Rangers round-up

It’s easy to get lost in the playoffs when games come thick and fast but there’s been a few other things going on in Ranger-land aside from the absorbing Tampa – Rangers series. Shocking I know. Let’s have a quick catch up.

Sather acknowledged

Glen Sather was nominated for the GM of the year award this week. Deservedly so. The Rangers have played the most playoff games (73) in a four year stretch and this is the third year in that period they’ve gone to at least the Conference finals. Sather has his faults (a lot of them) but he’s done a great job in recent years, perhaps none more recently than this year that included the Presidents Trophy.

Wolf Pack going deep.

For those of you that follow all levels of the organisation, the Hartford Wolf Pack are also in their playoff Conference Final and are currently two game down to the LA Kings AHL affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs .The ‘Pack lost a wild game two by the score of 7-4 on Saturday night and go back to Hartford with a lot to do if they want to get a shot at the Calder Cup finals. Games three and four are in Hartford on Tuesday and Wednesday night.

Arguably the Rangers best prospect playing in North America at the moment, Oscar Lindberg scored in the game one defeat and had 1 + 3 in the game two shootout. Thus far Lindberg has an impressive 15 points in 13 games in the playoffs and is showing he is a must for the Rangers next year. It’s worth noting that defenseman Brady Skjei is getting some great experience in his first go around as a pro in this extended playoff run. Skjei grabbed an assist on Saturday night (and somehow was a plus 1…) and has 3 points in 12 games so far.

Free agent frenzy?

If you keep an eye on the college scene you’ll have likely heard of Mike Reilly. Reilly is a solid defensive prospect who was drafted by the Blue Jackets (4th round, 2011) but who will now reach free agency at the end of June. Reilly played at Minnesota this year putting up 42 points in 39 games. He would be a great addition for the Rangers, who in recent years have been keen to mine the college ranks for talent. Reilly will be in great demand this offseason but he’s a name worth watching. He was Brady Skjei’s team-mate this year so the Rangers surely already know plenty about Reilly.

Lindberg in demand?

Rumours have begun to swirl this week that Oscar Lindberg could be heading to the KHL next season, a rumour that was quickly denied by his agent. Be sure, Lindberg won’t want to be in the AHL next year (nor should he be) and he and his agent will enjoy the rumours because supply and demand matter and because part of an agent’s job is to cultivate interest and generate buzz around his client. It doesn’t mean he’s going anywhere though. Lindberg has been terrific all year and is NHL ready. The Rangers will surely know this.

Babcock a Leaf

In non-Ranger news, for those of you that have your head buried in the sand, Mike Babcock signed a monster deal to become the latest coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Babcock got $50m from the oh-so-desperate Leafs. Yeah, Randy Carlyle was a cup winning coach when he arrived in Toronto as well.

If you guys already know all of this, then good on you. You should. If you don’t, well pay attention!