Back to the Future

As the Rangers await a pivotal Game 4 against the Devils from which they will emerge with either a commanding 3-1 lead or a best-of-three finale, and with everyone ready to put Sean Avery's latest escapade into the past, we go back to the future with an update about the Rangers' once and future scoring stars, Jaromir Jagr and Alexei Cherepanov. Anatoly Bardin, the general manager of Avangard Omsk, where Cherepanov plays and where Jagr has promised to return when his NHL career ends, visited Ranger GM Glen Sather in New York earlier this month and told a Russian reporter in an interview about the results of his trip: Cherepanov will stay in Omsk one more year but will attend Ranger training camp next fall, the Rangers and Avangard will become "blood brother teams", and Jagr remains uncommitted as long as the Rangers are in the playoffs.

"In general, I communicated very well with Glen," Bardin said. "We met a few times. We agreed that Avangard and the Rangers will become partner clubs. We will exchange players, coaches. Not permanently, of course. Simply to to share our experience. In two to three weeks we will sign an official agreement of cooperation with Sather. As for Cherepanov, he will spend next season in Russia. He has a contract with Avangard. Sather is not entirely against it. Everyone understands that some day Alexei will still leave for the NHL. This autumn he'll be called to New York for training camp -- to see the training center, to take a walk on Broadway. In short, to visit."

Asked about Jagr, he said, "We went with him a few times to a restaurant. Drank coffee, reminisced about Omsk. We met as friends. At this time I cannot say that Jaromir will return to Avangard. He's going to the playoffs! So we'll see what happens." Although the Rangers lost the game he attended, Bardin noted that they did well afterwards and considers himself a good luck charm. "The Rangers played indifferently," he said. "But after my visit began they crushed everyone successively. I even told my colleague -- the manager of the New York club, Glen Sather -- 'It is time for you to take me on as an assistant. To put me on salary. Look how lucky I am!'"

Cherepanov said in an interview of his own that he will remain in Russia one more year. "I want to make the situation clear once and for all," he said. "A final decision has been made to remain in Omsk for a year. I have a contract with Avangard and I intend to work through it to the end. Ranger representatives do not allow me to forget about them: they call periodically, they're interested in my affairs and plans. Of course, I want to prove myself in the best league in the world. And I will do so at the first opportunity. Much depends on Bardin's negotiations with the American side. But most likely I will leave for the NHL in a year."

[Thanks again to Laurie Carr for her translations from the Russian, more precise than the Google online translations we link to.]

Back here, the papers are still focused on Avery, with the Rangers having only just reacted to it when they resumed practice yesterday. Most of Avery's teammates had a laugh over the incident, yet most agree that the tactic was not something they'd want to see again, either for them or against them. Jaromir Jagr of course joked about it, and Chris Drury went out of his way to make sure that his part in the farce was not misinterpreted as a rebuke of his teammate. See the Daily News, Newsday, Times, Record, Ledger, and AP. In the Post, Larry Brooks takes it to the NHL for action as inappropriate as Avery's, while Newsday takes it to other holier than thou hypocrites who piled on. The News makes a big deal of Avery flipping the bird at a TV camera.

Elsewhere, game day stories and Game 4 previews from the Rangers' perspective can be found in the Daily News, Journal News (on Ranger rookies), Newsday, MSG.com , NYR.com, Rangerland, and Prospect Park. For the Devils' point of view, see the Daily News, Post, Record, Ledger, MSG.com, with additional notes from the Ledger. A Vancouver paper reports that Ranger GM Glen Sather has interviewed for the opening in Toronto and may also consider doing the same in Vancouver. The Wolf Pack begin their playoffs tonight -- Howlings has an in-depth series preview; see also the Courant here and here. Oh, almost forgot this one: a British journalist's paean to Ranger fans.

Comments

[rangerbill94]

And this one...

From previous thread. "How was Nedved ever involved in so many big transactions that early in his career?" You may be a Don Cherry anti-European or anti-czech or anti-"soft player", but Pert Nedved was a fine player. You ask why he was involved in big transactions, well just think about this. He averaged just under 3/4 of a point per game. 14% of his SOG went in the net, 12.6% of his goals were game winning goals. He produced goals and points and that's what GM's were looking at. Yes, he was not a defensive standout, but over his entire career he was a -21, not too bad for a guy not noted for his defense. Unfortunatly, too many Rangers fans get all tied up in the "ragging" on players and never look for the positives. I am sure that, even in his prime, he would not work well within Renney's system, but that doesn't make him a bad player, just a player that doesn't fit our organization. I would rank him as a good 2nd line player, averaging over 50 points per season in his good years.

[Paul R _ _ _ _ _ D]

Ok I'm ready to go day is soooooooooooo slow, told my boss at 6pm is i am going tobecome deathly ill and have to go home.

[Paul R _ _ _ _ _ D]

isn't he in europe now?

[Paul R _ _ _ _ _ D]

when he was on the rangers the first time he was one of my favorites, I still have his jersey

[rangerbill94]

I think Avery has created another great distraction. Nobody is talking about the resurgence of Jagr and his point production, the fact that all three Rangers lines are clicking and the fact that Marty Brokedoor and his Devils still can't score goals. I think all the noise about the Avery thing has the Rangers even more focused. And the Devils are counting on more Avery penalties, but I think Sean will play in very good control tonight. His mouth will be going and that will drive the Devils nuts. We need to have our PP working, because I think the Devils will come unhinged tonight and we need to spank them if that happens.

[Michael]

Dubi/Jess,
If Slats wound up taking the job in Toronto or Vancouver, whom would you want to see take over? Whom would we have an interest in?

[Jason]

Mark Messier anyone? Joke!

[Paul R _ _ _ _ _ D]

someone mentioned yesterday that if slats goes we still have the three headed monster, shoenfeld, the contract guy i wanna say hope or price, and someone else who's name escapres me.

[GardenFaithfulinFLA]

Gee, it just strikes me a little funny how Sutter's violation of several rules (that are actually in place) has fallen by the wayside by the NHL focusing all its time and efforts on creating a 'new rule' for something that was 'over the top' but yet questionable.

I don't understand how Sutter has not been fined or suspended for his actions.

Things that make you go Hmmmmmmmmm!!!!

[And This One Will Last A Lifetime]

No, I have nothing against Euros or Czechs. I've never made any comment insinuating such. I'm not sure where you got that from. I haven't made any disparaging comments about anyone because of their nationality. I appreciate what Jagr has done for the team and not just from 2 years ago. My only gripe is that he can get lazy on the backcheck and sometimes is apt to taking hooking calls, thankfully that hasn't happened lately.

Anyway, back to Nedved.

I know he was a highly touted player early on that had one disappointing season and one quasi-breakout season with Vancouver and then was involved in a trade for Craig Janney who then got shipped back to the Blues for 3 players, so you can net that out to Nedved for 3 players that really helped the Canucks in the Cup run (the only one I can recall right now is Jeff Brown who was their version of Zubov for the playoffs).

While you could argue in terms of talent, he was a better player than an aging Tik and spare part Doug Lidster, I never quite understood how the NHL forced that trade as part of the Keenan tampering compensation.

I can't entirely discount his big years with Pittsburgh, but it helps when one of those years you play with Lemieux and Jagr when they put up 300 points between them. Still, looking at the trade that sent him there, I suppose you could argue that in terms of talent it was more Zubov for Robitaille (who was still a point per game player) and Nedved for Ulf.

He may have had a better go with the Rangers his second time around, but teams that had him for his first few seasons of his career were spent waiting for him to realize his potential. I suspect there were other reasons than his talent as to why he was moved around so much.

As a GM back during that era, I wouldn't have given him a second thought as you were looking for players that were built or played like Lindros, LeClair, Tkachuk, Forsberg, etc.

[rangerbill94]

And this one...

Sorry, your comments sounded like one of those "anti" folks. I should not assume that. Nedved was a player that needed to be complimented, not the other way around. You mention Forsberg, Lindros and the like, but all of them were those players who made those around them better. That was the big paradox with Nedved, he needed the support and that was part of the knock against him.

[Jess]

Michael

If Slats wound up taking the job in Toronto or Vancouver, whom would you want to see take over?

I have already answered this in the last thread, I see Sather as nothing more than a public figurehead these days

The 3 headed monster that I referred to yesterday (that is 5 minutes in the box for you Paul R 2 D less)

Cameron Hope: Handles the Contracts

Jim Schoenfeld: Asst GM running Hartford

Gordie Clark: Director of Player Personal

Whom would we have an interest in?

I think Schoenfeld moves up to President/GM and they promote someone to be the Hartford GM/Asst GM

All

Before people react to the Jagr article, please realize that Omsk GM is trying to get players for his next season team.

Everything he said about the Rangers becoming "Blood Brothers" is not going to happen as long as the Russian Federation does not agree to a Player Transfer Agreement with the entire NHL.

The NHL will not allow it and in all honesty Sather does not play like that at all.

Chris QCT

And wouldn't the Leafs interviewing Sather be considered tampering?

Only if the Rangers did not give them permission to talk to Sather.

And This

Wait I thought Brian Burke, who was on the chopping block until Anaheim showed signs of life, was the likely suspect for the Leafs GM job.

Burke is not on the chopping block, he made the owners of the Ducks Cup winners over night and they love him for it.

Burke was never interested in the Leaf Job, no person with any common sense would be as it just might be the worst job in sports, too many bosses, the fans hating everything and the franchise is such a mess.

[Ted]

I'm really nervous for tonight's game, not b/c i think the rangers wont come out to play, but because the refs seem to have altered the outcome of this series. Here's to hoping they start getting it right, but i wouldn't be surprised if Avery gets called for 2-3 penalties (all unwarranted most likely) tonight

[i]

JESS Scotty Bowman was going to take it, but they screwed that up with him. It's the guys above that have to change or be changed.

[kovazub94]

Jess,

Actually establishing a working partnership with a Russian club is a sound practice in the ABSENCE of leagues' transfer agreement.

It was correctly noted that Avangard GM is putting his team together for next year (and creating a positive hype while doing so). That's why I take it that by announcing that Cherepanov is staying for another year in Omsk while not saying anything about Jagr meant to say if you want to read between the lines that Jagr is staying in NHL (i.e. NY Rangers) for at least one more season.

On Sather, the only reason (and a good one at that) to take the Toronto GM job is the prestige and recognition that only comes with the 2nd most famous Canadian hockey team behind only Montreal. And for some people it can outweight all the negative aspects of that job these days. Not a big basketball fan but it similar to what happened to NY Knicks GM position. Why would anyone bother, right?

That's why I completely don't understand Sather's reported interest in Vancover GM job (since he's interviewing for that position). The only thing that Sather doesn't have here is a "love" from NY press.

[And This One Will Last A Lifetime]

I read the Burke rumor somwhere, can't remember where exactly. It didn't make much sense to me either, given that he just won the Cup last season. I questiond the move of getting Weight for McDonald, but wasn't that to clear cap room for Niedermayer and Selanne? Also, I was surprised he couldn't get anything for Bryzgalov. Then again he was also smart for letting Penner go to Edmonton and not get bogged down with a massive contract for a "still needs to prove it" player, like the Sabres did with Vanek.

He's built a solid team though, just imagine if you were to replay this Ducks team with the Devils in the finals, I'd love to see the complaints from Brodeur having to deal with traffic from Getzlaf, Parros and when he returns Perry. But why he'd want to leave Orange County where he can enjoy the spoils of his victory and probably never come under much scrutiny if the Ducks start to fade, and also Newport Beach's weather in December is still nicer than Toronto's in July.

[JBytes]

What's to stop Cherepanov from defecting once he comes for training camp?

Avery will be a non factor tonight because he'll play like a kitten rather than a lion. I'll be surprised if he even throws a solid body check.

I'm hoping our series will go in the same direction as the Montreal-Boston.

[Pavel]

You know what? Maybe this is a good thing.. I remember after the Blake "incident," Avery became very quiet on the ice compared to his usual self and had a couple of two-goal games.. maybe that's the Avery we'll see again?

[Paul R _ _ _ _ _ D]

What's to stop Cherepanov from defecting once he comes for training camp? -- um there no longer communist? one more year of development how is that a bad thing?

[Jason]

The Toronto Star reported the Brian Burke stuff today. Nothing more than Vancouver wanting to interview him due in part to the departure of Nonis, no word from Anahiem or Burke.

[Greg L]

avery won't throw a body check!!??? what ???? are you on glue!!?? This is the playoffs man , seasonal game don't mean as much as this game. Avery win be Avery , nuff said , he still is playing for a Stanley cup and a future contract!!

[Greg L]

Avery WILL be Avery

[Paul R _ _ _ _ _ D]

I agree Greg, seeing as though he must have memorized the rule book plus the new rule, I fully expect him to find new ways to be Avery.

[joeymole]

i don't even want to think aboot rangers dropping two straight on home ice, so i won't! (and i refuse to!!) so key to game from my view is 1. score first goal, maybe two forcing sutter to alter his circus game plan; 2. stay out of the box (no brainer here but probably will end up with 2 - 3 horrible calls); 3. protect hank!!

i tend to think avery will be on his best behavior tonite, like after the toronto shenanigans...too bad orr is still out, may need him tonite to keep rupp and/or clarkson from dragging rangers into the penalty box.

this game is HUGE! rangers must win one at home!! (i got heart palpitations just thinking about tonite's game.)

LET'S GO RANGERS!!!

[Joe in DE]

When in doubt, one must ask, What Would Avery Do?

LET'S GO RANGERS!

[Chris QCT]

MOVE CLOCK!!

I am so pumped up. I just landed tix for tonight's game through a friend, so I am psyched. MSG is going to be a mad house tonight.

GO GET 'EM BOYS!!!

[oleosmirf]

I don't understand why the Rangers would be interested in a co-op agreement or as Jess said is it even legal.

Is it possible for the Rangers to take a player from the Russian league and have him play some games in Hartford??? Then the Rangers would have to loan some players to Russia for a little bit. Makes no sense.

The only thing I could think of that makes sense is the Rangers would take players they are interested in and bringing them over to see how they would fare in the AHL while allowing eastern european prospects to play in Russia without the risk of losing their rights or to allow kids like Anisimov to play at home for a month or 2.

[Jed Orts]

oh baby!
leaving work early today so i can get down to the garden before practice.

i'm changing in the office and taking the elevator in my rangers jersey hahaha

WOOOOOOOO GAME 4 WOO WOOOOO

[And This One Will Last A Lifetime]

Just got this email from a person I've bought tickets from:

"Anybody want a ticket for tonight? Rangers/Devils @ MSG - 7pm. Just looking to get back what I paid for it - $100. It's in section 420 Row E and I can email it to you, so PayPal would work best.

Get back to me ASAP, I need to leave for the game soon. I'll email the ticket to you SECONDS after getting the payment. I'll be here until about 4:30...

The email is richter35@hotmail.com

[Jess]

I

Scotty Bowman was going to take it, but they screwed that up with him. It's the guys above that have to change or be changed.

Actually Mrs Bowman turned it down as she has been turning down jobs since he left the Red Wings, She is not interested in his returning to the NHL on a full time basis.

kovazub94

Actually establishing a working partnership with a Russian club is a sound practice in the ABSENCE of leagues' transfer agreement.

Sorry the NHL will not allow it since it gives one team an unfair advantage over others.

On Sather, the only reason (and a good one at that) to take the Toronto GM job is the prestige and recognition that only comes with the 2nd most famous Canadian hockey team behind only Montreal.

Are you serious here? There are more reasons why a Glen Sather would not want that job as compared to staying with the Rangers or head back west.

Sather left the Oilers because he was sick of too many bosses telling him what to do. That is why he loves working for Dolan, Dolan lets him do whatever he wants and leaves him alone.

That's why I completely don't understand Sather's reported interest in Vancover GM job (since he's interviewing for that position). The only thing that Sather doesn't have here is a "love" from NY press.

Sather is from Western Canada where he is still viewed as a hockey god. It is not love but control as Sather is used to the media doing as he says and not questioning him.

Sather also did not like the way Ranger fans were booing him and the team while he was the coach.

Paul R not 2 d 2

one more year of development how is that a bad thing?

Especially when it will far away from the NYC media who already shows next to zero knowledge about the prospects.

Already the expectations on this prospect might be bordering on the overboard side. He is just a kid who needs to work on both game and body.

I don't understand why the Rangers would be interested in a co-op agreement or as Jess said is it even legal.

We have to remember that the Omsk GM is trying to make himself and his team look good so he is playing name dropper.

I will not even bother my European contacts about whether it is legal or not because I know the NHL will not allow anything in Russia as long as the Russian refuse to work out an PTA with the NHL.

Is it possible for the Rangers to take a player from the Russian league and have him play some games in Hartford???

Yes the Rangers could sign him to the PTO (Professional Tryout Contract)but the player's contract status must be well known at the time of the PTO.

Then the Rangers would have to loan some players to Russia for a little bit. Makes no sense.

The players would have to agree to it, as would the player's union for both the NHL and minor leagues.

[Adam]

Rangerbill-I hate Nedved, and the fact that someone speaks positively about him makes me sick. I watched this softy play over and over again, there wasn't anyone worse in the corners, just soft soft soft. Kevin Stevens put up 50 goals with Jagr and Lemieux, means nothing that Nedved did that. There was a reason Messier went at Nedved, he can't stand players that are that soft. The guy was a complete bust, and I went as far to buy a #93 Rangers jersey with Useless written in as the name. Nedved was garbage, and for some reason we dealt Kovalev for him.

Anyway, huge game tonite...I really want to see them take a 2 goal lead in the first period, we need to go at this Devils team. They can hang, but if we let them stay in it they can steal this game. We need high energy all game long, run at Brodeur like crazy, crash the net and bury the puck. Brodeur, to me, has looked average at many points, its time we toss up 4-5 goals and put the Devils away. Come on Rangers, we need the best effort of the year tonite!!!

[JBytes]

Here's something that I find interesting. Since last night, every time someone on TV, radio, or news sites speak of Game 4, they always say "Devils [will] look to even up series." Is that wishful thinking on their part? I've never seen/heard one where they said "Rangers will look to take commanding lead." Strange!

[oleosmirf]

jbytes

the devils have the momentum that's why...

[Paul R _ _ _ _ _ D]

you say momentum i say sputter

[LisaMY (stuck at work and UNHAPPY) :(]

Dubi

I love the way you include all these links in your posts. A Rangers fan can get so much information just on one site. I learn so much about the Rangers and their organization almost everyday. It's great. I loved the translated articles (thanks, Laurie). And the piece from the British journalist was wonderful. Another Ranger fan is born!

Beyond that, all I have to say is:

LET'S GO RANGERS!

Don't worry about Avery, folks. He's like a performance artist. He doesn't repeat himself. Winning this game is the most important thing to him, just like it is for the rest of his teammates.

You have to laugh at the NHL, though. They wanted to make Avery a footnote. All they did was make him a mini-legend. Now there's an "Avery Rules" t-shirt. Somebody should make one of those rubber bracelets with "WWSAD" on it. Really, you have to laugh.