New York Rangers Daily Dose: Free Agency Trend, Pittsburgh

Welcome back to this edition of the New York Rangers Daily Dose.

Here are a few happenings in the world of the NHL:

NHL Free Agents Taking Less Money To Play- THEGLOBEANDMAIL.COM

Times have changed in the hockey world with the salary cap era. It’s causing more general managers to be smart with their money, when choosing free agents to move. A lot more awareness of avoiding the bloated “David Clarkson” or “Wade Redden” contracts has been a major weight on team’s shoulders when dealing with the offseason.

It seems that everyone is trying to avoid the lengthy-terms with the high per annual cap hit. It’s gotten to the point that many of the available players still on the free agency market may be willing to take less money than in the past to play the game they love. Also, teams are having to deal with their own free agents and deciding if they are worth keeping or letting go. James Mirtle writes:

"“Many teams still need to sign their key restricted free agents, and with young players getting paid like never before, GMs have been forced to allocate more dollars and term for those contracts.”"

With the younger prospects getting better and better with their hockey abilities and being more aware of their health and fitness, we may be seeing another change to the game going forward.

Politician Remarks Pittsburgh Is “America’s Hockey Capital”- THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM

Apr 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; The Pittsburgh Penguins stand for the national anthem before playing the New York Rangers in game three of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Rangers won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

In an article posted yesterday by Jared Clinton, Pennsylvania politician Bob Casey has declared Pittsburgh “…America’s hockey capital”. The exact quote was as followed:

"“With all due respect to Detroit, Pittsburgh really is America’s hockey capital. Selecting Pittsburgh would be good for the city and the tournament. The opportunity to play in front of some of the nation’s most enthusiastic hockey fans will only add to the tournament.”"

His remarks stem from a bid to host the World Junior Hockey Tournament in 2018 by Pittsburgh. The United States have the honor that year with several cities bidding to host the event. Aside from Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Tampa Bay, Glendale, and Detroit all appear to be front-runners.

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With all due respect to Senator Casey, but Pittsburgh doesn’t scream the hockey’s capital. Neither does Tampa Bay (despite it’s strong finish last season ending in a Stanley Cup final appearance), nor Glendale (please, do we need to go into that again?).

Buffalo and Detroit are more relatable to the sport of hockey. However, in the end, Detroit should be the main candidate. Detroit speaks volumes with its rich hockey history dating back to the great Gordie Howe on through Nicklas Lidstrom. It’s nicknamed Hockeytown. That’s more hockey-related than the “Steel City”, a nickname you associate with the Steelers (Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Lynn Swan, Jerome Bettis) and Pirates (Roberto Clemente, pre-steroid Barry Bonds, Bobby Bonds, Willie Stargel).

Sorry Senator Casey, just stick to filibusters and taxes. Leave hockey to the hockey-minded.

That’s the news for today. Catch you all next time!

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