Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Neal Purcell
New York Rangers Need To Cut The Interest Off Immediately In This Player
The New York Rangers, according to reports, are interested in bringing in free agent Leo Komarov from the Toronto Maple Leafs. If the Rangers are truly interested in this player, they may want to look up the definition of the word “character” in a dictionary because this player is someone who is definitely lacking in that department. At his best, Komarov is a pest-type player who’s capable of scoring 15-20 goals in a season, if he’s riding shotgun with some upper-end players.
Keeping Up With The Rangers: Prospect Development Camp Day 3 Highlights
Lost in all the fuss over this offseason is the acquisition of center Brett Howden. Howden, who felt these first days were actually his first as a New York Ranger (despite being traded in February), is still very much alive in the battle for centers 1-4 on the big club. Howden is blessed with size, skating ability and a “chip” on his shoulder after dealt a crushing blow a few years ago.
ESNY's 2018 NHL Entry Mock Draft: First-Round Studs Aplenty
It’s finally here. It’s arrived. We, after months of speculation, have traveled through time to the date of Friday, June 22, 2018. The 2018 NHL Entry Draft is set to take place in Dallas, Texas. With the New York Rangers holding three first-round selections and Lou Lamoriello now heading up the Islanders, much anticipation has gone into this specific draft. Now that it’s here, we can hardly contain ourselves. Come on … this one was set in stone the minute the Sabres won the draft lottery.
New York Rangers take a risk by picking Vitali Kravtsov
With the ninth pick of the NHL Draft, the New York Rangers selected Vitali Kravtsov from the KHL ninth overall. Kravtsov is currently under contract with Traktor Chelyabinsk. Kravtsov, playing as an underage player in the KHL, recorded seven points in 35 games but also went on to record 11 points in 16 playoff games. Kravstov is a high-end skill player who stands at a height of 6-foot-4 and weighs 183 pounds.
Rangers Land Top 10 Pick In 2018 NHL Draft
The new offseason began for the New York Rangers with a victory of sorts, as the Blueshirts land a top 10 pick in the 2018 NHL Draft to continue the rebuilding process with. Pick number nine, to be exact. This year’s draft class features a good crop of players that are ranked in the top 10, including some game-changing prospects on the defensive end.
New York Rangers: Just how good can Filip Chytil be?
Filip Chytil initially made a very positive impact on New York Rangers management and the coaching staff at the end of training camp and earned himself a two-game stint early in the season. He made his debut in the top-six forwards skating alongside Rick Nash, but the coaching staff quickly lost their trust in the player and Chytil’s ice time was diminished and he was sent down to the American Hockey League.
National Hockey League - ESNY
Welcome! Log into your account A password will be e-mailed to you.
The Question About Ryan Spooner So Incredibly Crucial To The Rangers
Current New York Rangers forward Ryan Spooner was a second-round pick in 2010 of the Boston Bruins. Spooner had trouble cracking the lineup early in his career due to his lack of size and lack of trust from the previous coaching staff of Claude Julien. But Spooner’s offensive game began to do the talking and things really started to take off. His best year to date came in 2015-16 when he recorded 49 points.
The Rangers Great RFA Conundrum---Hayes, Vesey, Skjei And More
The New York Rangers enter the offseason with some intriguing options to build with some new young talents. With those talents, they can sprinkle in some young yet veteran like talent in the group. Kevin Hayes, Brady Skjei, Jimmy Vesey, Vladislav Namestnikov and Ryan Spooner are all restricted free agents this upcoming offseason and although all are still under the age of 30, they have significant NHL experience. So Jeff Gorton and company need to decide who stays and who goes.
Scouting Potential First-Round Picks For Rangers
The upcoming 2018 NHL draft is chock full of talent and it is a most exciting time for New York Rangers fans. If the season were to end today, the Rangers would be selecting 10th in the draft and if the Rangers hit home runs on all three of their first-round selections, we could see a young, fast, and exciting element take the ice next season. The projected top five players will all be difference-makers in the NHL and could step into the league right away.
Should Rangers Chase John Tavares, Erik Karlsson Or Stick To Rebuild?
Rumors, suggestions, gossip and speculation. Fans of any sport can get so tied into these things and everyone has an opinion on what is right for their team. Sure, it’s part of being a fan and it’s most certainly your right that cannot be taken away from you.
New York Rangers 5, Carolina Hurricanes 3: Jimmy Vesey nets hat trick
The New York Rangers got a much-needed win on home ice Monday evening, with some youngsters hitting some NHL “firsts” in the process. Winger Jimmy Vesey had his first NHL hat trick, Pavel Buchnevich recorded his first three-assist performance, and Alexander Georgiev recorded 41 stops for his first win at Madison Square Garden. Just over halfway through the game’s first period, Mats Zuccarello got things started.
Lundqvist Stops 50, Spooner Lights The Lamp As Rangers Knockoff Flames [HIGHLIGHTS]
The New York Rangers overcame a slow first period to down the Calgary Flames on the road Friday night by the final score of 3-1. After having to make 55 saves against the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday night, Henrik Lundqvist was once again stellar in the first period at the Saddledome. Lundqvist made 18 saves in the opening frame, giving way only to a Brett Kulak slap shot on a mad scramble. The Rangers and their new duo of Ryan Spooner and Kevin Hayes truck four minutes into the first period.
Rangers Yet Again Prove Their Dumpster-Fire Worthiness (Highlights)
Once again, the difference between a playoff team and team flailing in the wind was more than apparent on Wednesday evening at Madison Square Garden. Even though the New York Rangers came out with much more jump than in recent weeks, it was clear they were simply outmatched. Although the Bruins were able to dictate play in the first period early, it was the Rangers who struck first, much like they did the other night against the Dallas Stars.
Stanley Cup-Caliber Team Shows Up In Nashville
The New York Rangers could only muster 20 shots against Nashville’s Pekka Rinne as the Predators, behind two goals from Kevin Fiala, outplayed the Rangers in Nashville. When you don’t shoot, you can’t score. Hockey is simple like that. It’s easy to see how far the Rangers are from competing for a Stanley Cup. Yes, injuries are a factor, but on this particular night, Nashville was head to toe better in all facets of the game. The Rangers were outshot 12-5 in the first frame while taking two penalties.
Brandon Marshall wants to win Comeback Player of the Year
Last season obviously didn’t go the way either the New York Giants or Brandon Marshall planned. The team struggled to a three-win season, and Marshall only played five games before an injury sidelined him for the rest of the year. Marshall, who was brought in to take pressure off Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard, didn’t have the impact he wanted to, producing only 18 catches for 154 yards and not reaching the end zone.
Mets shortstop Amed Rosario putting in work for 2018 (Video)
Pitchers and catchers don’t report to spring training for another month, but don’t tell New York Mets shortstop Amed Rosario that. He, along with Yoenis Cespedes and a few other players, have been in Florida getting ready for the season, and the team has posted a video of him working out on Twitter. Rosario, who will make up half of the Mets double play combination this season (most likely with Asdrubal Cabrera as the other half), is taking swings with a chain attached to his bat.
Come trade away: Options at the deadline for the New York Rangers
Without a doubt, this is a precarious situation the New York Rangers find themselves in. Most fans would agree this team is not good enough to win the Stanley Cup. So, the question remains: Go after rentals in an effort to make this team better now, or tear it down to build for the future? Regardless of management’s decision, there are some intriguing names being tossed around the trade rumor mill.
New York Mets Amazin News: Tim Tebow in camp, Adrian Gonzalez wants to help Dominic Smith
The New York Mets invited nine of their non-roster players to the major league side of Spring Training. Amongst the names are former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Tim Tebow, who hit .226 in Single-A in 2017. However, the team also invited several players who are far more likely to make an impact in the major leagues one day. The full list was released on the team’s Twitter account. First baseman Peter Alonso hit .286 with 16 home runs in Single-A for the St. Lucie Mets last season.
Enes Kanter wants to spend rest of career, retire as a New York Knick
Even though he hasn’t been to his home country of Turkey in two years, New York Knicks center Enes Kanter has found a home in New York and wants to retire as a Knick. Kanter’s parents still live in Turkey, but he hasn’t spoken with them in over a year. The center is a supporter of Fethullah Gulen, who is an opponent of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Indians' Jason Kipnis was almost traded to the New York Mets
Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis was almost traded to the New York Mets. According to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, the Indians were close to finalizing a deal that would send Kipnis to New York. There were people on both sides who thought that they had a deal. However, the deal was killed by someone at the top, most likely over money. According to Ben Axelrod of WKYC, Kipnis is guaranteed $30.5 million over the next two years.
New York Knicks are on the Charlotte Hornets' Kemba Walker shortlist (Report)
ESPN’s Ian Begley is reporting that the Charlotte Hornets are interested in trading Kemba Walker and that they have a particular interest in trading with the New York Knicks. The full quote from Begley below: Ears around the league will perk up anytime a star player is on the trade block. This is no different in this situation, but it doesn’t sound like the Knicks are jumping at the chance to trade for Walker just yet.
Even David Wright is doubting his comeback
We hope we pray, but in the end, we have no control over the outcome of the circumstances surrounding us all. For David Wright, the last three years have been an overwhelming waterfall of uncertainty. Many of us have held out hope that we haven’t seen the last of the franchise cornerstone, but even “The Captain” is starting to question his future.
New York Yankees Bomber Buzz, 1/20/18: It's getting hot in here
There truly is #NoOffseason for the New York Yankees. In order to remain competitive in a game that can be incredibly unforgiving, the only thing left to do is to work hard to keep your job. Giancarlo Stanton has yet to play a game in pinstripes and yet he’s already leading the way with his incredibly impressive workouts so far. His latest is both terrifying to watch and yet, we can’t seem to look away. Stanton…we see you.
New York Jets TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins celebrates one year of sobriety
New York Jets fans can be proud of tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins today, as he posted on his Instagram page that he has been sober for one year. Seferian-Jenkins has been open about his struggles with alcoholism after checking into rehab at the end of last season. He was picked up by the Jets after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers released him following a DUI arrest in 2016. At one point, he said that he thought his NFL career was finished after last season.
New York Rangers defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk sidelined indefinitely
The New York Rangers have announced that defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk suffered a torn meniscus and will have surgery to repair it. He will be sidelined indefinitely. It was announced that Shattenkirk has been dealing with the injury since late September early October and this is something he tried to play through. A torn meniscus will make your leg might swell and feel stiff. In fact, you’ll feel pain when twisting your knee, or be unable to straighten your leg fully.
Kristaps Porzingis says 'Players know' he should be an All-Star starter
Should the New York Knicks’ unicorn, Kristaps Porzingis, be starting the upcoming NBA All-Star Game? He thinks so. “Players know,” Porzingis told reporters, per Stefon Bondy of the New York Daily News. “That’s all I’m going to say.” While Porzingis got more support in the players voting than Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid, Philly’s big man finished one spot ahead of the Serbian import in both the media and fan voting.
New York Mets invite Tim Tebow to 2018 spring training
That power-hitting lefty prospect will officially be back with the big boys during the spring of 2018. Tim Tebow, 30, has been formally invited to join the New York Mets for 2018 spring training in Port St. Lucie. The team announced it on Friday afternoon. Tebow is one of nine others announced via the team’s official Twitter account: Peter Alonso, P.J. Conlon, Kevin Kaczmarski, Patrick Mazeika, Drew Smith, Corey Taylor, David Thompson and Adonis Uceta.
New York Rangers execute a Philly beatdown at the Garden, 5-1 (Highlights)
Things certainly haven’t been going the New York Rangers way lately and, true to form, only two minutes into the game it was the road Philadelphia Flyers who struck first on Tuesday night at the Garden. It was hard to point fingers on this one as it appeared to be some simple puck luck on a broken play. A Flyers defenseman laced a shot wide of the net and fourth-liner Jordan Weal was able to redirect the puck into the net past Henrik Lundqvist.
2017 NFC Divisional Playoff Notes: Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles
History: Falcons head to Philadelphia for the second consecutive year as teams meet in postseason fourth time…Teams meet for third straight season, with Eagles posting 24-15 in ’16 at Philadelphia (Week 10) in club’s last encounter…Falcons 6-10-1 lifetime at Philadelphia dating back to 1966… HISTORIC NOTE: Fourth postseason meeting between teams (Eagles, 2-1), Atlanta posting 14-13 win in ‘78 NFC Wild Card Playoffs at Fulton County Stadium, while Eagles managed 20-6 victory in ‘02 NFC...
New York Jets: Make the offseason rain on free agent Le'Veon Bell
Since the 2017 season ended for the New York Jets, it’s been a 24/7 marathon of dream sequences—counting sheep hopping over the proverbial fence, swimming in pools of money, and dreaming of what the Jets could possibly spend all this cold hard cash on. Before we dive into any specific prospects, let’s lay out the cards on the table.
NFL Divisional Round has historically spelled agony for the road team
Four teams are gone and eight clubs remain. Welcome to the 2017 NFL Divisional Playoffs. It has sometimes been referred to as the best weekend and sport, but that’s a debate for another team. In any case, here are some numbers you may find a little interesting. That is, unless, you are the Atlanta Falcons, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints this weekend. Home-field advantage has never been more prevalent than it is in the AFC and NFC Divisional Playoffs.
2017 NFL Playoffs: The long and short of QB postseason experience
If you came here looking for someone to tell you that the game of football is a one-man sport, you may want to head elsewhere. There will be no talk of Tom Brady beating someone like this is tennis, handball or bowling. We are down to the final eight teams when it comes to crowning a Super Bowl champion. That includes the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds in each conference.
Yankees Bomber Buzz, 1/13/18: Arbitration, Gary Sanchez goes boom (Video)
Yesterday was a huge day for arbitration in the MLB and often times, teams and players are able to reach agreements without a hitch. It was a big day in the Bronx and the good news is that this year the Yankees and their players are going to be able to move past arbitration without any major issues. This is a sigh of relief for Yankee fans considering the bad blood that occurred between the organization and Dellin Betances after last year’s arbitration debacle.
New York Rangers Report 1/9/18: A fortunate Blueshirts bye week
The New York Rangers announced they sent forward Vinni Lettieri back to Hartford on Monday. Presumably, this move is to keep Lettieri playing, since the AHL is not on bye this week. Chances are he will be back with the big club following the break. Still no word on Kevin Hayes and the significance of his injury suffered Sunday night in Las Vegas. Hayes left the game in the second period after taking a clean hard hit in the first from Vegas defenseman Nate Schmidt.
New York Giants: Brandon Marshall wants to help Eli Apple 'back on track'
Cornerback Eli Apple’s season, just like the New York Giants season, has been a disaster. However, there’s one person that wants to help Eli, veteran teammate Brandon Marshall. Apple was suspended by the Giants on Wednesday for conduct that was considered to be detrimental to the team.
New York Knicks stud Kristaps Porzingis upset about lack of foul calls
NBA referees have a tough job. When they make a bad call or don’t call a foul when one should have been called, they hear from the fans, players and coaches, which brings us to the local scene. New York Knicks star Kristaps Porzingis isn’t happy that he’s not getting the foul calls that he thinks he should be getting. The foul calls that Porzingis believes he should be getting are touch fouls to the arm when he is shooting.
Power Play carries the New York Rangers to 4-2 win over Kings (Highlights)
After dropping consecutive games to the Dallas Stars and the Ottawa Senators, the New York Rangers were able to get things back on track Friday night against the Los Angeles Kings. The Rangers were able to play a much more disciplined game in which they had much better puck management. Turnovers appeared to be a thing of the past, at least for tonight, as they have plagued the team the past two games. Chris Kreider got the party started with 9:37 remaining in the first period on the power play.
New York Islanders win fourth straight, 5-2 over Vancouver Canucks (Highlights)
Breaking News: The Islanders are an elite hockey team. The New York Islanders went back to work on Tuesday night, downing former Islander Travis Green’s Vancouver Canucks 5-2. With the win, the Islanders have won their 15th game of the season, something that took them until Dec. 31 last year. Andrew Ladd gets things started with something the Islanders had been on the receiving end of — a short-handed goal.
New York Rangers waste valiant comeback effort, fall to Panthers (Highlights)
On an evening that celebrates the sports world teaming together to fight cancer, the New York Rangers had a tough time teaming up for anything defense on Tuesday evening dropping a rollercoaster of a game 5-4 to the Florida Panthers. It was announced late that center Mika Zibanejad was going to be out of the lineup with an upper-body injury, a strange happening since DJ Zbad did partake in the morning skate with no signs of distress.
Dinwiddie's career game helps Nets over Jazz, 118-107 (Highlights)
It was a battle of two teams both dealing with injury galore, and the Brooklyn Nets prevailed. Earlier this afternoon, it was announced that point guard D’Angelo Russell would miss the majority of the year following knee surgery. For the Utah Jazz, Rudy Gobert remains inactive. As well as Ricky Rubio and Thabo Sefolosha. Tonight’s loss in Brooklyn makes for six straight on the road for Utah. For the Jazz, guard Raul Neto led all scorers with 22 points off the bench.
New York Mets signing Shohei Ohtani is depressingly unrealistic
To say that the New York Mets face a critical off-season would be a supreme understatement. Coming off one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history, the Mets find themselves in need of upgrades at several positions. Japanese two way sensation Shohei Ohtani is nearing posting to the Major Leagues–a star player who could galvanize the Mets fanbase.
The Jurick is in: Yankees' first offseason rumor makes no sense
Offseason rumors are meant to be crazy, unbelievable and, most of all, exciting. The recent rumor that came out of general manager meetings for the New York Yankees is none of those. In fact, the rumor that the Yankees might be even considering second baseman and former top prospect Jurickson Profar is absolutely ridiculous. The Yankees have a plethora of prospects to trade for Profar, including some that they might otherwise lose to the Rule 5 draft.
Trade Away! Fantasy Football prospects to trade for championship glory
The trade deadline is approaching in Fantasy Football. Have you made your moves yet? If not, we got you covered.The Fantasy Football trade deadline in most leagues is sometime next week. Nobody has the perfect roster and if you think that you do, you definitely don’t…it’s the law of the fantasy world.There are some underperforming players that we can snag now that might be the difference in winning a championship or not.
New York Rangers offense runs dry, blanked by Columbus, 2-0 (Highlights)
The New York Rangers couldn’t find the answer to the riddle by the name of Sergei Bobrovsky and the two goals scored by Columbus were enough for the Blue Jackets to get the win. The Rangers and Jackets played through a scoreless first period where both goalies were tested. It wasn’t until almost the middle of the second frame where young defensive sensation Zach Werenski broke the ice with a one-timer from the hash marks that beat Lundqvist high to the glove side.
Knicks State of Mind Podcast: Kanter vs. LeBron drama, bench (Audio)
On the latest edition of the Knicks State of Mind Podcast, Chip and Matt talk about the LeBron James Enes Kanter feud then discuss the devastating loss to the Cavs. How important is Enes Kanter to the city of New York now? He’s entered into a full-fledged rivalry with the best player in the NBA in defense of his rookie. That’s straight out of the ’90s playbook. The comparisons to Charles Oakley and Anthony Mason are already coming.
New York Rangers: Tell 'em Sam, 'It's a power play goal!' (Film Room)
It would be easy to say the New York Rangers had put too much pressure on themselves to impress, rather than just win games. But in the last 10 matches, the Rangers have found a way to write that correct narrative and just win, rather than impress. The same thing goes for the power play and the team’s largest acquisition, who also happens to be a power play specialist. The narrative remained: impress, rather than just score. The power play has been pretty good all year, including the slow start.
2017 New York Jets Can Learn From 1991 Season
The 2017 New York Jets’ season has been a wonderful surprise and a frustrating exercise. After a rough 0-2 start, Gang Green has shown consistency is many areas. They have shown resilience in a few matchups, like their win over the first-place Jacksonville Jaguars. They have also shown inexperience and an inability to hold onto leads. All of those things are learning curves. In 1991, Bruce Coslet was in his second season as head coach.
Mets' Mickey Callaway not lining up with front office on new pitching plan
The New York Mets have tried every which way they can imagine to dismiss themselves of any responsibility for the injury-plagued and disappearing edge their starting pitching held on the rest of baseball a mere two seasons ago. The litany of disappointment within causes too many tears for fans of the Mets, but suffice to say, the last man standing (erect) is Jacob deGrom, who with a slight turn here or there would have been in last’s night’s discussion for the NL Cy Young Award.
IN THE FACE: Rangers Jimmy Vesey Takes Skate to the Mouth
Sometimes the glamorous life of being a professional hockey player in the National Hockey League has its downsides. Ask New York Rangers forward Jimmy Vesey about that. In this afternoon’s win against the Edmonton Oilers at Madison Square Garden, Vesey got tangled up with Oilers Zack Kassian and Kassian inadvertently kicked Vesey in the mouth. When Vesey got up off the ice, he was bleeding pretty badly and left to head to the locker room. He returned later in the game, wearing a full shield .
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Neal
Contact Neal, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack