2008–09 New York Rangers season

The 2008–09 New York Rangers season was the National Hockey League franchise's 82nd season of play and their 83rd season overall. It saw the Rangers qualify for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. The Rangers started the season in Europe. First, as part of the inaugural Victoria Cup being held in Switzerland, the Rangers played an exhibition game against SC Bern on September 30, and then the main game against the 2008 European Champions Metallurg Magnitogorsk on October 1 (the first game between a Russian club and an NHL team since 1991). They won both games, and were awarded the first Victoria Cup. The Rangers battled from a 3-0 deficit in the Victoria Cup to win the game by a score of 4–3. Ryan Callahan scored the game-winning goal with 20 seconds left.^[1]

The Rangers opened the NHL regular season against the Tampa Bay Lightning with two games in Prague, Czech Republic, on October 4 and 5.^[2] Alexei Cherepanov, a former first-round draft pick of the Rangers, died suddenly on October 13 during a Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) game in Moscow.^[3] The Rangers tied the 1983–84 Rangers for the best start in franchise history with a 5–0 record. The quest for the greatest start in franchise history was put to a halt on October 15, 2008, with a 3–1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres.^[4] The Rangers set the franchise record for best start in a season by going 10–2–1 for 21 points in the first 13 games. The 10 wins and 21 points are both franchise records.^[5] On January 24, 2009, the festivities for the 2009 NHL All-Star Game began in Montreal with Brandon Dubinsky and Marc Staal playing for the Sophomore Team in the YoungStars Game. Staal scored two goals in the game, but the Rookie Team won 9–5. Henrik Lundqvist was the Rangers' only All-Star selection, and stopped 12 of 16 shots in the Elimination Shootout during the SuperSkills Competition.^[6] On January 25, 2009, Lundqvist stopped 15 of the 21 shots he faced in the second period of the All-Star Game, helping the East beat the West 12–11 in a shootout.^[7] On February 3, 2009, the New York Rangers retired Adam Graves' number 9 jersey before a game against the Atlanta Thrashers, joining fellow 1994 Stanley Cup champion teammates Brian Leetch, Mark Messier and Mike Richter, as well as Ranger greats Rod Gilbert and Eddie Giacomin, in the rafters of Madison Square Garden.^[8] On February 22, the Rangers retired Andy Bathgate's number 9 and Harry Howell's number 3 jerseys before a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.^[9] A day later, Head Coach Tom Renney was fired after five seasons with the Rangers. Former Rangers assistant coach and coach of the 2004 Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning, John Tortorella, was hired later that same day to replace Renney. Rangers Assistant General Manager Jim Schoenfeld was given the interim assistant coaching position.^[10] Shortly after that, Sean Avery made his return to the Rangers, claimed off waivers from the Dallas Stars.^[11] Head Coach John Tortorella was suspended for Game 6 of the Rangers–Washington Capitals playoff series after an altercation with a fan towards the end of the Rangers' 4–0 loss in Washington, D.C., during Game 5.^[12] On May 4, 2009, Markus Naslund announced that he would be retiring after one season with the Rangers.^[13]

Pre-season

Regular season

The Rangers finished the regular season with the League's best penalty-kill percentage, at 87.84%.^[14]

Divisional standings

Conference standings

bold – qualified for playoffs, y – division winner, z – placed first in conference (and division)

AT – Atlantic Division, NE – Northeast Division, SE – Southeast Division

Schedule and results

  Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Overtime/shootout loss (1 point)

Playoffs

The New York Rangers ended the 2008–09 regular season as the Eastern Conference's seventh seed. They were defeated in the first round by the Washington Capitals in seven games.

Key:      Win      Loss

Player statistics

Skaters

Goaltenders

^†Denotes player spent time with another team before joining Rangers. Stats reflect time with Rangers only.
^‡Traded mid-season. Stats reflect time with Rangers only.

^[15]

Note:

Pos = Position; GPI = Games played in; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes; +/- = Plus/minus; PPG = Power-play goals; SHG = Short-handed goals; GWG = Game-winning goals

Min, TOI = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T,T/OT = Ties; OTL = Overtime losses; GA = Goals-against; GAA = Goals-against average; SO = Shutouts; SA = Shots against; SV = Shots saved; SV% = Save percentage;

Awards and records

Milestones

Transactions

The Rangers have been involved in the following transactions during the 2008–09 season.

Trades Date Details July 2, 2008[16] To Columbus Blue Jackets Fedor Tyutin Christian Backman To New York Rangers Nikolai Zherdev Dan Fritsche July 14, 2008[17] To Toronto Maple Leafs Ryan Hollweg To New York Rangers 5th round pick in 2009 October 30, 2008[18] To Nashville Predators Hugh Jessiman To New York Rangers Future Considerations January 29, 2009[19] To Minnesota Wild Dan Fritsche To New York Rangers Erik Reitz March 4, 2009[20] To Toronto Maple Leafs 2nd round draft pick in 2009 Conditional draft pick in 2010 To New York Rangers Nik Antropov March 4, 2009[20] To Phoenix Coyotes Nigel Dawes Dmitri Kalinin Petr Prucha To New York Rangers Derek Morris

Free agents acquired Player Former team Contract terms Aaron Voros Minnesota Wild Three years, $3 million Patrick Rissmiller San Jose Sharks One year, $1 million Wade Redden[21] Ottawa Senators Six years, $39 million Markus Naslund Vancouver Canucks Two years, $8 million Dmitri Kalinin Buffalo Sabres One year, $2.1 million Andreas Jamtin HV71 (SEL) Undisclosed Vladimir Denisov Lake Erie Monsters (AHL) Undisclosed Brian Fahey Chicago Wolves (AHL) Undisclosed

Free agents lost Player New team Contract terms Sean Avery Dallas Stars Four years, $15.5 million Jaromir Jagr Avangard Omsk (KHL) Two years, $20 million Martin Straka HC Lasselsberger Plzeň (Czech) One year Jason Strudwick Edmonton Oilers One year, $650,000 Andrew Hutchinson Tampa Bay Lightning Two years, $1 million Marek Malik Tampa Bay Lightning One year, $1.2 million Brendan Shanahan New Jersey Devils One year, $800,000

Claimed from waivers Player Former team Date claimed off waivers Mark Bell Toronto Maple Leafs February 25, 2009 Sean Avery Dallas Stars March 3, 2009

Lost via waivers Player New team Date claimed off waivers Erik Reitz Toronto Maple Leafs March 4, 2009

Player signings Player Contract terms Michal Rozsival Four years, $20 million Steve Valiquette One year, $725,000 Paul Mara One year, $1.95 million Dan Fritsche One year, $875,000 Nigel Dawes One year, $587,500 Greg Moore One year, $578,000 Fredrik Sjostrom One year, $840,000

Roster

Updated April 28, 2009.^[22]

#	Nat	Player	Pos	S/G	Age	Acquired	Birthplace
42	Russia !	Anisimov, ArtemArtem Anisimov	4.0 !C	L	28	2006	Yaroslavl, Soviet Union
80	Kazakhstan !	Antropov, NikNik Antropov	7.0 !RW	L	36	2009	Ust-Kamenogorsk, Soviet Union
16	Canada !	Avery, SeanSean Avery	6.0 !LW	L	36	2009	North York, Ontario
15	Canada !	Betts, BlairBlair Betts	4.0 !C	L	36	2004	Edmonton, Alberta
24	United States !	Callahan, RyanRyan Callahan	7.0 !RW	R	31	2004	Rochester, New York
23	United States !	Drury, ChrisChris Drury (C)	4.0 !C	R	40	2007	Trumbull, Connecticut
17	United States !	Dubinsky, BrandonBrandon Dubinsky	4.0 !C	L	30	2004	Anchorage, Alaska
5	Canada !	Girardi, DanielDaniel Girardi	2.0 !D	R	32	2006	Welland, Ontario
19	United States !	Gomez, ScottScott Gomez (A)	4.0 !C	L	36	2007	Anchorage, Alaska
29	Finland !	Korpikoski, LauriLauri Korpikoski	6.0 !LW	L	30	2004	Turku, Finland
30	Sweden !	Lundqvist, HenrikHenrik Lundqvist	1.0 !G	L	34	2000	Åre, Sweden
27	United States !	Mara, PaulPaul Mara	2.0 !D	L	37	2007	Ridgewood, New Jersey
53	Canada !	Morris, DerekDerek Morris	2.0 !D	R	38	2009	Edmonton, Alberta
91	Sweden !	Naslund, MarkusMarkus Naslund (A)	6.0 !LW	L	43	2008	Örnsköldsvik, Sweden
28	Canada !	Orr, ColtonColton Orr	7.0 !RW	R	34	2005	Winnipeg, Manitoba
6	Canada !	Redden, WadeWade Redden	2.0 !D	L	39	2008	Lloydminster, Saskatchewan
33	Czech Republic !	Rozsival, MichalMichal Rozsival	2.0 !D	R	38	2005	Vlašim, Czechoslovakia
20	Sweden !	Sjostrom, FredrikFredrik Sjostrom	6.0 !LW	L	33	2008	Färgelanda, Sweden
18	Canada !	Staal, MarcMarc Staal	2.0 !D	L	29	2005	Thunder Bay, Ontario
40	Canada !	Valiquette, SteveSteve Valiquette	1.0 !G	L	39	2003	Etobicoke, Ontario
34	Canada !	Voros, AaronAaron Voros	6.0 !LW	L	35	2008	Vancouver, British Columbia
13	Russia !	Zherdev, NikolayNikolay Zherdev	7.0 !RW	R	32	2008	Kiev, Soviet Union

Staff

New York Rangers staff
	Executive Operations Ownership - Madison Square Garden, L.P. Chairman - James L. Dolan Vice Chairman - Hank J. Ratner President/General Manager/Alternate Governor - Glen Sather			Hockey Operations Assistant General Manager, Player Personnel - Jim Schoenfeld Assistant General Manager, Hockey Administration - Cameron Hope Senior advisor; Director of U.S. Scouting - Mike Barnett Director, Player Personnel - Gordie Clark Head coach - John Tortorella Assistant coaches - Jim Schoenfeld, Mike Pelino Goaltending coach - Benoit Allaire Strength & conditioning - Reg Grant

Draft picks

New York's picks at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft in Ottawa, Ontario:

Round	#	Player	Position	Nationality	College/Junior/Club Team (League)
1	20	Michael Del Zotto	D	Canada	Oshawa Generals (OHL)
2	51	Derek Stepan	C	United States	Shattuck-Saint Mary's (Midget Major AAA)
3	75	Evgeny Grachev	C	Russia	Lokomotiv-2 Yaroslavl (RUS-3)
3	90	Tomas Kundratek	D	Czech Republic	Trinec Ocelari (CZE)
4	111	Dale Weise	RW	Canada	Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
5	141	Chris Doyle	C	Canada	P.E.I. Rocket (QMJHL)
6	171	Mitch Gaulton	D	Canada	Erie Otters (OHL)

See also

• 2008–09 NHL season

Farm teams

Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

The 2008–09 season will be the 12th season of American Hockey League (AHL) hockey for the franchise.

Charlotte Checkers (ECHL)

The 2008–09 season will be the 16th season of ECHL hockey for the franchise.

References

• Game log: New York Rangers game log on espn.com
• Player stats: New York Rangers statistics on espn.com

1. ↑ IIHF Top 100 Hockey Stories of All Time, Szymon Szemberg and Andrew Podnieks, p. 173, Fenn Publishing, Bolton, Ontario, Canada, 2008, ISBN 978-1-55168-358-4
2. ↑ NHL's European plans finalized
3. ↑ Ralph, Dan. Rangers draft pick dies, Canadian Online Explorer, October 13, 2008, accessed on January 2, 2009.
4. ↑ Obernauer, Michael. "Rangers tie mark for best start with 4-1 win over Devils at Garden", New York Daily News, October 13, 2008, accessed on January 2, 2009.
5. ↑ Zherdev, Lundqvist pace Rangers to fourth straight win, Associated Press, ESPN, October 30, 2008, accessed on January 2, 2009.
6. ↑ Rangers shine in SuperSkills competition
7. ↑ Lundqvist helps East win NHL All-Star Game
8. ↑ Graves joins Rangers legends in MSG rafters
9. ↑ Bathgate, Howell come home to the rafters
10. ↑ Tortorella expected to add more 'fire' to bench
11. ↑ "Rangers claim Avery off re-entry waivers". Archived from the original on 2009-06-11. Retrieved 2009-05-10. 
12. ↑ "Rangers' Tortorella banned one game for altercation with fan". Archived from the original on 2009-06-11. Retrieved 2009-05-10. 
13. ↑ "Rangers' Naslund announces retirement at age 35". Archived from the original on 2009-06-11. Retrieved 2009-05-10. 
14. ↑ http://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2009.html
15. ↑ "2008-09 New York Rangers". hockeydb.com. Archived from the original on 19 July 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-02. 
16. ↑ Columbus Sends Zherdev To The Rangers", The Sports Network, July 2, 2008, accessed on July 2, 2008.
17. ↑ Hollweg traded to Toronto for fifth-rounder, New York Rangers, July 14, 2008, accessed on January 2, 2009.
18. ↑ Rangers trade Jessiman to Predators, New York Rangers, October 30, 2008, accessed on January 2, 2009.
19. ↑ Rangers obtain Reitz from Wild, New York Rangers, January 29, 2009, accessed on January 29, 2009.
20. 1 2 Rangers add power in a hurry at deadline, New York Rangers, March 4, 2009, accessed on March 4, 2009.
21. ↑ Rangers sign Redden to six-year deal, The Canadian Press, Canadian Online Explorer, July 1, 2008, accessed on January 2, 2009.
22. ↑ "New York Rangers - Team - Roster". Retrieved 2009-04-28. 

New York Rangers
Founded in 1926 Based in New York City, New York
Franchise	Team General managers Head coaches Players Captains Draft picks Seasons Current season
History	History Original Six Records Award winners
Personnel	Owners The Madison Square Garden Company (James Dolan, chairman) President Glen Sather General manager Jeff Gorton Head coach Alain Vigneault Team captain Ryan McDonagh Current roster
Arenas	Madison Square Garden III Madison Square Garden IV
Rivalries	New York Islanders Philadelphia Flyers New Jersey Devils Washington Capitals
Affiliates	AHL Hartford Wolf Pack ECHL Greenville Swamp Rabbits
General managers	Smythe L. Patrick Boucher M. Patrick Francis Ferguson Shero C. Patrick Esposito Smith Sather Gorton
Head coaches	Patrick Boucher L. Patrick Colville Cook M. Patrick Watson Pike Harvey M. Patrick Sullivan Francis Geoffrion Francis Popein Francis Stewart Ferguson Talbot Shero C. Patrick Brooks C. Patrick Sator Webster Esposito Bergeron Esposito Neilson Smith Keenan Campbell Muckler Tortorella Low Trottier Sather Renney Tortorella Vigneault
Media	Networks TV MSG Network Radio WEPN-FM Broadcasters TV Sam Rosen Joe Micheletti Radio Kenny Albert Dave Maloney
Culture and lore	Curse of 1940 "It's a power play goal!" GAG line Messier's Guarantee "Matteau, Matteau, Matteau" George Kalinsky Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award Hockey Night Live! "The Face Painter" (Seinfeld episode) 1991 Las Vegas outdoor game 2011 NHL Premiere 2012 NHL Winter Classic 2014 NHL Stadium Series

New York Rangers seasons
1920s	1920–21 . 1921–22 . 1922–23 . 1923–24 . 1924–25 . 1925–26 . 1926–27 1927–28 1928–29 1929–30
1930s	1930–31 1931–32 1932–33 1933–34 1934–35 1935–36 1936–37 1937–38 1938–39 1939–40
1940s	1940–41 1941–42 1942–43 1943–44 1944–45 1945–46 1946–47 1947–48 1948–49 1949–50
1950s	1950–51 1951–52 1952–53 1953–54 1954–55 1955–56 1956–57 1957–58 1958–59 1959–60
1960s	1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70
1970s	1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80
1980s	1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90
1990s	1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–00
2000s	2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10
2010s	2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17
Highlighted seasons indicate Stanley Cup championship

2008–09 NHL season
Atlantic	New Jersey Devils New York Islanders New York Rangers Philadelphia Flyers Pittsburgh Penguins
Northeast	Boston Bruins Buffalo Sabres Montreal Canadiens Ottawa Senators Toronto Maple Leafs
Southeast	Atlanta Thrashers Carolina Hurricanes Florida Panthers Tampa Bay Lightning Washington Capitals
Central	Chicago Blackhawks Columbus Blue Jackets Detroit Red Wings Nashville Predators St. Louis Blues
Northwest	Calgary Flames Colorado Avalanche Edmonton Oilers Minnesota Wild Vancouver Canucks
Pacific	Anaheim Ducks Dallas Stars Los Angeles Kings Phoenix Coyotes San Jose Sharks
See also	Victoria Cup Draft Winter Classic All-Star Game Playoffs Stanley Cup Finals Transactions