Hockey Trade Rumors

Boston.com is reporting that Paul Mara and his large contract may be on the outs in New York.

The Ny Daily News is reporting that Dave Scatchard may now be on the verge of signing a contract with the Rangers.

NorthJersey.com is reporting that the Rangers do not have enough talent on defense to win the cup.

Much has been made in recent days about the New York Rangers and their salary cap situation following 2 mega free agent signings of Chris Drury and Scott Gomez.

In an effort to clarify the situation for HTR’s loyal readers, I’ve taken the time to do some cap analysis for the Rangers.

Larry Brooks of the New York Post is reporting that the Rangers have not had serious negotiations with Michael Nylander, and his new agent Mike Gillis, and that the Swedish center appears poised to hit the free agent pool on July 1st.

The New York Rangers will be regarded by many as a preseason favorite in the Atlantic Division, and a top contender in the Eastern Conference. Their 2nd half of 2006-07 was amazing and if they are able to maintain that level of play into the new season, they have a great chance to make a deep run in the playoffs.

There are however tweaks that need to be made to the roster to ensure this happening.

Larry Brooks of the New York Post is reporting that Brendan Shanahan is wanting to play hockey again next year and has no doubts about where he wants to play, in New York as a Ranger.

The Rangers have proven once again that they are for real, blanking the Flyers 5-0 was only one of many recent signs of the Rangers return to respectability, many people wrote this team off when they were at 12th place and shanny got hurt, but the team defense has been great. The offense seems to have gotten better with the 7-0 Boston game and tonights game, also the physical side of the game, after Todd Fedoruk went after Colton Orr and Orr knocked him out, literally, it seems will be harder to push around Jagr now.

First of all it’s my first article so go easy guys. As we all know trade deadline is round the corner. Every year the Rangers try to atract big names to the big Apple. I think the Rangers already did that when the acquired SHANAHAN. So what’s left out there? Here’s a couple of guys I wouldn’t mind seeing in a Rangers uniform!

As you all know the New York Rangers were supposed to be one of the best teams in the NHL. I know it is still early, but if this team wants to be a Stanley Cup contender they definately need to have a better defense. The Rangers just had a three game road trip and it was good to see that Henrik Lundqvist was back at the top of his game. He played very well against Florida and Atlanta. He played a decent game against Washington but the Rangers could only manage to score one goal against Kolzig. But even though Lundqvist was back at his game some of the Rangers defenceman must go, whether it be a trade or they just release them. Two defenceman that must go are Michael Rozival and Marek Malik.

We have 8 d-men, none of which are performing greatly. We are also close to the cap. Who should stay? Who do we dump? What would you have as the combinations?

Combinations:

Kaspar/Ozo (if he can find his game he can be great for us)
Ward/Pock
Rozival/Tutin

Nearly halfway through the 2006-07 preseason schedule, the Rangers remain unbeaten after beating Florida 3-2 on Saturday night in the first NHL game ever played in Puerto Rico.

I am not going to guess on whether Leetch will sign with the Rangers or not, Maybe they will use Pock or Staal.

I would welcome Leetch into the lineup with open arms. I didn’t know Rozsival was hurt until I read it on TSN.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=178152&hubname=nhl