Fight Night in Madison Square Garden: Flyers and Rangers (Video)

For every action, there is a reaction.

If you viciously cross-check Philadelphia Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds in the face with your carbon fiber stick should expect to get your face punched in. Tonight, the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers exchanged Valentine's Day greetings. There were two fights in the first 59 seconds of the game.

Here's one perspective, I think it's flawed.

Wayne Simmonds got off with just an ejection, not a suspension, for his punch that KO’d Ryan McDonagh Saturday in Philadelphia. It left the Rangers captain with a concussion and the team without its All-Star defenseman for who knows how long. (News Day)

Feel free to chime in.

(Video) Dwight King's controversial goal - Game Two

#450253954 / gettyimages.com

I listened to this game on my XM Radio and I wanted to see video of the goal in question before I commented on it. I think Henrik Lundqvist has a valid complaint here. From my perspective, it looks like L.A. Kings forward Dwight King uses the contact with Ryan McDonagh to interfere with Lundqvist. I think that this should have been called goalie interference in my opinion. This is a hard call to make, but this also makes a good point that the NHL needs to have video review on goalie interference.

Chris Johnston, Sports Net -- Henrik Lundqvist had a legitimate beef coming out of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final after seeing Dwight King score a momentum-seizing goal for the Los Angeles Kings while leaning into him. The Kings forward was battling for position with Ryan McDonagh at the top of the goaltender’s crease and kept Lundqvist from being able to make a proper move towards a Matt Greene point shot.

The puck ended up hitting King and going in, bringing Los Angeles back to 4-3 and propelling them to yet another two-goal comeback.

The explanation referee Dan O’Halloran provided to Lundqvist on the ice was that the contact was made with him after the puck had already gone in the goal. Replays showed differently.

Here's the NHL's Rule 69.1, you can see that video review is not permitted to review goalie interference. This is a rule that I think the NHL needs to change.

69.1 Interference on the Goalkeeper - This rule is based on the premise that an attacking player’s position, whether inside or outside the crease, should not, by itself, determine whether a goal should be allowed or disallowed. In other words, goals scored while attacking players are standing in the crease may, in appropriate circumstances be allowed. Goals should be disallowed only if: (1) an attacking player, either by his positioning or by contact, impairs the goalkeeper’s ability to move freely within his crease or defend his goal; or (2) an attacking player initiates intentional or deliberate contact with a goalkeeper, inside or outside of his goal crease. Incidental contact with a goalkeeper will be permitted, and resulting goals allowed, when such contact is initiated outside of the goal crease, provided the attacking player has made a reasonable effort to avoid such contact. The rule will be enforced exclusively in accordance with the on-ice judgment of the Referee(s), and not by means of video replay or review.

Pittsburgh Penguins: James Neal goal against the New York Rangers (Video)

I am not sure why New Yorks Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist was upset? After watching the video, it was obvious that Evgeni Malkin never touched the puck with his stick. Pens forward James Neal was credited with the goal.

(Video) Alex Burrows Hit on Ryan McDonagh

This is why people don't like the Vancouver Canucks and Alex Burrows. The game is over, there's 40 seconds to go in the game. There's no way that the Canucks are going to get two goals past all-world goalie Henrik Lundqvist and Burrows decides that its a good time to take a run at  Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh almost starting a brawl. Now, if watch the video you will see that Canucks forward Zach Kassian already had McDonagh tied, nothing illegal with that play. Burrows comes in high on a defenseless player that can't defend himself.

There's no punishment coming from the NHL for this hit. This is why the Rats need to be held accountable in the NHL. I would like to see the NHL get rid of NHL Rule 46.12.

46.12 Instigator in Final Five Minutes of Regulation Time (or Anytime in Overtime) - A player who is deemed to be the instigator of an altercation in the final five (5) minutes of regulation time or at any time in overtime shall be assessed an instigator minor penalty, a major penalty for fighting, and a game misconduct penalty, subject to the conditions outlined in 46.22.

19:16 VAN Alexandre Burrows Elbowing (maj) against Ryan McDonagh
19:16 VAN Alexandre Burrows Game misconduct against Ryan McDonagh

Canucks' Burrows should not expect an NHL hearing for this hit on Rangers' McDonagh last night. Watch: http://t.co/qHohe1S38Z @sportsnet
— Hockey Central (@SNHockeyCentral) April 2, 2014

#NYR No supplementary discipline expected for Vancouver's Alex Burrows' hit on Ryan McDonagh last night.
— Katie Strang (@KatieStrangESPN) April 2, 2014

USA Hockey: Team USA releases their Olympic roster

Here’s the Team USA Olympic Roster, there's a few head-scratchers on this roster. I am surprised that Bobby Ryan, Jason Pominville and Keith Yandle were left off of the team. The question is, who would/should have been left off of the team to make room for these three guys? I am sure we all have our own suggestions. 

Goalies (3)

Ryan Miller/Buffalo Sabres – Michigan State

Jonathan Quick/Los Angeles Kings – UMass Amherst  

Jimmy Howard/Detroit Red Wings – Maine

Defensemen (8)

Brooks Orpik/Pittsburgh Penguins – Boston College
Ryan Suter/Minnesota Wild – Wisconsin
John Carlson/Washington Capitals – London Knights
Justin Faulk/Carolina Hurricanes – Minnesota Duluth
Cam Fowler/Anaheim Ducks – Windsor Spitfires
Paul Martin/Pittsburgh Penguins – Minnesota
Ryan McDonagh/New York Rangers – Wisconsin

Kevin Shattenkirk/St. Louis Blues – Boston University

 Forwards (14)

David Backes/St. Louis Blues – Minnesota State
Dustin Brown/Los Angeles Kings -- Guelph Storm
Ryan Callahan/New York Rangers -- Guelph Storm
Patrick Kane/Chicago Blackhawks --  London Knights
Ryan Kesler/Vancouver Canucks – Ohio State
Phil Kessel/Toronto Maple Leafs – Minnesota

Zach Parise/Minnesota Wild – North Dakota
Joe Pavelski/San Jose Sharks – Wisconsin
Paul Stastny/Colorado Avalanche – Denver
T.J. Oshie/St. Louis Blues – North Dakota
Max Pacioretty/Montreal Canadiens – Michigan
Derek Stepan/New York Rangers – Wisconsin
James van Riemsdyk/Toronto Maple Leafs – New Hampshire
Blake Wheeler/Winnipeg Jets – Minnesota

Jonathan Quick scores on himself

I thought this was funny, one of my buddies put it on my Facebook page. It's a third-period shorthanded goal from former Wisconsin Badger Ryan McDonagh. That was McDonagh's first goal of the year. The New York Rangers ended up winning the game 3-1.

Where is Justin Schultz going?

The million dollar question or should I say the $925,000.00 question - where is former Wisconsin Badger Justin Schultz going on or after July first during free agency signing period.

Schultz it going to be one of the more sought after free agents after July first - he will be able to take advantage of the same loop hole that Blake Wheeler did to sign with what ever team that he wants to. It will also be interesting to see if that loop hole is in the next CBA. Teams that lose their draft choices to other teams will get nothing in return.

Apparently, the Anaheim Ducks aren't all that pleased with Schultz's decision to shop his services to the best fit. I can't say that I blame them because Schultz has an awesome upside.

Stu Hackel, SI.COM --- That might be a new name for you, but he’s a University of Wisconsin star defenseman who was drafted by the Ducks in 2008 before he started his college career. He broke in as a freshman on a Badgers team that already boasted Ryan McDonagh, Jake Gardiner and Brendan Smith. (“I don’t know how anybody scored on them,” Ferraro remarked, adding that Schultz is thought to be better than Gardiner, but not as good as McDonagh.) But Schultz has never signed with Anaheim and if he doesn’t by July 1 – it’s been clear for a while that he won’t — he, too, becomes a UFA. Projected as a top-two defenseman and an excellent puck mover, he’s coming off a great junior year and he found the hole in the CBA that allows him to choose the team that best fits him the way Blake Wheeler did when he signed with the Bruins a few years ago. Whoever gets Schultz will be getting a very good prospect and won’t be trading anyone or using a draft pick to secure him.

Is Justin Schultz coming back to Wisconsin for a fourth season?

Badgers Herald.com

Here is some interesting speculation by the New York Post's Larry Brooks. As a hockey fan, I would actually love the opportunity to watch another season of Justin Schultz who was hands down the best defenseman in the WCHA, if not the country last season and in my opinion, should have been in the Hobey Hat Trick. For some reason the voters left him out of the mix.

Larry Brooks, New York Post --- Ryan McDonagh told Slap Shots he spoke a couple of weeks ago to one-time Wisconsin teammate Justin Schultz, the junior defenseman selected 43rd overall by the Ducks in 2008 who can become an unrestricted free agent this summer if he so chooses.

“But he was smart enough not to tip his hand to me,” said McDonagh, who raved about the 21-year-old’s skating ability and skill, likening Schultz to Toronto’s Jake Gardiner.

Schultz cannot be signed until July 1, but he can become a free agent and start the negotiating process by mid-June — it’s the Blake Wheeler model — after giving notice to Anaheim.

There has been some speculation the defenseman might opt to return to the Badgers for his senior season because of the possibility of a lockout that would necessarily mean a start to his pro career in the AHL, but it’s expected he will indeed hit the open market after deciding not to sign with the Ducks last month, when doing so would have burned the first year of his Entry Level Contract.

Edit: I guess we can always dream right, Badgers guru Chuck Schwartz assures me that Schultz is not coming back and that he will might pursue the Blake Wheeler option.  

Related articles

• Ben Blood on playing for the Sioux (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• You: Rangers' Ryan McDonagh Injured in Brutal Hit: What Does This Mean for the Team? (bleacherreport.com)

Seidenberg's crazy goal.

Check out this crazy goal by Bruins defenseman Dennis Seidenberg as he takes a slap shot on net from center ice and beats Ottawa Senators' goalie Craig Anderson. If you're the goaltending coach from the Senators you can't be happy with this effort by Anderson. That was the game winning goal as well.

Related articles

• Dennis Seidenberg Goal: Bruins Edge Senators Thanks To Long-Range Slap Shot (VIDEO) (huffingtonpost.com)
• Dennis Seidenberg Scores from Red Line in Bruins Win [VIDEO] (wzlx.radio.com)
• Seidenberg's long goal lifts Bruins past Senators (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Craig Anderson allows center ice game-winner (prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com)
• Seidenberg nets winner as Bruins rally by Sens (sports.espn.go.com)

The NHL Suspends Andrew Ference for three games

Brendan Shanahan the NHL's Senior VP Player Safety has suspended Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference for three games for a dangerous hit on former Wisconsin Badger Ryan McDonagh. I believe this is the right call and it will be interesting to see if Shanahan is consistent with his ruling in the future.

I always laugh when I see fans of other NHL teams saying that the Boston Bruins get all of the breaks from the NHL, they are now the most suspended team by the NHL. Apparently, the charge that Colin Campbell's son Greg Campbell plays for the Boston Bruins and because of that fact, they get away with bloody murder. That theory has had holes hot through and isn't holding up anymore.

NEW YORK -- Boston Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference has been suspended for three games without pay for boarding New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh during NHL Game #699 in Boston on Saturday, Jan. 21, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced today.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and based on his average annual salary, Ference will forfeit $36,486.48. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

The incident occurred at 1:50 of overtime. A major penalty and game misconduct for charging were assessed on the play.

Related articles

• Kalman: Bruins' Ference Facing Possible Suspension (boston.cbslocal.com)
• Shanny throws the book at Brad Marchand (mvn.com)
• You: Boston Bruins: How They Can Put Away the New York Rangers Next Time (bleacherreport.com)
• Bruins and Canucks - more controversy (mvn.com)
• Pick Your Poison With Bruins' Defense (insidehockey.com)

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.

Wisconsin's McDonagh set to sign with Rangers

According to John Tortorella’s favorite beat writer Larry Brooks the Badgers are set to lose yet another player to the NHL and the New York Rangers. Ouch! Check out the early departures for the Wisconsin Badgers so far this season: Cody Goloubef, Jr, Brendan Smith, Jr, Derek Stepan, So, and now possibly Ryan McDonagh. That is quite an impressive group of players.

The other Badger is on his way to Broadway, too.

Multiple sources have told The Post that Wisconsin senior defenseman Ryan McDonagh will enter into contract negotiations with the Rangers this week, thus paving the way for him to join the club -- and college teammate Derek Stepan -- when training camp commences in September.

McDonagh, selected seventh overall by the Canadiens in 2007 before his rights were dealt to the Blueshirts last summer in the Scott Gomez trade, will sign a three-year Entry Level contract for a base (and base cap hit) of $875,000 as per the CBA. Negotiations over a bonus package are expected to conclude swiftly. [New York Post]

Ryan McDonagh going to sign with the Rangers?

Will Ryan McDonagh sign with the New York Rangers; this seems to be the 64,000.00 question this summer. There seems to be a lot of pressure on the kid from the Rangers organization to sign a professional contract.

But other than Pashnin and Stepan, perhaps the most intriguing player was D Ryan McDonagh, the Canadiens’ first-round pick in 2007 who was acquired at this time last year in the Scott Gomez trade and who the Rangers really want to turn pro rather than return for his senior season at Wisconsin. The Rangers do own his rights until August, 2011 but the bigger point is the 21-year-old stands a strong chance of making the team if he comes to training camp. At the beginning of the week, McDonagh said he was not going to make any decisions during the week but it definitely seemed like he was leaning toward returning to Wisconsin. That wasn’t the case when I talked to him today before he left.

“I can’t say enough about how much fun it was out here, everybody was great,” the 6-1 McDonagh said. “This group of guys got pretty close over five days. I’ll take a few days over the weekend for July 4 and set it in stone early next week, meet with (Wisconsin) coach (Mike) Eaves and have a decision after that. I was kind of leaning one way for sure. Coming out of here having fun obviously helps the process. But I still want to go back and think things through.”

Kreider, mentioned Thursday by GM Glen Sather as somebody ready to make the jump to the pro game, seemed a little more hesitant of leaving Boston College, which won the NCAA title last season over Wisconsin.

“We had a great year last year as a team,” said Kreider, who added 15-20 pounds of muscle over the course of the year working under both Boston College and Ranger workout structures. “Individually, I’m not sure I’m so ready.”

Still, Kreider insisted that didn’t mean he had made a decision one way or the other.[Ranger Rants]

Having watched Ryan McDonagh play for three seasons for the Wisconsin Badgers, I must say that I have been impressed with this kid’s game, the guy is a good defenseman and probably could make the Rangers out of training camp, but I also can't fault him for wanting to come back to play his senior year, college life is fun...

Some one jumped the gun? Ryan McDonagh still a Badger...

There has been some chatter on the Internet about the Badgers star defenseman Ryan McDonagh signing a professional contract with the New York Rangers but it appears that Corey Pronman might have jumped the gun a bit. Chuck Swartz has since called Corey Pronman out for this mistake.

Last night Corey Pronman from Puck Prospectus tweeted that Ryan McDonagh had joined Derek Stepan in signing entry level contracts with the New York Rangers. Finally got a hold of Pronman this morning and he regrettably admitted that he had made a mistake and that McDonagh had NOT yet signed with the Rangers.

"I apologize for the tweet about McDonagh, it was a false alarm from someone I knew in Wisconsin. Sincere apologies. I do feel incredibly bad for that."

So McDonagh is safe at least for now. I wouldn't expect to hear any more updates until after Rangers prospects camp this summer. We'll keep you updated if there is any news of course.

10:10 AM-Update from New York Post Rangers Beat Writer Larry Brooks:

"An fyi in case it has been reported otherwise: No progress at all in talks between Rangers and Badgers' senior D Ryan McDonagh."

What a crazy summer it has been for the Wisconsin Badgers, you have to wonder if they will lose Ryan McDonagh which would be a big loss but the Badgers also have many able bodied recruits waiting in the wings.

Any more WCHA defections?

Here is a blurb that is going to make Wisconsin Badgers fans a little nervous. Since this is coming from Larry Brooks one might question this story's validity a bit. The Prospect Park kind of picks apart the Larry Brooks article.

Sather said that he would like to sign Wisconsin senior defenseman Ryan McDonagh and junior center Derek Stepan. The GM told The Post both players would attend the Blueshirts’ prospects camp the first week of July.

“We’d like to get them in and have them earn jobs,” Sather said of the two young Americans. “We’re excited to see whether [Evgeny] Grachev and [Dale] Weise and some of our other kids can earn jobs. [New York Post]