Rangers vs. Lightning preview; McDonagh "really close" to return; St. Louis homecoming; Rangers a $1.1 billion franchise; Insanity Tanner Glass Hot Take
Your morning notes for November 25, 2014.
The New York Rangers are in Tampa to take on the Lightning tonight. They will be looking for a bit of redemption for that blowout loss they suffered against the Bolts at MSG on November 17th. Since that game, Tampa has scuffled just a teeny bit, while the Rangers have seemingly turned the proverbial corner. Let's see which two teams show up this evening. [Fox Sports] [NHL] [Rant Sports] [NY Daily News]
Ryan McDonagh is "really close" to returning, after practicing with the team in Tampa yesterday. According to Alain VIgneault, McD looked like the "best guy on the ice" and guessed that within the next week he will be cleared to play. Some reports have him back for the Friday Thanksgiving showdown game with the Flyers. Great news for the team. The question is, who will come out? The likely candidates will be one of Matt Hunwick and John Moore. AV says it may be on a "game-to-game basis." I'd like to see Hunwick stay in a bit more often. I think he has earned it. [NY Daily News Blog] [NY Daily News] [NY Post]
At Tuesday's practice Lee Stempniak skated as an extra defenseman. This means it will be the same lineup as the past two wins. Stempniak is out as a healthy scratch now. Tanner Glass forever, guys.
Forwards: Rick Nash-Derick Brassard-Mats Zuccarello, Chris Kreider-Derek Stepan-Martin St. Louis, Carl Hagelin-Kevin Hayes-Anthony Duclair, Tanner Glass-Dominic Moore-Jesper Fast
Defensemen: John Moore-Dan Girardi, Marc Staal-Dan Boyle, Matt Hunwick-Kevin Klein
Goalie: Henrik Lundqvist
Healthy scratch: Lee Stempniak
Injured: Ryan McDonagh
Martin St. Louis is expecting a less than warm reception when he makes his homecoming debut in Tampa tonight. He deserves better for everything he did for that franchise. It will be interesting to see how they react if he reaches the 1,000 point milestone. [Blueshirt Banter] [The Hockey Writers] [NY Daily News] [NY Post] [Newsday] [NBCSN] [Bleacher Report]
The Rangers are one of three teams valued by Forbes Magazine at over one billion dollars in its latest NHL Team Valuations. The team is currently valued at $1.1B, an increase of 29% since the last review Forbes did, and just behind the Maple Leafs for tops in the NHL. Their revenue of $217 million last season was the highest in the NHL. It pays to go all the way. And to have a lucrative TV deal.
For comparison's sake, the Islanders are worth $300 million. The average team value rose over 18%, and sits at about $490 million. Considering the revenue sharing system in place which basically keeps bottom-feeding teams like the Florida Panthers (the only team to decrease in value) afloat, teams like the Rangers, Maple Leafs and Canadiens pay a disproportionate portion of those team's operating costs. But obviously, it pays to be the talk of the town in New York City's otherwise barren wasteland of professional sports over the past year. That much is for certain. [Forbes] [Newsday] [Yahoo Puck Daddy] [ESPN] [The Hockey News]
TSN asks "Who has been the most valuable player to his team at the quarter point of this season?" [TSN Hubub]
WHITE HOT FIRE TAKE ALERT: Seriously. I can't even. Just read this one at your own peril. Take many breaks. Have water and possibly a vomit bag nearby. You've been warned. Tanner Glass is a "better breed of tough." (Maxim attempts to dabble in hockey).
Guys. I am so sorry. Here were the reactions (mostly my own because it is easier than retyping them) from Twitter about this dumpster fire.
@NYRUnlimited @zellenthal Holy hell. He is? What is the agenda the media seems to have with him? I don't get it. Is it his healthy juices?
— Nick Mercadante (@nmercad) November 25, 2014 @nmercad @zellenthal I expect better from Maxim.
— Jared Sexton (@NYRUnlimited) November 25, 2014 .@NYRUnlimited @zellenthal This paragraph...I can't even. I can't. *rocks* pic.twitter.com/i2V5vcy9TE
— Nick Mercadante (@nmercad) November 25, 2014 @zellenthal @nmercad @NYRUnlimited dear god no make it stop
— Steph (@myregularface) November 25, 2014 @nmercad His grittiness, jam and thump are matched only by his charm. This thing is taking on a life of its own now.
— RobJem (@RSJem) November 25, 2014 Also, kudos to Glass for making it through, apparently, a childhood filled with violence to become an NHL regular. pic.twitter.com/BRU89sFi0A
— Nick Mercadante (@nmercad) November 25, 2014 Can someone run the numbers on how many Gordie Howe hat tricks Tanner Glass has had in his NHL career? Please. http://t.co/VjHwKM1g66
— Nick Mercadante (@nmercad) November 25, 2014 Should "play fight" be in quotes? I hope it shouldn't be. Because otherwise the connotation is that his dad and uncles would just fight him.
— Nick Mercadante (@nmercad) November 25, 2014 @nmercad now we have to like him huh?
— Kid Ish (@kid_ish) November 25, 2014 @kid_ish Just remember that when you criticize advocates of spanking children your'e criticizing how to develop #gritty NHL regulars.
— Nick Mercadante (@nmercad) November 25, 2014 @nmercad this country is fucked up.
— Kid Ish (@kid_ish) November 25, 2014 @kid_ish Doing "that sort of thing" isn't breeding toughness. It's encouraging abject lawlessness. Defeats the whole purpose of youth sport.
— Nick Mercadante (@nmercad) November 25, 2014 @kid_ish If I saw a youth coach send a 15 yr old kid to attack another kid from the box I'd have the guy escorted out mid-game.
— Nick Mercadante (@nmercad) November 25, 2014 The top line of Tanner Glass' résumé says he's the first to holler and pat teammates on the back when they score: pic.twitter.com/19g0NQ5SOa
— Tanner Glass Facts (@T_Glass_Facts) November 26, 2014 Enjoy your day. Don't punch anyone.
