Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. Any news?
Off puck drop tonight, then yes, I will soon cover all of the never-ending swirling news that’s blowing around the streets of Rangerstown, USA today – but first, and since I’m to assume that you already know that J.T. Miller is back – then a few opening words about the Rangers losing again – and as they did on Saturday in Beantown by a 6-3 final score.
My first thought following the Rangers being embarrassed by the Bruins was this one:
What does it say about the Blueshirts, when two players that haven’t played for the club this month, J.T. Miller and Jonny Brodzinski, are the only two to score goals for the team?
And as you already know – this was Miller’s first game as a Ranger in seven-years.
Another thought?
As you may also know, then whenever a major superstar switches teams, and as Miller did late Friday night, then more times than not, there is a transition period, and where it could take a few games for that player to acclimate to his new environment.
Our most recent example of this took place just a week ago following the Carolina/Colorado trade where Mikko Rantanen and Marty Necas changed places.
Both players, who lost in their first game with their respective new teams, then went on to score and win in their second game played – and of course – with both of these victories and goals scored at the expense of the Rangers.
The Blueshirts themselves?
Of course they bucked such trends – as not only did J.T. Miller show up and score two goals for the team – but in another OF COURSE – and not one of the FAT CATS scored.
In other words, the new player who just arrived at 4AM – and who barely got any sleep as well – was the best skater on the ice for the Rangers on Saturday – and where need I remind you – all of Miller’s teammates just had off during the past three days too.
UNACCEPTABLE.
But of course, and as I’ll explain for the 98767986867986798th time below – this trade for Miller should’ve happened long ago – as today, it doesn’t matter anymore – or at least not when it pertains to hoisting the silver chalice in 2025.
After all, this core, and whether you view them as present or former, peak was when they reached the 2024 Eastern Conference Final – and how different would that outcome have been had Miller been here at that time?
But Kaapo Kakko was “untouchable” then and the dodos running this team also favored a 10% healthy Filip Chytil over physical players.
How’d that work out?
And gee, I wonder who said all of this at the time too?
Hmmm!!!!
(And yes – I hate to be right about this, as I’d much rather be proven wrong – and in the form of a Stanley Cup parade down the Canyon of Heroes.)
When the Rangers went 7-0-3 earlier in 2025, then I said on this site that I refused to buy in and say that “THE BLUESHIRTS ARE BACK” – and much like how many fans, and media members alike, were doing.
After all, I, and like many of you, have been through all of this before (and many times over at that) – and I refuse to have that “Rangers’ Rug” pulled out from underneath my feet again.
(Heck, I need a chiropractor after landing on my back so much!)
In addition, and it would also be so on brand for the Rangers to instill some hope in us – then only to let us down.
Well the let down is here – and in the form of a three-game losing streak – and where despite a late, yet failed, comeback against Colorado – the Blueshirts have just been exposed, embarrassed and had their pretender status solidified for them by the likes of both Carolina and Boston.
Let me reiterate this point one more time – this 6-3 loss to the Bruins was UNACCEPTABLE.
They had three-days off to get their shit together, but between lack of effort and execution, and a shithead head coach that is just infatuated with giving Mika Zibanejad as many chances and minutes as possible – and this team shit the bed.
The Rangers most likely derailed any chance imaginable of reaching the playoffs too – and especially with a fresh Vegas Golden Knights team waiting in the wings come late Sunday afternoon.
Back-to-back boneheaded cross-checking penalties, as committed by Urho Vaakanainen and Ryan Lindgren, doomed the Blueshirts early.
The Bruins, who received minimal 5 x 3 power-play time as a result, only needed sixteen-seconds following double-nickel’s two-minute timeout to break the ice – and as Charlie McAvoy did with his power-play goal scored at the 10:21 mark.
Fortunately for the Rangers, and U.V.’s penalty had expired one-second prior to McAvoy’s goal.
Another break for the Blueshirts?
The fact that Lindgren was released from the box afterwards – as really – you could argue that his vicious boarding/cross-checking penalty had earned him a five-minute major – if not a misconduct too.
And had Lindgren’s victim, Matthew Poitras, stayed down, rather than showing his HOCKEY PLAYER balls – then perhaps a sell-job would’ve earned his club an uninterrupted five-minute power-play.
It was none other than the best player in New York, J.T. Miller, who quickly erased Boston’s one-goal lead.
Just 34-seconds once returned to even-strength and there was Miller with a rip from the slot for the 1-1 goal.
At the time, it was also Miller’s third SOG of the game and where come the end of it, he led all Rangers in this department with a total of six SOG.
But sadly, and these good vibes would soon be flushed – and as we’ve seen so many times before from these toilet bowl swirlin’ Blueshirts this season.
In what was arguably Adam Fox’s worst game of the season (-3), and where his partner was only slightly better than that, and there was the 2021 (fugazi) Norris Trophy winner getting beat to a puck behind CZAR IGOR’s net.
The Bruins’ response?
A Poitras assist, from Gretzky’s Office, on David Pastrnak’s no-doubt-about-it goal from two-feet out.
2-1, Bruins – and with only 2:51 remaining in the first frame.
But that wasn’t even close to the worst of it.
For a 2024-25 Rangers’ club that has had many dreadful games and periods this season, then a new contender for worst period of the season emerged during the second stanza of Saturday’s game.
Despite trailing by one, and even having 1:20’s worth of a power-play too – and the Rangers only managed a meager and measly two shots on goal during these twenty-minutes.
In comparison, and the Bruins, who came out red-hot to open the period, scored two goals – and as they did following goals from Charlie Coyle (3:39) and Pavel Zacha (17:10).
4-1, bad guys.
Game over too.
The final frame was just a formality and where the two Original Six teams traded two goals a piece.
Once again, there was J.T. Miller doing the heavy lifting, this time on the power-play, to cut Boston’s lead to 4-2 at just the 35-second mark.
For a Blueshirts’ bunch that has never come back from a multi-goal deficit this season (and where they only have one third period comeback win in twenty-four tries too) – then such a motivational goal couldn’t inspire these same old losers.
Not even a minute later and Pastrnak fired a cannon at CZAR IGOR to return Boston’s lead to three-goals.
Game over again.
As Lavy’s Lot struggled to do much of anything, then the Rangers got a fluky (but they all count) goal from the returning Brodzinski, as the former captain of the Wolf Pack tipped/deflected a Lindgren shot from the point at the 10:47 mark to make the score 5-3.
That said – and you never thought that the Rangers would come back – and neither did the Bruins.
As the Rangers couldn’t muster up much of anything, then with 3:30 remaining and still trailing by two – and CZAR IGOR was pulled for a hopeful Hail Mary 6 x 5 goal – and where the Blueshirts would need two of them.
Ha!
Not even eight-seconds after the Russian’s hiney had found its seat on the bench – and there was Pastrnak to deposit a puck into the Rangers’ empty net – a hat trick for the Czech – and the 6-3 final score too.
But despite the bleak result and performance – don’t fret yet.
After all, Mika Zibanejad remained on PP1 and better than that – was promoted to the top line too!
Lavy sure showed us!
Clown.
Here is our 82-game mantra, which is also known as my 33-word daily disclaimer, that I post on this site after every game played:
“WHATEVER THE RANGERS DO FROM NOW UNTIL THE TRADE DEADLINE DOESN’T MATTER. THEY CAN ONLY BE JUDGED BY WHATEVER THEY DO FOLLOWING THE DEADLINE AND BY WHAT THEY DO IN THE 2025 PLAYOFFS!”
In other words, fifty-one down, thirty-one to go, and then the real hockey, the only games that matter, begin.
But at this rate – will the Rangers even be there for the real hockey?
I wouldn’t bet on it.
In case you missed it, then here’s where I last left off – the Canes’ decimation of the Rangers:
NYR/CAR 1/28 Review: Well, At Least They Didn’t Lose a Heartbreaker This Time – Blueshirts Shutout, Embarrassed & Exposed By a Real Stanley Cup Contender, The Highest-Paid Forwards (Mika & Panarin) Absolutely Atrocious; Trocheck & Kreider No Better, Lateralette Keeps Pissing Points Away with Maddening Line-Up Decisions, Fourth Trio = Best Line, No Accountability, CZAR IGOR Gives All; But Can’t Win If You Can’t Score, M$GN & More
I usually try to present all of the news segments on this site in a chronological state of order – but of course – we must make an exception here – and following the news of the Rangers reacquiring J.T. Miller.
We’ve talked so much about this anticipated trade for so long now – two-years in fact – where as a result, we don’t need to go over what Miller will bring to this team, now in his second go-around.
In short, then getting Miller back is a good thing – but I also feel it’s a “too little, too late” thing as well.
(And in a way – getting Miller back makes Jeff Gorton’s 2018 trade of Miller & Ryan McDonagh to Tampa hold up as the worst deal that he ever made – and where hey – I heard there is a book about this very subject too! Check the PLUGS segment for more.)
While I’ve been adamant (I even repeated such a thought during my last blog – and for the 987678667967986th time too) that I’d only want Miller back if it meant that Mika was going the other way – then I wasn’t that upset with the particulars of this trade either.
Before going on any further when sharing all of my opinions about this trade, then let’s first look at the entire swap – and also see what each team had to say about it too.
Here’s what the Rangers had to say about the deal, courtesy of https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-acquire-jt-miller-erik-brannstrom-jackson-dorrington
New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the team has acquired forward J.T. Miller as well as defensemen Erik Brannstrom and Jackson Dorrington from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for forward Filip Chytil, defenseman Victor Mancini and a conditional first round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Miller, 31, has notched nine goals and 26 assists for 35 points in 40 games for the Canucks this season. He ranks second on the club in assists, points, and power play points (14). Additionally, Miller ranks seventh in the NHL with a 58.6 faceoff percentage.
The 6-1, 218 pound forward has played 839 career regular season games across 13 NHL seasons split between Vancouver, Tampa Bay, and the Rangers, registering 674 points (247G-427A). Since the 2021-22 season, Miller is the only player in the NHL to have recorded 300 or more points as well as 600 or more hits. In that same time frame, he is one of 11 skaters to have three or more 50-plus assist seasons, and his 319 points are the 13th most in the NHL.
Last season, Miller collected career-highs in goals (37), points (103), power play points (40), game-winning goals (9), plus/minus (+32) and hits (217). His power play points ranked tied for sixth in the NHL and his 66 assists were the seventh most in the league. In addition, Miller was named to the 2024 NHL All-Star Game in Toronto.
Miller has also appeared in 91 career playoff contests over parts of eight different seasons, collecting 56 points (12G-44A). Miller’s 12 points in the 2024 postseason were tied for the most on Vancouver. Since 2019-20, he is one of only 14 NHL players (min. 30 games played) who have averaged at least 1.00 points per game in post-season play.
A native of East Palestine, Ohio, Miller has represented the United States on various occasions, such as the IIHF World Junior Championships in 2012 and 2013, the 2011 IIHF U18 World Championship, and the 2010 World U17 Hockey Challenge. Miller is also set to represent the U.S. in the 4 Nations Face-Off next month.
Miller was originally selected by the Blueshirts in the first round, 15th overall, of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. In his first stint with the Rangers, Miller played parts of six seasons with the team (2012-13 – 2017-18), recording 172 points (72G-100A) in 341 games.
Brannstrom, 25, has notched three goals and five assists for eight points in 28 games for the Canucks this season. He has posted an additional 12 points (2G-10A) in eight games and a plus-11 rating or the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks
In 294 career NHL games between Vancouver and Ottawa, the 5-10, 185-pound blueliner has tallied 77 points (10G-67A). The Eksjo, Sweden native registered career highs in assists (17) and points (20) with Ottawa in 2023-24.
Dorrington, 20, has tallied two goals and eight assists for 10 points in 23 games at Northeastern University this season. In three collegiate seasons, he has combined for 28 points (8G-20A) in 91 games.
Before Northeastern, the Manchester, New Hampshire native played for Des Moines of the USHL, recording 11 points (3G-8A) in 41 games. He was named a 2022 BioSteel All-American.
The 6-2, 192-pound defenseman was originally selected by the Canucks in the sixth round, 176th overall, of the 2022 NHL Draft.
Here’s what the Canucks had to say about the trade, courtesy of https://www.nhl.com/canucks/news/canucks-acquire-chytil-mancini-and-a-conditional-first-round-pick-from-new-york-rangers
It should be noted, and as is always the case, was that this trade was first reported by Elliotte Friedman – as once again – a Canadian reporter out-scooped the entire Rangers’ beat.
But to be fair, but only following Friedman’s initial report, then Larry Brooks was the first one to fill out all of the particulars, while his birdbrain beat “peers” followed-up by saying, “per source” – and where of course – their source was Friedman’s Twitter/X account.
Since we’ve been talking about this trade for some time now, then I really don’t have that much “new” to add.
After all, I’ve said it so many times, where I’m now blue in the face, that if the Rangers were to finally bring back Miller into the fold, then I wanted Mika to go the other way.
However, the selfish Swede refused to waive his NMC, and as a result, Chytil, and because he’s a center, was the key player going to Vancouver.
(So if you’re mad at Drury for trading Chytil – then blame the Swedish-Iranian power-play terrorist.)
What was sad, ironic, frustrating and somewhat comical to me, was the fact that for the past two-years, and where the peak of this was during last year’s trade deadline, is when I was begging Drury to trade both Kaapo Kakko and Filip Chytil for a big gun for his CUP OR BUST team.
Whether it was Jake Guentzel, Patrick Kane, J.T. Miller, anyone – and I just wanted a former Stanley Cup champion who would put the Rangers over the top – and where if you recall – they were the best team in the league at the time.
Instead, Kakko was deemed “untouchable” while the Rangers believed that Chytil would overcome the 7986798678698698679867986th concussion of his career.
Rather than getting some artillery and big help for his WIN NOW team; instead, “The Feckless Finn” and “The Concussed Czech” remained – and as you know by now – an ineffective Kakko was made a healthy scratch while the injury-prone Chytil continued to miss games.
Not even a year later – and now both of them are gone – and where the timing couldn’t have been any worse.
What does Miller do for the Rangers right now?
Their window is closed.
The time to make this move/trade was last year – if not the year before too.
While I’m fine with the trade itself; but to counterpoint, and as an example, then this would be like if Neil Smith made all of his trades in 1995 – and not in 1994.
It’s just too late – and where Drury struck while the iron was ice cold too.
As far as the new members of the alumni go, Chytil and Mancini, then I was disappointed to see the latter leave – while happy to see the former depart.
I don’t have to give you my commentary on the future vegetable all over again – but yeah – he’s one bad fart away from being knocked out again – if not comatose too.
He’s just not reliable – and where I will never believe that he’ll ever have a successful playoffs either – as the postseason is physical and Chytil is brittle.
If there was a way to guarantee that Chytil would remain healthy for the remainder of his career, then you’d hate this trade.
But of course, no such deal exists.
It should also be mentioned that even when healthy, then Chytil, and ever since making his NHL debut in 2017, has been the worst faceoff centerman in all of the league.
While he does have some razzle-dazzle in him, his style of play will never win you a Stanley Cup either.
On the other hand, Miller has all of the qualities of a Stanley Cup champion – and where we might have seen this play out had this deal been made at last year’s deadline.
The Canucks, who have been clamoring over Braden Schneider for some time now, but where Drury rejected their requests every single time over too, “settled” for Mancini.
I really thought that Mancini had a future here, but like others before him, including Nils Lundkvist, Matthew Robertson, Zac Jones and others – the right side of the varsity defense is pretty much set – and even more so today following the extension of Will Borgen.
For Mancini, this is good news – as after all, let’s not forget the fact that after making the roster out of camp, he was soon quickly replaced by the likes of Chad Ruhwedel – and because the head coach has never had patience for young players.
(But as explained in the past, since Laviolette does have a Cup on his resume, then ever since that 2006 win, then he’s been hired to lead “win now” teams, where as a result, he’s always going to favor veterans over youth.)
When it comes to the first-round pick, it’s a Top-13 protected pick, which means that if the Rangers don’t make the playoffs and then finish with a 13th pick or better, then they’ll keep their pick this year and then give up their 2026 first-rounder (unprotected) in order to complete the deal.
But just to jump ahead a second – and Vancouver won’t be the team using New York’s first-round pick.
Instead, the Pittsburgh Penguins will, as right after this Miller/Chytil trade was completed, then the Canucks made another trade immediately afterwards:
How ironic.
The Rangers, who didn’t want to give up Kakko, Chytil or a first-round pick to Pittsburgh last year when in an arm’s race with Carolina for Jake Guentzel, now have one of their first-round picks (2025 or 2026) in the possession of the Penguins.
You can’t make this up.
Once the trade became signed, sealed and delivered, then it was reported late Friday night that Miller would make his Rangers’ return against Boston – and what a break for ESPN who had the rights for this game too.
Come Saturday, and Chris “ZOOM ZOOM” Drury went back to his same old act – by conducting a closed-doors press conference with select media members only – as he never conducts these interviews in front of Ranger fans – you know – the people who pay to keep these people employed.
According to multiple reports and Drury thanked Chytil and Mancini for their services, but also said that he had to make a trade like this one.
Drury also mentioned that he talked to Vincent Trocheck (as part of his “due diligence”), who many believe will be the next captain of the club, as Trocheck and Miller are close friends from their days of boyhood.
Miller is even known as “Uncle JT” in the Trocheck household.
When it comes to the two other players, then Erik Brannstrom was assigned to Hartford, where he’ll replace Mancini.
Jackson Dorrington, and as mentioned in the Rangers’ press release, will remain at the collegiate level.
The Blueshirts?
They will remain out of playoff contention.
The Blueshirts, who on Tuesday night (1/28), closed the month of January with back-to-back losses (Colorado and Carolina), took off on Wednesday.
As noted after that 4-0 loss to the Hurricanes (https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/12825/ ), then it did feel like that game was just like any of the matches that the Rangers had played during the final six-weeks of 2024 – and when they only won four out of nineteen games.
In the same vein, and in another similarity from that time, then the Rangers, who have been somewhat “drama-free” ever since the calendar flipped, reverted back to being a never-ending 24/7 news cycle.
The first example of the black cloud returning to Rangerstown, USA took place when the team reconvened at their training facility in Tarrytown, NY on Thursday.
Despite it being obvious to anyone with a pair of functioning eyeballs – and hell, even to the ghost of Helen Keller too – that it were the FAT CATS, and not the YOUNG GUNS, that were the biggest Blueshirts’ problems during their pair of losses to Colorado and Carolina – then once again, and as it’s been the case all-season – a younger player, and not a mega-rich player no longer in his prime, was punished.
To shorten and explain that word-salad?
Easy.
Rather than holding Mika Zibanejad or Artemi Panarin accountable for their putrid performances, then instead, and the clown head coach singled-out Arthur Kaliyev.
While I’m not that high on Kaliyev to begin with (and you may have figured this out, as I’ve been referring to him as “the reclamation project” ever since he got here); but regardless of that, then in no way, shape or form could you blame the flamed-out former King for the Rangers’ most recent losses.
But for whatever reason – and Laviolette just refuses to address the team’s biggest weakness – Missing Mika himself.
At the practice and the line-up that Lavy has been using during the past three-weeks remained unaltered – but with only one exemption – Kaliyev out, Jonny Brodzinski in.
And while I have no issue with JONNY BROADWAY slotting back into the line-up; but at the same time – I just found it sad, comical and out-right maddening that Laviolette refused to shake up his power-play units at the practice – you know – the 9th worst man-up quintets in the league.
While Lavy’s ridiculous power-play decisions wasn’t the lede story from Thursday, his line-up decisions were – and as Jimmy Vesey made clear to Larry Brooks of the New York Post.
Following the conclusion of practice and Vesey, like J.T. Miller, a two-time Ranger himself, did what many other Blueshirts have done this season (Kaapo Kakko and Zac Jones) – and used the media to his own benefit.
Vesey, who knows that Brooks is the only Blueshirts’ beat reporter that the team pays attention to (and where Brooks also has a quid-pro-quo relationship with the organization too), allowed telling quotes to be printed behind Brooks’ paywall (https://nypost.com/2025/01/30/sports/jimmy-vesey-has-reached-his-rangers-nadir-kind-of-dying-by-being-here/ ).
During the interview where Vesey’s desperation and frustration came out (while he made his life-changing money unlike Jones – but like Jones – he’s worried about his future too) and #26 said the following:
“I love being a Ranger and I think everyone knows that. The six-years I’ve been here have been the best and most fun I’ve had as a player, but this stretch where I haven’t dressed for the last nine games, and have no indication that this going to change, well it’s been extremely difficult for me.
“It seems that I have fallen out of favor [with Laviolette] and have just been cast aside over an extended period of time. It feels like I have no role or purpose with this team.
“I’m kind of dying by being here.
“I love this place but I know that I’m unhappy and don’t see this changing. I know that I have value to teams in this league and I know that I could help teams.
“I just don’t feel like that I’m at the end of my career.”
Vesey, who turns 32-years-old in May, and also on the last year of an expiring deal, added, “In my situation with my age and being on an expiring contract, it’s not at all constructive [to stay] for the trajectory of my career. I don’t want this to be the end. I want to keep playing.”
Vesey, who did mention in the interview with Brooks that he talked to Laviolette about all of this, but where he wouldn’t reveal what was exactly said during those private conversations either, also said, “It’s the anxiety of not having a contract and feeling like this might be the end. He doesn’t agree with that.”
“I’ve been a good soldier here, I’ve done everything and anything that they’ve asked,” Vesey said during his final remarks. “This is where I’ve always wanted to be – but I don’t know if this is the best place for me now.”
A day later, Friday, and following the Rangers’ final practice before boarding a bird to Boston and Laviolette commented on what Vesey had said.
“Jimmy’s an important piece to this team. [NOTE: Lavy said the same exact same thing about Zac Jones earlier in the week.] He’s proven that. Right now we’ve gone with a lineup and like all the players that aren’t in there, we just ask them to keep working hard,” said Bozo The Bench Boss. “We’re more than confident in our team and their [the press box players] abilities to come in and make a difference.”
When it comes to this story – then I do have empathy for Vesey’s plight – and where heck – I agreed with every word that he said too.
While I’m not exactly a fan of these guys running to the media whenever personally politicking their own particular cases (although it is good for blogs, podcasts and social media postings); but that’s the environment Chris Drury created when he released “THE MEMO” – and where in turn – you can’t blame the players for giving the general manager a dose of his own medicine.
If there’s one thing that I would have liked, then it would’ve been to hear Vesey’s voice – and see his facial reactions/body language too.
That said, and just from the black-and-white of it – the quotes – and you can see that the astute Harvard graduate is no dummy – as he sees the writing on the wall.
This is a young man’s league and Vesey doesn’t want to be phased out of it.
And similar to my previous talking points about Matt Rempe this season – then what does it say when Vesey was an integral part of this team last season when they won the Presidents’ Trophy – but can’t crack into the line-up for a team way out and looking in?
And of course – what message does it send when every bottom-sixer is apt to feel Lavy’s wrath – yet the guys who are killing this team the most – MIKA ZIBANEJAD – is never held responsible for his daily misgivings?
Heck, and rather than a timeout, and Mika just keeps on getting more playing time instead!
For a player like Vesey, barely making above the league’s veteran’s minimum, then he may also have to worry about the NHL becoming top-heavy too, as following all escrow being paid due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Gary Bettman & Co. announced that the salary cap would be going up during the next three-years – and with a HUGE jump, as in nearly $20M, scheduled for the 2027-28 season:
New:
NHL/NHLPA have released cap estimates for next three seasons:
2025-26: $95.5M
2026-27: $104 M
2027-28: $113.5M— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 31, 2025
We can talk more about the salary-cap at another time, as after all – this blog is long enough, the big jump doesn’t take place until 2027-28 and there are more pertinent matters to discuss today; but for now, and as a result – and CZAR IGOR’s new deal is easier to swallow than as it was prior to this news hitting the streets.
Furthermore, and while many residents of Rangerstown, USA are currently fantasy booking Connor McDavid to New York, then it should also be said and reminded that EVERY team – and not just the Rangers – will benefit from this boost.
Even small market teams, that historically don’t spend to the cap ceiling, will also have more to work with in their coffers, as other avenue streams, such as “streaming” itself, will boost profits.
And with a near $20M ascension within three-years – and teams, including the Rangers too, will be able to buy-out bad contracts, which of course, brings us to our next story – our usual whippin’ boy – MENTAL MIKA.
The Rangers held their annual Casino Night, now presented by Caesars Sportsbook, on January 30th.
I didn’t really promote this event that much on this site, outside of mentioning that ticket sales were slow.
Between skyrocketing costs in order to attend, the team playing like garbage this season, traveling to NYC having no appeal at all for the fans in the boroughs and the fact that autographs aren’t allowed – then for the first time since its inception – and the Rangers didn’t pack the house.
I don’t think that anyone should have been surprised about this at all either.
After all, this season’s annual Garden of Dreams fundraiser also generated the least amount of donations since its inception too.
While the economy is part of it, it’s just my belief that the team not playing well has led to a general lack of disinterest everywhere else.
Since not many attended Casino Night, then I’m not 100% sure how often Mika hit the pass line – and that’s assuming that his dice even hit the table to begin with!
In other Miserable Mika news, then on Thursday, 1/31, the resident airhead of the New York Post, Mollie “Kamala Cackle” Walker, used her sleuth reporting when unearthing this “exclusive” story:
I’ve been saying that Zibanejad has been a shell of himself for some time now – and all the way back to the 2022 Eastern Conference Final. (Blogs don’t lie!)
You may also be aware that I’ve been calling out Zibanejad for his poor play during the last two regular seasons too!
But thankfully, Mollie Walker, who subscribes to the adage of “better late than never,” has now realized that Mika Zibanejad isn’t the same player that he once was – and where his decline, with the benefit of hindsight, started once the pandemic hit.
It only took her two-years to figure this out – and where you also have to wonder what the hell they are teaching in collegiate journalism classes these days too!
In a response to my remarks, Mollie said, “Screw you Sean! I got a big story that no one has! We have landed on the Moon!”
Here was Laviolette’s line-up for the fifty-first game of this 2024-25 season:
FIRST LINE: Panarin/Miller/Zibanejad
SECOND LINE: Smith/Trocheck/Lafreniere
THIRD LINE: Kreider/Brodzinski/Cuylle
FOURTH LINE: Edstrom/Carrick/Rempe
FIRST PAIR: Lindgren/Fox
SECOND PAIR: Miller/Borgen
THIRD PAIR: Vaakanainen/Schneider
STARTING GOALIE: CZAR IGOR
BACK UP GOALIE: Jonathan Quick
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: Zac Jones, Arthur Kaliyev and Jimmy Vesey
BOX SCORE time.
The following graphics and information come from ESPN.com:
SCORING:
PENALTIES:
TEAM STATS:
GOALIES:
|
NYR
|
|
SA
|
GA
|
SV
|
SV%
|
ESSV
|
PPSV
|
SHSV
|
SOSA
|
SOS
|
TOI
|
PIM
|
| 24 | 5 | 19 | .792 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 59:52 | 0 |
|
BOS
|
|
SA
|
GA
|
SV
|
SV%
|
ESSV
|
PPSV
|
SHSV
|
SOSA
|
SOS
|
TOI
|
PIM
|
| 25 | 3 | 22 | .880 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60:00 | 0 |
Despite the Rangers being the talk of the hockey world – and ESPN opted to give us the full and thrilling conclusion of Florida’s 5-1 win over Chicago on Saturday afternoon.
So much for trying to get the best television ratings as possible.
This decision also delayed puck drop in Boston by twenty-minutes.
Rather than taking advantage of a gift served to them on a silver platter – and instead – ESPN only gave us a one-minute pregame “show” and that was that.
All that was mentioned was that J.T. Miller was back – and where I also thought it was telling that nobody was talking about Filip Chytil being sent to Vancouver either. (And that’s a good thing for Drury – as nobody is ruing over the Concussed Czech.)
And while such information was posted on social media thirty-minutes before puck drop – it wasn’t brought up that Missing Mika, and for the first time in his Rangers’ career, was slotted as the team’s first-line right-winger.
In other words, the clown head coach used Miller to prop up a guy who should be lifting others.
In addition, this also meant that Miller wouldn’t be playing with his long-time pal either, Vincent Trocheck.
Make it make sense.
GAME REVIEW time, and where I’ll just stick to the highlights – and the low-lights too.
However, if you want the complete play-by-play, then check out my Tweeter/X feed over at https://x.com/NYCTheMiC
FIRST PERIOD
I do want to note, and before this game began, that I tweeted out the following:
I can’t wait for the reaction should #NYR get blown out again lol
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) February 1, 2025
This is my way of telling you that I wasn’t surprised about what transpired over the next sixty-minutes.
However, and to be honest, the Blueshirts did open up this match with two back-to-back explosive shifts – but of course – no goals either.
I also want to mention that the crowd in Boston was electric from the first puck drop to the final goal – and where this was extremely noticeable to me after experiencing the daily funerals at Morgue $quare Garden all season.
Following CZAR IGOR getting out of the first two-minutes without giving up a goal, and where the Rangers didn’t allow any shots on goal either, then Chris Kreider, who had another game to forget, put the Blueshirts in a perilous defensive situation – and as he did when he fell down on the ice during a Bruins’ attack.
After surviving the Blueshirts’ initial attack, the Bruins flipped the tables and took over the puck. However, Miller, the forward, was able to stunt them a bit when Swayman stopped him from point-blank range.
As we hit the seven-minute mark, the Rangers were actually out-shooting the B’s, 5-1 – but of course, such a stat didn’t mean anything either.
A few-seconds later and the Bruins got their second shot on goal – and a good save for CZAR IGOR too – as he stopped Oliver “OH JOE, FORMER ISLANDER JOE” Wahlstrom.
After that and this is when U.V. cross-checked Justin Brazeau.
As ESPN roving reporter Emily Kaplan told us that J.T. Miller wouldn’t play on special teams in this tilt (and where of course – he then went on to score a power-play goal), we were also told that the Bruins had the third-worst power-play in the league, while the Rangers’ had the fourth-best penalty kill.
The Rangers were well on their way into successfully killing this U.V. penalty, but with 14-seconds remaining on it – Lindgren almost killed Poitras:
As noted during the intro – then Lindgren could have very easily been given a five-minute major for this – or even tossed – and I would’ve accepted either.
Heck, I’d even argue that Boston got screwed here too.
As the U.V. penalty expired, then just one-second later (which means that the Bruins’ still had a 5 x 3 attack as U.V. was being released from the box) and McAvoy scored his PPG:
Right after that – and this is when the J.T. Miller ANYTIME GOAL SCORER prop bet hit:
2-1, bad guys – and where we remained as the horn went off.
Here’s what I said at the time:
2-1, bad guys, after 20. 1P Thoughts:
— Credit to the Boston crowd, they’ve been loud all game – not used to that after watching #NYR these last few home games.
— JT Miller already making an impact. Mika, lmao.
— Slewban is already rippin’ the Rangers’ D.
— Ferraro was…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) February 1, 2025
SECOND PERIOD
During the intermission and Miller did an interview with Kaplan.
“I’m excited. I wanted to be here. Feels good to have the sweater on. Glad I got one [his goal]. I’m so numb,” said Miller. “No disrespect to the Canucks, but I’m just happy to be here and for this opportunity that opened up. I learned everything in my career during my first six years [in New York]. Just excited to be back.”
You could feel the genuine enthusiasm in Miller’s voice and tone – but of course – for how long that lasts is anyone’s guess – as this team will break down anyone.
While Miller could have most certainly filled a hole for this squad during their last two playoff runs; I don’t think that we’ll see what he can do now for the Rangers in the postseason until 2026.
Just 37-seconds in, and following another Mika turnover – and the Bruins had a 4 x 2 odd-man rush. (Yes, I know that 4 and 2 are even numbers – but go with it!)
Thankfully, and “The Rat,” Brad Marchand, missed a wide-open net.
But these first few minutes were all Bruins – and where I even remarked on Twitter/X at the time that it was only inevitable before Boston increased their lead.
And that’s what happened.
Here’s Coyle’s tip/deflection for the 3-1, bad guys, score:
Lavy took a timeout after this goal – and where it seemed like he was hoping for the league to review this score for a high-stick. However, it was clear as day that Coyle’s stick was never above the crossbar.
As Lafreniere continues his struggle ever since becoming a FAT CAT, as he blew a glorious scoring chance at the 4:30 mark, then I was wondering again – what did it say about this team, and especially after getting shutout last time around, that only Miller had a goal on the Rangers’ ledger?
As we got to the eight-minute mark, Edstrom, who took a hit by the boards bench-side, but nothing vicious or ferocious either, left the game.
He never returned – which may be good news for Jimmy Vesey on Sunday.
(There’s no update on Edstrom’s status and we won’t get one until Sunday either.)
As noted earlier, the Rangers only put two SOG in this period – so there wasn’t much to talk about from their end – and that’s where the puck was too – in their own end.
With Edstrom out, Lavy was forced to double-shift players – and where you know it – Mika remained with the top guys while Miller got a powder.
This coach is infuriating.
Down to 3:15 remaining and Borgen tripped Geekie.
This then led to Pavel Zacha, Pavel Zacha, dormez vous, dormez vous, scoring a power-play goal:
4-1, bad guys.
Game over.
And yep – the league’s third-worst power-play now had two goals against the Rangers’ PK too.
Up next saw Marchand being unable to control himself.
After U.V. got away with hooking Marchand as he went to the net (I guess the refs knew this game was over and didn’t want to waste any more time by calling a penalty), then in a response, and with 1:20 to go, Marchand checked and interfered with U.V.
The Rangers didn’t score during the final 1:20.
4-1, bad guys, after forty-minutes.
Here’s what I said at the time:
4-1, bad guys, after 40. 2P Thoughts:
— Same Old Rangers – but now with two Millers!
— So if JT wasn’t here, then #NYR would be getting shut out again.
— Only 2 SOG in those 20 minutes. Not good.
— Defense, outside of Schneider, has been terrible.
— The core is gone,…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) February 1, 2025
THIRD PERIOD
Prior to the final twenty-minutes of this mess, the Rangers made Edstrom’s status official:
UPDATE: Adam Edstrom (lower body) will not return tonight.
— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) February 1, 2025
Right after that – and Miller scored a power-play goal – and where his stat line of 2 goals, six SOG, feels like Mika’s quota from the past four-weeks:
JT Miller gets his 2nd of the game. Rangers still down 4-2 #NYR pic.twitter.com/YMIFu53cy7
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) February 1, 2025
4-2, bad guys.
But it only took 46-seconds for the Bruins to return themselves to a three-goal lead:
A 🚀 from David Pastrnak.pic.twitter.com/Hj8hBJCmNX
— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) February 1, 2025
5-2, bad guys – and where CZAR IGOR probably should’ve stopped this one – and even if this was one hell of a blast from Pasta.
At the 4:17 mark, the Bruins had seven men on the ice – which Sieve Vagistat calls a personal “seventh heaven.”
Mika just sucked on this power-play and couldn’t bury any one of Miller’s perfect passes.
After that, and Kreider, and similar to last game, couldn’t bury an easy rebound either.
Once returned to the bench and with the power-play now over – and ESPN caught Kreider breaking sticks.
At least he cares, but this is a results business – and where he’s now without a PPG during his last eleven games played too.
To fast-forward through this dreck, then at the 10:47 mark, this is when Jonny Broadway deflected a point shot from Lindgren behind Swayman:
Brodzinski gets the Rangers closer. #NYR pic.twitter.com/VDRoq4fHlW
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) February 1, 2025
5-3, bad guys.
Two minutes later and the Rangers almost made this a game – but Fox, against an empty net, hit the post square-on.
Again – and Fox and Lindgren were just brutal in this one.
Then, and with 3:30 to go, CZAR IGOR was pulled, Trocheck lost an o-zone draw and Pastrnak picked up his hat trick eight-seconds later.
6-3, bad guys.
6-3, bad guys, your final.
This was horrendous.
The Rangers didn’t upload any post-game interviews following the beatdown in B’town.
How on brand.
We’ll take a look at the updated standings following tomorrow night’s scheduled loss against the Knights.
However, these past few days weren’t very good for the Rangers – but when you lose three straight – it’s not like they are helping their own situation either.
Fun fact?
The Islanders, now 4-0 in the Tony DeAngelo Era, also won on Saturday following what else – a TDA overtime game-winning goal.
As reader Jared B. would say, “THE PAIN!”
Up Next For the Rangers: More excuses on Sunday – and with more Mika too!
Up Next For Me: Trying to find a way to get excited about this team again.
Up Next For You: Your favorite segment which brings us to…
PLUGS TIME! (Buy a book and support my Rangers’ induced therapy bills. After all, I don’t run ads on this site!)
My fourth title and tenth book is now available!
“The Top 100 Villains of New York Rangers History,” is now available for sale!
For complete information, please visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/rangerkillers/
My second plug of tonight’s blog – the mandatory plug for my book, “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden.”
As mentioned previously, the book is now available in hardcover, in paperback and in Kindle formats. To purchase a copy of the book, visit this link:
https://www.amazon.com/Rangers-Rafters-Madison-Square-Garden-ebook/dp/B09CM5N2WD
For those still looking for signed paperback versions of the book, I have re-ordered more copies. I now have a few signed copies for sale at $25 a pop (includes shipping price) through me directly. Here is all the information on that:
Order “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden” Book Today
My four-volume set of books, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is a game-by-game recount of the Rangers 2021-22 campaign.
My second title as an author, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is now available in eBook, paperback and hardcover formats.
To obtain signed copies, visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/onegamebook/
To purchase all four volumes on Amazon, visit: Amazon.com – “One Game at a Time.”
The greatest volume-set of books on Rangers’ history today!
“Tricks of the Trade – A Century-Long Journey Through Every Trade Made In New York Rangers’ History,” a four-volume set of books that meticulously covers every trade made in franchise history, is now on sale.
All four volumes of the title can be purchased on Amazon.com and are presented in three different formats – eBook, paperback and hardcover.
To purchase Volume I: Conn Smythe (1926) – Craig Patrick (1986), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume II: Phil Esposito (1986) – Neil Smith (2000), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume III: Glen Sather (2000-2015), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume IV: Jeff Gorton (2015) – Chris Drury (2022), visit Amazon.com
To purchase signed copies of all four volumes, visit https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/
If you haven’t already, subscribe to this blog for the next update:
Don’t forget to order my four-volume set of books, “Tricks of the Trade!”
If you don’t order through me, all four volumes are now available on Amazon.com
For more details, check out: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/
Thanks for reading.
LET’S GO RANGERS!
Sean McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com
@NYCTHEMIC on the Tweeter machine
