Mike G…. Mike G… should this name ring a bell? Well if you scroll down and click “older entries,” and then click it again, and again… you’ll eventually find the original entries that got this fine blog kicked off in the first place. But enough about me, lets talk some Rangers hockey. I think I’ll start my triumphant return with a full recap of every player that’s hit the ice so far this season… lets do this in salary order, shall we?

Marian Gaborik (7.5 million until 2015-16) – WORTH EVERY PENNY. Even if he only plays half a season (41 games), he’s on pace for 61+ points, which (if anyone’s counting) would actually have him in FIRST place on last years team in scoring. This is exactly what the Rangers have been missing since Jagr was pushed out the door… a guy who can be counted on to score some big goals when the team needs it most. I knew he’d be deking guys out of their pants and pulling off some unthinkable goals… but what I love most is that he is smart when it comes to following up on rebounds and shoveling garbage as well. Of his 6 goals in only 8 games, 100% of them have come in the third period. Move over Drury… there’s a new guy in town and he’s already earned the moniker “Captain Clutch.”

Chris Drury (7.05 million until 2013-14) – You know what I don’t care about? THE LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES THAT HE WON DURING THE REAGAN ADMINISTRATION!! Oh my God is it any wonder why it was a lot easier to shop Scott Gomez’s salary and not Drurys? Look I don’t hate this guy, but the bottom line is I’m sick of hearing about things like what he did when he was a kid (especially when it’s about boring ass baseball), and I’m sick of hearing about his “intangibles.” He’s a fucking penalty killer and that’s it. They should’ve bought him out and kept Blair Betts as far as I’m concerned. On top of all that, I’ve heard time and again that he’s a non factor in the locker room… so why does he wear the “C” again? Give it to Callihan or Stall or Dubinsky or any of the other 20 year olds that care. I’m still convinced Sather went out and got this guy because he sealed the Rangers fate late in a playoff game a few years back… and considering that Sather went and got Gaborik after seeing him score 5 goals on the Rags one night… I might not be wrong.

Henrik Lundqvist (6.875 million until 2013-14) – He is the King… period. He owns the Devils, he owns most of the league, and now that his team is putting up more then 1 goal a game, he’s going to really be in the running for the Vezina assuming the team keeps this pace up all season long. Considering that Torts wants him to play less during the season so he’s in prime shape come the playoffs, we could be looking at a deeper playoff run considering he doesn’t need to be 100% perfect as he had to in years past. That said, the new offensive system gives rise to many more odd man rushes against, but so far he’s been up to the challenge… lets hope he stays sharp as the season progresses.

Wade Redden (6.5 million until 2014-15) – Look, this guy is not what everyone makes him out to be. The real issue is his salary, not his ability. He’s a decent blueliner, he’s just not worth his paycheck. The good news is that the Rangers have serious depth in Hartford when it comes to D, so I’m sure we’ll be seeing a buyout of this contract in the years to come unless this guy seriously steps his game back up to where it was a few years back.

Michal Rozsival (5 million until 2012-13) – Consistency is the key with Rozsival. Some days he looks like a star D-Man, others he looks tired and out of position. Once again, not with the price tag… not much else to say there. IT’s not as bad as the Redden situation, and unlike Redden, you might be able to trade this salary away if the circumstances are right…

Ales Kotalik (3 million until 2012-13) – 3 million a year is too much for a guy that is only playing on the PP or the 3rd line. So far he seems to be worth the cash (7 points in 8 games), and he is a huge part of the revamped PP. At irst I was reserved about this pickup, but as the games tick by, he’s proving that he not only has a place on the team, but his PP contribution is gigantic to the teams needs. You have to find a way to get this guy more time on the ice or he’s going to get disenfranchised in my opinion.

Ryan Callahan (2.3 million until 2011-12) – He’s off to what I’d consider a slow start this season with only 4 points in 8 games, but just give him the C and get it over with. He finishes every check, he’s a legit threat, and that play where he skated up and down the ice with the puck twice on the PK and finally scored last week was the most badass effort I’ve seen in years by any Rangers player. If I buy my kid a jersey this season I think it’ll have #24 on the back…

Christopher Higgins (2.25 million until 2010-11) – Show me something here Higgins… so far he’s Chris Drury part duex in my eyes. No way in hell should he be getting more ice time then Kotalik. For a little more cash they could’ve kept Antropov or Zherdev (that’s right, I am the one guy who thinks they should’ve kept Z). Someone tell me what Higgins is good for …

Sean Avery (1.98 million until 2012-13) – So far he’s “playing within himself” whatever that’s supposed to mean… but I think he’s doing a great job playing within the limits of the game. This is exactly the guy that the Rags need him to be, and I can only assume that he and Torts have an understanding that’s keeping him in line. If anything, I’d give him a pass if he’s take a run at the next opposing goalie if Lundqvist gets layed out one more time…

Brandon Dubinsky (1.85 million until 2011-12) – I am so glad they came to an agreement with this guy. I also think he wanted too much cash too fast… but at this number, he’s a steal. Let’s not forget, he’s got a lot of responsibility at his age, centering the number 1 line every night and expected to carry the team forward from the start of every game to the end… so I can understand where he wanted some extra cash. All that said, he’s got 8 points in 8 games, which is in itself worth the price he was fighting for… but, he’s including 14 PIM in his stats which he needs to calm down with. All in all, I want to see him on the Rags for years to come, especially considering he’s come back this season with a badass wrister.

Matt Gilroy (1.75 million until 2011-12) – Gilroy had a flashy camp, but with only 1 point in his first 8 NHL games, I think he’s coming back to Earth a little. He’s fun as hell to watch, and he religiously gets back into the play if he’s caught too deep when the puck gets turned over in the offensive zone, so I’d say at a +5 rating, he’s doing fine. He’s a threat, he’s not scared to go for the big deke, and although that’s not always want you want out of your defense, it is exciting and seems to get the team motivated. You’ve gotta love the fact that him and Del Zotto made the team this year imo… it really helped the Rags lose the image of non-scoring D, as well as the shit PP of recent years past.

Dan Girardi (1.55 million until 2010-11) – Girardi started out questionable, but I think he’s getting his game back and is solid at his position in general. The thing to remember is that it’s a contract year for him, so you’d assume he’d be trying to stand out a little more. It’s early… lets see how he looks towards the middle of the season. Check out the price on this guy though… he’s more consistent then both Redden and Rozsival and he’s just as fraction of the price.

Donald Brashear (1.4 million until 2011-12) – There is no reason in hell why you would pick this [expletive deleted] up and let Orr go. Offensively you’re not getting much more out of this [expletive deleted], defensively you’re certainly not getting anything more, and in a fight, they’re both going to knock you the [expletive deleted] out. After the [expletive deleted] this guy pulled in the playoffs last year against Blair Betts, combined with his past [expletive deleted] play, he should be driving a Zamboni in Saskatchewan.

Vaclav Prospal (1.1 million until 2011-12) – DONALD BRASHEAR MAKES MORE THEN VINNY PROSPAL. Someone explain to me why a guy who has 11  points in 8 games is making less then half the morons above him on this list. I must admit, I didn’t think much of this singing when it happened, but  can Torts squeeze blood from a turnip or what? Prospal is excitable, and he’s completely making the most of this opportunity with the Rags. Lets hope he keeps it up, and then doesn’t ask for the kitchen sink during the off season.

Michael Del Zotto (1.088 million until 2012-13) – I thought this guy had a quiet camp next to Gilroy, but 8 points in as many games including 3 heads up goals… not to mention his poised knack for springing Gaborik up the middle with home run passes. It is so awesome to see the Rangers using the homegrown guys to their fullest capacity, at a million bucks per year it’s an absolute delight to watch this kid learn the game.

Aaron Voros (1 million until 2011-12) – Get rid of him. He is nothing more then a punching bag. He’s got 0 points and 14 minutes earned by getting his ass handed to him on television. You know who this dumbass reminds me of…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=966E5JvEdFw

Marc Staal (827k until 2011-12) – Stall is in the last year of his entry level contract, and if he doesn’t get resigned, fans will burn Sather at the steak. He’s one of the most steady blueliners in the league, and under Torts, he’s becoming not only an offensive threat, but he’s pushing into the offensive corners and recently pulled of a wraparound goal. As long as you have responsible forwards to cover the point, this is the type of thing smart D-Men will attempt at times… so it’s obvious that Stall is going to thrive as long as Torts is in town.

Artem Anisimov (822k until 2011-12) – Artie had a sick camp, but now that the season has started, he’s quieted down some. With 4 points in 8 games, he’s one of the two guys on the team with a negative rating (albeit a -1). He’s done too much in the AHL to send him back there, but he’s not doing enough to get the minutes he needs to continue to grow… lets hope Anisimov doesn’t become a casualty and end up being traded because he’s got some great offensive skills, he just needs to start using them more often.

Enver Lisin (790k until 2010-11) – So they traded Korpiski for this guy… it’s the same friggin guy! I don’t really have an opinion of him, but I will say this… I’d rather have Freddy Sjostrum then either Lisin or the Korpido.

Stephen Valiquette (725k until 2011-12) – Rumor has it that Vally had an offer to start somewhere else, so I’m glad that he decided to sign on for another year backing up the King. I think he’s more then adequate as a backup (see his recent shutout as proof), and I think he’s more then ready to take the extra games that Torts says he’s going to get in order to keep Lundqvist well rested.

Brian Boyle (525k until 2011-12) – I dunno what real service this guy provides, other then being tall and crashing the net. Rather then make fun of him, I think I’ll give it a few weeks and get a better look at what his deal is.

So there you have it friends… check back often as I plan on giving my two cents on a regular basis. Considering we’ve got a couple guys giving game writeups already, maybe I’ll stick to opinion pieces… I’m sure we all could use more of those right? Right???

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