All Three Players Practicing; Rangers Tragedy Must have had Impact on Walsh

by Tommy Dee on November 25th, 2008 at 1:10 pm

Word out of Knicks camp is that Al Harrington, Tim Thomas and, most importantly, Cuttino Mobley are practicing with the team today. Now, I am not at practice but this is what we are hearing.

This is significant because if Mobley is working out then Donnie Walsh is content with his health and that he will finalize the deal with the Clippers before 6:30′s deadline.

Remember, the Garden has had it’s share of tragedy in recent months with the passing of Rangers top prospect Alexei Cherepanov of an apparent heart attack in October. The Russian had a history of heart problems which caused his stock to drop in the NHL draft. Of course, Eddy Curry had heart issues as well, which were a big concern before Isiah Thomas made a deal for the then-Bulls center.

So Walsh is correct in making sure Mobley is fit to play, and apparently now he will be good to go tonight once the trade is finally completed.
  • WhoAreYou69

    TD,

    I have to correct you on one thing: Cherepanov did not have a history of heart problems, the reason he dropped down to 17 in the draft while he was consistently rated as a top five pick (and the best European) was because there was no agreement between the International Ice Hockey Fed and the NHL in regards to bringing players over. There have especially been some big problems with players coming from Russia to the U.S. There’s resentment that so many great Russian players have come to play in the U.S. So they have decided to play hardball; moreso in the last few years…

  • http://theKnicksBlog.com Tommy Dee

    Ok cool thanks. Wasn’t there an issue in Russia tho?

    thanks for the note….

  • WhoAreYou69

    Not that I ever heard, but I may be wrong.

    The cause of his death is still being investigated in Russia, which means we won’t know for a long time if ever.

  • WhoAreYou69

    But your point is well taken about Walsh wanting to protect his interests.

    The Rangers, though, did get some heat and came across as being callous in looking for a draft pick as compensation.

    The NHL won’t decide until the Board of Governors meeting in April or May.