Video: Dylan McIlrath New York City Bus Tour!!

From rangers.nhl.tv... Dylan was given a tour around NYC on the top of one those double decker buses.  I believe it was his 1st time in NYC so obviously it was an amazing experience. Enjoy!!

Full 20 Page Kovalchuk Decision Document Obtained!! (LINK)

The full 20 page document has been obtained and released by Offsides Sports Blog. Supposedly the Hossa, Pronger and similar deals have been targeted and will be acted upon.  Since it is 11pm I really do not feel like reading any of it.  Just felt like posting this so you guys can look at it and read it if you like.  So here is the link to the full 20 page document!  Enjoy!!

Arbitrator Richard Bloch Has Made His Decision In The Kovalchuk Case!! UPDATED!!!

Richard Bloch the arbitrator in the Ilya Kovalchuk arbitration hearing has finally announced his decision in the case. He has sided with the NHL and decided to reject the 17 year Ilya Kovalchuk contract.

The NHL Official statement from NHL.com: "We want to thank Arbitrator Bloch for his prompt resolution of a complex issue. His ruling is consistent with the League's view of the manner in which the Collective Bargaining Agreement should deal with contracts that circumvent the Salary Cap."

Arbitrator Bloch: "this is a retirement contract" "well beyond the typical retirement age for NHL players" per @RealKyper...

The NHLPA: “The NHLPA is disappointed with the Arbitrator’s ruling to uphold the NHL’s rejection of the contract between the New Jersey Devils and Ilya Kovalchuk.  The NHLPA is currently reviewing the decision and will have no further comment at this time.”
Lou Lamoriello “We have reviewed and respect Arbitrator Bloch's ruling in the Kovalchuk matter. We also note and appreciate his finding that nothing in his opinion should be read as suggesting that either the club or Ilya Kovalchuk operated in bad faith or on the basis of any assumption other than that the Standard Player Contract was fully compliant with the CBA. That has been our consistent position throughout.  While we do not currently have a contract with Ilya Kovalchuk, discussions have resumed and we are hopeful that a contract will be reached that meets with the principles in Arbitrator Bloch's award and the NHL's approval."

Excerpts from arbitrator Richard Bloch's ruling, obtained by SportingNews.com:   "In this case, the record strongly supports the claim this contract is "intended to, or has the effect" of defeating or circumventing the Salary Cap provisions of the CBA. The overall structure of this SPC reflects not so much the hope that Mr. Kovalchuk will be playing in those advanced years, but rather the expectation that he will not. This is a long contract --17 years -- the longest in NHL history. That, in itself, poses no contractual problem, for the reasons discussed above. But Kovalchuk is 27 years old, and the agreement contemplates his playing until just short of his 44th birthday. That is not impossible, but it is, at the least, markedly rare. Currently, only one player in the League has played past 43and, over the past 20 years only 6 of some 3400 players have played to 42...."

More from the report regarding finances:  "...The dynamics of this SPC, with particular reference to its final six years, are such that there is scarce reason for either Player or Club to continue the relationship. The incentives are strongly to the contrary. By year 11, the Player will have received $98,000,000 of his $102,000,000 contract, constituting some 97% of the bargain. One may reasonably ask, as the League does, whether a player who had been averaging some $9,000,000 a year will be satisfied to continue the rigors of an NHL season for a salary that (1) will average slightly more than $550,000 a year, (2) will represent a 95% reduction against previous average earnings and (3) will undoubtedly constitute compensation well below the then-applicable major league minimum. The economic incentives are not limited to issues of the Player's preferences, alone. During the final six years, the comprehensive "No Move" restriction will have been reduced to a "No Trade" clause. This additional flexibility will allow the Club to, for example, place the Player on waivers or send him to the minors. Here again, one may reasonably ask whether this Player would, at that point, accept such repositioning as an alternative to seeking continued employment outside the League or simply retiring."

The conclusion:  "...the System Arbitrator here concludes the SPC terms themselves demonstrate this agreement 'has the effect of defeating' the provisions of the CBA, with particular reference to the Team Payroll Range language. For these reasons, the finding is that the League has sustained its burden of demonstrating its actions in rejecting the agreement were in accordance with the bargained authority under Section 11.6(a)(i). Accordingly, the grievance protesting that action will be denied."

Join me after this for more on the Kovalchuk news and my thoughts....

Brandon Prust Discusses His Role With Rangers! VIDEO!!

Brandon Prust did an interview with Jim Cerny about his role with the Rangers and what he plans on doing different this season.  The video is a couple of weeks old but the embed code wasn't working and now it is and I thought I would post it in case some of you have not seen it! Prust was resigned during the offseason and could be a pivotal role player for the Rangers. 

Join me after this for the video.....

The Best Of The NHL History Will Be Made Commercial Parodies!!

I was on YouTube searching NHL videos and came over a bunch of NHL fan made History Will Be Made parody videos.  Some of them I had not seen before so I thought I would post my favorites here.  This was a campaign the NHL ran during the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year and it was definitely one of the best ideas the NHL has come across in the marketing area of the game.

Join me after this for some of my favorite of the parodies and NHL originals.....

The NYRangers Have A NEW ECHL Affiliate, The Greenville Road Warriors!!

According to Jess Rubenstein over at The Prospect Park, the Rangers will announce a new agreement with the Greenville Road Warriors to be there new ECHL affiliate.  Greenville is located in South Carolina!!

Here is the link to the full post over at The Prospect Park!

The Rangers previous ECHL team was located in Charlotte but the Checkers left the ECHL to become the Carolina Hurricanes AHL affiliate which is a step up from the ECHL.  The team will be shared with the Philadelphia Flyers which is a bit odd! The Rangers are expected to make the official announcement sometime this week!

Offer Sheets Are Very Very Rare!!

A lot of NYRangers fans have become increasingly worried about Marc Staal and his contract negotiations.  The talk that maybe some team will drop an offer sheet on him has been pushed around as a reason why we should get this deal over with.  While I agree that we should hurry this process up and get Staal locked up for at least the next two seasons, an offer sheet is not one of those reasons.

If Staal does get an offer sheet, I can't see Sather not matching it unless it is upwards of $7M and if it is then the Rangers will get a boatload of picks in compensation.  For any offer sheet above $7.7M, the team will receive four first round draft picks.  This is the main reason we do not see offer sheets as often because teams could get screwed into giving up a lot of compensation.  But they know that going in and are aware of the risk.

Join me after this for more on offer sheets and the Rangers history.......