Rumors, etc

There had been some rumors going around that Francis Bouillon, some 33-year-old "scrappy" defenseman, was going to be signing with us to add yet more depth to our somehow already full squad of players competing to make it into our defensive lineup. According to Steve Zipay, there's not actually any kind of deal in the works.

Zherdev is leaving the NHL entirely, signing with Salavat Yuleaf Ufa of the KHL. Unless he completely isn't, because his first wish is to stay in the NHL. More as this story develops. You know, as if we care about it. I don't know why I'm enjoying this so much - I really do like Nik Zherdev. But something about his agent saying the only reason he'd go to the KHL is because NHL teams can't afford him at this point...I dunno, it tickles me.

Everyone knows Old Men love the Rangers. And who can blame them? Prior to the lockout, all the Rangers did since winning the Cup was love them some Old Men. Then, since the lockout, the Rangers built a team around old men Jaromir Jagr and Brendan Shanahan. Granted, this was a very good call, as those two were not Old Men, but still: we have something of an Old Man reputation. Hence, when an Old Man searches for a new NHL team, there is always a rumor that he's coming to us. That's why we talk about offhand comments like Roenick claiming Chelios wants to come to New York. It's also why people think this guy could come be an Old Man for us for the second time.

Word is Blair Betts and the Edmonton Oilers are interested in each other, only the latter can't afford the former. Hey, you know who can?

No word yet on Dubinsky. No news at all. Complete silence. What are we waiting for?

We end with comedy. I got an e-mail from my father today. Subject line: "Pessimistic?" The body was a screenshot of the Rangers On Demand video player, airing an interview with the headline "Video: Voros Looks Ahead to September" (byline: "Voros Looks Ahead to Competitive Camp"). My father had written only "Not October?...."