At this time of the year, there are some that want the Rangers to just go for it. Damn the farm system and acquire what is needed to make a deep run at the playoffs. And that was the way of things pre-lockout, as the Rangers just traded all their prospects for veterans and generally those trades didn’t help the team to get to the playoffs, let along make a run. After the lockout, though, general manager Glen Sather played it smart and made choice trades at the deadline, which didn’t hurt the farm system, while helped the main club in its back depth. This trading deadline was an example of that.

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Ranger prospects Artem Anisimov and Alexei Cherepanov have been selected to the Russian Under-20 National Team to take part in the 2008 World Junior Championship that takes place at the end of the month in the Czech Republic.

Anisimov is a young center selected in the second round of 2006 and currently is playing in Hartford. He competed for a roster spot this training camp, but needed more seasoning.

Cherepanov was the Rangers first pick in last June’s draft and the 18 year-old is currently playing for Avangard Omsk of the Russian Super League.

The tournament starts on Decemeber 26 and runs to January 5.

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With Don Maloney out, the Rangers will need a new second man in the front office. Both Mark Messier, who desired Glen Sather’s job back in February and Adam Graves are candidates. As is Jim Schoenfeld, the Hartford GM.

Of the candidates, Sather will look to retain someone who will do the legwork Maloney did over the past decade in teh front office. Both Messier and Graves are inexperienced, yet could get some sort of position to begin their careers, but Schoenfeld has the knowledge of the organization, so will also a considerable look.

Eventually Messier will probably work his way up to the job, The Captain said he was moving to New York and wanted to be Slats’ successor. So, it would be hard to fathom if he was left out in the cold.

As for Maloney, Sather may have a trading partner. Larry Brooks mentioned a possible Al Montoya for the third overall pick. We shall see what prospects Maloney liked more than Sather and if any deals come to pass.

You can read more about this on NY Sports Day.  

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