Today Z-List: A Wrap of Rangers-related info...
Anton Stralman of the New York Rangers looks on after he lost his helmet in the first period against the Washington Capitals in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Madison Square Garden. (April 30, 2012) Credit: Getty
Here’s a quick compilation/commentary of today’s events in and around the NHL.
--- Mike Modano, Lou Lamoriello and Ed Olczyk are named to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. Did anybody else think Lou was already in? I mean, come on, he founded Hockey East, coached the Worlds, won three Cups with the Devs…
---RFA Anton Stralman’s arbitration hearing set for July 31. Expecting that will be avoided, with an agreement with NYR forged before then. Stralman’s 25, a needed righty, and had a solid playoff run with the Blueshirts. He made $900,000, and is worth more, for sure, given the going rate of defensemen this summer.
---Speaking of d-men, Rangers are working on a multi-year deal for Michael DelZotto as well, which makes sense. Would not be surprised though, if a righty depth D is added through free agency or trade.
----So UFA Shane Doan, aka Mr. 35-year-old Coyote, and his peeps have put off any decision until July 16. Told ya this wouldn’t be signed, sealed and delivered on July 9 despite all the tweets and reports. I also don’t think he’s coming to New York. My gut says he’ll stay in the desert or somewhere out West.
---Rangers signed Brandon Segal, who finished the season with the club who won the Calder Cup, Tampa’s AHL team, the Norfolk Admirals. The 6-foot-2 right wing turns 29 on Thursday, and is presumably ticketed for Hartford. He has 11 goals and 11 assists in 102 games with the Hawks, Kings and Stars. Terms not divulged yet.
----With yesterday’s Flyers announcement of their pre-season sked, we’ve pieced together that the Rangers (who haven’t announced) will play at least five road games before the LA opener and an eight-game away schedule to begin the regular season:
So far, it’s Sept. 26, Rangers-Devils in Albany; Sept. 29, Rangers at Flyers, 7 p.m.; Oct. 4, Rangers at Isles; Oct. 6, Rangers-Avalanche in Kansas City (love the Susan Tedeschi-Willie Nelson cover of that tune) and Oct. 8, Rangers at Kings.
---The streaky, enigmatic winger Wojtek Wolski, who has played for four teams by age 26, signed a 1 year, $600,000 contract with the Caps, his fifth. Could not stay healthy as a Ranger. Remember Torts’ classic diss? “We can’t get him out of the tub.” Even though he had practiced!
