Imminent?

Reports are starting to fly that a Bobby Ryan to the Rangers trade is imminent. He'd be a good add, but of course the price is everything. While it's important that the Rangers don't disrupt the current team too much, it's just as important that they don't trade prospects like Kreider who are future core. We'll see what happens.

Rangers Beat Pens!

The Rangers just beat their 3rd straight tough opponent as they defeated Pittsburgh 4-3 in regulation for 2 points. That was their 7th straight win at home. Nice. Cally, Richards, Mitchell and Gaborik scored for the Rangers. All of the Ranger goals came in a frenetic second period. Carl Hagelin had another assist and he and Mitchell have both scored in all three of their games with the Rangers. They have really dimensionalized the O. And man, did the Pens get dirty when they were down in the third. Fortunately, the Rangers didn't take the bait. Great win. Now it's on to Carolina, and let's win there! Go Rangers!

Bobby Ryan?

Brooksie is now reporting that the Rangers have had preliminary talks with Anaheim about acquiring LW Bobby Ryan. Ryan's a good player and would help the Rangers right away, but the question is, as with any deal, what's he gonna cost? He's not an elite scorer, though he would be a good fit and does play for Team USA which the Rangers seem to LOVE. On the plus side he is just 24. The Rangers are currently cap strapped, so something on the big roster would have to be going back, but the prospects are the keys. Ryan has recently been placed on the third line for the Ducks, so the Ranger should not be paying a top 6 price. We'll see if there's a match, I don't want Kreider, Miller, Thomas, or McIlrath going the other way. And I don't really see Ryan as putting us over the top. I would; however, consider moving Dubi, who's a little inconsistent. Interesting idea. Go Rangers!

We've Seen This One Before

The Giants second half swoon. Ever since Plax shot himself, this has not been the same tough team they had been, and they fall apart most years. In fact, under Coughlin, three out of 4 DC's have been awful. Anyway, I hope it's the last time we see this. I have no idea who the new coach should be, but there should be one.

Hagelin Scores His First as Rangers Shutout Flyers

Man, was Hank good today in shutting out the Flyers. And you know what? So were the rest of the Rangers including goal scorers Brad Richards and Carl Hagelin. Good luck sending down that kid. He's brought speed, responsibility and a nice pair of hands to the big club, and they have been just what's been needed. Just a terrific weekend for the Rangers, and they may just need the right mix of what they already have to make a run. If they get Staal back, so much the better. Great weekend! Go Rangers!

Lockout Ends

If the new deal is ratified as expected, both Free Agency and training camps will open December 9th and the season will start on Christmas day. That's kind of like finally doing something you should and acting like it's a gift. Funny. But it is good to have the Knicks back. And, as always, they are surrounded by questions. Will they hire a GM? Can they sign anyone? Will they trade for CP3 or await his free agency? Will they go in another direction entirely and try to win now? Can Jordan come to America? And how will the rookies do?

Rangers Clobber Caps!

Ruslan Fedotenko scored twice, and Gaborik, Artie, Richards and Boyle added goals in a 6-3 stomping of the Capitols. Hank was hot early in a scoreless first, then the GAS line ignited in the second. Carl Hagelin picked up an assist and looked sharp in his first NHL. Now let's hope they bring the O tomorrow against Philly, splits are only good if you've lost to first half. They've won the first half and it's time to flog the Flyers. Go Rangers!

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

If the Giants and Rangers weren't coming off of losses, I would have hoisted a picture of one of them! Instead, it's a kid the Yanks should sign. They appear to be close to resigning Freddie Garcia. That's fine. I think they'll make some trades, but don't think they'll trade Jesus Montero. I think they will be in on Darvish. Go teams! And Go you guys!

Giants Lose

Once again, they seemed terribly unprepared for a home game. And it really does look like their annual second half collapse has begun. Same shit, different year. What's the definition of insanity again?

Seventh Heaven

Brad Richards came through with another game winning goal with less than 5 minutes left in the game to give the Rangers their eventual 4-2 win over the Islanders out on the Island. Avery and Eminger scored the first two Ranger goals, and Cally slapped in an empty netter to beat the horn at game's end. They killed a lot of penalties and continue to get mostly great goaltending from Hank. They have what would seem to be tougher game's ahead, but with Hank, they'll always have a chance and if the O continues to improve, they should win some of those tough ones. Go Rangers!

The GM Meetings

Tuesday will be the start of the annual GM meetings. Both these and the owners meetings which follow them set the agenda for the Winter Meetings that will take place in December. Nothing generally comes out of the meetings, though two years ago, the Curtis Granderson deal got started at the GM meetings. For his part, Cash is probably doing his annual price indexing for trades and free agents. Otherwise, things remain quiet on the Yankee front.

6 in a Row!

Brandon Dubinsky finally scored a goal as the Rangers used a 4 goal explosion in the third t bury Carolina 5-1. Avery got the Rangers going in the first with a skillsy goal. Then he also drew 2 penalties in the second and picked up an assist in the 3rd. Great game, for Aves. Gaborik also had a great game, but he didn't score! Cam Ward was playing out of his mind till the third, when goals by Girardi, Dubi, Cally and Richards turned this one into a laugher. Nice to see some of the other guys score after a week of all Gabby and Stepan. And nicer still that the team is firing on more and more cylinders. Let's make it 7! Go Rangers!

5 Straight

Marion Gaborik continued his comeback with two more goals tonight as the Rangers beat the Senators in Ottawa. The line of Gaborik, Stepan and Anisimov was on fire as the Stepan scored the other goal on a set-up from Artie. Funny, that we all expected Richards to spring Gabby, but it's Stepan. Keep it going, Rangers!

Big Target?

The Yanks have now had a whole contingent of their upper level evaluators look at Yoenis Cespedes, the latest Cuban slugger to defect looking to make it in MLB. There's a lot of tape of him on youtube, and his swing will remind you over Willie Mays with some Sammy Sosa mixed in. He looks like a great athlete in the field, the the Yanks would have to use him in right. He's reportedly 26, so he could probably make the big league club fairly soon. He has also displayed a pretty good .80 separation between BA and OBP over his Cuban career, so he's not a wild swinger. Let's see if the Yanks go hard.

4 in a Row!

Marty Biron got his first shutout in over 2 years, and Derek Stepan had a goal and two assists, as the Rangers beat the Jets 3-0! Gaborik had two more goals, one an empty netter, both on feeds from Step. Richards and MDZ set-up Step's goal. Great homestand after and inauspicious start last weekend. Stepan and MDZ are stepping up! Go Rangers!

ELIte, Nuff Said!

Eli Manning inadvertently created controversy earlier this year when he affirmatively answered a question as to whether he belonged in Brady's class among the league's elite. Well, he just answered it again, so everybody can now just accept it. Eli matched 4th quarter TD's with Brady and was once again on the winning end as the Giants beat the Pats 24-20 in Foxboro. Let the excuses flow. It was another physical game between the two, and the Giant nearly blew it a few times, but they did it, and they did it without Nicks, Bradshaw and Baas. Eli is having an MVP type season, though some other guys are as well. Gotta beat SF next week. Go Giants!

Rangers Beat Habs

In a crazy throwback game that saw all sorts of botched power plays and end to end action, the Rangers beat Montreal 5-3 on goals by Christiansen, Girardi, Del Zotto, Richards and Callahan (empty netter). Christiansen has really picked it up over this developing win streak. What's more, MDZ is starting to look like he could be special again. He scored on a beautiful backhander, and is solidly in plus territory for the year. The Rangers dominated the first period, 3-0. But the Habs scored to start the second and then scored again, before Brad Richards scored scored a huge goal to make it 4-2 with less than two minutes left in the second. The Canadiens scored late on a deflection to make if 4-3, but then Cally iced it with his empty netter. Stepan and Artie both had a pair of assists. Dubi continues to struggle. Keep it going, Rangers!

Rangers Win Shootout

Marian Gaborik scored the gamewinner in the shootout as the Rangers beat the Ducks at MSG, and got 2 points. It should have been a blowout, but the Rangers, as a team, have some baaad hands and couldn't connect on a bunch of great chances. Still, they stuck with it and got the win against a tough opponent. Maybe they're learning how. Oh, and they signed Stralman for 1 year, 900K. Career - defender. Oh well. Go Rangers!

Yanks Decline Option on Brackman

The Yankees have declined the option on former first round project Andrew Brackman. Though Brackman showed signs from time to time, he never became the dominant force he was expected to be by the Yanks. Needing TJ immediately upon signing messed up his clock. It wouldn't surprise me if he emerges as a good reliever somewhere at some point. The move opens up a spot on the 40. Cashman's new deal was also made official.