New York Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant is calling out Nikita Kucherov for jabbing his stick into Igor Shesterkin’s knee in the second period of Game 3.

After Tampa won 3-2 on Sunday, Gallant was not happy with how the Lightning made it their mission to bump and hit Shesterkin. He stated his case clearly in his post game comments.

“It doesn’t faze him”, Gallant said. “It fazes me more than him. I don’t like it. Hopefully, when we talk to the supervisor tomorrow, they’ll take care of some of that because it wasn’t right.”

There was a lot of contact between Tampa players and Shesterkin that included a Corey Perry slash to his face mask and a Riley Nash run in that was called interference.

On Monday, Gallant provided more clarity on what exactly bothered him.

Rangers call out Nikita Kucherov

“I’ve got no concerns when you get into those areas,” Gallant explained. “The only concern I had out of the whole thing is when Kucherov come from behind him and stuck him in the back of the knee. The other plays are hockey plays and they happen. I don’t like the dirt behind the play like that.”

The incident Gallant is referring to came during the second period after the whistle. You can see Kucherov skate from behind the net and use his stick to the back of Shesterkin’s knee, which has considerably less padding.

Here's another angle to that pic.twitter.com/V5UyLefEbt

— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) June 6, 2022

Game 4 should be a very intriguing affair and it will be interesting to see how the refs call it going forward.

New York Rangers Playoff Schedule: ECF vs Tampa Bay Lightning

NHL Suspends Evander Kane

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He began by chugging his beer and then pounding on the table. “Lets Go,” he said, looking very comfortable with his cap on backwards accompanied by a huge smile.

Kucherov on Vasilevskiy

Unsolicited and unprompted, Kucherov could not hold back his feelings for Conn Smythe winner, Andrei Vasilevskiy.

“Vasy was outstanding,” he said. “I was telling him everyday, ‘Vasy you the MVP’, you’re the best player.”

Kucherov could’ve stopped there, but we would’ve all missed out on this epic rant.

“They gave – whatever the guy in Vegas, the Vezina. And then last year they gave the Vezina to somebody else,” a perplexed Kucherov explained. “Number one bullshit – Vasy took both Cups – he took MVP – and I keep telling him he’s MVP – he’s the best.”

Obviously, he was alluding to Marc-Andre Fleury who took home the honors this season. However, the shot seems more directed to the GM’s that voted on the award, then it was on Fleury.

Kucherov gives Canadiens fans a parting shot

The comments that seemed to spark the most controversy came at the expense of Canadiens fans.

“I didn’t want to go back to Montreal,” he added. “The fans in Montreal, c’mon. They acted like they won the Stanley Cup last game.” Kucherov is obviously referencing the Habs Game 4 win where fans outside the Bell Centre partied in the streets avoiding a sweep.

“You kidding me? You kidding me?” he said in disbelief. “Their final was last series.”

Oh boy! I can’t wait for the Lightning’s next visit to Montreal during the 2021-22 campaign.

Nikita Kucherov not holding back in his post-game. Legendary press conference. pic.twitter.com/6hA9KvpgPE

— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) July 8, 2021

-This article was originally published at The Daily Goal Horn

NHL Roundup: Canadiens reach Final

Artturi Lehkonen scored in overtime and the Montreal Canadiens punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1993 with a 3-2 victory over the visiting Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday.

Montreal won the best-of-seven semifinal series in six games, becoming the first Canadian team to reach the finals since the Vancouver Canucks in 2011.

After a clutch OT save by goalie Carey Price, Lehkonen joined a rush up ice and converted a pass from Phillip Danault for his first goal of the series 99 seconds into the extra period.

The Canadiens have won five of six games that have gone to overtime during the postseason.

“I’m excited for those that were lucky enough to be in the building (3,500),” Price said. “Everybody in the city’s obviously ecstatic. It’s a fun time to be in Montreal right now.”

NHL.com

Nikita Kucherov doubtful for Game 7?

Lightning coach Jon Cooper shared no details on the status of injured Tampa Bay right wing Nikita Kucherov, leaving his status uncertain for Game 7 against the New York Islanders.

“No update,” Cooper said Thursday.

Cooper sounded as if he’s preparing for the defending Stanley Cup champions to take the ice without Kucherov.

“If that scenario came about we have to count on the guy we bring into the lineup,” Cooper said. “But other than that every team in the League will tell you: you lose players, you gain players, your lineup changes all the time. Is it ideal when you’re playing in the final four, when you’re playing against the best teams in the League, not to have your full lineup? No, but it opens doors for guys. Look at last night. The game (forward Anthony) Cirelli played, it was phenomenal. You just plug guys in. This isn’t new for us and you move on. If you’re fortunate enough to win the game it makes for one hell of a story.”

Seattle Kraken name Dave Hakstol first head coach

The expansion Seattle Kraken named Dave Hakstol as the franchise’s first head coach on Thursday.

“It is an honor to be the first head coach of the Seattle Kraken,” Hakstol said. “I am honored to be joining this tremendous group of staff and fans. When I first saw the arena, I was blown away — it is such a unique venue. I am looking forward to being a part of the group that builds a team that plays with pride, passion and selflessness for the city of Seattle.”

Rangers make more organizational changes

The goalie whisperer, Benoit Allaire has been given a promotion according to the latest press release just issued by the New York Rangers.

Allaire has been with the Rangers for the last 17 years. He was named to the staff as the goalie coach back in the summer of 2004 and helped Henrik Lundqvist become one of the game’s greats. As the the team’s new Director of Goaltending, he will oversee the development of all goalies in the organization. That will include the NHL level, where he will be based and continue as head goalie coach, as well as the AHL and ECHL.

-Field Level Media contributed to this article

NHL free agency has arrived, and with that comes difficult multi-million dollar decisions. The New York Rangers face an abundance of players that will be put up for auction for the league to bid on. One of those players is fourth-year center, Kevin Hayes.

Hayes, who is coming off of a career high in goals and also faceoff winning percentage, is an RFA. For me, I believe he should be part of the rebuilding Rangers. But, if that doesn’t happen and Hayes is moved after July 1st, how will the Rangers replace him? Could younger players move up to take his spot? Will a new face emerge from free agency to take Hayes’ spot?

Familiar Faces

Hayes is a second–line center who also spent time as a winger. What this means is that under Zibanejad at 1C, the lines can be mixed and matched depending on the handedness of the center for the bottom-nine.

This team is in full rebuild mode and it is apparent by their activity since July 1 that all eyes aren’t on next season being “The Year.” Vladislav Namestnikov is returning for two years at $4 million AAV, and the signing of stay-at-home defenseman Fredrik Claesson shows the status of the team.

With Namestnikov returning, the absence of Hayes moves him back to his normal role of center. For all intents and purposes, Vlad was dynamite with Tampa Bay, playing alongside Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov, but was a dud once he became a Blueshirt. 

Lias Andersson, Flip Chytil, and Vinni Lettieri could command the fourth line as the youth movement marches on to MSG.  

Best of the Rest

The Rangers could also look to dabble with their approximately $25 million of cap space on some older free agents. Losing Hayes opens a spot for the RW on the third or fourth lines. Zuccarello, Fast and possibly Ty Ronning would make up the entire right side of the Rangers forward core.

The wildfire of the first two days of free agency have come and gone and a plethora of potentials have gone to other teams in the league. Ryan Reaves and Michael Grabner were two names that grabbed a lot of traction but to no avail. Tobias Rieder and even Rick Nash was a possibility for the Blueshirts. But as I said they came and went and the Rangers stood idly by, and for good reason.

Hey Hey Hayes!

In all seriousness, I believe that Kevin Hayes should be involved in this upcoming rebuild. He has improved his scoring each season and seems to be improving as a valuable centerman. Varying between the wing and center is something that can’t be continued. Gaining back Namestnikov and pushing him back to his role as a center will make bringing back Hayes a lot easier. 

Nevertheless, Hayes staying as a center leaves Zibanejad, Hayes, Namestnikov, and Chytil as the four men down the middle. Zucc and Fast remain on the right wing from last year’s team, with a possibility of Ty Ronning and Vinni Lettieri emerging out of training camp. The left side is considerably set with Kreider, Buchnevich, and Andersson filling three of the four lines.

Jimmy Vesey is another question mark as he too is an RFA. Vesey’s performance in his first two seasons of professional hockey has been a bit on the lackluster side. He held a Corsi for of around 45% in both years and was on the ice for a considerable amount of goals against with a plus/minus of -31. Again, the Rangers have a lot of cap space this offseason, so being able to bring back Vesey is entirely possible on a short-term deal like two-years and $1.5 million AAV.  

It will come at a price, however, with former Ranger JT Miller signing an impressive 5x$5.25 million deal with Tampa Bay. Miller shined in his final 19 games with the Lightning, scoring eight goals and contributing on ten others. In comparison to Miller, Hayes performed less, except for scoring the puck. I would value Hayes at five-years, $4.75 million AAV, and for that, he may sign. 

Whether or not Hayes is a Ranger or not come October is impossible to predict. This is the hardest decision the Rangers must make in terms of all free-agent signings this offseason.

Here are the latest rumblings around Rangerstown.

Vladislav Namestnikov

The Rangers didn’t make a lot of noise on the first day of NHL free agency, but they did re-sign C/W Vladislav Namestnikov to a two-year deal.

The Rangers are hoping that Namestnikov can regain the level of play he had while in Tampa. Granted that he was playing on the same line as Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov, but he does have the talent to last in the NHL.

Fredrik Claesson

The Rangers made one UFA acquisition yesterday, signing former Senators defenseman Fredrik Claesson to a one-year deal. Claesson is a stay at home blue-liner that saw time playing alongside all-star defenseman Erik Karlsson.

This is a low-risk move by Gorton with the Rangers blue-line uncertain coming into training camp. Aside from Kevin Shattenkirk, Brady Skjei, and Marc Staal, the opening night defense corps is up in the air. Will Neal Pionk, Tony DeAngelo, or John Gilmour be able to extend their stay on Broadway? Will Brendan Smith have a good camp and get back to MSG? Time will tell, but bringing Claesson aboard gives the Rangers another NHL-level defenseman.

Rangers Alumni On The Move

There was plenty of action yesterday involving former Rangers heading to a new club for the 2018-19 season.

Michael Grabner, who the Rangers traded to the Devils at the deadline, signed a three-year contract with the Coyotes. Former Rangers teammate, and now current teammate, Derek Stepan welcomed Grabner in the most hockey way possible; by chirping him.

https://twitter.com/DerekStepan21/status/1013510871409184768

Former Rangers blue-liner John Moore signed a five-year contract with the Boston Bruins. A mobile defenseman, Moore will give the Bruins another great skating defenseman who knows how and when to jump into the play.

Adam Clendening, who spent 31 games on the ice for the Blueshirts, was signed by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Clendening’s roster spot won’t be guaranteed for John Tortorella’s club, but he could crack the opening night lineup as the team’s sixth defenseman.

Paul Carey was signed by the Senators after spending last season with the Rangers. Carey was a solid fourth-liner last-year and will bring hard work and consistency to Ottawa, even if they thought he was a defenseman.

The Penguins are bringing back Matt Cullen who, once upon a time, spent a season with the Rangers.

Aside from signing John Tavares, the Maple Leafs signed two former Rangers in Josh Jooris and Adam Cracknell. Neither player spent much time with the Blueshirts, but as they say: “once a Ranger, always a Ranger.”

Finally, the Vegas Golden Knights signed defenseman Nick Holden to a two-year deal. Holden started off well with the Rangers back in 2016, but his play declined significantly and he became an asset that needed to be moved. Vegas also brought back Brandon Pirri on a one-year deal.

In non-NHL signings, David Desharnais has signed with KHL club Lokomotiv. There had been rumors that Desharnais was heading over to the KHL when the Rangers season ended, and now it is official.

Here are the latest rumblings around Rangerstown.

Michael Grabner

According to reports from Craig Custance of The Athletic, Michael Grabner has reached out to the Rangers, but the two sides have not communicated. The veteran Austrian winger who flourished in 135 games on Broadway, has garnered a lot of interest around the league after scoring 27 goals in each of the last two seasons. The Rangers would be wise to bring Grabner back; a guy who would be a good mentor to the young guns around him that can keep up in a fast-paced NHL.

Justin Faulk

An interesting name that has lurked around the rumor mill in the last few months has been Carolina Hurricanes All-Star defenseman, Justin Faulk. The 26-year-old captain has roughly $5 million owed to him in each of the next two seasons, but depending on the price, he would absolutely be worth it. And as Scott Burnside reported yesterday in The Athletic, it would appear that the Hurricanes have their eyes on Jeff Gorton and the Rangers.

NYRPDC Day Three

The Rangers held their first scrimmage of prospect camp yesterday and there was a lot of action in the competitive game that went to a shootout. Ville Meskanen scored a pair of goals, and Libor Hajek and Filip Chytil also added markers. The 4-4 deadlock was won in the shootout by Gabriel Fontaine, who pulled off what’s been dubbed “The Kucherov” as he fooled the goaltender as the puck slid between his legs. While the deke was nice, Vince Pedrie decided to chirp his fellow Rangers prospect.

After the scrimmage, the prospects got a tour of Madison Square Garden led by Rangers legend Brian Leetch. Following the tour of their new home, the prospects were taken to the 9/11 Memorial Museum where K’Andre Miller laid flowers on the memorial fountains.

Following what had to be an emotional trip to the 9/11 Museum, the young Blueshirts got a boat tour of New York City.

Talk about a headline that’s going to confuse quite a few readers up front. Since Alain Vigneault put together the line of Chris Kreider (3G, 1A) Mika Zibanejad (2G, 7A) and Pavel Buchnevich (4G, 3A), the group has been on fire offensively. Many of these points coming on the power play though, but nonetheless quite impressive when your first line is putting up that many points.

With all that positivity, comes a little bit of reality though. I wrote recently about Pavel Buchnevich and his ceiling, mentioning that he has the ability to be a game-breaking type of talent but that his play in all three zones needs to improve in order to be considered and trusted as a first line player. In today’s NHL, you cannot be a one-dimensional player. Especially if you’re on the team’s top line, you’ll need to play a significant amount of minutes both in the offensive zone and the defensive zone. What I’ve seen in Buchnevich, aligns with his recent promotion. You’re not bad at something one day and then suddenly good the next; improvement is a progression and I have seen the progression that I believe Alain Vigneault also saw which coincided with his promotion.

With that being said, this trio will only be successful scoring goals and winning games for the team if they can be trusted to play in all three zones in all types of situations. Many will say that Buchnevich, and Zibanejad as well, can and will be protected. The issue with that is it cannot last as we witnessed Wednesday night in Chicago and furthermore Friday night in Columbus when the line needed to be separated.

In order to protect a player, a coach will usually put him in a less prominent role. For example, a talented winger offensively with defensive flaws can be hidden on the third line because his defensive flaws won’t be exposed as much playing against the opponent’s third line as they would against their top line.

With opponents like the Rangers have seen lately such as Tampa Bay (Stamkos and Kucherov), Edmonton (Connor McDavid), and Chicago (Patrick Kane), Alain Vigneault has done a terrific job in minimizing the risk of exposing his top line against those talents. To a degree, the risk was minimized as the only goal scorer of that bunch was Connor McDavid which came by way of the power play. Reading all that, you might be asking “well what’s the problem?”

Most of the team’s breakdowns have come on the back end of their lineup. In order to have proper line balance, a coach needs to employ his first liners as a first line and he hasn’t. In the three games I mentioned, Alain Vigneault has had to use Kevin Hayes, Rick Nash and Mats Zuccarello in that top line role, and the team has been successful as a result of that. Buchnevich has been a -3 in the past eight games despite having seven points. Zibanejad is a +/-0 in that span despite posting nine points. The issue with that is, they’re giving up that many goals at even strength and they’re already being protected.

Kevin Hayes, who has flown under the radar statistically for the team, is a +3 over the same time span while posting a goal and an assist. Despite the numbers, he’s been trusted on and deployed to play against the opponent’s top line and has been more than sound defensively. He’s generating offensive opportunities every game and is a big reason for Rick Nash recently heating up as well.

The line of Kevin Hayes, Rick Nash and Mats Zuccarello has been this team’s top line. Against the Edmonton Oilers, Connor McDavid was held to one shot on goal, ONE, and that’s all he needed to score a goal, yet it came on the power play. Aside from that, Connor McDavid was contained to the tune of (oh boy I’m going to use it) his worst possession numbers of the season, 31.58% (Credit to Shawn Taggart). The biggest reason that McDavid was contained so well was that Alain Vigneault had the ability as the home team to have the last change, and consistently took the KZB line off the ice when McDavid came on. Vigneault didn’t have that luxury on the road in Chicago, nor did he have that luxury on the road in Columbus either.

To combat the deficiencies, Vigneault has utilized multiple tactics including the implementation of multiple looks on the forecheck which worked on the road in Chicago until the second period where the Blackhawks were able to adjust by getting the puck up and over and into the Rangers defensive zone. I think this is the most interesting thing to watch. If teams begin to start pinching the Rangers in their own zone, how much time will Vigneault be able to give the KZB line? This question was temporarily answered in the third period Friday night versus Columbus.

This is long-term view and this isn’t anything that I’m concerned about over the course of multiple seasons as the progressions I’ve seen in Zibanejad and Buchnevich’s play do tell me that they’ll be able to develop more defensively and hopefully into complete 200-foot players. Until then though, the KZB line is really the second line.

(Editors Note: This post was drafted originally on Friday, November 17th prior to the New York Rangers versus Columbus Blue Jackets game.)