What Comes Next : New York Rangers (RIFKIN STATEMENT ADDRESS)

By : Mike Rifkin

The New York Rangers set a franchise record with 55 wins and 114 points and won the franchises first Presidents’ Trophy since 2014-15. The Rangers swept the Washington Capitals in the first round, dispatched of the Carolina Hurricanes in six games, before losing to the Florida Panthers in six games in the Eastern Conference Final. For the Rangers it’s the second time in three seasons that they lost in the Eastern Conference Final. 

For the last number of years we have discussed the Rangers high end talent and until the series against the Panthers, they had showed up. 

Points ( By Series)

Mika Zibanejad : ( VS CAPS : 1 G/7PTS, VS CAR : 2 G/ 7PTS, VS FLA : 0G/2PTS)

Artemi Panarin: (VS CAPS : 2 G/3PTS, VS CAR : 2G/8PTS, VS FLA : 1 G/4PTS)

Chris Kreider : (VS CAPS : 2G/3PTS, VS CAR : 5G/7PTS. VS FLA : 1 G/1PT)

Now while these three players struggled during the Panthers series, a new threat emerged in Alexis Lafreniere. The former first overall pick had a career high 28 goals and 57 points in the regular season. His play carried over to the postseason where he had eight goals and 14 points in 16 games played. The other forward who was consistent most of the season was Vincent Trocheck, who had a career high 77 points on the season. In the Playoffs Trocheck was awesome with eight goals and 20 points to lead the team, but as important as the points were Trocheck was very good in the faceoff circle, winning 59 percent of faceoffs during the regular season. 

Onto the Rangers best player during the playoffs, Igor Shesterkin was simply phenomenal in the playoffs posting a 2.34 GAA and .927 save percentage. In the Eastern Conference Final Shesterkin had a .935 save percentage and by his own teammates account the Rangers aren’t in this position without their goalie. After the All – Star break coach Peter Laviolette gave Shesterkin a mental reset, and ever since Shesterkin looked like the guy who won the Vezina Trophy a few seasons ago. Shesterkin has one year left on his contract at 5.66 million dollars, so a top priority for Chris Drury will have to be an extension for his franchise goalie. 

KEY FREE AGENTS (WITH REG SEASON POINT TOTAL)

RESTRICTED : KAPPO KAKKO ( 13 G/19 PTS), RYAN LINDGREN (3 G/17 PTS), BRADEN SCHNEIDER (5 G/19 PTS)

UNRESTRICTED : JACK ROSLOVIC (3 G/8 PTS IN 19 GP), ALEX WENNBERG (1 G/5 PTS IN 19 GP), ERIK GUSTAFSSON (6 G/31 PTS), BLAKE WHEELER (9 G/21 PTS).

If I’m Chris Drury the only guys i’m keeping out of this group are Braden Schneider and Ryan Lindgren. Schneider progress this season was something I didn’t see coming and him pairing with K’Andre Miller was something that worked really well. Lindgren is a warrior, plays through injuries and has been a great partner for Adam Fox. The only question I would have is do the Rangers give Schneider a bridge deal, or do they try to lock him up long term with a shorter AAV? Lindgren would probably get a 2-3 yr deal. 

So, in the Restricted free agents that leaves Kappo Kakko. Kakko a former second overall pick in 2019. Now there have been obstacles for Kakko obviously Covid was impactful on a European player coming to the US. Kakko had a breakout season in 2022-23 with 18 goals and 40 points, and most fans were hoping it was the beginning of something big. Unfortunately Kakko had a knee injury that kept him out for a while during the season. Unfortunately most people associate a player’s production with their statistics and Kakko hasn’t quite had the numbers for a second overall pick.  As much as I like Kakko, if there’s a really good trade offer out there Drury has to listen on it. 

As for the unrestricted free agents I’d let them all go. Roslovic and Wennberg were thought to be good additions at the deadline, but outside of Wennberg’s game winning goal in game 3 of the Conference Final, he didn’t produce offensively. Roslovic, was given an opportunity to play with Zibanejad and Kreider and it just didn’t work. His inconsistent play has been his kryptonite throughout his career. Wheeler, worked his way back from a knee injury to play in game four against the Panthers. At 38 you have to wonder if he played his last game in the league? Gustafsson, had a nice season, especially when he filled in for Adam Fox when he was hurt. But after that his play dipped, and maybe it was the rotation of partners he had, but Drury can find a replacement there. 

So, what’s going to be the massive change for the Rangers this summer? With the emergence of Schneider ( as mentioned above) and Zac Jones, who played well when called upon the Rangers should trade Jacob Trouba. Now this is an interesting move because Trouba is the most physical player on the team and a very polarizing player around the league. But with two years at eight million dollars AAV, Trouba could be moved during the draft or prior to his no trade kicking in. 

So If I’m Chris Drury here’s how I approach the summer. 

  1. Extensions for Igor Shesterkin, K’Andre Miller and Alexis Lafreniere
  2. Trade Kaapo Kakko’s rights plus to Calgary for Andrew Mangiapane or Winnipeg for NIikolaj Ehlers 
  3. Sign Matt Dumba or Justin Schultz (1 yr)
  4. Trade Trouba ( have to think one of the following would be interested) Anaheim, Utah, Vancouver ( if they lose Zadorov)
  5. Give Brennan Othmann every chance to make this team.

PIPE DREAM IDEAS : Brady Tkachuk, Clayton Keller, 

Potential Ranger lineup

Kreider-Zibanejad-Mangiapane or Ehlers

Panarin – Trocheck- Lafreniere

Othmann- Chytil – Cuylle

Brodzinski – Goodrow – Vesey

Lindgren – Fox

Miller – Schneider

Jones – Dumba

HEY WHAT ABOUT ME

By Mark Halpern

          As I have stated in my previous articles that Caitlin Clark is now the face of the WNBA. Well, that hasn’t been well perceived very well by certain players who think they deserve more attention than what they are currently getting.

         Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky was Clark’s evil shadow during college ball. She taunted her more than anyone else did in college but, it has spread into the WNBA. Reese was quoted last night after being asked a question about attendance and viewership and how the Fever are owning it and instead of taking the high road, she did what she always does and tried to turn the attention to herself by saying “The reason why we’re watching women’s basketball is not just because of one person. They’re turning into see me too.” This is just plain jealousy in my opinion. Is Angel Reese a good ball player absolutely she is. She has great intensity; a good competitor and she just has a bad attitude and I think that is what holds her back (also the dirty hits and blows doesn’t help.) This was the response to the flagrant foul that was called on Chennedy of the Chicago Sky after the blatant check on Clark.

   It’s on the head coach to point out things and make them right but I take this as that she slapped her hand and said “That was not appropriate” I’m sorry they are not children, she knew its wrong be a coach and bencher. Be an organization and fine her and show that this type of play and attitude will not be tolerated in the WNBA. I feel like Clark has an NFL style “Bounty” put on her and we have seen many teams causing Clark more intentional problems then accidental ones.     

 There are plenty of hard playing, great shooting, very competitive, great team mates in the WNBA. Right now, this is the prime news to report on and I will have many more stories to come.

ALL ABOUT THE JEFFERSONS

BY MIKE RIFKIN

On Monday one of the biggest NFL offseason questions was answered. The Vikings and ALL -Pro Receiver Justin Jefferson agreed to a four year 140 million dollar contract with 110 million dollars in guaranteed money.  With this deal Jefferson becomes the highest paid receiver in the NFL, but also the highest paid non Quarterback in the NFL. 

Jefferson, a three time Pro Bowler has amassed at least  1,000 yards in each of his four seasons.  Last season Jefferson was limited to 10 games because of a hamstring injury, but still had 1,074 yards and five touchdowns. Prior to last season Jefferson had play in every game the last three seasons.

Having Jefferson locked up will help the development of JJ McCarthy, who the Vikings drafted in the first round of this year’s draft. But with Jefferson locked up the pressure switches to Dallas who now has to lock up CeeDee Lamb. But the Vikings knew they couldn’t let the best receiver in the game walk away like Randy Moss years ago. 

R.I.P LARRY ALLEN

THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE LEGEND

BY MARK HALPERN

   Larry Allen passed away this past week at the age of 52 while on vacation in Mexico with his family. Larry Allen was drafted in the second round of the 1994 NFL draft and immediately made an impact in the NFL. Allen was part of the best Offensive Line during the 1990’s Cowboys Dynasty. Allen consistently made holes (that you could drive a small army though) for running back Emmitt Smith and kept many a Defensive player out of Troy Aikman’s way of being sacked.

    One of Allen’s greatest moments came in his rookie season against the New Orleans Saints. Aikman threw a pass that was tipped and intercepted by Darrion Carter and he had a clear path to the end zone. However, Larry Allen at 6’3” and 325lbs ended up “Turing on a rocket booster” As Analyst Dan Dierdorf said and ran him down at about the 20 yard line. Allen proved that Offensive Linemen could do more than just block. Allen at his size and weight was able to move with the best of them because of his speed and strength. Allen during his career was famous for being able to shift from the Tackle position to the Guard position in games and because of this it gave the Cowboys such versatility especially when injuries to Erik Williams happened.

  During his illustrious career with the Cowboys (1994-2005) Larry Allen won a Super Bowl (1995), was named to the Pro Bowl 11 times and retired in 2007 after spending his final two years with the 49ers. Because of his dynamic play and career he was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2013. On X (Twitter) many of Allen’s former teammates from Aikman to Romo sent their deepest sympathies for Allen’s family. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Allen will go down as one of the absolute best Offensive Lineman to step foot on the Gridiron.

CAITLIN CLARK BEING GIVEN THE BUSINESS

BY MARK HALPERN

It is hard being a being the center of attention not only for a sport but as a person in whole. Has there been war declared on Catlin Clark? Clark plays for the Indiana Fever and was their first pick and rightfully so. She showed why she deserved to be the number one pick in college and tried to keep her cool. There were many a player who threw shade at her because of the attention she receives. She is the face of the sport whether she intended for it or not. She goes out every game and plays her hardest even though it looks like there are players out to get her.

     We all saw the way Angel Reese treated her and it was merely her trying to show she was better and this was in college. Now there are players in the league who are not making as much as her and are doing there best to let her know.

The other night on June 1st Chicago Sky Guard Chenndey Carter blatantly shoulder and hipped checked Clark for no reason and originally was called a foul but, after further review the WNBA has raised it to a flagrant 1 foul which will definitely have some type of fines attached and possible suspension. When asked why she did it Carter’s answer was “That B**** besides being able to shoot the three pointer what is she good for.” This was an arrogant answer for someone who tried to look big and now is going to be made to look small.

   As for Clark when asked what she thought about the incident answered “I wasn’t expecting it. It’s a physical game go make your free throw and move on.” That was the nice way of doing it and that is why she is the focus. She might complain on the court to refs but, tries to stay away from any confrontation with another team mate from another team because she knows her role. Show up, practice, get ready to play, go out and play your game, win or lose there is another game to play. That’s Clarks attitude, she could have reacted and fought back but, she took the high road and kept playing. Face it WNBA players Clark is here to stay for a long time and has no plans of letting anyone pushing her away for the sport she loved.  

CHARGES DROPPED

BY MARK HALPERN

     So, if you had read my previous article regarding Scottie Scheffler’s run in with the law, Scheffler was sited, arrested and charged for not following a police instruction and due to a separate incident at the cross walk of the Valhalla Golf course. The officer DID NOT have his body camera activated so there was no clear-cut evidence except word of mouth from the officer and Scheffler. The only video that they could get was from across the street from a camera on a bank. It was not clear enough for any evidence and all charges were dropped against Scheffler and he is free to move on with his season.

SMALL BALL VS THE HOMERUN

BY MARK HALPERN

Baseball isn’t known as America’s pastime for no reason. The game is exciting and over the years from inception till now the game has changed. In the beginning the way teams scored runs by singles, doubles and the occasional triple. The Homerun was considered to be a bonus if you had a player who could do just that. Homeruns in the beginning were so few that in 1920 and 1927 Babe “The Sultan of Swat” Ruth hit more home runs in these seasons then other teams combined. To see a Homerun is exciting but, small ball ruled the way for a long time. So, the question is would you rather have a team built to play Small Ball or a Power team that hits home runs?

  Both have ways of getting runs across the board. However, in my humble opinion more teams need to learn small ball then relying on the almighty Homerun. Singles and doubles is how the game should be played. Doesn’t mean having a player who can hit the four-bagger isn’t great but, 10 runs via singles and doubles vs 9 home runs, small ball is going to win it every time. A team that has been doing it all is the Phillies; they are being consistent by putting the ball in play. The move runner around the right way and score runs early and when you can give you starting pitcher a two-run lead in the first inning a lot of stress is off the pitcher.

    Another part of small ball is the stolen base and the two best to do was Lou Brock and Rickey Henderson. The act of stealing a base is an art really. As I was a catcher it was a game of “Cat and Mouse” between the runner, the pitcher and myself. The pitcher has to have one eye on the runner but ready to throw the pitch he has communicated with the catcher. The runner has to decide on which pitch is he best chance at stealing the base and then the Catcher has to be ready to throw a strike down to second or a snapshot back to first (I excelled in that department.) That is how it was until this year, a new rule was added that the pitcher may throw over to chase the runner back twice and then if he doesn’t get caught on a third attempt, he gets second automatically. We saw what Ronald Acuna for the Braves, Corbin Carroll for the Diamondbacks, Trea Turner for the Philles and Esteury Ruiz of the Oakland A’s (nice hear something positive about them) all deserve mention. Elly Dela Cruz is positioned to break the 100 stolen base barrier which hasn’t been done since Vince Coleman of the St Louis Cardinals in 1987 so it’s been a while. With the way the Reds use the stolen base makes the game exciting to watch. The reds are another team that are doing it via small ball and winning and probably has the rookie of the year and is on pace for over 110 stolen bases.

    I will never say I don’t like seeing a Homerun hit by any of the Mets. It’s part of the game, but watching last night against the Diamondbacks (5/31/2024) besides J.D Martinez homerun the Mets scored 8 of the ten runs via triples, doubles and singles. The advantage of having may it be 3 players in your line up who have the power to hit 30-35 home runs a year but, if there is no one on base it’s only counts as one run when, you are possibly trailing by 2 and that 1 run isn’t going to do it. Teams that utilize more players who “GET ON BASE” (SHOUT OUT TO BILLY BEAN) and move those little ducks around the pond the better chance you have to win then relying on players hired really just to hit the cover off the ball.

NO SHOW

BY MIKE RIFKIN

For the second time in three seasons the New York Rangers were eliminated by a team from Florida in the Eastern Conference Final. The Rangers lost game six 2-1 at the hands of the Florida Panthers, ending their season. The Rangers won the Presidents’ Trophy and set a franchise record with 114 points and wins with 55. 

The Rangers were a team all year that had contributions from everyone. That continued in the first two rounds of the playoffs, but in the Eastern Conference Final they got contributions from some unlikely sources like Barclay Goodrow, but didn’t get enough from their big guys. Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad combined for 267 points during the regular season. All three had their moments in the playoffs, but were very unnoticeable against Florida. Kreider and Panarin each had a goal in game five and six respectively, unfortunately those were the only goals scored in each game. Give the Panthers credit for how they defended all three of these guys, and all three had big years on the power play, which dried up in this series. Zibanejad, hadn’t had a goal since game 2 against the Hurricanes, and in this series he was limited to an assist. But a rotation of players on the right side of him and Kreider could’ve been something that hampered them, but you need more. Kreider had a massive moment in the third period of game six against the Hurricanes where he had a Hat Trick to send the Rangers to the Conference Final. But in this series, like his linemate, Kreider didn’t have quality looks. Outside of his game five shorthanded goal, he and Zibanejad just didn’t create any offense. 

Panarin’s line with Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere, was the Rangers’ most consistent line all season and in the playoffs. Panarin had five goals during this run, four of which were game winners. But Panarin wasn’t the gamebreaker the Rangers needed him to be this series.

In the biggest series your stars have to be your best players, and when the Rangers needed them these three guys weren’t there. It’s going to be a long offseason in the Big Apple, and for these three guys in particular.

Houston We Have A New AFC Threat

By Nathan Moser

For the last few years, the top of the AFC remains intact. The Kansas City Chiefs are of course at the top of the list, with superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, and the rest of the team winning three Super Bowls in recent seasons. Then, there are the Buffalo Bills who have their own star quarterback in Josh Allen but have not been able to handle business when it comes to postseason matchups against Kansas City. Maybe that will change, maybe it will not. The Baltimore Ravens were lethal during the 2023 NFL season, with two-time MVP Lamar Jackson leading the way. Then, no one can count out the Cincinnati Bengals with Joe Burrow at the reins. Sure, they lost Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins wants to be traded, but as long as they have Burrow there, they will find other replacements at wide receiver, either in the draft or free agency.

The team that became a significant threat for all of the teams mentioned as well as the rest of the AFC is the Houston Texans. What the organization has been able to piece together lately is something that could haunt the league for seasons to come. It started when they got their own quarterback. During the 2023 NFL Draft, the expectation was that the Carolina Panthers would select quarterback Bryce Young, which they did. The expectation was that they were getting the better quarterback. That decision they made has aged like milk so far. Young could still be the face that runs the place for the Panthers starting his sophomore season, but things look dramatically worse when stacking Young’s rookie season up against what CJ Stroud did for the Texans. Both were rookies, but the Panthers had a horrendous 2023 season. Houston, meanwhile, made the playoffs. Not to mention, Stroud at the helm showed flashes of how scary he can potentially be for opponents.

A great quarterback looks even better when having solid receivers who know how to catch the football and the Texans have ample supply of that. They looked terrific when Nico Collins and Tank Dell were catching the ball. Both of these players are under 26 years old. Now, after making the trade with the Bills for veteran Stefon Diggs, they look even deadlier. On top of that, Collins and Dell now have a mentor in Diggs who has shined in big moments, such as the Minneapolis Miracle as well as a few playoff runs with Buffalo.

The Texans made more than one significant trade this offseason. Mentioning the Bengals before, another weapon that Burrow lost besides Boyd is running back Joe Mixon. He was dealt to Houston, giving Stroud another weapon he can go to with the ball. Texans general manager Nick Caserio is only making things harder for opposing defenses. Stroud can throw to Dell, Collins, or Diggs; or he could have Mixon run the ball as well. Mixon joins a Houston running back room that also has Dameon Pierce too. It has just gotten better and better for that fanbase.

The Texans were active in free agency too. They inked a deal with defensive end Danielle Hunter who previously suited up for the Minnesota Vikings. They brought in defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi from the Jacksonville Jaguars, defensive end Denico Autry from the Tennessee Titans, Mario Edwards Jr. from the Seattle Seahawks, and Jeff Okudah from the Atlanta Falcons. They impressed many in the football world already that players wanted to sign and be a part of this up-and-coming era.

Stroud is certainly building something special on the field, but credit also needs to be given to head coach DeMeco Ryans. Many knew that he deserved to get a head coaching job back when he was the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers in the 2021 and 2022 seasons. The former Texans player from 2006-2011 went back and is proving to be a fantastic hire by Caserio. He was a fantastic find by 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, and Caserio put his faith that Ryans would be the right man for the job in Houston as well.

As great as things seem right now, the Texans now must take advantage of their window of opportunity. This could be the start of a great new era for the franchise, but they need to take the right next steps. Time goes by fast and the seasons will start piling up before they know it. One benefit the team has is that Stroud is on his rookie contract. If he keeps performing the way he has and gradually improves, Caserio is going to have to shell out a bunch of money in order to keep him around. The time is now. Paying the stars will make keeping a great team together more difficult. Try to build toward and win a Super Bowl as quickly as possible before the tough decisions with keeping or getting rid of players arise.

2024 NHL Entry Draft Profile: Macklin Celebrini – Future San Jose Shark

BY NATE MOSER

The 2024 NHL Entry Draft is almost here and for San Jose Sharks fans, so is potential number one overall pick Macklin Celebrini. Celebrini has been the prize at the top of this NHL Draft since before the 2023-24 NHL season even began. When the Sharks had specifically horrendous losses, many hockey fans thought they were tanking to have the best chance at the first overall pick. They would indeed finish with the worst record, and after going through the draft lottery process, San Jose is the team that has the chance to make Celebrini a member of their organization. Who is Celebrini though? What do Sharks fans need to know about their probable new player?

Celebrini was born on June 13, 2006 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Growing his game and honestly it seems like foreshadowing, but he suited up for the San Jose Jr. Sharks 14U AAA program during the 2019-20 hockey season. He then attended Shattuck-St. Mary’s, a school that is famous for their hockey program which many NHLers attended at one time like Nathan MacKinnon, Sidney Crosby, and Jonathan Toews among others. After being there, he went to the Chicago Steel in the United States Hockey League (USHL) for the 2022-23 season. As a member of the Steel, he produced 46 goals and 40 assists for 86 points in 50 games.

Then, for this past hockey campaign, Celebrini attended Boston University. Like in the case with Shattuck-St. Mary’s, Boston University has their fair share of talented alumni who have been impressive in the NHL. One of the most obvious names is Vegas Golden Knights star Jack Eichel, who was a key part of that franchise winning their first ever Cup championship. Then, there’s Brady Tkachuk, Charlie McAvoy, Clayton Keller, and Trevor Zegras among others as well. Celebrini had a great year for B.U., as he chalked up 32 goals and 32 assists for 64 points in 38 games for the team.

One benefit for Celebrini is that he has gone to different programs and done very well in each of them. He did not stay in one league the entire time he was growing his game, and I think that can be a big positive. He has gone up against competition for the Jr. Sharks, Shattuck-St. Mary’s school, the Steel in the USHL, and recently the NCAA. With all of these different league experiences, he is playing against different levels of competition. That not only shows the skill set that Celebrini has, but it also gives him experiences that will help him grow as a talent. He is learning different valuable lessons that will make his game more dangerous as he gets to the NHL and grows his game even more. The Sharks can build their next era around Celebrini. Gone are the days of Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski, and Brent Burns. These players will always be remembered for their contributions to the club, but now it is time for the next group to try and help San Jose win their first Stanley Cup. Celebrini will be one of those talents to do that. He will not have to carry the load alone though. The Sharks recently signed their 2023 first-round selection (fourth overall) Will Smith to a three-year entry-level contract. In 2023-24, Smith put up 25 goals and 46 assists for 71 points in 41 games. These two players, both currently at significant Boston hockey colleges, will be the faces of the offense for seasons and seasons to come. Along with both of them are other prospects like other 2023 first-round pick Quentin Musty. 2022-first rounder Filip Bystedt recently joined the Sharks system and played in a handful of games for their American Hockey League (AHL) squad, the San Jose Barracuda. Plus, Sharks general manager Mike Grier has other picks to work with to get other talent. The Sharks also hold the 14th overall pick, and the club has two second-round selections as well. Grier can load up well in the first two rounds if he would like, or he could trade a pick or two for either more selections or established players. Either way, it is the beginning of a new chapter for the Sharks. Celebrini will be one of the faces of this franchise for years to come, and the hockey world will see what he can do when the time comes for him to finally suit up for the Teal and White.