Things I've Learned, So Far

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Written on 9/18/2010 by Jim Cerny

It's been only two days---and keep in mind that not one puck has even been tossed onto the ice yet as the team has focused on conditioning tests instead of actual hockey---but here are a few random observations from the start of Rangers training camp:

Torts is Intrigued with Derek Stepan:
The 20 year-old center was "the best player I saw" at the Traverse City Prospects Tournament last week, according to Rangers coach John Tortorella. And the former University of Wisconsin star has done nothing but impress, so far, in his first NHL training camp, excelling during the conditioning tests and striking an extremely confident---yet not cocky nor arrogant---demeanor. Now Torts has tabbed Stepan to center star wings Marian Gaborik and Alexander Frolov during the camp's first scrimmage on Sunday. Clearly a case of "Let's see what the kid's got". It will make for some interesting decision making for the Rangers if Stepan shows over the next two weeks that he is capable of skipping the minors and heading straight to Broadway. "I only focus on what I can control, play my game. It's great to hear those things (from Tortorella), but in the end you have to still compete to the best of your abilities every day," Stepan told me. His maturity is way ahead of his years. Keep an eye on this kid.

Boyle and Gilroy Got the Message
Center Brian Boyle and defenseman Matt Gilroy had to know that Tortorella was less than thrilled with their play by the conclusion of the 2009-10 season. Boyle, an effective penalty killer, had become of less and less use to the head coach as his four-goal, six-point season was not where Tortorella envisioned his numbers to be. But at least Boyle remained in the lineup as the fourth-line center, except when sidelined by a late-season back injury. Gilroy, the rookie former Hobey Baker Award winner, lost his coach's trust and was a healthy scratch the final eight games of a season in which he tallied 4 goals and 15 points, and struggled in his own end. "I learned that I never want to be in that position again, sitting and watching," said Gilroy. It's obvious that both Boyle and Gilroy worked extremely hard this summer to improve their lot and standing with Tortorella. Boyle has worked extensively with Barbara Underhill, the noted power-skating coach and former Canadian Olympian, and the difference in his skating---and confidence---is quite evident. He looked terrific during the testing, and really stood out in the informal scrimmages the players put together prior to the start of camp. Gilroy also is in terrific shape and his skating---the strength of his game---has been noticeably better than most in camp. These two clearly understand that their jobs are on the line. And, so far, they have answered the bell. Now let's see how they stack up when the scrimmages and pre-season games start up.

Redden's Clean Slate
Tortorella sent the players a letter this summer stating that everyone has a "clean slate" entering this season, no matter their prior track record. If any player needs to wipe the slate clean with Torts it's veteran defenseman Wade Redden. With his sub-par play and salary cap-killing contract, it has been widely speculated that Redden may be sent to Hartford so that his salary comes off the cap. To his credit, Redden---an extremely decent and respectful person caught in an unenviable situation---was a regular at the pre-camp workouts and his conditioning looks solid. Now will he really receive a fair shake during camp? "That's another challenge trying to leave (his posisble demotion) to the side," explained Redden on Friday. "There's nothing that can be done about that. It doesn't help to dwell on those things. They're going to make the best decision they feel is right for the team, and I want it to be with me in the first lineup of the year."

Biron Is Still Talking
No matter when you read this entry, there's a good chance that Marty Biron is still talking. To someone. Anyone. Somewhere. Anywhere. One of the most personable players in the entire NHL, Biron just loves to talk, and laugh, and tell stories. "He almost couldn't breathe he was so out of breath, but yet he was still talking, telling us stories," laughed Chad Johnson, the Rangers No. 3 goalie on the depth chart behind Henrik Lundqvist and Biron, recounting how Marty chatted up his fellow goalies after their brutal 3-lap sprint test Friday afternoon. "He is such a great guy." His locker will be a destination for me all season long, no question about that. Andrew Gross of The Bergen Record said the other day that the annual Good Guy Award should be handed to Biron already. There's no reason to seek out other candidates throughout the season. Amen!

Dylan McIlrath is a Man-Child
The Rangers top pick in the 2010 draft did not look like such a great skater during the club's mini camp for prospects back in July. Gordie Clark, the Rangers Director of Player Personnel, explained that McIlrath had been off skates for weeks, so cut him some slack. Gordie was right. McIlrath has shown a much more fluid skating style so far in this training camp, and he is clearly in outstanding physical condition. He crushed Saturday's sprint tests. As others around him gasped for breath or dropped to their knees from fatigue, it appeared that McIlrath's chest was barely heaving. "Piece of cake," said McIlrath. Ahhh, to be 18 years old! Now let's see how he looks with Gaborik skating full speed at him!! As an aside, prospects Ethan Werek and Tomas Kundratek also absolutely crushed the conditioning tests. Werek was a beast with his intense approach. "I don't know how to pace myself," explained Werek. Sounds like Torts' kind of guy.

Time now for drills, practices, scrimmages, and pre-season games. And some big-time decisions for the coaching staff.

"Now it's time to do what we came here for," said defenseman Marc Staal (photo above).

Follow Me on Twitter at: @jimcerny and @thenyrangers

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Gone Camping!

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Written on 9/17/2010 by Jim Cerny

So often throughout the course of the year you hear fans---or media---or players---or even coaches---complain about how long the National Hockey League season drags on.

Funny then how everyone connected to hockey seems to be so over-the-top excited that training camps FINALLY opened up today!

I mean REALLY over-the-top excited.

My e-mail and Twitter messages have absolutely blown up the past week or so in anticipation of today. And then today, the actual official start to the long grind as it so often referred to, hockey folk have been scrounging for every morsel they can find on the 'net or through any and every social media outlet in creation.

And you know what? I think it's awesome. Because I am as fired up as you.

It doesn't matter how many training camps I have covered, it just doesn't get old for me. Doesn't matter that I spent about five hours today watching 60 New York Rangers take part in coach John Tortorella's exhausting conditioning drills without ever once seeing a puck on the ice. In fact, no pucks until Sunday! But bring it on, hockey is back!

Rangers center Brian Boyle really summed up what so many NHL players and prospects feel heading into camp when he told me today, "The worst part of training camp is the night before because you are so anxious. I just love being out here with the guys, even when we're doing these tough tests. That's better than the waiting. The night before is just so tough."

Similar sentimants have been shared through Twitter-land the past 24 hours. Blues defenseman Erik Johnson (@ErikJohnson6) Tweeted last night about sharing a spaghetti dinner with a few of his 'mates and how excited they were for the start of camp. Matt Moulson of the Islanders (@mmoulson) shared similar feelings of being excited to get camp started last night. And today the likes of Atlanta's Evander Kane (@EKaneAtl9) and Bobby Ryan of Anaheim (@b_ryan9) Tweeted stories from the first day of training camp, including Ryan's joy that his stationary bike broke down just in time to wipe out his conidtioning test for the day!

My Inbox and Twitter messages overflowed today because the fans are just as hungry---if not more so---as the players for the NHL season to get underway. My fellow writers on the Rangers beat, like Steve Zipay of Newsday and Andrew Gross of The Bergen Record and Jesse Spector of The NY Daily News, worked their fingers numb Tweeting, blogging, and writing the latest news today.

And did I mention already that no hockey actually took place? Just physicals, conditioning tests, and speaking with the media (see Sidney Crosby photo). That's all. And you out there still clamored for every hint of information.

I think that's pretty cool.

Here's to a great grind of a season!

Follow me on Twitter at: @jimcerny and @thenyrangers

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Not in the NHL?

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Written on 9/15/2010 by Jim Cerny

For the past few days there has been much talk of the boorish behavior several New York Jets players, and coaches, reportedly displayed in the presence of Mexican TV reporter Ines Sainz.

And there has also been much debate over whether Ms. Sainz' attire (see photo) was appropriate for a reporter to wear when covering a sporting event or practice.

Unfortunately we've been down this road before. The "boys will be boys" locker-room mentality. The "she asked for it" mindset. The "locker room is no place for women" stance. And the angry equal rights responses and defense in return.

Funny how these stories are so much more prevelant in sports other than hockey. Football, baseball, basketball, yes.But not hockey.

I have covered professional sports for more than 20 years, and I have been regularly in locker rooms of all four major sports, and I can not remember a single similar incident of complete disrespect directed at a female journalist ever. And keep in mind I have been in the NHL for most of my career as a play-by-play broadcaster, beat writer, and talk show host.

That doesn't mean there hasn't been something inappropriate said or done to a female reporter in a hockey locker room, only that in my extensive career, I have never ever witnessed any or heard of any. By contrast, far fewer times have I been in MLB, NFL, or NBA locker rooms, and I have witnessed offensive comments or acts in all three.

Yes, Sean Avery's inappropriate comments about his ex-girlfriend and then-Calgary Flame defenseman Dion Phaneuf shed a horrible light on the NHL and its players a couple of years ago. But his teammates, and opponents immediately reacted in a universally negative way to what Avery said. Who can forget teammates Mike Modano, Marty Turco, et al basically running Avery out of Dallas after that ugly diatribe?

In contrast, several NFL players, including Redskins rubbing back Clinton Portis and Cardinals lineman Darnell Dockett, have gone out of their way the past two days to further inflame the Jets-Sainz situation with misguided comments.

Interestingly, I have never seen Avery act disrespectful to a female reporter in the locker room, which is central to what is at issue here.

Back on track, the very first MLB game I ever covered as a reporter for WCBS Radio in New York, right out of college, was a big Mets-Pirates late-season game at Shea Stadium. Afterwards in the locker room of the losing team, a well-known star player---who had failed in the clutch in the 8th inning, the key moment of the contest---was asked by a female reporter if he believed his failure was indeed that key moment.

The player's response was swift and vicious. The reporter was called every vile name in the book as a group of male reporters and players just stood by.

The end result? The female reporter was removed from the locker room at the star player's request.

Granted, if that happened today, the player and team would be subject to an investigation and possible fines, just as is happening with the Jets. But that was my introduction to covering a professional sports locker room, and how women reporters could be treated.

Hockey players are certainly not choirboys. And when I discuss their overall respectful manner in the locker room, it is just that. I am not talking about what may go on off the ice. That's their personal business. I am only discussing what is professional.

And on the professional front, hockey players, on the whole, are the most respectful and polite athletes in regards to how they treat the media---both male and female---and their fans.

Why is that? Perhaps it is because---at least in the States---they are the least famous or least scrutinized of all pro athletes. Perhaps it is because they make, on average, less money than their counterparts in MLB, NFL, and NBA.

Or more likely that respectful mindset comes with waking up at 5:00 AM as a kid in order to be able to get ice time to play the sport you love. And lugging your own equipment. And not having your every whim catered to from pre-teen years on. Perhaps the amount of Europeans in hockey adds to a more accepting respectful atmosphere.

No matter the exact answer, my experience---as well as those of many respected sports journalists I spoke to before writing this piece---says that hockey players are the class of all professional athletes.

Follow me on Twitter: @jimcerny and @thenyrangers

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Back in the Saddle

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Written on 9/15/2010 by Jim Cerny

As Steven Tyler of Aerosmith has sung for years: "I'm Baaaaack! I'm back in the saddle again!"

For several reasons---some in, some out, of my control---Rink Rap was on a distinct hiatus these past several months. But now, well, yeah, sing it Steve....I'm Back!

Of course I wasn't completely away from hockey. In fact, I wasn't away at all. Been covering the Rangers throughout the summer at my day job with the team's official web site and official Twitter.

In fact one of the hockey highlights this summer was my week-long stint in California covering the Rangers' every move leading up to, and the days of, the NHL Entry Draft. The live video chats with Rangers Director of Player Personnel Gordie Clark and his assistant Jeff Gorton (see photo of me on left and Jeff on right) stood out for me, as did rollerblading along the beach and unwinding at the best dive beach spot in Santa Monica, Big Dean's (that's an official Shout Out!).

Covering free agency, prospects mini-camps, and now pre-training camp workouts the past few weeks have kept me hopping. And hopefully you have hopped right along with my every word on the Rangers site and Twitter.

But the start of NHL camps is now three days away, and I have much ground to cover around the league.

So today I warm up the keyboard with a little chat. And moving forward I've got the Coolest Game on Ice (remember that one?!) blanketed for you.

I'm Baaaaaaack! Back in the saddle again!


Follow me on Twitter: @jimcerny and @thenyrangers

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Exhibit A: How to Handle Playoff Adversity

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Written on 5/04/2010 by Jim Cerny

When you make a crucial mistake in a game, especially in a playoff contest, there's one of two ways you can go. You can curl up, try and hide, and let the mistake get the best of you. Or you can react the way Brent Seabrook of the Blackhawks did last night.

With his team trailing the Canucks 1-0 early in the first period of Game 2 last night, Seabrook knocked his goal off its moorings during a wild scramble in the Blackhawks crease. On replay it seemed as though a desperate Seabrook did it on purpose, trying to get a play stoppage for his beleagured goaltender Antti Niemi.

Seabrook, rightfully so, was penalized for delay of game. And as luck would have it, Vancouver converted on the power play when Mikael Samuelsson hammered in a point-blank shot, giving the Canucks a 2-0 advantage just 5:02 into the game.

This was Seabrook's response: he scored his first goal of the playoffs two minutes later to give his team some life and jump-start an eventual 4-2 come-from-behind victory. Along the way Seabrook played his most dominant game of the post-season. He added two assists to finish with a three-point performance. He was on ice for all four Blackhawks goals, and finished a plus-four. He was credited with a game-high 8 hits over 23:38 worth of ice-time.

How he responded to his ill-fated mistake tells you all you need to know about Brent Seabrook, as steady as they come on the talented Blackhawks defense, even though he is often overshadowed by teammates Duncan Keith and Brian Campbell.

Seabrook has strung together five solid NHL campaigns already, and was a revelation on Chicago's blueline---both offensively and defensively---with his big-game play during last year's playoffs.

Last night was just further confirmation of what he is all about and why he is so important to the Blackhawks.

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Russia is really loading up to defend its gold medal in the World Championships, taking advantage of several star players being ousted from the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, and Semyon Varlamov were not expected to play for Russia this spring because, well, the expecation was they would be helping the Capitals on a long post-season run, perhaps even a Cup title. A hugely disappointing seven-game defeat at the hands of the Canadiens has changed all that, and now Russia benefits greatly.

Plus the Russians will also have the services of Ilya Kovalchuk, another surprise as most expected Kovie's New Jersey Devils to advance past the first round.

With the bitter taste of the Olympics still fresh, expect this Russian squad to be amped up to capture a third straight gold when the World Championships kick off on Friday in Germany.

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Speaking of the Worlds, many hockey people are downplaying the core of talented young players on the Rangers, something that head coach John Tortorella has been playing up in the wake of his club not reaching the post-season this year, but look at the World Championship rosters and you will see seven Rangers between the ages of 19 and 25 taking part in this tourny. That's impressive.

Perhaps most impressive is that center Chris Kreider, the speedy first-round pick last spring who helped lead Boston College to the NCAA title this year, was chosen to be a part of Team USA. Kreider, who just turned 19 last week, is the only collegiate player on the roster. The Rangers have to feel real good about Kreider's inclusion, as well as his winning pedigree. Since being drafted Kreider played a big role in helping the US win gold at the World Junior Championships, then won the NCAA championship with BC.

Kreider will join Michael Del Zotto (19, Canada), Artem Anisimov (21, Russia), Marc Staal (23, Canada), Brandon Dubinsky (24, USA), Chad Johnson (24, Canada), and Matt Gilroy (25, USA) as youthful Rangers taking part in this tournament.

I'll have more on this topic over at the Rangers official web site on Wednesday in my preview of the World Championships. Check it out here.

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Can Two Be Better Than One?

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Written on 4/30/2010 by Jim Cerny

The second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs has some mighty large shoes to fill because the first round was as exciting and entertaining as any opening round has been in recent memory.

Some quick thoughts on the first round before providing my second round predictions.

1) Sidney Crosby (photo) has pulled away from Alex Ovechkin as the game's most important player. While Ovechkin was unable to lift and inspire his teammates in the first round, clearly struggling with his own game as the Caps blew a 3-1 series lead and were kayoed by the 8th seeded Canadiens, Crosby had the opposite effect on the Penguins. Crosby, who has captained his team to two straight appearances in the Cup Finals as well as the 2009 Stanley Cup championship, posted 14 points in the opening round series win against Ottawa. Just as important, Crosby played with fire, grit, and passion, traits that clearly were lacking from Ovechkin's performance.

2) What has happened to Alexander Semin? A true NHL star, Semin was a non-factor---and one could argue, a detrimant---for the Caps, the biggest upset victims in Round One.

3) Let's hear it for unheralded goalies Antti Niemi (2 shutouts) of the Blackhawks, Tuukka Rask (2.18 goals against) of the Bruins, and Brian Boucher (.940 save percentage and 1.59 goals against) of the Flyers. Great job by Colorado's Craig Anderson in defeat, as well.

4) First Round Heroes: Crosby, Montreal's Jaroslav Halak, San Jose's Joe Pavelski, Detroit's Niklas Lidstrom, Montreal's Mike Cammalleri, Vancouver's Mikael Samuellson, Boucher, and Boston's Miroslav Satan.

5) I should have trusted my gut about the New Jersey-Philadelphia series. I picked the Devils in seven, and my gut kept telling me it would be another bad first-round defeat for New Jersey. Turns out my gut was right, and this was the worst of the Devils three straight ousters in the first round because it did not even look like they competed in the final two games. Now Lou Lamoriello is looking for yet another new head coach.

6) Turn out the lights, but what a great party it was for the Phoenix Coyotes, who capped a riveting revitalized regular season with a seven-game first round gem of a series against the Red Wings. Losing to Detroit in Game Seven hardly tarnishes their season. And the mid-ice salute to the home fans after that loss was one of the true highlights of the NHL season when you consider everything the Phoenix franchise has been through this past year.

Now on to the predictions, which I originally posted on Twitter yesterday. In the first round I was a perfect 4-for-4 in the Western Conference, but only 1-for-4 in the East.

In Round Two:

Sharks over the Red Wings in seven games
Canucks over the Blackhawks in seven games
Penguins over the Canadiens in six games
Bruins over the Flyers in six games

Enjoy it!

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This Price is Not Right

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Written on 4/21/2010 by Jim Cerny

Listen, I know that Jacques Martin knows a helluva lot more about hockey than I do. And I confess, I am not in Montreal covering the Canadiens-Capitals series in person, so I don't have my usual inside feel of what is going on around both teams.

But I think Martin is making a big mistake, and showing signs of true panic, in starting Carey Price in goal tonight instead of Jaroslav Halak in the critical Game 4 versus Washington.

I am more than aware that Halak was strafed for six goals, including the overtime winner, in Washington's frenetic 6-5 comeback in Game 2, and followed up by allowing three goals in a four-shot sequence in a 5-1 loss in Game 3 before being pulled in favor of Price. That Halak was pulled in the third game was the correct move for Martin to make in trying to stem the Caps' momentum.

Halak, though, is your No. 1 goalie. You pull him, fine. But you put him right back in there tonight. Without his stellar play, especially after cementing himself as the clear-cut No. 1 over Price the final two months of the season, the Habs probably are not even in the playoffs.

This is no knock on Price, the 22 year-old who has not won a game since right out of the Olympic break. He hung in there in relief on Monday, allowing two goals on 23 shots. But he should be wearing the baseball hat tonight, not shouldering the fortunes of his team.

The move reeks of desperation on the part of Martin. And even though players on both sides praised Price to the sky following the morning skates at the Bell Centre today, I'd be shocked if a majority of any kind privately supported Martin's decision in the home team's locker room.

Yes, Price gives the Caps a different look in goal. He's much bigger, takes up much more of the net, and is a better puckhandler than Halak. But Halak is the better goalie, having the better season, and is the Habs true No. 1.

As I stated yesterday, this is not Bruce Boudreau yanking Jose Theodore, Washington's No. 1 by default this season due to the injuries that sidelined young Semyon Varlamov. Washington's situation is a 1a replacing a 1 in goal. In Montreal that is not the case. Halak clearly beat Price out for the job, has had a terrific season, and should be allowed to prove his mental toughness in bouncing back with a strong start against the Caps tonight.

Martin should be more concerned with his club's Ole!-style defense which has repeatedly stepped aside to allow Washington's high-powered offense a plethora of prime scoring chances.

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