakubu’s penalty would tie the match on 69 minutes. Despite a few game efforts following this, neither side could hit a winner. Korea advance to the round of 16 with 4 points.

Greece 0:2 Argentina - Roundly outplayed, Greece succumbed to Argentina in Polokwane. Goals for the Albiceleste were scored by Demichelis and Palermo. Total shots 7:22 in favor of the Argies. Argentina on maximum points breeze into the round of 16.

Group C:

Slovenia 0:1 England - England, through a bit of magic from Jermain Defoe edge upstarts Slovenia in Port Elizabeth. Though the match was dead even in many respects, England enjoyed a 2:11 advantage in corner kicks. This result puts England through to the round of 16.

USA 1:0 Algeria - It wasn’t to be for the Desert Foxes, as a dramatic stoppage time goal from Landon Donovan saw the Americans not only through to the next round, but also gave them the title of group winners in a World Cup Finals for the first time in the history of US Soccer. Although the match was mostly dead even, Algeria had to foul twice as often as the Americans to deal with their quality.

Group D:

Ghana 0:1 Germany - The Germans seemed to have trouble with Ghana’s pace and unpredictability, and Ghana had trouble with Germany’s quality. At full-time in Johannesburg, Özil’s goal for Die Mannschaaft on the hour mark was the only thing separating these two game contenders in a match that could’ve gone either way. Germany and Ghana find themselves both through to the round of 16, with Australia’s win over Serbia ensuring the Serbs elimination.

Australia 2:1 Serbia - The Socceroos took a bit of their own back in Nelspruit, handing a defeat to a Serbian team that looked unbeatable during qualifying. A late Serbian goal by Pantelic in the 84th minute, couldn’t undo Aussie strikes by Cahill (69’) and Holman (73’) that saw the Serbs out of the tournament. Unfortunately for the Socceroos, their -3 goal difference compared to Ghana’s even one at zero, wasn’t enough for qualification to the second round. Too little too late for Oz.

New York Rangers: Better Know a Ranger on the Bubble - Brodie Dupont

2010-06-22T17:09:00.000-07:00

At the tender age of 23, Brodie Dupont’s career with the New York Rangers hockey club is at a crossroads. He is now a restricted free agent. His salary last year was $62,500.

What he’s done so far for the Rangers organization is to play three yeoman-like seasons for the Hartford Wolf Pack, the club’s AHL affiliate. He has played 225 matches for Hartford in the left wing position (Though he is able to, and has played at center), racking up 44 goals and 59 assists for 103 points. He has logged 311 minutes in penalties, which suggests that he has a reasonable amount of grit.

Prediction: Rangers retain Dupont

Although the Rangers have great depth at the center and left wing positions within the organization, Dupont seems to actually have a shot at making it in Manhattan. In addition, Dupont is a proven player at the AHL level where his contributions are consistent, as befits a professional player.

Dupont is going to want more money, so the Rangers will have to give it to him if they want him to stay. If Dupont demands a 1-way contract, all bets are off and Dupont will likely be cast adrift to be replaced by a forward from the new wave of entry-level talent who might fill in quite well at the AHL level once their amateur preparation is complete.

World Cup 2010 South Africa: BS&C Prediction Update

2010-06-21T16:53:00.000-07:00

Here’s how things are shaping up with the predictions I made the day before the World Cup Finals started...

Group A:

Prediction: Mexico & Uruguay go through.

Current group standings after 2 of 3 group matches:

Group A Points
Uruguay 4
Mexico 4
France 1
South Africa 1

Group B:

Prediction: Argentina & Korea go through.

Current group standings after 2 of 3 group matches:

Group B Points
Argentina 6
Korea 3
Greece 3
Nigeria 0

Group C:

Prediction: United States & England go through.

Current group standings after 2 of 3 group matches:

Group C Points
Slovenia 4
USA 2
England 2
Algeria 1

Group D:

Prediction: Germany & Serbia go through.

Current group standings after 2 of 3 group matches:

Group D Points
Ghana 4
Germany 3
Serbia 3
Australia 1

Group E:

Prediction: Netherlands & Cameroon go through.

Current group standings after 2 of 3 group matches:

Group E Points
Netherlands 6
Japan 3
Denmark 3
Cameroon 0

Group F:

Prediction: Italy & Paraguay go through.

Current group standings after 2 of 3 group matches:

Group F Points
Paraguay 4
Italy 2
New Zealand 2
Slovakia 1

Group G:

Prediction: Brazil & Ivory Coast go through.

Current group standings after 2 of 3 group matches:

Group G Points
Brazil 6
Portugal 4
Ivory Coast 1
DPR Korea 0

Group H:

Prediction: Spain & Honduras go through.

Current group standings after 2 of 3 group matches:

Group H Points
Chile 6
Spain 3
Switzerland 3
Honduras 0

So essentially things are going reasonably well with the predictions. However in football as in life, few things are perfect.

With the group C logjam for the second berth to the knockout rounds, either England or the United States must disappoint me.

In group D, underperforming Serbia must play up in their third and last group match to make my prediction come true.

In group E, a disappointing Cameroon squad has dropped all points from it’s first two matches. For Cameroon to go through they must defeat the Dutch, which is highly unlikely, and then a series of equally unlikely events must take place for the Indomitable Lions to progress to the round of 16.

Though Paraguay and Italy seem to have group F sewn up, two surprise draws from New Zealand have made an interesting race of it. I defy anyone to predict who besides Paraguay will actually advance.

For my group G prediction to come true, Ivory Coast must win their last group match, and then they must hope that Portugal fails to beat Brazil AND that Brazil keep a clean sheet. Even so, it may not matter as Portugal has a +7 goal difference after their shellacking of North Korea. In an ideal scenario, Ivory Coast would have beat North Korea by a score of 10:0 in order to advance.

The group H prediction is ruined, as Honduras failed to represent for CONCACAF zone, dropping all points from their first two matches. Honduras have a slim chance to advance, but it is only mathematical, as they haven’t even managed to score a goal. I may get some stick from those at The Shin Guardian for taking a chance on Los Catratchos...unless of course, Honduras snap out of their funk and produce a 4:0 result over the Swiss.

I hope everyone is enjoying the Finals. I encourage you to write in with your opinions and ideas.

New York Rangers: Better Know a Ranger on the Bubble - Erik Christensen

2010-06-21T15:53:00.000-07:00

Erik Christensen provided a bit of stability for the Rangers’ ’09-’10 campaign at the center position. After being claimed off of waivers from Anaheim, Christensen ultimately ended up centering the Rangers’ top line which featured Slovak scoring sensation Marion Gaborik.

Christensen played in 49 matches (also played in 9 matches for Anaheim) for the Rangers last season. He scored 8 goals and added 18 assists for 26 points. He was +11 in plus/minus which tied him for second on the club. He wins roughly half of his face-offs. He spent the better part of 16 minutes a game on the ice.

The last year of his contract paid him $750,000. He is now a restricted free agent.

Prediction:

Rangers will re-sign Christensen if his salary demands aren’t excessive. Christensen is still relatively young and clearly has upside. A veteran player with 275 NHL matches under his belt, Christensen must help hold the fort for the Rangers until some of their prospects at center, such as Corey Locke, Paul Crowder, Brodie Dupont, Ryan Bourque, Ethan Werek, and Derek Stepan are ready to take the ice in Manhattan.

World Cup 2010 South Africa: URU 0:0 FRA

2010-06-11T13:38:00.000-07:00

Cape Town - The first half in the Group A match between France and Uruguay was pretty much a snoozer. Only one chance was taken on goal by either side. France’s quality chance for Gourcuff, a curling, driven free kick headed for the top corner, was more interesting and dangerous. Forlan did a good job of holding up the ball for Uruguay, but when he got the ball there was little support for him. Although lots of tackling and jostling took place, there wasn’t much to see in the way of creative play. In fact what history will remember from the first half at the Green Point Stadium is that Ribery and Evra from France were both booked.

As the second half progressed you could see glimmers of the skill that players like Forlan, Gourcuff, Diaby, and Ribery have to offer. Everyone else seemed ordinary through 61 minutes. On 71 minutes neither side was any closer to scoring a goal. At the 72nd minute Henry replaced Anelka for Les Bleus. France clearly hoping that Thierry Henry has some of the old goal scoring magic left in his bones. On 73 minutes Forlan missed a sitter, blazing it wide left of the French goal. It bears mentioning that the French goalkeeper Lloris, looked less than convincing in the two times he was called on to handle trouble. Uruguay’s Lodiero, seemingly trying to break Sanga’s leg with a heavy challenge to the ankle, earned his second booking in the few minutes since he had come on and was sent off. This reduced Uruguay to 10 men with Lodiero missing the rest of the match, and at least the next one. Gignac came on for Govou, a forward on for a midfielder on 85 minutes. In the second minute of stoppage time, France was awarded a free kick as Diaby was adjudged to be fouled by Lugano. The free kick was placed just to the left of the restraining arc. Henry took the kick for France and the effort was blocked by a defender leaping in the wall. It was the last kick of the game. The match ended nil-nil and deservedly so. All four Group A teams earned a point from the first of three group matches.

World Cup 2010 South Africa: RSA 1:1 MEX

2010-06-11T09:29:00.001-07:00

A good match, and a fair result. What more could you ask for from an opening World Cup match. Mexico dominated possession in the first half but were unable to cash in on the scoring opportunities they had created through Dos Santos, Aguilar, Franco, and Vela. For South Africa the second half was their time. After finally settling in a bit at the end of the first half, the trend continued for South Africa in the second. Through skill from Pienaar, Mphela, and Tshabalala with goalkeeper Khune keeping them in the match South Africa was better at holding the ball and executed some nifty counterattacks with pace culminating with the goal taken by Tshabalala at a dead run on 55 minutes. South Africa would hold the lead until late, despite continuous fierce effort on the part of Mexico to level. The Tricolores would see results from their efforts in the 79th minute, when a rebound from a shot fell to the feet of Marquez who took his chance with dispatch. Mphela would come close for South Africa hitting the post on yet another counter, but victory for the host nation wasn’t in the cards today. Mexico saved face for CONCACAF and South Africa earned a bit more respect for the Confederation of African Football. Both sides with something to show for their efforts, they each earn a point in the Group A standings.

World Cup South Africa 2010: BS&C Predictions

2010-06-10T15:36:00.001-07:00

With the World Cup beginning tomorrow in South Africa, I can no longer delay making my predictions. So here they are...

Group A:

Mexico and Uruguay go through into knockout play. South Africa doesn’t have the horses to advance, and France can’t seem to find itself since they lost to Italy in 2006.

Group B:

Argentina and South Korea to go through. Greece and Nigeria will not be able to cope with the pace of Korea, and the skill of Argentina.

Group C:

England and United States to go through. Algeria doesn’t have a wealth of experience at playing teams like the USA and England. This will result in their elimination. The Slovenians simply won’t score enough goals to make it through.

Group D:

Germany and Serbia to go through. Australia and Ghana have little chance against these extremely hard working and organized teams.

Group E:

Netherlands and Cameroon to go through. Denmark has the skill and organization to advance, but will disappoint. Japan will not be able to cope with the skill of the Dutch, and the physicality of Cameroon.

Group F:

Italy and Paraguay to advance. No one really expects New Zealand to go through. A television presenter said something to the effect that if they earn any points at all in group play, it will be a victory for the All-Whites. I don’t know much about Slovakia from a football perspective, but I doubt they will have the skill or composure to take points from Italy and Paraguay.

Group G:

Brazil and Ivory Coast to advance. Portugal has struggled in their World Cup warmup matches against some very meager opposition. In addition, no more Rui Costa to settle things down when they get crazy for Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo and Deco are fine players, but they lack the type of complimentary players that will bring out the most in their talents. North Korea will simply be outclassed.

Group H:

Spain and Honduras to go though. Switzerland and Chile will underestimate Los Catratchos and will pay the price. Spain saunters to the top of the group after a series of laughers.

Knockout play produces...

a final four of Serbia v. Netherlands and Argentina v. Spain. Spain over Argentina, Netherlands over Serbia. Netherlands to win World Cup, Argentina defeats Serbia in the match for 3rd place.

This prediction was made at 15.30 hours United States PDT. let us fervently hope I’m wrong and that the United States scraps its way to the top. I also predict that Alexi Lalas will be relentlessly annoying throughout all of the English language coverage on ABC/ESPN, making me wish that I had all the Spanish language channels on HD.

New York Rangers: Sather’s Inbox

2010-06-09T12:42:00.000-07:00

Another off-season begins for the fans and supporters of the New York Rangers. Promise and progress amongst the several high-profile prospects in the organization provide hope for a club that was eliminated from the Stanley Cup on it’s 82nd and last match of the NHL season.

The hard work for the Rangers’ front office begins now as general manager Glen Sather and his intrepid and stalwart crew of coaches and scouts must not only plan for the club’s future in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft, but also decide which of 8 restricted free agents and 14 unrestricted free agents to re-sign. With roughly $10.5 M in salary cap room available (estimation calculated using capgeek.com) the Rangers must carefully allocate that salary to the players that will best help the club going forward. This may necessitate deciding who is expendable.

Defenseman Ilkka Heikkinen has already parted ways with the Rangers and signed with HC Sibir Novosibirsk of the Russian KHL. The 25-year-old was a steady two-way contributor with the Rangers’ AHL affiliate in Hartford, and played 7 matches with the parent club last season.

Forward Dane Byers recently signed a contract extension at an undisclosed salary. The re-signing cements the idea that the hard-working young power forward is very much a part of the Rangers’ future. Perhaps he will feature regularly for the Blueshirts as early as this coming season. Time and training camp will tell.

The following is a list of the other players currently out of contract with the Rangers:

Restricted Free Agents (8)

Forwards - Lisin, Christensen, Prust, Dupont

Defense - Girardi, Staal, Valentenko, Sauer

Unrestricted Free Agents (14)

Forwards - Jokinen, Prospal, Shelley, Parenteau, Crowder, Ambuhl, Arnason, Locke, Newbury

Defense - Eriksson, Potter

Goaltender - Auld, Valiquette, Zaba

Who will get a raise? Will anyone take a salary cut to remain with the club? Who will stay? Who will leave or be cast adrift to test the free agent market? Stay tuned.

Predictions will be made and conclusions drawn in the upcoming 22 part series “Better Know a Ranger on the Bubble.”

US Soccer: USA v. CZE International Friendly

2010-05-25T14:20:00.000-07:00

I think the Czechs are due for a good dusting. Why not us? I’m sick of those guys. That 3:0 match in Germany ’08 where that 40 yard Rosicky bomb broke my heart. The 5:1 drubbing in Italia ’90 where someone must have said something to Wynalda about his momma, because he hit a dude and got sent off for his trouble.

Having gotten that out of my system, I think that if Coach Bob does this right, and the Czechs field their first team we are probably more likely to lose. I think Coach Bob should get a last look at the bubble guys and be certain who should remain on with the team through the World Cup Finals. I think it’s worth sacrificing a result to figure this out. If the Czechs field their reserves, our ‘B’ guys could very well make a game of it or at least make it clear who isn’t comfortable playing up when it’s World Cup time.

Good wholesome exercise in the sun never hurt nobody either…except in rather extreme cases involving skin cancer…

I hope no one from either side gets hurt.

About teams from Eastern Europe:

The tackles are “no nonsense” – our boys might want to leap over those.

Look out for the counter. Granted that is a de rigueur sort of thing now in football, but that is the bread and butter of the Eastern European game. Thus managing risk by not taking so many risks. Better to punish us when we risk pushing up numbers and lose the ball.

If we lose the ball we may not be seeing it again for quite some time.

USA Hockey/2010 IIHF World Championships: Where Were You?

2010-05-14T13:59:00.000-07:00

USA Hockey won a silver medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament. The United States men’s team are ranked 5th in the world.

At the Germany 2010 World Ice Hockey Championship the United States struggled to score goals and possess the puck, were beaten three straight times and eliminated.

The United States selection for the Germany 2010 IIHF World Ice Hockey Championships lost to first Germany in front of nearly 80,000 spectators (2:1 sudden death OT), then Denmark (2:1 sudden death OT), and finally Finland (3:2) resulting in their unceremonious, and perhaps undeserved, exit from the tournament.

None of the losses was an embarrassment on the scoreboard. But if you were to look at the record of the United States team over the years in major international tournaments, you would see that they have rarely lost to either Germany or Denmark. Thus the results were quite embarrassing regardless of the score. This raises the question “Why did we crash out of this tournament in such spectacular ‘crash and burn’ fashion?”

Was the selection not strong enough? Was the effort not enough? Were our opponents simply better regardless of who we put in a United States sweater? Had the Stanley Cup Finals poached the best players from the USA team?

The USA had some mean talent to be sure at the IIHF Worlds:

Brandon Dubinsky, who was, quite frankly, unlucky to not be selected for the Olympic team for Vancouver 2010.

Jack Johnson of the Los Angeles Kings, who was selected for the Olympics and still saw fit to represent his country after playing 92 matches between the NHL season, the Olympic tournament, and the Stanley Cup’s first round. He was the only player who accepted an invitation to be on this team of those that represented the USA in the Olympics.

Scott Clemmensen, a fine goaltender. He certainly has given the New York Rangers fits over the years while he played for their bitter Hudson River rivals the New Jersey Devils.

And the talent level doesn’t decrease at all after these three...however the experience level in international competition drops dramatically.

If it was the goal of USA Hockey to get more of its young stars experience on the world stage regardless of the result, then mission accomplished.

If not, the Germany 2010 tournament raises some serious questions about the selectors at USA Hockey, the desire of the American players to represent their country or perhaps both.

It’s easy enough to round up the highest level of talent for the Olympic Games ice hockey tournament. The Olympics presents a global stage to showcase the ability of hockey players with a captive television audience of billions. The IIHF Worlds on the other hand is probably not seen by that many people in the United States and it is likely that the USA selectors struggle to scrape up a competitive team.

This begs the question “Are the IIHF World Championships not as important as the Olympic ice hockey tournament?”

It’s not difficult to imagine a player’s agent advising them to decline participation in the IIHF Worlds. After the grueling 82 match season of the NHL, and in some instances the first round of the Stanley Cup, plus perhaps other international competition such as the Olympics or the IIHF World Junior Championships, one could see how players might be a bit sore and tired. Perhaps they are even carrying an injury after that level of prolonged gritty competition.

The conclusion that it seems safe to draw, is that representing the United States in the Olympics is glamourous, and doing the same for the IIHF Worlds is anonymous. That is a sad commentary on the national pride of our ice hockey players.

Part of the problem is the timing of the IIHF Worlds, which begins during the Stanley Cup Finals. The only players from the NHL that are available for selection for the IIHF Worlds, are from teams that failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Finals, and teams that are eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup.

Jack Johnson represented his country in both tournaments. Alexander Ovechkin represented his country in both tournaments.

I have the greatest respect for the men that wore the USA sweater in this year’s edition of the IIHF World Ice Hockey Championship. They battled hard, and did their best.

But could we have fielded a more experienced team?

So for America...why not:

Chris Drury
Brian Boyle
Zach Bogosian
Tim Gleason
Ryan Malone
Mike Lundin
Rob Schremp
Keith Ballard
Phil Kessel
Erik Johnson
Ty Conklin
David Backes
James Wisniewski
Bobby Ryan
Matt Niskanen
R.J. Umberger
Ryan Whitney
Patrick O’Sullivan
Tom Gilbert
Lee Stempniak
Chris Butler
Drew Stafford
Jason Pominville
Ryan Miller
Tim Kennedy
Patrick Kaleta
Paul Gaustad
Ryan Stoa
Paul Stastny
Jon-Michael Liles
Craig Anderson
Rob Scuderi
Jonathan Quick
Scott Parse
Jeff Halpern
Dustin Brown
Colin Wilson
Ryan Suter
David Legwand
Francis Buillon

The list of eligible players to represent the USA in the IIHF World Championship is larger than this, but I grew weary and a bit jaded compiling it.

It is my hope that in future international tournaments that USA Hockey publish the list of players invited, and also a list of players that decline the opportunity to represent their country, perhaps showing a reason of why they chose not to participate.

American professional hockey players...where were you when America crashed out of the 2010 IIHF Worlds?

Were you invited by the USA Hockey selectors? Did you decline? Were you hurt? Did you have a family emergency?

Where were you?

New York Rangers: 10 Positive Things about the 2009-10 season

2010-04-13T14:51:00.000-07:00

The Rangers 2009-10 season ended in disappointment. On Sunday April 11th they traveled to Philadelphia, PA to play the Flyers. At stake: the 8th and final Eastern Conference berth into the Stanley Cup. The winner to go into the Cup, the loser to go home. Tied at 1:1, neither team could break the deadlock after 65 minutes. The Flyers won the ensuing shootout 2 goals to 1.

Rather than piss and moan about any perceived shortcomings in the team or organization, I choose to profile (in no particular order) ten positive things for the club going forward.

1. Henrik is King

Despite seeing more rubber than the Bridgestone tire factory this year , Henrik Lundqvist kept his saves percentage at a royal .921. Not too shabby. Henrik is still the King of New York City. Lundqvist faced 2109 shots this year, the third most of any goalie this season. It’s an average of roughly 29 shots a game. To allow this many shots per game is considered very high by professional standards. What it also means is the Rangers had better play up and reduce that number next year to assuage a rightfully grumpy king.

2. Emergence of Ryan Callahan

No, Callahan didn’t set NHL scoring records this year. What he did do is quietly put together a decent season of two-way hockey, and was named one of the team’s two alternate captains. In the future, I believe that the Rangers will be Callahan’s team to lead. Moderate in stature, Callahan is outstanding in terms of leadership, heart, and commitment. Though he finished with 37 points, he finished third in the league in hits - dishing out no less than 285 punishing body checks. Callahan also blocked 81 shots. Callahan was also selected to the 2010 United States Olympic team.

3. Marc Staal...The Professional

Staal has quietly become one of the best defenders in the league. Not only did Staal finish with 27 points and a club high +11, he went on a mini goal scoring tear at the end of the season. Credited with 178 hits and 97 blocked shots.

4. Dan Girardi Packs His Lunchpail...All Year

I firmly believe that Dan Girardi would run through a wall if it would help the Rangers to victory. A steady and consistent defender, nothing flashy, Girardi turns up every day with his A-game. He played all 82 games this season, and blocked 180 shots, 6th best in the league. Girardi was credited with 178 hits this season.

5. Heart Transplant and the Birth of Artie’s Crash Crew

During the bulk of the season it was no secret that the Rangers were a little soft in the toughness department. This was underscored in a match against Philadelphia, when one of Philadelphia’s gooners roughed up Ranger’s star forward Marian Gaborik.

There was also a cross-check to the head of Ranger captain Chris Drury in Calgary that resulted in an injury and games missed. There was no response to this incident.

When officiating fails to police the conduct of players in the NHL, it falls to the “sheriff” of each team to take care of business and explain, in no uncertain terms, what is unacceptable. Donald Brashear was unable to fulfill his responsibilities in this role, and got sent to the minors. The Rangers addressed this vacancy by acquiring forwards Jody Shelley, and Brandon Prust. Not only have they kept the peace, but they also started to score goals at the end of the season, no doubt in part because they were teamed up with skillful and responsible rookie center Artem Anisimov.

6. Marian Gaborik

Gaborik’s detractors said that his injury problems would hamper and ultimately hasten the end of his career in the NHL. He left his critcs slack-jawed by playing 76 games for the Rangers and scoring 42 goals in the process, 14 on the Rangers’ ailing power play. (Scoring in general improved for the team this season, with Vaclav Prospal and Brandon Dubinsky adding 20 goals each. Ryan Callahan scored 19 goals.)

7. Erik Christensen

For a player claimed off of waivers, Christensen did a very good job of stepping in to help out a struggling team. In addition to scoring 26 points in 58 games, Christensen also finished the season +11 in plus/minus, tied for team best with Marc Staal. Christensen finished the season centering the Rangers’ top line.

8. Vaclav “Vinny” Prospal

One of the best value deals in NY Rangers history. $1.1 Million for one year, 20 goals and 38 assists for 58 points in 75 games. Prospal was also named an alternate captain early on in the 2009-10 campaign.

9. Michael Del Zotto

In a fine debut year, Del Zotto scored 9 goals and 37 points in 80 games. Although he finished -20 in plus/minus, you get the feeling that Del Zotto will iron out his defensive responsibilities without sacrificing the offensive displays that have helped make the Rangers an exciting team to watch.

10. Avery the Agitator

On the strength of 11 goals and 20 assists in 69 games, Sean Avery continues to aid the Rangers in their fight for victory in a style that is not in the least quiet and reserved.

Add to this a wealth of young talent in the system, and there is good cause for optimism. Stay tuned, as the Rangers retool for a new campaign. Don’t be surprised if the Rangers trade up for picks in the draft, and if televised, definitely check out the Prospects Tournament in Traverse City, MI.

Saturday Morning Painfully Early Football: Schalke 04 v. Bayern Munchen

2010-04-03T06:55:00.000-07:00

Jermaine Jones isn't even in the substitutes bench for Schalke. Therefore, I am going back to bed. Please Schalke, telephone me when you plan to play him, and I'll watch if the telecast is available. Guten nacht Deutchland.

Better Know a US Footballer: Jared Jeffrey, FSV Mainz

2010-04-01T14:21:00.001-07:00

At the tender age of 19 he is just on solid food. He attended the IMG Soccer Academy. He has 7 caps and 1 goal for United States youth teams. For the last two years he toiled in the reserves for Club Brugge in Belgium, but never earned a first team place there.

In the 2009-10 winter transfer window, Jared signed a contract with FSV Mainz of the German Bundesliga. Perhaps it will be a fresh start in the Rhineland for the American midfielder. Such American football luminaries such as Conor Casey, and Oguchi Onyewu used to toil for Mainz. Young Preston Zimmerman is also there, with the amateur team FSV Mainz 05 II.

Here’s hoping you get a decent run-out in Germany Jared.

Better Know a US Footballer: Seb Harris, Northampton Town

2010-03-31T13:45:00.000-07:00

You may or may not have heard of him, but Seb Harris left his place in the PDL’s Michigan Bucks in 2009 to give it a shot in Jolly Old.

Sebastian ‘Seb’ Harris, the former Oakland University Golden Grizzly (12 goals in 45 appearances), now plays for Northampton Town in England’s League Two. He has made 6 appearances for The Cobblers in all competitions, scoring one goal - a late winner against Cheltenham.

Former Northampton gaffer Stuart Gray had this to say about Seb (August 2009):

“...He is very raw, but he is full of energy and has plenty of enthusiasm. He has caught our eye with his displays in training and he will be staying with us until the end of the year.”

“He has a lot of good attributes, he has pace and is good in the air and with day in, day out coaching and training here we think he will improve.”

“Seb is a player who is work in progress but we are happy to give him the time to develop and we think there is potentially a good player there...”

His current manager Ian Sampson said (March 2010):

“He's worked ever so hard and improved a lot since Christmas.”

"It's not easy to come such a distance and try your luck in the English game. It's a totally different environment. He deserves quite a few plaudits.”

The Rochester, Michigan native also played for the Michigan Bucks of the Premier Development League appearing 14 times and scoring 1 goal.

Good on ye Seb, we hope you make it.

New York Rangers: White Flag From Slats, With A Tin Lining

2010-02-01T14:41:00.000-08:00

If the Jokinen/Prust for Kotalik/Higgins deal goes through - and that’s a big if, you might wonder how this deal helps either New York or Calgary. The name of the game is Admit You Made a Mistake, And Dump Salary. Sather and Sutter are ready to play.

This is the way you play:

First you make a horrible sports management decision and sign an underachieving player to a multi-year contract. Then realizing how badly you screwed up, you deal that player for another high-priced underachiever - provided that high-priced underachiever has a contract that expires at the end of the season. If the player helps you...fine. If he doesn’t, you can release him to free agency anyway. It’s a best case scenario for a player that you know you couldn’t get anything good for in a trade.

Calgary gets: Higgins will either help and get re-signed, or he will drop into the free agent market, opening up $2.25M in the salary cap. Kotalik may or may not help the Flames. What Calgary does gain from this is a player with two years and change left on his contract, instead of Jokinen who would’ve probably become a free agent at the end of the year. Calgary also immediately sheds $500K from their salary cap total.

New York gets: Jokinen who will either help or not. If he helps, they may choose to re-sign him. If he doesn’t the Rangers will release him into free agency and will immediately clear $5.25M in salary cap room. Prust not only provides youth, but perhaps will add the toughness that Voros and Brashear failed to consistently provide this year. If Prust makes it on Broadway, it will be the tin lining of the storm cloud that is the Rangers salary cap situation. If Prust is a wash, he can be released to free agency at the end of the season clearing $500K in the salary cap.

New York Rangers: To Trade Or Not To Trade?

2010-01-28T15:27:00.000-08:00

The New York Rangers have become victims of their own prosperity. I sometimes wonder if it would be better if the Rangers had the budget and assets of a small market club, as then they couldn’t afford to meet the astronomical salary demands of would-be saviors.

With a salary cap of $56.8M, the Rangers have only $312K remaining. This has become common knowledge and has been written about extensively. The current payroll situation of the Rangers will determine their trade deadline strategy. And that strategy is perhaps to make no trades at all.

The temptation would be to try to acquire Ilya Kovalchuk from Atlanta at the trade dealine this March. Kovalchuk is a big, strong, fast, and tough player that scores loads of goals. Atlanta seem to have no chance of re-signing him, and will try to get as much as possible for the franchise cornerstone they are about to lose. The Rangers should definitely RESIST this temptation. The price for Kovalchuk is simply too high. Atlanta has already asked the LA Kings for Jack Johnson, and a laundry list of young prospects. The Rangers cannot afford to trade away their developing young talent at this stage. Even if the Rangers could get Kovalchuk without completely mortgaging the future, they would be in the same predicament with the salary cap that is inhibiting their trade options. Also, Kovalchuk's contract would still expire at the end of the season.

If Kovalchuk isn’t traded either by the trade deadline or at this Summer’s draft, he will become an unrestricted free agent. The Rangers don’t have blockbuster free agent cash or cap room at this stage, so it’s my belief that the Kovalchuk to the Rangers scenario is a dead issue with the Rangers’ current payroll configuration.

No GM in the NHL with any sense left is going to go anywhere near the bloat-tastic salaries of the New York Rangers' Chris Drury, Michael Roszival, or Wade Redden. No one in the NHL is taking on players of that salary, even players who are relatively young AND producing.

Any player young enough and skilled enough to be an interesting trade option for the New York Rangers is likely to demand too much salary, and that player’s club will demand far too many of the Rangers young prospects and/or draft picks in return.

The situation between the Rangers' cap bloat and a string of poor results is quickly approaching a flashpoint. Approaching a flashpoint much as it did a year ago when then head coach Tom Renney was fired. Clearly there will be changes in personnel. The question is: Will it be players moving on, or management or both? At this point it looks like both the jobs of coach John Tortorella and general manager Glen Sather are in serious jeopardy. Something must break.

The answer to the Rangers problems may lie within the organization...

Drury produces respectable numbers for a player making half his salary. Therefore, something must be done about it. Drury has a no movement and a no trade clause in his contract. Therefore he can’t be sent to the minors to clear cap room, and he can’t be traded without his consent. Even if Drury gave his consent, it is debatable that any teams would have him at a $7.05M cap hit. There is an additional wrinkle in that Drury is the captain of the team. Therefore the club has no room to maneuver without Drury’s consent. It would seem that the Rangers and Drury are stuck with each other until 2012.

Hope is not lost though. The Rangers have a number of prospects waiting in the wings at their Hartford AHL affiliate. Though it might be debatable whether or not these young players are ready for the NHL, it would appear the Rangers have cornered themselves into accelerating their development.

If the Rangers send Wade Redden, and Michael Roszival to the Hartford Wolf Pack, that would free up $11.5M in the salary cap. They would have to clear waivers, but I doubt that any other NHL club could afford to take on their salaries. The alternative would be to continue on as it stands, rewarding players who produce subpar results with first team places until 2012 for Roszival, and/or 2014 for Redden. The status quo isn’t working, and the Rangers’ management is in a position where it must either send a clear message that failure to produce results will result in serious consequences, or the club will surely be forced into firing, or calling for the resignations of Tortorella and Sather.

Defensemen Bobby Sanguinetti and Ilkka Heikkinen have spent some time this year with the Rangers and acquitted themselves reasonably well. Although they would lack the experience and seasoning of Roszival and Redden, the Rangers might gain an edge in speed, grit, and enthusiasm by promoting Sanguinetti, and Heikkinen.

The newfound cap space could be used to sign or trade for four or five players of essentially the same quality that Roszival and Redden are currently displaying. Perhaps the open cap space could be used to promote Corey Locke who is leading the Hartford Wolf Pack with 19 goals and 53 total points. Locke cannot be promoted until cap space is cleared or until another player is demoted to Hartford to open enough cap room. Hartford’s Dale Weise and P.A. Parenteau have also shown an ability to score goals.

Another problem has been the Rangers lack of toughness. The Rangers lack an enforcer that strikes fear into the hearts of the NHL’s evil-doers. The attempts of Donald Brashear, and Aaron Voros to fill this void have been less than convincing. Both players should be sent down to Hartford, or traded. Perhaps Dane Byers from Hartford, who has also spent time this year in a Rangers sweater could become a tough guy that might actually score a goal or two. Weise and Devin DiDiomete might also lend some toughness, and Weise can actually score goals as he has 15 already for Hartford this season.

Winger Ales Kotalik has at times produced, but more often that he scores goals, he creates goals for the opposition with his propensity to turn the puck over at the worst possible times, and in the worst possible areas of the ice. He makes $3M/year. If they must trade someone, perhaps a solution is Kotalik to a team for a draft pick. At this point, even a third round choice would be meaningful in return for Kotalik.

There is another far less attractive option to opening cap space. The Rangers can admit their mistake of overpaying Drury, Roszival, and Redden and buyout the remainder of their contracts for the purposes of releasing them. This may not even be possible depending on how leveraged the Rangers already are against the sale value of the club.

If Drury, Roszival, and Redden wanted to truly demonstrate their commitment to win to their teammates they can request that their contracts be restructured to open cap space. I wouldn’t hold my breath for that though, as why should they give up anything they have earned so far? Just to help an organization that can’t mind it’s own finances? Not likely.

It must be pointed out that the aforementioned players are good players. The fact of the business of professional hockey is that in the absence of positive results, changes must be made. The worse the Rangers results, the closer the club is to making changes with player personnel and/or with management personnel. Finger-pointing must end. Results must be achieved. It is my belief that the Rangers would be best served by completing the rebuild that was started when Enver Lisin, Artem Anisimov, Matt Gilroy, and Michael Del Zotto made the first team last Fall. Potential talent must be tested to see if it is actual talent. Grumpy and disruptive elements must be moved on or sent down.

Currently the Rangers are teetering at the edge of qualification for the Stanley Cup playoffs. Should Atlanta win their match today against Philadelphia, the Rangers will fall into 9th place, just outside the qualification zone. Although the Rangers have 28 games left to play, their current form of three wins in their last ten games doesn’t inspire confidence.

Should the Rangers fail to make the playoffs, or make the playoffs and crash out in the first or second round, Rangers supporters and fans would hope a severe reckoning awaits both players and management at the end of play this year.

Gaming: FIFA 10 As Grudge Therapy

2010-01-26T15:07:00.001-08:00

Over the years it’s been difficult following American players trying to make their mark at different clubs in Britain and on the European continent. Often, it’s discouraging as they are often pushed into the reserve teams and collect dust until forgotten. There is a helplessness and anger that comes with this. And I have come to identify certain clubs in a certain way when I play FIFA 10, that motivates me to beat them as badly as possible. This is the way I identify certain teams when I play video football:

Tottenham: The club that kept Kasey Keller on the bench for so long, even though he was clearly superior to Neil Sullivan, the player he was backing up at the time.

Liverpool: The club that never properly appreciated either Brad Freidel or Zak Whitbread.

Manchester United: The club that buries American players in the reserves until they are coated with a thick layer of dust and then gets rid of them. Jovan Kirovski, Jonathan Spector, Kenny Cooper Jr., Paul Rachubka, John Thorrington (youth academy) to name at least three who deserved more of an opportunity with them. Tim Howard is a partial exception to this list, and started in goal for United for a fairly long stretch. Before his contract expired he was persuaded to re-sign with the club, presumably to continue starting in goal. Soon after Tim signed on, United acquired Dutch first choice ‘keeper Edwin van der Saar, and Howard was relegated to the bench for the rest of his time at Old Trafford. Nice way to treat someone who came up trumps for you Sir Alex. With Howard now safely ensconced at Goodison Park, I relish every Everton victory over United. I relish any club’s defeat of United. In video footy, I kick the spaghetti out of United whenever possible.

Arsenal: The club that sent Frankie Simek down.

Derby County: Drummed out John Harkes after then manager Arthur Cox moved on, and eventually Benny Feilhaber.

Reading: Drummed out both Bobby Convey and Marcus Hahnemann even though both were fine servants of the club. Now I have this Reading beach hat, and no Americans there to cheer on. You owe me £10 Reading Football Club.

Leverkusen: Donovan was never given a fair chance to impress there. Leverkusen contributed to tarnishing Donovan’s reputation as a footballer giving rise to the common perception that he isn’t fit to play football at the top level in Europe. This perception is currently being debunked by Landon’s solid performances with Everton.

Bayern Munich: Although then manager Klinsmann wanted Donovan, the top brass at the club wouldn’t have any of it. Klinsmann was later unceremoniously given the sack.

Borussia Dortmund: Another club that had Jovan Kirovski riding the pine pony.

Hamburg: Never gave Preston Zimmerman a proper run-out.

Racing Santander: Was quick enough to move on Danny Szetela, never allowing him one chance in the side.

Villareal: Purchased Jozmer Altidore for $10M and let pretty much let him ride the bench (only 6 appearances). Then loaned him out to Xeres who never played him. Currently loaning out Altidore to Hull, where he has made 15 appearances.

Xeres: See Villareal.

AC Milan: Not only is this club a tool for Italy PM Silvio Berlusconi’s political propaganda (He also is a media magnate and owns the club), but Milan have mired American defensive standout Oguchi “Gooch” Onyewu on the bench. When Onyewu was injured playing for the USA, Milan demanded financial reparations. Nice touch. Onyewu has not yet appeared for Milan, and I’m not holding my breath.

Sampdoria: Gabe Ferrari has been there since 2007 and hasn’t seen one first team appearance. He is currently on loan at Foggia.

Belenenses: Limited Freddy Adu to 4 appearances while on loan from Benfica.

Lorient: Drummed out former Cal D-Mid standout Andrew Jacobsen

Lens: Signed Joe Cannon and then never played him.

Red Bull Salzburg: Really I hate Red Bull for ruining MetroStars with a name beginning with a soft drink. But any team starting with that name I want to beat in video footy. I do not recognize a soft drink company's employees as New York's lone football entry in MLS. I'll never forget the little Quicktime movie they made of Alexi Lalas telling us how good this move was going to be for the club and for its fans, and then drinking a Red Bull and facing the product at the end of it. Disgusting.

MLS football in New York died on March 9 2006. Rest in peace Metro. Up the FC New York in 2011.

Some may think it petty, but for me it is a way to virtually blow off steam regarding football situations that are beyond my control. It also adds spice to certain games of FIFA 10. Not that I’m one to hold a grudge. [grins]

New York Rangers: Will The Real New York Rangers Please Stand Up?

2010-01-25T18:44:00.000-08:00

New York Rangers Current Form/Last 10 Matches: 3 victories, 5 losses, 2 shootout losses

Rangers 2:4 Pittsburgh

Montreal 6:0 Rangers

Philadelphia 2:0 Rangers

Rangers 8:2 Tampa Bay

Rangers 6:2 Montreal

St. Louis 4:1 Rangers

Ottawa 2:0 Rangers

New Jersey 0:0 Rangers
(New Jersey wins shootout)

Rangers 3:1 Boston

Atlanta 1:1 Rangers
(Atlanta wins shootout)

Rangers Goals For: 17

Rangers Goals Against: 24

Points from last 10 Matches: 8 of 20 possible points

Times shut out: 4

The New York Rangers hockey club currently has the extreme dynamics of a rollercoaster. Winning 8:2 one night and losing 6:0 four nights later. 8 out of 20 possible points in the last 10 matches is an adequate achievement. However, it’s also nothing that will cause the Rangers’ divisional and conference rivals to lose any sleep over. Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde...which Ranger side will face Stanley Cup holders Pittsburgh today?

The knowledgeable fan base of the club understands that the club’s senior veteran players, some of whom are signed to very big contracts, are underperforming. Consistency eludes the Rangers, and even Coach John Tortorella is at a loss to explain why.
It’s easy to understand why Torts can't explain the string of poor results, as the all the pieces for the Rangers’ success appear to be in place.

The Rangers possess a stalwart defense led by standout goaltender Henrik Lundqvist who is first choice for Sweden in addition to his duties with the Rangers. The Rangers also have a laundry list of young goaltenders working towards becoming his backup.

Young veteran defensemen Dan Girardi and Mark Staal are becoming leaders by example. Though playing steady, if unspectacular hockey neither Michael Roszival nor Wade Redden are producing numbers that justify their respective yearly salaries of $5M and $6.5M. The two rookie defensemen, Michael Del Zotto and Matt Gilroy have shown flashes of brilliance, and seem to gain more consistency and confidence with each passing game. The swift development of Staal and Girardi is enough to make you wonder how much time will pass before the Rangers management team will find it preferable to offload (or buy out) the contracts of aging veterans Roszival and Redden (Both defensemen have a list of eight clubs that they will not accept being moved to) so that they may promote from the legion of young defense prospects in Hartford, such as Bobby Sanguinetti, Ilkka Heikkinen, Michael Sauer, Nigel Williams, and Corey Potter. Perhaps for the Rangers the future is now.

The questions and variables come from the seeming inability of most of the Ranger forwards to score goals consistently. Marian Gaborik is certainly having the sort of year that justifies his $7.5M salary, as he is amongst the league leaders is goals and points. Prospal, Dubinsky, and Callahan are also playing well. Of those three, only Callahan makes more than $2M. The club also seems to be getting value for money for: (the infamous) Sean Avery, young Russian forwards Artem Anisimov and Enver Lisin are quietly contributing in bits and pieces with their plus/minus scores of -2 and -1 seeming to indicate that they are pulling their weight on defense as well. Brian Boyle has also been a pleasant surprise. At $525K/year, Boyle finishes his checks and from time to time adds offense. The struggling, if hard-working, Chris Higgins can’t be faulted for his work rate or attitude. Having said this, he needs to produce more than 6 goals and 13 points in 51 matches at $2.25M/year to remain on the team. Ales Kotalik had a strong start to the season, but makes $3M/year and has only 8 goals and 22 points in 44 matches. Kotalik is also over 30 years-old and is -16...overpaid, not the fastest skater, doesn’t always finish his checks, fails to consistently score, and seems to be a defensive liability. Even Kotalik’s vaunted hard shot isn’t worth much if the puck doesn’t go in the net.

It doesn’t seem that Aaron Voros or Donald Brashear has been the policeman that the Rangers have been looking for to deal with the NHL’s evil-doers. It bears mentioning that Voros is showing an improved vein of form after a long layover of being scratched on a nightly basis. Voros is hitting, stirring things up, and occasionally contributing in the scoring department. Voros isn’t the end solution, but he’s doing well enough for now in the role of tough guy. Brashear at $1.4M/year and Voros at $1M/year are being payed too much money for what they have managed to contribute this year. The Rangers need an economy tough guy that doesn’t take up as much space in the salary cap. It might not be a bad idea to consider promoting some young player from the minors. Perhaps Hartford Wolf Pack forwards Dane Byers, Devin DiDiomete or Justin Soryal could carry that load...certainly more value for money at $500K or $508K/year.

The Rangers’ struggling skipper Chris Drury, at a salary of $7.05M, has only 8 goals and 19 points in 47 matches. Given the intangibles of grit (wins face-offs, blocks shots) and leadership, that Drury brings to the Rangers, both on the ice and (you would assume) in the dressing room, it’s difficult to assess what should be done about this situation. Even with all that Drury brings to the table for the Rangers, is he worth that big money even without the consistent and prolific scoring you would expect of a player at that salary point? What would be (even if it were possible at his inflated salary and “No Movement” clause) the impact of moving Drury on? At his current salary, he would be a very tough trade for another team to swallow. If the Rangers are winning tons of games, Drury’s salary becomes a non-issue. But this is not the case.

The Rangers are riding the rollercoaster of .500 hockey and their salary cap is stretched a bit beyond the breaking point. Meanwhile promising and talented young hopefuls toil in the NCAA, European leagues, junior hockey, and in the AHL. All of which makes you begin to wonder how long the Rangers can afford to juggle such huge contracts without corresponding return in production, and even more importantly how they can justify continuing to juggle them with so much young, affordable talent to choose from.

So the questions for the Rangers seem to be consistency, scoring, and toughness. The Rangers have to make up their mind as an organization whether or not it’s worth it to continue to have marquee names at the club at an inflated salary. The Rangers have to make up their minds whether or not they are going to commit to a full rebuild of the team. Del Zotto, Girardi, Anisimov, and Lisin being incorporated into the team is a good beginning. If the Rangers are going to compete for championships, it’s going to take more than what they bring to the table now. Much more.

MLS Labor Dispute: If a CBA is Being Disputed in the Woods, Does it Make Any Sound?

2010-01-19T23:57:00.000-08:00

PROLOGUE: 

“We are working hard, collectively, both the MLSPU and the league, to try to reach an agreement that’s going to be good for both players and management. We are working very hard to do that. We are meeting regularly…we met several times last week and we’re meeting again next week. But we are going to get to a point where both players and management are going to have to make some tough decisions. We’ve been doing very well over the last ten years making this league very stable. We need to ensure we have the right kind of deal to continue to develop the game the way we have and clearly the players are going to have to try to decide what kind of deal they will accept to get the type of things they are looking for. At the end of the day, this is still a very young sport. For 50 years, soccer has failed in this country. And here we are, about to have 18 teams, nearly 10 soccer stadiums, all because we’ve had a system that albeit different, is one that allows us to have this ability to continue to operate and grow for another day.” 

- Don Garber, MLS Commisioner (January 16th - Minnesota Soccer Insider)

“Wednesday, Major League Soccer and the players’ union meet again for another round of negotiations in their efforts to hammer out a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. But MLS clubs aren’t worried about a potential lockout on Feb. 1 — at least that’s what they’re showing publicly. Toronto FC hasn’t issued any warnings to its season-seat holders; Chivas USA reports that its “business as usual” as it heads toward the opening of camp; Philadelphia Union Ceo Nick Sakiewicz said last week that any CBA issues had no impact on its draft strategy, and it continues to ford ahead towards its debut season.
Maybe the reason all is so calm with so little time left is because the MLS Players’ Union has had nothing to say. Before the holidays, executive director Bob Foose would return a call or an e-mail with “no comment.” Now, he doesn’t return messages at all. The MLSPU doesn’t talk to the media about the issues at hand. So everyone is in the dark — and that’s simply brutal. We know free agency, the league’s central control of contracts and guaranteed contracts are the issues. But none of that has come through anyone in the MLSPU office. Yes, established players Landon Donovan and Kasey Keller, both veterans who have earned well during their international careers, have blasted MLS and warned of a lockout — all through FIFpro. Not through their own union, but through a larger global organization. It comes off like a couple of rogue players talking tough while clutching mommy’s skirt. Really. And it’s come to this because their own union has had so little to say. Actually, nothing to say. Donovan is on loan with Everton right now, playing out the spring in the bright lights of the Premiership. And Keller is near the end of a career that’s taken him to England and Germany. Do they speak for the rank-and-file player earning US$80K? No. But it’s time for the union to break its silence. It doesn’t have speak with bombast. but by keeping everyone in the dark, the MLSPU looks like nothing more than a paper tiger. And maybe that’s why no team’s front office seems to be worried.”

- Steven Sandor, QMI Agency, published on January 20th at www.torontosun.com

FORWARD:
Ok, so we (human beings) need rhetoric to help us form arguments to get through the debates that exist in our professions and lives today. But ask yourself this: Do you believe a word that Don Garber is saying? I mean he got the 18 team thing right, but I’m pretty certain that only five MLS clubs own their own stadium. Outside of blogs, I haven’t really seen much in the way of official statements from either MLS or the Player’s Union. Closed-door negotiations feel to the supporters and fans like Dad telling you to trundle off to bed so that he and your mother can discuss an important matter in the drawing room. Thanks for that MLS and Player’s Union.

I think one of the scenarios below is likely to come of the current CBA argument:

1 - LOCKOUT - The MLS owners anticipate a player’s strike and lockout all players.
Predicted result: League fails. Whether replacement players (Remember MLS when it started in 96...oh yeah...it could get that bad) are used, or there is simply no season. I don’t believe MLS can survive a lockout. Supporters and fans lose interest. Game over.

2 - STRIKE - The players, anticipating a lockout from ownership go on strike.
Predicted result: League fails. American fans hate athletes that strike, and will confuse MLS with a totally professional league - something which we know is absolutely untrue. The missed season will destroy what little confidence fans and supporters had of MLS ever developing into a truly competitive league, domestically and internationally. Supporters and fans lose interest. Game over.

3 - CRAPPY DEAL FOR THE PLAYERS...AGAIN.
Predicted result: More of what we’ve been seeing for the last four or five years. Ownership will fail to convince the Union that they are negotiating in good faith, and that they are being truthful about the state of the league’s finances. Much will remain the same, with some sort of token concession made to the players. Maybe supporters and fans lose interest.

4 - CRAPPY DEAL FOR THE PLAYERS WITH THE PROMISE OF SOMETHING BETTER...LATER ON.
Predicted result: See above, but instead of a token concession, maybe something more substantial. No one expects MLS to roll over on Single Entity, but maybe the salary cap will loosen up a bit. Maybe MLS will relax stance and allow Free Transfers at the end of contracts. Maybe the league will grant each club an additional Designated Player slot and/or reduce the amount the DPs count towards the cap. Select any one of these as a concession, but only one of them. The players may be able to use management’s desire for a 5 year CBA commitment as a bargaining chip to get one or maybe two of these things, but probably nothing truly significant in terms of improving the quality of domestic and international results. Maybe everyone makes a whole bunch of money, it couldn’t hurt to try.

5 - NOT SO CRAPPY DEAL FOR THE PLAYERS
Predicted result: Some form of guaranteed contracts for every player. 15-20% salary cap increase, and/or perhaps a promise of some sort of meaningful “if we do well, you do well” sort of arrangement, and some sort of concession regarding moving toward true free agency. Everyone with sense knows that the future of business is giving employees a piece of the business...I can't think of a better motivating factor...can you?

END OF CURRENT SPECULATION FOR TODAY

EPILOGUE:
Single-Entity protected the league in its infancy, but at some point the training wheels have to come off, and allow MLS room to succeed or fail based on what happens when some of the current constraints are lifted. No one with any sense proposes that MLS clubs should do business the same way the top twelve European clubs do, running at massive financial deficits to try to put together unstoppable teams. Having said that, perhaps the clubs are negotiating from a position of surely being able to do a bit better for the players. Trying to out-Stingy-Old-Coot managers of sporting past, such as the New York Yankee’s Branch Rickey. Honestly, it makes MLS look ridiculous, and Mark Abbott (MLS President), Garber, Anchutz, Hunt, Kroenke, and Dietrich Mateschitz look like carbon copies of Scrooge McDuck.

Gentlemen, many businesses are leveraged by a certain amount of debt. I’ve never seen so many men that profited so much from the free market begin to piss and moan about how the free market doesn’t apply to situations where they might lose money. It’s called entrepreneurial risk for a reason. All the owner-investors in MLS understood they were taking a risk, and presumably agreed to be in it for the long haul to create a truly great thing down the line someday.

Gentlemen...when is someday? Let me know when MLS achieves true professionalism (When the salary caps are comparable to the NBA and NHL), and I’ll be happy to order up some season tickets. Make it soon though, you still owe me for turning MetroStars into the New York Soft Drinks. Despicable.

I’m starting to really not like MLS. Too many promises of promise, not enough clear declarations of when or how promise will be achieved. If it’s going to be like this forever with only a few guys at the top getting true pro cash, and the rest a reserve team of hopefuls living on ramen...then I’m not interested and will cultivate my footballing interest in the development of United Soccer Leagues and its clubs.

Until that day comes it might be wise if collegiate, US youth national team, & amateur club players give it a shot overseas if they want a job with a living wage. Give it three years, see what happens. Refusal to sign with MLS might be the only leverage that American players possess, do not concede your allegiance so cheaply.

San Jose Earthquakes: Post-Draft Blues In The Bay Area

2010-01-15T14:50:00.000-08:00

Credit to the San Jose Earthquakes’ brain-trust of manager Frank Yallop, and general manager John Doyle, they did secure the services (provided they are able to sign him) of defender Ike Opara with their first round pick. The United States and Wake Forest standout will serve the Quakes very well at the Buck Shaw in the coming months ahead.

There was a puzzling turn of events in the second round though. San Jose selected 3rd in the third round, 19th overall. They had a chance to select standout forward Andrew Wiedeman, who in his three years at the University of California scored 30 goals in 59 matches - a strike rate of roughly a goal every other game. These numbers come in one of the most competitive conferences in the NCAA, the Pac-10. Not only could they have signed a talented, true goal poacher of a forward, they would also have signed a talented local player.

Instead the Quakes selected a midfield player, Michael Thomas, from Notre Dame. A fine enough player, perhaps, but outside of collegiate footballing circles virtually unknown.

The selection of Opara was a much needed boost for the league’s worst defense in 2009 conceding 50 goals. In goal scoring the Quakes hit 36 goals. Nine out of the fifteen MLS clubs scored more.

Going strictly by the numbers the scoring was mediocre and the defense deplorable. With this in mind, the second round might have been a good time to choose a ruthless goal poacher such as Wiedeman.

I believe that the management firm of Doyle & Yallop has made a rather serious error in judgement in not selecting Wiedeman. Thanks for exiling him to Texas gentlemen. Perhaps it is time for new leadership at the Buck Shaw. If this coming season produces results that are as comprehensively poor as the last two, I believe that it becomes very clear that John Doyle and Frank Yallop must be thanked for their time of service with the club, and then should graciously step aside in favor of their successors.

Landon Donovan’s Premiership Debut

2010-01-11T16:54:00.000-08:00

In the blinding, steadily falling snow in North London, Landon Donovan made his debut for Everton Football Club. Not against a mid-table opponent, but against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, January 9th.

For sixty-eight minutes at right midfield, Donovan made several decent passes, used his pace to his advantage, and gave the left-sided Arsenal defender Traore fits in his desperation to contain him. Donovan took a corner kick that directly set up Leon Osman’s goal in the twelfth minute giving Everton a 0:1 lead over the hosting Gunners.

In the sixty-ninth minute Donovan began to cramp and came off for Diniyar Bilyaletdinov.

The final score was Arsenal 2:2 Everton with the Gunners leveling on a stoppage-time equalizer that took a freak deflection of of the boot of Everton and Austraila defender Lucas Neill.

Donovan earned praise from his new teammates and bosses:

"I thought he fitted in superbly and he has done all week," - Phil Neville, captain of Everton

"He was very good today, he worked his socks off. He has got a great fitness but even he showed how tough the Premier League is.” - David Moyes, Manager of Everton

“Donovan did very well. From what I have seen of him his football’s simple, quick, lively and he was intelligent today. He tracked people back and we know he can play off the front or wide. I thought he made a good contribution.” - David Moyes

All seems to be well so far for Landon. We’ll see how it sorts out this weekend when Manchester City make the trip west to Goodison Park.

[Dramatic old radio program music]

Will Landon Donovan train well enough to start versus City?

Will the Goodison faithful accept America’s football head-boy?

Tune in and find out...when Saturday comes.

An Open Letter to Mr. James Conrad - Defender/Kansas City & United States

2010-01-08T15:19:00.001-08:00

Dear Mr. Conrad,

I hope this messages finds you well, fit, and ready to earn a cap in the upcoming friendly vs. Honduras.

It is not my wish to vilify you as the antichrist of football, nor champion you as the savior of domestic football in America. In fact I wish you luck in this training camp and hope that you re-establish yourself in the picture for the USA World Cup Finals squad. It is my belief that you are a gritty competitor, and a fine footballer.

I wrote my point/counterpoint because you tempted us with your idea that the open-source model used to create Linux could be adapted to better the development of domestic football in this country.

Some of the ideas in your two blog pieces at Soccernet.com were things that I have wanted for years in our game. In respect to those issues, including but not limited to the MLS single-table we are in agreement.

What you wrote after the mention of the Linux book, was not in any way based on this open-source model. You did not use this book about Linux as a source to substantiate your ideas in any way, except as a loose metaphor (“creating a platform for the masses”). You suggested a great many things (such as competing football leagues in this country merging) that may charitably be described as highly unlikely. Your blog entry was long, unfocused, and under-researched.

It has taken hours and hours just to break down your two blog posts into the actual issues that you wanted to discuss. Each point or concept that you wished to discuss merited a separate blog entry of its own. It’s as if in your desire to discuss everything you wanted to, each point/concept was a thesis statement for a book.

I understand that you rarely drink, however I would be happy to buy you that pint of lager and discuss presenting these issues in a more focused and accessible way.

I wish you the best of luck in all that you do.

Sincerely,

Charles Therrell (a/k/a 51NC3P0NG)

MLS Labor Dispute

2010-01-07T08:21:00.000-08:00

“What’s most disappointing to me is, this isn’t a negotiation for a bunch of players wanting 8 million a year instead of 7 million a year. The main points revolve around us being given the same rights under FIFA as the rest of the players around the world. As an MLS player you have to sign away your FIFA rights before you are allowed to sign your contract. We would like a moderate rise in the salary cap, but the major points for the players are: guaranteed contracts, free agency, and the right to negotiate with other MLS teams. These are some of the basic rights the players in all the other leagues around the world have that we have to sign away. With the huge strides MLS has made since the last CBA this seems very reasonable.”

- Kasey Keller, goalkeeper - Seattle Sounders FC (excerpted from his website)

“Those who believe that we're ready now to start thinking about increasing spending don't believe that it's something that will pay off in the short term. There's a view that perhaps it will pay off in the long term, and there's no guarantee that will happen whatsoever. My role is to ensure that we make good decisions. And this is important: At no point does any owner believe we should make any decisions about spending more money while we're in collective bargaining. It makes absolutely no sense to have anybody think we would be willing to do that.”

- Don Garber, MLS Commissioner (excerpted from a 11/19/2009 interview with Sport’s Illustrated’s Grant Wahl)

Presumed demands of labor:

Guaranteed contracts, true free agency, increase of minimum salary

Presumed demands of management:

5 year CBA, and ?

It seems the true question here is whether or not MLS wants to truly professionalize soccer in America.

Having a high number of players making between $12,900 and $34,000 isn’t true professionalism.

There must be some compromise that can be struck between MLS management and labor that will still ensure a reasonable amount of cost certainty for the league ownership, while affording MLS a chance to experience growth as a legitimate professional sports league.

There is a lot at stake. Large investments in club facilities have been made. The stadiums in Frisco, TX, Sandy, UT, Columbus, OH, Carson, CA and Bridgeview, IL would lie empty, generating not nearly the revenue that they would without the performances of their principal tenants - clubs from MLS. Ownership would have to book a lot of concerts and tractor pulls to make up the difference.

If management is bluffing with a lockout, then it’s a poor bluff as everyone involved has so much at stake. Conversely, labor must be willing to make some concessions.

I don’t think that MLS can survive a lockout or a player’s strike of any length. If MLS were to collapse over this labor dispute, I imagine the players would pursue opportunities in the USL, NASL, and options abroad.

Without full financial transparency, I don’t see how it’s possible for any meaningful agreement to be struck between the two sides. With financial transparency, perhaps the sides could agree to a floating salary cap based on revenues from the season before.

The demands for guaranteed contracts and true free agency seem like reasonable ones from the union. A minimum developmental salary of $30,000/year is reasonable. In return for these things, the union would concede to keeping the single-entity structure in place at least for the course of the 5 year CBA.

If a floating salary cap can be agreed upon, the owners must agree to have their books reviewed by an independent auditor at the conclusion of every season to assess the robustness of the league’s ability to pay salary while maintaining a reasonable profit margin for the different clubs. Of course if management is truly insincere, it wouldn’t matter how many independent auditors went over the MLS ledgers. There is always a way to cry poverty and say there isn’t enough money.

What happened to all the transfer money for Altidore, Dempsey, et. al?

If the franchise purchase price is $40 million, then doesn’t the expansion of Philadelphia, Portland, and Vancouver amount to $120 million in the league’s coffers?

What happened to the money? What has that money been earmarked for?

Too many questions and not enough answers in this debate, and not enough publicly disclosed information on the positions of the sides.

A child with a lemonade stand understands revenue in, product out. The problem is that MLS is not a child’s lemonade stand. It’s been 14 seasons now with the current single-entity system. Perhaps it’s time for things to become a little more flexible. Businesses succeed and fail all the time. Perhaps it’s time for the clubs of MLS to stand on their own. There would have to be revenue sharing and corporate sponsorship, but I think it could be done. Better football, more supporters, dollars in the pockets of everyone involved.

USA Wins 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship

2010-01-07T05:51:00.000-08:00

Saskatoon, SK

After a gritty semi-final effort seeing the United States past Sweden 5:2, the USA faced Canada in the final match of the World Junior ice hockey tournament on Tuesday.

It was a similar match to the 4:4 group game the USA played against Canada. Canada won the shootout, as there was little separating the two teams.

In the Final, it was again proven that there was little between the two sides as they would exchange the lead three times over the first two periods.

With the United States leading 5:3 late in the 3rd and final period, a heroic effort by Canada culminated in two late goals scored over a span of 1:14 by the skillful, dynamic Jordan Eberle. Eberle would go on to be named Best Forward at the tournament. Well deserved accolade for the young Canadian.

Displaying closely-knit team play, gritty determination and some fine goaltending by young Jack Campbell, the United States held off Canada’s attempt to score a last gasp winner and forced overtime.

The overtime would see a shock winner scored by defenseman John Carlson, his second of the match. The sudden-death goal, scored 4:31 into the period clinched a gold medal for the United States and ended the Canadian’s streak of 5 consecutive World Junior championships.

In victory, USA captain Derek Stepan showed admiration for the skill of Eberle and Canada. Exemplifying class well beyond his years, Stepan credited his teammates and coach Dean Blais in helping to secure the title for the Americans.

This young team led by such players as Jordan Schroeder, Chris Kreider, Ryan Bourque, Mike Lee, Jack Campbell, Jerry D’Amigo, Derek Stepan, John Carlson, Cam Fowler and Danny Kristo, are perhaps giving us a glimpse of the team that may play in Sochi, Russia for the 2014 Winter Olympics. The exploits of the Americans, Canadians, and the Swedes (who convincingly defeated Switzerland 11:4 in the bronze medal match) have certainly given us a preview as to who may be selected in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft that will be held this Summer.

After the USA had won, the predominantly Canadian supporters in the stadium stood and applauded. A classy display by civilized and decent people. I hope that if the situation is reversed in Buffalo, New York with Canada defeating America that the mostly Americans in attendance will show the same respect and sportsmanship.

Well done United States, well done Canada.

US Soccer TV

2010-01-05T14:36:00.000-08:00

I was perusing the Everton website today, and noted the ballyhooed arrival of Landon Donvan on a 10-week loan spell from LA Galaxy. And I started thinking how cool it would be if Landon, if deemed match-fit by the always worried-looking David Moyes, might feature as a substitute against Arsenal this Saturday. Landon Donovan playing against one of the feature clubs of not just Britain, but also all of Europe.

With my imagination still captured with this sparkly set of thoughts, I think to myself

“Who will televise this game?”

“Surely Fox Soccer Channel or Setanta Sport will broadcast it.”

I check the FSC schedule and no dice. I check the Setanta listings...nothing. This means that the match will happen as scheduled, but is effectively blacked-out in the United States.

(The Arsenal v. Everton match was later added to the Setanta Sport schedule on Saturday, January 9)

We’ve finally gotten to the point here where there is a ton of football coverage in this country. Sadly, there aren’t many matches that feature American players that might actually score a goal. I was hoping that the ManU v. Leeds match would feature former Duke University striker Mike Grella. Grella rode the pine for the entire match, and I feel quite fortunate that I slept through the match’s 5 a.m. Pacific Time kick-off.

The last time I saw a match featuring a United States forward was Bolton v. Hull. Altidore was subbed at the 55th minute for Nick Barmby.

US Soccer should consider beginning a great venture. A venture that might generate a serious amount of capital that could be used to bolster and improve both MLS and the United State’s national team programs.

US Soccer TV.

Not the snappiest name, but that’s what the ad guys are there for.

US Soccer would purchase the rights to televise any match featuring a player who is eligible to suit up for the United States in international play. No need to peruse listings from three or more different providers. No bouncing between Gol TV, Setanta Sport, and Fox Soccer Channel.

Want to see the best we got play overseas - done. It would be the equivalent of state television, except in this case only for the purpose of broadcasting soccer. It could feature all matches of US National teams. It could be available in glorious High Definition. They could carry advertising from all of the corporate sponsors of US Soccer and MLS. Most Americans probably don’t know that American forward Seb Harris plays at Northampton Town in England’s League Two. US Soccer TV could change all that. Kenny Cooper Jr. starting for 1860 Munich in the 2 Bundesliga - no problem. Rangers reserves match featuring DaMarcus Beasley - done.

We read about the exploits of Marcus Tracy, Mike Grella, Jemal Johnson, and many other American players overseas. We seldom get to see them play though, and that is quite sad really.

Sunil...US Soccer TV.......think about the possibilities....or in a language you better understand, think about the dollars - the millions of dollars.

Thoughts on the MLS labor negotiations

2010-01-04T13:09:00.000-08:00

Kasey Keller has written on his website that Management and Labor are far apart in the MLS labor negotiations. Keller states that MLS anticipates a lockout, and has set a probable lockout date of February 1st.

http://kaseyslastline.com/

So maybe better a league with single-entity than no league at all.

I have the feeling that there isn't a tremendous amount of wiggle room on this one, and that the best that the Player's Union can hope for is a slightly expanded salary cap. I doubt it will be a very large increase. The minimum developmental salary does need to be more than the roughly $12,900 and $17,200 that I think is the going rate just now. If they could get the minimum up to, say, $30,000 it would be competitive with many professional starting salaries in non-sports jobs.

Jordan Cila opted to leave his MLS club in New York, retiring in 2006, because he accepted a position as an interest rate derivative analyst for Goldman Sachs.

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jordan-cila/4/576/1a8

I wonder how many others like him have had to make similar choices since MLS was founded?

As far as guaranteed contracts and players leaving on a truly "free" transfer within MLS...I don't think the league would grant that, even if they could.

USA Team for South Africa 2010…Maybe

2009-12-31T14:42:00.000-08:00

December 31, 2009

Let’s assume that Bob Bradley will select three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders, and four strikers to go to the World Cup Finals in South Africa this coming Summer.

Given that the above is true, this is who I think should be selected at this moment:

GOALKEEPERS:

Howard, Guzan, and Seitz - Howard is arguably the best we’ve got, Guzan is an ample backup and heir apparent the no. 1 shirt after Howard retires. Seitz is one for the future, and a fine young goalkeeper in his own right.

DEFENDERS:

Onyewu, Bocanegra, DeMerit, Marshall, Goodson, Spector, Cherundolo, Whitbread – Most of this is self-explanatory. I choose Whitbread because I think he’s good and we don’t have much to choose from at Left Back after Bocanegra. Goodson and Marshall as cover for Gooch and DeMerit. Spector with Cherundolo as cover at Right Back.

MIDFIELD:

Bradley, Edu, Feilhaber, Clark, Donovan, Rogers, Holden, Adu – Bradley as attacking mid with Feilhaber as cover. Edu at d-mid with Clark as cover…Clark can also play Right Back. Donovan at Right Mid, with Clark, Dempsey, and Adu as cover. Holden at Left Mid with Rogers, Dempsey and Adu as cover.

FORWARDS:

Altidore, Dempsey, Cooper Jr., Findley – Jozy and Findley as strikers, Coop as traditional target Center Forward, and Findley to attack with pace as a striker.

I know what you’re thinking…but we could do worse. Far worse.

A lot of people may say what about Torres and Castillo. Both of these gentlemen have only seen spot duty for the Yanks. Perhaps they will play their way in…perhaps not.

Regarding Freddy Adu: I know he’s not getting games at his club. I know many think he is a complete disappointment. So my reasoning is: He would be strongly motivated to silence his critics and he is versatile. He plays at striker, center forward, center attacking mid, and left and right wings.

For that matter, I don’t consider DaMarcus Beasley out of the picture either. Walter Smith’s endorsement is no small thing. If Smith thinks DMB can make it back into the USA national picture – then maybe it’s not the craziest idea.

2009 World Junior Hockey Championships - Two Things

2009-12-29T23:25:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, December 29

Firstly:

Group A is shaping up into a two horse race between the United States, and Canada. I cannot imagine either Slovakia or Switzerland earning enough points to challenge for one of the top two spots in the group.

If we use the results of USA v. Latvia and Canada v. Latvia as a predictor, it seems clear that the USA is playing for second place in the group. America defeated Latvia by a score of 12:1 today, and earlier on, Canada defeated Latvia by a score of 16:0.

What have we learned?

We’ve learned that Canada scores more goals than the USA, and also defends better - at least against Latvia. When America play Canada on New Year’s Eve, we will know more. What makes this matchup even more attractive is that both America and Canada, provided that both sides continue to play up to their potential, might actually end up facing one another in the gold medal match.

To assume Canada will reach the final is fair enough. Perhaps it is even expected, as they are hosting the tournament, and are by all accounts a very fine team.

For America though, there will be stern tests. The group match against Canada, what will likely be a quarter-final match against either Finland or Czech Republic, and a semi-final match against the high flying Swedes.

Starting now, every mistake the United States Under-20 hockey team makes, will likely result in a goal against.

Can the United States manage to get through all of these stern tests? Of course. Will they get through the murderer’s row of stern tests? This is another matter entirely.

The Latvia predictor says Canada defeat United States in the upcoming group match. When the puck is dropped on New Year’s Eve all previous predictors can be thrown out the window. May the best team win.

Secondly:

Canadian supporters: I implore you to not boo the Americans whenever they touch the puck. You and your nation, are better than this. It is behavior that I would more likely expect from Americans.

Canadian hockey is amongst the finest that is played on this earth. I would like to think that most Americans (I know that I will) wish you every success should America be eliminated first. Have the class to let the teams settle it on the ice. Rather than booing our side, cheer on your stalwart Canadian lads who have heart that cannot be measured with existing technology. Cheer as loud as you can manage, it makes for great hockey...and I like great hockey.

Best of luck Canada. And if America should go down, I for one hope you win it all.

2009 World Junior Hockey Tournament

2009-12-27T19:07:00.000-08:00

Saskatoon, SK - December 27, 2009

Remember this name - Benjamin Conz.

The Switzerland and Geneve Servette goaltender played against the USA Junior team and did little other than stop the puck and look composed. Conz stopped 46 out of 49 shots, and was named man of the match for Switzerland in the post-match ceremony.

Although the final score was USA 3:0 SUI, the three goals scored on him by the United States today were seemingly off of rebounds or deflections. Conz seemed to make all of the initial saves, whilst controlling most of the rebounds or kicking/sticking pucks aside.

Apparently, Mr. Conz wasn’t so successful representing his country in the U-18 World Hockey Championships. On the Hockey’s Future website (Last updated in June of this year), he is listed as:

“a small netminder, who plays deep in his net. He has very unusual technique, which is not very effective.”

Hockey’s Future’s assessment of Mr. Conz’ future:

“Long-shot for the NHL.”

Having seen him play against a USA Junior team loaded with offensive talent, I have to disagree with this assessment.

Benjamin Conz may have improved very much indeed since his Hockey’s Future profile was last updated in June of this year - presumably after his less than impressive showing at the U-18 World Championships.

At the tender age of 18 he hasn’t yet been drafted by an NHL club. Perhaps this is destined to change this summer. I believe Mr. Conz did an excellent job of showcasing his ability in holding off the American team for so long and his 46 save performance went a long way towards impressing NHL scouts should he decide to pursue a career outside of Switzerland.

Rebuttal: Jimmy Conrad's diatribe at soccernet.com

2009-12-11T15:36:00.000-08:00

Jimmy Conrad. Arguably one of the better defenders in Major League Soccer. It could be argued he bears a faint resemblance to Steve McQueen. Ultimately he plays for a obscure club in what may be considered by the rest of the world, an obscure league. Apparently he has the answer to address the growing pains of MLS. I will fashion a rebuttal in this forum. I would’ve posted this to ESPN Soccernet, but they will only give so many characters per post. Not nearly enough to address all of Mr. Conrad's provocative talking points.

“Jimmy Conrad wants MLS to usher in a single-table format.”
That sounds fine Jim, a single table makes good sense. Conference play is artificial, at best, and the rivalry trophies designed for the league would be laughed at by any other footballing nation, and by many fans and supporters that live in America.

Jimmy Conrad:

“What can I say? I enjoyed ducking word counts, deadlines, coming up with a topic worth reading about and the pressure of trying to top my previous efforts. I enjoyed saying I used to write for a company that bills itself as "The Worldwide Leader In Sports." I enjoyed doing no type of self-promotion whatsoever (except for my radio show, Web site and notable public appearances). And then I read a book that detailed the history of Linux. And upon finishing the book, I had an epiphany. And with that epiphany, I had a vision of what the future of Major League Soccer should look like.
To the uninitiated, Linux, in its simplest form, is a computer operating system. What sets it apart from its competitors, however, is that its evolution is based on a collaborative effort from developers using free and open-source software. The original developer of Linux was Linus Torvalds, and he built his idea by standing on the shoulders and the work of Richard Stallman and Andrew Tanenbaum, just as those after him will use his shoulders to reach farther and aim higher. And those willing to join the community are encouraged to use the model in place and build something better without repercussion.”

51NC3P0NG:
To begin by saying you were ducking your responsibilities is less than credible. To profess that the salvation of US Soccer and (the true and round) football in America lies within the model of open source code borders on the ridiculous. I can only imagine that you were pressed for a submission by ESPN.com and that a bottle of bourbon or perhaps extra strength cough syrup served as your primary inspiration. This, discovering as you did that you article was due at the eleventh hour.

JC:
“So with these Linux-influenced thoughts in my mind, I knew what had to be done. I had to create a platform for the masses, something to build off so you, my dear reader, can add or subtract or enhance or toss out whatever you see fit. It makes no difference to me how it develops, but a real conversation needs to start and start now.”

51NC3P0NG:
You underrate the intellect and awareness of the American fan and supporter. Don’t attempt to create a platform for the masses. Create a platform based on substantiated ideas, and reasonable speculation. It should make a great difference to you how the argument develops, unless there is something I don’t know and you’ve been offered a starting place at a English Premiership Club. The conversation that truly needs to start is the one between the MLS ownership and it’s Player’s Union. You both have to work out how our league can be more internationally competitive without running it into the ground. As most of the league isn’t making a profit yet, I imagine it will be a difficult task to do so. Until then, expect MLS clubs to keep getting wiped by Pachuca in the CONCACAF Champion’s League.

JC:
“As a league, we're a teenager (14 years of existence), and we need to act like it. We have been toeing the line since birth, following the rules of our American sports brethren with playoffs and drafts and Eastern and Western conferences, but the time is ripe for a change. We need to tell our parents that we hate them and "what do they know about anything." We need to run with our own identity and stop trying to conform to people who aren't smart enough to understand the greatness of what we have to offer anyway.”

51NC3P0NG:
In the spirit of said petulant teenager, you have gone off half-cocked with virtually nothing to substantiate your arguments. How does the concept of open source development apply to furthering the aims of MLS and US Soccer. Your explanation and suggestions of what will work leave much to be desired. Capitalism drives individuals and businesses in the United States. That means the entities you use in your examples are all bitter competitors. Had you illustrated how the open source model would benefit all those involved in meaningful ways, your argument would have held more credibility. The “operating system” of MLS and US Soccer is determined by influential and wealthy people that could easily buy or sell you. The owners of MLS franchises could just as easily sell out or fold those businesses if they thought they were going to be bleeding any more money than they already are in current circumstances. I once worked at a printing press where no one wanted to unionize. A union rep came but no one would sign up to organize. The reason is that if they had, that press would have terminated all its employees, and moved the operation to a site where cheaper labor could be had. There was once a McDonald’s restaurant where the employees wanted to form a union. McDonald’s promptly closed that store and fired all the employees. http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=32115&seenIt=1 Check it out Jim, this is what you and yours are up against. Best of luck.

JC:
“NUMBER ONE: Expand Major League Soccer to 20 teams, and instead of splitting the 20 teams into two conferences of East and West, split them into MLS 1 and MLS 2. The top 10 teams of the year in, say 2012, would qualify to be in MLS 1, and the other 10 would play in MLS 2. I'll possibly allow exceptions, letting into MLS 1 a team that has had a wealth of history and championships in MLS (I'm looking at you, D.C. United, and your inexhaustible team president, Kevin Payne) if it has an off year in 2012, and bumping down to MLS 2 some punk team that had one good year at the right time but is perennially a lovable loser.
MLS 1 teams would play regular-season games only against each other, creating familiarity of the opponent for the fans and players, and intense rivalries overall. There would be no playoffs, and the team with the most victories after 30 games would be crowned champion. The top four teams in MLS 1 would qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League, the next four teams would qualify for SuperLiga and the bottom two teams would get relegated to MLS 2. The majority of MLS games on TV would be from MLS 1, with maybe one, the best matchup perhaps, from MLS 2 getting on the airwaves.
The initial crop of MLS 2 teams would be bitter about starting in MLS 2, but bitterness creates other emotions, and emotions get cities, fans, players, coaches and owners engaged, and engagement gets people to pay attention, and attention makes money. The winner of MLS 2, after 30 games of regular-season play, would get automatic promotion to MLS 1, and the next two teams in the standings would compete in a one-game playoff for the second berth for promotion.”

51NC3P0NG:
20 teams is it? FIFA has stated that they think 18 teams is the ideal amount. Want to argue with Zurich? Ireland had definitive evidence of the Thierry Henry handball in their UEFA playoff against France. Confronted with this, FIFA refused to grant Ireland a replay. What do you think MLS’s chances are at fighting FIFA on any issue?
Promotion and relegation are sound ideas to make things exciting at the top and bottom of league tables. In this much you are correct. However, the cabal that created your league (MLS for those scoring at home) wanted guarantees of cost certainty, and the promise that the league would exist “as-is” while the business model was being improved. What do you think will be offered to the player’s union when the Collective Bargaining Agreement is up for renewal? I can guarantee that it won’t be much better than it is now, as the league is still bleeding money from many small cuts. You know how it is in this great country of ours though Jim, right? Revenue in, expenses out.
I agree that the league champion should be the MLS club with the most points at the end of the season. But I believe that this will be seen as a Eurocentric view, and will be therefore, generally dismissed.
Regarding international qualification: The MLS Cup winner, the MLS Supporter’s Shield winner, and the US Open Cup winner should be granted entry into the CONCACAF Champion’s League. In the event that an MLS team wins more than one of these trophies (bloody unlikely in my opinion, due to squad depth, wages, etc.) The runner-up would qualify to fill the other qualification spot. The top three MLS finishers in total points should be granted entry into the SuperLiga.

JC:
“Possible Positive Side Effects:
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup would take on added importance, as games between MLS 1 and MLS 2 teams would be hot tickets and hotly contested. It would generate a nice boost of exposure for a tournament that deserves it.
The promotion and relegation angle would add drama and relevance to every game except for those bottom teams in MLS 2.”

51NC3P0NG:
US Open Cup matches between MLS, amateur, and USL clubs are already important. The Lamar Hunt Cup is one of the oldest sporting trophies in North America. I believe only the Stanley Cup is older. In terms of exposure...no one in TV land seems to care. This isn’t a reflection that the product needs to be improved somehow - it is a matter of perspective. In many other countries big matches are shown on state television. ESPN has increased its commitment to football in general and now regularly telecasts (or webcasts through ESPN 360) matches from La Liga, and the English Premiership, a featured Thursday night MLS match plus coverage of the MLS Cup final, matches from the UEFA Champions League and prominently features the United States national team by telecasting their friendly matches and also World Cup qualifiers. ESPN also prominently featured matches from the Confederations Cup. Fox Soccer Channel has a more complete commitment to football as they regularly show matches from not only the US national team, but also matches from MLS, English Premiership (and the odd English Cup match), UEFA Champions League, Serie A, the Australian A-League, and the daily global football roundup that is the Fox Soccer Report. FSC also televised the US Open Cup final this year, and has been for the last few years or so, presenting the FIFA World Club Cup. Many cable TV outlets have Setanta Sport now. It’s a pay service, but features matches from England, including the English domestic cups, matches from the UEFA Champion’s League and France’s Ligue 1. Setanta also features comprehensive coverage of rugby, Gaelic football, hurling, and I think also cricket if I’m not mistaken. For the US Open Cup to get wall to wall coverage, one of two things needs to happen:
US Soccer needs to webcast all the matches, whether it’s paid for by sponsors, or as a pay service made available through ussoccer.com.
US Soccer needs to get into the cable television business, and start it’s own network.
The webcasting would be the most likely scenario, as I don’t think US Soccer is interested in starting it’s own TV network.
As far as promotion and relegation is concerned, it’s a fine idea, except for that MLS franchise owners are unlikely to ever consider it. As it stands all MLS clubs have guaranteed status in the USA’s top division of football. If you were the one in the suit making the tough business calls - would you be keen to throw that away.

Regarding the assimilation of all the USL and other lower division clubs into MLS in different divisions:
Forget it. They are all competitors with MLS. Co-operation comes a distant second to the almighty dollar in the USA. Maybe it’s not the best model, but that’s the one we’re working with. The open source model you propose would incur great financial losses at the outset with no guarantee of any financial return. That is a scenario that will give the properties of MLS all the appeal of an Ebola outbreak to investors. In addition MLS is currently involved in a carefully controlled expansion program. Season tickets must be pre-sold, stadiums must be either built or promised, and sound investment has to be in place before the league even considers a candidate. How many clubs from the other domestic leagues here have the financial health, and facilities to meet these standards? I’m guessing not many. I think Rochester has it’s own stadium, but to MLS Rochester is just a burgh somewhere in the hinterlands of upstate New York.
It is encouraging to me that a format (the US Open Cup) for teams from other domestic leagues to meet MLS clubs in meaningful matches for silverware exists.

JC:
“The Always Endearing Fallout From The Know-It-All Talking Heads:
"We are Americans, and as such, we should be ourselves: We embrace playoffs and conferences, and we don't copy the incredible success of the top soccer leagues from around the world."
"Soccer is boring. They should count every goal as six points, like the NFL does, to make it seem more high scoring than it really is."”

51NC3P0NG:
Seriously?! Really, James? I think you severely underestimate the amount and sophistication of your fans and supporters.
As far as the posters on ESPN.com (a very noisy, undereducated, and likely unwashed minority) who are convinced that soccer is a game for people not big or strong enough to play basketball or American football...you’re never going to win those guys over. Even if the USA won the World Cup, they would still piss and moan about how soccer, and the athletes who play it, are inferior.
Forget them. They are irrelevant.
Having said all of that, I agree with you that MLS should embrace the single league table, and crown the club earning the most points at the end of the season MLS Cup Champion. I also agree that the league system used in most of the rest of the world should be used - two matches against each team, one home, one away. The MLS Supporters Shield which now goes to the club with the best record at seasons end, should become either a pre-season tournament trophy, like Englands FA Community Shield, or awarded more literally to the MLS Club that draws the most fans each season. MLS Cup winner and US Open Cup winner qualify for CONCACAF Champion’s League?

JC:
“NUMBER TWO: Become a monopoly. MLS needs to buy the United Soccer League, the Major Indoor Soccer League and any other league with thoughts of being a competitor. Despite my instincts to the contrary, competition, in this regard, creates gray area and confusion, and if our main goal is to become one of the great leagues around the world while developing homegrown talent and a superior national team, everyone needs to be working together.
The USL can morph into the MLS Reserve League and host meaningful games for our younger players, because the knock on our younger players is that they don't have enough game experience in pressure situations to make good tactical decisions on a consistent basis. It's sad to say, because I'm a huge proponent of the college experience, but the current college game doesn't provide the proper environment from which to seamlessly transition to the professional level. The NCAA needs to make the season longer than four months and somehow expose these kids to what's it like to play with and against grown men who are playing to put food on the table and pay bills, because it's a completely different mindset.
The MISL can be converted into a "See Them Before They Are Stars In MLS" Indoor League. The league could and should be held during the MLS offseason from the end of November to the beginning of March, and the rosters for these teams could and should be littered with players who played less than 1,000 minutes during the regular season in MLS. Again, it's an opportunity to get players valuable touches on the ball under pressure with lots of eyes watching instead of having them sitting on the couch waiting for preseason training to roll around. The league could barnstorm around the country, hitting a variety of markets, or a rule could be introduced that each team in MLS has to have an indoor team. The best example I can give to prove why this would be beneficial to the league is that the majority of professional soccer players from America grew up in California, Texas or Florida. That's because, due to the climate, the kids in those states can play all year. The indoor league would provide MLS with this opportunity.”

51NC3P0NG:
What you propose would require the purchase of USL and other similar properties by MLS. The owners of all of those clubs aren’t going to accept shared revenue under your proposed open-source model. MLS had a reserve league and disbanded it. Obviously MLS owners and upper-level management felt it was either unnecessary or simply too expensive to continue. I don’t agree, but then I’m not paying MLS’s bills, so I have limited say in the matter. MLS has problems drawing fans playing the outdoor variety of football. You propose the creation of an indoor league? I think if the costs to actualize what you propose were set in front of you, you would quickly realize how unfeasible this is for MLS to attempt. When a business is in it’s early stages the entrepreneurial risk is greatest. Factories close and wages are dumped through layoffs rather then let the company die. When revenue trends become prosperous and stable, expansion is more likely and makes more sense. Although MLS has iron fisted control of things like this, it has kept the league, and it’s investors from getting crushed.

JC:
“Possible Positive Side Effects:
By keeping MLS Reserve League teams in the smaller markets the USL currently occupies, MLS can tap into the minor league baseball mentality as fans watch a player progress from unknown in a little town to superstar in a big city and follow him throughout the rest of his career.
The MLS Indoor League could keep MLS in the media spotlight all year and give it an increased boost in entertainment value, if only because there are more goals scored in indoor soccer and Americans love scoring.
Both platforms would provide MLS with the ability to solve a variety of issues ranging from referee, coaching and player development to new television deals, which lead to new fans.”

51NC3P0NG:
I see what you are getting at here. However, there are no guarantees that any of these actions will produce the result you describe. Investors need guarantees. Your wages are capped and your potential transfer fee is inflated because of this. An MLS indoor league might sell no tickets. An MLS indoor league might not attract television coverage. The reserve league and indoor league, even if the league had the money to get it going, would probably fail. MLS is, sensibly, concentrating on producing a better product of football played outside. I wish in MLS that more venues would use natural surface, which I think is more of a priority because of the increased risk of injury playing on artificial surface. Good businessmen weigh the risks before investing. The reserve league and indoor league models you propose would likely be considered ventures with a very scant likelihood of financial success. No financial success, no investment. That’s how it works. The model you propose demands great entrepreneurial risk, with no likely return in sight. Big money people avoid such risks like the plague.

JC:
“Questions From What I Have Proposed That Are Worth Exploring:
Do we have the infrastructure to pull this off?
What is the main goal of having MLS in place? Is it about land and money and tax write-offs, or is it about something more?”

51NC3P0NG:
The answers are respectively no, and what are you talking about? MLS is like any other sports entertainment venture. Players play, people pay to watch and hopefully enjoy themselves. Done correctly, owners make money, players make money, and fans are entertained. I don’t know if it’s about land and tax shelters, but it is definitely about money.

JC:
“The Always Endearing Fallout From The Know-It-All Talking Heads:
"Soccer in this country will never work, and I know this because when I played, I wasn't very good and the soccer players always got the girls."”

51NC3P0NG:
Seriously Jim, lay off the cough syrup. I’m worried about you.

JC:
“NUMBER THREE: Dispose of the MLS draft. Forever. Instead, encourage teams to develop their own prospects and give them the power to sign these prospects to professional contracts at whatever age they deem fit. If a player forgoes a contract offer from the team that brought him up to attend college, said team loses all rights to the player IF the player uses all four years of college eligibility. If the player goes to college for three years or less and wants to become a pro, the team that brought him up will have restricted rights to his services.
For example, let's say a player goes to UCLA, the best soccer school in the country, for a year and has a terrific freshman season. If he thinks he's ready for MLS, the MLS club that fostered his growth, let's say the Los Angeles Galaxy, will have the right to match any offer from any other club in MLS or abroad for his services. If the Galaxy refuses to match the offer, the player is free to choose whichever club gave him the best offer. If a player comes out of college after serving all four years, he is free to join whatever club he wants based on playing style, the coach in place, proximity to home, the money offered or whatever.”

51NC3P0NG:
I agree with disposing with the MLS Draft. It has served as a vehicle for two things, media exposure and parity. More the former than the latter I expect, as most MLS impact players come from professional or very good amateur environments. Ultimately MLS clubs must develop their own player academies with professional teams of different age groups for the purposes of player development.
Does MLS foster any NCAA player’s growth and development? Do UCLA and Los Angeles Galaxy have a relationship that I’m unaware of?
Is UCLA really the best soccer school in the country? Or are you just a little bit biased? Was it UCLA that was your school Jim? Come on, you can tell me, are you an alum of UCLA?
I remember in the Fall of 2007 going to Edwards Stadium on my birthday and watching Cal handily defeat UCLA, and play an attractive brand of football in the process (Sorry about that Jim, had to write it, the wife is an Old Blue). More recently it is UCLA enjoying the Pac-10 (Pac-6 in soccer?) success. Congratulations to the Bruins.
I think MLS should continue with the NCAA player combine, and the Generation Adidas programs. These are sound ideas and generally accomplish what they’re supposed to.
Ultimately, I think any team that has cap room in MLS should have a shot at signing whatever college prospects they want to. However, this would be perceived by MLS as jeopardizing parity, and would be summarily and perhaps, at this stage in the league’s development, correctly rejected.
The system you are proposing is perhaps more complicated than even the MLS player allocation and discovery player systems. I still don’t quite know how that works really...I’m sure there is a big rule book somewhere...isn’t there?....Gene?...Gene?..Sunil?...Bueller?...Bueller?...

JC:
“Possible Positive Side Effects:
This idea, coupled with MLS becoming a monopoly as described in NUMBER TWO above, gives teams and players a Point A to Point B blueprint for how to make it from youth player to professional player. And once the first 10-year-old makes it from the youth system of a team in Major League Soccer to become the star of the show at age 18, the real boom of development will begin because the competitive nature of sport, and of people (fans, owners, etc.) in general, will demand that other teams start developing their own talent as well.
Without relegation for MLS 2, some of the clubs at the bottom with nothing to play for could find comfort in becoming feeder teams for the big clubs in MLS 1 by selling their homegrown talent at a premium price.”

51NC3P0NG:
Aside from the monopoly thing, which arguably MLS already is - you can verify this when you have a look at your next paycheck Jim, what you propose is a good dream. I don’t see any MLS clubs burning up the phone lines to purchase the Charleston Battery’s next great prospect. No disrespect to the Battery, they are a fine club. The model you suggest just isn’t ready to happen yet. Believe me, I want MLS teams to develop their own high-profile prospects, but the current reality is that players signing early before college, and players who have served in U-17 residency at the IMG Academy are arguably more prepared to transition to a professional environment, assuming they aren’t already in one as is Will Packwood at - Birmingham City is it? Maybe he could put in a word for you with the Gaffer eh Jim?

JC:
“A Question From What I Have Proposed That Is Worth Exploring:
How do we get the youth soccer factions to join the effort to work for the common good, for the benefit of our league and national team, instead of what makes the most money?”

51NC3P0NG:
There is no common good Jim. There is business, revenue, and expenses. That is the face of America. I don’t particularly like it, but that’s the way it is. I wish I could say differently, but I think that this model is unlikely to change in the near future. Ayn Rand, corporate types, and GOP fans rejoice...while you still have a republic that common people can (barely) afford to live in.

JC:
“The Always Endearing Fallout From The Know-It-All Talking Heads:
"If the soccer community here in the States starts to get the hang of identifying talent and using the tools at its disposal to develop these kids, the rest of the sports in this country could be in trouble. Of course, I doubt they will ever figure it out."”

51NC3P0NG:
I don’t know anyone that says such things. Are you quoting someone? The words are compelling, but are they driven by any meaning?

JC:
“In closing, I hope you understand that these are merely suggestions to make the world a better place for our kids to live in. A place where Little Johnny, who has the ability to trap a ball under pressure, hold off two defenders and tuck the ball neatly into the corner of the goal, can be brought along in an efficient manner -- a manner in which the development of players, referees and coaches reigns to benefit our top league (MLS) and our governing body (U.S. Soccer) as a whole. Whether you believe I'm on to something or on something, I think we all can agree that a conversation about what happens next needs to begin because valuable time is ticking by before we (i.e., all of us in the soccer community) get locked into a stagnant model of existence. I'll acknowledge the first 14 years of MLS have led us here ,and here is a lot farther along than most people could have imagined, but the time has come to take the next step. It's time to evolve.
So now, by standing on the shoulders of my Linux-influenced ideas above, please chime in with your thoughts in the Conversation section below by answering one question and one question only:
Am I right or am I right?
I'll be back in two weeks, using your input to keep the conversation going.”

51NC3P0NG:
The comparison to a teenager (dependent) and his parents that provide his/her room and board is not the best choice to forward your argument. MLS struggles to pay its bills. Much as many parents thanklessly toil to raise their misguided and ungrateful yuppie spawn. Perhaps rather than attempting to predict the statements of your potential detractors, you might be better served in a journalistic sense by quoting the actual disparaging comments that have been made by real people. I think this would be more effective and compelling. Honestly, when you write this you just look silly as if you haven’t bothered to do any research.
Hopefully I’ve posited arguments that don’t resemble those of the so-called “Know-It-All Talking Heads.”
It is time for MLS to evolve, I agree. But in what ways? How will the long-term goals of MLS be accomplished. How much is it going to cost? Will it happen without a financial collapse the likes of which cost the old NASL so dearly that it ceased to exist.
Ultimately more people need to go to games, to buy MLS season tickets, or purchase the Direct Kick cable TV package, purchase MLS merchandise, etc. Revenue in, product out. That’s how it works.
If MLS players are looking for a wage increase, the best way to accomplish this would be for young American players to adopt the Marcus Tracy/Mike Grella model. A young America player should consider this. If possible sign with a club overseas. Don’t let your agent get you a trial with a club that will likely never play you, even if they put you on their payroll. Stay overseas for up to three years. Sign for no longer than this. Work hard in training every day. If possible, outwork everyone else in the squad. Be last to leave the training ground. Be smart with your money and bank and/or invest as much of it as you can. If you are twenty-one years-old when you go abroad, after the three years have passed you will still have some of the best years of your career ahead of you. If by the end of your three years in Europe or South America, your situation with club placement and playing time isn’t working out, return to MLS where some club will likely be grateful to have someone of your experience and professionalism join them in a first team role. If enough young players completely bypass MLS, it will force the league to increase it’s salary cap, if only for the purpose of not letting young talent continue to slip through.
Only allow yourself to join MLS first if there is no legitimate interest in you by a foreign club. You can always come back and play in MLS later. At least that’s how it stands today.
Don’t misunderstand. I like MLS very much, and I am gratified that the quality of play is so improved from it’s inception in 1996. The fact that there are now six stadiums built specifically for the round football is nothing short of excellent.
Ultimately, owners and league brass understand business. They have the right to cap your wage. Conversely you have the right to seek a better situation elsewhere. You should get your agent on the horn immediately Jim. I understand the Toffies are pretty banged up in the blue part of Merseyside, perhaps they could use some help at the back?

Landon Donovan transfer rumors

2009-11-26T10:29:00.000-08:00

The day after the MLS Cup Final there were web posts unofficially linking Landon Donovan with four clubs. The clubs were Livorno, Paris St. Germain, Glasgow Celtic, and (most wildly on some English talk-radio show) Liverpool.

Assuming all these clubs have actual interest, and that’s a big if, I find it difficult to believe that any of them would be a good fit for Donovan.

There is a small but growing contingent of American footballers who are stuck in a sort of limbo. Their wage and transfer fee valuations are too great for the budget of clubs where they would be likely to start in the first team, and their reputation isn’t considered to have a fine enough football pedigree at the bigger clubs that can afford to spend that kind of money. Thus the usual story of an American going to a high-profile club is that regardless of how well they might be training and playing, they inevitably end up buried deep in the squad in favor of European/African/South American players who are considered known quantities playing at that “level”. There have been exceptions to this, but not many.

So, assuming that the rumors have any shred of truth to them you would have to assume that: Liverpool would be an awful choice. It would be like Leverkusen all over again for Donovan. Regardless of how well he played or trained, I doubt he’d be given a second glance at Anfield. It would be a classic case of what I call a “Glass Display Case” transfer. Meaning that the club purchasing the player has only done so to collect a name player as cover for whoever else is currently favored in the team at that position. Although PSG might be the best option, it seems like more of a lateral move. Donovan moves to a “better neighborhood” but the question is would he be given more than two matches to show he belongs? Certainly Leverkusen failed to afford him that opportunity. Scottish football is hard on the bones, and sometimes they play in what could be described as rainy slop, but Parkhead might be the best destination of the four for Donovan. Livorno would be the same sort of Glass Case deal that Onyewu was dealing with at the San Siro - or is it the Guiseppe Meazza?, they never seem able to make up their minds in Milan.

I think the best case scenario for Donovan would be a second tier European or British club that has a better than average shot at promotion to the top. It would be fun if this sort of opportunity leads him back to Germany, as I imagine he would be highly motivated to kick the spaghetti out of Leverkusen and Bayern Munich at every possible opportunity. What better thing could you hope for than the chance to make the people that doubted your ability look like idiots?

2009-08-13T12:59:00.001-07:00

Collapse at the Azteca

August 13, 2009

Ultimately, what prevented us from getting a result wasn’t the second goal Mexico scored. That was more a reflection of their desperation and frantic hard work (Which actually has just as much to do with cultural reasons as football ones), rather than any poor play on our part. It was the first goal Mexico scored. Seemingly, Michael Bradley, had gotten the ball from the defense and thought he could long dribble the ball out of trouble. He hadn’t gotten ten yards away from the US box before he turned it over. With the rest of the US team shifting from defense to offense, many were out of position when the ball was stolen by Mexico. Fate nearly denied Mexico that first goal. Had that shot failed to dip that final centimeter, it would have struck the bar almost square and bounced out.

Do the USA need work on their technical ball skills? Of course they do.

Was it inconceivable that Bob Bradley started Brian Ching over Josmer Altidore? Of course it was. (This has still left me slack jawed, that Altidore is a fit enough choice against Spain, but somehow not against Mexico.)

Should Robbie Rogers have started at left midfield? Of course he should have.

Will the team benefit and be steadied by the return of Maurice Edu? Of course it will.

I can’t understand why Bob Bradley made some of the choices he did as manager during the course of Mexico 2:1 United States. I don’t know if starting Ching over Altidore, is enough however for a vote of no confidence. And even if Bob Bradley were sacked...who could we possibly get to replace him?

Sabah’s 82nd minute winner broke my heart.

Now we have to endure:

“Beating Spain was a fluke”

“The US are crap at football”

etc. ad nauseam.

Despite all this talk, there is work to be done for the US team.

Contrary to popular belief, I am not surprised that it is more of a struggle these days to defeat El Salvador and Honduras. They are improving. That’s right, I said it. They are improving - The gap is closing. It’s not that the skill of the USA team has diminished so much, as everyone else in CONCACAF is starting to improve. As a result, the US team must set the bar higher. We can’t afford to field a ‘B’ team in the zonal championship.

It is difficult enough to see the US lose in important matches against quality opposition. It is harder to watch this when all of us know the best team wasn’t on the pitch. As much as I like Brian Ching as cover at striker, there is a reason Villareal were willing to purchase Altidore for millions of dollars.

Bob Bradley may not be the best manager in the world. But I strongly believe he is the best we can get now...and that we could do worse. Can you imagine, Jurgen Klinsmann coming to coach the USA now? Can you imagine US Soccer offering enough money and control to Guus Hiddink to lure him away from his job with Russia?

Our players are sometimes coveted by overseas clubs. It seems that our managers are never asked to work overseas. Perhaps the two exceptions to this are Ernie Stewart at NAC Breda in Netherlands, and Brent Goulet at SV Elversberg. I wonder why this is so. Don’t you?

US Soccer - "Preparing" for Mexico

2009-08-09T13:18:00.000-07:00

August 9, 2009

ESPN (Soccernet News Services) has said that the US side will be meeting in Miami beginning today to begin preparation for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Mexico. Sadly, Miami is at sea level. If the side plans to train in Miami, (US manager) Bob Bradley may have made a terrible error. Hopefully the US will sensibly train at altitude, perhaps in Colorado Springs at the Olympic Training Center. Three days isn't a tremendous time to acclimate to the altitude and smog of Azteca. Three weeks of training are required for athletes who live and train at or near sea level, in order to acclimate to athletic activity at high altitudes. There are artificial methods of accomplishing this goal, training at low altitude but also doing exercise in an artificial low oxygen environment, and perhaps this is what Bob Bradley has in mind. Another possibility is that the US isn't releasing the location of it's training camp for the Mexico match to the media. Maybe they are heading to high altitude. It is debatable that it will make a difference as the US team will leave for Mexico on Tuesday.

The bottom line is: If the United States aren't prepared for the altitude in Mexico City, how can they possibly be ready to take on the Tricolores at Azteca where Mexico have beaten the US every time with an exception of a draw in 1997.

NY Rangers - Players In, Players Out

2009-08-09T11:54:00.000-07:00

August 6, 2009

Change has come to Madison Square Garden. The measured, meticulously prepared defensive system of Tom Rennie is gone. It is replaced by the fiery, up-tempo, high pressure forechecking style of John Tortorella.

Since the end of the season, nine players from last years first team have left the club via trade, retirement, or free agency. Colton Orr, Frederik Sjøstrom, Nik Antropov, Scott Gomez, Paul Mara, Laurie Korpikoski, and Derrick Morris have all been traded. Nikolai Zherdev was allowed to walk away to free agency. Markus Naslund has retired from hockey.

What have Rangers lost?

In Orr the Rangers have lost an inexpensive, hard-working checking player who had the grit to defend his teammates. He signed with Toronto Maple Leafs.

In Sjøstrom, the club lost a physically strong winger that could hold the puck in the attacking zone, a good checker, good penalty killer, and a shootout specialist. Sjøstrom signed with Calgary Flames.

Antropov brought size, strength, and a legitimate scoring threat to the Blueshirts when he was acquired at the trade deadline in March of 2009. He finished the clubs leading scorer with 28 goals and 39 assists for 59 points (most of those coming with his previous club Toronto Maple Leafs). Antropov signed with Atlanta Thrashers.

Gomez was tied for highest scorer in the team (with Zherdev on 58 points until the Antropov trade), was a swift skater, and a fine playmaker setting up 42 goals (the most assists in the team). A fine player overall, Gomez’ departure was mostly facilitated by his $7.357 million salary. 16 goals, and 42 assists for 58 points is a reasonably decent season, but at the price of over $7 million/year, the Rangers expected that point total to be closer to 90 and for him to score more than 3 power play goals. Gomez was traded to Montreal Canadiens along with minor leaguers Tom Pyatt and Mike Busto for Chris Higgins and three minor league players Ryan McDonagh and Pavel Valentenko. Also in the deal was Doug Janik who was out of contract and signed with Detroit Red Wings. Gomez will (according to ESPN) make $8 million this season, and next season.

Paul Mara provided steady yeoman-like performances and some veteran leadership in defense last season. He also provided a bit of sandpaper when the opposing teams crossed the line. Mara was one of only four Ranger players to finish with a positive plus/minus rating (+2). At a salary of just under $2 million, the Rangers definitely got value for their dollar with Mara. Mara signed with Montreal Canadiens.

Laurie Korpikoski was a highly rated prospect from Finland. He made slightly less than $1 million, and was one of the Rangers’ past high round draft picks. Korpikoski produced 6 goals and 8 assists for 14 points in 68 matches last season. Korpikoski was traded to Phoenix Coyotes for highly rated Russian prospect Enver Lisin.

Derrick Morris was acquired from Phoenix at the March trade deadline last season. He was to provide size, strength, hitting, and help improve the Rangers’ woeful powerplay. What I remember most about Morris was that he frequently would turn the puck over. Sometimes in the neutral zone, sometimes in his defensive zone. Oddly, Dmitri Kalinin was traded to Phoenix for him, and Kalinin liked to turn the puck over in the same fashion. In the annals of the trades the club has made over the years the Kalinin/Prucha/Dawes for Morris trade begins to look like a very bad move indeed. Though neither Prucha or Dawes produced tremendous amounts of goals, Prucha was certainly a hard working and team oriented player, and young Nigel Dawes had only begun to realize his true potential as a scorer. As Morris walked away as a free agent the Rangers got nothing back for a player they dealt three players for. Morris’ contract was up at the end of last season, and he signed with Boston Bruins as a free agent for the coming season.

Nikolai Zherdev was allowed to walk away from the club after his salary arbitration hearing awarded him a $650,000 raise (to $3.9 million for one year). The Rangers have lost their third highest goal scorer (Zherdev scored 23 goals and assisted on 35 for 58 points in 82 matches. He was tied for second in club scoring with Scott Gomez) from last season. It is difficult to believe that the Rangers would part with him just over the money. I can only imagine that the Rangers have agreed to the parting of the ways over his attitude, work habits, lack of production, or perhaps Tortorella just doesn’t like him. What the Rangers lose is Zherdev’s occasional ability to produce a piece of magic with his stickhandling skills, his hard shot, his quick release, and his blazing skating pace. What the Rangers also lose is something for nothing. Zherdev finished the season +6, one of only four Ranger players to finish plus at the end of the season. The deal that brought Zherdev from Ohio to Manhattan cost the Rangers Fedor Tyutin, who remains a very good and steady defenseman. In fairness to the Rangers front office, Zherdev completely vanished in the Stanley Cup producing no goals or assists in 7 matches on 12 shots with a plus/minus of -3. He remains a free agent.

Markus Naslund has retired from hockey. He was the leading goal scorer on the team last season with 24 goals (before the Antropov trade).

What have the Rangers gained?

Marion Gaborik scores goals.....lots of them.....when healthy. He averages roughly 63 matches out of 82 in his eight years in the NHL. The first choice Slovakian international is fast, strong, and possesses a wicked quick release shot. This falls in the category of wait and see. Oddly that’s how it was with Zherdev, and Kovalev before him. Stay tuned.

Donald Brashear is meant to provide the toughness lost with Colton Orr’s departure to Toronto. It remains to be seen whether this will be the case, and whether or not the 37 year-old Brashear can fulfill his role as well as his predecessor.

Corey Locke is likely to find time on the Rangers minor league affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack. Right now, he is a young player with upside.

Tyler Arnason will likely fit in as a checking line center with moderate offensive production. Hopefully he’s good on face-offs. He’s big at 5’ 11” but does that translate into the toughness that the Rangers and Tortorella require? Perhaps with him the Rangers are hedging their bets in case they can’t sign master face-off man and excellent penalty killer Blair Betts.

Brian Boyle is a big (a 6’ 6” 222 pound monster), strong winger. Let’s hope he’s not slow and can score goals and check. He scored 4 goals and 1 assist in 28 matches with the Los Angeles Kings. I imagine the Rangers will ask this lad to go to the net and create traffic in the hopes he will score some rebound goals or by deflection. Judging by his limited experience, he looks more like a candidate to sharpen things up in Hartford.

Andres Ambühl is a stocky, rugged, 25 year-old forward who has come to the Rangers from his Swiss club HC Davos. He isn’t afraid to mix it up as he has 425 penalty minutes in 358 games in the Swiss NLA. He has scored 64 goals and 108 assists for 172 points in his NLA career. A good prediction is that he’ll provide some scoring punch, but mostly toughness and resolve. Characteristics highly prized by John Tortorella.

Ilkka Heikkinen is 24 year-old, 6’ 2” 200 pound defenseman from Finland. In the Finnish SM-liiga he has played in 283 matches scoring 31 goals and 82 assists for 113 points. Heikkinen faces a tough road to Manhattan, as the Rangers are currently loaded with defenseman prospects. It is more likely that he will log time with Hartford in the AHL.

Matt Gilroy is a 24 year-old defenseman from Boston College. He has signed a $3.5 million two year contract with the Rangers. The 2009 Hobey Baker Award winner (Best U.S. college player) and NCAA champion will be one of the many young hopefuls at the Rangers’ training camp this Summer. Though Gilroy comes to the club highly rated, the Rangers are loaded with prospects at defense and he will find himself in the same situation with Heikkinen.

Ryan McDonagh is another college boy acquired by the Rangers from Montreal in the Scott Gomez deal. It is likely that he will continue to play for the University of Wisconsin until graduation or the Rangers sign him to a professional contract. A defenseman with size and speed, the 20 year-old McDonagh will find himself in the same training camp battles with all the other young hopefuls.

Pavel Valentenko is yet another young defense prospect. The 21 year-old Russian was acquired from Montreal in the Gomez deal. Valentenko played 57 matches for Montreal’s AHL affiliate the Hamilton Bulldogs. Though Tortorella has said anyone has a chance to make the team in training camp, it is likely that Valentenko will be honing his craft with the Hartford Wolf Pack.

Chad Johnson is a young goalie prospect currently playing his hockey at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. His rights were acquired from Pittsburgh Penguins. Like the Rangers’ other prospects playing NCAA hockey, he will continue until graduation or signing a pro contract with the Rangers.

Chris Higgins was acquired from Montreal as the principal player in the Gomez deal. Higgins is a big left wing and will be expected to make the Rangers roster. He averages about 60 games and averages about 21 goals per full season. Essentially he should produce the same amount of scoring that Gomez did, at a third of his salary. He will also be a Long Islander playing in New York. He is from Smithtown, NY.

Chris Chappell is a big left wing who recently completed his Major Junior career with the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit. He is coming off of his best and most gritty season in that league. Last seasons numbers have him at 38 goals, 38 assists for 76 points with 88 PIM (penalties in minutes) - all record highs for Chappell in his OHL career. Chappell was signed as a free agent. As Chappell is 21 years-old he is no longer eligible to play Major Junior hockey. This means he’ll be battling to earn a place on the Rangers. Failing this he will probably play for Hartford Wolf Pack.

Enver Lisin was acquired from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for Laurie Korpikoski. Wayne Gretzky (then the head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes) was quoted in The Arizona Republic as saying [if there is a faster skater in hockey] “I don't know where he is." High praise from one of the greatest to play the game. The only question appears to be will he start his career in the Rangers organization in Manhattan or Hartford. A fast would-be sniper that stays out of the penalty box.

Ales Kotalik is a 30 year old right wing who last played for the Edmonton Oilers. He has scored 121 goals and a total of 251 points in 445 matches with Buffalo and Edmonton of the NHL. A hard worker with a big shot and a knack for scoring on the power play, the Rangers hope to improve from last years horrid power play which was 29th in the NHL. I assume the Rangers signed this free agent to buy time for the prospects to season in Hartford.

Sam Klassen is a 20 year old defenseman who is currently playing with the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL. As he will be 20 years at the start of the WHL season, the Rangers may elect to have him finish out his eligibility with the Blades if he fails to make the Rangers roster and sign a professional contract. At 6’ 2” and 200 pounds he seems to be a big strong kid. Penalized for 195 minutes over his last two seasons in junior, it would appear that grit is creeping into his game as he approaches his professional career. He was signed as a free agent.

Nigel Williams was acquired from Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Hartford Wolf Pack defenseman Brian Fahey. Williams is 21 years-old, big (6’4” 226 pounds), and scored 21 points in 70 games last season with the Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL. He can rush the puck and skates very well. Lots of defensemen in training camp for the Rangers this year. The question is “will it be Hartford or Manhattan?” for the young defenseman.

Thus ends the summary of the New York Rangers 2009 off season transactions to date.

The Rangers still have yet to resign free agents Blair Betts, Brandon Dubinsky, Mark Bell, Joe Barnes, and Vladimir Denisov.

USA have qualified for Confederations Cup Semi-Finals

2009-06-24T03:15:00.000-07:00

The result was improbable given the data we all had to work with. Egypt had cleverly dueled and lost to Brazil by the slimmest of margins (4:3). Egypt had upset Italy neatly in a one goal game (1:0).

Egypt had done everything right except to prepare for the unpredictable Americans. In my preview for this tournament, I stated that America would never give up. I stated that they would scratch and claw for every opportunity. This was all shown to be true, as America rallied in a way we have seldom seen. Egypt 0:3 America. I list Egypt’s score first out of respect as they are the current African Nations Cup champions, and playing in Africa were the home team. Egypt have a number of gifted and technically sound footballers. When I watched Egypt’s opening match versus Brazil, my jaw dropped watching them keep pace with the Samba Kings.

Our victory wasn’t a lapse of Egyptian skill, it was the return of our own skills and discipline. Heart has been renewed in the American side. Charlie Davies was sound enough to score a goal off of the Egyptian goalkeeper’s face. Davies never gave up. For his resolve, he was rewarded with a goal. The Clint Dempsey headed goal was so very, very sweet. The Jonathan Spector cross that set it up, was absolutely poetic. America witnessed a change - achieving world class results, in world class style.

Let me take this moment to thank Brazil for giving the sound thumping to Italy (3:0) that was necessary for America to remain alive in the Confederations Cup. Thank you Brazil, thank you many times over. Sometimes I wonder if there is anyone who understands us as a footballing nation, maybe it is Brazil.

Having said all of this makes me realize that the “group of worse than death” has now been augmented. After facing Italy and Brazil in group play, the United States must now face Spain in a semi-final elimination match.

Spain of late are anything but duffers. Iker Casillas starts in goal for Real Madrid, one of Europe’s premier sides. Defender Puyol, and midfield maestro Xavi play for FC Barcelona, the elegant Catalonian giants of football. Fernando Torres plays for Liverpool. Cesc Fabregas plays for London giants Arsenal. Spain are the recently crowned champions of Europe. Their football is fine, and often elegant.

I can’t help but think of the matchups that will take place later this day. Onyewu of the USA in central defense versus the masterful Fernando Torres. In this matchup, I feel Gooch has a fine chance to reign supreme and underscore his massive achievements in Belgium.

The midfield matchups though, create more questions than answers. Spain will have their hands full of Landon Donovan. Unless of course, none of the other midfielders show any threat, in which case it will make it easy for Spain to mark Donovan out of the match. Can Michael Bradley or Ricardo Clark hold Xavi in check? Will the overlapping Spanish outside backs create too much pressure for the USA defense to deal with?

On the Spanish side of things, I wonder if they will find it easy to deal with Michael Bradley. How will they manage to contain his tireless work rate? Bradley excels in ball-winning football. He also excels in making foolish challenges that get him booked. If it’s a dead heat in midfield, wouldn’t America be as likely to work the break as Spain?

The one thing I can be sure of is that there can be no true prediction of how ESP v. USA will end up.

It is up to the people of the world. Will you simply count out America, thinking them completely inferior to Spain? Or will you think they could have a chance, a chance to show greatness under duress?

In the 1990 World Cup’s opening match, Argentina played Cameroon. Argentina was predicted to run away with the match, but Cameroon, even after having a man sent off, were the 1:0 victors. Will this game be this sort of match? 
Having followed the USA team from 1989 to present, I can honestly say, that I couldn’t predict the result one way or the other.

US Soccer - 2009 Confederations Cup Preview

2009-06-10T15:29:00.000-07:00

The United States men’s football team is rarely predicted to win games against storied opposition. It is likely that football journalists will predict that America will lose all their group matches in South Africa this June, crashing out of the tournament in disgrace.

However, let me draw your attention back to the 2002 World Cup in Korea for a moment. The USA was given no chance by their critics to defeat Portugal and the players of their “Golden Generation.” Surely the United States wouldn’t be able to keep pace with the likes of Joao Pinto, Postiga, Figo, Pauleta, and Rui Costa. But what happened that day in Suwon shook the foundation of international football. John O’Brien scored on 4’, Jorge Costa compounded the problem by putting one into his own net, and Brian McBride made it USA 3:0 on 36 minutes. The final was USA 3:2 POR.

The United States, against all predictions finished eighth of 32 teams in the 2002 World Cup. The Americans finished ahead of Italy, Paraguay, Argentina, Portugal, Croatia, and France. The lesson learned by Portugal that day was to never count out the Americans. Americans work hard, fight hard, and never, ever quit.

Having said that, the USA are on a spotty run of form at the present. Defenders not on the same page with their goalkeeper and one another, midfielders being caught upfield during the oppositions counter-attack forcing defenders out of position as they try to cover for their stranded midfield teammates. Strikers who are having problems creating chances and trouble finishing the chances they do get.

What America does have are the best goalkeepers on the planet. At the moment United States and Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard is at the top of the list. We have a European league champion in Oguchi Onyewu. His Standard Liege side has won the Belgian championship both this season and last season. In Josmer Altidore, the Americans have a true center forward who can hold the ball. How good is he? It was worth $10 million to Villareal of Spain to sign him. Clint Dempsey scored 7 goals for Fulham this year in the English Premiership. We have Michael Bradley who holds the record for most goals in a season scored by an American playing in Europe. And we have Landon Donovan, perhaps the best footballer ever produced by the United States.

Although the betting man’s odds may lie with Italy and Brazil, I refuse to count America out of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. More importantly, the American team themselves will not allow themselves to be overlooked.

US Soccer - World Cup Qualifier: CRC 3:1 USA

2009-06-04T18:11:00.000-07:00

The United States Men’s football team faced a match in one of it’s least favorite venues last night. Playing in San Jose Costa Rica has got to be one of the hardest tests in professional football. I challenge any european national football team to try and get a result in the Saprissa Stadium against the Ticos.

The States gave up an early goal that was partially set up by confusion in the American back. DaMarcus Beasley, playing out of position at left back, lost the ball to a Costa Rican attacker. He was able to tackle it away, but he inadvertently smashed the ball into the face of Francisco Torres. This temporarily blinded Torres, and Costa Rica used the confusion to set up an attempt at goal. The shot from Saborio was true and sharply curled over Tim Howard’s outstretched hand - 1:0 to the Ticos. Tim Howard stops this shot if he is closer to his line.

Although the U.S. played well in stretches and arguably had the ball for longer stretches, it didn’t really matter as Costa Rica finished 3 of their 5 chances on goal, whilst the US struggled to even threaten, scoring only on a late penalty for a consolation goal. It was clear from the outset that the Costa Rican side were technically superior on the artifical surface.

Some performances in this game were good for the USA. Donovan had a reasonably good game and he scored the penalty that ruined the Ticos clean sheet. Onyewu played well, as did Bocanegra in the center of defense. Marvel Wynne Junior though seemed out of his depth at times, not using his speed to his advantage, and losing possession in the attacking half forcing others to cover for him.

It seems that Beasley isn’t the answer at left back. It’s not a matter of skill, it’s a matter of physics. Beasley is strong but wiry. If the central american forwards can shoulder him off the ball, the forwards from europe will likely barge him to the ground. Seemingly the plan was that America would raid from the flank with two speedy outside backs. This was not the case as neither Beasley or Wynne was very effective at distributing or holding the ball. The better choices at the wing back positions may be Jonathan Spector and Frankie Hejduk in terms of both technical skill, and work rate. Maybe even Frankie Simek deserves a chance to land the right back spot.

Altidore was good, but didn’t see much of the ball. This is a shame, because Jozy can actually hold the ball like the true center forward/striker he is. If he’d seen more of the ball, I have no doubt that he would have scored.

Clint Dempsey was somewhat invisible in this match, never really finding his stride or truly threatening to score.

The young midfielder Torres had good moments and bad moments, sometimes winning balls defensively, and other times giving up possession with rushed passes.

Michael Bradley had been playing reasonably well until his knuckle-headed yellow card in the second half. He will be out through suspension for Honduras’ sojourn to Soldier Field in Chicago.

Mastroeni was good and won his share of balls in midfield, but his slowness of pace didn’t much help the leaden pace of the American attack.

Tim Howard couldn’t truly be faulted for any of the goals scored, and produced a memorable save in the second half.

Sacha Kljestan played a full half of fooball, and I honestly couldn’t tell you what he accomplished.

One wonders why Charlie Davies, and Freddy Adu weren’t starting this match. After they entered the match as substitutes, the American attack looked far more dangerous.

A more experienced selection makes more sense for a World Cup match played in Costa Rica. You must select players who are accustomed to the noise, the high pressure, and the Ticos swift counter-attacking tactics. Attempting to attack early in San Jose, Costa Rica may have been a bit tactically naive. The Saprissa remains an impossible place to win for America.

For those that want to point out that America are inferior at football, consider this:

Have England, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, or any other vaunted world football power ever won a match at estadio Saprissa? If they have, I doubt they have won many. Perhaps the interpretation of this result shouldn’t be that America’s football is inferior, but that Costa Rica deserves a higher than #41 world FIFA ranking.

Leave Landon Donvan Be

2009-01-15T15:28:00.000-08:00

Landon Donovan has accomplished much in his career. He has one hundred eighty-three appearances for Major League Soccer clubs San Jose and Los Angeles, scoring eighty-four goals. He has also been capped one hundred and five times for America, scoring thirty-seven goals. Landon Donovan is the all-time leading goal scorer for America, with thirty-seven goals. Although Landon has yet to earn success in Europe, it may only be a matter of time, as he is currently on loan with German club Bayern Munich, where he is on trial awaiting a contract offer. Before he began his MLS career, he had seven appearances for Bayer Leverkusen, where he had signed as a sixteen year-old after a fourth place finish with America at the 1999 Under-17 World Cup. He has won the MLS Cup three times, twice with San Jose and once with Los Angeles; he has won the US Open Cup with Los Angeles; he has won the MLS Golden Boot once; he has won the CONCACAF Gold Cup three times with America, and was named to the Best XI of the tournament all three times. He won the Golden Ball for being named the best player in the 1999 Under-17 World Cup.
Donovan is considered to be not as successful as some of his American teammates who have achieved success in Europe and Britain. This stems from the fact that Landon's club accomplishments have occured in MLS. MLS is not considered to be a competitive league compared to most other major soccer leagues in the world. But if you stop and think about it, the true abberation is that most players that comprise the American senior men's first team in major international tournaments DON'T play their soccer in MLS. Donovan plays for the country in which he plays league soccer, which would be considered absolutely normal in either England, Spain, Italy, Germany, or France countries considered by many to have some of the world's most competitive soccer leagues.
I don't know what it is with this guy, but everyone seems to have an opinion about what Landon Donovan should be doing and how he should be doing it. He has more critics than an actor on hard times trying to make a comeback.
I am tired of hearing Landon Donovan roundly criticized from all ends. "Landon Donovan was whiny and homesick when he was a teenager in Germany." "Landon Donovan isn't a success because he doesn't play first team soccer in Europe." "Landon Donovan stole my tractor." Whatever, get over it, he's a grown man, seems to be a decent person, works his ass off, and has scored more goals than anyone ever to wear a United States shirt. It should be enough. Would I like America to win the World Cup someday? Of course. Do American supporters and journalists as a group need to constantly vilify Donovan? Of course not. The criticism stops here. Leave him be and let him do his job. If it works out at Bayern Munich - great. If it doesn't - well it's Bayern's loss then, isn't it?

NY Rangers Hockey: The Quietest Streak In Hockey

2008-03-11T11:56:00.000-07:00

When springtime comes in the NHL, there are three types of hockey clubs. The club that is trying to make the Stanley Cup Finals, the club that is aiming to win the Stanley Cup Finals, and the club with rebuilding in its immediate future.

The Rangers are beginning to look like a club with an outside chance of winning the Stanley Cup Finals. For the last month, they have quietly been putting together the quietest streak in hockey. The Rangers have taken points from their last 13 matches, winning 6 of those outright, and another 3 in shootouts. The streak has seen the Rangers into 6th place in the Eastern Conference on 83 points and vaulted them into direct contention with the best teams in the east trailing conference leaders New Jersey Devils by

The big knocks against this Rangers team have been a lack of consistency, and a lack of production from its star players. It would seem that these deficiencies have been addressed. The streak itself is a testament to the improved quality of the Rangers' play as a club. Chris Drury, a high-priced free agent signing from Buffalo, had been having a difficult year. He is now tied for the club lead in goals with Brendan Shanahan with 22. Steady contributions from star players Scott Gomez, Jaromir Jagr, Martin Straka, Shanahan, defenseman Michael Rozsival, goaltender Henrik Lundqvist and Drury are providing a steady base for consistent results.

In addition, a number of the Rangers' recently promoted young players, such as Brandon Dubinsky, Nigel Dawes, Ryan Callahan, Marc Staal, and Dan Girardi, are stepping up with meaningful contributions in goal production and defensive play.

Sean Avery is 8th in scoring in team with 13 goals and 28 points. He is not simply around to dust it up with the leagues menacing agitators. Similarly, Colton Orr provides the same sort of police work for his teams' star players in addition to a supremely high work rate featuring tireless effort and two-way hockey. Blair Betts is a faceoff specialist and is also a top rate penalty killer for the Rangers.

The pieces are starting to fit together more closely and efficiently. The players believe in the system implemented by coach Tom Renney, and assistants Perry Pearn, Benoit Allaire, and Mike Pelino. The plans drawn on the training room white board are starting to become concrete reality.

The quietest streak in hockey, may end up yielding some Stanley Cup results that are anything but quiet.

Metro: Pay No Attention to the Man Behind The Curtain

2008-02-27T12:59:00.000-08:00

(The club I refer to as Metro was formerly known as MetroStars. I will not call the club that I've so closely followed since 1996 by the name of a soft drink. Nor will I buy any of the current merchandise that has the logo of said soft drink company on it.)

Life at Metro seems like the same thing every year. The coach changes, some players change, Metro crash out of US Open Cup, fail to make MLS Cup playoffs, or more recently make the MLS Cup playoffs and crash out in round one. There are promises made in the preseason, and most of these are not kept. Players are waived, players are signed or promoted. Result: Same old nothing.

The club has two of the best strikers playing domestic football in America - Juan Pablo Angel, and Josmer Altidore. It is likely some goals will come. The question is how many goals will Metro score, and can the defense post clean sheets. These are excellent questions, and time will show the results.

The current coach Juan Carlos Osorio, has promised upgrades to the team at attacking midfield, left wing, and center back. Mr. Osorio comes to the club with a wealth of experience gained in England, South America, and was coach of the Chicago Fire last year in MLS.

The last three coaches the club dismissed were: Bruce Arena - former USA coach, Mo Johnston - Scottish football legend, and Bob Bradley - the current USA coach.

Currently there are two players from last years squad who retired from football, Ronald Waterreus, and Markus Schopp. There are twelve players who have been released or traded. Clint Mathis (To L.A. Galaxy for a 3rd round draft pick, Clint soon left the Galaxy and signed with Greek club Ergotelis.), Dema Kovalenko (To Real Salt Lake for an undisclosed draft pick), Francis Doe (The 20 year-old forward was re-signed by the club and then waived), Santino Quaranta, Joe Vide (Expansion Draft), Elie Ikangu, Chris Karcz, Randi Patterson, Sal Caccavale, and Blake Camp. So twelve players out, who will replace them?

Metro added three players in the MLS SuperDraft, and four in the Supplemental Draft. Respectively: Eric Brunner, Luke Sassano, David Roth, Danliegh Borman, Michael Palacio, John Gilkerson, and Laurent Manuel. Manuel was released, Roth has been injured and has had surgery, he will be out 3-4 months.

The club signed free agent goalkeeper Zach Thornton (A former MetroStar) from Colorado. Mike Magee, a long time member of the squad had surgery at the end of January and is expected to be out six weeks.

So far my tally has twelve players gone (I don't think Manuel was ever signed.), two players injured, no draft picks signed, and one free agent signing in.

The response to this is that Mr. Osorio wants to sign Luis Carlos Cabezas. He is 21 years-old and has been developed by Columbian club Deportivo Cali. He has played for Columbia at youth level and was loaned last season to Cordoba FC of the Columbian second division. Since Mr. Osorio's interest in Cabezas, nothing else has been heard regarding the player moving to Metro.

Mr. Osorio has also considered signing Oscar Echeverry. The 30 year-old Columbian forward has joined this years training camp. He has played at Millionarios, Deportivo Cali, Deportivo Pasto, Once Caldas, ,Deportivo Pereira, and Caracas FC (Venezuela). There has been no official announcement of Echeverry's signing. It seems he has only signed a trial agreement with Metro.

Also being considered is Jesus Mendoza, a 28 year-old Mexican striker, who is viewed as a potential left wing.

At this point the facts say eighteen players currently under contract, thirteen gone from the squad, One Supplemental Draft pick released, six unsigned draft picks and one injured contracted player, and one injured player out of contract.

In terms of incoming players we have one free agent goalkeeper, some trialists, and lots of rumors. The season is quickly approaching. Salary cap room has been cleared.

At present it would seem the current squad is likely to do perhaps as well as or maybe not quite as good as last season.

Time will show if Mr. Osorio is worth the first round draft pick he cost to sign as manager, and if help in the form of new signings is on the way.

The supporters of Metro have seen 12 years of disappointment. They are hungry for hope, but highly skeptical of club announcements that proclaim better days ahead.

Mr. Osorio's managerial pedigree is impressive, and he produced dramatic improvement at Chicago Fire last year. Will he and the club come through with the new signings? Is Juan Carlos Osorio merely the man behind the soft drink company's curtain, or is he the great and powerful Wizard of East Rutherford? Stay tuned.

NY Rangers Hockey Club: Deadline Day 2008

2008-02-26T13:19:00.000-08:00

With less than an hour left in the 2008 NHL Trade Deadline, it would appear that the New York Rangers had no interest of making a deal for former Buffalo defenseman Brian Campbell. Campbell was traded to San Jose this morning, so either Rangers General Manager Glen Sather wasn't even pursuing Campbell, or the asking price was too high. Certainly Campbell could've helped the Rangers' defensemen get younger and better.

As well as right wing Jaromir Jagr has been playing of late, I wonder if he could even have been moved in a trade today. I doubt most clubs would be interested in touching his $8 million in salary, with salary cap strictures being so severe. Even considering the salary matter with Jagr, at the age of 36 he wouldn't have been enough to command a good young player, and/or a teams first round draft pick. This creates a considerable problem for the Rangers as it's likely that Jagr will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. He will be out of contract, and there is no guarantee that he will re-sign with the Rangers. The Rangers may lose his services and get nothing in return. If the club does re-sign him, I believe that they would be foolish to do so unless it is at a substantial salary reduction. $8 million players score fifty goals or better and are leaders on and off the ice. Jagr has not produced either the fifty goals, or the on/off ice leadership. In fairness to Jagr he is second on the Rangers in scoring with 17 goals and 55 points. With Scott Gomez and Chris Drury producing at about the same level and at similar salaries, it would seem to be wise to offload one of these superstar salaries, and Jagr being the oldest, would be the logical choice to go. Also Henrik Lundquist has been re-signed at nearly $7 million per. Jagr, Lundqvist, Drury, and Gomez account for roughly $28 million in salary cap space out of approximately $54 million for the Rangers. That's nearly 52% of the cap space for four players. This is a situation that doesn't necessarily have to be addressed at the trade deadline, but it will certainly have to be addressed soon. Mr. Sather is a savvy veteran of the boardroom, and is no doubt acutely aware of this.

Mr. Sather may feel the club is in a position to not have to make trades, as over the past few years he has loaded up on prospects, some (Brandon Dubinski, Ryan Callahan, Nigel Dawes, Dan Girardi, Marc Staal) Who have begun to show their great promise already. There are more talented youngsters where they came from at Hartford, and also at college, junior and european clubs.

Roughly ten minutes before the deadline, the Rangers dealt a fourth round draft pick to St. Louis for 27 year-old defenseman Christian Backman. He has 228 NHL games under his belt, and averaged about nineteen minutes a game for the Blues. This will help the Rangers in both the short and long term, as regular defenseman Paul Mara will be out two weeks due to an injury requiring facial surgery.

In a deadline deal the Rangers traded goaltender Al Montoya, and forward Marcel Hossa to Phoenix for forwards Fredrik Sjostrom, Josh Gratton, and goaltender David Leneveu. Montoya, 23, played in 119 matches for the Hartford Wolf Pack winning 66. He played in 12 Calder Cup matches for the Wolf Pack winning 5. Marcel Hossa, 26, played in 223 NHL matches scoring 31 goals. Sjostrom, 24, has played in 231 NHL matches scoring 32 goals. Gratton, 25, has played in 67 NHL matches scoring 2 goals and totaling 237 minutes in penalties. Leneveu, 24, has played in 21 NHL matches winning 5. Leneveu's AHL career includes 172 matches winning 59.

This year, Mr. Sather's shrewdness has gained the Rangers a five-year NHL veteran defender who makes steady contributions for a draft pick that might not even produce an NHL player. The Blueshirts have also gained 3 promising young players from Phoenix Coyotes, for the price of 2. Well played Mr. Sather, well played. The impact of these acquisitions may be felt this season. For certain another girder has been fastened in the architecture of the monster team the Rangers are slowly becoming.

First Verse

2008-02-26T12:37:00.000-08:00

What I like to do is write about games. Whether it's team games, video games, or political games, I can be expected to offer reasonably intelligent commentary. Hopefully those of you with twitchy typing fingers, a handy internet connection, and the burning desire to read about these things will enjoy reading what I have to write.