Update, 2:28 p.m.:
Pierre LeBrun at ESPN says Panthers-Rangers trade talks on McCabe are ongoing as we speak at this hour.

Update, 1:39 p.m.:
Torts on trade offers...

"We could've made 10 trades", but "everybody wants our kids"

Update, 1:32 p.m.:
Jesse Spector reports that John Tortorella says the Rangers trade philosophy is that it is better to build for a Stanley Cup than mortgage future for quick boost.

...this should be music to every Rangers fan's ears. Guess this means Sather not willing to part with prospects for McCabe. Which I'm a fan of.

Update, 1:28 p.m.:
Andrew Gross reports that both Staal and Fedotenko are out tomorrow, while Gaborik is still not symptom free from his concussion.

...well that's a whole bushel of bad news.

Update, 1:04 p.m.:
Stepan on his hit on Green...

"I wouldn't do anything different"

...f'n love this kid.

Update, 12:51 p.m.:
Although not suspended, Bob McKenzie at TSN says Stepan was fined for hit on Mike Green.

Update, 12:40 p.m.:
In news regarding players that are actually on the team, per Steve Zipay: Derek Stepan will not be suspended, while Marc Staal and Ruslan Fedotenko are not practicing today and Kris Newbury is back with the team after clearing waivers.

Now back to the McCabe saga.

Update, 12:12 p.m.:
Brooks adds there's little doubt McCabe will waive his NTC to come to New York but Rangers have not yet committed.

...Florida must be asking for too much. Hold your ground Glen.

Update, 11:52 a.m.:
Brooks, who earlier said if Rangers get McCabe they will have to move nearly $3.5M in full-season cap value to acquire Richards as well, now tweets the Rangers could put Frolov on LTI and get approx $650,000 additional space.

Original Post:
Larry Brooks at the New York Post tweets that Bryan McCabe is likely to be traded to the Rangers.

While Arthur Staple at Newsday says there's no deal in place but McCabe will only waive his no trade clause to come to the Rangers.

Finally, TheNYRBlog reader Sam F. from Toronto e-mailed me that he heard on the Fan 590, a sports radio station in Toronto, that Sather's holding a press conference today to announce they got McCabe.

...as I've said all along, I have no problem with them bringing McCabe in. My issue will be with who or what they give up and whose playing time gets cut when McCabe comes in.

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Adam Proteau at The Hockey News receives a question about how the Rangers could possibly get rid of Chris Drury and his huge contract and gives this answer...

"There is no chance Drury is moved this season; his health woes, lack of production and $7.05 million cap hit next season all but guarantee he'll remain a Ranger. Of course, GM Glen Sather could buy him out after this season, but I think there's more possibility Sather dangles Drury at next season's trade deadline and tries to find a team interested solely in Drury's expiring contract."

...there's been a lot of buyout talk surrounding Drury, but I think the Rangers have too much respect for Drury to do that. Another possibility depending on how bad his knee is could be Drury pulling a Naslund and retiring which would take his money off the cap. But that is a real long shot.

...and hey you never know, maybe the Rangers get in the playoffs, Drury gets healthy and makes an impact. No? Yeah, I didn't think so either.

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Update, 8:40 a.m.:
Arthur Staple at Newsday reports Fedotenko's injury may just be scar tissue, but don't count on him for Sunday against the Lightning

Original Post:
Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants reports that before last night's game Marian Gaborik (concussion) and Derek Boogaard (concussion), who's been out since Dec. 9, both skated at the Rangers' practice facility.

Gross adds that Boogaard is not being counted on the rest of this season but Gaborik is and that it's a very positive sign that he's skating, though there's no timetable for his return.

...with the way the Rangers have been playing without Gaborik in the lineup the Rangers should be in no hurry to rush him back. Especially with a concussion.

Should find out more on Ruslan Fedotenko's re-injured shoulder today.

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Bergen Record - Erik Christensen leads Rangers 6-0 rout of Capitals

New York Post - Shut out Washington, 6-0

New York Post - Busy Lundqvist notches shutout for Rangers

Daily News - Lundqvist makes 35 saves, Christensen scores twice as Rangers coast 6-0

Newsday - Christensen scores twice in Rangers' rout

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Rangers head coach John Tortorella speaks with reporters after the Blueshirts dominated the Capitals in a 6-0 win at Washington on Feb. 25.


Rangers @ Capitals highlights

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The New York Rangers (33-26-4) defeated the Washington Capitals (33-19-10) by the score of 6-0, last night. For a recap and box score go to Yahoo! Sports and newyorkrangers.com.

...this team never ceases to amaze me. On a night they're playing without their best offensive and defensive players they play possibly their most complete game this season. Hard hitting, going to the net, man that was fun to watch.

...the tone was set immediately by Stepan (1g, 1a) who was throwing his body around like I've never seen before. Was his hit on Green an illegal blow to the head? Yep. And will he be suspended? Probably. But to be honest, I loved it. Sometimes you've got to play a little nasty out there. I think we all remember Messier skating around with his elbows up high.

...Christensen must have bought dinner for the team the night before because he's not going to see two easier goals the rest of his career.

...i know the goal was meaningless as far as the game goes, but I thought it was huge for Boyle to get a goal. He's been struggling offensively lately and this can really help his confidence. Same with Prospal, he needed one bad.

...i'm pretty sure McD isn't Jewish, but he definitely had his Bar Mitzvah last night as he became a man right before our eyes. The way he was able to hold his own against Ovechkin and the Caps top line all night should have every Rangers fan ridiculously pumped for this kid's future.

...Sauer is quickly becoming one of my favorite players. As much as Stepan's physical play set the tone I thought Sauers beat down of Chimera really fired the team up. And how sick was that pass on Christensen's first goal?

...oh yeah, league leading eighth shutout for Lundqvist.

....nice to see Eminger get one as he hasn't complained once for undeservedly being bannished to the press box.

...loving the five forwards on the power play.

...lets hope Fedotenko can return soon. Team really does play better with him in the lineup.

...off today then Bolts in town tomorrow.

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The New York Rangers (32-26-4, 68 pts.) visit the Washington Capitals (32-19-10, 74 pts.) at the Verizon Center tonight starting at 7:00 p.m. For a preview go to Yahoo! Sports.

Rangers Game Notes

TV: MSG 2; Radio: 1050AM ESPN Radio, XM205

Probable Lines:
Dubinsky-Anisimov-Callahan
Prospal-Christensen-Fedotenko
Wolski-Stepan-Zuccarello
Avery-Boyle-Prust

McDonagh-Girardi
Del Zotto- Eminger
Gilroy-Sauer

Goaltenders:
Henrik Lundqvist - 24-20-4, 2.38 gaa, .920 sv%, 7 so.

Michal Neuvirth - 18-9-4, 2.45 gaa, .914 sv%, 3 so

Opponent Notes:
- Alex Ovechkin has three goals and three assists in his last four games. However, he has just three goals and three assists over the past 15 games home games.

- Washington is just 5-6-6 in its last 17 at home, although they are 13-2-3 over the last 18 home games against the Rangers.

- The fifth place Capitals (74 points) are just three points behind Southeast leading Tampa.

- Michael Neuvirth is coming off a 39 save shutout of the Penguins.

- Nicklas Backstrom (thumb) is expected to be in the Capitals lineup tonight, while Mike Green (illness) is questionable. Former Ranger Tom Poti (groin) is day-to-day (what else is new).

2010-11 Season Series:
Nov. 9 Rangers 3, Capitals 5 at MSG
Dec. 12 Rangers 7, Capitals 0 at MSG
Jan. 24 Rangers 2, Capitals 1 (SO) at Washington
Feb. 25 Rangers vs. Capitals at Washington

Opponent Blog:
Rock the Red

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John Tortorella pre-game presser courtesy of Jesse Spector at Blueshirt Blog...



Spector also reports that Glen Sather is on the road trip and was working the phones this morning. No new trade rumors surrounding Rangers.

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Kevin Clark at The Wall Street Journal (via Puck Daddy) chronicles the life of millionaire hockey players whose poor play has forced teams to banish them to the AHL including Wade Redden who at a salary of $6.5 million, earns the AHL's minimum salary of $37,500 in just over one period of play....

"As you might expect, the disparities in income on these teams now creates some unusual situations. In minor league hockey, there's a tradition known as "The Board," where players place small sums of money for the scorer of the game's game-winning goal to collect. Most nights, the board can be $100 or so. No longer. Redden has placed iPads on the board and Commodore has put up as much as $1,000...

...The NHL's waiver system makes it unlikely any of these players will be back in the big league anytime soon. If a player is picked up on waivers, both his new team and his old team must add half the player's salary to their salary cap total. For players like Redden, who signed a six-year guaranteed contract in 2008, that's a huge disincentive that has turned the AHL into hockey's version of a white-collar prison."

...that's actually pretty awesome that Redden and Commodore do that. Easy way to make friends on the team.

...h/t to reader John D. for the link.

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Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants says that Marc Staal’s twisted knee will keep him out of the Rangers lineup against the Capitals. Meaning Steve Eminger moves back in and will play with Michael Del Zotto. Ryan McDonagh moves up to play with Dan Girardi while Matt Gilroy will be paired with Michael Sauer.

...i actually really like the balance of these pairings. Would still rather Staal be in there, but I like what Torts has done.

Staal on the injury...

"It just wasn't where Rammer (trainer Jim Ramsey) liked it so we decided to take it off," said Staal, who rode a stationary bike and walked with a slight limp. "It's more of a day to day thing. Jim didn't want to risk hurting it more unnecessarily if I'm not ready to go."

In positive injury news, Ruslan Fedotenko will be back in the Rangers' lineup for the first time since separating his left shoulder on Jan. 19, followed by an appendectomy on Feb. 2. Kris Newbury was placed on waivers so he could be sent down to the CT Whale.

Fedotenko on his injury...

"I feel better with every day, I'm getting my timing, my conditioning my strength back, strength in both my shoulder and my abs," Fedotenko said. "I feel need to play to help and contribute to the team."

...Rangers were 6-8-1 with Feds out of the lineup so it will be nice to have him back.

Henirk Lundqvist will get his sixth straight start.

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