Crossing my mind: Torts, the Finals, the draft
John Tortorella of the New York Rangers motions to Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers late in the game against the Ottawa Senators. (April 21, 2012) Credit: Jim McIsaac
If you missed it on NBC last night, there was more self-analysis from John Tortorella with Mr. Costas: “I’m not good at it (post-game pressers)… I’m not looking to disrespect people.” He denied that Garden or NHL spoke with him about his abrupt, tight-lipped pressers in the playoffs. Some magic wand must have been waved, then…And of course, there’s always the caveat: “But I can’t promise that it won’t happen again,” because he’s an emotional fellow…
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Hope to speak with Gordie Clark for a pre-draft update next week, so stay tuned. UPDATE: Jumped the gun; Rangers haven't had amateur meetings yet
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Listen, the Kings are deep and playing well. But awfully hard not to think physical Rangers took something out of Devils.
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Conn Smythe? 1. Jonathan Quick. 2. Anze Kopitar.
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Marian Gaborik’s surgery is tomorrow. When is Kovalchuk’s? Looks as if he’s playing on one leg.
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Oscar Lindberg’s two-way, 3-year entry-level deal pays him $600,000 in NHL salary, plus a $75,000 signing bonus in first year; $675,000 in year 2, and $750,000 in year three, for cap hit of $675,000 per. If he’s in the minors: $55,000 in first year, and $67,500 in next two, according to capgeek.com.
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I’ve written this before, and will again: Rangers need a scorer, but Zenon Konopka and Shane O’Brien would help address the depth issue.
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Love the Tomas Vokoun trade for Pens. Worth a seventh-rounder.
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At least a couple Blue Jackets are headed to the KHL (where there will be a season), and so is "Thuuuuuh Crush-ah" Erik Christensen.You may see more of this among UFAs, given the uncertainty of the CBA .
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Would rarely vote against Ryan Callahan for anything, so for the Messier leadership award, it’s gotta be close between the captain, Dustin Brown and Shane Doan.
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In the rotation today: Ray LaMontagne's " God Willin & the Creek Don't Rise". Little Feat's "Time Loves A Hero" (RIP Lowell George) and Radiohead's "OK Computer."
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If you’ve got an off-season Rangers question, email me at steve.zipay@newsday.com Gathering ‘em for a mailbag that I’ll publish here.
