Coming off of the 2004-2005 NHL lockout there were a lot of unknowns at the time. Coinciding with all the unknowns was the future of the league, and the future face of the league’s eventual destination hung in the balance of lottery balls.

Sidney Crosby was known far and wide at the time for years as “The Next One.” A generational talent that would alter his teams future. And as the 2004-05 season was canceled, the NHL decided to take a different approach to assigning the draft order.

Each team began with three balls in the lottery barrel. For every playoff appearance in the previous three years or No. 1 overall pick over the last four years, a team lost one ball. With that scenario, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Columbus and the New York Rangers had the best chance of drafting Crosby.

As luck would have it, only one of the teams with three balls ended up with a top-four pick, Pittsburgh. Picks 2, 3 and 4 (Anaheim, Carolina, and Minnesota) each had two balls. Buffalo dropped to the 13th overall pick, Columbus landed the sixth overall pick and the Rangers landed the 16th overall pick.

In Episode 13 of Tilted Ice: North of Penn (Available on iTunes), the guys take you to an alternate dimension where on July 22, 2005, the New York Rangers were assigned the NHL’s first overall pick.

You can listen in to this whacky world on iTunes by subscribing to Tilted Ice Podcast and listening to the Soundcloud below.

https://soundcloud.com/user-200365995/tilted-ice-alternate-reality-what-if-the-rangers-drafted-sidney-crosby

In Addition:

The Rangers did get crafty though and engineered a 3-team deal that sent their 16th overall pick (Alex Bourret) as well as their second-round pick, 41st overall, current Ranger (Ondrej Pavelec) to Atlanta for the 12th overall pick (Marc Staal) which Atlanta acquired from San Jose. Atlanta, who originally picked 8th overall (Devin Setoguchi) traded back in the round to San Jose swapping their 8th overall pick for San Jose’s 12th overall pick as well as San Jose’s second-round pick and a seventh-round pick.

By the way, Benoit Pouliot was the second highest ranked prospect in that draft after Crosby. Carey Price went fifth overall to the Canadiens, so maybe the balls fell alright for New York.

“Those aren’t boo’s, those are Zucc’s, Zuuc’s!”

Sam Rosen’s usual exclamation of that sound emanating from the Garden has become a familiar theme to occur at The World’s Most Famous Arena over the last few years. The Blueshirt faithful come together to gleefully cheer on Mats Zuccarello with resounding “Zucc’s!” as he contributes to the score sheet. Every contending team boasts heart and soul players, and Mats Zuccarello has been the definition of heart and soul for the New York Rangers over the last few years.

Zuccarello has been an important part of the Rangers organization for years. Plucked out of the SEL as one of the top players in all of Europe, the Rangers took a gamble on the young, Norwegian forward due to the sleek speed and skill he possessed. Rangers brass got a hard look at him during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, which ultimately led to the Rangers signing him later that summer. This move has payed off for the Rangers, ten fold.

His hard working attitude and skillful approach to the game makes it easier for the Blueshirt faithful to cheer on the 5’7” forward. There is a certain spunk to his game that is endearing to hockey fans. He isn’t afraid to go to the dirty areas of the ice, puts his all on the ice and even stands up for his mates, even if the player is larger than him in size.

But what really makes Zuccarello stand out is his skill. The man can flat out play. A consistent 50 plus point player, he’s been a cog in the Rangers machine. Over the years, Zuccarello has shown an incredible mind for the game, matched with a passing ability and silky smooth puck skills that allows him to make his teammates better.

All of these things above is what Zuccarello brings to the table. A massively skilled, pesky forward with an incredible hockey sense that makes his team better. With that being said, one of the other defining qualities for Zuccarello is his tenacity and will to want to play and be the best. His journey to the NHL and the Rangers has not been an easy one, which makes his successes over the last few years all the better.

During the John Tortorella days, which feel like the Stone Age, Zuccarello was up and down from Hartford, to the big club and back. There was no place for him on the roster during this period. It seemed that after some time, with the trend that was occurring, Zuccarello seemingly was becoming the odd man out. All of this seemed to be confirmed when he signed a deal with Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the KHL for two years on June 1st, 2012

Finally, as the lockout shortened season of 2012-2013 went on, Zuccarello returned to the Rangers in March of that year and he never looked back. During his 15 games that season, Zuccarello helped boost the Rangers into the playoffs by putting up 3 goals and 5 assists, with a plus-minus rating of 10.

The following season began a new chapter for Zucc. A new coach in Alain Vigneault meant a more up tempo, up beat, offensive style of hockey was ushering it’s way to the Rangers, and it’s exactly the potion Zuccarello needed to solidify his spot in the Rangers lineup. In 77 regular season games during 2013-14, Zuccarello broke out and tallied 59 points with 19 goals and 40 assists. He was paired on a line with Derick Brassard and Benoit Pouliot, which easily became one of the better Rangers pairings since the days of Michael Nylander-Jaromir Jagr-Martin Straka. Add a magical playoff run and Stanley Cup Final appearance and Zuccarello went from affiliate hopper to Rangers mainstay in just about one year.

Another hurdle Zuccarello encountered was a far more dangerous one. This one had life or death implications. Game 5 of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs versus Pittsburgh is the setting. Zuccarello was jostling with a Penguins player in front of Henrik Lundqvist when a Ryan McDonagh slap shot hit Zuccarello on the left side of his head as he went down. With 3:58 remaining in the first period of that game, he left and didn’t return.

Zuccarello was admitted to the hospital and was revealed to have sustained a brain contusion. The injury was serious enough where he lost the ability to speak at some point. His future in hockey was questioned.

Zuccarello said he suffered a brain contusion, had bleeding on the brain and had a hairline fracture of his skull. He did not suffer a concussion. He spent three days in a hospital and only began talking after four days with the help of speech therapy, which he is still undergoing. Zuccarello also said he had initially lost some feeling in his arm.

“Of course, yeah,” Zuccarello said at the Rangers’ breakup day when asked if he was scared. “In the beginning I couldn’t talk. I lost everything. It was scary, but the doctors have been really good and made sure I knew I was gonna be healthy.” New York Daily News  

Regardless of his injury, being the tough man he is, he was able to recover from this serious injury and returned to the Rangers lineup. As he led the team in scoring, Zuccarello made an impact on his return from his brain injury by playing in 78 games and scoring 15 goals and 49 assists. His hard work and perseverance did not go unnoticed as he was awarded the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award (an award he’s won three times previously), as well as a finalist for the Bill Masterton Trophy that summer.

Recently awarded the “A” that now sits on his left shoulder, Mats Zuccarello personifies what it means to not only be a New York Ranger but personifies what a heart and soul hockey player means to a team. The successes over the last few years have his markings all over it. An on ice warrior and an off ice ambassador, pushing through a serious head injury, uncertainty and his size, Mats Zuccarello has had an unexpected journey to the big club and every Rangers fan appreciates the effort and heart he puts out for the club every game. To that we raise a glass and salute Mr.Zuccarello! Dilly Dilly!

This is Part Three of a Five-Part series ranking and evaluating Sather’s greatest (and not-so-greatest) decisions during his tenure as NY Rangers’ General Manager. Sather served as Rangers’ GM for 15 years, being hired on May 29, 2000 and stepping down July 1, 2015.

For Part One (#41 to #50), Click Here
For Part Two (#31 to #40), Click Here

Top 50 Greatest Moves (#21 to #30)

#30 – Signing F Michael Nylander (August 10, 2004):

There wasn’t much noise when Sather signed unrestricted free agent center Nylander to a 3-year contract in the weeks proceeding the infamous 2005 NHL lockout. Little did fans know, the Straka-Nylander-Jagr line of 2005-2007 would be turn out to be an offensive juggernaut on Broadway. Nylander would notch 176 points in 174 games as a Ranger (55 goals, 121 assists) during his stint, before being replaced via free agency with Chris Drury & Scott Gomez as center additions in the summer of 2008. To be fair, Nylander would only play 115 NHL games after his career as a Broadway Blueshirt, signing with Washington (not Edmonton!) in 2007 before playing his final game in 2009.

On April 12, 2007; Nylander became the first Ranger to score a game-winning postseason goal since Mark Messier‘s GWG on May 8, 1997.

#29 – Signing F Marian Gaborik (July 1, 2009):

Despite missing most of the 2008-09 NHL season with a groin injury, Rangers fan were ecstatic when Sather inked Gabs to a 5-year, $37.5 million contract on the opening day of the 2009 free agency off-season. And, ultimately, Gaborik delivered. While he was traded to Columbus before his contract would expire, Gabs ended up notching 120 goals, 122 assists & 242 points in 280 games. He would help lead the 2012 Rangers to their first Eastern Conference Finals birth in 15 years, including a memorable TRIPLE-OVERTIME GOAL against Washington in Game 3 of the second round.

#28 – Acquiring a 3rd Round Draft Pick for F Derek Dorsett (June 27, 2014):

While this summer’s trade of Zac Rinaldo for a 3rd Round Draft Pick has been hailed as quite a steal, we would surely be remiss to forget Sather’s similar unloading of 4th-line winger Dorsett to Vancouver for the same return. Dorsett, acquired in the Gaborik trade of 2013, had an ultimately forgettable stint on Broadway… putting up only 4 goals, 6 assists & 10 points in 85 games. That pick would ultimately become F Keegan Iverson, a Rangers prospect currently playing in the WHL. Unfortunately, the $1,633,333 in salary cap space alleviated for Sather in this trade would be mostly wasted as Tanner Glass would sign for $1,450,000/year a few days later.

#27 – Signing F Martin Straka (August 2, 2005):

Akin to Sather’s free-agency signing of Nylander between the 2004 & 2006 seasons, there wasn’t much initial notice taken to the signing of Straka to a 1-year contract (of which he would re-sign 1-year deals in 2006 & 2007). Yet, Straka would help feed Jaromir Jagr en route to his record-breaking 2006 season. In fact, Straka would lead the offensively-stacked 2005-06 Rangers in Power Play Assists (29). Overall, Straka would notch 70 goals, 137 assists & 207 points in his 248 games as a Ranger. Straka would defer back to the Czech league in the summer of 2008, shortly after Jagr’s Broadway tenure ended as well. Here’s one of his nifty goals from the 2008 playoffs.

#26 – Signing D Dan Girardi to his 1st, 2nd & 3rd NHL contracts (July 1, 2006; February 16, 2008; & July 9, 2010):

For any teenager unlikely to be a part of the NHL draft following their 18th or 19th birthday… Dan Girardi is a straight-up inspiration. He went undrafted in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, signed a two-way contract in the minors, and went from ECHL to AHL to NHL in 18 months. Since his call-up to the NHL on January 27, 2007 (following re-assigment of D Darius Kasparitis), he has remained on the Rangers’ NHL roster ever since. While his offense has been minimal, Girardi’s exceptional attendance rate since breaking into the major league has been nothing short of extraordinary (he’s only missed 5 games due to injury in his 759 games played since 2007!). He signed a 2-year $533,333/year contract as his entry-level deal, a 2-year $1,550,000/year contract as his 2nd NHL deal and a 4-year $3,325,000/year deal as his 3rd NHL deal.

While Girardi’s 4th and most recent 6-year, $5,500,000/year contract has raised eyebrows… There’s little doubt his first trio of NHL contracts were wonderfully valuable signings for Sather and company. If you’re wondering how tough the guy is, consider he led all Rangers skaters in icetime last postseason, despite harboring a Grade 1 MCL sprain in his knee!

In the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals, Girardi notched both game-winning-goals for both of New York’s wins in the series, coming in Game 1 & Game 3.

#25 – Signing F Brendan Shanahan (July 9, 2006):

Sather’s 2005-06 season was successful in the sense of clinching the Rangers’ first playoff birth since 1997, but pitiful in the sense of suffering a four-game sweep in the opening round against the rival New Jersey Devils. And with the departures of forwards Martin Rucinsky, Petr Sykora & Steve Rucchin… Sather opted to sign future-hall-of-famer Shanahan to a 1-year, $4 million deal. It’s hard to argue that decision was anything but successful.

Shanahan scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner, in his Rangers debut on the first game of the 2006-07 season. That game-winner was also his 600th career NHL goal, becoming only the 15th player in history to accomplish such a feat. While totaling 29 goals, 33 assists & 62 points in 67 games that season, Shanny quickly became loved and adored by the Garden faithful. He won the first-ever Mark Messier Leadership Award, was named to this 8th and final NHL All-Star game (where he served as captain of Team Eastern Conference), and the 37-year-old even fought with fisticuffs heavyweight Donald Brashear.

Shanahan helped pioneer the Rangers to their first playoff game victory in a decade, tallying game-winners in Game 2 of the first round against Atlanta, as well as Game 4 in the second round against Buffalo. Shanny finished with 5 goals, 2 assists and 7 points in the 10 postseason games that spring. He would play one more season with the Rangers in 2007-08, but Shanahan eventually retired in 2009. While his time was short and sweet on Broadway, fans will always appreciate his service as a Blueshirt, even during his politically unpopular stint as the NHL Chief Disciplinarian.

#24 – Signing F Benoit Pouliot (July 5, 2013):

There wasn’t much chatter from Ranger fans when Sather inked the consistently inconsistent Pouliot to a 1-year, $1.3 million contract in the summer of 2013. The former 4th overall pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft had bounced around Minnesota, Montreal, Boston and Tampa Bay in previous seasons, never quite securing a spot in the top lines as an offensive contributor. In fact, Pouliot was somewhat of a reclamation project, with a relatively small salary cap hit coupled with potential upside.

Of course, when inserted on a line with Mats Zuccarello and Derick Brassard, the trio materialized into the Rangers most consistent, puck-possessing, offensively contributing line of the 2013-14 season. Pouliot set a personal best for assists (21), points (36) and minutes played (1,075) in a single season. Pouliot also scored the game-winning goal in Game 7 against Philadelphia in the first round of the 2014 postseason, en route to the Stanley Cup Final loss against Los Angeles. Pouliot would leave New York after his contract expired for bigger money in Edmonton.

#23 – Signing F Derick Brassard to a 5-year, $25 million contract (July 27, 2014):

Less than a month after the amnesty buyout of Brad Richards in the summer of 2014, Sather had choices to make. He had center Derek Stepan under contract for one more season, and had to decide if Brassard could be reasonably expected to replace Richards’ minutes as one of the top-two Rangers pivots. At the time, the 27-year old Brassard had averaged just under 16 minutes per game as a Ranger, and even less of an average during his years in Columbus. In fact, Brassard had only played over 17 minutes per game one season in his career (2010-11, 17:02 per game).

So when Sather inked Brassard to the 5-year extension for a 2nd liner’s paygrade, it was met with legitimate skepticism mixed with reasonable optimism. Brassard had flourished in his first full season with the Rangers (centering the aforementioned Zuccarello-Brass-Pouliot line in 2013-14), but was now being invested upon to play bigger, tougher minutes. So how does it look now? Granted we are only one year into the deal, but his 2014-15 season was a career year by all accounts.

Replacing the departed Pouliot with Olympian Rick Nash, Brassard once again centered the Rangers’ most dynamic line, setting personal bests last season. His 19 goals, 41 assists, 60 points, +9 rating, and 17:24 icetime-per-game were all career-highs for Derick. And at 28 years young come September, it seems Brassard’s $5 million annual cap hit is a home run, especially considering the particularly steep price of reliable centers leaguewide. Brassard notched the game-winning-goal in Game 2 against Washington in the 2nd round of the 2015 playoffs.

#22 – Acquiring F Brian Boyle for a 3rd Round Pick (June 27, 2009):

There wasn’t much expectation of Boyle from Rangers fans when Sather pulled the trigger on this trade a little over 6 years ago. Boyle, a Boston College alumni, had only played 36 NHL games with Los Angeles at the time. Ultimately Boyle would establish himself as a reliable bottom-6 forward, whom would catch flack for flanking sluggishness with his size (and not hitting opponents enough), but was viewed favorably for his excellent penalty-killing ability, reliable faceoff game, and dependable elevation-of-gameplay in Rangers’ postseasons.

Boyle played an aggregate of 413 NHL games as a Ranger, totaling 53 goals, 56 assists and 109 points. He was the number-one penalty-killing forward in the 2011-12 run to the Eastern Conference as well as the 2013-14 run to the Stanley Cup Finals. As for the 3rd Rounder traded for Boyle? It would be used to select Jordan Weal, who has yet to play a single NHL game more than 5 years after he was drafted 70th overall in 2010.

#21 – Signing D Michal Rozsival (September 6, 2005):

One of the many European signings via free agency that Sather orchestrated leading up to the ‘Jagr era’ success of 2005-2008, Rozsival was inked roughly a month before the 2005-06 season. He was signed to a 1-year, $703,000 contract, which turned out to be a home run. He would lead the league in plus/minus (+35) in his first season on Broadway, and help lead the team to its first playoff series in a decade.

Rozsival would extend his contract for $2.1 million per year for 2 years the following season, anchoring a defense which would see the Rangers win their first playoff game and playoff series since 1997. Perhaps his most memorable moment was scoring the double-overtime game-winner against Buffalo in Game 3 of the 2007 2nd Round of playoffs. At the time it was the Rangers’ longest home playoff game since 1971.

Sather would sign Rozsival for a third time in 2008, but trade him to Phoenix in 2011 for F Wojtek Wolski. Overall, Rozsival played 463 games for New York, putting up 46 goals (22 of which being Power Play goals), 144 assists and 190 points. He finished +52 in his Rangers career, and nearly all of his best statistical seasons were when he donned the Broadway blue.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Stay tuned for Part FOUR of this series, as we will gradually unveil Sather’s Top 50 BEST moves as Rangers’ General Manager. Follow me on Twitter @HockeyStatMiner!

Since July 1st, most sports talks shows, websites and experts had basically knocked the NY Rangers. The losses of Brad Richards, Anton Stralman, Brian Boyle, and Benoit Pouliot are simply too much for them to overcome. We said it back in the summer and we will say it again – NONSENSE!

DAN BOYLE vs. ANTON STRALMAN

While those were significant pieces to last year’s team, they were hardly irreplaceable. In all fairness, the Rangers began their transformation by addressing their need for a PP QB in Dan Boyle. Of course, his signing came at a cost by the name of Anton Stralman.

Don’t get me wrong, Stralman was a solid defensive player for the Rangers but did little to generate any offense. Worse yet, the Rangers were forced to use the regressing Brad Richards on the point. NY’s power play last season was 18.2% in the regular season and an abysmal 12.6% in the playoffs.

This season, the Blueshirt’s power play is operating at a rate of 21.2%. Since December 16th, NY has gone 12 for 31 on the man advantage for a success rate of 38%. A key contributor to the PP’s success has been Dan Boyle, who has 5 PP points during this stretch (1G-4A).

His ability to move the puck quickly, join the the play down low and legit threat of a point shot has given the Rangers a totally new dynamic to their power play. Last year it was well known that Richards had limited mobility and a shot that couldn’t break a pane of glass. Now it’s a whole new dynamic.

Boyle’s injury certainly hampered his production early, but he and the Rangers are moving ahead nicely. His 4 goals and 9 points in 22 games are good for .41 points per game average that is rising. Stralman is also having a solid season with 2 goals and 18 points for a .43 points per game rate.

Here is the key indicator that says it all and will eventually move Boyle way ahead of Stralman on the scoresheet. Dan Boyle is averaging 1.9 shots per game to Stralman’s 1.5 shots. This is significant as more shots generated obviously lead to more scoring chances. Another important factor is 78% of Boyle’s points have come on the power play while only 27% of Stralman’s have.

These stats are exactly what Glen Sather and the Rangers organization were looking for in a defenseman who could QB a PP. Stralman simply wasn’t going to fit that bill. Also, his contract demands were high and longterm. On paper both Boyle and Stralman have the same 4.5 cap hit, but Florida has no State Income Tax. That would’ve meant giving Stralman possibly 20% more to match.

When you look at Marc Staal’s impending contract and those of players like UFA, Mats Zuccarello and RFA Derek Stepan to name just a few. You realize that Boyle’s 2 year deal fits this team for today and the future better than an average stay at home defenseman like Stralman.

KEVIN HAYES vs. BRAD RICHARDS

Brad Richards would actually be a really good fit as a 3rd line center for this team. Unfortunately his contract was simply intolerable going forward. Kevin Hayes has basically taken his role and done an admirable job as a rookie.

Hayes has 5 goals and 15 points in 35 games for a points per game average of .43% on the NYR 3rd line. Richards who makes 1.1M more and is in the twilight of his career is at .63 on a high powered Blackhawks team’s 2nd line.

Today it’s obvious Brad may have been a better fit but Kevin Hayes’ future is bright for both he and the Rangers.

LEE STEMNIAK vs. BENOIT POULIOT

This one is the easiest one of the bunch. It goes like this, Benoit Pouliot makes 4M dollars a year and Stempniak makes 900K. Pouliot has 4 goals and 9 points this season with an average points per game of .39. Stempniak has 6 goals and 14 points with a .44 points per game rate.

Clear cut win.

JT MILLER vs BRIAN BOYLE

First off, let me say I was a huge fan of what Brian Boyle brought to the Rangers. He was a tenacious checker with decent speed. His ability to kill penalties, block shots and most importantly win draws are still hard to replace.

However, he was looking for a larger role and more money and NY had to consider the longterm health of the franchise. Brian signed in the neighborhood of 2M but again, in Florida there is no State Income Tax so the Rangers would’ve had to offer more to match.

As JT Miller has started to cement himself as a 4th line winger, he is bringing more speed and offensive prowess than Boyle ever could. Boyle is averaging .26 points per game which pales in comparison to Miller’s .55 average.

Of course, the luxury of having Brian Boyle on the PK and face-off circle doesn’t make this one a clear cut decision. We know longterm that JT Miller can be a top 6 forward, but for today Boyle could have certainly helped.

We can call this one even for now.

There hasn’t been a repeat Stanley Cup champion in the NHL since the 1998 Detroit Red Wings. Why? Because it is always so tough to keep the same team together and have the same chemistry as you did the year before.

The New York Rangers are experiencing that right now. After a magical run to the Final for the first time since 1994, already four key pieces to that team have left, leaving huge holes as the Rangers head into the 2014-15 campaign.

Anton Stralman and Brian Boyle left for the Sunshine State to play with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Benoit Pouliot was signed by the Edmonton Oilers, and Brad Richards was bought out by the organization, and he recently signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks.

These four players were prime pieces of the puzzle which resulted in the Rangers’ playoff run this year. Anton Stralman was a rock on defense and was the unsung hero for much of the regular season and playoffs, he even dove behind Henrik Lundqvist to sweep a puck off the goal line against the Los Angeles Kings. He was definitely the most underrated defenseman on the Rangers, and that was due to the fact of the shutdown qualities that Ryan McDonagh and Dan Girardi brought to the table.

Some may think that losing Stralman isn’t really a big deal, but in the eyes of many, it is a big deal, because of the passion and drive he brought to the team, and that simply can’t be replaced.

Brian Boyle was a big piece too. He is a huge body who can stand in front of the net to provide screens, he can throw the body if you need him too, and he is great on the penalty kill. He mixed in a few goals for the Rangers, but that really isn’t his forte. All in all, Boyle was a great two-way center and he will be sorely missed by head coach Alain Vigneault.

Benoit Pouliot was known for taking bad offensive-zone penalties which won’t be missed, but his chemistry with Mats Zuccarello and Derick Brassard is something that can’t be repeated. They were the Rangers’ most dangerous and consistent line throughout the entire season, and with Pouliot’s touch now gone, that line has now gone with it, and Brassard and Zuccarello (pending contracts) will need to find a new teammate to play with.

Finally, Brad Richards, although he has seriously lost his scoring touch over recent years, his veteran leadership and experience will be missed in a locker room full of young players. Although the Rangers played without officially naming a captain after Ryan Callahan left, fans including myself knew that Richards was playing the captain role, leading the team on and off the ice. We wish him nothing but the best in Chicago, and maybe a return awaits him? 

To combat these losses, Glen Sather went out and reeled in Dan Boyle, Mike Kostka, Chris Mueller, Tanner Glass, Matt Hunwick and Chris Bourque. Besides the signing of Boyle, who will replace Stralman, the rest are really depth signings by Sather. He still needs to go out and get a true center, perhaps in the form of Joe Thornton or Dany Heatley who can play both.

FTHN Magazine has reported that Joe Thornton will not waive his NTC.

Things change quickly in the NHL, and that may mean losing players that were on a Final team, and in this case, Rangers brass has some holes to fill.

Benoit Pouliot has won the NHL equivalent of lotto! How a guy who has never scored more than 16 goals in his NHL career can land a 5 year deal at 4 million a season is mind-numbing.

Pouliot scored 15G/21A with +10 in 80GP in 2013-14 with @NYRangers, while Fayne had 4G/7A with -5 and 30PIM in 70GP with @NHLDevils.

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) July 1, 2014

The Edmonton Oilers traded away an excellent player like Sam Gagner and sign a journeyman to a deal like that? I’m sorry but this is exactly why Glen Sather will not do much today if teams spend like drunken sailors.

Edm has to overpay but 20 million for Pouliot??? Start ur buyout papers now!!!!

— Matthew Barnaby (@MattBarnaby3636) July 1, 2014

In addition, defense should fly off the board as Ehrhoff is gone. Stralman is probably on his way to Detroit soon.

Christian Ehrhoff has agreed to terms on a one-year deal at $4M with PIT. #TSN #FAF

— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) July 1, 2014

More coming…

Today will be Benoit Pouliot’s last day as a New York Ranger. Earlier this afternoon, Pouliot and his agent met with the Senators brass in Ottawa to discuss a multi-year deal. The Sens who have plenty of roster openings are extremely interested in bringing in the big LW.

#Sens and #Rangers UFA Benoit Pouliot share a mutual interest. The LW is considered a useful depth player and resides in the vicinity.

— Murray Pam (@Pammerhockey) June 30, 2014

Benoit made quite a splash this season with the Rangers as he notched 15 goals. While those aren’t great totals, his play during the postseason obviously opened some eyes around the league.

5 free agents I think OTT will look at: Moulson (MIN), Havlat (SJS), Pouliot (NYR), Jokinen (PIT) and keeping Milan Michalek. #Sens — Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) June 30, 2014

(3/3) Penguins expected to make strong push for Pouliot tomorrow

— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) June 30, 2014

Pouliot grew up in St. Isidore, Ontario and his brother plays junior hockey there. If the years and money are right, he would choose Ottawa over any other destination.

One good season does not a superstar make, or even a regular on the Rangers roster for that matter. As of yesterday, 10 teams have expressed interest in Benoit Pouliot and he is seeking a long term deal. 

Larry Brooks of the NY Post has said that he is looking for a deal in excess of 3 million a season. If that is the case, Glen Sather will let him walk.

Pouliot no sure thing to remain a Ranger. https://t.co/lFCvYqgWWB via @nypost

— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) June 27, 2014

NY’s cap situation is precarious to say the least, and although Pouliot found mid-season chemistry with Mats Zuccarello and Derick Brassard, he is easily replaceable.

Benoit Pouliot has earned his payday of course, but after showing a history of failing with other teams, why should the Rangers overpay for what could be the exception and not the rule?

Is a career 15 goal scorer worth over 3 million a season in today’s day an age? If so, the NHL is a mess. At the age of 27, what you see is what you get. With the amount of UFA wingers out there that have a proven track record, Pouliot is one to pass on.

Yesterday, we mentioned replacing Pouliot with Dany Heatley. Larry Brooks mentioned Heatley, as well as Dustin Penner and Devin Setoguchi. The latter is very interesting. Setoguchi is a former 30 goal scorer and has topped 20 goals 3 times in his 7 year career.

Why Setoguchi is so interesting has to do more with his coming off a disappointing season where he was making 3 million a season. It’s possible the Rangers could sign him for less. If that is the case, and I assure you, Slats has already made phone calls. NY should bring in the young man and watch the same chemistry ensue.

The line of Derick Brassard flanked by Benoit Pouliot and Mats Zuccarello have been clicking since Christmas. At least that’s the way head coach Alain Vigneault sees it. That line gave Pittsburgh fits last night and got the Rangers the win.

BENOIT POULIOT (ALFRED, ONTARIO)

Benoit Pouliot has probably been the most surprising of the trio after netting a goal and an assist in game 1. For much of the 1st half, people wondered what Vigneault saw in the huge winger. In the first two months of the season, Pouliot had 2 goals and 4 points in 27 games.  He scored 13 goals and 32 points the rest of the way and completed the line with Brass and Zucc. His contributions in the playoffs have been even better with 3 goals and 6 points in 8 contests.

DERICK BRASSARD (HULL, QUEBEC)

Derick Brassard was coming off an excellent playoff the year before. Expectations were high coming into this season, but he struggled. Brassard finished the year with 18 goals and 45 points and continued to have struggles in round one. He managed just 2 assists against the Flyers but things may be looking up in round 2. The overtime marker may be the break Brassard needs to get going offensively. However, what shouldn’t be lost is the maturity Derick has shown in all three zones.

MATS ZUCCARELLO (OSLO, NORWAY)

The true key to the line is Mats Zuccarello. He led the Rangers in scoring for the year with 59 points (19 goals and 40 assists), and seems to elevate his game when it counts. Zuccarello has 2 goals and 4 points in the playoffs so far, but his responsibilities have grown. He was a regular on the power play during the year, but now he’s being deployed as a penalty killer as well. His ability and speed keeps the opposition honest and helps the defense down low. Mix in Zucc’s fiery spirit and he’s perfect in any capacity the Rangers utilize him in.

So, two French Canadians and a Norwegian walk into a bar in Pittsburgh. The first Frenchman passes it to the second Frenchman who scores, but the second Frenchman passes it back to the first Frenchman who scores again. Meanwhile, the little Norwegian laughs all the way back to the locker room. If you think the joke is terrible, just ask how the Penguins feel?

Pouliot to Brassard – GOAL! No, the ref waves it off. Brassard to Pouliot – GOAL! Either way you slice it, RANGERS WIN! In what was a must win game one for New York, the line of Brassard, Pouliot and Zuccarello found another gear and won it.

Another step closer after Brassard’s OT winner!! https://t.co/iuNl8lIzRP #NYRPlayoffs #AboveAndBeyond pic.twitter.com/dsn4YU2Uaf

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 3, 2014

The NHL somehow saw it fit to pile on the games for the Rangers in the first two rounds with the schedule. Of course, had the Blueshirts any semblance of a killer instinct, they may have knocked the Flyers off sooner. Now, they are faced with having played back-to-back Tuesday and Wednesday in round one, to consecutive games Sunday and Monday in round two.

New York’s alleged energy depleted team was supposed to be outworked by Pittsburgh’s rested club. Instead, it was the Rangers doing all the hitting and high flying. The player of the game Benoit Pouliot, opened the scoring with a strong inside move on a rush, whipping one past Marc Andre Fleury. It was one of those whiffs the Penguins goalie would like to have back. The Rangers would close out the first period scoring when Brad Richards, on his birthday, was left all alone in front. The goal was caused by Carl Hagelin out hustling the Pens defense to find Richards with time and space to beat Fleury.

It was role reversal time in the second period, as the Rangers had a hard time picking up the Pens’ players trailing the play. Goals by Lee Stempniak and James Neal evened the score. Neal’s goal shouldn’t have counted according to Keith Jones of NBC. Although, the play went to review, it could only be looked at to see if the puck was hit with a high stick. Malkin’s interference with his stick on Lundqvist’s glove went uncalled and the goal stood.

The third period is where everyone expected the Rangers to be too exhausted and fold. Quite the contrary, they went toe-to-toe with the Penguins and actually out chanced them. NY survived a late scare with just seconds left, as Lee Stempniak game in all alone. Dan Girardi, inexplicably dove at the puck and took himself out of the play. Stempniak’s shot hit Lundqvist and slid wide. Henrik actually thought he was beat on the play and admitted so after the game. He recalled being “relieved” when he saw the puck hit the boards.

Overtime began and the Penguins forgot to start it. The Rangers buzzed all over Pittsburgh and ended the game 3:06 in. The actual game winner coming from Derick Brassard. After the game Alain Vigneault joked about the line and overtime, “Since Christmas they’ve probably been our most consistent line. They’ve got real good chemistry. They read off one another and support one another well and … they scored two in overtime.”

ICYMI: Derick Brassard roofed one off the back bar to give the @NYRangers a 1-0 series lead. #BecauseItsTheCup https://t.co/0Vh9At43hK — NHL (@NHL) May 3, 2014

The fun continues in Pittsburgh for Game 2 this Sunday at 7:30 ET.