Michael Sauer D (2008-2012)
NYR Week In Review
Welcome to New York Mika Zibanejad
Recently acquired Center Mika Zibanejad met with the media for the first time since coming to the Rangers in exchange for "fan favorite" Derick Brassard. Among the highlights Zibanejad let it be known that many of his new teammates including Dan Girardi, Ryan McDonagh, Kevin Hayes, JT Miller, Henrik Lundqvist and Marc Staal reached out via phone, text and email and in doing so has helped in the process of joining the Rangers. When asked about playing at the Garden he responded, "it was fun. You always look for that date when you are coming here. Playing in MSG, it's a fantastic atmosphere playing here. It doesn't seem to matter what team, it's always going to be packed and busy. It was tough, a team like the Rangers, it's easy to feed off the crowd and I think that is one of the things I am really looking forward to. It's a tough building to play in but a great atmosphere, can't wait to play on the home side."
Shattenkirk Expected to Remain in St. Louis
With constant rumors about Shattenkirk being moved around the draft, leading to Shattenkirk and his agents to believe that he would be moved even more so to the Rangers where he has been linked to many trade rumors including Winger Rick Nash. St. Louis GM Doug Armstrong said that he expects Kevin Shattenkirk to play this season in St. Louis and to have a good year with the Blues. Shattenkirk who is a UFA at the end of the 2016-2017 season has been rumored to want to play for the Rangers since he was born in Westchester and grew up as a Rangers Fan and would take a pay cut to join the team. Whether or not Shattenkirk heads to New York via a trade seems unlikely at this point but stranger things have happened. In our opinion any move made won't happen until the trade deadline at soonest depending on the Blues playoff situation at that point in the season. We wouldn't be surprised to see the Rangers make a run at Shattenkirk come the next free agency period.
Buchnevich NHL Debut is Much Anticipated by More than the Rangers
With Pavel Buchnevich's first NHL training camp on the horizon many descriptions of his game have been coming out including, "lightning quick hands", "subtle puck protection", "efficient skater" who has a "high degree of escapability" in small areas, His ability as a playmaker will "really explode" if he is able to find a chemistry match in the NHL, His passing at times can be "sublime" and at other times be maybe a bit too "adventurous" and "highly intelligent" and has "high-end skill." Showing that not only the Rangers and they're fans are awaiting big things for the new "Russian Rocket" but many at the NHL level have high hopes as well.
AHL and ECHL Affiliate Notes:
The New York Rangers announced that Keith McCambridge will replace Jeff Beukeboom on Ken Gernander's staff in Hartford. From the Rangers: "McCambridge, 42, joins the Rangers organization after serving the previous five seasons (2011-12 - 2015-16) as Head Coach of the Winnipeg Jets' AHL affiliate (St. John's IceCaps from 2011-12 - 2014-15 and Manitoba Moose in 2015-16). He posted a 179-158-23-20 record (wins-losses-overtime losses-shootout losses) during his five seasons as Head Coach of the IceCaps/Moose and guided the team to a playoff berth twice over the span."
McCambridge previously worked with Scott Anriel in 2009-10 when Arniel was the head coach of the Manitoba Moose of the AHL.
New Season, New Jerseys
Both AHL Hartford Wolf Pack and ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits have announced new uniforma for the upcoming 2016-2017 seasons. The Wolf Pack will don jerseys closely resembling the New York Rangers 2015 Stadium Series Jerseys with a Home dark blue, Road whites nad an alternate red 3rd jersey. Meanwhile the Swamp Rabbits unveiled a new white jersey that they will wear for the first half of the season at home and on the road during the second half.
