Sather's Monday Machinations

The Korpedo has been fired to Phoenix in return for Enver Lisin. I really am not sure that Glen Sather knows that there are 30 teams in the NHL, as he only seems to deal with three or four. But whatever, at least he is doing something that doesn't involve screwing over us fans. As for the other party, Dan Maloney retrieved another of his draft picks from a New York system that wasn't fit for them.

Lauri Korpikoski was given every opportunity to grow when Tortorella was hired and he never stepped up his game. Korp was tried on the second line, the third, the fourth, in the middle, on the wing ... he certainly is capable of playing at the NHL level but he simply didn't make the most of his chances. So now he's gone.

In his place is Lisin, an uber-fast youngster who has serious scoring upside. He is a soft skill player who is good around the net but isn't big on going through traffic. Lisin is a solid replacement for Freddie Sjostrom, with less physicality and a better scoring touch. Like Sjo, he will probably start on the fourth line and try to work up from there. Then again, if Zherdev comes back and Byers shows up to camp in shape then Lisin may be bound for Hartford but I'm not so sure Z will return - that soap opera is still playing out. One thing is for sure, I wouldn't want to face the Rangers in a shootout with Gabby, Kotalik and Lisin ...

Sather also handed out some contracts earlier today. As completely expected, Ryan Callahan re-signed with the Rangers. The team didn't include the terms in their press release but Newsday's Zipay says it is a two-year deal worth $4.6 million.

If so, that could very well be a steal. Cally was a huge part of the team last season and stepped up his play even further when Torts came to town. His balls-out hustle certainly fits with the coach's style so he should do even better with a full season in the system. Plus, with him around for two more years perhaps I can finally get him to sign my Victoria Cup puck. Haha.

And finally (I think, it is getting late), goaltender Chad Johnson was signed by Sather as well. As I said when we traded for him on draft day, he still has a way to go before becoming a NHL goaltender but is good for organizational depth.

I mentioned to my buddy Pete earlier that it didn't seem like Sather was done and today certainly showed that he is certainly not on summer vacation. So what's next? Dubi dealt, Dubi re-signed, Z re-signed, Z signed and traded, Rangers walking away from Z or something totally out of left field?

He'll Be Back

New York, October 29, 2008

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that forward Lauri Korpikoski has been assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL). Korpikoski, 22, has skated in seven games with the Rangers this season. The 6-1, 195-pounder returns to Hartford, where he registered 23 goals and 27 assists for 50 points, along with 71 penalty minutes in 79 games last season. His 23 goals tied for third on the Wolf Pack, while he finished fourth on the club with 50 points. He made his NHL regular season debut on October 4 vs. Tampa Bay at Prague, Czech Republic.

This comes as no surprise considering Korpikoski has been out of the lineup lately. We've seen flashes of NHL-calibur skill but they have been just that - flashes. Once he finds some consistency, or the injury bug makes it to Broadway (knock on wood), the Korpedo will return to the big club. No worries ...

Survivor: NYR Third Line Edition

As I am still coming to grips with the mighty Mirtle's selling out move to SB Nation, I figured I would turn my attention to the Rangers even though the boys in blue don't play again until Friday. If reports are to be believed, Patrick Rissmiller was placed on waivers Tuesday. The Rangers haven't put out a release and the young German is still on their roster but I will take it on face value and take a look at the third line logjam.

There are five guys attempting to get on that line and, being as Chris Drury is the captain and all, there are two roster spots for four players. I know, I know; the lines have been all jumbled up of late and I would move Cally alongside Gomez so 'third line' is an arbitrary designation but the key numbers remain: two roster spots, four players. Sounds like the makings of a reality show ... sooooooo come on down and let's meet the contestants on

Survivor: NYR Third Line Edition

Nigel Dawes
5'9" 193 lbs, 23 years old
Nigel is the only one of the four to have scored a point this season. Including playoffs, Dawes has played in 85 NHL games and put up just 35 points. He is also the smallest in stature on a team that made a conscious decision to get bigger. He is pretty hard to knock off of the puck but has yet to show much skill without it. Doesn't seem to have been able to create chemistry with anyone in particular and yet has still played in six of the eight games. Are the Rangers showing patience or showing him off as trade bait?

Dan Fritsche
6'1" 204 lbs, 23 years old
Dan has played in just two games, took four shots and has no points or PIM. Fritsche has good size and has shown some flashes of skill but it is still hard to judge him. His prior experience in Columbus frankly shouldn't count because they were just a terrible excuse for a hockey team and he is a complimentary player, not a star. After dealing away the ill-fated (incompetent) Christian Backman for him, you have to imagine the Rangers will give him more time and more opportunities.

Lauri Korpikoski
6'1" 195 lbs, 22 years old
The Ranger first round pick in 2003, Lauri made a splash in his first game by scoring a playoff goal against the Penguins. Korpikoski spent two full seasons in Hartford but seems to still be learning how to play with the big boys. In seven games so far this season, he has taken just one official shot on goal and has been caught out of position on several occasions, which is odd considering he has shown versatility in playing both wing and center. Maybe some stability could help? He is almost certain to keep one of the two spots unless the Rangers make a move to bring someone else in - they have invested too much in his development.

Petr Prucha
6'0" 175 lbs, 26 years old
Petr is the lightest Ranger but he doesn't let that stop him from throwing his weight around. Timex has considered sponsoring Prucha because he embodies their old catch phrase - takes a licking, keeps on ticking. But for all of the abuse he has absorbed, Pru has seen things go considerably downhill since his rookie season. He has trouble getting into good scoring positions and when he does, grips his stick too tight and blows it. He has added some defensive responsibility to his repertoire but there are many better on the Blueshirts than he in their own zone. At 26 years old, you have to wonder when he stops being a prospect.

I am sure you can tell who I am endorsing from my scoring reports but I wouldn't be unhappy if Sather and Renney go off this board to fill the slots - especially if their mediocre play continues. Artem Anisimov, PA Paranteau (if he can pass waivers), Dane Byers or Greg Moore are all down on the farm and capable of seeing some NHL shifts. And I honestly wouldn't mind seeing them give Petr Nedved a call in the Czech Republic. Yes he is much older than these four candidates, and is under contract back home, but he would add some credibility and accountability to the locker room.

What do you think?