The Spark Ignites!

Sean Avery has returned to the New York Rangers as he was claimed off waivers by his former team. Avery is a huge help to the Rangers and this should greatly help the Rangers as they attempt to maintain a playoff spot and make a run in the playoffs.

Avery is the heart and soul of the team. He provides a great spark. There is just one difference this time around. The spark may not just be on the ice.

Earlier in the season, Tortorella called Avery "an embarrassment to the game." So Avery and Tortorella may not get along so well and Tortorella may not want to use Avery the way us Ranger fans want him to be used and how he has been used in the past. Tortorella is not a fan of Avery's "nonsense." Ranger fans know he needs to be on the ice as much as possible and he needs to get in the heads of the other players.

So we know Avery ignites a spark on the ice, we just need to hope that Tortorella chooses to continue that and also hope that that spark does not carry over into the locker room.

But for right now, this was huge for the Rangers and greatly needed.

It could be argued if Avery was a Ranger prior to the firing of Tom Renney, Tom Renney may still be the coach.

Oh well.



Mark Elliot Wishnia <---------------------------CLICK!
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Jets Land Bart Scott / Lito Sheppard

The New York Jets may not have a QB but they are adding strength elsewhere, especially their defense. The Jets have added Bart Scott to their group of linebackers to a 5 year 42 million dollar deal. Rex Ryan will know how to coach Scott and he also adds a lot of depth to the Jets linebacking core. Good signing.

The Jets went further and also acquired Lito Sheppard. That is huge. Sheppard is an incredibly talented defensive back. The Jets had to give up just a 5th round pick for him and a conditional pick. Essentially this is a one-year tryout with the Jets. Sheppard will receive $3 million in 2009 - his scheduled salary - but he's due a $10 million option bonus on the fifth day of the 2010 league year. That should force a re-negotiation or release, which will get Sheppard on the free agent market like he wants.

But he should perform well with the Jets and as long as he is cooperative, they can sign a little extension after the 2009 season.

An excellent last couple of days for the Jets.

Now they need a QB...




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Giants Land Michael Boley

The New York Giants have signed Linebacker Michael Boley to a 5 year deal worth 25 million dollars. This was a great signing for the Giants as even with their strong defense, their Linebacking core was always one of the weaker links. The Giants defense should be a good fit for Boley.

So with Pierce in the middle and Boley and possibly Kiwanuka on the ends along with Umenyiora back up front with Justin Tuck, the Giants can still hold their title as one of the best defenses in the league.

Hopefully Bill Sheridan can keep everything together.


Well John Tortorella has received his first win as a Ranger. Of course, the common theme continues. When Drury and Gomez both score, the Rangers win. But they were not the only two to score. Naslund, Zherdev, Callahan, and Prucha also received goals in the 6-1 win over the Avalanche at Madison Square Garden.

All the Rangers that fans love and want to score did in fact score. We all of Prucha, Callahan, Gomez, Drury, and Zherdev. Naslund is whatever but in the end it was a much needed win and a big win.

Hopefully this gives the Rangers some momentum moving forward. Lundqvist had another outstanding day allowing just 1 goal.

Lundqvist should be incredibly angry with the team but after tonight, he should be very happy. This was a textbook game. Lundqvist is a great goalie. One of the best in the league and even with all the losses Lundqvist has shown that. The Rangers have a lot of offensive talent, and scoring 6 goals every so often should not be out of their reach.

Good Job boys.




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Big Win for the Rangers

Well John Tortorella has received his first win as a Ranger. Of course, the common theme continues. When Drury and Gomez both score, the Rangers win. But they were not the only two to score. Naslund, Zherdev, Callahan, and Prucha also received goals in the 6-1 win over the Avalanche at Madison Square Garden.

All the Rangers that fans love and want to score did in fact score. We all of Prucha, Callahan, Gomez, Drury, and Zherdev. Naslund is whatever but in the end it was a much needed win and a big win.

Hopefully this gives the Rangers some momentum moving forward. Lundqvist had another outstanding day allowing just 1 goal.

Lundqvist should be incredibly angry with the team but after tonight, he should be very happy. This was a textbook game. Lundqvist is a great goalie. One of the best in the league and even with all the losses Lundqvist has shown that. The Rangers have a lot of offensive talent, and scoring 6 goals every so often should not be out of their reach.

Good Job boys.




Mark Elliot Wishnia <---------------------------CLICK!
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Tortorella... 2 games, 2 losses, 2 goals

Ok so ummmm this offensive minded coach in John Tortorella is not really working. Maybe the coach was not the problem. It is clearly not a wake up call. And this can't make Tom Renney any madder. This team is still this 1 goal scoring team per game and they continue to lose and the firing seems pointless.

Yes it is only 2 games but come on. Time to wake up. Time to play some hockey!

Naslund scored the goal for the Rangers this time. Where are the offensive weapons?!?! Drury, Gomez, Dubinsky. Where are they?!?!!?

You can't ask for better goaltending performances. It is not fair. Giving up 2 goals night after night should lead to wins!

At this rate, the Rangers have zero chance of making the playoffs.

Pathetic.


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Tortorella... 1 game, 1 goal, 1 point, 1 loss

John Tortorella in his first game as Rangers head coach in 2009 could not produce more offense than Tom Renney. Tortorella who was supposed to help the Rangers offense, and who has a style that is supposed to fit Drury and Gomez well, failed in his first attempt as the Rangers fell to the Maple Leafs in a shootout. The game went to overtime tied at 1. Of course, the Rangers 1 goal was scored by defensemen Wade Redden. How Ironic.

The Rangers' wake up call went unheard. Better luck next time.

ugh.




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Tattoo Removal

It looks as though the long saga is finally over. Stephon Marbury and the Knicks have agreed on a buyout, meaning Marbury is free to sign with any team. In fact, word on the street is that Steph has already committed to signing with the Boston Celtics.

Knicks fans can now rejoice, as every team that Stephon has ever left has gotten better. The Minnesota Timberwolves reached the Western Conference finals post-Stephon. The Nets were back to back NBA finalists A.M. (After Marbury), and the Phoenix Suns increased their win total by about a billion after Stephon's dismissal. So yes Virginia, there may be better times ahead for the New York Knicks.

Celtics fans? They may want to duck, as the biggest question regarding the franchise killer might be how to change that tattoo on his head, as 3 and 33 are retired by the club.

(But imagine if Stephon actually hits a buzzer beater to put the Celtics in the finals for the second straight season ... that would be enough to drive a Knicks fan to drink, or perhaps consider hurling himself off a bridge.)

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Renney Fired!

Well I have been calling for drastic changes and here it is. Tom Renney, the head coach of the Rangers has been fired. Assistant coach Perry Pearn was fired right along with him. Hopefully this will be a wake up call for the Rangers. Mike Pelino and Benoit Allaire will remain on the coaching staff.

We will see who the Rangers name as the next head coach.

TIME TO WAKE UP RANGERS!



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Knicks Newbies Not Impressive

Chris Wilcox and Larry Hughes got their first action for the Knicks against the Toronto Raptors. As both players are trying to get into game shape and fit themselves into Mike D'Antoni's fast paced offense, both players combined for just 8 points. Wilcox scored 5 and Hughes scored 3.

The Knicks did not give up much to acquire these players so we will just wait and see if they can make an adjustment. Not a great debut though. The Knicks gave up Malik Rose, Tim Thomas, and Jerome James for the couple of players.



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Jeter Sore Hamstring Could Mean More Than You Think

Derek Jeter is sitting out of spring training for a little while with a sore hamstring. No big deal right? Well normally I would agree. And there certainly is a great chance this is no big deal. Most likely, Jeter's hamstring will heal, no longer, be sore and Jeter will again be up and about playing baseball at 100%.

But let us think for a second. Jeter has of course been injured before but it was injuries like the dislocated shoulder which occurred from a slide into third base.

But when was the last time Derek Jeter had a hamstring injury? Well as far as I can remember, and I could be wrong, the answer is never. Jeter has never had an injury like this. So what does it mean? Well I think that Jeter is getting older. And Jeter is getting older. That is how the world works. You get one year older every year.

This sore hamstring could possibly mean that Jeter's body can no longer handle the day to day baseball activities as well as it used to be able to. Yankee fans must hope that more hamstring injuries do not come and that this does not mean that Derek Jeter's body is starting to break down due to old age.

Just something to ponder.....


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Rangers... Tisk Tisk Tisk

The Rangers continue to struggle. After a win against the Islanders in dead last, the Rangers continue to struggle scoring as they lost to the Sabres 4-2 and then the Maple Leafs 3-2 the next night in overtime. Bathgate/Howell night was not inspiring enough to lead the Rangers to a win against the Maple Leafs. The late game tying goal with under a minute left in the third period, did not give them any momentum either as the Rangers did fall to a short handed 4 on 3 in overtime.

The Rangers continue to be incredibly pathetic. They are on the verge of losing a playoff spot and and this rate they will not get back in.

It is time to do something drastic. What will it be....?



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And I am Right Again!

So once again, after I make a "RE" post I am correct. The last time I made a "RE" post, I said that if Drury and Gomez can perform the Rangers are in good hands. Well last time, Gomez and Drury both scored and the Rangers both won.

And yet again, I make the "RE" post. Drury gets 3 assists and Gomez scores 1 goal in the Rangers 3-1 win over the New York Islanders. Maybe a win over the Islanders is not saying much but it was a much needed win and Drury and Gomez played very well.

It is important for Drury and Gomez to keep their play consistent and at a high level and the Rangers will be fine like I expressed in the past!

This does not necessarily change the opinions towards Tom Renney. And I do believe he is a good coach. But again, we may want to wait it out.

The Rangers rank dead last in Goals For Average.



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