Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. The Rangers beat the third-worst team in the league! Throw a parade!
(But just not a parade full of nude transgender PRIDE NIGHT freaks! Oh yeah, I’m going there tonight – and as you’ll soon see below!)
If you recall, then during the end of my NYR/TOR GAME REVIEW blog (https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/22825/ ), I said that tonight’s tilt against the Predators was a lose-lose situation for the Rangers – which was meant to imply that nothing would really be learnt about this team come the final horn.
After all, Nashville is the third-worst team in the league, injured up-and-down their line-up (which also includes a physical ailment to their best player, Roman Josi), were entering this game on the second half of a back-to-back, and in addition, were also going to start a back-up goalie that was previously a third-stringer in Colorado (Justun Annunen).
While the Rangers did make a big trade themselves on Saturday (again – more about Lindgren and Vesey below); the Predators also made a trade of the “sell” variety of their own over the weekend too, as the team shipped out Gustav Nyquist to Minnesota.
Granted, it would’ve been so on brand for the Blueshirts to blow a game to another league bottom-feeder, as seemingly, that’s become their bread-and-butter this season, hence their “outside-looking-in” playoff status; but on paper (and we know how that goes) – and the Rangers should have made short work of their opponents during this first game of March – and where through two periods – that scenario looked like that it was going to become the case.
The Predators, for the first forty-minutes of this match, looked like an AHL team – rather than as an NHL varsity team as they are presently presumed to be.
While it’s not my intention, nor my desire either, to examine why Barry Trotz’s organization has epically failed in Smashville after a sizzling summer of off-season activity (don’t forget – many pundits predicted them to win the Cup this year too); but either way – they are extremely pitiful this season – and where outside of Jonathan Marchessault – then you had to check the non-penalty section of the box score to see if future Hall of Famer, Steven Stamkos, was even in the line-up tonight.
The Blueshirts, who just pummeled the Predators in the SOG statistic after twenty-minutes of play (15-6), also saw Artemi Panarin snap his seven-game goal drought – and as he did at the 8:32 mark following a wicked slap shot from the left circle.
While we didn’t know it then – this score wound up becoming the game-winning goal for Panarin and the Rangers – and the first GWG for “The Breadman” in seemingly in ages.
The Predators, who to their credit, went a perfect 2-2 on their penalty kill during the first frame, saw the Rangers’ power-play make it “third time’s a charm” when opening the second stanza.
Nashville, who took three consecutive penalties following faceoff losses, saw Marchessault trip Mika Zibanejad at only the 26-second mark.
J.T. Miller, after a perfect pass from Panarin, scored just 36-seconds later, in order to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead.
Just 2:23 later, at the 3:25 mark to be specific, and we had a PURE MILLER TIME GOAL, as J. Miller, as Panarin had previously done for him, assisted on the next Rangers’ score – a 3-0 K’Andre goal – the end result of a breakneck rush to the net followed by a Picasso of a backhanded glossy finish.
But that’s where the scoring ended for the Blueshirts – sans a late Brett Berard goal scored with just 3:03 remaining in regulation.
The Rangers, now up on the scoreboard 3-0, kind of let off the gas somewhat (but I wouldn’t go as far as to question their effort either), as Nashville tilted the ice a bit at around the half-way mark of the game.
Such an example proving this was the fact was that Quick only had ten saves to his name with only 6:16 left in the second period.
He’d finish with a total of fifteen saves through two periods played – and where the Rangers had previously challenged his peer, Justun Annunen, fifteen times themselves – and in just the first period!
To open the third period, the Rangers, still up by three where it mattered most, led the SOG statistic by a dominating 28-15 margin.
Come the end of the game and Quick had totaled 35 saves – while the Rangers finished with 34 SOG after a six-SOG third-period.
It can’t be overstated and stressed enough, that despite the field-goal margin on the scoreboard when entering the final frame, that it was the future Hall of Fame goaltender, the greatest American-born backstop in the sport, that prevented this game from becoming another “worst loss of the season” candidate.
Of Quick’s final twenty-saves of the game – then half of them were of the ten-bell variety, while five robbery saves, including a scorpion stop, stood out among all.
Quick was a one-man show in net.
Had the Rangers treated close-out time as they had treated the Predators during the first two-periods – then no one would be talking about Quick right now.
But make no bones about it – the Rangers don’t emerge victorious on Sunday night without Quick’s heroics in the barrel.
While I still maintain that Quick’s previous 4-0 win from this season, his road-win in Detroit, was his best of the season; then this was easily his second-best showing of the season – although his work during the final twenty-minutes of this game may have been his best period played yet – and where yes – you can teach an old dog some new tricks too!
But as I attempt to close this intro, I go back to what I was first pondering about following Friday night’s loss to Toronto:
What was really learnt after this win?
That Quick is still living in his Fountain of Youth?
We already knew that.
I guess if anything was truly learnt, then it was the fact that the Rangers, and in a rare instance this season, CAN beat a brutally bad team.
Throw a parade.
Another question to answer before getting into everything else?
This one:
How will the Rangers fare for the remainder of this month?
For those who don’t know, then this game against Nashville marks the last time that the Rangers will see a non-playoff contender for some time.
Up next for the Blueshirts?
The following squads:
The Islanders (yes they suck, but when healthy, they usually play the Rangers tough), Capitals, Senators, Blue Jackets (twice), Jets, Wild, Oilers, Flames, Maple Leafs, Canucks and Kings.
The next time when the Rangers will see another bottom-of-the-barrel team will be at the end of the month, when they travel to California for a pair of matches against Anaheim (3/28 – “The Trouba Revenge Game”) and San Jose (3/29).
Depending on how they match-up against real competition, then the Blueshirts may be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs by the time that they set foot in the west coast – and especially with general manager Chris Drury making “sell” trades today.
But if you remain eternally optimistic about this Blueshirts’ bunch, then you can always hold your hat on the “Any Given Sunday” mantra.
Another thing in favor of cock-eyed playoff-bound believers?
Then the ferocious J.T. Miller may single-handedly drag this team into the postseason – and where I’m at this point already – it may be time to make him the captain of this club – and not his BFF, the player that I once championed for as Jacob Trouba’s successor, Vincent Trocheck.
It all begins this Monday night against the Islanders – but until then – we have A LOT to get into – so let’s roll!
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, sixty down, twenty-two 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 remain extremely doubtful.
In case you missed it, then here’s where I last left off – the Blueshirts falling one goal shy to the Leafs:
NYR/TOR 2/28 Review: “Find A New Way To Lose” Rangers Strike Again; Continue “Win One, Lose One” Stretch, Casper The Friendly Russian Extends Ghost Act; Only Two-Points Scored in His Past Six Games, Questionable Coaching Decisions; Red-Hot Fourth Line Buried For Ice-Cold Top-Sixers, Consistently Inconsistent, Anthem “Controversy,” M$GN & More
In regards to the question of buy or sell, then however you felt about the Rangers coming out of the Four Nations break – then once four games removed from one of the best international tournaments of all-time – and the Blueshirts did nothing positive when trying to plead their case to their GM for extra help.
This 2024-25 club, one that needed to rip off a major winning streak, continued their .500 ways – and where they didn’t look so hot in any of their quartet of matches played.
After being pummeled by Buffalo 8-2, the Rangers, and like a thief in a night, stole a win in Pittsburgh – and where it should also be mentioned that these are two of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference today – including the Sabres’ dead-last status.
Lavy’s Lot was then able to dismantle an Islander team that was missing six of their starters – but where Long Island Lou’s club looked better everywhere else on the ice – that is – except for on the scoreboard.
That win over the Belmont Bozos was then followed by a one-goal loss to the Maple Leafs this past Friday night, the final date of February, and for the complete 411, then check out: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/22825/
Rangers’ general manager, Chris Drury, who has made a bevy of mistakes ever since orchestrating the ousters of his two predecessors, Jeff Gorton and John Davidson – and where no error was larger than the one that he made at last year’s deadline when he didn’t go all-in for his Presidents’ Trophy winning team – seems hellbent on rectifying his own errors – while also learning from previous years of franchise history.
On Saturday March 1st, and with 22-games left to be played in what’s turning out to be one of the most disappointing seasons for a franchise that’s had a slew of them; Drury answered the buy or sell question by trading the pending unrestricted free agent, Ryan Lindgren, to the GM’s former club, the Colorado Avalanche.
Joining Lindgren in the trade was Jimmy Vesey, another fellow UFA, but where unlike the defenseman – the forward was eagerly anticipating a trade out of town – and as fully talked about on this site in the past (https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/2125/ ).
Drury, no stranger to Denver, having previously won a Cup there (2001), and where in addition, in one of his first trades as the general manager of the Rangers, he traded Alexandar Georgiev to his former club, acquired Calvin de Haan, Juuso Parssinen and a pair of draft picks in return for Lindgren and Vesey.
However, the trade was a little bit more intricate than that, so at this time, here are the full particulars:
Colorado receives Lindgren, Vesey and the rights to prospect Hank Kempf. In order to make the deal work, New York will also retain 50% of the remainder of Lindgren’s $4.5M salary.
New York receives Parssinen, Calvin de Haan, a second-round pick (whatever is higher – the Rangers previously acquired pick or Carolina’s pick, which Colorado received in the Mikko Rantanen trade) and a fourth-round pick (whatever is higher between Colorado’s pick and a pick previously acquired by Vancouver).
And to spell it out for you – while the Rangers do have an ample amount of salary cap space – contenders don’t retain cap space whenever making trades at this time of the year either.
Before sharing all of my opinions on this trade; then at this time, let’s see what the two teams officially had to say about this deal themselves.
Up first, here’s what the Rangers said, courtesy of https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-acquire-calvin-de-haan-juuso-parssinen-and-two-draft-picks:
Here’s what the Avalanche had to say, courtesy of https://www.nhl.com/avalanche/news/avalanche-acquire-lindgren-vesey-and-kempf-from-rangers :
“Fun Fact” about this trade?
Then former Rangers’ defenseman, Brady Skjei, who the Blueshirts saw again on Sunday night, had played with every player involved in this trade.
Skjei played with both Lindgren and Vesey in New York, while previously playing with Parssinen earlier this year in Nashville, while also skating alongside de Haan during #76’s days in Carolina.
But yeah – whoop-de-doo!
When examining the players and who won this trade, then the latter question can’t be answered yet.
After all, we don’t know what the draft picks will turn out to be.
But in the interim, then Colorado easily won this trade – because duh – they received the better players from the team that was selling them.
When it comes to the newest members of the Rangers’ alumni, then it’s quicker to talk about Vesey.
The Harvard graduate, and now former two-time Ranger, wanted a trade out of town, as he felt that he had become the President of Lavy’s doghouse – and where his play/work ethic was never the reason why either.
As talked about just a month ago, Vesey, a pending UFA himself, feared that this could be his last season in the NHL, as he wasn’t getting a chance to prove that he belonged.
A fresh start in Cup contending Colorado will give him a chance to plead his case for a new NHL contract this summer.
As far as Vesey’s second stint in New York went, then I thought that he did a hell of a job.
As noted about 2098678986678 times on this site; while Vesey wasn’t exactly Bobby Carpenter 2.0, his career had taken that path, as a player once projected to be an offensive whiz-kid never panned out that way. However, Vesey realized this, adapted, and in turn, became a reliable fourth-line role-player and penalty killer.
Vesey, who will turn 32-years-old this May, was an integral grit player for both Gerard Gallant and Peter Laviolette.
During the final season of “The Turk,” the 2022-23 campaign, Vesey skated in 81 games.
In Laviolette’s first foray as head coach of the Rangers, the 2023-24 season, Vesey played in 80 games.
Vesey only played in 33 games this year, hence the reason why he became so expendable – and where at this point – the Rangers do have younger & more promising options than the man who led the 16-team craze over him during the Summer of ’16.
That said, and had the Blueshirts been in the same position this year as they were in last year – then I think that he would have been safe – as you do need a various amount of reliable bottom-sixers for the postseason.
I can’t praise Vesey enough – as I thought he did a tremendous job in the role given.
I also know that he accumulated a large legion of fans, akin to how Susan Sarandon once lauded him back in the Summer of 2016 – and where many Blueshirt backers are now sad to see him go.
While at the end of the day, moving on from Vesey won’t mean anything in the grand scheme of things – but at the same time – he will be missed by many.
I can’t say that I have ever had any sort of a personal interaction with him, but according to many readers, including one of my good pals, Anthony V. – and Vesey, through meet-and-greets and walk-and-talks in the NYC streets, was always personable and kind to Ranger fans.
For the players, the Rangers will miss him in their locker room too – as he was always one of those types that promoted positive energy.
Good luck to Jimmy Vesey moving forward – and where like Ryan Lindgren – I hope that he wins his first Stanley Cup in Colorado this year too.
Since I haven’t said it yet – then yes – and as written in this space before – and the Rangers moving on from both Vesey and Lindgren was expected.
Ditto Reilly Smith – but more about him once we get there.
While Lindgren, nor Vesey either, wasn’t exactly a John Tavares situation that the Islanders once had; but such an example of that is commonplace in today’s NHL – because if a player won’t re-sign with you and/or you have no interest in re-signing that player either – then you have to trade him for something in return – and rather than to walk away from the situation with nothing.
As said, losing Vesey won’t truly impact the Rangers’ win/loss record – as after all – they already have a logjam of role-players and bottom-six forwards in their stockpile.
Heck, even the latest “shiny new toy,” Arthur Kaliyev, now finds himself where Vesey had spent the bulk of the season – in the Rangers’ press box.
However, losing Lindgren will hurt the Blueshirts – and I don’t care about all of the “he’s washed up” fake news narratives either.
To that I say, “he doesn’t miss many games and always plays through pain.”
And that’s not even scratching the surface when speaking about double-nickel.
As noted for the past several weeks on this site (and everywhere else in Rangerstown, USA too), then we knew that the day would come this season where Lindgren was no longer a Blueshirt.
And you can blame the salary-cap for that.
You also can blame the failure known as your alleged #1 center, the $8.5M man, Mika Zibanejad too.
After all, if Missing Mika had even played up to 25% of the money that he’s being paid this season, then the Rangers would have had a playoff spot long sewn up by now, where in turn, Drury wouldn’t be selling.
But since Mika is holding the Rangers hostage by hiding behind his no-movement-clause, then the players who can be shipped out will be dealt.
Lindgren is Mika’s latest victim.
We all know the words used to describe Lindgren – warrior, sandpaper, iron man, and loyal.
We also know the phrases attached to him, including, but not limited to, “heart-and-soul,” “locker room guy” and one whenever speaking about his desire to play through injuries incurred as a result of his never-ending physical play, “duct tape & bubble gum.”
I’ve heard every single one of the negative Lindgren narratives shared all-season, including one that makes me roll my eyes every time that I hear it – “he’s the worst d-man in the league.”
Always omitted in such bullshit?
The following:
— His partner, Adam Fox, hasn’t been healthy this season, as he’s obviously still suffering from his two knee injuries sustained from last year. In turn, Lindgren has to do more.
— Lindgren averaged twenty-minutes per-game this season, where in turn, and as the top-pair of the Rangers’ defense – is always tasked to stop the league’s best.
— Lindgren’s 17 assists ranks him seventh-overall on the team, and among defenseman, second-best to only Fox. His 19-points also ranks him second-best among all rearguards (Fox again). (Where’s K’Andre Miller, now the top LD in town?)
— As a defensive-defenseman, who also plays on the first penalty kill group, Lindgren has 102 shot blocks – second-best to only Braden Schneider (110 after the win against Nashville).
— And of course, all of the intangibles too – and where his effort and drive can not be forgotten.
Was Lindgren the worst d-man in the NHL this season?
Not even close – and where he wasn’t even close to being the worst defenseman on the Rangers either.
What led to his departure then?
Easy, the two most obvious things that we’ve previously discussed – his contract and his injuries.
Lindgren, who just turned 27-years-old this past February, has been described as a left-handed version of a previous Rangers’ Iron Man and perennial league-leading shot blocker, the former #5 of the team, Dan Girardi.
But unlike Girardi, where his wear-and-tear really took its toll by the time he entered his 30s (as a free agent, he then moved on to Tampa at the age of 33-years-old in 2017) – and you can see that Lindgren is going through it – and where yes – in a young man’s league – he’s aging fast.
Somewhat akin to the CZAR IGOR and Henrik Lundqvist comparisons that I make on this site (as of right now, then it’s my contention that CZAR IGOR has had Lundqvist’s career in half the time – the two ECF berths, the Vezina Trophy, the money – and yes – perhaps the swoon too) – and it does feel like Drury doesn’t want another “Girardi 2.0” on his hands – but where it should be said, that like Lindgren today – and Girardi, while no longer in his prime, was still serviceable.
But yeah, the racked-up injuries, especially when blocking about a 7986786679867987986 billion shots for John Tortorella, did catch up to Girardi.
While you can read my book, “Tricks of the Trade” (plugged below), for all of it; but needless to say and that February 25th, 2018 trade between the Rangers and the Bruins was the second-best trade that previous GM, Jeff Gorton, ever made.
(The best? His deal when he traded Derrick Brassard to Ottawa in exchange for Mika Zibanejad – and no matter how I feel about #93 today!)
The playoff-bound Bruins got nothing out of the concussion prone Rick Nash, who then retired following Boston’s quick 2018 playoff exit.
The Rangers, in exchange for #61, received Ryan Spooner (who was then flipped for Ryan Strome), Matt Beleskey (to make the cap figures work out), a 2018 first-round pick (K’Andre Miller), a 2019 seventh-round pick (that was later flipped and never went anywhere), and of course, Ryan Lindgren himself.
Without question – and Lindgren emerged as the greatest return from that Rick Nash trade package – and where now – Miller has the chance to become as such.
I don’t have the time to give you all of Lindgren’s accomplishments with the Rangers – as that would fill an entire a book; but for a player that Brad Marchand once described as “who? I don’t even know him” – and Lindgren immediately made his presence felt against the team that drafted him – and as we all know – was a signature piece of the rebuild – and one that eventually produced two Eastern Conference Final appearances.
When the Lindgren trade rumors really started heating up a few weeks back, then I said that Lindgren, and like many other former members of the alumni, will go on to win a Stanley Cup with a true contender – and where true contenders, unlike the Rangers, always have their highest-paid forwards show up in the playoffs.
I feel even stronger about that today – and I also feel that Lindgren, and even if he’s a third LD, will benefit when playing with Nate MacKinnon – and of course, with the best d-men in the league too – Cale Makar.
And if anyone is going to be able to tell us the difference between Fox and Makar – then Lindgren’s opinion will weigh heaviest.
Furthermore?
I wonder how Fox, now losing his partner ever since his NHL debut, which was over six-years ago, combined with the fact that you know, #23 and #55 are best friends too, will affect both his performance and morale.
But don’t worry – Drury will allow Zibanejad to continue his bromance with Chris Kreider.
On Sunday, and now in Denver, both Lindgren and Vesey talked about the trade – and their first practice too – as members of the Avalanche.
Here is what Vesey said about his new home:
🗣️Jimmy Vesey
“A really fast, skilled team… I’m here to help the team win” pic.twitter.com/xp6tE8eW3h
— Guerilla Sports (@guerillasports_) March 2, 2025
Here’s what Lindgren said about his new life change:
🗣️Ryan Lindgren
Hear form the newest Avs defenseman after his first practice in Colorado. pic.twitter.com/4eatSjjJcT
— Guerilla Sports (@guerillasports_) March 2, 2025
It should be noted that not many expect Lindgren or Vesey to stay with Colorado past this 2025 playoff run.
But who knows?
All it takes is one playoff moment to change the trajectory of a player’s career.
I also find it somewhat comical, if not depressing, that many Ranger fans are saying that this WASN’T a sell move by Drury.
What, do you think that the two bums he got back in return makes the Rangers better today?
Furthermore, do you think this deal makes Colorado worse?
Let’s now talk about what the Rangers received in our next segment.
As talked about last time (Friday night), then I wondered why Chris Kreider wasn’t placed on the injured reserve list – and where I even said that Drury could have made this transaction retroactive.
On Sunday, game day, and the Rangers did as such – as CK20 was placed on IR retroactive to last weekend.
In turn, Kreider can return whenever he wants, as he’s now missed a full week’s worth of games – the IR requirement.
During the Rangers’ pregame/morning skate from Sunday, then both Parssinen and de Haan were there – and where both men then went on to play in tonight’s 4-0 win against Nashville.
Here’s my deal:
I don’t take Parssinen or de Haan seriously – and where I don’t expect either one of them in the Rangers’ line-up come the 2025-26 campaign either.
In other words, I’m not invested in either of them.
(Three “eithers” in two paragraphs – what piss-poor grammar!)
However, the Rangers’ reporters are already in love with Parssinen (they adore soft Euros), while Sam Rosen, and as to be expected, already has a ten-foot raging boner for the former Islander.
While the low IQ levels of most members that compromise the birdbrain Blueshirts’ beat never surprises me anymore; but regardless, and I’m cracking up over these derelicts and airheads singing the good praises of the Feckless Finn 2.0, Juuse Parssinen.
Ryan Lindgren is one of those guys that will win a Cup with a contender. #nyr
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) March 1, 2025
Parssinen, who has busted out of two different towns already, has also been traded twice this season too.
What a ringing endorsement – and even if the birdbrain beat is suggesting that Drury is hellbent on giving him an eight-year max deal.
In reality, Parssinen is “Kakko Lite.”
And I had more of my fill of the original version.
Calvin de Haan, who unlike Lindgren, may truly be “the worst defenseman in the league,” turns 34-years-old in May – and where the former 12th-overall pick of the 2009 draft is now a utility rearguard today.
The Rangers already had their own version of de Haan before acquiring him – Chad Ruhwedel.
After five-seasons at the Nassau Coliseum, the Rangers mark de Haan’s sixth NHL franchise, as he has also previously played for Carolina, Chicago, Tampa Bay and Colorado.
To show you how much he’s fallen off – the Rangers mark his fifth franchise during the past three-years.
So yeah – excuse me if I’m not hyped up about him (as a player – as I’m sure he’s a keen guy in real-life).
When it comes to the two picks that the Rangers received from Saturday’s trade – then really – who cares?
Yeah, yeah, yeah – I know all about the almighty “DRAFT CAPITAL.”
But according to those in the know (I’m not a prospects guy – history is my thing – and as you should all know based by the books that I’ve written) – and this year’s draft class, the 2025 incarnation, is considered as the weakest in some time.
According to the draft experts, the people that actually watch pimply-faced teenagers play hockey on an everyday basis – then there isn’t much to get excited about with this future NHL crop.
But to give you the other side – and there’s always a diamond in the rough somewhere.
But c’mon – do you really expect the Rangers to find such a rare jewel?
Throughout the moronic Lindgren-hatin’ sect of Rangerstown, USA, then all I heard from them was how great it was that #55 fetched a second-round pick in return.
But what good is that pick during a weak draft class year – and where furthermore – if Colorado does go far in the playoffs, then all this pick would be is an “early third-rounder.”
And while the Rangers continue to pretend that they can get into the playoffs – then isn’t trading away Lindgren a dumb decision?
Heck, he could’ve been the Blueshirts’ own “rental.”
Oh – and because it must be said:
Then of course it was Elliotte Friedman, out in Canada, that out-scooped the entire Blueshirts’ bird-brain beat again – as he was the one who broke the news of this trade.
I guess that the Rangers’ transcribers, who if you can believe it, are actually paid real money to cover this team, were too busy taking pictures of what they ate – while also pretending to be offended about Alex Ovechkin and anthems.
However don’t worry – as Larry Brooks, but only once he’s done sobbing about Ovechkin today, will give us an update on Mike Sullivan being hired as the next coach of the Rangers – and of course – all the news that you need to know in regards to that Lafreniere for either Brady Tkachuk or Trevor Zegras trade.
Speaking of Brooks, then I had to laugh when his hole, his co-worker, Mollie Walker, asked Missing Mika about the trade.
Mika said what you’d expect him to say – he’ll miss Lindgren, Lindgren gave it his all, he gave 100%, he’s a great guy, and blah-blah-blah.
Not asked to Zero Z.?
Does he feel that his poor play, and general lack of interest, is responsible?
But as we all know – there isn’t one spine among the gaggle of beat reporters.
As far as what the two new Rangers said following the team’s AM skate, then both were happy to be here – and where there’s no point in recapping anything else about them – as they won’t be here for long.
In other news, and in news that came out following the practice, was the fact that Reilly Smith was being scratched tonight for “roster management purposes” – which means that he’s getting dealt soon too.
Smith, like Lindgren and Vesey, is also a pending UFA.
Where he goes is anyone’s guess – but I could see a Vegas return – or perhaps a deal to Dallas where he could be reunited with his brother, former Ranger, Brendan Smith.
But what I do know is that Drury will do what he always does – trade a player to a Western Conference team!
As far as anything else, and if you can believe it, then I am trying to decrease my word-count, despite being at word 11,000 right now; then following Saturday’s trade, the Rangers announced the following:
UPDATE: Brett Berard has been recalled from the Hartford Wolf Pack.
— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) March 1, 2025
As you know by now, and as a result of his goal scored too – and Brett Berard played on Sunday.
I’ve said this a bunch of times ever since the Rangers favored L.A.’s Reclamation Project over their own prospect:
WHY WAS BERARD BENCHED FOR KALIYEV?
Berard, and like Rempe has done ever since his return, made Bozo The Bench Boss look like the biggest of clowns on Sunday.
Here was Laviolette’s line-up for the sixtieth game of this 2024-25 season:
FIRST LINE: Panarin/Trocheck/Lafreniere
SECOND LINE: Cuylle/Miller/Mika
THIRD LINE: Othmann/Parssinen/Brodzinski
FOURTH LINE: Berard/Carrick/Rempe
FIRST PAIR: Miller/Borgen
SECOND PAIR: Schneider/Vaakanainen
THIRD PAIR: de Haan/Jones
STARTING GOALIE: Jonathan Quick
BACK UP GOALIE: CZAR IGOR
LTIR: Adam Edstrom
IR: Adam Fox and Chris Kreider
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: Matt Robertson and Arthur Kaliyev
SCRATCHED FOR TRADE PURPOSES: Reilly Smith
BOX SCORE time.
The following graphics and information come from ESPN.com:
SCORING:
PENALTIES:
TEAM STATS:
GOALIES:
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SA
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GA
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SV
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SV%
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ESSV
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PPSV
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SHSV
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SOSA
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SOS
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TOI
|
PIM
|
| 34 | 0 | 34 | 1.000 | 30 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 60:00 | 0 |
|
NSH
|
|
SA
|
GA
|
SV
|
SV%
|
ESSV
|
PPSV
|
SHSV
|
SOSA
|
SOS
|
TOI
|
PIM
|
| 34 | 4 | 30 | .882 | 25 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 60:00 | 0 |
I’m not going to give you all of my “PRIDE NIGHT” stuff again – as after all – I’ve done it about a 79856786686796 times – and you can just google “BlueCollarBlueshirts Pride Night” for all of it.
Heck, I’ve even given you every side of this story in the past, while also running fan testimonials from gays, lesbians and transgender Ranger fans about this night, as I felt that it was important to have these voices heard too.
That said, I will say, and in the effort of both being upfront and clear with you, that I DO NOT CARE what anyone does with their own personal lives – as long as it’s legal.
But I just don’t like this night being pushed on the kids – and especially as an uncle of young nieces.
One more disclaimer?
I also don’t like how gays and lesbians (which I believe people are born as) are lumped in with the transgenders, pedophiles, freaks and the other members of the community formerly once known as LGB, which then only grew to include about 967677986 other letters and numbers.
I also have no tolerance for these never-ending LGBTLMNOPI=3.14XYZE=MCSQUARED parades that feature these disgusting pieces of filth parading around naked in front of children.
And I don’t apologize for saying this either – as I don’t get what publicly displaying yourself in your birthday suit has anything to do with your personal life – or what you (legally) do in it either.
I also feel that these sickening parades does harm the gays and lesbians that just want to live their lives in peace – as it just makes a negative spectacle out of them.
(A prominent homosexual activist group, Gays Against Groomers, preaches against such parades of depravity – and kudos to them. Heck, M$GN and the Rangers should have donated to them tonight – and rather than to one single gay man – and as they did on 3/2.)
I also didn’t like how Sam Rosen, Joe Micheletti and the rest of the M$GN staff, all talked about PRIDE NIGHT as if we are all to accept it – while questioning none of it.
After all, would Rosen take his grand kids to a nude parade full of mental defects?
Instead, we got commentary such as this – and where if you can’t tell – then yes – I’m exaggerating for effect:
“OH JOE, PRIDE NIGHT JOE! OUR GREAT FRIENDS FROM THE GAY COMMUNITY JOE!”
“Sam, anal relations, whether with a man or a woman, is fabulous! Absolutely fabulous! Just ask Sieve Vagistat Sam!”
“OH JOE, DESPITE MY UNDYING LOVE FOR SEX CHANGE OPERATIONS AND NUDE PARADES IN FRONT OF KIDS, THEN I AM TELLING MY GRAND KIDS TO FORGET ABOUT THIS GAME – AND JUST LIKE I DID WITH BOTH JIM RAMSAY AND AL TRAUTWIG!”
Yeah – I’m going to lose a few readers with these comments – but why can’t I share my opinion too?
I’ll bring up some of the PRIDE NIGHT stuff during tonight’s GAME REVIEW – but I do want to say that I don’t care about rainbow colored tape and all that jazz.
Do what you want.
I just don’t like how we’re being force-fed this topic – and where I don’t think any sexual stuff should be displayed in front of kids – you know – people who attend and watch these games too.
That said, I did it find it funny, if not ironic, that fans in-attendance received fanny packs from M$G and the Rangers tonight in order to support the “cause.”
After all, fanny packs, or at least they used to be, are also referred to as “f@g b@gs.”
I also shook my head when I saw HIV medication being advertised throughout tonight’s television broadcast too.
What, is this the 1980s?
The one thing that I took most offense and umbrage to was the fact that M$GN and the Rangers held both a rainbow flag and a transgender flag at an equal height next to the American flag during tonight’s singing of the National Anthem.
(Where were the anthem/flag boos for that?)
Call me a boomer if you must – BUT THE AMERICAN FLAG MUST ALWAYS STAND TALL AMONGST ALL.
Having the transgender flag waved side-by-side next to the American flag was more offensive than Zibanejad’s play ever since Laviolette arrived.
And one last thing – NO – I didn’t watch the M$GN pregame show – as Sieve Vagistat was left to his own devices and I already had enough Pride stuff for one night.
GAME REVIEW TIME – and what a “transition!”
And since I’ve gone extremely long tonight, then I’ll keep it to the pertinent stuff, and where you can find the complete play-by-play of the game here: https://x.com/NYCTheMiC
FIRST PERIOD
Following a horrid and inexcusable National Anthem presentation; then Trocheck won the first draw of the game. However, Nashville would then go on to crush the Blueshirts at the circles – and to a tune of 39-17.
But not like this mattered by the end of the game.
Just 19-seconds in and Nashville took their first of five bad penalties – and where as noted – the first three immediately took place following a Rangers’ faceoff win – so yes – faceoffs still do matter!
But, and as I continue to speak out from both sides of my mouth here (“OH JOE, A BI-MOUTH FOR PRIDE NIGHT JOE!”) – and the Rangers only finished one of five in the man-up department.
(I should also mention that Mika drew three penalties himself – and also picked up two assists as well. But can he do this against good teams? Magic Eight Ball says “NO!”)
Once Cole Smith went to the box for hooking Schneider, then Jones, now as the PP1 QB as I clamored for last blog, set-up Panarin for a shot that was stopped. Trocheck was later denied, and come the end of it, the Rangers’ PP was now 0-1.
As Rosen was promoting the virtue of transgender surgeries to the young children that were watching (“OH JOE, THEY TURN INNIES INTO OUTTIES JOE!”); then Brodzinski was denied by Annunen too – and where no less than three-minutes in – and the Nashville goalie had seen six shots on goal.
Come the 4:07 mark – Matt Rempe waking up what was then a lifeless Morgue $quare Garden:
Rempe hits Blankenburg…. Rempe vs Englund #NYR pic.twitter.com/UkX1hZ2gUZ
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) March 3, 2025
As you’d expect, then there were many limp-wristed fans of European hockey crying about Rempe’s latest (clean) hit.
But as the video shows you – Rempe had legally hit Blankenburg – but the refs thought otherwise.
This then led to a Rempe vs. Andreas “Don’t Call Me Robert” Englund fight – and where like a Freddy Krueger movie – both men came up as bloody as a Tim Waltz tampon.
In a fight that was pretty much a draw, but a win for the home crowd and the Rangers too – and Rempe’s face looked like a dog that had devoured a raw (and living) pig.
Conversely, Englund had a major gash across the bridge of his nose too.
Outside of the time missed because of the multiple penalties received – and neither player missed a shift.
HOCKEY PLAYERS!
As the refs doled out the penalties (check the PENALTIES segment above), then Rosen, who was on one tonight, remarked, “OH JOE, PARSSINEN HASN’T PLAYED YET JOE.”
This was then immediately followed by, “PARDON ME JOE, PARSINNEN PLAYED FOR 25-SECONDS EARLIER JOE!”
But in Sam’s defense, and Parssinen, in his 14:03 of ice time, was never noticeable tonight.
Of course, you had to expect such an event, as it’s tough to come to a new team and then make an impact on your first night (unless you’re J.T. Miller) – but even so – and the other newest Ranger, de Haan, picked up a game-winning assist in this tilt – and as he did at the 8:32 mark following Panarin’s thunder clap:
Panarin opens the scoring. Nice pass by Laffy #NYR pic.twitter.com/w2dqSbMOxx
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) March 3, 2025
1-0, good guys.
WOOOO – Panarin finally ended his seven-game goal drought – and against a former third-string goalie on the third-worst team in the league!
MVP!
And how fitting that a man named Annunen was in net during Pride Night – and especially after his ANUS-nen was shred by four Ranger goals?
(Yeah, I forced that joke!)
Up next featured Rosen reading the Wikipedia entries of every Predator (Nashville’s hockey players – not the people who parade around naked at transgender parades), which was then followed with Sam’s “Ode to de Haan – An Islander-Turned-Ranger Love Story.”
I’m telling you, and maybe it was Pride Night too – but Rosen wanted to lick de Haan’s asshole tonight.
He just wouldn’t stop talking about him – but to be fair – then the soon-to-be retiree does this with every former Islander.
The Preds, who were downed by the Islanders 7-4 last night (the less said about Ilya Sorokin’s goal, the better), also finished the first period of that game by being out-shot 19-3.
At the 8:51 mark of this period, which is when Stamkos stupidly tripped Mika after a faceoff loss, and the Rangers were already up in the SOG stat, 10-2.
But amazingly (then again – this isn’t surprising with this season’s Rangers) – and the power-play didn’t register one shot on goal during these two-minutes of man-up time.
Once the Nashville PK successfully concluded – and Rosen was right back to talking about former Islanders – and this time, the Preds’ Kieffer Bellows.
It’s like Rosen has a bell on his schmekel whenever a former Islander is playing against the Rangers.
Down to 5:27 remaining, and Brett “Kaliyev Who” Berard almost scored a sneaky goal – but Anusnen was able to prevent such an event – or at least at this particular moment.
Two-minutes later and Quick made a trio of saves himself – the first stop being his best yet – and an omen of what was to come during the final frame too.
In a response – and Rosen went right back to talking about de Haan – even mentioning that his wife is currently pregnant with the couple’s second child – and where I was half expecting Rosen to say on this here Pride Night – “OH JOE, MEN CAN GET PREGNANT TOO!”
Panarin’s goal was the only difference on the scoreboard after twenty-minutes.
Here’s what I said at the time:
1-0, #NYR after 20. 1P Thoughts:
— Said this on Friday night – this is a lose/lose type of a game for the Rangers – either they do what they are supposed to do – beat one of the worst teams in the league coming off a back-to-back with their best player out (Josi) – or lose to…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) March 3, 2025
SECOND PERIOD
After our usual question of “SECOND PERIOD, WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR HERE JOE?” (“A M$G 150 promoting Kreider and Mika’s new fabulous and gay buddy cop movie Sam!”); then the Rangers wasted no time in blowing this game wide-open.
Just 26-seconds in, and JAM, who must be regretting leaving the real Vegas for NashVegas, tripped Mika.
After that, and now on the power-play, and Panarin found J.T. Miller with a pass that even my fat ass could have scored on:
JT Miller makes it 2-0 #NYR pic.twitter.com/xgO4niALkb
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) March 3, 2025
2-0, good guys!
Right after that, and the other Miller, the defenseman, returned serve:
WOW, that was a beauty, K Miller makes it 3-0 #NYR pic.twitter.com/oIBjLGbGMd
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) March 3, 2025
3-0, good guys – and where you knew it at the time – Nashville was COOKED.
At the 6:37 mark, Nashville, after seeing the Rangers go on three straight power-plays, received one of their own, when Rosen’s love, de Haan, airmailed a puck over the glass.
The Blueshirts then promptly killed this Preds’ power-play – and didn’t allow a SOG during it either.
Down to 10:05 remaining and the Rangers were right back on the power-play, as Justin “OH JOE, FORMER RANGER MORGAN BARRON’S BROTHER” Barron tossed a puck over the glass himself.
But the Rangers wound up with a 1-4 power-play showing following the next two-minutes.
As Rempe and his fourth-line mates were creating chaos and offense as usual; then down to 6:16 remaining and this is when Quick made his tenth save of the game – and where he’d soon be tasked to put this game on his shoulders afterwards.
As Rosen and Micheletti then praised Mika for playing better ever since J.T. Miller gave him a firm boot to the ass; then it wasn’t brought up how the team’s second-highest paid forward, and the club’s second-longest tenured player too, is supposed to do this for others.
What a sweetheart deal this terrible dee-jay has here.
The final minutes of the period saw the third and fourth lines put on the pressure – but Annunen was able to stop all of these tries.
We also saw the Predators step it up a notch too – and as all of the “QUICK-IE!” chants proved.
And Part I: Despite the Predators trying to make a game of it?
And Part II: I still thought that they were the worst team that the Rangers have played this season.
And Part III: How in the hell were the Rangers shutout by this team, 2-0, and as they were when they visited the Music City earlier this season?
We remained at 3-0, Rangers, through forty-minutes of action.
Here’s what I said at the time:
3-0, #NYR, after 40, 2P Thoughts:
— This Nashville team may be the worst the Rangers have played all season – including the 6-0 win over Pittsburgh from Game 1.
— Preds look like an AHL team – and their FAT CATS look like the #NYR Fat Cats whenever in a playoff game.
—…— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) March 3, 2025
THIRD PERIOD
This period began and ended with Quick’s highlight reel saves in net.
But prior to that, and during the second intermission segment – and the Rangers & M$GN donated $10,000 to some guy – and only because he inserts his penis into people of his own gender.
And you thought that DEI was bad!
Those hungry and unprivileged children, and not of their own volition either?
No money for them – that is – not until they are groomed to have sex with their own gender.
What a message sent out by both organizations tonight.
Despite about 99% of the net being vacated at just the 40-second mark – and Quick blanked Blankenburg:
39yr Quick going on 20 years old #NYR pic.twitter.com/HmESOq67Mf
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) March 3, 2025
This was just one of Quick’s five robbery saves – and where you had to wonder if the goalie was wearing a ski mask under his goalie mask too.
Down to 16:19 remaining in a period where the Rangers didn’t really show any intent of playing it safe with a three-goal lead; and Carrick was pushed into Annunen by Barron.
The refs gave Carrick an interference penalty for this – and this was complete bullshit as Carrick did nothing at all here.
And had Quick’s shutout been broken out and/or the Rangers had lost the game because of this call?
Then you’d be foaming at the mouth right now – while also driving the officials to the next transgender naked freak show parade that you could find.
Quick was just an absolute stud on this PK.
Not only did he make three saves in succession – but he also pulled off one of the best saves of the season when he made a PURE SCORPION (GET OVER HERE) save on JAM.
In a response, and with 42-seconds left on the Rangers’ kill, they completed it, as Mika drew JAM for a hooking infraction.
After the foreplay and 1:18’s worth of Blueshirts’ man-advantage – the Rangers power-play was now one of five.
You can only criticize two things about the Rangers tonight:
One, their ineffectiveness on the power-play, and two, the fact that they allowed 20 third period SOG.
Anything else would be nit-picking.
As we got under ten-minutes remaining, then I asked myself, “how many points did Laviolette piss away with his coaching decisions?”
There’s a laundry list of offenses perpetrated by Bozo The Bench Boss this season, where perhaps nothing was bigger than his decision to never hold Mika accountable once; but almost equally as disgusting was his decision to keep both Rempe and Berard in Hartford for extended stays.
These two, and as they’ve been, were completely noticeable, effective and generating offense tonight.
Ditto their center, Sam Carrick, who after looking out of place following a few games on the third line, was right back in his wheelhouse when manning the middle on the fourth trio.
As Rosen was on his hands-and-knees when pleading for Stamkos to end his now 13-game point-drought; there was Quick to make save-after-save – and where for whatever reason – the people who post all the highlight clips didn’t make a compilation of JQ32’s third period.
One more time: QUICK WAS LIGHTS OUT – and why he hasn’t received a new deal yet is beyond me.
Down to 3:03 remaining, what would’ve been a garbage goal for a player like Zibanejad or another FAT CAT was a score of redemption for Berard:
Berard makes it 4-0 #NYR pic.twitter.com/ETmChQFgXL
— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) March 3, 2025
4-0, good guys!
This was also Berard’s fourth goal of the season – and easily – the biggest one of his career yet – as he tries to prove that he deserves to be in Lavy’s Line-Up over the Nashville (Parssinen) and LA (Kaliyev) failures.
And while Othmann wasn’t really that noticeable (I’d be lying if I said that he was), then I rather see two homegrown kids, younger than both Parssinen and Kaliyev too, get every opportunity imaginable to succeed.
Sorry, but not sorry:
These 2024-25 Rangers aren’t winning the Stanley Cup this year.
In turn, then I just want to see what the Blueshirts’ YOUTS can do – and not what exiled failures can’t do.
Quick, and during the final minute of the game with his surname proudly being belted out by 18,006 Garden patrons, came up with three more saves to close out – and shutout – the Preds.
4-0, good guys, your final – but where you must consider the competition too – while also not disparaging an impressive shutout in net.
Up Next For The Rangers: A rematch with the Islanders at M$G in no less than 24-hours.
I’ll have something posted on this site after the game – and where it won’t be as long as this – I promise!
Up Next For Me: Another 65+ hour work-week – so I need to ice my fingers and go to bed!
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
Well, I made the comment last post, trade for a couple of third-liners and a defenceman (bonus points for age). Didn’t think it’d happen this quickly, but Drury is so predictable.
From his perspective, Zika-virus Mika is “picking up” in his play. 6 game point streak, couple of goals, he’s starting to look, on paper, like his old self. Plus with his NMC he’s a monumental pain in the backside to move anyway. He’s not going anywhere for at least another season.
Rempe’s penalty was BS, as far as I could see from each angle provided. His elbow barely touched Blankenburg, most of the hit came from the hip. Blaneknburg should’ve got an embellishment from how much he rolled around on the ice afterwards.
I though Quick didn’t look as sharp in the first 30 mins of play, seemed to be a bit all over the place. Clearly got it together by the end!
All I can think now is how good the bottom 6 will look once Edstrom comes back. Kid could skate and was the best forechecker on the team, no question. Him and Rempe on a line with Carrick? Sign me up!
So Mika leads the entire NHL in points with 15 since February 1st. 😂 If you add Miller’s 12 points that’s 27 points for the pair since the trade. Man, I knew JT was brought in to change the culture here but if he can drag ZiB into the fight the possibilities for the team next year are endless. Don’t get me wrong, Mika’s still soft and I still wish we can unload him and his cap hit but at least he has a pulse now and if anything he’s increasing his trade value. As far as the team goes this is and has been a lost season. Contending for a playoff spot at least gives us meaningful games to watch. I think the team will look drastically different next season. JT will be named captain (it’s his team now) and Lavy will probably be gone. Nothing but respect and admiration for Ryan L but did you really want to give him a multi year deal? We made mistakes like that in the past. 100% agree with the LGB stuff.