Rangers Free Agency: The Moves To Be Made

With Ryan McDonagh now signed to a long term deal, here is what I think should be done the rest of this off-season:

The Rangers have 6.5 million in cap space remaining.
- Sign Stepan at 3.25 a year.
- Hagelin at 1.75 a year
- Falk for 850k.
- Zuccarello can't be resigned with current cap room. This is okay since they got Benoit Pouliot. Or, the better option, is to get rid of Brian Boyle and his contract and resign Zucc.
- Also, Mashinter may never play as a Ranger.
- Resign Henrik Lundqvist to a 7yr/$49million contract extension, locking him up through 39 years old. AKA: The rest of his career.
- Resign Ryan Callahan to an 8yr/$40million extension, locking him up through 37 years old.

Murray wins Wimbledon

First time in 77 years that a Brit/Scot has won Wimbledon as Andy Murray beats Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5. 6-4.

It was a great match, with both players giving it their all, but Murray just making it count when needed.

His wife looks like shes in shock.

But the real fun will be when Andy begins bawling like a baby :)

Pettitte Passes Whitey

Andy Pettitte is one of my favorite pitchers of all-time.

Nothing scarier than Pettitte in October, glaring out at the batter from between the bill of his cap and the top of his glove.

And now he holds the record for most strikeouts by a New York Yankee.

A record that stood for almost 50 years, Pettitte passed Whitey Ford in the 3rd inning last night.

A great pitcher, on a sub-par team this year, holding a record that probably won't be touched for another 50 years.

NHL: Islanders to buy out DiPietro

In a move that has been a long time coming, the New York Islanders will buy out Rick DiPietro.

I thought it was a stupid signing from day one.

He was never the caliber of a Lundqvist or Brodeur, and should never have been signed to that long of a deal.

Now with a compliance buyout in hand, the Islanders are taking advantage.

With the #1 pick, in the 2000 NHL Draft, the New York Islanders, picked Rick DiPietro. Now they have let him go.

I doubt we'll see him start in the 2013-2014 season, but one never knows!

BREAKING: NHL and NBA Free Agents

NBA: Dwight Howard is likely to NOT re-sign with the Lakers, making him a free agent. (@Chris_Broussard)

NHL: Vincent Lecavalier is being bought out by Tampa Bay, and will be a free agent.

Nadal Ousted at Wimbledon & Shrapova/Williams Spat

Wow. Rafael Nadal, quite possible the best current male tennis player, has been ousted in the first round at Wimbledon.

He lost to Steve Darcis, who is ranked 135 in the world (to Rafa's #1) in 3 straight sets (7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (10-8), 6-4).

Personally, I love tennis, especially when it's the top players going up against each other in four hour grueling matches.

But it also makes for great stories, when the easiest matches, turn into disasters for the best players.

Except when it happens to Maria Sharapova (of course).

On that note, she is 31-0 since the Australian Open, outside of the finals at Rolland Garros to Serena Williams.

I hope they face off in the finals again, because after this week's verbal spat, I think Maria may have what it takes to beat Serena.

International Goal Record - Woman's Soccer

Abby Wambach scored her 160th goal in international play last night (in a 5-0 USWNT win over Korea).

This broke Mia Hamm's all-time record.

On a night where the Woman's National Team showed off their true force, this was a great moment for her, and the sport in America.

As a New Yorker, it's a weird thing to say: But can't wait for the Men's World Cup in Brazil next year!

And the Olympics in Sochi.

Nothing better than the Olympics.

Citi Bike Review

I took my first Citi Bike ride today here in New York City. Here is my review:

- For starters, I signed up for the 1-year membership, which entitles me to Unlimited-45-minute rides for the year.
I got my key in the mail yesterday (pictured below), and couldn't be more excited to try it out today.

- When I got to the bike stand, I inserted my key, and faced my first frustration. They have a light system (Red, Yellow (wait), and Green), but no instructions on what to do.
So I put in the key, and yellow flashed at me...I waited, and nothing.
I tried another bike, the yellow light flashed, and then it flashed green, and my first bike was unlocked!

- The bike itself fit, even for someone as short as me.

- Lights on the front and back, which are self-powered as you ride.

- The gear on my bike (and hopefully just on mine) wouldn't stick. So I had to keep a hold on the 3rd gear, making the ride slightly annoying.

- Overall, it was a nice experience, and I plan on using it many more times!

Citi Bike Key

Typical US Open

There are some things that are just American.

Baseball. BBQ's. American Pie.

And of course, Phil Mickelson fading at the US Open.

And yesterday, he didn't disappoint.

Coming in with a lead, he fell back, despite an Eagle on 10, to tie him with Justin Rose, he just did the inevitable.

Faded.

For the SIXTH TIME, Phil came in 2nd.

I see Tiger winning his 18th (yes, I know he hasn't hit 15 yet...) before Phil gets a USOpen.

But that's just my lousy sports thoughts.

(See what I did there? Worked the title of the blog into the post....ingenious really.)

PS. How cool were those flag sticks?!

ICYMI: Rangers have signed Alain Vigneault

The New York Rangers have come to an agreement with Alain Vigneault to be their next head coach.

Personally I think this was a great move, and the first person that came to my mind when I heard that Torts was fired.

Let's go Rangers 2014!

NHL: Mic'd Up Right

Andrew Shaw, who scored the game winner for Chicago in the 3rd Overtime period against Boston last night, was mic'd up for the game by NBC.

In the deadspin link below, you hear what he says after the goal.

http://deadspin.com/andrew-shaw-was-micd-up-for-his-game-1-winner-and-it-513114029

And to disagree with their take on it, I think "I Love Shinpads" takes the cake!

Jason Kidd - Three Year Contract

Jason Kidd has just signed a 3 year contract to coach the Brooklyn Nets.

Great move for the team, and I look forward to a championship run next year!

Players Becoming Coaches

From Mark Messier to Jason Kidd, teams are looking to make former players into first time coaches.

Jason Kidd on the New Jersey Nets

While I think there is no smarter move than turning a successful player into a coach, with all the experience already in the back pocket, the teams signing them shouldn't have sentimental attachment to these people.

While Jason Kidd coaching the Nets would be the dream of most Nets fans, and probably ownership, what happens half a season later if he is only performing mediocre?

Who wants to be the one to tell a Hall of Famer that made your team great, that he just isn't working out?

Mark Messier winning a cup with
the New York Rangers

The best bet for players is to start in another market, where they know your name and talents, yet have no attachment to you, hence having to prove themselves, as every first time coach should have to.

For example, take the Great One, Wayne Gretzky. He went to Phoenix, where he hadn't played, and got involved with the team, ending up as a head coach. While he had a 47% Winning Percentage, he was able to show his talents, or lack thereof, on the coaching plateau, without having a fan base that was pro/against him from the start.

Wayne Gretzky coaching the Phoenix Coyotes

NHL: One Coach Down

One of the coaches who the New York Rangers were looking at, has reportedly been signed.

According to multiple reports, Dallas Eakins will be announced on Monday as the new Head Coach of the Edmonton Oilers.

For the last few years Eakins was the Coach of the AHL team, Toronto Marlies.

Other coaches on the Rangers radar are Lindy Ruff (Buffalo), Mark Messier, and my personal favorite, Alain Vigneault (Vancouver).

Dallas Eakins

French Open Final Domination

Wow. Just wow.

Both finals at the French Open were utter domination.

First Serena Williams destroyed Maria Sharapova (which is a shame, because I love Maria), and then today Rafael Nadal walked all over David Ferrer.

Both matches showed two of the greatest that are currently playing.

Serena could probably put Rafa through a tough match if the two were to ever face off.

Wouldn't that be cool...I'd pay to watch that as a Pre-Match at the US Open.

Free Sports is Fun

Free sports is fun.

By free, I mean extra.

As in, Overtime, Extra Innings, Etc..

And today was full of it.

Considering that right now I'm watching the 2nd Overtime between the Kings and Blackhawks, which if Chicago wins, they go to the Stanley Cup finals (against the Bruins). Oh, and it was a fun overtime, with LA tying it up with less than 10 seconds left.

And it wasn't just hockey...Today in baseball there was a total of 22 extra innings. One game at 11 total, with two others going 18 and 20 innings.

Overtime is the most exciting thing in sports, when its not your team playing.

If I was a Kings fan right now, I would not be breathing very much. Which kinda hurts.

George Karl out in Denver

George Karl, Coach of the Year in 2013, is now out of a job. Fired by the Denver Nuggets today.

My lousy thoughts? We are looking at a lead candidate for the Brooklyn Nets head coaching job!

NHL: Cooked Penguin Anyone?

With the 2OT win last night by the Boston Bruins, it has put the Pittsburgh Penguins in a 3-0 hole, which is virtually impossible to come back from.

And I couldn't be happier.

Cindy Crosby and his gaggle of misfit girls don't deserve to win a cup until the league stops pampering them, and bending the rules for them.

On a side note, how much of a man is Gregory Campbell?! Takes a Malkin shot off the leg, breaking his leg, and still gets up and plays the penalty kill. That takes intense will to want that cup, and shows how these players will do anything to get it.
That video is here.

NHL Rule Changes

The NHL's Competition Committee met yesterday, as they do every year, to discuss what rules should be changed/updated/etc.

It seems the one most likely to take affect this year, is a Mandatory Visor Rule. Under the rule, all players entering the league next year, will be required to wear a visor. Like when helmets were first introduced, the rule will be grandfathered in, but expect to see a lot of players start to wear them next year.

Other rule changes that were proposed are:

- Shallower nets. Could be as much as 4" shallower (6'W/4'T/40"D), allowing more room behind the net, and easier for players to wrap the puck around.

- Double minors for high sticking will be review-able.

- Icings will not be waved off for missed passes, unless contact was made with a stick.

- All equipment will be examined, to see if they will resize them, particularly goaltenders, to make them smaller.

Kidd and The Heat

Jason Kidd retired from the NBA yesterday after 19 seasons in the league. This comes a week after Grant Hill retired. The two of them shared the Rookie of the Year award in 1994-1995.

To me J-Kidd will always be the guy who helped bring the Nets to the playoffs for 6 straight years, and get them to 50 wins for the first time (along with Kerry Kittles, Keith Van Horn and K-Mart of course).

He should be a shoo-in to the HoF when the time comes, with his Assists pushing him thru.

On a side note, the Miami Heat won game 7 last night, and will face off against the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals. Miami is looking for their second straight title.

This could be redemption for Lebron James, who lost in 7 games to the Spurs in 2007, while with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Blackhawks Cruising Along

The Chicago Blackhawks won last night, going up 2-0 in the best-of-7 series against the Los Angeles Kings.

Now, don't discount LA out just yet, but I would venture to say that the Blackhawks will be taking home the cup this year.

Autism Speaks 400

Tony Stewart has picked up his first win of the season!!! This is his 15th season in a row with a win, the longest active streak.

But on a side note, I think it's great what NASCAR did this week, as this weeks race was all about raising money for Autism Speaks.

To be able to hold a sporting event, with that many fans going to it, and watching around the country, and making the main focus be a great cause, is truly amazing.

Hopefully you'll all get a chance to donate, and for anyone that actually read this far, and sees this, I'll match $$ for $$ (up to $500 in total), just send me a copy of your receipt before June 8th, and let's all help as much as we can!

Welcome To My World of Sports

Yup. I've started another blog. It'll be another venture into sports.

A little bit about me, just to clear up my biased thoughts.

I follow many sports, and hope to talk about most of them. Here are my teams/players:

NHL - New York Rangers
NFL - Dallas Cowboys
MLB - New York Yankees
NASCAR - Tony Stewart and Stewart-Haas Racing
NBA - Portland Trail Blazers/Brooklyn Nets
MLS - NYCFC (Until 2015, New York Red Bull)
Tennis - Maria Sharapova