Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. This will be a “quick” one tonight – har-har-har!
Following the Rangers’ 4-3 shootout loss to the Maple Leafs from Saturday night in Toronto (https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/3224/ ), come Sunday at noon, and now back in New York, the young guns, extras and spares (Will Cuylle, Zac Jones, Matt Rempe, Braden Schneider, Adam Edstrom, Alex Belzile and the man of the hour, Jonathan Quick himself) participated in an optional skate in Tarrytown.
Perhaps both Mika Zibanejad and Kaapo Kakko should have joined this hungry group – but I think that I have done a pretty good job of expressing my opinions on these two during the past few weeks – and months too!
Prior to this septet (or 33.3% of the team) hitting the rink, it was first broken on Sunday morning by a former member of the Rangers’ alumni, and a goaltender too for that matter, Kevin Weekes, that Jonathan Quick and the Rangers had agreed to a one-year contract extension for the 2024-25 season.
The 38-year-old Blueshirts’ back-up backstop, who signed a one-year “prove it” deal worth $825,000 with Rangers’ general manager Chris Drury over the summer, has surely done just that this season – he’s proved it.
In a deal that was “quickly” (again – har-har-har) put together (it didn’t even take a week according to #32), Quick and Drury agreed to a one-year deal worth $1,275,000 for the 2024-25 campaign.
As of this writing, some have suggested that Quick must play in a certain amount of games in order to receive his full deal in cash – and where some people have also reported that a twenty-team no-move-clause was also included.
While the full details haven’t been confirmed just yet, either way, Quick is back – and for the fans – that’s all that really matters.
I’ve written so much about Quick during the past eight months (including an “Apology Letter” too – and you can find it here: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/112223/) – so there’s no reason to rehash everything again tonight.
After all, and by now, you already know what a positive impact that Quick, who grew up rooting for the Rangers, has made for his favorite team this season.
However, if you want to read everything that I’ve previously written about JQ32, then just check out the archives of this site.
Furthermore, earlier this season, I released my Quick chapter from my newest book, “The Top 100 Villains of New York Rangers History,” and where you can read those words (for free) here: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/villains/
For some idiotic reason, and where again, I guess that 2014 is part of it, I saw some Ranger fans actually admonish both Drury and Quick for this deal – and where those three pesky words that plague all of us – “the salary cap” – was also brought up.
Not mentioned by those folk is how the NHL’s salary cap, set at $83.5M this season, will go up significantly next season (at least “significantly” when it comes to the NHL – as it’s not a figure nor a percentage akin to the caps in both the NFL and NBA), as due to all of the pandemic escrow now being paid off in full, the league’s salary cap for the 2024-25 season will at least jump up by $4.2M to $87.7M.
Furthermore, and depending on league finances at the end of the 2023-24 campaign, there is also a chance that next season’s salary cap could even exceed the $87.7M figure.
My point?
Giving Quick a slight raise, especially in this economy and while playing in the most expensive (and taxed) city in the league, isn’t the end of the world.
And like the other extensions that Drury has given out throughout his tenure to aging veterans – should the player not work out – then since it’s a “low risk/high reward” type of a deal – then the Rangers can part ways with Quick without a salary cap penalty assessed to them.
Just a little over a week ago, on 2/21 (https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/22124/ ), I talked about how the Rangers had just re-signed JONNY HOCKEY, government name, Jonny Brodzinski.
During that same blog, I wrote the following:
When it comes to the current unrestricted free agents on the team today, most of the talk has been centered around the Rangers’ back-up goalie, Jonathan Quick – and who like Harpur, Vesey and now Brodzinski before him – should also receive a contract that guarantees him employment for next season – and assuming that’s still his desire.
For what it’s worth, it’s just my gut-feeling that Quick wants to stay in New York – and I say this after listening to everything that he’s said all season – as his family is happy here, he’s playing for his favorite team, he’s already made his life-changing money and he enjoys his role with the Rangers.
In other words, and while perhaps some other team out there would give him a shot to compete for a starters’ job and some extra bucks to do so too (heck, the Devils would trade for him right now if it was possible), (and let’s not forget the insane tax rate in NYC either) – as long as Drury presents a half-way decent and realistic offer to Quick – then I think that JQ32 re-signs with the Rangers – and as Brodzinski just did on Wednesday.
Brodzinski, like Quick, who currently has a home in Connecticut (and let’s not forget – he’s still the captain of the Wolfpack today too), said on Wednesday that he pretty much railroaded (my words – not his) his own contract negotiations.
What I mean by that is that Brodzinski said verbatim, “I told them [Drury] that I don’t want to play anywhere else. I love it here. My family loves it here. There’s no other place I’d rather be.”
And that’s exactly what happened on Sunday.
For the sake of posterity, here’s what the Rangers are officially saying about the deal, courtesy of https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-agree-to-terms-with-jonathan-quick :
Following the light workout on Sunday morning, Quick spoke to the media about his new deal.
Here’s the video for you below:
Quick pretty much said what he’s been saying all-season on Sunday – he wants to stay as a Ranger, loves the organization, his family loves living back home, he’s not thinking about retirement yet, he’s taking each day “one game at a time” (Gallant’s old quote!), and how much he enjoys his new teammates.
Quick, who hasn’t really talked much about Benoit Allaire this season (in fact – only once with Jonny Lazarus – and where I asked Jonny if he could ask Quick about him too!), also reiterated that he knew that he had a tough season last year – but how he also knew that he still had something left in the tank.
Today?
That tank looks like it’s on full.
Elsewhere, on his own contract negotiations, Quick said it took about a week and alluded to the fact that the entire process was as smooth as the ice that he plays on.
In my eyes, this was a no-brainer of a deal, as the general manager maintained a successful player that’s thriving with his new team and on the cheap no less; the head coach kept a player that he deems as a major positive influence in his locker room; and the player, who wants to win the fourth Stanley Cup of his career with his favorite club, can now most likely end his future Toronto-bound HOF career in Ranger blue.
Congratulations to Quick, who has been one of the better human interest stories on the team – and even if he ruined my 32nd birthday back on June 13th, 2014!
Following the completion of his “Magnificent Seven” optional skate, the head coach conducted another edition of “LAVY’S LOUNGE.”
Here it is for you below:
On Quick, Laviolette said what you’d expect him to say, as he praised #32 and talked about his value both on and off of the ice – and where again – the bench boss couldn’t have been any more complimentary when talking about what the three-time Stanley Cup champion brings to the locker room.
Elsewhere, the top story in town, Matt Rempe, was brought up and where again – Lavy brought up Rempe’s enthusiasm whenever he plays.
Lavy also said that Rempe has fought a murder’s row of opponents (my words, verbatim he said “toughest guys of the last decade”) and how you can tell that Rempe just loves what he’s doing.
On the struggles of his alleged $8.5M first line center, Mika Zibanejad, Lavy said that he wouldn’t be breaking up the BFF line. While the Blueshirt beat reporters did ask about the Rangers’ second line, these scribes also failed to ask the head coach if he would consider swapping Zibanejad to the second power-play unit – and in favor of Alexis Lafreniere.
For what it’s worth, and while still talking about the second line (and Laviolette has said this many times before during this season about all of his lines and pairings), the head coach gave the old wrestling promoter line, “everything [card] is subject to change.”
The Rangers’ next opponent, the Florida Panthers, nor the trade deadline, was never brought up – but those are two subjects for Monday – and where of course – all trade deadline discourse will continue throughout 3PM 3/8, when the deadline expires.
Up next: The Rangers will try to declaw the Cats on Monday night at M$G.
If they are successful, then the Blueshirts will return to their status as BEST IN THE WORLD.
After that, the Rangers don’t play again until Saturday 3/9, when they will host the St. Louis Blues – who much like the Blueshirts – should be a very different team than what they are today.
As far as who the Rangers are targeting and the rumors swirling around the Big Apple, I openly admit – I have no SAUCES – nor do I think that anyone truly has a pipeline to Chris Drury either!
All I can do is tell you what I want, and as I’ve been saying for months now (I was talking about Kakko as the key piece to Anaheim in a deal for Vatrano, Gudas and Henrique long before anyone else was) – I’d go all 1994 (or as much as you can in this era) and make these moves:
K’Andre Miller, a second round pick & Tyler Pitlick to Ottawa for Tarasenko (50% retained) & Jakob Chychrun (25% retained).
Kaapo Kakko, Zac Jones & a first round pick to Anaheim for Frank Vatrano (50% retained), Adam Henrique (50% retained) & Radko Gudas.
A fourth- and fifth-round pick to Minnesota for Pat Maroon.
Furthermore, I would NOT include any of the Rangers’ high-end prospects in any deal, players such as Brennan Othmann, Adam Sykora and Gabe Perreault.
I should also note at this time – when I first wrote all of this stuff above many months ago – this was way before the NHL debuts of both Matt Rempe and Adam Edstrom.
Should the Rangers alter their roster, then whatever happens, I believe that Rempe has the edge over Edstrom – and for all of the obvious reasons.
My opinion?
You keep rolling with Rempe until he gives you a reason not to.
Another opinion?
While Rempe may not be an everyday player come the playoffs – I do think that he can be valuable weapon – and WILL play in at least one postseason game.
Of these suggested deals posted above, I don’t think that Miller will realistically be moved and apparently, due to both the cap rules and Tarasenko’s stint last year, that trade can’t happen – unless a third party is involved.
I know there’s some scuttlebutt about the Rangers being interested in both Alex Wennberg and Yanni Gourde of the Kraken – but if you’re going to deal with a Western Conference general manager, then I think that Pat Verbeek of the Ducks has more to offer.
Perhaps the only trade that I can guarantee to you that will take place?
Drury, and as he’s done at every deadline, will trade an AHLer for an AHLer!
See ya late Monday night with a Rangers/Panthers review.
And as noted last Wednesday – I will be listening to the radio broadcast in real-time – and then will re-watch the M$GN broadcast once returned home from work.
LGR!
PLUGS TIME! (Buy a book and support my Rangers’ induced therapy bills. After all, I don’t run ads on this site!)
My fourth title and tenth book is now available!
“The Top 100 Villains of New York Rangers History,” is now available for sale!
For complete information, please visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/rangerkillers/
My second plug of tonight’s blog – the mandatory plug for my book, “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden.”
As mentioned previously, the book is now available in hardcover, in paperback and in Kindle formats. To purchase a copy of the book, visit this link:
https://www.amazon.com/Rangers-Rafters-Madison-Square-Garden-ebook/dp/B09CM5N2WD
For those still looking for signed paperback versions of the book, I have re-ordered more copies. I now have a few signed copies for sale at $25 a pop (includes shipping price) through me directly. Here is all the information on that:
Order “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden” Book Today
My four-volume set of books, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is a game-by-game recount of the Rangers 2021-22 campaign.
My second title as an author, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is now available in eBook, paperback and hardcover formats.
To obtain signed copies, visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/onegamebook/
To purchase all four volumes on Amazon, visit: Amazon.com – “One Game at a Time.”
The greatest volume-set of books on Rangers’ history today!
“Tricks of the Trade – A Century-Long Journey Through Every Trade Made In New York Rangers’ History,” a four-volume set of books that meticulously covers every trade made in franchise history, is now on sale.
All four volumes of the title can be purchased on Amazon.com and are presented in three different formats – eBook, paperback and hardcover.
To purchase Volume I: Conn Smythe (1926) – Craig Patrick (1986), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume II: Phil Esposito (1986) – Neil Smith (2000), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume III: Glen Sather (2000-2015), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume IV: Jeff Gorton (2015) – Chris Drury (2022), visit Amazon.com
To purchase signed copies of all four volumes, visit https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/
Here are my last few blogs, in case you missed them:
NYR/TOR 3/2 Review: Original Six Marquee Match-Up Exceeds All Hype & Expectations; Refs Rob Rangers in Shootout Loss, Historical Similarities & Differences Between Two Aging Cores, All Strengths & Weaknesses Remain, GAG Line 2.0 Does All of The Heavy Lifting; “Mika Marchless” Does Nada, Rempe & Reaves Deliver in Anticipated Heavyweight Tilt; Both Come Out as Winners, Mr. Mackey Re-Signed, Laviolette, Kakko on the Blockko, Best M$GN Broadcast of the Season & More
NYR/CBJ 2/28 Review: BEST IN THE WORLD BLUESHIRTS BEAT BLUE JACKETS; First Team to Hit 40 Wins, Matt Rempe The Top Talk of the League; Gets Gary Bettman’s Attention, What The Duck – Verbeek In-Attendance Too, Panarin Continues Career-Best Season; Another 3-Pointer Netted, Mika March Needed After His February Failure, Maloney & Albert = Gold, M$GN & More
If you haven’t already, subscribe to this blog for the next update:
Don’t forget to order my four-volume set of books, “Tricks of the Trade!”
If you don’t order through me, all four volumes are now available on Amazon.com
For more details, check out: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/
Thanks for reading.
LET’S GO RANGERS!
Sean McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com
@NYCTHEMIC on the Tweeter machine
Please let us not stoop to the level that we’re forecasting the next goonish fight.
That wasn’t my goal at all, sorry if it came off that way.