Avery on his way out. Rangers talk to Brian Campbell.

The Rangers and Sean Avery are still negotiating, but it doesn’t look good.  John Dellapina reports that the Rangers are ready to let Avery go to free agency.  Those of you who have read this blog in the past know where we stand on Avery.  If you don’t know, read The Case for Avery.  If you don’t want to read that, here’s a summary.  We like him. 

Avery wants about $4 million per season.  The Rangers want to pay about $2.75 million.  For the Rangers to let Avery go to free agency over this difference is ridiculous.  For crying out loud, the Rangers are going to pay Christian Backman more money next season than they are offering Avery!  WTF?

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In happier news, the Rangers have been given permission to negotiate with Sharks Defenseman Brian Campbell, who is exactly the Power Play quarterback the Rangers were missing this season.

Larry Brooks has a full article up on the Post website.  Read it here.

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Henrik and Brodeur (and Nabokov) Square Off Again

Henrik Lundqvist, along with Martin Brodeur and Evgeni Nabokov, has been named as a finalist for the Vezina Trophy. The Vezina goes to the NHL’s top goaltender during the Regular Season.

Evgeni Nabokov finished the regular season with a 46-21-8 record, a 2.14 GAA, a .910 SV% and 6 shutouts. This is Nabokov’s first nomination as a Vezina Finalist.

Martin Brodeur has now been nominated as a Vezina Finalist 8 times. He has won it 3 times in his career. Brodeur finished the regular season with a 44-27-6 record, a 2.17 GAA, a .920 SV% and 4 shutouts.

Henrik Lundqvist has now been nominated as a Vezina Finalist 3 years in a row. That is, every year he has played in the NHL. Maybe third time’s the charm? Lundqvist finished the regular season with 37-24-10 record with a 2.23 GAA and a .912 SV%. He finished the season with 10 shutouts to lead the league.

Here’s how the fans are voting at ESPN.com.

1) Who should win the Vezina Trophy?
42.5%	Henrik Lundqvist, Rangers
36.3%	Evgeni Nabokov, Sharks
21.2%	Martin Brodeur, Devils
Total Votes: 21,096

You can cast your vote by clicking here.

All 30 NHL GMs vote for the Vezina Trophy and the Winner will be announced on June 12, 2008 in Toronto.

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Rangers vs. Sharks – Game Preview

The Rangers take on the San Jose Sharks in a Sunday matinée in the 1st and only meeting between these clubs this season.

The Sharks have been the NHL’s road warriors, with a record of 17-5-3 away from the HP Pavilion. Seriously, their arena is named after a computer. Meanwhile, the Rangers have been utterly hopeless against the Western Conference this season, posting a 0-7-2 record at this point. That’s 9 games, 9 losses.

So, I guess that means the Rangers are 29-17-5 against the Eastern conference? That’s pretty good. I’m not sure what that means, but I think it means something.

Henrik Lundqvist will start — so says Sam Weinman on the Rangers Report

On a side note, I really like the Sharks organization because their owner, Kevin Compton, is a benefactor of the Duke Hockey program and a real class act. He hosted the team in his owners box at a Sharks game a few years ago, and I must say that the arena, although named after a computer, is actually very nice. But, while there, I was viciously attacked by S.J. Sharkie, and I want vengeance. (See picture). For my sake, I hope the Rangers come out with the same intensity they showed against the Sabres.

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