As Devils general manager Ray Shero prepares to make the franchise’s first No. 1 overall selection in the NHL draft on Friday night in Chicago, here is the question that sits before him: Nolan or Nico? That would be Nolan Patrick and Nico Hischier, the undisputed top two prospects with slightly different games. Though neither […]
Read MoreCHICAGO — It was hard for the Rangers to part ways with one of the core players from the most successful run in franchise history that didn’t include a Stanley Cup. But after seven years, the Blueshirts have moved on from Derek Stepan, trading him and backup goalie Antti Raanta to the Coyotes on Friday […]
Read MoreCHICAGO — A five-hour lunch in Bern, Switzerland, sealed the deal, allowing Devils general manager Ray Shero to feel comfortable enough with Nico Hischier to make him the franchise’s first No. 1-overall pick during Friday night’s NHL draft at United Center. If it was a surprise to anyone the Devils didn’t take the original consensus […]
Read MoreCHICAGO — This wasn’t just about sheer talent. Instead, the Rangers obtained a high pick in the first round of the NHL draft and got themselves a player who is as much about attitude as ability. With the No. 7-overall pick in the draft, obtained in a blockbuster trade with the Coyotes earlier in the […]
Read MoreThe last thing the Rangers should do and the last thing the Rangers intend to do is to leap head-first into the free-agent pool and dole out the kinds of long-term, big-money contracts to players on the wrong side of 26 years of age that have handcuffed this franchise the past two seasons. The temptation […]
Read MoreCHICAGO — There is no more hollow talk from the Islanders about trying to win now. Instead, they spent draft weekend making big moves and preparing themselves to make more in the coming days. General manager Garth Snow completed his second blockbuster trade on Saturday, sending heart-and-soul defenseman Travis Hamonic, along with a conditional fourth-round […]
Read MoreCHICAGO — Moments after Jaret Anderson-Dolan was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings, he hugged his mothers, Fran and Nancy. They cried a few tears as Anderson-Dolan made his way to the floor of the United Center for handshakes and congratulations from his new team. It was a slight variation on a familiar picture at […]
Read MoreCHICAGO — At least Jeff Gorton was self-aware of how these draft recaps go. “We always come here and tell you we got all our guys,” the Rangers general manager said Saturday at United Center after Rounds 2-7 were completed. “So that’s what I’m going to tell you.” His Blueshirts had two first-round picks Friday […]
Read MoreCHICAGO — Now that the NHL draft is over, the Rangers can focus internally, and that’s starting with a change in the coaching staff. First-year assistant Jeff Beukeboom will no longer hold that job next season, and all signs are pointing to veteran headman Lindy Ruff taking over the defensive responsibilities, if not more. Because […]
Read MoreI don’t believe Alain Vigneault should feel threatened by Lindy Ruff’s anticipated, if not imminent, addition to the coaching staff in place of Jeff Beukeboom, but it also would be silly not to infer Ruff would be next in line when a change at the top ultimately is made. It is always a matter of […]
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