Rangers land Ward

[Mel]

I love this!

In 2 days my team acquires two good character players fresh off a stanley cup win.

Ward is big, he's a big shot blocker and just has a good all around game. He's a shade old at 33 but beggars can't be choosers. I much prefer this to getting Chara at 8 million as was speculated....

With the new direction the Rangers took last year.... Cullen and Ward should fit into Renney's system perfectly. They are both disciplined and responsible, which is exactly what Renney is trying to build.

These are the types of players I was hoping could come in to basically squeeze out the borderline guys who were just not that good last year.

The Rangers haven't made much noise this off-season (yet). But these guys are going to make them a better team, and more consistent and more poised. They have winning playoff experience.

They also just resigned Straka.

With the addition of Ward, and if Marc Staal makes the NHL this fall... the Rangers defense is going to be 100% than last year. They also conitnued to address defense with their first pick last week, taking Bobby Sanguinetti of the Owen Sound Attack - a local kid who grew up idolizing Brian Leetch.

The scoop on him is that he is potentially a Leetch-like offensive defenseman, with good vision who can move the puck and create offense. A nice complement to the more defensively oriented Staal.

It seems that the Rangers really are intent on building a winner from within. It's refreshing for the fans to see, (even if it takes longer than New Yorkers like to wait :))

EDIT: There has also been some rumbling that Brian Leetch could wind up back with the Rangers to finish his career. In a normal season, I would say he's too old and washed up... but he could make a fine PP point man for a year or two while the younger kids develop. It would also be wildly popular with the fans, as Brian is the most beloved Ranger in the modern era - even more so than Messier in some respects... because he was drafted a Ranger and won the Conn Smythe in 94.

[KB in Kelowna]

Wow the Rangers sign character guys who fit thier systems as opposed to big names for big bucks, this is the new NHL. Would be nice to see Leetch back on broadway for one last kick.

[krypt1968]

I love this!
With the addition of Ward, and if Marc Staal makes the NHL this fall... the Rangers defense is going to be 100% than last year. They also conitnued to address defense with their first pick last week, taking Bobby Sanguinetti of the Owen Sound Attack - a local kid who grew up idolizing Brian Leetch.

The scoop on him is that he is potentially a Leetch-like offensive defenseman, with good vision who can move the puck and create offense. A nice complement to the more defensively oriented Staal.

It seems that the Rangers really are intent on building a winner from within. It's refreshing for the fans to see, (even if it takes longer than New Yorkers like to wait :))

EDIT: There has also been some rumbling that Brian Leetch could wind up back with the Rangers to finish his career. In a normal season, I would say he's too old and washed up... but he could make a fine PP point man for a year or two while the younger kids develop. It would also be wildly popular with the fans, as Brian is the most beloved Ranger in the modern era - even more so than Messier in some respects... because he was drafted a Ranger and won the Conn Smythe in 94.

I like the ward signing only now cause 10 of them i would have prefered over him were signed already. still though looking at this signing for under 3 mill per and 3 cups to his credit i guess its an ok deal.

as for leetch id take him back with open arms, we still need a point guy and a pp qb and if healthy he still has much steam left for more NHL seasons and not to mention i herd he is off grandmas cough syrup the stuff he was on when he fell down the stairs that time and got injured. long time ago.

[Amoroq]

I had to do a double take at the topic, I thought it said "Ranger lands Wad" I'm thinking did Ron Greschner and his porn star looks make a return to MSG?



LOL, anyway, this is a great pick up by the rags.

The thing I'm going to miss most is showering with 23 guys naked

[TimmyTabasco]

The thing I'm going to miss most is showering with 23 guys naked

Alright...:eek:

Doesnt surprise me..not at all :D

[krypt1968]

I had to do a double take at the topic, I thought it said "Ranger lands Wad" I'm thinking did Ron Greschner and his porn star looks make a return to MSG?



LOL, anyway, this is a great pick up by the rags.

Ron Gresschner = porn star :laughing:

i wonder if he will make an encore apperance at the rangers legends game then if they have one.

[Mel]

I like the ward signing only now cause 10 of them i would have prefered over him were signed already. still though looking at this signing for under 3 mill per and 3 cups to his credit i guess its an ok deal.


I hear you... I wanted Chara badly. I'm not pretending Ward was on my wish list prior to July 1.

However, when you look at our D from last season... Ward is a most welcome addition, and so is Cullen. Let's face it we had guys playing last year who really should have been in Hartford. This is the kind of depth we need to get to the next level.

As for Leetch, I have heard that he will never return to NYR as long as glen Sather is still here - he's still holding a grudge about getting traded after 16 seasons... but that's hearsay and time has passed since then... if he gets an offer I could see Leetch having another go or two on Broadway to finish out his career.

He's nowhere near worth as much as he used to be... but he is still, even past his prime, good enough to step in and lead this defense. (as long as he comes cheap)

[krypt1968]

Yes mel exactly my thought on leetch but we know he is past his prime but still beter then half the defensman in the league and i would take him back even more for the leadership he could say give to staal and tyutin.

BTW how would you like to add a guy like shanahan? yes old but still scored 40 goals and add cups and his leadership i think he could help if givin a 2 year deal.

we could have 3 great lines and were still roughly about 10-12 mill under the cap.

i know we need to resign sykora and maybe rucinsky.

we can add all 3 players i think and be right there at the cap limit.

some of these kids might be ready and some still need more time in hartford. so 1 and 2 year deals is the way to go for the time being.

just my thoughts.

[Mel]

Yes mel exactly my thought on leetch but we know he is past his prime but still beter then half the defensman in the league and i would take him back even more for the leadership he could say give to staal and tyutin.

BTW how would you like to add a guy like shanahan? yes old but still scored 40 goals and add cups and his leadership i think he could help if givin a 2 year deal.

we could have 3 great lines and were still roughly about 10-12 mill under the cap.

i know we need to resign sykora and maybe rucinsky.

we can add all 3 players i think and be right there at the cap limit.

some of these kids might be ready and some still need more time in hartford. so 1 and 2 year deals is the way to go for the time being.

just my thoughts.

An older guy like Shanahan would a good asset to help bring some of these kids along.... but that's how you have to look at it, you're not necessarily bringing in a guy like that to win a cup this year - as was summer ritual for Ranger teams in the past. For that reason I don't see the Rangers paying the top dollar that Shanny will be seeking.

But you never know, we lost Rucchin (who honestly didn't seem to provide the type of leadership that was needed from him) and no high dollar contracts were thrown at a defenseman like everyone thought.... so there may be surprise acquistions yet to come.

On a side note... I read the Rangers signed Karel Rachunek - the same guy who abandoned the team last year to go play in Russia. I wonder if they stipulated in the contract that Rachunek must play in the NHL to get paid :rolleyes:

[krypt1968]

Karel Rachunek I remember him a few games as looking decent. glad he is back but he is gona have to prove he belongs on the club. maybe he will suprise us.

[Madferret]

Rachunek is a bum.

[Newfie John]

Rachunek is a bum.

Quoted for emphasis.

[Mel]

Quoted for emphasis.

I agree 100%. The Rangers traded for him (Devries I believe) and he played a few games.


then after the lockout, he gave a big middle finger to the Rangers and played the year in russia - while still under contract to the NYR.

I pretty much hated him for that which is why I was really surprised they re-signed him.... there must have been a lot of talk and reasurrances about Karel wanting to be a Ranger. Knowing the garden faithful - he will still get boo'ed like crazy if/when he returns.

But if he produces, he'll be forgiven real quick - that's sports.