Ah yes, another July 1 passes and the Rangers make another splash in the free agent market. This year they signed the oft-injured and cranky Marian Gaborik to a five-year deal worth $37.5 million, and tough guy Donald Brashear for two years and $2.8 million. Also, former big July 1 signing, Scott Gomez, was shipped off to Montreal in a seven player deal that brought back forward Chris Higgins, among others.
But will all the superstar swaps and signings pay off for the Rangers? They've made similar moves for the past two years and have a grand total of eight playoff wins and a mid-season coaching change to show for it. So is this summer different, or are the Rangers sticking to the same big money strategy that has failed them before?
FanHouse is previewing the prospects of the top players and teams with high picks in Friday's NHL Draft. This is the fifth post in a six part series.
As the draft is only hours away, we'll finish up our preview series with the 18-year- old that has been on the tip of everyone's tongue all year. In 2007 he broke Wayne Gretzky's OHL scoring record and since then has been projected to be the first overall pick in 2009. The majority of scouting services and experts project one John Tavares to be the best player available in this year's draft, but will the Islanders take him?
FanHouse is previewing the prospects of the top players and teams with high picks in Friday's NHL Draft. This is the fifth post in a six part series.
In this year's draft there's one defender that is head and shoulders above all the rest -- literally and talent wise. The 6-foot-5 Victor Hedman from Sweden is the best defenseman in this year's draft and is a unique talent for both his size and speed. At only 18, Hedman has been playing on the top defensive pairing for Modo in the Swedish Elite League and should be a solid defender in the NHL for years to come.
FanHouse is previewing the prospects of the top players and teams with high picks in Friday's NHL Draft. This is the fourth post in a six part series.
In this year's draft, the consensus is that there are three players who are head and shoulders above all the rest: John Tavares, Victor Hedman and Matt Duchene. Today, we'll take a look at Duchene, a 5-foot-11 center from Peterborough, Ontario, and what he brings to the table.
It's officially the offseason, meaning the time is right to look into the future. We continue our division-by-division preview of the potential wheeling and dealing with the Atlantic Division.
It will be an interesting summer for the five teams in the Atlantic. Four teams made the playoffs, including the eventual Stanley Cup champion, and the one team that didn't make it -- the New York Islanders -- holds the first pick in Friday's draft, which isn't a bad consolation prize. All around it was a pretty successful season for these five teams.
Over the next week, FanHouse will preview the top players and teams in next Friday's NHL Draft. This is the third post in a six part series.
It is widely regarded that in this year's draft, there are three prospects that are head and shoulders above all the others. With the third pick in next Friday's draft, it is likely that the Colorado Avalanche will have a chance to select from the trio of John Tavares, Victor Hedman and Matt Duchene. This will be the first major decision for new GM Greg Sherman, who was promoted on June 3 after seven years as assistant GM.
Over the next week, FanHouse will preview the top players and teams in next Friday's NHL Draft. This is the second post in a six part series.
Last spring, the lottery balls bounced Tampa Bay's way and they were awarded the first overall pick. Former GM Jay Feaster selected Steven Stamkos with that pick, but has since resigned. His successor, Brian Lawton, has already made his mark on the organization with numerous trades during his first year and will have the chance to further shape the roster with the second overall pick next week.
The real NHL awards will be handed out Thursday night in Las Vegas, so FanHouse decided to hand out its own special awards for the 2008-09 season.
While there are still many folks firmly planted on both the pro and con sides of the shootout debate, I think one thing that everyone can agree on is that the skill competition does produce some amazing highlight reel goals. Today, I have the pleasure of unveiling the FanHouse nominees for the best shootout goal of the 2008-09 season.
Over the next week, FanHouse will preview the top players and teams in next Friday's NHL Draft. This is the first post in a six part series.
The New York Islanders had an abysmal 2008-09 season, falling to last place in November and hanging on with ease throughout the rest of the season. For their efforts, and by way of the draft lottery, they were awarded the first overall pick in this summer's draft. Islander fans everywhere are holding their breath, afraid that their team will, somehow, mess this opportunity up.
Since we found out that there would be a Game 7 in this year's Stanley Cup Finals, there have been, as always, a number of articles around the media about who the pressure rests on tonight. Some read something like this: "Oh! The Wings have to play at home tonight and face blowing the series after holding a 3-2 lead! Pressure is on them!" Others read a little more like this: "Oh! The Penguins lost last year and wouldn't want to turn into the NHL's version of the Buffalo Bills with a loss tonight! Pressure is on them!"
But don't let any of those articles fool you. The pressure is on everyone when it comes to a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Finals.
Ah yes, another July 1 passes and the Rangers make another splash in the free agent market. This year they signed the oft-injured and cranky Marian Gaborik to a five-year deal worth $37.5 million, and tough guy Donald Brashear for two years and $2.8 million. Also, former big July 1 signing, Scott Gomez, was shipped off to Montreal in a seven player deal that brought back forward Chris Higgins, among others. 
FanHouse is previewing the prospects of the top players and teams with high picks in Friday's 
FanHouse is previewing the prospects of the top players and teams with high picks in Friday's 
FanHouse is previewing the prospects of the top players and teams with high picks in Friday's 
It's officially the offseason, meaning the time is right to look into the future. We continue our division-by-division preview of the potential wheeling and dealing with the Atlantic Division. 
Over the next week, FanHouse will preview the top players and teams in next Friday's 
Over the next week, FanHouse will preview the top players and teams in next Friday's 
The real NHL awards will be handed out Thursday night in Las Vegas, so FanHouse decided to hand out its own special awards for the 2008-09 season.
Over the next week, FanHouse will preview the top players and teams in next Friday's 
Since we found out that there would be a Game 7 in this year's Stanley Cup Finals, there have been, as always, a number of articles around the media about who the pressure rests on tonight. Some read something like this: "Oh! The Wings have to play at home tonight and face blowing the series after holding a 3-2 lead! Pressure is on them!" Others read a little more like this: "Oh! The Penguins lost last year and wouldn't want to turn into the NHL's version of the Buffalo Bills with a loss tonight! Pressure is on them!"
