Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. All of that eternal losing in exchange for a lousy fifth-overall pick!
And oh yeah, these two thoughts too:
ON BRAND BLUESHIRTS!
SAME OLD RANGERS!
And another thought too?
Drury deserved this – but we, the fans, did not!
As you’d imagine, then I’m not so thrilled with how the events of the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery played out on May 5th.
In fact, I am just as thrilled as my itchy-trigger stomach is after eating a Cinco De Mayo inspired burrito off of my local roach coach!
(As a fan of the Rangers – then as you’d expect – I’m a glutton for punishment!)
And as I presently write these words, now into the wee hours of Wednesday morning, May 6th?
Then both Mexican food and the New York Rangers have given me diarrhea – and where not even the biggest glass of Pepto Bismol can cure me!
I have a lot to say, about a million thoughts, about the league’s annual draft lottery.
I’ll try to edit myself a bit and weed out the silly stuff in return (easy for me to say!); but if there’s one thought that was racing throughout my mind all-day Tuesday, then it was the fact that the Rangers didn’t share any photos of Team President/General Manager/Jackass Chris Drury with Steve McDonald’s NYPD badge.
Granted, while some may believe that only an individual can create their own luck, or in no luck at all; but even with those contrarian opinions now stated – then Drury didn’t even try at all.
I mean, who goes to a craps table without blowing the dice – or to a slot machine without rubbing the screen for such perceived good luck?
Furthermore?
Then as the name in the title itself states – the league held a draft LOTTERY on Cinco De Mayo – and where if you don’t know this by now, then let me spell it out for you:
IN ORDER TO WIN A LOTTERY, THEN YOU NEED A WHOLE LOT OF LUCK.
Heck, you need some luck just to hit a $2.00 QuickDraw at a local New York watering hole!
While maybe Drury carried his lucky rabbit pizza slice in his jacket – or perhaps one of his four-leaf clover garlic knots; but in any event, then what we do know for a fact is that he didn’t know what his predecessor – his mentor – and a man that Drury eventually stabbed in the back too, Jeff Gorton, did in both 2019 and 2020.
You remember, right?
The days when Gorton flashed that McDonald badge around like it was his life’s mission.
And while I do freely admit to you that such a thing is trivial in the grand scheme of things – but is it really?
Similar to the Rangers’ 2025-26 centennial season – and there was no hype or hopeful messages whatsoever when going into the draft lottery from the Blueshirts at all.
Heck, there wasn’t even a ZOOM call to be had either!
When that (rigged) lottery ball popped up on Tuesday night, thus revealing that the league’s other biggest market, Toronto, had won the rights to the McKenna Sweepstakes?
Then after two long years of losing – and it felt like getting a prostate exam from Doctor Sausage Fingers – then only to be kicked in the genitals on your way out – and after paying an expensive medical bill to boot!
Two years of no playoffs.
Four coaches in five years’ time.
Multiple controversies between players and the general manager/team president.
But the same old BURRO running the show.
Disgraceful – and where we are nowhere close to detailing Tuesday night’s events either – including the “R-word” (“rigged” and not “retarded” – and which many claim Drury to be) – and more on all of this on the other side of our first plug of the evening.
In case you missed it, then here’s where I last left off – my 2025-26 New York Rangers wrap-up:
The 2025-26 New York Rangers Final Report Card; Grades & In-Detail Profiles on Every Player, Blueshirts’ Break-Up Day Not That Encouraging; The ZOOM ZOOM Pizza Man Chris Drury Ducks-And-Dodges Everyone Again, Complete 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview & Predictions, Looking Ahead; Mark Down Cinco De Mayo On Your Calendar & Much More
As you all know by now, then the Rangers, third-worst in the league this season, entered the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery with a 11.5% chance at the first-overall pick.
They were also guaranteed a first-round pick no worse than fifth-overall.
Since it’s the Blueshirts – then as is often the case – the worst-case scenario played out – they will draft fifth in late June.
While obviously, either the Islanders or Devils leap-frogging the Blueshirts would’ve been worse; but with that said – then no one takes any joy in the Leafs winning a lottery that will only add to the rigged conspiracy rumors:
With just an 8.5% chance of winning the lottery coming in, the Toronto Maple Leafs will be selecting first in the 2026 NHL Draft 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Cs22fADYCB
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 5, 2026
Here’s the new hire in Toronto, Mats Sundin, reaction:
“I’m extremely happy for the Toronto Maple Leafs fanbase.” 👏
Maple Leafs Senior Executive Advisor of Hockey Ops Mats Sundin reacts to the team winning the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery. pic.twitter.com/VHAZhFK3vx
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 5, 2026
As is often the case whenever a big market team leap-frogs a bunch of smaller market teams at the draft lottery – then the word “RIGGED” is tossed about all over the place.
And those poor fans of the Vancouver Canucks too – who just can’t get any good news at all these days.
Even worse for those sore souls?
The fact that it was the Leafs that bested them out for the rights to McKenna.
It’s not my intention to go all Q-Anon on you here – but in the case for at least American viewers – then ESPN’s broadcast of the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery will only allow the word “RIGGED” to grow bigger in stature.
(I say “American viewers” here – because unlike on Canada’s SportsNet cable station – then I heard that SN never took one commercial break throughout the event.)
For starters, then the league’s draft lottery system is so confusing that even most NASA astronauts are scratching their helmets over it.
What once was a simple ping-pong ball, with a team logo affixed to it, has now been replaced with a four-digit secret code – like something out of “The Matrix.”
What will only incite the conspiracy theories even more about this lottery being rigged is the fact that neither ESPN or SportsNet ever told you what each team’s four-digit IDs were.
It was only during the fourth-and-final ball where such a four-digit figure was revealed.
In other words, then I wonder how many Powerball or other state lottery gamblers just fast-forward to the final number when Yolanda Vega (that’s a deep dive) reads them out.
Perhaps it was fitting that this lottery was held on Cinco De Mayo – as there are not many other countries in the land that is ripe with crime and corruption as Mexico is today.
Furthermore?
Then doesn’t shaky Gary Bettman, the league’s commissioner, act like a cartel boss?
After all, it’s his way or the highway – and if you don’t believe me – then just ask anyone that’s in favor of a traditional 1-8 playoff format.
From day one – then I knew that this draft lottery would be rigged.
Heck, I even reiterated such thoughts prior to the drawing commencing:
One hour to go for the rest of the Rangers’ life. I’m pessimistic, so I’ll say Florida and Toronto jumps them. #nyr
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) May 5, 2026
As Meat Loaf once sang, “two out of three ain’t bad.”
Not only did Toronto leap-frog the Rangers – but the Blueshirts were eventually leap-frogged twice (hence falling to fifth-overall) – but it was San Jose, and not Florida, that pulled off the double-jump.
At this time, then I just want to give you a chronological recap of what transpired on ESPN’s airwaves during the lottery – stuff that only adds to the rigged rumors:
— John Buccigross, along with Gary Bettman and his shakiness that resembles Parkinson’s Disease, were in-studio.
— Bettman told us that the league employs some guy to be their official “Balls Technician” (I’m not making this up) – which is also the same title that Sieve Vagistat has with M$GN (I am making this up – as I think his official title is “asshole”)!
— After only four balls were loaded (HEY NOW!), then ESPN cut out for a lengthy commercial break. Going away from the lottery for advertisements was the first, if not the biggest, argument for this draft being rigged.
— Once returned to the studio, Bettman then asked the league’s Balls Technician (I wonder what that pays – and does it include medical?) to, and I quote, “release his balls.”
— It was at this time that I wished that Beavis and Butthead were commentating – and just like they did during an era where music videos were a thing.
— Once the balls were dropped (KINKY), then ESPN showed us all of the different GMs that were watching on video – and where of course – there was Drury, perhaps ZOOM’s biggest stockholder, on the call.
— Once three balls were dropped (that’s a good late 1800s carnival act), then it was at this time, and the only time, where ESPN revealed to us what each team’s four-digit codes were.
— George Costanza (BOSCO!) would’ve been proud.
— The Leafs, who just ignorantly hired new GM John Chayka the day before, while also returning Toronto legend, Mats Sundin (Senior Executive Advisor of Hockey Operations) back into the fold (and it was also telling that it was Sundin – and not Chayka – that handled the interview post-Lottery), were revealed as having the rights to the first-overall pick.
— I don’t want to turn this into a Toronto-specific blog, as the hockey gods sure know that it’s “All Leafs, All The Time” everywhere else; but yeah – then just days after Auston Matthews put it out there that he wasn’t so sure about his future north of the border, and especially with another young and failed analytical jackass GM at the helm (previously Kyle Dubas) – and blammo – the Leafs land McKenna.
— In essence, then the league’s biggest market, Toronto, where selling out arenas and making money/profits is no issue at all – robbed Vancouver – a small market that could sure use the help – from the most ultimate and cheapest improvement around – McKenna and his three-year entry-level contract.
— For a short period of time, and akin to the ALLEGED rumors of Brady Tkachuk wanting out of Ottawa (and where of course – the Rangers are the most notable team linked to him) – and the same was the case for Captain America too, the gold medal champion himself, AM34.
— Is there a shot in hell that Matthews leaves Toronto now?
— Magic Eight Ball Says: “F**k Outta Here!”
— To just compound to the Blueshirts’ misery, then it was revealed that San Jose (check the pre-Draft odds graphic posted above), had jumped them too.
— As a result of San Jose not only jumping New York – but Vancouver too – then that meant that both the Canucks and Blackhawks, respectively, fell to third- and fourth-overall. It also meant that the Rangers finished with no luck at all – as all they left the lottery with was with their guaranteed fifth-overall selection – and with a draft class that’s been widely predicted as Top-Four heavy.
Again – I don’t want to get into all of the Toronto conspiracy stuff due to the Leafs winning the lotto.
After all, then you can find that everywhere else in Hockey Land!
For the Rangers, then dropping to fifth-overall was a fitting conclusion to what was easily a Top-Ten worst season in franchise history – if not Top-Five worst overall.
What’s done is done – and we can’t change it.
Moving forward, then Bozo Burro Drury has a few decisions to make.
For starters, then does he even use this pick – or should the GM, who should be on the hottest of all hot seats right now, trade it for WIN-NOW help for the desperate jackass who has done nothing but belt out the word “RETOOL” on every cowardly ZOOM ZOOM call that he makes?
Since I’m to assume that Matthews will not leave Toronto; then perhaps Drury could package this pick for the apple of many eyes in Rangerstown, USA these days – yep, you know it (and you’re probably sick of this “will they or won’t they?” situation too) – Brady Tkachuk.
(It should be noted that Tkachuk, following the Canes sweeping the Senators out of the first-round, said that he wanted to stay in Ottawa – but of course – than what else was he supposed to say? “SMELL YA LATER BITCHES?!?!?!?”)
While on the topic of trades, then Drury could also trade this pick, albeit in a package, for whatever the Rangers’ other first-round pick will be (projected anywhere from 23rd- to 27th-overall, playoff results pending), in an attempt to move up in the draft.
The most likely trade in this scenario would be with one of his usual trading partners, his good friend and former teammate too, out in San Jose, Mike Grier.
Grier, who did say following the news of landing the second-overall pick that he’s leaning towards the best player available (and where should he abide by that, then all of what I’m saying here will be rendered moot), has a Sharks’ squad that’s stock-piled with forwards, while weak with defensemen.
With McKenna now in Toronto, then the second-best forward available (according to the people in the know – I myself don’t watch sweaty teenagers on the regular) is Ivar Stenberg.
After McKenna and Stenberg, then both the people who are paid to watch kids play hockey and people who just watch acne-ridden faces for pleasure alike, feel like it will be nothing but defensemen drafted afterwards.
Long-story short?
Does Grier go with the best player available – or does he fill a positional/roster need?
And as a savvy GM, then wouldn’t it behoove him to talk to Dumbass Drury and then try to swindle him out of another first-round pick?
For Drury, then he gets hopefully a second-overall pick that’s not a bust – and as Kaapo Kakko is/was.
For Grier, he then can select one of the top projected defenseman available, while also bolstering his ranks with whatever the Rangers’ late first-round pick will be.
Just something to consider.
It should also be mentioned that perhaps Drury is considering Caleb Maholtra – and especially if the goal is to move on from fellow center Vincent Trocheck.
With not much help around in the free agent market, then Drury has to find a diamond in the rough at the draft.
And of course, and as I hope too, then perhaps the second-worst GM in franchise history (John Ferguson as the first), Drury himself, will admit that he’s a dumbass – and that he should have never put Trocheck through the whole ordeal that he put #16 through during the ’26 trade deadline.
Of course, and Drury could also keep this fifth-round pick – while also using or trading his latter first-round pick too.
As you all long know by now – then history – and not the future – is my forte.
My ten books published will attest to this!
Why history over the future?
Easy!
History is nothing but facts, while predicting the future is nearly impossible!
(And if I could predict the future? Then I would’ve won the real lottery by now – and several times over!)
As you can also probably guess – then at this time of year – I prefer writing about the Rangers’ chances in the playoffs – and not their odds during draft lotteries and NHL Entry Drafts.
Four Stanley Cups in 100-years time should also incline you to feel the same way!
One last time:
I’m not a prospects guy at all.
I just don’t have the time to watch all of it – but maybe one day in twenty-or-so years – when I’m retired from the real j-o-b!
That said?
Then, and during the past month or so, I’ve read, viewed and listened to every blog, Tweeter/X account and podcast in Hockey Canada – as let’s face it – their peers in the USA don’t compare.
After all, then who is the USA equivalent to Elliotte Friedman?
The answer?
NOBODY.
Unlike the Birdbrain Blueshirts’ beat, a collection of no-nothing click-bait jackals who continue to pretend that they have watched the 2026 NHL Draft class all-year (heck, they barely watch the Rangers due to all of their paternity leaves and shopping trips) – then I have no mock draft for you.
I’d be lying to you had I made one.
And let’s face it:
The hockey ignorant reporters on the Rangers’ beat aren’t alone here – as you have many Blueshirt fans, posing as “DRAFT EXPERTS” – doing the same – and all after looking at made-up ANALYTICS – all while never watching one game featuring these future NHL prospects.
Conversely, then what do I have for you?
An assortment of reports from north of the border – and after reading 99.9% of them all – then here’s how the “real experts” see the Top-8 of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft:
- Gavin McKenna (LW, Penn State).
- Ivar Stenberg (LW, Frolunda, Henrik Lundqvist’s SHL team).
- Carson Carels (LD, Prince George, WHL).
- Chase Reid (RD, Sault Ste. Marie, OHL).
- Caleb Maholtra (C, Brantford, OHL).
- Keaton Verhoeff (RD, North Dakota).
- Viggo Bjorck (RW, Djurgadens IF, SHL).
- Alberts Smits (LD, Liiga/Finnish League & Red Bull Munchen/German League).
My real-time is very limited – so I’m just going to say it:
There’s no way in hell that I’m going to go back and watch every game that these eight players have played in this season – much less other hopeful future NHL players ranked behind them!
But should Drury use his fifth-overall pick instead of trading it?
Then I will go back and not only watch highlights – but a few games of whoever that player may be too.
I really don’t know what Drury will do – but if the price is right – then I see a trade either way – and whether it be for RETOOL or MOVING ON UP purposes.
What I do know?
That Jed Ortmeyer won’t be part of it.
Former Ranger Jed Ortmeyer, whose playing days with the Blueshirts preceded Chris Drury’s, was fired by the ZOOM ZOOM GM on May 2nd.
Previous to this past Saturday, then Ortmeyer had served the club as their Director of Player Development for the past nine seasons.
Replacing Ortmeyer in the position is another former Ranger, Tanner Glass, who for the past nine-years, served under Ortmeyer as the assistant director of player development.
For some, then this is big news.
Me?
Who gives a shit?
At the end of the day, then players have to want it.
And whether it’s a Wayne Gretzky, an all-time great gifted with skills from birth who can’t teach his gifts to others – or a fourth-line plug who worked his ass off in order to make it to the show – then either way – and it’s up to the player to put in the work – and not some ex-player with a made-up title.
If I could ever get the chance, then I’d like to interview anyone that’s ever held Ortmeyer’s position (if not Jed himself) – and in turn – find out what this individual actually does on yearly basis.
Does a Director of Player Development get on the ice with a prospect – or does he warn the hopeful player of the dangers of the road – and whether that be drinking-and-driving and/or venereal diseases with puck bunnies?
Does a Director of Player Development help hold a prospect’s hair back as he throws up in a porcelain pot – or does he help him with housing?
Bottom line?
You can’t teach skill.
You can’t teach heart.
And really, then at the end of the day, isn’t it up to the head coach to harness the most out of a talent?
If there is anything major to come from this story, then it was the fact that Ortmeyer wasn’t the only victim, of a long list of them, for Drury’s perennial failures.
A day after the Ortmeyer firing and more pink slips were handed out by the inept and unlikable GM/TP/Burro.
In news that didn’t appear on either the New York Rangers or Hartford Wolf Pack official team websites (and where no such information has yet to be shared either); then on Sunday, May 3rd, and the Rangers’ public relations Twitter/X account made the following announcement:
Grant Potulny, Jamie Tardif, and Paul Mara have been relieved of their coaching duties with the @HWPHockey.
— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) May 3, 2026
As a result – and the Hartford Wolf Pack are presently without any coaches under their employ.
It should be noted that the now former assistant head coach in Connecticut, Paul Mara, was a former teammate of Drury’s.
In turn and the Charles Manson franchise president will now have to replace his entire coaching staff for his AHL farm team.
In another note, and it’s not like Drury gave Hartford any help this season either – an end result between no promising prospects, aging veterans, bad draft picks (Hello Brennan Othmann) and call-ups (Hello Gabe Perreault)!
We didn’t know it at the time – but we never had it as good as we did with former Pack bench boss, Ken Gernander!
I’ll admit that I didn’t watch much of the Wolf Pack this year (I usually try to watch at least ten games of theirs – and where this year – I watched only two, while also following their highlights/lowlights on social media); but even so – then it’s not like this coaching staff had much to work with at all.
But just like Ortmeyer – and three more victims fell on Drury’s sword.
When will James Dolan wake up?
FIRE DRURY!
Speaking of Dolan?
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again:
Should the New York Knicks go all the way this year (many NBA heads feel like they have their best chance in years – perhaps since 1972 too), thus giving Dolan the championship that’s eluded him throughout sixty-years of sports’ ownership – and you can forget about Dolan ever caring about his shitty hockey team ever again.
As long as the Rangers are profitable – and as they always will be – then that’s all that Dolan cares about.
Should the Knicks prevail and win the NBA championship in June – then the Rangers will become an even bigger afterthought to Big Shot Jimmy Dolan.
And that’s why I’m rooting for the Knicks to lose – as an angry and pissed-off Dolan is what’s best for the Blueshirts.
Furthermore?
Then I’m not a basketball fan anymore anyway (the 1980s and the 1990s were the best eras in NBA history – it’s been nothing but wolf shit ever since – and that’s my story and I’m sticking to it) – so another Knicks’ failure won’t cost me any harm!
Just to mention it before getting into the current state of the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, then after Colorado’s 4-0 sweep of Los Angeles and we now know the final particulars of the NDA Panarin trade from the blue-and-white to the silver-and-black.
In exchange for the greatest free agent signing in Blueshirts’ history and all Drury got in return was a prospect named Liam Greentree and a third-round pick.
Had the Kings pulled off the impossible, a win over a Colorado team that may be more impressive than their 2022 Cup winning incarnation, then the Rangers would’ve received a second-round pick in return.
However you may feel about Panarin’s off-ice activities – and all Drury got for him was a middling prospect and a third-round pick.
Just for a comparison, and the Oilers, on 12/12/25, got a busted-out Tristan Jarry from the Penguins for another failed goaltender, Stuart Skinner, a promising defenseman (Brett Kulak) and a second-round pick.
The greatest free agent in Rangers’ franchise history?
Liam Greentree and a third-rounder.
WE WANT THE CUP!
Let’s briefly talk about the Stanley Cup Playoffs before going home tonight.
Just for reference, then you can find my 2026 Stanley Cup Playoff Preview & Prediction piece here: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/frc26/
While the Kings did play three close games before being blown out in Game 4 in their series with Colorado – but even so – then I never felt like the Avalanche, now 2-0 against their second-round opponents, the Wild, were ever in danger.
Similar to Carolina, who not only swept the Senators out of the first-round, but never trailed once during the series either – and the top two teams of the league did what they were supposed to do – win – and win in four games – which only betters themselves against the competition who endured long series’ of matches.
And just like the Avalanche – and the Canes are also up 2-0 in their second-round series – but against much inferior competition, the upstart Flyers.
The Flyers, who raced out to a 3-0 lead before bouncing out the Penguins in six-games during the first-round, are over-achievers in my eyes.
Even if they should be swept by Rod The Bod’s Raleigh team – then they have nothing to be ashamed about.
They are moving forward – and are also way ahead of expectations.
Ditto new stud in the Cheese Steak Capital – Porter Martone.
The same can be said about the Buffalo Sabres, who knocked off the Bruins in six-games during the first-round.
That also goes for the Montreal Canadiens, who won a thrilling, yet not much explosive (nine SOG!) Game 7, against the Tampa Bay Lightning (2-1 final).
For the Bolts, perhaps the team that suffered the most ramifications in the salary cap era (they would’ve been a dynasty team – four cups in a row – without it), then what’s next?
They’re getting older.
Similar to Tampa, then the other Floridian team, the Panthers, marred with injuries this year, will now have to worry about the likes of the Sabres and Canadiens.
Both Buffalo and Montreal have a lot to be happy about – and it’s hard to find a winner in their second-round series, which begins on Wednesday night.
The two sides of the border both feature a lot of young players – while also having savvy veterans to shoulder the load too.
Maybe it’s because I’m rooting for every Canadian team to be eliminated, thus extending Canada’s Cup-less drought to 33-years – but regardless of my own bias – and I do like the Sabres to prevail in what I expect to be a seven-game series.
Speaking of the other Canadian teams, then the Senators were just out-matched, and as I predicted would be the case, in their four-game set against the much more experienced Hurricanes.
I was rooting for a Canes’ sweep the whole way – and only because I was hoping such an event would spark Brady Tkachuk’s exit from Canada’s capital – and then entry to the Big Apple.
I was one of the few, of over millions of hockey fans, that predicted that the Ducks would knock out the Oilers.
While it didn’t exactly go this way; but I thought that Anaheim’s goaltending and physicality would be the biggest differences between the tandem of Pacific Division squads.
In reality, then the Oilers, and similar to the Panthers, were just too beat up after many long and recent postseasons.
That said?
Then it’s the same old story in Edmonton – two generational players – but no goaltending.
Hey Connor McDavid- who could force a trade if he wanted to – there’s a great goalie in New York – and his name is CZAR IGOR.
While the former Arizona Coyotes, now Utah Mammoth, put up a fight against the much more battle-tested Vegas Golden Knights; then there was never one second in their six-game series where I thought that the Mormons would prevail over the residents of Sin City.
And leave it to Brett Howden to score three major goals in the series – and where wouldn’t you know it – then as of RIGHT NOW – and he’s got a good of a shot as anyone of winning the Conn Smythe Trophy this year.
I can’t say that I ever expected the former Ranger to pan out – but not only is he now a Stanley Cup champion (2023) – but he’s a true playoff player too – which is much more than I can say about one of his former teammates, a fellow center too, Mopey Mika Zibanejad.
While the Wild are presently down 2-0 against the powerhouse Avalanche, then their six-game triumph over perennial Cup hopeful, the Dallas Stars, was nothing less but impressive.
And how about the Big D, who fired Peter DeBoer last season, only to then get bounced out in the first-round after multiple and consecutive Western Conference Final appearances.
Those damn Islanders – who now have DeBoer under their employ – but where I also envision a same fate as it was in JFK’s least favorite city – NO STANLEY CUP PARADES!
When I last left you, then here were my second-round and beyond predictions:
SECOND ROUND
Lightning over Sabres in six games.
Hurricanes over Flyers in six games.
Avalanche over Stars in seven games.
Golden Knights over Ducks in six games.
CONFERENCE FINAL ROUND
Lightning over Hurricanes in six games.
Avalanche over Golden Knights in seven games.
STANLEY CUP FINAL
Lightning over Avalanche in seven games – and where Nikita Kucherov adds the Conn Smythe Trophy to his Hart Trophy too!
At this time, my updated second-round and beyond predictions:
SECOND ROUND
Sabres over Canadiens in seven games.
Hurricanes over Flyers in six games (I’ll stay consistent)!
Avalanche over Wild in four games (Colorado, until proven otherwise, can’t be beat).
Golden Knights over Ducks in six games (but I am rooting for Anaheim).
CONFERENCE ROUND
Hurricanes over Sabres in seven games (but I am pulling for Buffalo/the annual Carolina choke).
Avalanche over Golden Knights in six games (this Denver team may be more formidable than their 2022 team – and who would ever think that Scott Wedgewood v. Carter Hart would decide who goes to the Final?)
STANLEY CUP FINAL
Avalanche over Canes in six games. (Until Colorado shows a flaw, then I can’t bet against them. Sometimes, and more often than not – and the chalk pick does actually go all the way!)
You may not expect this from me – but I do have a real life!
That said?
And I do plan on releasing a new book prior to the commencement of the 2026-27 season.
(I need beer money!)
As noted before, then I have plenty of projects in the hopper – my Tex Rickard screenplay, the Phil Watson biography, a 1940 Rangers Stanley Cup retrospective and about a million other things – but, and mainly due to the timing – and I’m thinking about another history book (SHOCKER) – a multi-volume tome covering every Blueshirts’ draft in franchise history.
I have less than five months to accomplish this goal – and damn it – a real-life to run – and a full-time job to appear at too!
(That pesky 60-hour-a-week job of mine – I’ll tell ya!)
Hockey gods willing, and like my other projects, I already have 100 rough-draft pages in the can – and that’s what I’ll finish – a book covering every draft in Rangers history – and a perfect companion piece to “Tricks of the Trade.”
As far as this site goes?
Another vacation – and perhaps until the NHL Entry Draft – that is – unless the Rangers make a trade or two before it.
And while I’m a chief barker on the “FIRE DRURY!” train – then it isn’t happening – and as noted before – then should the Knicks go all the way – then it’s never going to happen.
My pessimistic and down-and-out attitudes aside?
While temporarily on Blueshirt alumni bandwagons for the next few weeks; then I remain forever loyal.
LET’S GO RANGERS!
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
