NYR TODAY SUN 8/7: Alumni Birthday, Week in Review

NYR Alumni Birthday 8/7: 
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.

New Ranger Mika Zibanejad meets the New York Media

New Rangers center Mika Zibanejad met with reporters in New York on Friday and discussed a variety of topics surrounding his recent trade to the Blueshirts. Here are some of the highlights of what the 23 year-old Zibanejad had to say.

• How different is this for you, "a little different but it's exciting. A new chapter in my career and I am just really excited."
• On settling in, "the first couple of days, first week was hard to get used to. I was still in Ottawa and nothing that I was expecting but now that I have been here a couple of days, it's fun. It's fun to see what the city has to offer and the team and the organization."
• On his house in Ottawa, "we finished that, we lived in it a couple of weeks and we get to go back now and be there for August and then come back in September again."
• What are you going to do with it, "I don't know yet, we will see. That is a question we need to solve in the next month and go from there."
• Do you know Brassard, "not well. I have known him, he has been in Ottawa and skating and training and skating together, but not buddies I guess. I would say that I know him just saying hi."
• On the Sens saying they got the better player in the trade, "I guess they wouldn't make that trade if they didn't think so. In my mind, he is a real good player and doing great things in New York and for me it's just focusing on more proving the Rangers right than Ottawa wrong. I am just really excited for this opportunity and looking forward to it."
• Where are you in your career, "I feel and am expecting the same things as last year but better. I am a big guy down the middle and try to do the little things right, the details and pass, shoot. Try and be as all around as possible. As far as where I'm at at this stage in my career, the level I am at right now, I want to take the next step and I want that to be a big jump. I am trying to go step by step but I think I'm waiting and people have been waiting form y breakout year and that is what I am hoping for and working towards to have. I feel like at this stage in my career I am ready for that as well."
• On filling Brassard's role, "we are similar but different players. We can bring different elements to the team and I am focusing on what I can do to help the team to be as successful as possible as well as individual. He was a big part of it so stepping into that role, just try and do it as well as I can and do it my way."
• On the roster, "I've been looking at the roster and going through the guys and it's hard to say what the coach wants and the vision. Really talented forwards and I feel that wherever I play it's going to be good hopefully, and hopefully get the time in training camp to work on chemistry and work on the system together. I am excited for whomever I am going to play with."
• What do you know of AV's system, "I don't know too, too much. I have been talking to him and some assistant coaches as well as far as the system. I like to review that before I get here so that I have some knowledge and that when I come here I will have some background thoughts. It's a fast team and I feel like I can play that game and I am hoping I will fit where they put me and where they want me to play."
• What would a breakout year mean, "I think point wise you want to get higher every season, I have been improving that, but just more consistency in my game and with that consistency the points will come. I think it's more for me a mindset of not worrying about who I am playing against or the other way around, to be more of a threat and the other teams know that I am out there and be a big presence and that is kind of what my definition of that is."
• Have you heard from teammates, "Right away I think that I got 5-6 guys that messaged me and emailed me and called me. They have been really good and welcoming me. A lot of the guys are saying the same thing and that I will love it here, New York is New York and you can't get much better than this. Being from Stockholm, a city as well, going back to that will be nice. It's a change from Ottawa and little bit busier but I like that."
• Will you rent in the city, "We will see. I am working on moving that house here somewhere, I don't know if that is possible. We are looking right now and looked yesterday and looked today as far as a place and where to live."
• Who reached out, "Girardi did, McDonagh did, Hayes, JT, Lundqvist, Staal did. It was a couple of guys. I can't remember them all now but quite a few guys did and obviously it makes it more comforting and helps the process of a new team before you even meet them. Guys in this league are really good about taking you in and making you feel welcome right away."
• Did you have any previous relationships, "not really. I played against JT since under 17 and I know I bumped into him at under 20 when we had our preseason tournament in Lake Placid. I know him probably the best of all the guys, but I met the Swedes as well and that is always comforting to have one or a couple of Swedes help you out a little bit."
• On playing at the Garden, "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."
• Can the team make another run, "I think so. I am really excited for this team that we have and the guys and the core group that have been going far are still here. It's a fun group to be part of and fun to have that goal and mindset not just to make the playoffs but go far and aim for the Cup. It's going to be exciting."
• On special teams, "I played a lot in Ottawa and our special teams were up and down, PK wasn't great. Our PP was up and down and we had times we worked really well and times we didn't. For me, the times that didn't go well are a learning experience and the things that I take with me. You need to get out of slumps and at times we did and at times we didn't. I am hoping to bring what I had there and improve on it. Obviously as a young guy you want to improve on it. It's going to be interesting where I fit in and what thoughts they have for me."
• You didn't see it happening, "it's nothing that I counted on, obviously. That is why it took me like a week to figure it out or, not accept it, but figure out what has been happening but it's one of those things that can happen and if it does it's a great team to come to."

More highlights from the Press Conference via NY Rangers:

"Playing in Madison Square Garden, it's always been a fantastic atmosphere every time I've played there. It doesn't seem to matter what team you are playing against, the crowd is always into it. It was tough, but real easy to feed off the crowd. That's one of the things I am really looking forward to. I can't wait to play on the home side there."

"I'm really excited for this team we have right now, the guys that we have, the core group of guys that have gone far (in the playoffs) in the past. It's going to be fun to be a part of. It's going to be fun to have that goal, that mindset, of not just making the playoffs, but to go far. It's going to be exciting."

"It's a fast team, and I feel like I can play that game. I'm hoping I'll fit wherever they put me and whatever way they want me to play."

"My points have gotten higher every season, and I want that again--my goals, my assists, to go up; but I want more consistency in my game, and with more consistency in my game the points should come. I think for me it's more of a mindset of, last year it was having that guy come at me, now I want it to be the other way around, to be more of a threat, make other teams know that I am out there, be a big presence."

NYR TODAY FRI 8/5: Affiliate Notes, Alumni Birthdays

Rangers Affiliates Wolf Pack and Swamp Rabbits Unveil New Jerseys for 2016-2017
At a recent "Town Hall" Meeting the Hartford Wolf Pack showed off their new jerseys for the 2016-2017 AHL Season. The Home and Road Jerseys are reminiscent of the New York Rangers 2014 Stadium Series jerseys. An additional Alternate Red jersey has been added as well.

Meanwhile in Greenville the Swamp Rabbits unveiled a new wite jersey which will be worn for the first half of the season at home and on the road for the second half of the ECHL 2016-2017 Season.

NYR Alumni Birthday 8/5: 
Gord Davidson D (1942-1944) Jack McCartan G (1959-1960) Mike Siltala RW (1986-1988) Dale Weise RW (2010-2011)

NYR TODAY THURS 8/4 Pack Hire New Assistant, Kovacs, Alumni Birthday, TDINYRH

FORMER ICE CAPS COACH TAKES POSITION IN HARTFORD

The Rangers have 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.

RANGERS PROSPECT TO PLAY IN NORTH AMERICA 

Robin Kovacs will be playing in North America this season according to Rogle GM Anders Carlsson. Rogle had loaned Kovacs to AIK where he played last season and had 21 goals and 13 assists.

It was mentioned to him that the Rangers could still loan Kovacs back to Rogle for this season and responded by saying "we'll see when that day comes."










NYR Alumni Birthday 8/4: 
Neil Colville C (1935-1942) Coach (1950-1951)

Today in NYR History August 4, 2000: 

Rangers acquire Sandy McCarthy and a conditional draft pick in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Darren Langdon and Rob DiMaio.

NYR TODAY: Alumni Birthdays 8/3

Marcel Dionne C (1986-1989) Sandis Ozolinsh D (2005-2007) Dominic Moore (2003-04,2013-16)

NYR TODAY TUES 8/2: Rangers Prospects, Alumni Birthdays, TDINYRH

RANGERS PROSPECTS RANKINGS
The Score has the Rangers listed at 25 in a ranking of the 30 NHL farm systems. Noting that Pavel Buchnevich and Brady Skjei would be the Rangers "best bets" for making the team this season but that their prospect pool is "shallow."
Previously ranked at number 30 in the spring by The Hockey News, the Rangers could have prospects including Ryan Gropp, Robin Kovacs, Adam Chapie, Boo Nieves, Steven Fogarty, Malte Stromwall and Michael Paliotta all playing for the Wolf Pack this season.

NYR Alumni Birthdays 8/2: 
Tony Amonte RW (1991-1994) Dave Balon LW (1959-63,1968-71) Ollie Reinikka C (1926-1927)

Today in NYR History August 2, 2005: 

Rangers sign free agent left wing Martin Straka and defenseman Marek Malik as free agents.

NYR TODAY MON 8/1: Alumni Birthdays, TDINYRH

NYR Alumni Birthdays 8/1: 
Syl Apps Jr. C (1970-1971) Benoit Dusablon C (2003-2004) Dave Farrish D (1976-1979) Richard Scott RW (2001-02,2003-04) Anton Stralman D (2011-2014)

Today in NYR History August 1, 1961: 

Rangers call up Rod Gilbert from Guelph and sign him to his first NHL contract.