Don't come home empty handed!
2021-12-29
That time is here.
Season 8 is upon us.
Preparations are done.
Time to lace the skates up.
Madison Sqaure Garden lights up.
The New York Rangers are going to work.
Don't you fuckin' dare come home empty handed!
PHASE 1
The Rangers have their new bench boss, and he’s bringing three AHL seasons of head coaching experience with him.
Rick Bowness was hired by Blueshirts general manager Martin Auzins on Thursday 16th of September. The 66-year-old will be the 4th head coach in franchise history, and the Rangers will be the Bowness' first main team opportunity. Bowness replaces David Quinn after 2nd round exit in last year's playoffs.
General Manager Martin Auzins announced today the Rangers have named Mike Van Ryn as head coach for Hartford Wolf Pack.
"We are very excited to have Mike joining our staff," said Auzins. "I spoke with a number of people about the position but it was clear that Mike's energy and philosophies were the best fit for our team."
PHASE 2
After getting their man behind the bench, the real job began. Rangers had multiple players to resign and it was no easy task to fit everything under the salary cap.
Rangers wasted no time in getting their star player signed - Patrick Kane signs a one year deal worth $4,675,000. "I left a lot of money on the table to try to win in New York. I just had my best season and GM was not afraid to make all the moves to improve our team and gives us a shot again this year. I want to win. Everyone here wants to win"
Next on the priority list was the man between the pipes. After shock retirement of Pekka Rinne, Rangers knew who they had and are in hopes he can carry this team forward. The chants "Igor, Igor, Igor" in Madison Square Garden are going to be a normality - Russian netminded inks a two year deal with the team that carries $2.4mil cap hit annualy.
In hopes of letting in less goals this year - Rangers locked up two of the best defensive defenseman in Mac Weegar and Jaccob Slavin to four year deals. Along that they signed Artem Zub to a two year entry level deal as he comes over from Russia.
GM Auzins: "Another name we have high hopes on is Ryan Lindgren, there was a reason we protected him in the expansion draft." Lindgren was resigned to a 4 year deal.
Auzins: "Rick, our new head coaches is an old school coach who plays a defensive system so we went and improved this aspect heavily. Even so that we traded Filip Forsberg after getting him signed long term to play for us. It was a tough decision but getting to bring in a 23 year old defenseman like Sam Girard felt like a right move to do seeing as Shea Weber most likely is playing his last season so we are thinking ahead here."
Samuel Girard has spent last 3 seasons with Boston Bruins with who he played 194 games, posting 8 goals and 53 assists.
Connor Brown played two full seasons with the Bruins posting 28 goals and 41 assists.
PHASE 3
The true work begins here with our new coaching staff on both levels.
"Every year expectations are high, let's hope we can delivery something special this year", Auzins said.
We will keep working towards improving our team, that's no secret to anyone but this is the time for action but let's not forget where we are.
I’m so grateful.
It’s my name on that door, but to be a part of something special is truly an honor.
And do know - we are heading into our 8th year.
Please let that sink in for a second.
I can't wait for the opening night.
Drop the frickin' puck.
Thank you, EHE.
Awesome Job!!
Don't come home empty handed!
New York Rangers are ready for the 2021-2022 season