John Tortorella Comments On Drury, Free Agency

Rangers head coach John Tortorella broke his silence today when he spoke to the media for the first time since the Rangers Prospect Developmental Camp opened on Monday. Tortorella discussed subjects ranging from Chris Drury's buyout and the process of naming a new captain all the way to his thoughts on free agency opening tomorrow and how active he expects the Rangers to be.

Rangers Buy Out Chris Drury; Other News From Around The NHL

As reported earlier today by Larry Brooks in the New York Post, the New York Rangers officially announced that they have bought out the remaining year on Chris Drury's contract. Drury and the team each issued separate statements on the buyout.

Breaking News: Chris Drury To Be Bought Out Today

Larry Brooks of the New York Post is reporting that Chris Drury's New York Rangers career will officially end today, as the captain will be bought out of the final year on his contract. Drury has already issued a statement thanking Rangers fans and the organization for everything, so this is the real deal.

More to come later, when I assume we'll hear from either Glen Sather or John Tortorella after the buyout becomes official.

Rangers Re-Sign Forwards Dale Weise and Chad Kolarik

Original Image Credit: NewYorkRangers.com

The Rangers just announced that they've re-signed Dale Weise to a contract extension, although terms were not released. They also apparently re-signed RW Chad Kolarik a little over a week ago, which I didn't see until just now.

Rangers Draft Recap, Quotes From Glen Sather, Developmental Camp Opens Today

Original Photo Credit: AP

The Rangers had a busy weekend at the 2011 NHL Entry Level Draft this past weekend, as they added six new players and traded away LW Evgeny Grachev to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for a third round draft pick. The Rangers started off the draft by selecting 18-year-old, US-born forward J.T. Miller with the 15th overall pick in the draft.

Larry Brooks: Rangers Now Favorite To Land Brad Richards

A few weeks ago, Larry Brooks reported in the New York Post that some people within the Rangers felt as if they wouldn't be able to sign Brad Richards because of the contract he'll be after. This morning in the Post, though, Brooks reported that Richards is essentially the Rangers' to lose and that several executives from around the league said during the NHL Entry Draft over the weekend that Richards wants to be a Ranger.

Drury Not Placed On Waivers Yet, Must Be By Tomorrow To Be Bought Out

According to Steve Zipay on Twitter, the Rangers have not placed Chris Drury on waivers yet, which they must do before buying him out.  Zipay said that tomorrow is the last day the Rangers have to place Drury on waivers, otherwise he won't be able to be bought out.

2011-2012 NHL Schedule Released; Rangers to Open Season in Europe

Original Image Credit: Newsday.com

 The NHL officially released their 2011-2012 team schedules today, and even though it was all but confirmed before today, the Rangers will officially open their season with two games in Sweden against the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks in addition to playing the Flyers in the Winter Classic on Jan. 2, 2012.

Rangers fans can view the entire team schedule here.

Read more...

Flyers Clean House; Trade Mike Richards and Jeff Carter, Sign Bryzgalov

Original Image Credit: Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images

 The Philadelphia Flyers had an eventful day today to say the very least. After dealing their leading goal-scorer, Jeff Carter, to the Columbus Blue Jackets earlier in the day, they then traded team captain Mike Richards to the Los Angeles Kings and capped their day off by signing goalie Ilya Bryzgalov to a huge nine-year, $51 million deal, TSN confirmed.

Rangers-Flyers Will Headline 2012 Winter Classic in Philly

The New York Post is reporting what has been rumored for a while now - the Rangers and Flyers will face each other in next year's Winter Classic from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Jan. 2, 2012. The NHL will confirm the announcement once the 2011-2012 team schedules are released, which is rumored to be sometime this week

Report: Jaromir Jagr to Sign with NHL Team "In the Next Week or So"

 It's sounding more and more like Jaromir Jagr's return to the NHL is going to happen this offseason. Jagr's agent, Petr Svoboda, told the AP today that he has been talking with both the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins about signing Jagr and that he believes Jagr could sign a one-year deal "in the next week or so."

NYRNation.net: Sean Avery: Watered Down By The NHL Or Declining?

Original Image Credit: Mike Strobe/ 2008 NHLI

I have a new column up over at www.NYRNation.net about Sean Avery's recent slippage in play and what it means for his future as a Ranger and in the NHL altogether. You can read it directly at NYRNation by clicking here (page will open in a new window).

Make sure you guys all bookmark NYRNation and check out the site to keep up with all the latest Rangers news. The guys over there do a great job and I'm doing some columns for them a few times a week similar to what I write over here.

Report: Rangers Can't Buy Out Chris Drury

Original Image Credit: NHLSnipers.com

A bit late on this one, but Larry Brooks of the New York Post reported yesterday morning that the Rangers will not be able to buy out the final year of captain Chris Drury's contract because of of a possible career-threatening knee injury that Drury currently has. But ironically enough, it sounds like this could actually help in the Rangers' pursuit of Brad Richards this offseason.

Rangers Expected to Buy Out Drury; Keep Avery and Wolski

Original Image Credit: NYDailyNews.com

Late night update, but Larry Brooks reported in the New York Post earlier today that the Rangers will in fact be buying out the final year of Chris Drury's contract, and are also expected to bring back Wojtek Wolski and Sean Avery next season.

Coyotes Trade Ilya Bryzgalov's Rights to Flyers; Do Rangers Need Richards More Now?

Original Image Credit: TheSlapShot.com

The Phoenix Coyotes announced tonight that they have traded Ilya Bryzgalov's rights to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for a 2012 third round draft pick and forward Matt Clackson. Here's the official release from the Coyotes.

Brandon Dubinsky Asking for $4.5 Million Per Season

Original Image Credit: Zimbio.com

Lost in the shuffle of Larry Brooks' story on Brad Richards this morning was a blurb he posted at the bottom about Brandon Dubinsky's contract negotiations with the Rangers. Dubinsky, according to Brooks, is looking for a long-term deal worth $4.5 million per season.

Brad Richards Won't Take Discount to Play for Torts

Original Image Credit: NHLSnipers.com

 A column on the New York Post's website today by Larry Brooks suggests that Brad Richards will not be willing to take any sort of a discount to come to New York and play for his former head coach, John Tortorella. Brooks is also speculating on what kind of backup plans the Rangers could come up with in case they are spurned by Richards for greener pastures elsewhere.

Dallas Stars Won't Offer Brad Richards New Contract

Original Image Credit: NHLSnipers.com

It's been widely assumed for a while now that Brad Richards would be hitting the free agency market, but a story posted by TSN confirmed it today. The Dallas Stars won't be offering their No. 1 center a new contract before July 1st, meaning his time in Dallas is likely over.

Tim Erixon Trade Gives Rangers Even More Defense Depth

Original Photo Credit: www.NewYorkRangers.com

For those who missed the news, defenseman Tim Erixon was acquired by the Rangers earlier today from the Calgary Flames and then was signed to an entry level contract. The Rangers acquired Erixon and a 2011 fifth round draft pick in exchange for forward Roman Horak and two 2011 second round draft picks. The trade for Erixon adds to the Rangers' already young and talented defensive core that we've seen continue to emerge within the system in recent years.

Update: Rangers Acquire D Tim Erixon from Calgary Flames

Original Photo Credit: NewYorkRangers.com

  The New York Rangers have now confirmed that they have acquired defenseman Tim Erixon and a fifth round draft pick in exchange for forward Roman Horak and two second round draft picks.