Not sure it's so much brave as necessary. Gaborik is a UFA in 2014. As I understand it they are commited to renewing Ryan Clowe as a condition of his trade. They have five RFA's at the end of this season Stepan, Hagelin, Zuccherelo, Sauer and Mcdonagh and three other UFA's in Hamrlik, Eminger and Gilroy. Without that trade they would only have about $11 million cap to play with taking into account Clowe that figure becomes a minimum of $7.5 that wouldn't give them a of maneuverability.

A consequence of the cap drop and a few other clubs may be in similar positions.

Like I said I think its more about dumping his salary but still think its a risky move by Tortella as Gaborik has been a major force over the last 3 seasons in scoring points for the Rangers.

Its the same old problem with the Rangers that they have one of if not the highest payrolls in the NHL but do not seem to be able to maximise the outlay into a winning product on the ice.

I think Gaborik although commanded a decent wedge of the cap also offered all round value for his salary by improving a team that struggles to score points.

I think in the close season the Rangers may well be doing a number of Trades.

The Blackhawks have clinched the number 1 seed in the conference so I would rest a few players now to keep them fresh.I never thought I would say this but if I was the coach I would start Emery in the playoffs.Still no idea who the Hawks will play yet as it could still be 1 of about 5 teams with the Redwings as of today not in the top 8.

How easy is it to get tickets for NHL/NBA games? I'm going to New York in December and would love to take in a Rangers or Knicks game while I'm there - can you get them to pick up on the day, or have them delivered to the hotel I'll be staying at??

Hi Mike you should be able to get some for Rangers games either from ticket office at MSG as they always hold some back for game day sales but no guarantee of decent price level ones left, from the scalpers outside although ticket price can sometimes be lot higher than face value or via ticketmaster either delivered to your home address or collect at 'will call window' at MSG.

Your best and safest bet is to check fixtures when they come out late summer then book your tickets from Ticketmaster for the dates you'll be there.

I've done all 3 ways and the easiest is always ticketmaster in advance when I know I'm going to the states.

Well Hawks had a complete stinker against the Canucks in Vancouver but still 3 pts clear of the Pens in the race for the Presidents Trophy

So the Play Offs start tonight I'll go with the following in the 1st round

Eastern Conference

Pens V Islanders - Pens in 5
Habs V Senators - Habs in 6
Rangers v Caps - Rangers in 6
Leafs v Bruins - Bruins in 5 if they turn up otherwise Leafs may well edge them out

Western Conference

Hawks V Wild - Hawks in 5
Ducks V Wings - Ducks in 5
Canucks V Sharks - Tough one to call but think the Canucks will nick it in 6 or 7
L.A. V Blues - Think the Blues will edge it in 6

East

Pens/Isles=Pens in 4
Habs/Sens=Habs in 5
Caps/Rangers=Caps in 7
Bruins/Leafs=Bruins in 6


West
Hawks/Wild=Hawks in 6
Ducks/Wings=Wings in 7
Canucks/Sharks=Sharks in 6
Blues/Kings=Kings in 6

Nervous start to the playoffs for the Hawks last night with them needing ot to beat the wild.I've got a feeling there will be more overtimes in this series before someone wins it.

Don't know if it was nervy or they just got off to a slow start as they have had a tendancy to do at times? This season the Wild have run the Hawks close with a S/O win, 1-0 loss and 5-3 loss to us so it was always going to be tight. Also you have to say Josh Harding kept the Wild in it with a great performance.

Just think the Hawks have a lot more to come and will wear the Wild down with 4 good lines.

Chicago have made it into the next round after beating the Wild.They play either Red Wings or Sharks next.I would like 1 last go at the Wings before they go to the east next season.Talking about the East it looks like the eastern bias now includes the NHL aswell as the media as the finalists for the Hart trophy have been announced with all 3 players named (Ovi,Sid and Tavares)play in the east,How Kane has missed out having been the best player on the best team i'll never know.

Dont get that decision at all.

Hawks now up against the Wings after they knocked off the Ducks.