Eric Staal Hard Check on His Brother Mark Staal

Wow, that was a nice body check. Looks like a clean hit to me, elbows are down, doesn’t leave his feet.

Mass Exodus in Madison continues. Ryan McDonagh signs with the Ranger

The Wisconsin Badgers have lost Seven (7) players from their team that went to the Frozen Four and finished second nationally. Today it was confrirmed that the Wisconsin Badgers star defenseman Ryan McDonagh has decided to forego his senior year of college and sign an entry level deal with the New York Rangers. Incidentally; I was quoted by Puck Daddy yesterday for my prediction that McDonagh has a chance to make the Rangers out of training camp.

Goon's World thinks he can make the team out of training camp. [Puck Daddy]

Andy Baggot is confirming this; UW men's hockey: McDonagh signs with NHL's Rangers [Madison.com]
Here is the official press release from NHL.com on the signing.

NHL.COM --- New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with defenseman Ryan McDonagh.

McDonagh, 21, skated in 43 games with the University of Wisconsin Badgers this season, registering four goals and 14 assists for 18 points, along with 73 penalty minutes and a plus-22 rating. He ranked second on the team in plus/minus rating, and ranked third among team defensemen in assists and points, and fourth in goals.

Defenseman Ryan McDonagh was at the MSG Training Center last week for the Rangers' prospects' camp. He'll be back in September to begin his pro hockey career at the team's main training camp.

In his third season with the Badgers, McDonagh established career-highs in games played, assists, points and penalty minutes. He tallied an assist on the game winning goal in the National Semifinal game vs. R.I.T. on April 8 to help Wisconsin advance to the National Championship game vs. Boston College.

McDonagh finished the tournament with two assists, and was named to the All-West Regional Team. Earlier in the season, he tallied a season-high, four-game point streak from October 30 vs. New Hampshire to November 7 vs. Minnesota, registering four points (one goal and three assists) over the span.

The 6-1, 222-pounder skated in 119 career NCAA games over three seasons with Wisconsin, recording 14 goals and 32 assists for 46 points, along with 174 penalty minutes.

Whos going to be the Wild's goon now that Boogey is gone?

According to TSN's Bob McKenzie and Minnesota Wild beat writer Mike Russo former Wild Goon Derek Boogaard is now a Rag (Ranger). Question: So who is going to be the Wild's tough guy/enforcer/goon/equalizer now that the Derek Boogard has been signed by the New York Rangers?

TSNBobMcKenzie: Darren Dreger reporting Boogard to the NYR is done.

Of course there will be some that will applaud the move and say that Boogey is nothing more than a one dimensional player that adds nothing on the score sheet. I think that is partially true but the skilled Wild players feel when Boogaard is on the bench they know that the Boogey man has their back. Personally, I loved watching Boogaard beat the be-jesus out of people and it made for a nice side show…

Sean_Leahy: Derek Boogaard, he of 14 points in 255 career gms & 5:09 in avg career TOI, now makes $1.65 million a year for the next four. HA

Apparently the Wild were given a chance to match the New York Rangers offer and the Wild front office said no.

I am told Boogaard's peeps called Wild for one last chance to sign him, and it was a no thanks at that number.