Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. RIP to #1 – and for older fans – perhaps number one in your hearts too – Eddie Giacomin.
With not much doing over the summer – and the Rangers decided to make this second week of September a very newsworthy one.
Not only did they play a pair of rookie games against the Flyers over this past weekend, but the franchise also announced a new captain, a new Hockey Operations staff, an uninspired centennial plan – and oh yeah – they are set to open up camp this Thursday (9/18) too.
But of course, and the passing of Eddie Giacomin should be the top talk in Rangerstown, USA these days – but sadly – and that’s not the case.
It also amazes me how many big-name deaths that have hit us one-after-another, including Robert Redford, Charlie Kirk, Hulk Hogan, Bob Goodenow, Val Kilmer, Gene Hackman, Ozzy Osbourne, Loni Anderson, Terence Stamp, Jerry Adler, Michael Madsen, Anne Burrell, Brian Wilson, Valerie Mahaffey, Rick Derringer, George Wendt, Pope Francis, George Foreman, and countless others – and all in 2025.
But for Blueshirt fans – and the death of the man who doesn’t need a surname – EDDIE – hits us the biggest.
We’ll get into everything else that’s currently going on surrounding the franchise today, but for me, and the top story is Giacomin’s passing – and especially with not much else out there about him following his death.
Let’s get into it.
Obviously, the death of one of the Rangers’ few true icon goaltenders (and a player for that matter too), Eddie Giacomin, #1, is our top story tonight.
On Monday, September 15th, it was announced that the 86-year-old Hall of Famer had passed away at his home in Birmingham, Michigan.
For those unaware, but as previously reported on this site; then Giacomin, and following his infamous dismissal from New York, resided in the Detroit suburb once retired.
As also mentioned on this site during the past year-and-a-half, Giacomin hadn’t been doing well in recent years, which is one of the reasons why he also missed the Henrik Lundqvist #30 jersey retirement ceremony in January of 2022.
(It should be noted that akin to Mike Richter – and Giacomin also maintained a positive relationship with Lundqvist.)
Between his health, the COVID-19 pandemic and demanding a hefty fee to appear at M$G; then Giacomin hadn’t been a regular visitor to the building where he made his name.
While it was widely known that Giacomin always wanted to get paid (as opposed to the alumni that either appear for free or for a lesser wage); but at the same time, then you must consider his position/vantage point too.
After all, would you want to travel to your former place of employment for free?
And at an older age (and especially with a beat-up body that he had), then do you really want to deal with the hustle-and-bustle that is air travel too?
For many fans, fans a generation or two older than me (including my own mother, who to this day, will always say that “EDDIE, EDDIE, EDDIE!” was her favorite athlete of all-time) – and Giacomin personified the Rangers.
By now (and if you don’t, then I have all of it for you below), but to this day, and the Giacomin return game, a date that should be tattooed into your brain (11/2/75), still remains as one of the most infamous nights in all of Rangers’ history.
It was also the most emotional moment in franchise history – and where only the 1994 Stanley Cup win rivals it.
For those who were alive during Giacomin’s heyday, then he’ll always be remembered as an athlete that men respected – and one that all women loved.
A man who was never fearless in the barrel, including when sans a mask, and the spry Giacomin embodied the heart of the Blueshirts.
While players like Rod Gilbert and Jean Ratelle became the faces of the franchise – there was also no question who the backbone was – #1 himself.
When Giacomin left the Rangers, he held nearly every franchise goaltending record, records that would later be eclipsed by the likes of Mike Richter and Henrik Lundqvist.
But of course (and like every other record), then every goalie is a product of their own era too.
If there was ever a regret in Giacomin’s career (outside of being waived then claimed by Detroit), then it was the fact that he never won a Stanley Cup.
For Giacomin, his career was more like Chuck Rayner – and not Gump Worsley – the two franchise goalies that preceded him.
But, and with no disrespect intended at all for Rayner and Worsley – then there wasn’t any other player that was as beloved by Blueshirt backers other than Giacomin – and where perhaps only the likes of Mark Messier and Henrik Lundqvist can match Giacomin’s popularity.
For a detailed obituary on Giacomin, then check out the NHL’s version which you can find here: https://www.nhl.com/news/ed-giacomin-hall-of-fame-goalie-dies-at-86
Here’s what the Rangers had to say about Giacomin’s passing, courtesy of their social media channels:
“Eddie Giacomin was an integral member of the New York Rangers for a decade and personified what being a Ranger is all about, both to his teammates and the Blueshirts faithful. You cannot discuss the history of this organization and not immediately think of Eddie. The great Rod Gilbert called him the heart of their team, and we cannot think of a greater honor to bestow on one of the greatest goaltenders to ever play the game. Our thoughts are with Eddie’s family, friends and teammates during this incredibly difficult time.”
Not for nothing, but I’m sharing what the Rangers said about Giacomin two days after the fact.
I hate to say it, but I found this short statement/tribute to be somewhat insulting.
After all – there’s not one-word on the team’s official website about his passing.
That’s just wrong.
But then again, that’s on brand for a franchise that continually ignores their history – and when it comes to the Original Six teams – the only one that thumbs their noses at their own Hall of Famers.
Sadder than that?
There will be no Giacomin appearance during this upcoming centennial season.
I’ve shared the above picture on this site many times before – but I’ve never given it any context – nor ever explained it either.
At this time, let me do as such:
I never had the opportunity to see Eddie Giacomin play live (I was negative 7-years-old in 1975, the year when #1 made his M$G return with Detroit), but as a historian, then I’ve seen many of Giacomin’s triumphs on tape – while reading about a ton of them too.
I can’t profess to have a strong connection to Giacomin, as I didn’t live-and-die with him on a season-in and season-out basis (and as I did with Richter), but I’ve always respected what he did for this franchise.
Thankfully, I got to meet Eddie in 2015, when the Rangers, then the Presidents’ Trophy winners at the time, were gearing up for a Stanley Cup run.
As part of a “RANGERSTOWN” fan expo outside of The Garden, the Blueshirts brought in many of their legendary alumni. Once done gawking at all of the historic hardware that was presented at various exhibits, I soon noticed lengthy line formations accumulating for the likes of Adam Graves, Stephane Matteau, Jay Wells, Mike Richter and other 1994 winners.
Sitting to the side was Eddie Giacomin – and his co-Vezina winner, Gilles Villemure.
While throngs of fans were excited to meet the 1994 heroes, I decided to talk to Giacomin.
When I told him that he was my mother’s favorite player, he laughed and said that he heard that once or twice before – but he probably heard it a thousand times before from someone of my age.
Giacomin had told the story about his 1975 departure about 1,975 million times prior to this chance 2015 meeting, so I didn’t bother him with any such questioning.
Instead, I just thanked him and said that it was nice to see the Rangers continuing their relationship with him.
Being a long-time fan, and a fanatic about my history too, then, and as noted earlier, then I always wondered how Giacomin would’ve fared had his career went the Gump Worsley route – and not the Chuck Rayner route.
Of course, this is solely meant to imply that he most likely would’ve won a Stanley Cup had he left New York long before he did – and where let’s not lose sight of the fact that he never wanted to leave in the first place.
While he never won a Stanley Cup – he did go to the HOF – and it was because of his Rangers’ tenure – and how it ended – and where no one can forget that night of November 2nd, 1975 either – a date in time that made him memorable forever.
RIP EDDIE.
At this time, then I’d like to tag in “The Young Maven,” Stan Fischler – as obviously – Fischler knew Giacomin much better than I ever did.
Plus, and duh – Stan’s also a better writer than me too! (After all – I just used “too” and “also” in the same sentence!)
Furthermore?
Stan also shares a story about Giacomin that I never heard before – and that’s worth the price of the (free) admission for me!
Requiem For A Goaltender — Eddie Giacomin
By Stan Fischler
Eddie Giacomin was the lion of the Rangers.
He was ferocious against the foe while being fantastic for his fans.
The Gotham’s hockey gift from Northern Ontario was a New York kind of guy and that’s why his fans from all five boroughs and beyond took him to their hearts.
If ever there was a blue collar goaltender, Eddie was it. There was nothing fancy about him just fight.
Like Charlie Rayner and Gump Worsley before him, Giacomin had “It,” or call it “The Knack,” if you will. He did not have to win a Stanley Cup to be adored, but he was revered because he worked so hard at his job and the working class could relate to that.
No other athlete in New York history could have inspired the reaction Ed obtained after he was
unforgivingly booted off the Blueshirts by Emile Francis, only to return as a Red Wing a few nights later in a game no one ever will forget.
Imagine, 19,000 fans rooting for Eddie G and the Red Wings against the Blueshirts.
A capacity crowd turned on the home team en masse and cheered throughout, not so much for Detroit but for the Wings newly-acquired goalkeeper. If you’ll forgive the bromide, it was unreal.
Rangers GM Francis pulled the chute on Giacomin coldly putting his onetime
discovery on waivers. WAIVERS! Now listen up to this because few knew what happened later.
The Maven was doing Islanders games in those days and on the Tuesday following the
Rangers-Detroit Eddie homecoming, I asked Cat to be my between periods guest at
Nassau Coliseum and he agreed.
At that time my viewing site was a TV camera location in the end arena in full view of the fans.
Francis dutifully arrived five minutes before interview time and immediately was picked out by the crowd of which many were Blueshirt fans.
As Cat and I were poised to begin the interview a posse of fans began filling the walkway a few rows below us and — by the time we began the chat — it was clear that those angry Rangers fans were not there to get Francis autograph but they did want a piece of him.
The Coliseum gendarmes quickly realized what was happening and — even worse — what might happen. They put in a call to the County Police and by the time Cat and I finished, the Riot
Squad surrounded Emile.
With what amounted to a well-protecting “Flying Wedge,” they escorted Francis to the exit and to his car.
That’s how much Rangers fans loved Eddie Giacomin and that’s how much they hated what was done to him.
Easily the most revealing statement that covers that whole ugly mess was Giacomin’s remark
years later about his weeping when the Garden Faithful were cheering him during the National Anthem.
“I couldn’t figure out why they let me go!”
Eddie Giacomin’s passing has left a deep hurt; far, far deeper than one can imagine.
Thankfully, there are videos for everything on YouTube.
Below are two pertinent videos in Rangers’ history – Giacomin’s #1 jersey retirement ceremony and the 11/2/1975 game.
Check them out:
Before sharing excepts from my own books, then at this time, I’d like to share with you a book review that I did about eight-years ago, “Eddie: A Goalie’s Story.”
You can check out that book review, one that provides a ton of pictures as well, by visiting this link: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/eddie/
As we wrap-up on the death of a legend, then at this time, I’d like to share with you two excerpts from my “Tricks of the Trade: Volume I” book (buy it on Amazon!) – Giacomin’s arrival – and departure – from the Rangers.
Enjoy:
DATE OF TRADE: May 17th, 1965
RANGERS ACQUIRE: Eddie Giacomin
PROVIDENCE REDS ACQUIRE: Aldo Guidolin, Jim Mikol, Marcel Paille, and Sandy McGregor
In a rare NHL/AHL trade, Emile Francis did pretty well for himself here – and as you’d imagine.
None of the four players who joined the Reds on a full-time basis ever did much damage in the NHL, much less played in the NHL again.
Furthermore, not one member of this quartet went on to have a Hockey Hall of Fame career like Giacomin did.
We’ll get more into Giacomin (and in-depth) once we get to the end of the Francis era, as #1’s exit was much more emotional and impactful than his arrival.
As far as everyone else, Aldo Guidolin, a defenseman from Forks of Credit, Ontario, played in 182 NHL games, all with the Rangers, from the years 1952 through 1956. Following this trade, he’d never play in the NHL again. However, he’d continue his hockey career until 1969, when, in those thirteen years, he skated in 879 AHL contests.
Once retiring as an active player, Guidolin got into coaching and later coached the Colorado Rockies during the 1978-79 season. When he passed away in 2015, Guidolin ranked eighteenth all-time in most AHL games played.
Jim Mikol, a defenseman from Kitchener, Ontario, played in four games with the Leafs in the 1962-63 season. Once in New York, the career minor leaguer played in thirty games for the Rangers in the 1964-65 season – the final games of his 34game NHL career. Following this trade, Mikol remained in the AHL until his retirement in 1970.
Marcel Paille, a goalie from Shawinigan Falls, Quebec, played professional hockey for nearly 25 seasons, including in the QHL, AHL, NHL, WHL, and the WHA.
From 1957 to the time of this trade in 1965, Paille filled in for the Rangers whenever the team needed someone to relieve their starter. During these eight years, Paille played in 107 games for the club, where he totaled a record of 32-52-22, a GAA of 3.42, and a save percentage of .896. When he wasn’t playing for the Rangers, Paille played for their AHL affiliates.
It was in the AHL where Paille made his name, as he’d never play in the NHL again after this transaction.
Paille, who first turned pro in 1949, by the time he retired in 1974, was known as the greatest AHL goalie of all time.
The Class of 2010 AHL Hall of Famer and Calder Cup winner still holds many AHL records to this day, including most regular games played (765), most playoff games played (87), most playoff wins (49), longest playoff shutout streak (207:27), and most playoff minutes (5,368).
Donald “Sandy” McGregor was a right-winger from Toronto, Ontario. Another career minor leaguer, he played in two call-up games for the Rangers during the 1963-64 season – the extent of his NHL career. The longtime Baltimore Clipper (AHL) retired following the 1968-69 season.
As mentioned, we’ll later get into Giacomin, but for now, I’m assuming you’re aware of his legacy with the Rangers, especially since his jersey number is retired by the club.
In any event, this trade was a landslide victory for “The Cat.”
DATE OF TRANSACTION: October 31st, 1975
RANGERS ACQUIRE: Heartbreak
DETROIT RED WINGS ACQUIRE: Eddie Giacomin
While this wasn’t a trade, then I’d feel remiss if I didn’t mention this transaction. Plus, I promised to write about this when I first brought up Giacomin’s arrival in New York!
Following the extremely embarrassing first-round playoff series loss to the Islanders in 1975, the Rangers opened up the 1975-76 season at 4-5-1 after ten games played. Knowing that the end was near – Francis continued to rebuild – and with all sentimentality to be damned.
With John Davidson thought to be the goalie of the future (and Francis would be right about this, even if fans at this point weren’t having any of that), on October 29th, 1975, Francis waived his franchise goaltender of ten seasons. If you were a fan and/or living at this time, then you’ll never forget where you were when you first heard the news – and you haven’t forgotten about Giacomin’s return game at Madison Square Garden either.
Keep in mind, Part I: Francis was a day-one fan of Giacomin. After all, in May of 1965, Francis sent four NHLers to the Providence Reds in order to get the rights to Giacomin, a native of Sudbury, Ontario, in the first place. (As discussed earlier, those players were Aldo Guidolin, Jim Mikol, Marcel Paille, and Sandy McGregor.)
Keep in mind, Part II: When Giacomin first began his career with the Rangers (which took place after the failed Jacques Plante experiment that also saw former franchise goalie, Gump Worsley, shine in Montreal), the man soon-to-be known solely by his first name didn’t start out so hot. In fact, Giacomin’s rookie season was the worst of his career.
The Worsley trade, then the lack of success from Plante that followed (and the team in general), meant that Ranger fans had no patience. And who can blame them?
When Giacomin (who, again, was traded for four NHLers – don’t lose sight of that – as this practice wasn’t commonplace then) finished the 1965-66 season with a win-loss-tie record of 8-19-7 and a goals-allowed average of 3.66 (both career lows) – then fans weren’t shouting “EDDIE! EDDIE! EDDIE!” as they would in the years/seasons to come.
Instead, these fans were throwing batteries and vegetables at him. (By the way, who sneaks a tomato and a Duracell into Madison Square Garden?)
Fast-forward ten years following his rookie season – and the fans weren’t throwing items at Giacomin anymore. Instead, they showered him with adulation and praise.
At the time of this transaction, Giacomin held pretty much every single positive goaltending record in franchise history – that is, except for one – Stanley Cup wins. (These records would later be broken in time by Mike Richter, and after Richter, Henrik Lundqvist.)
A six-time All-Star with the Rangers, and the co-winner of the Vezina Trophy with teammate Gilles Villemure too – and Giacomin was the most beloved Ranger of an era that included Rod Gilbert, Jean Ratelle, Vic Hadfield, and Brad Park.
For many fans, not only was Giacomin their favorite player – but they also personally loved him.
This is why it was so crushing when “The Cat” not only moved on from Giacomin – but he also got nothing in return. Perhaps a player, any player at that, would have softened the blow. Then again, maybe not.
It should be said (and I’ll duck as I write this), that while Giacomin was a legend in New York, he wasn’t in the same class, nor had the hardware like other goalies from his era had, including Worsley, Plante, Hall, Esposito, Bower, Cheevers, and Sawchuk.
And even with Giacomin being inducted into the Hall of Fame (Class of 1987), he’s also arguably one of the least accomplished goalies to be enshrined – and I know that this paragraph comes off as completely sacrilegious. (You can send all the hate mail to BULLSMC@aol.com!)
Furthermore, and you can’t claim that Giacomin, unlike Worsley, Plante, and Chuck Rayner before him, didn’t have deep Ranger teams in front of him either.
In fact, Giacomin had the deepest Ranger teams in front of him since the days of “The Bread Line” – and perhaps to only be superseded by the eventual 1994 Stanley Cup champion Ranger club.
I know that this somewhat comes off like a hit-piece right now, but that’s not my intent.
Instead, it’s just to explain why Francis felt like that he had to move on – especially as someone who saw talent in Giacomin from day one – and as a general manager-head coach who stuck by his goalie through #1’s early struggles as an NHLer.
To boil it all down – Giacomin had his run. He didn’t win. Francis had to move on to the future, and the future was with John Davidson.
However, giving away Giacomin for free wasn’t easy, either, especially when Giacomin, in his first game with his new team, the Detroit Red Wings, stepped on the ice at Madison Square Garden on November 2nd, 1975 – as a visitor – and only two days after being waived.
Truth be told, while I could write a whole book on just this Rangers vs. Red Wings game from November 2nd, 1975 alone, and how that game, and to this day, is the most emotional Rangers’ regular season game of all-time – moving on from Giacomin didn’t hurt the Rangers in the short-term, nor the long-term, either.
Sure there were bad feelings once Detroit claimed Giacomin for nothing, but for the man simply known by his first name of “Eddie” – he was already on the downswing of his career.
Aside from Giacomin’s rookie season, his final three years in Detroit (where over time, and just like his last days in New York, he was phased out in favor of another youth movement) were the worst of his career.
Conversely, and John Davidson helped to lead the Rangers to the Stanley Cup Final in 1979.
In pro sports, fans are often reminded to root for the front of the jersey – and not the nameplate on the back of it.
However, Giacomin was one of those rare players where fans wanted to see him succeed more than the team.
Need proof?
Then just go back and watch that game from November 2nd, 1975 – and where for sixty minutes – Ranger fans shouted “EDDIE! EDDIE! EDDIE!” (They also chanted “KILL THE CAT” too!)
If there was something even sadder than watching Giacomin cry on the ice as fans shouted his name on that November 1975 night, then it was how his relationship with the organization, and the fan base that he so adored, became fractured.
Needless to say, then he didn’t have the same relationship that Rod Gilbert would later have with the franchise in retirement.
While the Rangers would eventually retire Giacomin’s number 1 jersey in March of 1989, Eddie never moved back to New York like others of his era did. Instead, he maintained a residence outside of Detroit, Michigan, where he still lives today.
Over time, many stories of Giacomin’s relationship with the Rangers and the alumni became publicized. Unlike Gilbert and others who would make appearances on their own time and dime (that’s not to say Gilbert and others didn’t receive paid appearances, too, this is to say that they’d show up to Ranger-related events for free, whenever needed) – Giacomin always held out for money.
As one story has it, when the Rangers were within one game from winning the Stanley Cup in 1994, the organization wanted every prominent member of the alumni in the building, including Giacomin. When asked to show up at Madison Square Garden, Giacomin agreed – but only after he was paid a hefty sum.
Despite Francis being long gone from the organization, Giacomin never forgot about being waived. Like Ranger fans themselves, he was also crushed when he changed jerseys.
While Giacomin still makes rare appearances for the organization to this day, he never became the ambassador that the Rangers would have liked to him be – and a role that Gilbert thrived in during his retirement and into his final days.
Ironically, John Davidson, Giacomin’s replacement, would soon become just as beloved, if not more. (Due to JD’s longer tenure with the franchise as a result of his broadcasting work. To be fair, there is a recency bias in this opinion.)
Perhaps even more ironic?
Come May of 2021, Rangers’ owner James Dolan fired John Davidson following only two years on the job, where JD served the Rangers as their Team President.
Just like Giacomin, and JD too was also cast away for nothing and relocated to middle America, where the former Rangers’ netminder now serves the Columbus Blue Jackets as team president.
I know that this is tough to say, but this transaction was a win for Francis. It got Giacomin’s money off the books (even during a non-salary-cap era) – and more importantly than that – it allowed Davidson to become fully installed as the team’s starting goalie.
Tougher to assess? Our next trade, a trade that over time, has been simply known as just that – “The Trade.”
At this time – the news of today.
Over the past weekend, when both college and professional football were all the rage, the Rangers and Flyers played their annual two-game set.
To be honest – I didn’t watch a lick of it.
As I say every time at this point of the year – and the Rangers, despite multiple cable channels, an M$GN streaming service and about 798678868969 social media channels – refuse to air these games.
(The Flyers always broadcast these games.)
It still amazes me how the Rangers just ignore their prospect games, as previously, at the annual Traverse City Tournament (The Blueshirts haven’t participated in this since 2019 – the penultimate COVID year) and the franchise wouldn’t share these games with their fans.
(You’d always have to find opposing streams in order to watch – including the Wild’s stream in 2019 – Kaapo Kakko’s debut.)
While these pair of matches hardly determine anything, but according to the people in the know, then Brennan Othmann (1G, 2A), Noah Laba (1G, 1A), Scott Morrow (1G, 4A), Gabe Perreault (1G, 1A) and Dylan Roobroeck (1G, 1A) stood head-and-shoulders amongst all.
It should also be noted that while Othmann and Perreault both participated – Brett Berard did not – which may tell you that the Rangers see him as a varsity roster player.
The Rangers lost the first game 4-3, in overtime, while taking the rematch by a 5-2 final.
While both Laba and Roobroeck seem destined for Hartford; then conversely and Othmann, Morrow and Perreault will be looking to usurp the likes of Matt Rempe, Adam Edstrom and Taylor Raddysh for roster spots this season.
Speaking of roster spots, then a plug before getting into the rest of our regular programming.
A lot of the topics that I’m about to get into next (and similar to the projected Opening Night line-up) were fully discussed last time around on this site.
In case you missed it, then you can find all of it here:
NHL 2025-26 Season Preview (And Why The Panthers Will Three-Peat), The Rangers & Their Centennial Plans; The Overdue Frank Boucher Ceremony, Taffy Abel’s Kin Wants Respect, Insane Blueshirt Ticket Prices, The Hole That CK20 Leaves, McDavid v. Panarin, Proposed NYR Line-Up; Sullivan To Acquiesce to Missing Mika, Potential Captain Candidates, Fischler For HOF, The Zoom Zoom GM, Alumni Updates; The NHL Return of Crybaby Kravtsov, From Wo-Hop to WuHan: The Gerard Gallant Story & Much More
I gotta say – I had to laugh when I saw that both Ryane Clowe and Blake Wheeler were appointed to the Zoom Zoom GM’s Hockey Operations staff.
And for the life of me – and I can’t figure out why Wheeler couldn’t land a job in Winnipeg either.
Here’s how the Blueshirts covered this announcement, courtesy of: https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-announce-updates-to-hockey-operations-department
Outside of the surprising Wheeler announcement, then it was befuddling, if not amusing too, when Ryan Clowe, the long-time Shark, but who also played all of twelve-games with the Rangers during the 2012-13 season, announced that he was leaving his management role in San Jose for his now current job in New York.
But since Drury tends to hire his friends and past associates – then I shouldn’t be that surprised about this move either.
Apparently, switching coasts was in the best interests of Clowe’s family – but was it in the best interest of the Rangers?
But let’s face the facts too:
It doesn’t matter who is currently collecting an undeserved check from Double D – Dolan & Drury – as instead – it’s the players on the ice – and to a lesser extent – the head coach too – that will determine the playoff fate of the 2025-26 Rangers.
And as long as Stinka Zibanedud is here – then you know how I feel about that – and I’ll leave it at that too!
I’ve been talking about what the Rangers could do for their 100th birthday party all-summer and on 9/15, the franchise gave us the following, courtesy of https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-announce-centennial-season-theme-nights-and-initiatives-celebrating-100-years-of-franchise-history:
The New York Rangers announced today a full slate of Centennial season theme nights and initiatives that will celebrate the franchise’s 100th anniversary. The year-long campaign will honor the team’s historic legacy and deep roots in the community through special theme nights at Madison Square Garden, unique fan experiences, community-driven programs, alumni appearances and more.
|
Theme |
Date |
Description |
|
1926-42 – Birth of the Franchise |
October 20, 2025 |
Honoring the team’s early success and established reputation for being the “Classiest Team in Hockey” during a celebrated time in NY history. |
|
Milestones and Moments |
November 8, 2025 |
From playoff overtime goals to record-setting games, recognizing unforgettable moments that have taken place throughout Rangers’ history. |
|
1942-67 – Original Six Era |
November 16, 2025 |
Commemorating the players that built the Rangers status as a true New York team and the homegrown legends who starred for the team during those years. |
|
1967-91 – The New Garden |
December 13, 2025 |
Recognizing the rebirth that took place during this period including a new home arena and bringing Rangers hockey to more fans than ever through television. |
|
Fan Favorites |
January 8, 2026 |
Highlighting players who have earned the love and admiration of ‘The Garden Faithful’ through their hard work and all-out effort. |
|
1991-04 – Legendary Blueshirts |
January 26, 2026 |
Honoring some of the best to ever play the game, some of the best individual seasons and team accomplishments in franchise history. |
|
Goaltenders |
February 5, 2026 |
Celebrating some of the best goaltending talents throughout 100 years of Rangers hockey. |
|
2004-present – Modern Era |
March 5, 2026 |
Celebrating a new era of Rangers hockey highlighted by 15 postseason appearances and the creation of new team traditions. |
When I read that press release, then I had to laugh my ass off when the Rangers announced an “elevated casino night.”
As if current ticket prices aren’t expensive enough!
Instead, come spend $10,000 to shake the hand of Brett Berard – and as presented by DraftKings!
I’ve been told that the Rangers, while not fully exploring my “Rink of Honor” idea, will have exhibits celebrating franchise history throughout the concourse of M$G this season.
Until I hear that it’s confirmed that the Rangers will actually honor the legends that should be honored – and via a number/jersey retirement ceremony – then all of this comes off as a cash grab to me.
I said it all last time around – and I’ve said it about 7986798679869698 times before that – but if the Cook brothers (Bun and Bill), Boucher, Emile Francis, Ron Greschner, Brad Park, Lester Patrick, Bryan Hextall, Ivan Johnson and others of that ilk don’t have their names adorned from the rafters of M$G – then this 100 Year Anniversary will all be for naught.
My sad prediction?
Five-minute videos prior to each puck drop, another 1994 blowjob ceremony, another tug of Lundqvist’s pecker and that will be that.
I hope to be proven wrong.
While others may not be in favor of a team in-limbo, and as the Rangers are, of naming a new captain – I was.
Again, and as talked about in-depth last time around, Trocheck would’ve been my choice – but at the end of the day – the players decide this – and that’s all that matters.
Here’s how the Rangers broke the news, courtesy of https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-name-j-t-miller-29th-captain-in-franchise-history:
New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that J.T. Miller has been named the 29th captain in franchise history.
You can read what I wrote last time around (https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/9225/ ) for my full thoughts on this move.
In short, then I have no problem with this.
Good luck to J.T. Miller – and we’ll bid adieu to you in about a year-and-a-half – and say hi for us to Ryan Callahan, Ryan McDonagh and Jacob Trouba too – the three previous American captains that preceded you!
If there’s anything that I take both a major umbrage and offense to, then it’s the fact that the Rangers also announced their alternate captains for the 2025-26 season – Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, Vincent Trocheck and Adam Fox.
When it comes to Trocheck and Fox – I support that.
Two American boys with long-term deals – and two players that want to be here.
Sign me up.
However, Panarin and Zibanejad, two players that rarely show up in the playoffs?
I don’t have to give you my Mika rant again – you already know how I feel about him.
The dude checked out last season and cries like a bitch whenever he can.
Why my disdain for the Panarin renewal as alternate captain?
Not only is he a pending unrestricted free agent – BUT IT WAS CONFIRMED BY THE RANGERS THAT HE SIGNED AN NDA AND PAID OFF A WOMAN FOR AN ALLEGED SEXUAL ASSAULT!
(And keep in mind – I gave him the benefit of the doubt when this story first broke.)
I know that celebrities, which hockey players are, tend to prefer to quiet the noise whenever possible.
But when someone is accusing you of sexual assault – then shouldn’t you fight back?
After all – Panarin has the money to fight back (via an attorney).
Yeah, maybe your name gets dragged in the papers a bit – but what’s better – an end result of an acquittal/admission of a fake accusation – or the fact that you paid someone to shut up?
Alternate captain, “Assaultin’ Artie,” just doesn’t have a good ring to it.
The fact that he’s silent about it doesn’t help his image either.
And this is the NHL!
If this was the NFL, where such acts are as common as changing your underwear, then I’d understand.
But this is the National Hockey League – not the National Felony League – yet Panarin remains teflon.
And while I maintain the scenario that perhaps his accuser was looking for payout – the fact that he paid and got an NDA tells me that Panarin didn’t think it was worth clearing his name in court.
But he’s a leader according to the Rangers.
You can read the Rangers’ sugary-and-shit sack of bullshit regarding their new jersey sponsor here: https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/game-7-named-first-ever-official-jersey-patch-partner-of-the-new-york-rangers
Let me be clear:
I understand that every franchise in sports is doing this – and the fact that this is Mark Messier’s company does help to soften the blow.
But that doesn’t meant that I have to like it either!
Similar to the New York Yankees (who now have two ads on their pinstripes), and the New York Rangers also have an iconic jersey – and threads that should never be marred and/or disgraced by corporate logos.
But just like all of these sporting entities and athletes taking the big money in Saudi Arabia – and you can’t impede the huge profits garnered by sewing a logo on what was formerly a sacred garment.
For me, and the Rangers couldn’t go 100-years without a corporate logo polluting their legendary sweater?
Had this taken place in Year 101 – then while I wouldn’t have liked it anyway – but it would’ve been easier to accept.
But this is the way that the sporting world works today – and come year 200 in franchise history – then I’d expect these Ranger jerseys to look like NASCAR outfits.
At least I won’t be alive to see it.
Perhaps by the time that you read these words, and the Rangers’ 2025-26 training camp has already commenced.
The team will meet for promotional materials (photos, segments for the scoreboard during breaks, fluff interviews, etc) on Wednesday, September 17th.
After that, then all on-ice activities begin on Thursday, September 18th.
In news that should shock no one, as the NHL can never get out of their own way – and the Rangers open up their preseason by going head-to-head with the NFL’s 1PM slate – and as they will do this Sunday.
As a reminder, then here’s the preseason schedule:
On Tuesday, September 16th, the Rangers announced the following 61 invites to camp:
While there are perhaps a few roster spots to jockey for; then I really don’t see anything out of the ordinary taking place.
I also don’t put too much into what goes down during the preseason either – and especially with guaranteed contracts.
As noted last time around, then I see a final cut going down as such:
FIRST LINE: Panarin/Trocheck/Lafreniere
SECOND LINE: Cuylle/Miller/Zibanejad
THIRD LINE: Berard/Parssinen/Raddysh
FOURTH LINE: Edstrom/Carrick/Rempe
FIRST PAIR: Fox/Gavrikov
SECOND PAIR: Schneider/Borgen
THIRD PAIR: Soucy/Morrow
STARTING GOALIE: CZAR IGOR
BACK-UP GOALIE: Quick
SPARES: Brodzinski, Perreault (who if you remember, has already burnt the first year of his ELC) and Vaakanainen
WILD CARD: Othmann
As we get to the end here, and similar to last time, when we talked about Connor McDavid in a similar predicament, and Kirill Kaprizov recently turned down a contract from the Wild that would have made him the richest left-winger in all of the NHL.
Since everyone knows that the big buck Blueshirts are always big-game hunting – and immediately – and everyone & their mother has the Russian linked to the Rangers – and with Comrade Panarin (who also shares an agent with K.K. – and that’s not Kaapo Kakko) as the man who can make it happen.
I really don’t put that much weight into any of those rumors – and I’m not even going to get into the silliness that “The Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast put out there either – where such tomfoolery suggested that all three Hughes’ brothers want to play in the Big Apple.
Have we forgotten that this is a triple-hard salary cap league?
It’s not the late 1990s anymore!
Worse than that?
And Mika Zibanejad’s contract still remains – but perhaps a call to ICE can change that real quick!
In all seriousness, while DUH – I’d love to see McDavid and Kaprizov in New York – then I just don’t see it happening.
After all, refer back to my motto for this upcoming centennial season – I refuse to have any expectations at all!
Your expectations at this juncture?
You know it – your favorite segment!
(But I should add – while I don’t know how regular I’ll check in on this site anymore – I may put something up after the first preseason game. It’s when this team becomes so bad that it feels like a job is when I’ll check out for a bit. And sadly – I can’t get over last season either. Sorry.)
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
