Mark Malinowski at The Hockey News was able to sit down with Artem Anisimov and discusses issues ranging from first hockey memory to favorite movie. Here's an excerpt...

Most Memorable Goal(s): "I have two. In a pre-season game against Boston and last one in the season against New Jersey. I like those two goals."

...i remember that goal against Boston it was pretty sick and here it is...



Other notable answers are Enver Lisin used to call him grandpa and Evgeny Grachev is the funniest player he's ever encountered.

...h/t to reader Chef Dave.

Remember to follow me on Twitter & Facebook or e-mail me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Here's a pic of TheNYRBlog reader Justin C. with Mats Zuccarello. After exiting the NHL store in Manhattan on Saturday, Justin spotted MZA walking down the street with his girlfriend and was more than happy to take a pic...


As always, continue to e-mail ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) your Rangers related pictures to me so I can post them on the blog.

Remember to follow me on Twitter & Facebook or e-mail me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Larry Brooks at the New York Post says that he recently received an e-mail from Glen Sather saying Vinny Prospal was activated last week because "He is ready to go."

Brooks adds that might not mean ready to go for tomorrow's game against the Penguins but it could mean later this week.

The Rangers recalled Michael Del Zotto, Kris Newbury and Evgeny Grachev from the CT Whale last night.

...i'm done trying to figure out what's going on with Prospal's injury. Wasn't it just a few weeks ago when the reports were he was done for the season?

...with the recall of both Newbury and Grachev you've got to assume he's not ready for tomorrow night. Right?

Remember to follow me on Twitter & Facebook or e-mail me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Bergen Record - Historic comeback for Team Lidstrom

New York Post - Numbers may not add up

Daily News - Rangers' Lundqvist makes historic save but still takes loss at NHL All-Star Game

New York Times - Hockey All-Star Game Features Goals Galore

Journal News - There haven’t been many like this team

Remember to follow me on Twitter & Facebook or e-mail me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Update, 12:14 a.m.:
Jesse Spector tweets that a reason Del Zotto could have been called up is the Whale doesn't play again until Friday and the Rangers just want him up for practice.

...that makes sense. Still doesn't explain Grachev. I do like they're giving the kid another chance, I just hope, as I said below it's not on the fourth line. Unfortunately, if they do give him a chance on a top two line it probably means back to the fourth line for Avery.

...h/t to sarcasmpucktail.

Original Post:
Newyorkrangers.com reports that the Rangers have recalled Michael Del Zotto, and forwards Kris Newbury and Evgeny Grachev from the CT Whale.

...got to say I'm shocked to see both Del Zotto and Grachev back. Assuming the Rangers aren't 100% sure Girardi will be ready to go on Tuesday against the Pens. Can't think of any other reason he'd be back up as Torts kept reminding us that Del Zotto was only up before the All Star break because of the Girardi injury and that he still needed to be with the Whale.

...as far as Grachev goes, I know he's been on a hot streak lately (seven goals in five games) but unless they plan on putting him on one of the top two lines he'd be a waste on a checking line. Would rather see him continue to grow his confidence with the Whale.

...good to see Newbury back. His faceoff ability will be very helpful down the stretch.

Remember to follow me on Twitter & Facebook or e-mail me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Despite a penalty shot save by Henrik Lundqvist, Team Staal lost to Team Lidstrom 11-10 in tonight's All Star Game.

Lundqvist ended the game with 11 saves on 14 shots. Marc Staal had one shot on goal and a -2.

Here's video of Hank's penalty shot save...



...as always, very fun All Star Game with a lots of wide open action. I think right now the NHL All Star Game is probably the most fun to watch of any of the major sports. Couldn't even watch the Pro Bowl tonight.

Remember to follow me on Twitter & Facebook or e-mail me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Update, 3:15 p.m.:
Hank at his locker before the All Star Game courtesy of Nick Montemangno of the Rangers Tribune who has been reporting from the All Star Game all weekend long...



Update, 3:07 p.m.:
Looks like Lundqvist is getting the third period tonight, while Staal will be paired with Kris Letang...


Original Post:
Not that I need to remind anyone, but Henrik Lundqvist and Marc Staal will be skating for Team Staal tonight in the NHL All Star Game which starts at 4pm on Versus.

...got to say that I've really enjoyed the All Star weekend so far much more than I anticipated. From the player draft to the skill competition and all the coverage on the web in between. The NHL and Hurricanes organization have done an outstanding job. Seems like the city of Raleigh is really into it.

Remember to follow me on Twitter & Facebook or e-mail me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

CBC's Hockey Night in Canada and the NHLPA conducted a poll of NHL players on a variety of issues from best ice to which Canadian city deserves an NHL franchise and a few Rangers popped up as #1....

- Who is the toughest player? Derek Boogaard, New York Rangers, 23%

- Who is the best skater? Marian Gaborik, New York Rangers, 26%

- Who is the league's fastest skater? Marian Gaborik, Rangers, 37%

- Which coach demands the most of his players? John Tortorella, New York Rangers, 28%

...to me the best answer was that the Islanders (27%) were the team NHL players would least like to play for. Hilarious.

...h/t to Puck Daddy.

Remember to follow me on Twitter & Facebook or e-mail me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Andrew Gross at Ranger Rants was able to speak with Marc Staal about what brought him to an All Star level...

“I think over the past couple of years I’ve always played against the top lines, I’ve tried to do my best against them. Offensively, I’ve improved every year and kind of think that trying to add that to my game has probably boosted that a little bit. I think team success is a huge thing. When we’re playing well, it’s easy to get recognized like that. And obviously playing with G this year. The start of the season he had was incredible. He’s been a huge part of why I’ve been recognized. Sometimes he gets not as much recognition as he should.”

Gross also spoke to Henrik Lundqvist about Staal's development...

"For every year, he's more and more mature and he's playing better and better. It's just a matter of time I think. You knew his first he was going to be good. He was good his first year but you can see now his confidence. When he's out there you can tell he's becoming an All-Star defenseman. He deserves to be there."

...before the season started I felt Staal was a bit over-rated as a defenseman especially when it came to his offense. But since November he has become everything and more the Rangers expected when the drafted him in the first round. And oh btw he only just turned 24 years old so his best years are still to come.

...as far as Girardi goes he could be the most under-rated defenseman in hockey, but I'm sure Staal's success would have happened with or without him. Having said that I can't wait to have him back in the lineup Tuesday night against the Pens.

Remember to follow me on Twitter & Facebook or e-mail me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Jess Rubenstein at The Prospect Park reports that just one goal and a secondary assist was scored from a total of 10 Rangers prospects last night.

On how this may effect the Rangers going forward...

"Yes we understand the Ranger prospects have been hit just as hard as the parent team has been by injuries but the Rangers are going to have to make some tough decisions over the next 6 weeks as they get ready for the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. There are doors that are open now for a prospect to earn himself a future with the Rangers as long as the prospects take advantage of their opportunity."

...guess the news isn't always rosey when it comes to Rangers prospects.

In other bad prospect news the CT Whale lost on a last second goal after Dale Weise took an ill advised penalty. Evgeny Grachev's goal scoring streak was stopped at four games.

Remember to follow me on Twitter & Facebook or e-mail me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .