2007–08 New York Rangers season

The 2007–08 New York Rangers season was the National Hockey League franchise's 81st season of play and their 82nd season overall. In 2006–07, an impressive late season run brought the team from 12th to 6th place in the Eastern Conference, but the team ran out of steam in the Conference semi-finals before losing in six games to the Buffalo Sabres.

2007–08 New York Rangers
Division3rd Atlantic
Conference5th Eastern
2007–08 record42–27–13
Home record25–13–3
Road record17–14–10
Goals for213
Goals against199
Team information
General managerGlen Sather
CoachTom Renney
CaptainJaromir Jagr
Alternate captainsBrendan Shanahan
Martin Straka
ArenaMadison Square Garden
Average attendance18,200 (100%)
Team leaders
GoalsChris Drury (25)
Jaromir Jagr (25)
AssistsScott Gomez (54)
PointsJaromir Jagr (71)
Penalty minutesColton Orr (159)
Plus/minusNigel Dawes (+11)
WinsHenrik Lundqvist (37)
Goals against averageHenrik Lundqvist (2.23)

The off-season began in late June with the 2007 NHL Entry Draft in Columbus, Ohio. The Rangers had the 17th overall pick in the first round, yet came away with a steal as Russian superstar Alexei Cherepanov fell for the taking, despite being considered by many rankings to be a top five prospect, and the top European available in the draft. A variety of reasons have been postulated for Cherepanov's drop, most notably, the lack of a new transfer agreement between the National Hockey League and the International Ice Hockey Federation concerning players from Russia.[1] In the second round, the Rangers selected goaltender Antoine Lafleur from the P.E.I. Rocket of the QMJHL.[2] Lafleur was ranked #3 among North American goaltenders by NHL Central Scouting.

The Rangers made a tremendous splash on July 1, the first day of free agency. Within a 30-minute span on that Sunday evening, the Rangers announced the signings of the two most coveted centers available: Scott Gomez from the rival New Jersey Devils and Chris Drury from the Buffalo Sabres.[3] As both players had worn number 23 with their previous teams, General Manager Glen Sather flipped a puck at their introductory press conference to determine who would wear number 23 on the Rangers; the winner was Drury.[4]

After these signings, left out of the picture was center Michael Nylander, who had reportedly signed with the Edmonton Oilers,[5] but then actually signed with the Washington Capitals.[6] In addition, the Rangers also lost Jed Ortmeyer,[7] Brad Isbister,[8] Karel Rachunek[9] and Kevin Weekes[10] to the free agency market, the latter two signing with the rival New Jersey Devils.

The Rangers re-signed a number of their own free agents, including Jason Strudwick,[11] Petr Prucha[12] and Brendan Shanahan.[13] Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist and forward Marcel Hossa had been designated for salary arbitration, but both signed contracts before reaching their respective hearings.[14][15] Sean Avery did go through arbitration and was awarded a one-year deal worth $1.9 million.[16]

The multitude of high-profile free agent signings in July left the Rangers dangerously close to the league's $50.3 million salary cap. This effectively forced the Rangers to deal Matt Cullen and his $2.875 million per year cap number back to the Carolina Hurricanes.[17] At the start of the season, the Rangers total cap number was over the league maximum, but player bonuses can be deferred to the next season if it causes a team to exceed the upper limit of the salary cap, so the Rangers were in compliance.[18]

On April 3, 2008, the New York Rangers clinched a playoff berth for the third consecutive season in a 3–0 win against their crosstown rival Islanders.

Regular season

The Rangers had the most shutouts of all 30 teams in the League, with 12.[19][20]

Divisional standings
Atlantic Division
GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1y – Pittsburgh Penguins8247278247216102
2New Jersey Devils824629720619799
3New York Rangers8242271321319997
4Philadelphia Flyers8242291124823395
5New York Islanders823538919424379

Conference standings
Eastern Conference
R Div GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1 z – Montreal CanadiensNE82472510262222104
2 y – Pittsburgh PenguinsAT8247278247216102
3 y – Washington CapitalsSE824331824223194
4 New Jersey DevilsAT824629720619799
5 New York RangersAT8242271321319997
6 Philadelphia FlyersAT8242291124823395
7 Ottawa SenatorsNE824331826124794
8 Boston BruinsNE8241291221222294
8.5
9 Carolina HurricanesSE824333625224992
10 Buffalo SabresNE8239311225524290
11 Florida PanthersSE823835921622685
12 Toronto Maple LeafsNE8236351123126083
13 New York IslandersAT823538919424379
14 Atlanta ThrashersSE823440821627276
15 Tampa Bay LightningSE823142922326771

Divisions: AT – Atlantic, NE – Northeast, SE – Southeast

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

Schedule and results
  • Green background indicates win (2 points).
  • Red background indicates regulation loss (0 points).
  • White background indicates overtime/shootout loss (1 point).
Action of a January 2008 game in Calgary against the Flames
2007–08 Game log
October: 4–6–1 (Home: 4–2–0; Road: 0–4–1)
November: 10–3–1 (Home: 5–2–0; Road: 5–1–1)
December: 6–6–2 (Home: 4–4–0; Road: 2–2–2)
January: 5–7–2 (Home: 4–3–0; Road: 1–4–2)
February: 8–2–2 (Home: 3–2–0; Road: 5–0–2)
March: 8–3–3 (Home: 5–0–2; Road: 3–3–1)
April: 1–0–2 (Home: 0–0–1; Road: 1–0–1)

Playoffs
Main article: 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs

The New York Rangers ended the 2007–08 regular season as the Eastern Conference's fifth seed.

  • Green background indicates win.
  • Red background indicates loss.

The Rangers defeated the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference quarter-finals in five games. This was the fifth playoff meeting between the two clubs, with the Rangers having won four of those series.[21] They were eventually eliminated in the Eastern Conference semi-finals by the Pittsburgh Penguins in five games.

2008 Stanley Cup playoffs

Player statistics
Skaters
Goaltenders
Regular season
Player GP TOI W L OT GA GAA SA SV% SO G A PIM
Henrik Lundqvist7243053724101602.231823.91210002
Steve Valiquette13686533252.19296.9162002
Playoffs
Player GP TOI W L GA GAA SA SV% SO
Henrik Lundqvist1060855262.57287.9091

†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.

[22]

Awards and records

Milestones

Transactions

The Rangers have been involved in the following transactions during the 2007–08 season.

* Sean Avery re-signed through salary arbitration.

Draft picks

New York's picks at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft in Columbus, Ohio, at the Nationwide Arena.[2]

Round # Player Position Nationality College/junior/club team (league)
1 17 Alexei Cherepanov RW  Russia Avangard Omsk (RSL)
2 48 Antoine Lafleur G  Canada P.E.I. Rocket (QMJHL)
5 138 Max Campbell C  Canada Strathroy Rockets (WOHL)
6 168 Carl Hagelin LW  Sweden Sodertalje SK (J20 SuperElit)
7 193 David Skokan C  Slovakia Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)
7 198 Danny Hobbs F  Canada Ohio Junior Blue Jackets (USHL)

Farm teams

Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)

The 2007–08 season was the 11th season of AHL hockey for the franchise. The team's status as the Rangers' highest-level minor-league affiliate became questionable when Northland AEG LLC purchased the Hartford Civic Center from Madison Square Garden, L.P.; however, on May 29, 2007, it was announced that the franchise will remain in Hartford and will remain affiliated with the Rangers.[31]

Hartford finished the regular season with a record of 50–20–2–8 for a total of 110 points, a franchise high. P. A. Parenteau led the team with 81 points in 75 games, and team captain Andrew Hutchinson won the Eddie Shore Award as the league's top defenseman.

Portland eliminated Hartford from the playoffs in 5 games, marking two consecutive season's that the Wolf Pack failed to advance past the 1st round.

Charlotte Checkers (ECHL)

The 2007–08 season was the 15th season of ECHL hockey for the franchise.

Charlotte finished the regular season with a record of 34–31–1–6 for a total of 75 points. Gwinnett eliminated the Checkers from the playoffs in 3 games.

Roster

2007–08 New York Rangers Roster
Goaltenders

Defensemen

Wingers

Centers

See also

References

  1. Rangers Official Site. "Rangers Get Cherepanov with First-Round Pick," June 22, 2007 – accessed July 2, 2007. Archived June 26, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  2. Rangers Official Site. "Rangers 2007 Draft Picks," June 23, 2007 – accessed July 4, 2007. Archived July 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  3. Roarke, Shawn P. "Rangers Double Up with Gomez, Drury," NHL.com, July 1, 2007 – accessed July 2, 2007.
  4. Rangers Official Site. "New Rangers Drury, Gomez Get Heroes' Welcome," July 2, 2007 – accessed July 2, 2007. Archived July 4, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  5. "Report: Oilers Sign Michael Nylander," TSN.ca, July 2, 2007 – accessed July 2, 2007.
  6. "Capitals Sign Michael Nylander," TSN.ca, July 2, 2007 – accessed July 2, 2007.
  7. "Ortmeyer Signs Two-Year Deal with Preds," TSN.ca, July 2, 2007 – accessed July 2, 2007.
  8. "Canucks Ink Isbister, Ritchie, Schneider," TSN.ca, July 3, 2007 – accessed July 3, 2007.
  9. "Devils Sign Zubrus, Rachunek," TSN.ca, July 3, 2007 – accessed July 4, 2007.
  10. "Devils Sign Weekes to Back Up Brodeur," TSN.ca, July 5, 2007 – accessed July 5, 2007.
  11. Rangers Official Site. "Strudwick Returning to Rangers for 2007–08," July 2, 2007 – accessed July 9, 2007. Archived July 5, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  12. "Rangers Re-Sign Forward Prucha," TSN.ca, July 5, 2007 – accessed July 5, 2007.
  13. "Rangers Agree to Terms with Shanahan," TSN.ca, July 10, 2007 – accessed July 10, 2007.
  14. "Rangers, Lundqvist Agree to Terms," TSN.ca, July 11, 2007 – accessed July 11, 2007.
  15. Rangers Avoid Arbitration with Hossa," TSN.ca, July 31, 2007 – accessed July 31, 2007.
  16. "Arbitrator Awards Avery $1.9–Million," TSN.ca, August 1, 2007 – accessed August 1, 2007.
  17. "Hurricanes Acquire Cullen from Rangers," TSN.ca, July 17, 2007 – accessed July 17, 2007.
  18. "NHL Team Salaries: New York Rangers Archived November 11, 2007, at the Wayback Machine," nhlnumbers.com – accessed November 13, 2007.
  19. https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/NYR/2008.html
  20. https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2008_games.html
  21. The lone Devils series win was in 2006. "Lundqvist stops penalty shot, Rangers hold on to eliminate Devils". Archived from the original on April 21, 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-19.
  22. "2007–08 New York Rangers". hockeydb.com. Archived from the original on July 10, 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
  23. Rangers Official Site. "Rangers Obtain Seventh Round Pick from Habs," May 31, 2007 – accessed July 2, 2007. Archived June 4, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  24. "Lightning Acquire D Lampman from Rangers," TSN.ca, July 4, 2007 – accessed July 4, 2007.
  25. "Rangers Acquire Parenteau From Chicago," October 11, 2007 – accessed July 23, 2013.
  26. "Blues trade Backman to Rangers," BND.com, February 26, 2008 – accessed February 26, 2008.
  27. "Rangers obtain three players from Coyotes Archived March 10, 2009, at the Wayback Machine," February 26, 2008 – accessed February 26, 2008.
  28. "Lundqvist inks 6-year deal with Rangers". The Sports Network. 2008-02-16. Archived from the original on 2008-02-17. Retrieved 2008-02-18.
  29. "Rangers, Girardi agree on extension". The Sports Network. 2008-02-16. Retrieved 2008-02-18.
  30. "Rangers re-sign defenceman Tyutin". The Sports Network. 2008-02-17. Retrieved 2008-02-18.
  31. "AEG Press Release: Wolf Pack to Remain in Hartford Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine," AEGworldwide.com, May 29, 2007 – accessed August 5, 2007.
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