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Notes on the first week of hockey & a notable anniversary

By Steve Paulus

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 05: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers scores his fifth goal of the game in overtime defeat the Washington Capitals 5-4 and is joined by Tony DeAngelo #77 at Madison Square Garden on March 05, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 05: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers scores his fifth goal of the game in overtime defeat the Washington Capitals 5-4 and is joined by Tony DeAngelo #77 at Madison Square Garden on March 05, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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It’s almost been one week for the New York Rangers in their return to hockey

One week of practice down for the New York Rangers.  One more weeks to go before they head to Toronto and enter their virtual coronavirus-free bubble.   The Blueshirts will play their one and only exhibition game in a week and a half.

Here are some observations about the return to play.

July 18 is a big anniversary for the Rangers. Four years ago the team swapped

Derick Brassard

and a seventh round pick to the Ottawa Senators for

Mika Zibanejad

and a second round pick.

Be honest, four years ago did anyone believe that the Blueshirts had acquired a player who in 2020 would have a better goals per game average than Alex Ovechkin and would become one of the most dynamic players in the NHL?

Although the Rangers have an expanded roster, don’t believe that the “Black Aces” will see any action in the qualifying round.  Only injury will force David Quinn to play a sub instead of one of the 20 players who routinely suited up for games before the pause.

  • There has been a lot of focus on Kaapo Kakko.  Observers feel that he benefited from the break.   David Quinn spoke about it after practice Friday.  “He continues to look good, continues to play with a pace, continues to play with a little more swagger and certainty to what he’s doing…it’s been a good start for him so far.”  Kakko was brilliant for Team Finland at the World Championships last year and there is hope that he will be a big game player as early as this summer.
  • Kakko’s diabetes is still a concern.  Quinn said “He and I had a conversation about it (during the pause) and when I brought it up to him it never crossed his mind… what would be at stake and could he be more vulnerable…his health is first and foremost.”    Two other NHL players have Type 1 diabetes like Kakko.  Luke Kunin of the Minnesota Wild is practicing with the team, while Max Domi of the Canadiens has been held out pending a decision by team doctors.  Kakko spoke to the media about his health issues and how he feels at camp.

    • Tony DeAngelo will be an arbitration-eligible Restricted Free Agent after this season, but was pretty definitive about his thoughts about a new contract in a tweet sent out by the team.<

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    The debate is raging on whether the round robin teams or the qualifying round teams will have the advantage.  One camp believes that the qualifying round winners will be better prepared for the Stanley Cup Playoffs coming off a series of meaningful games while the bye teams will be less ready.  The other camp believes that playing round robin games that have little meaning will give the bye teams time to experiment in real games, try out line combinations and let the subs get some action. It’s hard to say who is right.

    Get used to the expression “unfit to participate.”  With privacy rules in place regarding health issues, when a player doesn’t show up for practice, that will be the standard explanation.  In the case of Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak it meant that while he hadn’t tested positive for COVID-19, he had come in contact with someone who has the virus and that means he is under quarantine.  So far for the Rangers, no issues.

  • Former Ranger draft pick Sean Day was signed by the Tampa Bay Lightning to a one year two-way contract.  The Rangers terminated Day’s contract on May 30 after determining that he had no future with the club.  He’s the second player from the organization to go elsewhere as defenseman Nick Ebert signed with Orebro of the Swedish Hockey League when he became a free agent after the AHL season ended. He came over from Ottawa in the Vladislav Namestnikov trade. Of course, the big departure was Assistant  Coach Lindy Ruff who was named the Devils head coach.

    • The big news out of Hurricanes training camp is the departure of their longtime play-by-play man, John Forslund.  His contract with the team ended on July 1 and they were unable to reach an agreement on a new deal so he will be working for NBC as a freelancer when the qualifying round begins.  He’s been the voice of the Hurricanes (and Whalers) since 1991.  it would be like MSG dumping Sam Rosen before the season resumed.

    This could be the first time that playoff beards will be a thing of the past.  Many believe that facial hair limits the effectiveness of masks against COVID-19.  While there has been no league-wide or team directive about playoff beards, it may make sense for the players to go clean shaven at least this year.

    Fan voting is open for the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award.  It goes to the player who “goes above and beyond the call of duty.”  Last year’s winner was Mika Zibanejad,  He was preceded by

    Henrik Lundqvist

    and

    Mats Zuccarello

    won the award three times in the four years before that.   You can

    click here

    to cast your vote.

    How the Rangers can win the Cup. light. Related Story

    A reminder to all Blue Line Station readers that we will resume our live chats during the qualifying round and the exhibition game against the Islanders.  Join in and engage with your fellow fans as the Blueshirts resume their season.  Just come to this website just before gametime.

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