Dealing with the real world

Somewhere New York Ranger GM Glen Sather is looking at all the reported rumors about what he's going to do before the NHL trade deadline and having a pretty good laugh. We can say that because we have to wonder who exactly is spreading the information from the Ranger side.

Glen Sather will talk to you about golf, fishing, what was like to be in Europe before the Iron Curtain fell and and despite what Ranger fans may think; Glen Sather happens to be pretty nice guy away from the rink. But trying to get Glen Sather to talk on the record about the Rangers might be one of the toughest jobs any member of the media has to deal with.

That being said the question that I still have not seen anyone answer is when was the last time Glen Sather overpaid for star player in a trade? See that's just it you can't point out such a situation because doesn't happen.

Glen Sather knows exactly how much he is willing to pay for the rights to a player. He's an opportunist who takes advantage of the situation and squeezes the other person until he gets his price.

Honestly at this time of the year given the salary cap; there are not many teams who would want to take on a contract like Rick Nash's. Columbus does not exactly have a whole lot of options right now if they're trying to move the Nash for rebuilding.

To be really blunt Monday is not gonna come fast enough for us. See you don't see rumors posted here because for us most of the time rumors don't pan out and you the reporter usually look like you have no idea about what you reported.

The rest of the world can play fantasy GM because we have actual games going on that have actual importance to the future of the Rangers and the Islanders. Thursday night had four games involving Ranger and Islander prospects in action with the Islander prospects having it so very easy.

Kirill Kabanov (NYI 2010 3rd) and his Shawinigan Cataractes had a really easy evening taking care of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 7-2. Kabanov this night was about the number three as in three assists, three shots, and a +3 for the game.

Kabanov had three secondary assists and we were surprised to discover that it was only the fourth time this season that Kabanov had three or more points in a game. On the season Kabanov is 18-27-45 which is also a surprising number considering how offense crazy the QJMHL is.

The win for the Cataractes extended their unbeaten streak to seven games as they jumped past the Saint John Sea Dogs for first overall in the QMJHL by a point.


In the OHL, Ryan Strome (NYI 2011 1st) and his Niagara IceDogs scored two goals in the game's first 1:10 and cruised from there 7-1. Strome actually set up the second goal which also turned out to be the game-winner.

For Strome, the assist extended his scoring streak to 13 games (7-17-24) as the IceDogs moved past the Ottawa 67's to take will lead in the OHL's Eastern Conference. Mitchell Theoret (NYI 2011 7th) was scoreless and a +1 in this game.

In Peterborough, the Petes really did lose a heartbreaking game when they dropped a 4-3 shootout decision to the Barrie Colts.The Petes were playing from behind all night long and the loss kind of symbolized the way the season has gone for the Petes.

Peter Ceresnak (NYR 2011 6th) scored his fifth goal of the season and we have to admit we weren't really sure if it was his goal because there was lot of traffic from the point. But Ceresnak got the credit for the goal and it was good to see as it was his first goal since December 3 (25 games).

The player we felt bad for was Andrew Yogan (NYR 2010 3rd) as while he had a secondary assist on Ceresnak's goal; Yogan despite chance after chance could not get one past the Barrie goaltender.

It was the kind of effort from Yogan that we knew he was capable of and that is a player we hope the Rangers get to sign. Yogan did his best to try to score or set a linemate up for goal but this was the kind of effort that Yogan needs to bring every night.
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If he does then he deserves the Ranger contract. The bad news is that Peterborough can't afford to come out of games with just 1 point. The shootout loss leaves the Petes in a 3 way tie (in points) with Mississauga and Oshawa but 8th overall with every one else holding games in hand on them.


In Penticton, Vees are doing their best to put an end to their winning streak as other teams are getting closer and closer to snapping Penticton's winning streak. If anything the weak play that we see from the Vees is actually helping Steven Fogarty's play stand out that much more.

Fogarty's (NYR 2011 3rd) 27th goal of the season was a shorthanded goal that tied the game at 1-1. And Forgarty's 42nd assist set up what proved to be the game-winning goal as Penticton survived the Trail Smoke Eaters 4-2.

As is become a habit lately every time Penticton needs a big play, it has been Fogarty was who supplied it. Michael St. Croix and his 93 points are very impressive but if I had a choice between Fogarty and Michael St. Croix then I take Fogarty.

Fogarty is bigger, he is stronger, and he's a better overall player.  You can have St. Croix I want Fogarty because I can't put Fogarty out there in the games last minute and not worry about a thing,

Clinched playoff spot

QMJHL

Baie Comeau Drakkar (Samuel Noreau)

(Glen Sather – New York Rangers)