In my 'hockey' opinion...
It should be Jaromir Jagr who could get the honors of being the first European born captain to raise the Stanley Cup.
Instead, one of the headlines for this years' final is that Nicklas Lidstrom can make hockey history if he were to win the cup. Lidstrom is a Swede and clearly an All -Star, but lets all be honest and agree that Jagr is the greatest European born player in the NHL. Numbers don't lie my friend. Jagr has the most points of any European player. Regardless of the fact that Lidstrom is a defenseman and Jagr is a forward, I don't think you can compare the two when you consider the teams the two have played for.
Jagr carries the team that he is on (although one might argue against that in DC), and has been the leading point getter on his team for the last few years. The supporting cast that he has had hasn't wavered his point production either (see 05-06 roster). Jagr will never get the credit of being a "Messier -like" captain (although who could ever be Mess?), so some of you might feel as though Jagr shouldn't get this honor- but why Lidstrom?
Lidstrom has been part of the Red Wings team since the 91-92 season. To name all the All -Stars that have littered their rosters since that season could be endless, from Yzerman to Shanahan and Datsyuk to Zetterberg. I won't ignore the fact that Lidstrom is a hell of a defenseman on his own, but with a supporting cast like he has had over the years in Detroit, wouldn't you expect his numbers too?
To make my point a little more clear: Who thinks Pascal Dupuis would have the same amount of points this post season playing on a line WITHOUT Crosby? No way in hell...
Just putting some things in perspective for you- feel free to discuss your thoughts on the topic & who you will pulling for in the Cup Finals...
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Common Sight...
That's right- Mark Messier with the Stanley Cup.
CBC's contest, Bring Home the Cup, drew videos from fans all over Canada expressing how much they loved hockey for a chance to bring the Stanley Cup to their hometown. Adam Bourque's video was voted the best and he had the day of his life with the Cup and Mark Messier in Summerside. Bourque, who has a neurological disorder and hasn't been able to speak since he was 13, was part of the Special Olympic Floor Hockey team that won gold in 2004.
Bourque was greeted by over 2,000 fans from Summerside as he did some victory laps with the cup at a local arena. Messier later toured the trophy throughout the town in a convertible on his way to Bourque's house to watch the Stars-Detroit game Saturday afternoon. Before the game started however, Messier was quick to join Bourque and his friends in a street hockey game.
Do you need more reasons as to why Mark Messier is such a great role model for today's players?
UPDATE*Want to catch Messier on TV? He will be on Versus for games 1 and 2 of the finals working as a studio analyst.
CBC's contest, Bring Home the Cup, drew videos from fans all over Canada expressing how much they loved hockey for a chance to bring the Stanley Cup to their hometown. Adam Bourque's video was voted the best and he had the day of his life with the Cup and Mark Messier in Summerside. Bourque, who has a neurological disorder and hasn't been able to speak since he was 13, was part of the Special Olympic Floor Hockey team that won gold in 2004.
Bourque was greeted by over 2,000 fans from Summerside as he did some victory laps with the cup at a local arena. Messier later toured the trophy throughout the town in a convertible on his way to Bourque's house to watch the Stars-Detroit game Saturday afternoon. Before the game started however, Messier was quick to join Bourque and his friends in a street hockey game.
Do you need more reasons as to why Mark Messier is such a great role model for today's players?
UPDATE*Want to catch Messier on TV? He will be on Versus for games 1 and 2 of the finals working as a studio analyst.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Will He Stay or Will He Go?
First up on the off season game plan is NYR's Captain, Jaromir Jagr.
Since Jagr failed to hit the qualifiers that would trigger his option for the 08-09 season, he will become a free agent on July 1st. It should be noted that this will be the first time Jagr will choose where he wants to play- he was drafted by the Penguins, then traded to the Capitals and then signed a contract extension there that was later picked up by the Rangers when he was traded to NY. And this year Jagr has plenty of options to consider when making his decision.
He has stated that the Rangers would be his number one option since he "doesn't like change" Glen Sather has openly said he wants to bring Jagr back for next season, but the problem is if Jagr would accept a lower contract or one comprised of bonuses. (Jagr's previous contract of over $8 million was half payed by the Washington Capitals.)
The other option includes returning to Omsk of the Russian Super League where he played during the lockout and also won a Championship. Jagr has expressed his desire to one day return to Russia, and he did admit to having a dinner with team managers from Omsk during the past season.
And finally, Jagr has also stated that in two years time he would like to return to his native Czech Republic to play for his father's team. Jagr's father is opening a new arena in that time and has asked Jaromir to play for him during the opening season. This would mean that Jagr would not want to sign any contract longer for two years, but in his exit interview he did mention that his father could wait another year or so depending on what happens.
Where Jagr will go next year, anyone knows... Jagr himself probably doesn't know right now.
What are your thoughts on the 08-09 season of Jaromir Jagr?
Since Jagr failed to hit the qualifiers that would trigger his option for the 08-09 season, he will become a free agent on July 1st. It should be noted that this will be the first time Jagr will choose where he wants to play- he was drafted by the Penguins, then traded to the Capitals and then signed a contract extension there that was later picked up by the Rangers when he was traded to NY. And this year Jagr has plenty of options to consider when making his decision.
He has stated that the Rangers would be his number one option since he "doesn't like change" Glen Sather has openly said he wants to bring Jagr back for next season, but the problem is if Jagr would accept a lower contract or one comprised of bonuses. (Jagr's previous contract of over $8 million was half payed by the Washington Capitals.)
The other option includes returning to Omsk of the Russian Super League where he played during the lockout and also won a Championship. Jagr has expressed his desire to one day return to Russia, and he did admit to having a dinner with team managers from Omsk during the past season.
And finally, Jagr has also stated that in two years time he would like to return to his native Czech Republic to play for his father's team. Jagr's father is opening a new arena in that time and has asked Jaromir to play for him during the opening season. This would mean that Jagr would not want to sign any contract longer for two years, but in his exit interview he did mention that his father could wait another year or so depending on what happens.
Where Jagr will go next year, anyone knows... Jagr himself probably doesn't know right now.
What are your thoughts on the 08-09 season of Jaromir Jagr?
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Tyutin Wins Gold
Fedor Tyutin won gold this afternoon at the World Championships for his native country, Russia.
Canada was leading Russia 4-2 after two periods, but could not hold on to the lead- and NYR's own Fedor Tyutin was part of the comeback, assisting on the third goal by Tereschenko. This was Tyutin's first point of the tournament and he was a +1 although he only had 10:43 TOI. Ilya Kovalchuk of the Atlanta Thrashers eventually scored the OT winner on the PP after he also scored to tie the game at 4-4.
This is Tyutin's third gold medal after having also won gold for Russia at the World Juniors in '02 and '03.
There were no Rangers on the Canadian roster.
Canada was leading Russia 4-2 after two periods, but could not hold on to the lead- and NYR's own Fedor Tyutin was part of the comeback, assisting on the third goal by Tereschenko. This was Tyutin's first point of the tournament and he was a +1 although he only had 10:43 TOI. Ilya Kovalchuk of the Atlanta Thrashers eventually scored the OT winner on the PP after he also scored to tie the game at 4-4.
This is Tyutin's third gold medal after having also won gold for Russia at the World Juniors in '02 and '03.
There were no Rangers on the Canadian roster.
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And even during these grueling days of the offseason, we will keep you up to date on the comings and goings of the New York Rangers in the US, Canada and even Europe!
Feel free to comment on what you'd like to see discussed about the Rangers and stay tuned for our first "official" post!
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