Jared Trumpetto's New York Rangers fan blog

Hey Hockey Fans. Last night was the 2008 NHL draft. Let me start off by sending a congratulations to Boston University Center Colin Wilson - the only collegiate player selected in the first round. Having attended BU over the last four years I was able to watch Colin play and I think that the Nashville Predators made a great selection on raw ability. Wilson is quick to the puck and he's strong enough to play an NHL style dump and chase type game - his strength will compliment the speed of Nashville quite well and I think he'll make a good contribution if and when he gets there.  

As far as the Rangers are concerned I'm wavering on their selection of Michael Del Zotto with the 20th overall pick. I haven't seen any film on him but I'm getting the feeling that the Rangers keep stock piling defensemen that we never see. The highly acclaimed Bobby Sanguinetti, the Rangers first rounder from a few years ago, has yet to make his debut with the club. This concern ranges to other positions as well - prospects like Sanguinetti and Antem Asimov have been talked about and never shown. I'd like to see the Rangers go young. If they truly have no intentions of keeping Shanny, Jagr or Avery than I say bring in the kids, keep the cap down, and make a run for a big name around the trade deadline.

Continue reading "Draft Recap"

Hey Rangers Fans.

Big news in the New York Hockey world. Lets start with the ugly. The NHL reportedly has threatened to sue Madison Square Garden, removing ownership of the Blueshirts from the MSG corporation. This comes in response to the Rangers suit against the NHL for trying to usurp complete control over promotional elements for the hockey club ( http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=3452292). In my opinion, this is the worst thing the NHL could be doing right now. It's no secret that the league has always depended on the success of markets like New York to spur on the ratings of games. For example, game three of the Stanley Cup drew a lower rating in New York than that evenings WNBA match-up involving the New York Liberty. Of course this moment was partially caused by concerns that Pittsburgh would not be able to mount a fight in the series and because of this most fans not living near Melon Arena or in Hockey Town, USA had checked out of the series. However, this is a fact that the NHL cannot ignore. In the post lock-out NHL, when televised games have been relegated to Versus and the occasional Sunday NBC game, the league needs the support of key markets - especially New York. If the NHL wants to pour resources into an endeavour I suggest moving to get hockey back on large networks like the ABC family which includes the ABC network and ESPN. Or, if nothing else, changing their terrible "Yo Momma" adds with Ryan Miller and Jean-Sebastian Aubin. The fact that AMP energy talked the league into this commercial exemplifies why the Rangers should keep control of their own promotions.

Continue reading "Uncertain Futures"

The 2007 - 2008 NHL season drew to a close last week with Hockey Town's own Detroit Red Wings hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup for the fourth time in twelve years. For Wings fans it marked the culmination of yet another magical run to prominence while the Pittsburgh Penguin faithful took solace in the notion that their young stars, now armed with playoff experience, will undoubtedly become the annual favorite in the Eastern Conference. The future's of both franchises seem certain: Detroit will lose aged experience and retool with young talent, they've done it before; and while veterans like Chris Draper and Nikolas Lidstrom break in the future of the Wings the Steele City, aided by an increased salary cap, will be able to keep their young firepower under lock and key. What is not certain is how the rest of the league will attempt to catch what most would say are the two best teams we've seen in quite awhile.

Continue reading "Looking Ahead"