2009-10 New York Rangers
After losing to the Washington Capitals in the Eastern Conference Quarter-Finals, the New York Rangers lost Mark “Nazzy” Nusland who announced his retirement last season. Nusland has since signed on with the Modo Hockey in the Swedish Elitserien league. The Rangers also removed the interim tag from John Tortorella, signing him to a long term deal. In the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, the Rangers selected Chris Kreider with the 19th overall selection then turned around and traded Mark Gomez to the Canadiens, freeing up cap space to sign Marian Gaborik. The team also signed Mike Sullivan as an assistant coach and on August 16, 2009, Mark Messier rejoined the team as a special assistant to GM Glen Sather.
The Rangers are currently sitting in 4th place in the Atlantic Division East with a 26-26-7 record.
Previous Seasons
Its makeover time in The Big Apple as New York Rangers ticket buyers watch their heroes re-tool for an NHL Eastern Conference run at the Stanley Cup. The Rangers are depending on some veteran talent in players like Jaromir Jagr and Martin Straka to hold down the fort while the younger talent develops. Madison Square Garden will see head coach Tom Renney walk the line between winning now and winning later as the Ranger look to the future.
The New York Rangers hockey team can trace its roots back to 1926. The name Rangers comes from the original ownership of Tex Rickard. The team became known locally as "Tex's Rangers" and the name was officially adopted. The Rangers were fairly successful in their first year in the NHL and finished with a 25-13-6 record, good enough to win the American Division. Future Hall of Famer Bill Cook led the team and the NHL in scoring in that initial campaign. The Rangers were eliminated from the playoffs by the Boston Bruins.
There aren't many sports franchises that can claim the honor of winning a league championship in only their second season. The New York Rangers can make the claim, winning their first Stanley Cup in 1928. That second season had an inauspicious beginning though, as the Rangers regressed from their first year win total of 25. Finishing in 2nd place in the American Division, the Rangers got off to a good start in the quarterfinals, winning their first game over the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-0 and the series 6-4 in a total goal situation. Another total goal series followed with the Boston Bruins. The Rangers won that 4-1 and found themselves in the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time.
The Rangers overcame a number of obstacles in the Stanley Cup Finals. Unable to play a home game because of a circus being held in Madison Square Garden, the Rangers were forced to travel to Montréal and face the Montreal Maroons. After a first game loss, the Rangers were hit with an injury to goalie Lorne Chabot, In an unusual move, the head coach, Lester Patrick, took Chabot's place and the Rangers rallied to win Game 2 and even the series. Joe Miller, a goalie from the rival New York Americans was brought in to replace Chabot and after a loss in Game 3, Miller shut out the Maroons offense and the Rangers laid claim to the Stanley Cup.
The New York Rangers hoisted the Stanley Cup again in 1933, 1940, and 1994. The Rangers franchise is one of the most enduring franchises in sports history, playing in Madison Square Garden for their entire history.
Can head coach Tom Renney take his rebuilt Rangers to the NHL Playoffs? New York Rangers ticket holders had to cringe at their personnel losses from the last time the Rangers hit the ice, but GM Glen Sather has Jaromir Jagr, Michael Nylander, and goalie Henrik Lundqvist to keep the Rangers in competition until the new guys jell. Things are going to be interesting in Madison Square Garden for awhile, but New York Rangers tickets have always provided more than their money's worth.
The Rangers are always a favorite, and not only because of their amazing fanbase. They are predicted to finish 4th - and currently have one of the best offensive cores in the league, Jaromir Jagr, Martin Straka and Brendan Shanahan are forces to contend with. They also did well in free agency, signing offensive forwards Chris Drury and Scott Gomez. Another key element is Sean Avery, known to shake things up a bit on the ice. If the Rangers get their defense together, there’s definitely potential to back up all the fanfare.
