Chin-up Blueshirts Nation, we’re another week closer to Rangers training camp! While AV and co. haven’t made headlines in a couple weeks there’s been plenty of news items to quench our Blueshirt thirst. So let’s get into it with my latest “20 Thoughts”:
1. Apparently the Rangers goaltenders are hoping the superstition for a successful marriage is the same for a successful season:
Here’s something old:
The Rangers aging veteran goaltender Henrik Lundqvist is apparently recovering nicely from the knee injury he sustained during the World Championship earlier this offseason (via NHL.com)…
“I’ve been skating a few times now and I feel good,” Lundqvist said. “Obviously, I have some work ahead of me, but it’s a similar feeling. … When you step on the ice, that’s the time for me when I really ramp it up and increase the workload, and I enjoy that.”
2. Something new:
Top goaltending prospect Igor Shestyorkin is picking up where he left off last season. Which is a very good thing…
https://twitter.com/aj_ranger/status/895295147684003841
3. Something borrowed:
According to Expressen, Lundqvist’s old Swedish elite team Frolunda retained the services of their old goaltender during a recent practice. And wouldn’t you know it, the Rangers oldest Swedish player took the ice with the newest as “The King” joined 7th overall pick Lias Andersson, who’s now playing for Frolunda, at practice.
Lundqvist had this to say about Andersson’s chances of making the big club out of camp (via GP)…
“It will be fun to see him at the camp, I think. The door is open, but I have seen him far too little to know. I’ve heard a lot about him. It will be fun to get to know him.”
Or maybe it won’t be…
Lias Andersson scores a beautiful deke on Henrik Lundqvist… one smiles the other doesn't!
— Patrik Bexell (@Zeb_Habs) August 15, 2017
4. And finally, something blue:
Both Henrik Lundqvist and Ondřej Pavlec unveiled their new masks for the 2017-18 season…
NY Ranger goalie Ondrej Pavelec new mask —> pic.twitter.com/IcpE3xeXRp
— Allan Walsh (@walsha) August 11, 2017
5. Speaking of Pavlec, he already has something in common with Rangers fans as he was just as shocked as we were that the Blueshirts pushed to sign him so quickly in free agency (via ISport)…
“I was slightly shocked that it came so early. I expected to negotiate a contract later. I set the deadline of July 15, when I wanted to know where I was going to play, so I could get on with it. That came the very first day, I was surprised, even though I believed I could sign someone. “
6. Here’s your reminder that it’s the middle of August and Jaromir Jagr has yet to be signed by an NHL team…
7. One player who will likely be signed this week is Devils prospect C Alex Kerfoot (Harvard), who will hit free agency Wednesday, Aug. 16th unless he strikes an unlikely last minute deal with New Jersey. I’m not saying the Rangers enjoy stealing Boston area college players from other teams, but I wouldn’t be shocked if Jeff Gorton was spotted in a few Cambridge bars this last week…
8. Another player who’s headed out of town before putting on his team’s jersey is former Ranger Brendan Pirri as he apparently won’t be joining Kevin Klein in Switzerland. According to the Swiss Hockey News, Pirri says that the news of him joining the Swiss League’s ZSC Lions was false and he’ll be seeking an NHL tryout. Looking forward to seeing which team Pirri lights it up for in training camp then falls off the face of the earth once the regular season starts.
9. Hey look, Stepan in a Coyotes helmet…
.@DerekStepan21 is dad goals.
H/T @DaBeautyLeague https://t.co/OdaKoCSqJY
— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) August 9, 2017
10. You know what’ll make me feel better, seeing a photo of 21st overall pick Filip Chytil burying one just six minutes into his first game of the season…
11. So how does Chytil train in the offseason to be able to produce goals like that?
Morning practise with @filip_chytil pic.twitter.com/N66pEK1ukY
— Libor Chytil (@libor_chytil1) August 12, 2017
It’s sure as hell not from doing laps in that bird bath sized pool in the background that’s for sure.
12. Although, that would be better than yog…
God dammit Buch, will you get in the gym before AV persuades the front office to re-sign Tanner Glass because you’re not strong enough!!!!
13. Back to Chytil, not only do I love everything he’s doing on the ice, I’m enthralled with what he’s saying off it (via Hokej)…
“I want to play for the Rangers as soon as possible, either this or the next season.”
14. So how are the Rangers going to make up for the loss of Stepan’s production? Apparently McDonagh is ready to pick up the slack as he scored his third summer league goal…
Ryan McDonagh with a snipe for @TraditionCo !! 7-4!! @NYRangers pic.twitter.com/4EP5qCoDVz
— Da Beauty League (@DaBeautyLeague) August 14, 2017
Just thinking of McD paired with Shattenkirk has me all like…
15. So how did McD improve his offense this summer?
#NYR @RMcDonagh27 & @BradySkjei hit the streets of Minny for the #DriveBySlapShotChallenge. 👀 it here including play-by-play from them! 🏒🥅 https://t.co/eZ4Iair8bT
— x – New York Rangers (@NYRangers) August 14, 2017
16. For my anti-fighting readers, go get a snack then resume at “Thought” #17…
Watch @sammorril get a lesson in proper goon-manship, brought to you by @EnforceOrr.
People Talking Sports *And Other Stuff. 10P, tonight! pic.twitter.com/7wzQg5Kiwf
— MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) August 9, 2017
17. I know Kreider is blessed with the speed of a gazelle, but he needs to park his ass in front of the crease All. Year. Long.
Chart & research courtesy of Travis Yost at TSN.
18. My rap name:
19. Thoughts and prayers go out to Eddie Olczyk and his family as he begins his fight against colon cancer. I lost my mom to cancer a year and a half ago, so I know all too well that this disease is a bastard. Which is why I’ll be rooting for Eddie every step of the way.
20. And finally, The Hockey News attempts to predict the Rangers line-up in 2020…
So, I guess the Rangers aren’t going to draft or sign anyone over the course of the next four years, meanwhile the front office will apparently prioritize Puempel over Zuccarello and Shestyorkin will be working with the Trump administration to defeat next Democratic Presidential candidate.
If you want a good laugh, you can read the corresponding article at The Hockey News here.
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