It’s been a wild last couple of days for the Rangers, as this 5-year process seems to be coming to an end, with the best parts of it right around the corner. The New York Rangers made some big moves on Monday (2/24), with some big moves that seem to say a lot about their future, as they agreed to a 7 year $45.5 million with 28- year-old veteran Chris Kreider, while also trading forward Brady Skeij to the Carolina Hurricanes for a 1st round pick. There were also some moves about the present, as Igor Shesterkin and Pavel Buchnevich were both injured in a car crash. Igor is out 2-3 weeks with a non-displaced rib fracture, while BUUCH is day-day after being “Shaken up” in the crash.
It’s been quite an emotional last couple of days in RangersTown, so strap in as I take you through the events in order, as you experience the emotions of the trade ultimatum.
MONDAY 2/24 11:24 AM, KREIDER EXTENDED:
This was a shock to many people, as it seemed the rebuilding Rangers would be sellers and trade the top guy on the market in 28-year-old veteran Chris Kreider. It made a lot of sense, as he would be a free agent at the end of the year, and they could get good prospects, some picks and relive some cap space.
But on the other hand, that’s what the Rangers were doing the first two years of this process, and finding themselves in a playoff race with these young guys developing fast, the Rangers needed a leader and Kreider is the veteran leader out there.
The Rangers decided to keep the fan-favorite, and agreed to a 7 year $45.5 million extension, retaining the top guy on the market.
11:29AM, IGOR, BUUCH HURT IN CAR CRASH:
The following is from the Rangers official Twitter account (@NYRangers),
“Rangers President John Davidson announces goalie Igor Shesterkin sustained a broken rib in an automobile accident on Sunday and will be reevaluated in two weeks. Forward Pavel Buchnevich was a passenger and is day-to-day.”
This was a shock to all of RangersTown, as Igor had been the X factor to why the Rangers are even in this playoff race in the Eastern Conference, as his 9-1 start to his career had captivated all of NY and his teammates. His ability to stay calm and not let the pressure get to him at 24 years old is amazing. His presence, will be missed while he is out.
All heads at that moment turned to Henrik Lunquist to take over for Igor.
1:18PM, LUNQUIST UNHAPPY, WANTS TO TALK TO NYR MANAGEMENT:
This wasn’t surprising, as the legendary goaltender in Lunquist, had been demoted to 3rd-stringer due to the arrival of Igor, and the hotshot play of Alexander Georgiev. This also came as no surprise, as it was announced that George would be the new Rangers number 1 goaltender while Igor was out. Credit to Henrik, for being a mentor to the young goaltenders through it this whole process, despite having not started for the Rangers since February 3rd in a 5-3 loss to the Dallas Stars.
Even if it wasn’t admittedly Henrik’s best game, the desire to start and lead the Rangers is still there like he’s done his whole career, and he’s frustrated that he hasn’t been getting that opportunity lately. He will talk to the Rangers about the future when the offseason hits.
Henrik, 37, has 2 years and $8.5 million remaining on his contract.
1:49 RANGERS-KILLER JEAN- GABRIEL PAGEU TO ISLES:
The Islanders landed a guy who has previously torched the Rangers in Ottawa. The Isles sent a 1st and a 2nd round pick to the Senators in exchange for Pageu, who will suit up in Tuesday’s big clash (2/25) against the Rangers at Nassau Collisuem with potential playoff-implications, and both teams fighting for a wildcard berth.
3:11PM: SKJEI TO CANES, FAST STAYS:
It seemed inventible that Rangers 28-year-old forward Jesper Fast would be dealt, but he wasn’t. However, 25 year old defensemen and fan-favorite Brady Skjei was dealt to a team in the Wild Card Hunt, in the Carolina Hurricanes who acquired multiple defensemen after the most shocking win in franchise history, which we will get to later. The Rangers received the Hurricanes first round pick in the swap, adding to the other picks they had gotten over the past couple of years.
This deadline symbolized that the Rangers are going for it now by keeping Kreider and Fast, while also building a good future in the 2 first round picks they have this year among other picks in this draft and future ones.
The full-out rebuild has ended and with this team in a playoff race, times seem to be changing in NY.
The Rangers have a long way to go, to be a cup contender but it would boost their confidence and “The process” tremendously if they could squeak into the playoffs this season.
TUESDAY: GAME DAY:
The Rangers, coming off a mentally exhausting day face the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum, as the teams battle it out in a game that could have potential playoff-implications, with both teams in the WildCard race.
As Rangers coach David Quinn stated about deadline day “ Monday was an exhausting day for all the teams, but when your the youngest team in the league(Like the NYR are) it will take a lot more out of you”.
The Islanders entered this game as heavy favorites, with them adding Pageu while the Rangers lost Igor and Buchnevich.
RANGERS IN CHARGE AFTER 1:
The Islanders dominated the period, but sometimes all you need in one shot for you to walk away victorious, and that’s why happened here, as just after killing off a power play, with some amazing saves by Alexander Georgiev, Ryan Lindgren took slid it cross-ice to Artemi Panarin who snuck it by the Islander goalie for a 1-0 NYR lead after 1, despite getting outshot 15-7.
RANGERS MAINTAIN LEAD:
You could feel the flow of the game in the Rangers favor, with Alexander Georgiev playing out-of his-mind, and the Rangers offense generating some more pressure. It paid off, as Greg McKegg tipped a Brendan Lemuix slap shot home to extend the Rangers lead to 2-0. But just when you thought the Isles were too overmatched, the new guy Jean Gabriel Pageu tapped the puck in after it came back off the boards, to cut the Rangers lead in half down to 2-1.
The period ended with that score, and the shot total being 31-20 in favor of the Islanders.
TEAMS EXCHANGE GOALS:
The Islanders went right at the Rangers, and one again George responded with some amazing saves. With 9:30 remaining, Brendan Smith fired one home from the point to once again extend the Rangers lead; but a Jordan Ebelre PP goal got the deficit back to one for the Isles.
This set up a frantic final minutes with the Isles “Bringing the absolute house” on Georgiev.
TIE GAME!
After what seemed like 3 minutes instead of 63 seconds, the Isles finally broke through, with the relentless pressure finally paying off as Brock Nelson slid one past Alex with 18 seconds remaining, tying the game at 3, forcing OT, and sending the raucous Isles crowd at the barn into delirium.
MIKA!!
Rangers win!!! Panarin strips the puck and goes on a breakaway, gets tripled team but still gets the pass off to MIKa Zibanejad who rifles it home for a 4-3 Rangers victory!
The win is the Rangers 8th straight road win, a franchise record and their 8th win in their past 9 games. They continue to climb back in the WC race.
CANES FALL:
After the most shocking win in franchise history on Saturday night (2/22), when goalies Peter Marazek and James Reihner went down in a span of 30 minutes, and emergency goalie 42-year old Toronto zambonie driver David Ayres came in out of nowhere, and in his NHL debut, played the last period and a half, willing the Hurricanes to a 6-3 win over the Maple Leafs. This was the first time ever, that an emergency goalie has won an NHL hockey game, and David became the oldest goalie ever to make an NHL debut, and became the oldest goalie win an NHL game as well.
On deadline day, Carolina also acquired defensemen Victor Chrockeck and Sam Vatenen, while making Alex Nedelkovic their new starting goalie, with Anton Forsberg as the backup.
On Tuesday night, the Stars gifted the Rangers with a 4-1 win over the Hurricanes. NYR (34-24-4) are now 2 points out of the Hurricanes (35-23-4) in the wild card race.
JACKETS FALL:
The team that currently holds the second wild card spot in the Columbus Blue Jackets, fell 5-4 to the Minnesota Wild. CBL (31-20-4), lead the Rangers by 4 points in the Wild Card race, with the Rangers having played three less games.
BREATHER:
Now we have a day off, before the Rangers get back at it against the Montreal Canadiens (29-27-9) in Quebec.
George will start for the Rangers. Buckle up guys, this will be a wild ride down the stretch.
Pic via Rangers twitter. @NYRangers
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