Staaling - Was that Brian Leetch. . .?

Commentary is actually pretty ironic, here. Say defense needs more shots. And Marc Staal steps up. His 3rd goal in 3 straight games. And what a beauty:

Staaling - Revenge Edition. . .

Now who doesn't love this goal by Marc Staal?! After Game 3 did not go as planned (the game winning goal for New Jersey going in courtesy Marc's skate), it was this Staal brother who got almost instant payback against Brodeur and the Devils in Game 4. Check it out:

Delayed Weekend Staaling. . .

Well since I essentially slept through three days of the weekend and missed individual Staaling segments, maybe this will count. A video with more than ONE Staal brother! In fact - you get all four! A funny video, for sure:




Sign Staal!!

Still Staaling. . .

No Marc signing = another video of my favorite Staal brother.



Now, I normally wouldn't post Devils broadcasts, but in this one, Chico somehow was gracious to the Rangers and complimentary of the play. (I know, I was suprised too). Enjoy Marc's first NHL goal. How awesome that it was against Brodeur. =)

When It's Been a Month Since You've Posted...

...you should probably get a new hobby! Or...realize it's summer.

A thousand apologies (and no one cares, I know), so I won't list excuses. I have every bit of hope, confidence, etc, that come the season I'll be in better state to update more frequently. Until then, it just may have been the busiest summer at work ever. I suddently got more responsibility, but that left little time for anything else, like sleeping, and breathing. I haven't listened to sports radio in 3 weeks!! (Falling apart slowly...) Wait, I know, I said no excuses. Anyway, I sincerely hope to and promise to be better.


___________________________

So today I was reading my copy of The Hockey News Yearbook. Vital because a) it rocks and b) there was so much random player movement, I'm going to need to keep that near me until December to keep straight all these 3rd and 4th liners and where they are.


Anyway - it's August 25th, just less than a month to pre-season hocke, and I'm saying now, before having seen anything, I think the Rangers would be hard-pressed to make the playoffs. Stranger things happen, and they sure do, but the Rangers - good, bad, or indifferent - have a much stronger East to compete with. They just do. That, and their own inconsistencies, may prove too much to handle.

But that, ladies and gentlemen, are why they play the games. Why we watch. And why we are fans.


Now, it's August 25th, and the NYRs still haven't signed Marc Staal. I know, I know, I'm sure it'll get worked out. But how good will I feel on that day when I open Twitter, or turn on XM radio, and find out my favorite current Blueshirt has re-signed with my favorite team? VERY VERY VERY HAPPY!

Why? Because I still think he's worth it. Seriously, even if you are a Dan Girardi fan, you can't tell me Marc Staal shouldn't be asking for more money than him? Right! By the NYRS giving Dan Girardi 3.325 million, Staal's price easily hopped up to $4 million at least. Easily.

But...what can you do? Me, nothing. Except wait and hope and, oh yeah, post fun Staal videos each day until he's signed!!

Here's a personal favorite:

Charity Call-Out - Pancreatic Cancer....

Mike Komisarek and I come from similar back-grounds in that we have similiar ethnic backgrounds, and have had close family members that have battled cancer. I can do no more and no less than to give support to his cause here:

http://www.pancreaticcancercanada.ca/2010_reg_info_form.html

Please support Pancreatic Cancer research.


More soon, more eventually...

Brief Thoughts Post Tums&Tylenol Day. . .

Yes, brief. Because no time whatsoever this morning...

The Good:

I like Biron. And I think if he and Benoit, les francophones, can be on the same page, that is a good thing for the team. He was an above average goalie.I think he can get back there. And he's a very good guy.

Christensen and Prospal returning. Prospal - due for a bad year in the good/year bad/year return, may just buck the trend because he's comfortable. And as I stated on Twitter yesterday, his bad is better than most of our teams good, so... As for Christensen - was I thrilled when he didn't take the first offer, no. Do I get it, yes. Kinda like Dubinsky...it's a situation,in my mind, where as a player you see the outrageous contracts the NYRs have handed out. You're smart enough to know you are not getting something outrageous. But if you aren't the guy making $7 million but you are the ONLY guy that seems to be able to play with your superstar Gaborik, I can kinda see why he'd want a little more $. I can. Glad they are back.

The Bad:

I don't want to try to pretend that the Boogaard thing bothers me like the Brashear thing did exactly one year ago. But...it isn't a good thing. To me, it's like you had Orr, that wasn't offensive, you got rid of him for Brashear, who was??, and paid him more. That worked splendidly. You have Shelley, who was more offensive than 95% of the team during the home stretch, who is a really good locker room guy (and in this locker room, yes that IS important), but you let him go to Philly to sign this guy from Minny - and at upwards of $1.6 a year! It feels to me like doing the same thing over and over and expecting the same result. Insanity?

The only benefit here is it's not insulting, like the Brashear move was. I have no problem with Boogaard as a player. I just think that on a team that overpays for players who have one or minimal roles, a guy that will not score, not contribute to that in any way, to pay him so much to defend Hank, may be a lot of money. We'll see how it goes. We have four years.


Around the League:

So upset Z. Michalek went to the Penguins. (Meanwhile as I groaned about the NYRs yesterday, adoptive team took a few body blows). One, because I do think he's a great player. Two, because we all know how I feel about Pittsburgh. They just got much better.

Nothing else surprised me too much. It'll take me til November to realize what goalie plays for what team - a yearly task in fun.

But before I go, a comment on Malhotra, who took a lot of heat for his contract in Vancouver. 3 years, 2.5ish per year, NMC. I'm with everyone, I don't get the no movement. (I mean I understand why Manny'd want it after being on his 3 team in 3 years. I don't know why they'd give it.)

But here's why I think the contract is more fair that people thing. He's not overly offensive, true (although I'd take 14 goals from anyone on my 3rd or 4th line)... but it's everything else. 60+% faceoff winning percentage. If this guy is not tops in the league, he's always top three. That makes whatever team he's on, top 5 in faceoffs in the league on a consistent basis. May not mean much to the Rangers, but on a normal team, that is vital. He's the guy taking defensive draws in important moments. He's the guy PKing. He's the guy that even though he played mostly 3rd and 4th line with Columbus, also played with Rick Nash during one of the better portions of his playing time two years ago. Last year, I think we saw how vital he was in San Jose. He was +17. He was durable. They looked to him.

Again, not the flashy look-at-me model, but the I get things done.

The NYRs are paying Drury $7.05 million a year to win less faceoffs, score just as many goals (14), and be just as effective a penalty killer. And for 5 years.

Is $2.5 for 3 years for someone so dependable really that outrageous?

This isn't a knock Drury fest. Again, he has intangibles, because goodness knows it isn't his speed or scoring abililty he's getting paid for.

But I think, in my opinion, Manny is just as valuable to his own team as Drury is here.

Just my thought.




*Heading out of computer range. No more blogs. Will follow weekend on Twitter. I hope that I read Kovalchuk goes out West. And that the NYRs have buttoned up Staal to a nice, fair offer.

Have a great holiday weekend everyone!