An era came to an end yesterday as Kris Draper of the Detroit Red Wings announced he was retiring. The last of the Grinders has gone. I couldn’t help but bat back a tear watching Kris Draper’s retirement press conference. To me Kris Draper epitomized all that is good about the sport of ice hockey. He is a class act. He was one of the hardest working, honest hockey players I have had the pleasure to watch.

Sean Avery tweeted this about Draper:

“Congrats to Kris Draper, one of the classiest NHL careers ever. I would not be in the NHL without him.”

During his 20 year career Draper formed the backbone of a team that won four Stanley Cups. Sure the Red Wings had many great and talented players on their championship teams. But at the end of the day it’s the grinders that can make or break a team. Their contributions were enormous and oft times under appreciated. On and off the ice, Draper was an all around good guy. God Speed, Kris Draper. You bleed True Red. Best of luck in all your future endeavors.

As an era ends in Detroit, a new era will begin in New York as the Rangers sign what we hope will be their version of Kris Draper, Ryan Callahan. Callahan signed a contract today before going to arbitration tomorrow. I am certain he would have gotten at least $200,000 more per year from the arbitor.

If Dubinsky is the benchmark, I felt Callahan would get four years and at least $4.5 million. I am puzzled at the amount and the duration of the contract. Why three years? Callahan is the future Captain. Does locking him up for just three years telescope Sather’s aspiration that the Rangers will contend for the Cup in the next two years? If you are rebuilding why not lock up the heart and soul of your team for longer? Or could Callahan be thinking that if the Rangers aren’t a contender in the next three years he wants to cut his losses and move on?

We probably will never know how this agreement was reached. It doesn’t matter. Callahan is back in the fold and ready to lead the Rangers and their fans into the future. I have every confidence that, like Kris Draper, Ryan Callahan will be a hard working role model for all of his current and future teammates. He already is a class act.

Are there four Stanley Cups and a Selke trophy in Cally’s future? We live in hope.

Let’s Go Rangers!

Posted under New York Rangers

One of the reasons Brad Richards stated for accepting the offer from Glen Sather and the New York Rangers (and not from a Western Conference team) was so his 93 year old grandfather would be able to see him play on East Coast time. Well isn’t that “Special”. (Church Lady font)

While that may be really touching, I think the length of the contract (nine years) and the fact that it is front end loaded ($24 million of the total $60 million dollars being paid in its first two years) just may have had a little something to do with it. Don’t you?

The consensus of opinion around the hockey blogosphere is that the Rangers didn’t do too badly in the Brad Richards sweepstakes. Sather got a marquee player to help put more asses in the fewer, higher priced seats at the Worlds Most Famous Renovation. As soon as I saw that Sather had re-upped Fedotenko, I knew that Richards wouldn’t be far behind.

Not only are the Rangers paying through the nose for a thirty one year old (previously concussed) center, they made sure all his BFFs were here as a pot sweetener. From his Stanley Cup winning comrades Torts and Tenko, to his party buddy Avery, to his 9 year total non-movement clause in his newly inked contract, the Rangers did everything possible to secure the services a first line center to play with Gaborik. For that kind of consideration, it’s too bad the adjective “elite” could not preface “first line”.

Color me skeptical, color me cynical but Sather and the Rangers have been down this road before, jumping at the best player available and paying way more then he is probably worth. People will toss out the argument that Sather did it because Lundqvist isn’t getting any younger. They need to build a contender to challenge for the Cup within the next two to three years before Henrik loses his edge. Tim Thomas won the Cup this year at age 37. I’m not buying that argument. With a decent backup and a damn powerplay, Henrik might last well into he late thirties too. Somehow I don’t think Brad Richards is going to be a total powerplay miracle cure.

Chances are Brad’s grandpa probably won’t be around to see him finish out this contract. Altruistic reasons aside, it’s all about the money. Ranger fans are a tough group. If Brad doesn’t uphold his end of the bargain, if he comes to the Big Apple and lays a Gomez/Redden sized egg, the Garden Faithful will have no compunction about showering Brad (and by association) Grandpa with boos and cat calls. Apparently residents of Prince Edward Island have longevity on their side. If Brad fails to perform, let’s hope they have thick skins too.

Brad Richards, Welcome to the Big Apple. It may not be the hockey goldfish bowl that is Toronto but it’s real close.

Posted under New York Rangers