Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. How about them INDIANA FEVER?
Oh wait – wrong fan site!
That said, and in our little teaser for now?
Then my name is Sean McCaffrey – and I can’t believe it either – and I’m a WNBA fan (albeit – I can only watch one team – the aforementioned Fever).
When I last wrote you, then I mentioned that my month-long sabbatical at the time marked my longest break ever on this site.
With these latest words delivered to you – I’ve since broken that record – as I just took my lengthiest timeout yet – a well-earned ten-week excursion.
If you recall, then I opened my last blog entry with these this quick passage:
“A belated Happy Fourth of July goes out to you and yours.
“And as I always say at this time of the year – enjoy it – as in a blink of an eye and it will be Labor Day.”
As we attempt to get through two months of news, while also trying to drum up a quick-and-dirty 2026-27 NHL Season preview too, then in case you forgot (and I’m sure that you did – because even I couldn’t remember where I last left off), then here’s what I wrote last time around, back on July 6th:
Zoom’s Biggest Stockholder Has Both a Hit-And-Miss Opening Day of NHL Free Agency; Chris Drury Finally Says “Toodles” To Trocheck – But Adds Some Compelling Talent Too, The Back-Up Goalie Nobody Wanted; Pizza Man Also Sacrifices a First-Round Pick For An Aging D-Man, The Prediction Becomes True: NBA Champion James Dolan Hands Over Control of The Rangers To Son Quentin “Billy Madison” Dolan – But Don’t Rule Out “Q-Dol-Anon” Either, The Staggering Amount of Roster Turnover in NYC; Only Seven Remain From Two-Years Ago, “PROPOZED LINEZ” For 2026-27, “No Expectations” Mantra; Question Marks Galore & More
As I, you and everyone else that cares about this pitiful Blueshirts’ organization knows – and last year was rough.
Let’s face it – it was a freakin’ disgrace – so bad that even Tex Rickard was rolling in his grave.
Historically, and the 2025-26 season, the team’s 100th birthday celebration, will go down as one of the worst in franchise history.
While no one wants to bother and waste time arguing which season from a hundred of them was the all-time worst – but the centennial season is definitely a strong and top contender.
That can’t be debated.
Heck, then when compared to other boorish and brutal campaigns in franchise history – and the Rangers didn’t have the World War II excuse in Year One Hundred.
They also can’t blame the Glen “If I had the Rangers’ payroll, then I’d win the Stanley Cup every season” Sather culprit either.
Instead, and for whatever reason following the dreadful display that last year was – and Dumbass Drury, aka ZOOM ZOOM, aka the PIZZA MAN, aka the self-appointed smartest man in the room, government name Chris Drury, remains.
But as long foretold and predicted in these pages (and on my social media accounts too) – then once James Dolan became a champion, and as he did with his beloved Knicks on my 44th birthday (June 13th, 2026) – and he’ll never care about his dime store NHL franchise purchase ever again – and as talked about last time around on this site when BIG SHOT JIM stepped down from the Rangers and in turn, then handed the reins over to his seed, the mad sports scientist, Quentin Dolan.
And as also mentioned back in July?
Then I’m hoping that Quentin Dolan doesn’t follow the Billy Madison route, and in turn, and just like any other new owner that takes full control over a sports franchise or company – fires upper-management – and then replaces that staff with one of his own vision.
Based on all accounts – and believe it or not too – and every championship ring-wearin’ Knick has given Quentin credit, whether a little or a lot, for their epic victory.
May Q. Dol A Non do the same for our beloved Blueshirts!
As we all know, these Rangers’ related blogs go on-and-on – and very often exceed 10,000 words!
But hey – I’ve been gone for a while.
Plus, and unlike everyone else – then I try to give you something that you won’t read elsewhere.
I am also very aware of the fact that I write to an older audience – and as a self-anointed “BOOMER” myself!
Ever since I last hit the “PUBLISH BLOG” button back on July 6th – then a lot has changed for me – and where my alterations are much like the Rangers’ off-season – not that great!
For starters, and again, at 44-years old – and I’ve now become far-sighted.
In other words, I now use “peepers,” aka “cheater glasses,” whenever writing, reading or looking at my phone.
I have an appointment with the eye doctor next week to see if my vision is anything worse than that – but for now – then I can’t even scroll through Tweeter/X without Ben Franklin’s invention.
But I will say – and the glasses, at least aesthetically, makes me look smarter.
Then again, as a world renowned super genius – then such eyewear shouldn’t make a difference anyway when coming to the light of day on that fact!
In other lovely health-related news regarding yours truly, then your favorite Blueshirts’ bullshitter also found out over the summer that he has high blood pressure.
As noted, I’m now in my mid-40s, and after hearing horror stories from some of my close and personal friends about both prostate and colon cancer – and I finally bit the bullet – and got both a prostate and rectal exam (HOLY FATHER FINKIN’ OUCH BATMAN) – which funny enough – the resident asshole of the M$GN network, Sieve Vagistat, has daily – although for pleasure – and not for health reasons!
In other words, then (and knock on wood) I’ve been relatively healthy my whole life (I don’t know how either) – as prior to this summer – and I hadn’t seen a doctor since I was eighteen-years-old.
After an ungodly reading, where the doctor also wasn’t thrilled to hear that I haven’t sat in a waiting room for two-hours in over twenty-years – and he asked me the following questions – and here were my responses to all of them:
Doc: Do you drink alcohol?
Me: Of course, after all, my full Irish name is Sean Patrick McCaffrey.
Doc: Do you smoke?
Me: Smoke ’em if you have ’em!
Doc: Do you frequently exercise?
Me: I try, but sitting on my ass for two-hours in your waiting room didn’t help.
Doc: Last question. Are you a fan of the New York Rangers?
Me: 100%. I even write books and blogs about them!
Doc: That explains everything. Take two pills and call me in the morning.
It took 44-years – but hey – at least I now have the medication and future eyewear to prevent any further trouble.
Unfortunately, I still remain a devout fan of the New York Rangers!
I know that I’m plodding and meandering when getting to the Rangers (but I promise – we’ll get there – and if you don’t want to read all of this other junk – then the scroll bar is your friend), but I must admit the following news items:
One, then if you recall, and during the past two-seasons at that, then I said that I don’t know how much longer that I’ll be continuing with these regularly scheduled Blueshirt manifestos.
As said about 20986787986798679867986867676798 times before, during and after it happened – then that 2024 Eastern Conference loss, which was predated by one of the worst trade deadlines in NHL history, was the end-all, be-all, for the most recent Rangers’ core.
As I said before, during and after that event as well – then it would only be downhill from there.
That said?
Then I must admit that I never envisioned how bad the downfall would be.
(I just figured a few one-and-done playoff appearances.)
Two, with all of my predictions, and unfortunately at that, being proven true – and I’ve tried to find other sports-related endeavors to find joy in.
Praise the sport gods, because while I predict another long-and-miserable Rangers’ season in 2026-27; then, and conversely – and I’m extremely gung-ho about both of my football teams – the New York Giants and Notre Dame.
At least I’ll get some joy when watching football on both Saturday and Sunday (and sometimes Thursday, Friday and Monday too)!
I won’t bore you with all of my NFL and NCAAF thoughts – and especially with some rare WNBA talk on this site now to come – talk that maybe 1.1% of you readers will care about!
At this point of the manifesto – then if you don’t want to hear me profess my love for the Indiana Fever of the Women’s (YES WOMEN – NOT THE MENTALLY ILL MEN WHO GET SURGERIES) Basketball League (WNBA), then scroll all the way down to the logo of the New York Rangers – and of course – with the words “Keep Expectations to a Minimum” attached!
For those who want to read something different – the proceed!
Once both the Stanley Cup Final and NBA Championship series’ concluded – and I was at a loss when trying to find something to watch on television.
I used to be a day-in and day-out fan of the New York Yankees – but between all of the nonsensical and bastardizing rule changes in baseball – and the current buffoon managing the Pinstripes today – and I lost my love for America’s national pastime.
Enter the World Cup of soccer – and yep – the WNBA too.
To be concise (easy for me to say!) – then I’ve never watched more soccer and female hoopers in my life as I did this summer.
While my recent soccer fandom lasted from June-to-July of ’26 – but my newfound love of the Indiana Fever continues to burn strong!
Let’s say what it is:
Like most white, straight and Republican voting males – and I only got interested in the WNBA for two reasons – Sophie Cunningham and Caitlin Clark.
And if I had to guess, then of the four-million people now regularly watching Indiana Fever games (the other teams in the league don’t draw ratings or houses – as only the Fever sell out NBA arenas while also drawing record-breaking TV & streaming numbers) – and there are many people who think the same way that I do when watching #22 and #8 blaze to the basket.
I know that nobody wants another political rant out of me in this space, but just to get the quick-and-dirty in print, then the following:
— I don’t care if anybody decides to become a tranny or not. If that’s what you want to do, then who am I to stop you?
— That said – then if you’re mentally ill and decide to get a gender mutilation surgery and take all of the hormones that come with it – then don’t act besmirched when you’re told that you don’t belong competing against biological women.
— In short – keep women’s sports to women.
And is that so illogical to believe?
Sidebar?
Then I’d love to see all of these mentally sick transgenders, specifically these biological men who are hellbent on polluting women sports, have their own leagues to compete in.
Prediction?
Much like the XFL – then any transgender league would pop a huge TV/streaming rating for the first game, only due to the curiosity factor, then only to flame out (no pun intended) – and then enter the realm of the dodo bird in the games/days that fall afterwards.
I should also – and proudly admit – I have three nieces that I cherish – and I don’t want to see any hopped-up mentally-defected man using their biological advantages against them in the sports that they respectively play – and where my eldest niece is also currently playing basketball.
Again – someone wants to be transgender?
All the power to them.
Do you.
But you just can’t play against women (and for all things holy – stay out of their bathrooms too) – and if you don’t understand basic science and biology – then enroll yourself in your local middle school.
I don’t want to turn this into an all-out WNBA blog (but if I was retired, which in turn, I would then theoretically have more free time – and as a result – I’d consider running an Indiana Fever fan site!); but as noted – then it was politics, the racial issue (all of the old black lesbian WNBA guard hates the straight white Clark – and when I say this – then I’m also pulling for Clark as a straight white myself – and fully akin to how you root for your own country during any international tournament) and Enes Kanter (telling the transgender headcases to “eff off”) too – that all brought me to the Fever.
And again – there was nothing else to watch this summer – outside of soccer and a few less-than-average UFC events.
(And don’t get me started on how much the UFC has diluted itself – and even more so this year since they no longer have to sell PPVs due to their new deal with Paramount.)
Take all of that out of it – the politics, the crazed-and-foaming-at-the-mouth transgenders, the self-created WNBA race war – EVERYTHING.
Then outside of the fact that the lay-up conversion rate in the WNBA stands at 1.6%, and where it’s no fun where every video replay review lasts as long as three full plays of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Freebird” to boot – and the Fever, the only WNBA team that matters, IS AMAZING TO WATCH!
Let’s go back to the fact that I’m a white male – and a BOOMER too.
In other words, then I fondly remember Woody Harrelson starring in the appropriately named “White Men Can’t Jump” (1992)!
While the execution isn’t always there (hence my made-up 1.6% lay-up rate stat); but these WNBA players just can’t physically dunk a ball at all – and just like how I never could either!
And while the fundamentals need to be addressed (no one boxes out – and as a result – the Fever have the worst rebounding rate in the WNBA) – but the women’s game is much like the NCAA men’s game from an era that I grew up watching.
Again, while I understand that the WNBA needs work (and a better coach than the liberal and politically pandering head coach of the Fever, Stephanie White) – but when it comes to basketball – then the Fever play a game that’s as true to the sport as I remember.
As the NBA has practically turned into an all-out 5 x 5 three-point contest; conversely, while the Fever can shoot the three-ball like no other – they also set screens, play pick-and-roll – and most importantly, and what I love most – they play team ball.
I got into the Fever because of Sophie and Caitlin.
But as I continued to watch and watch (and I have watched all of their games sans three of them) – and I became a fan of not only these two players – but of the team itself.
Granted, the other teams are hard to watch – but the Fever is basketball ecstasy.
I am not exaggerating or selling you bullshit when I say this:
Caitlin Clark is one of the best basketball players that I’ve seen in my life – and where as we all know – then we all love what we grew up with – and in turn – nostalgia reigns supreme.
Clark shoots the three like Larry Bird. Clark passes the rock like Magic Johnson. And if the stupid morons who run the WNBA knew how to do their jobs – then Clark would be promoted like Michael Jordan.
And if Clark had teammates that possessed a basketball IQ that matched hers?
Then she’d average 20 assists a game.
I have to purge this from my system too:
The fact that the best women’s hooper in the world was relegated to six-minutes off the bench in a recent international tournament game would’ve been the equivalent of giving Jordan the same treatment during the Dream Team run in Barcelona of 1992.
Alas, I digress.
As Sophie and Clark dazzled, I soon the become impressed with an African-American female – Kelsey Mitchell.
If you’re not aware of #0 in Indiana, then a shame on you.
This woman, who also isn’t part of the old WNBA guard, is one of the best clutch players that I’ve ever seen in sports.
All she does is hit big shots – and better than that – plays lock down defense too.
Most impressive about Mitchell?
She has that Paul O’Neill, Charles Oakley, Adam Graves DOG in her.
Pure heart.
If Clark doesn’t win MVP, then it would be hard to be upset if Mitchell wins it – and where the Mitchell/Clark backcourt isn’t only the best in the WNBA – but in all of basketball too.
Elsewhere, and it’s very easy to root for the hard-working and key Fever role-players, hoopers such as MO (Monique Billings), SEXY LEXY (Lexie Hull), KAY KAY (Makayla Timpson) and fire-plug Myisha Hines-Allen.
While I believe that the Fever are weakened with some of her ball-hoggish traits; but max-money player, Alliyah Boston, #7 in Indiana, can also ball – that is – whenever she is motivated.
Granted, while Cunningham, and only because she doesn’t want players with blistering balls and hairy hogs as her competition, has become a national sensation; but don’t get it twisted – it’s Clark and Mitchell, and on night-by-night basis at that, that’s making history – or is it HERstory?
Either way?
Then I jumped on the bandwagon at the right time – and I’m not making this up either – but the 2026 Fever are making history every night – and whether it’s Clark’s triple-doubles, her forty-point burgers, Mitchell’s consecutive game streak of 20+ PPG or the Fever routinely surpassing the 100-point mark every game.
THIS IS BASKETBALL.
Is it perfect?
Of course not – but it’s the closest thing for any fan that enjoyed Magic’s Lakers, Bird’s Celtics or Jordan’s Bulls.
And for those who like winners?
Then you got a better shot of the Fever winning the WNBA championship when compared to the Rangers’ odds at winning the Stanley Cup anytime soon!
As a devout and non-Day 1 fan of the Indiana Fever, then how far has my fandom grown?
I actually attended a New York Liberty v. Indiana Fever game at the Barclays Center – and my first game at that arena, which also ironically featured transgender lesbians – and as was the case when the Rangers beat the lowlife and nomadic Islanders at their former barn!
I know that I’m going too long with this, but in short – I had a freakin’ blast.
Yeah, we all know that I’m TEAM MAGA and hate liberal politics (why hide from it at this point!?!?) – but that was also part of the draw.
Due to Cunningham saying what’s right and true – then every WNBA game featuring her has turned into political rallies – the mental defects who want penises on their courts and the sane people who just want to see vagina-on-vagina hoop action.
As noted above – and the Fever, and only the Fever (and 99.9% because of the generational and elite talent that Clark possesses), are selling out NBA arenas across North America, while also generating the best TV/streaming ratings in all of women’s basketball history.
Count me among these masses – as not only am I watching the Fever whenever they play – but I also bought a ticket to see them work their magic with my own two eyes too.
In August, I was able to use my old Rangers’ STUBHUB TRICK, when sniping a suite ticket.
For $100 – I sat like a king – and drank like John Belushi too.
While you couldn’t find a Budweiser, a Coors Light, a Heineken or a Miller’s Lite in the place; then the alternatives, Surfside and Brooklyn Lager, were adequate substitutes.
To prove to you that I’m being 100% and on the real with you when professing my love for my the apple of my eye, the Indiana Fever; then here are a few pics from my time out at Barclay’s:
After a great summer, and into the fall of today too – then after briefly talking about the New York Giants, Notre Dame Football and Indiana Fever – and I’m now left to discuss the reason why you’re here – and a black mark of my sports fandom too – the 2026-27 New York Rangers.
When I look at this roster that the Pepperoni Punk, Chris Drury, assembled for Year 101 – then I think that the Rangers will suck – so much so – that they will even qualify for an AVN award!
Ugh, let’s get into these (non-lovable) losers.
As noted repeatedly throughout this manifesto – then, or at least when it comes to my social media – and I’m a Father Finkin’ dinosaur.
After all – I’m still writing a blog – and where these days, here in 2026 – and authoring a blog is like owning a VCR – and an eight-track too!
Plus – who writes anything more than a sentence these days, now in this attention deficit disorder world?
Only this idiot!
I mean, can anyone under the age of 40-years-old read anything that requires more than a minute of your time these days?
And outside of my bad photoshops – then there’s no AI here either!
I also don’t have a podcast like 78678679867679867867896786786789678 Ranger fans do – and where today, then I only enjoy 3-4 of them (“The Blueshirt Underground Show,” the longest runnin’ in the game today, trumps everyone else. I also extremely enjoy “Two Guys, One Cup,” among others).
My feelings on the Rangers of today haven’t changed since I last left you – nor my opinions from the past two-years either.
My main three gripes of contention remain the same:
Stinka Zibanedud, J.T. Miller and a one Christopher Drury.
Put it this way:
Then if Mark Messier was running this team (and as should’ve been the case long ago), then he would’ve booted out Mika Zibanejad – and as he once did to Mike Gartner.
Facts.
As noted about 98364798636747633347798367983679834679834678963478634798643 times in this space, and prior to, during and after the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline – and I can’t forgive Drury for how he epically blew it.
All of those options on the table (Jake Guentzel, Radko Gudas, Adam Henrique, and yes, a still in-his-prime J.T. Miller) – and Drury thought that the likes of Brennan Othmann, Kaapo Kakko and Filip Chytil were “UNTOUCHABLE” – while also believing that Chad Ruhwdel, Alex Wennberg and Jack Roslovic were potential “STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS.”
And how’s that K’Andre Miller feller doing these days too?
Similar to my feelings about the previous Rangers’ Eastern Conference Final failure (2015), when I said that I would’ve rode the hot hand of Cam Talbot (in a way, I was soon proven correct, as other back-up goalies, such as Matt Murray and Jordan Binnington, took over the net from their starters enroute to winning their respective Cups) – and I will one day (hopefully not anytime soon – although I think that Sam Rosen prophecy, “And this one will last a lifetime,” is now to be taken literally) go to the grave believing that the Blueshirts would’ve emerged victorious in 2024 had that dim-witted Drury embraced an “ALL IN” approach during the deadline of ’24.
And go figure:
In both 2015 and 2024 – I had issues with an a $8.5M cap-hit Swede.
And had both Henrik Lundqvist and Mika Zibanejad won Stanley Cups in New York?
Then they would’ve been on the same level as the 1994 New York Rangers – or just like Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks is today.
Instead?
And they aren’t even Adam Judge – and for that matter – Juan Soto too.
Praise be to Caitlin Clark, the Giants and Notre Dame – the only enjoyment I get in sports today!
As schools across New York were opened for their third day of education, then on September 3rd and the Rangers officially announced the following:
New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the team has agreed to terms with forward Eeli Tolvanen on a one-year contract.
Tolvanen, 27, skated in 78 games for the Seattle Kraken in 2025-26, recording 12 goals and 24 assists for 36 points. Tolvanen also recorded a career-high 14 power play points (5G-9A). With 178 hits, Tolvanen ranked second on the Kraken and his 81 blocked shots were the most among forwards on the club. In addition, Tolvanen averaged a career high of 1:02 minutes of ice time on the penalty kill.
The 5-10, 182-pound forward has recorded 190 points (92G-98A) in 423 NHL games between the Kraken and Nashville Predators. Over the last three seasons, he is the only player in the NHL with 100-plus points, 600-plus hits and 200-plus blocked shots. Since 2022-23, his first season in Seattle, Tolvanen led the franchise in hits (703) and ranked first among forwards in blocked shots with 256. In 2024-25, Tolvanen scored a career-high 23 goals in 81 games, the second most on the Kraken.
Internationally, the Vihti, Finland native has represented Finland in several tournaments, including the 2026 and 2018 Olympics, and two World Championships.
Tolvanen was originally selected by Nashville in the first round, 30th overall, of the 2017 NHL Draft.
While the Rangers officially announced their latest reclamation project, as the Blueshirts mark the third NHL organization for the 27-year-old Finn; but missing from that press release is that Tolvanen comes with a $1.5M cap-hit.
(The cap hit is insignificant. The fact that the Rangers are one of the few teams in the league that doesn’t share this information is significant.)
What strikes me batty is the fact that Drury has been making all of these deals with Seattle – and mainly for reclamation and hopeful “a new locale will change my fortune” players – yet has never found a deal for Shane Wright.
And really – another bottom-six player?
I am just left to assume that Drury’s master “retool” plan is to sign every bottom-six player available.
Prediction time:
Just like the last two seasons – and the Garden will be half-empty again come February – and as a result – only incense season-ticket holders even more.
After all, what fan loves paying insanely high ticket prices, only to then be seated next to a fan who paid 75% less – and not just on the secondary ticket market – but via “we gotta put asses in the seats” Ranger ticket promotions too!?!?!?
I was aware of this last season (site traffic was at an all-time low – another thing to consider when writing these manifestos) and I was aware of it two-years ago too:
When doing anything Rangers’ related, and whether it be a podcast, a social media account or a blog like this one – then negativity, while it sells in spurts – doesn’t sell long-term.
After all, then what fan or entity wants to read about their favorite team sucking more weiner than Bonnie Blue on a daily basis?
Granted, one bad game or major negative event will get you clicks (that 56-game 2021 season was something else – as it felt like there was a major negative story everyday), but the Rangers were so bad and boring last season that they just made their fans run away from them.
If I was a true businessman (and as I ought to be – after all – I do have ten published Blueshirt books available on Amazon – check the PLUGS section for the 411 on all of them), then, and just like the younger fingers on the interwebs – and I’d be selling you on a RANGERS’ REDEMPTION 2026-27 season.
(Fun Fact: The best site traffic this site ever did? 2014-15 and 2023-24 – and gee – I wonder why!?!?!)
But, and as you should all know by now – I remain true.
I’m not in it for the money.
After all (my favorite two-words when opening a sentence) – then I don’t sell ads, spyware or any other junk on this site.
10K words, no adds, one blog – that’s always been my motto – and to my own financial detriment too!
I’ll get more into the future of this site once we get to the end of this manifesto – but I gotta say it here:
This team, this franchise, this GM, this first line center, etc – it just inspires no hope.
As I said after the failed 2024 trade deadline (blogs don’t lie – and you can check the archives for all of the proof) – then I feel like we’re currently enduring/suffering through the third Dark Age in Rangers’ franchise history.
Should the Blueshirts not make the playoffs in 2027 – then that’s three consecutive seasons without playoff gates – which in turn – should finally cost Drury his undeserved job.
For all of the millennials who will always trash Messier whenever “The Messiah’s” name came up as a person to run this team – and keep in mind – this franchise, historically, has always been run by members of the alumni.
And are you telling me that Drury, the worst captain in franchise history, is doing a better job than whatever the best captain (maybe second-best – depending on your view of Bill Cook) would have done?
Perhaps even far worse than the Rangers themselves is their state media.
Between Colin Stephenson of Newsday recently addressing both head coach Mike Sullivan and Drury as “Mister,” airhead Mollie Walker asking players if they are “Swifties,” and Wince Mercogliano pretending that he’s a draft expert because he read a few charts online; then there’s also this from Peter Baugh:
This #NYR season isn’t about ceiling. It’s about respectability. https://t.co/hXAE3SVfI9
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) September 9, 2026
Does Baugh get a paycheck from the Big Apple club?
It’s not about winning?
It’s only about respectability?
Try this on for size Baugh:
WINNING A CUP BRINGS RESPECTABILITY!
That Baugh headline may have very well been replaced with one-word:
LOSERS!
Oh, a first-round exit would be respectable?
Again, maybe it’s my newfound old age and all-out state of jadedness.
Maybe it’s the fact that everyone I love and RESPECT is older too.
But Hockey Gods Damn It – is it too much to ask to see one more Rangers’ Stanley Cup victory before my next health issue – anal leakage?
Instead, and I’m just asked by Baugh to respect the Rangers as they continue to shit the bed.
RIP Hugh Delano.
RIP Walt McPeek.
And I guess RIP Larry Brooks too – even if he introduced that female hyena cacklin’ disease over at the New York Post.
The Blueshirts who begin this season with a truncated camp due to the new 84-game regular season schedule, returned to their training facility in Tarrytown on September 11th.
However, it were the Ranger rookies that were first up, as all of their prospects reported for camp – then played a pair of games against the Flyers’ youts.
The orange-and-black attack swept the Blueshirts in a weekend series via a 3-2 final on 9/12 and a 4-1 decision on 9/13.
In the past, I’ve watched this annual two-game set – but not this year.
For starters, these games are pretty much meaningless.
Secondly, and most importantly – these games are impossible to watch.
For the 7986798678679867867896789678679868th time on this site, then the Rangers, who have about 767867867986798678967867878967986 different mediums, whether it be their own cable networks, social media accounts, a streaming app, etc, can’t be bothered to air these games.
Conversely, and the Flyers, who don’t have the advantage of the New York market (they have to work harder to sell-out their arena), do air these games.
If you decided to watch the Flyers’ stream, then naturally, all the announcers do is hype up the players from the City of Brotherly Love.
Totally understandable.
For someone like me, who isn’t really interested in teenagers playing hockey, then you won’t learn anything about the young men trying to break into the Rangers’ varsity ranks.
Should you be interested in better coverage of these games, then check out my pal, Ricky Otazu, and his Hockey World Order podcast (linked below).
Following the events of the uneventful rookie games, then come Wednesday, September 16th, and the brain trust of the Big Apple, head coach Mike Sullivan and team president/general manager Chris Drury, did their annual and league-mandated sit down with the mopes that compromise the current state of the Blueshirts’ birdbrain beat.
As I heard all over social media – and this was more like “Sullen & Dreary” – rather than two men expressing vibrant hopes for an upcoming season.
I’m not going to waste my time recapping an event where the two people involved obviously wanted no part of, but I do have a few words from this mess to share with you.
That said, then if you haven’t already seen it, then you can watch it here:
This was an absolutely brutal twenty-minute watch – and twenty-minutes of my life that I’ll never get back.
No joke, and Drury, who looked he just finished getting both a prostate and rectal exam at the same time from Dr. Sausage Fingers, said the word “excited” as many times as Joe Micheletti would shriek out the word “FABULOUS” on any M$GN broadcast.
Unlike Jumpin’ Joe, who always said “FABULOUS” with pure glee and emotion (and who was probably erect too while belting the word out) – and Drury was anything but.
In fact, then I’d reckon to guess that there is more joy felt at a children’s cancer ward when compared to what Drury expressed on Wednesday.
In another wrinkle, and Drury is now trying to grow some silver streak in his hair, ala Rod Brind’Amour.
Unlike Rod The Bod, then I don’t think that this look will produce Drury a Cup anytime soon.
In all of my life, and I’ve never seen somebody use the word “excited” with less emotion and passion.
(No wonder why Drury does everything else on ZOOM. He’s probably playing Wordle when talking to these nincompoops!)
Even Jessie Spano, famously of “Saved By The Bell,” oozed charisma when she once told Zack Morris how “excited” she was.
Since Drury won’t put anything into timelines, and since the Ranger beat reporters fear losing access to a person they barely have any access to in the first place, then no tough questions were asked.
If there was anything truly newsworthy, then it was the fact that the Blueshirts’ fifth-overall pick of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, Alberts Smits, is being considered for a varsity roster spot.
Asking a rational follow-up, such as, “Not many Ranger rookies have jumped out the gate when starting in the NHL as opposed to spending some time in the AHL – have you considered this?” wasn’t brought up.
However, what sure got a lot of time was the new man calling the shots, Dolan’s kid.
After all, Drury doesn’t want to lose his job – and while you’d have to think that he’s on the hot seat – then much his hot oil pizza sales – and he’s been a pretty good snake oil salesman to the Dolan family too.
The Rangers, after looking like fools in their two rookie games, and following their Terry Schiavo inspired press conference with Drury and Sullivan too, opened their abbreviated training camp on Thursday – and in a rarity in this new NHL – without a PTO signing in sight.
(Where have you gone Tyler Pitlick? We miss you Conor Sheary!)
With a truncated preseason schedule (four games in five nights) due to two more games tacked onto the previous 82-game regular season foray (now an 84-game season) – and the Rangers wasted no time – as not only did they drop their usual three training camp groups into two – but they separated the contenders from pretenders too:
The Rangers spent Thursday, Friday and Saturday practicing.
They also conducted numerous, with not much value being said, interviews.
You can find all of the information from these events here: https://www.youtube.com/@nyrangers
The team held several intra-squad scrimmages, but really, since I didn’t see any of them with my own two eyes – then I can’t really talk about it.
Plus, who cares who scores in practice?
I care about who scores (and who plays well for that matter too) in the games that count.
In what truly was news, was Sullivan’s line-up – as he pretty much did what most of us expected him to do.
Here’s what could be the opening night line-up (9/29 in Boston):
FIRST LINE: Perreault/Zibanejad/Lafreniere
SECOND LINE: Dorofeyev/Miller/Bjorkstrand
THIRD LINE: Cuylle/Laba/Tolvanen
FOURTH LINE: Kartye/Veleno/Chemlar
FIRST PAIR: Gavrikov/Fox
SECOND PAIR: Pettersson/Durzi
THIRD PAIR: Smits/Schneider
STARTING GOALIE: CZAR IGOR
BACK-UP BACKSTOP: Korpisalo
BATTLING FOR ROSTER SPOTS: Taylor Raddysh (why is he still here?), Matt Rempe (Sullivan hates him), Matthew Robertson (trying to send Smits to Hartford), Scott Morrow (Carolina won that trade) and Dylan Garand (Drury should be put down like Old Yeller).
While the Rangers’ top-six forwards and top-four on defense seems pretty much set in stone for right now; there is some competition among the role-players.
As noted, Smits is trying to skip Hartford, while the likes of Drew Fortescue and Dylan Garand are also trying to prevent another stint with the Wolf Pack.
Unlike Fortescue and Garand, who could be sent down without fear of the waiver-wire, the same can’t be said about Matt Rempe.
Currently, and players like Tolvanen, Veleno, Chmlear, Sykora and others are trying to make the team – and where it may soon become an odd-man out situation for the big man in the blue #73.
As a Rempe fan, then I’d hate to see him go – but I would understand it.
I think what also has me so down in the dumps with the Blueshirts is that outside of CZAR IGOR, Adam Fox, Rempe, and I suppose Will Cuylle too, then there’s really no one else on this roster that’s really likable and has true equity here – and yes, and as we all know – I would’ve traded Zibanejad years ago.
Elsewhere, and trading for Miller, and as noted about 673437893637499786969696667866 times before, took place a year or two too late.
Alexis Lafreniere, and this isn’t up for debate, is one of the worst first-overall draft picks of this century. Again, and as said before, being drafted at the height of COVID didn’t help him – but c’mon – it’s been seven seasons now.
Gabe Perreault, while others are making him out to be the second coming of Jaromir Jagr, is just unproven in my eyes.
He has all the potential in the world, so don’t think that I’m knocking him.
I just need to see how he does in games that matter.
Among the newer roster acquisitions, then I remain a big fan of Sam Carrick Lite – Tye Kartye.
In fact, let’s throw this out there:
I’m pegging Kartye as one of the favorites for this season’s Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award – a distinct honor that Carrick, who Kartye replaced, would have won last season had he not been dealt to Buffalo prior to the deadline.
As said during my last blog, there’s just so much hodge-podge, so much gelling that needs to be done, to really take this roster seriously.
I know that everyone is making much ado about Pavel Dorofeyev, and how he’s going to be Artemi Panarin 2.0 (sans the alleged sexual assaults) – but I’m hesitant to jump on that hype train.
While Dorofeyev is good; then there’s a big difference when playing with Jack Eichel and Mitch Marner when compared to the likes of J.T. Miller and Oliver Bjorkstrand.
You also have flame-outs, busts and guys on one-year deals who might get selfish (padding stats for a new contract).
And for the life of me – I still don’t know why Korpisalo is here.
Yeah, yeah, yeah – I understand the concept of having a veteran back-up.
But why trade a draft pick and pay Korpisalo’s cap-hit when you could’ve returned Cam Talbot on a veteran-minimum deal – and without sacrificing a draft pick to boot?
The Blue Jackets sure knew the deal (more below).
As far as anything else from these 72-hours in Tarrytown, then I guess that it’s worth mentioning that Drury didn’t offer Perreault an eight-year deal prior to the CBA deadline.
Moving forward, then teams can only offer seven-years to their own players as a maximum term limit, which is why you saw so many young players ink eight-year deals earlier in the week.
We all know that I’m not a fan of Drury – but I can’t knock him for this.
As I just said – Perreault is unproven in my eyes.
And really – what long-term deal has worked out for Drury and the Rangers anyway?
The salary cap will continue to go up and if Perreault earns his new deal, so be it.
Either way, and I don’t see this being a Leo Carlsson situation.
Before getting into my quick 2026-27 NHL Preview and Predictions, some last second thoughts on the Rangers and of course, our lovely PLUGS segment too; just some words on the alumni – a topic dear to me.
Ryan Reaves, a few matches short of a thousand game played NHL career (962), announced his retirement last week at the age of 39-years-old (he turns 40 on January 20th).
Citing the undefeated Father Time, the man of 165 fights and 1,137 penalty minutes will go down as one of a dying breed – a true enforcer.
Ironically, in one of Reaves’ last fights (with San Jose), it was the former Ranger that beat up Matt Rempe, which then led to Rempe’s injury-plagued 2025-26 season.
While I’m just to assume that Reaves, beloved in Las Vegas, and who was a part of their epic inaugural 2017-18 season that led them to the Stanley Cup Final (five-game loss to the Capitals), will wind up with some sort of job with the Golden Knights (he still maintains a home in Sin City); but if I were M$GN, then I’d fire Sieve Vagistat and replace him with “THE GRIM REAVER.”
As we all know, Reaves is an entertaining and colorful guy.
I could also see him landing some gig on the podcast circuit, or perhaps sub in for Paul Bissonnette on TNT too.
I gave Reaves his “Rangers’ Sendoff” back on 11/23/2022.
For more about his time with the Blueshirts, then check out: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/112322/
Good luck and congratulations to Ryan Reaves, who by all accounts, is a great guy.
Obviously, the biggest news regarding the Rangers’ alumni transpired last week – when Chris Kreider and the Anaheim Ducks amicably and mutually agreed to terminate his contract.
For the Ducks, they are in salary cap hell – and especially after the move that the Flyers pulled on them earlier in the summer (Carlsson offer sheet).
For Kreider, then he didn’t really have an attachment to the Disney team.
Prior to his arrival, and his off-season training pal, Trevor Zegras, was ironically dealt to Philadelphia.
As the season progressed, one of his former fellow alternate captains in New York, Ryan Strome, was dealt to Calgary.
Come this off-season and his former captain in the Big Apple, Jacob Trouba, traded Californian locales, as he signed with the San Jose Sharks.
While I’m sure that Kreider made some friends during his short stint with the Ducks; but to say the obvious – and what originally brought him to Anaheim (he said this), Trouba and Strome, were no longer in orange.
With Kreider still clamoring for a Stanley Cup (unlike his BFF Zibanejad), he and Ducks’ GM, former Ranger Pat Verbeek, agreed to part ways.
As everyone wondered about Florida (built to win – and there’s an opening with the Brad Marchand injury), Boston (his hometown), Tampa (Ryan McDonagh, no state income tax) and other NHL teams that CK20 could sign with – and the one team that nobody had on their list, the Montreal Canadiens, came calling.
On Saturday, September 12th, the Montreal Canadiens announced the following:
GATINEAU – Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes announced on Saturday that the team has agreed to terms on a one-year contract (2026-27) with forward Chris Kreider.
Kreider played 75 games with the Anaheim Ducks in 2025-26, producing 50 points (22G, 28A) and serving 34 penalty minutes. The 35-year-old forward scored eight power play goals, ranking him second on the Ducks. Kreider, who recorded the 600th point of his NHL career on November 30, 2025, in Chicago, reached the 20-goal mark for an eighth straight season.
Kreider has taken part in 958 games and registered 632 points (348G, 284A) in the NHL with the New York Rangers and Anaheim Ducks since making his debut in 2012-13. Since entering the League, Kreider ranks 15th in the NHL with 348 goals as well as 10th in power play goals, with 124. Kreider, a native of Boxford, MA, set career highs with 52 goals (including 26 on the powerplay) and 77 points in 2021-22.
Kreider was selected by the Rangers in the first round (19th overall) at the 2009 NHL Draft.
Kreider, already financially set for life, agreed to a one-year deal worth $2,150,000 ($850K base, $1.3M bonus).
Kreider, who will become an unrestricted free agent next summer, also has $3.25M worth of incentive performance bonuses in his deal, thus giving him the potential to make $5.4M in the 2026-27 season.
As both Kreider and MSL would go on to say – it was their bond during St. Louis’ time with the Rangers that drove the former Blueshirt to Montreal.
In news that I didn’t know, nor do I think many other people knew either, and both members of the Rangers’ alum talked about how Kreider, following MSL’s 2014-15 retirement (with the Rangers), continued to use his former teammate as a sounding board and mentor.
As we all knew – MSL, following his retirement, kept a Connecticut residence. He also turned down job offers with the Rangers (Wolf Pack) as he wanted to coach his young kids at the time.
Being local allowed Kreider and MSL to hook-up and continue their friendship.
Kreider’s arrival to Montreal marks the first player that MSL will coach who he once played with.
In news that comes as no surprise to anyone – and Kreider has/had a close and personal bond with former Rangers’ trainer Jim “The Birdbrain Beat Will Never Report Why I Was Fired” Ramsay.
Kreider was upset to see his former boss, the Pizza Man, fire Ramsay.
Kreider was also on good terms with his former boss’s former boss – the man who Drury stabbed in the back – Jeff Gorton.
With Gorton, MSL and Ramsay all in Montreal, then switching conferences and coasts makes sense.
I was just surprised to see Kreider go to Canada – as when it comes to everyone else in the league – and every American player and their mother are trying to get out of the 51st State.
After all, have you been sleeping under a rock?
The hero of the gold medal winning Olympic team, Connor Hellebuyck, and despite having lengthy-term on his contract with the Jets, has made it clear that he’ll never play for Winnipeg again.
And there’s also Dylan Larkin, recently stripped of his captaincy in MoTown, where I guess since Detroit is a stone’s throw from Windsor, ON, who also wants out – although Larkin’s beef with the Wings is more about mismanaged management rather than anything else.
It’s even crazier knowing Kreider’s history with the Habs – as not only did he grow up hating them as a fan of the Boston Bruins – but we’re all well too aware of what happened in the 2014 Eastern Conference Final too:
Kreider, a true villain in Montreal (Hab fans hated him so much that once during one of my road-trips there, and yours truly, and my buddy Ten O’Clock Tommy, who was wearing a CK20 jersey, almost got jumped by ten Canadian-Samoans at some local gin mill – and just for wearing that jersey), will now hope to 180 his reputation to Canadien supporters.
Kreider’s infamous collision, where he was tripped into Carey Price, was lightly and joked about during one of his meetings with the Canadie(a)n media:
Even Chris Kreider had to laugh after the reporter asked about his infamous crash into Carey Price in 2014 😂 pic.twitter.com/9GfNq3Pxff
— BarDown (@BarDown) September 14, 2026
I thought it was very telling that Kreider chose Montreal.
He could’ve went to Florida, again, built to win Stanley Cups, on a vet-minimum deal.
For CK20, he thinks that Montreal has the best chance to win – and let’s not forget that the Habs fell just three wins shy of reaching the Stanley Cup Final this year either (five-game series loss to eventual Cup champs, the Hurricanes).
I know that Kreider wasn’t exactly Brian Leetch – but I view him with those similar lens.
He should’ve been a career Ranger.
He’s not, so all I can do now is root for the best for him – that is – whenever he isn’t playing against the Rangers.
And he better not slide into CZAR IGOR anytime soon either!
My favorite goalie and yours, Cam Talbot, will continue his NHL career – and in what could possibly be his last season in the NHL.
If you can believe it, then THE GOALBUSTER will turn 40-years old in 2027.
Where does the time go?
Talbot, who was biding his time (and perhaps waiting for someone to get injured too – and as was the case here – as Elvis Merzlikins is out with an injured shoulder that required surgery), finally signed an NHL contract for the 2026-27 season on September 14th.
Here’s how his new team, the Columbus Jackets, covered the news, courtesy of
https://www.nhl.com/news/cam-talbot-signs-1-year-contract-with-columbus-blue-jackets:
Just like Chris Kreider – and good luck to Cam Talbot – although I don’t think that the goalie will enjoy a winning season – and where I do see Kreider continuing his playoff journey in 2027.
Speaking of the alumni, then I’d also like to once again show my support for Ron Duguay – as he continues to fight against cancer.
He’s had some scary moments over the summer – including feeling so weak, which led to him falling down. Once on the ground, he woke up to see that he was missing nearly half his teeth – and with a ton of bruising on his face as well.
Duguay has a strong support system with his family, as not only are his kids and girlfriend Sarah Palin helping him, but his ex-wife too.
We all know what cancer is and how much it sucks.
All we can do is just wish people the best – and for Duguay – he certainly deserves the best.
Last week, the Rangers announced their annual alumni charity game.
The full information on the event, where proceeds raised will be donated to the Garden of Dreams, can be found here: https://www.nhl.com/rangers/community/alumni-classic?utm_campaign=alumni-classic&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=organic
Maybe Henrik Lundqvist, now a fixture at these events, can battle against Mike Richter in nets!
(My favorite goalie of all-time, Mike Richter, turns sixty-years old on Tuesday. Happy early birthday! While he may appear at the event, I don’t expect him to play in it!)
Speaking of “THE KING OF COMMENTARY?”
Then old-time readers of this site may appreciate this:
Jalen Brunson says he will never call himself the “King of New York” because it comes off as “self-centered”
Brunson staying humble 💯
(via @RoadTrippinShow) pic.twitter.com/6jcCbsk3B6
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 2, 2026
Hmmmmm!
I don’t know how many home games that I’ll attend this season (I rather save my money for road-trips – and where this year – we’re going to Dallas – and because of some fortunate scheduling – also see the Giants play the Cowboys too), but regardless – and I’m really interested in that JD replica mask.
And hey – that Adam Graves’ inspired boat ain’t too shabby either.
Either way – and both of these items sure blow away those cheap and poorly made fag bags (what’s the real and proper name – “fanny pack?”) that the Rangers often give away!
And now – just a super quick preview and predictions for the 2026-27 season.
When I look at the state of the NHL when entering the 2026-27 season, then it feels like only five teams have a shot at the Cup – but where as we also know – then there’s always some sort of dark horse candidate that emerges.
As we’ve seen in recent years (and let’s not forget who first predicted this – ME!); then teams that play in cities without state income taxes have a significant advantage.
That’s why it comes as no surprise that the Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Vegas Golden Knights are huge gambling favorites to win the Cup this season.
These three organizations, who have all made multiple Stanley Cup Final appearances (and who have also won the silver too) in the past five-years, will also be competing against the likes of the Edmonton Oilers, Colorado Avalanche, and obviously, last year’s champs, the Carolina Hurricanes.
It’s my opinion that if Florida wasn’t decimated by injuries last year, thus qualifying for the 2026 tournament, then Carolina would have never won the Cup.
That’s not to take anything away from Carolina – it’s just to speak to Florida’s recent dominance.
Away from these franchises and you have Kreider’s Canadiens knocking at the door.
Perennial regular season winners, the Dallas Stars, also have a shot – but until they do it – then they are always the bridesmaid, never to be wed.
The Minnesota Wild seemed to be taking the next step last season, but recent drama surrounding the future of Quinn Hughes, who was just acquired from Vancouver, could dampen hopes – and especially if other players decide to join him out the door.
The Buffalo Sabres, who just snapped the longest playoff drought in hockey in 2026, should be a formidable contender – and who knows – may land Hellebuyck too.
Then again, goaltending hasn’t really been an issue for the Sabres – who seemed to have plenty of strong puck-stoppers – or at least whenever they play against the Rangers!
The Washington Capitals, who reloaded in the off-season in what could be Alex Ovechkin’s last season, should be a threat.
While the Capitals feature a ton of playoff experience and older players; conversely and if there’s ever a sexy pick for the Cup, then it’s Macklin Celebrini’s San Jose Sharks.
Every other team in the league?
Then I don’t really see them standing come June – but who knows – I’ve been (rarely) wrong before!
Here’s how I see each division breaking down – and with my Stanley Cup predictions attached.
Keep in mind, this is always an impossible task – as we don’t know what injuries will transpire, nor trades either.
Let’s roll.
In the Central Division, then last year’s division winners, the Colorado Avalanche, should continue to maintain their crown. They have all the talent in the world and you know that they’ll be pissed off after how their 2026 playoff hopes ended (swept in the Western Conference Final by Brett Howden’s Vegas Golden Knights).
Just because they seem to be more stable than the Wild, then I have the Dallas Stars finishing in second-place.
When it comes to the Wild, then I can see them dropping to fourth-place in the division, with the upstart Utah Mammoth jumping them for third-place.
The bottom-half of this division could be interesting, especially with the Patrick Kane reunion in Chicago.
I just don’t see the Blackhawks finishing in last-place like they did last year.
Instead, I feel like the Jets, just a mess right now, will finish with that distinction.
Elsewhere and the Blues and Predators are in their own retooling and rebuilding states. They will be playing for a draft pick this season – or so I say!
RANKINGS:
- Avalanche
- Stars
- Mammoth
- Wild
- Blackhawks
- Predators
- Blues
- Jets
The Pacific Division has produced the last four Western Conference champions and where it wouldn’t surprise anyone should this streak run to five consecutive seasons.
Take your pick, as either the Oilers or Golden Knights will finish first – and with the other team finishing second.
The two Los Angeles based teams, the Kings and the Ducks, both reached the playoffs last year.
However, I see both of these teams on the decline, as cap issues has destroyed the Ducks, while the Kings are just getting old – and collecting too many ex-Rangers too – including the soon-to-be forty-year-old Mats Zuccarello!
It’s the other Californian team, the Sharks, that I see swimming to third-place in the division.
Just like any other good team – and I expect players to look to play for San Jose come the deadline.
I see the Ducks and Kings finishing in fourth- and fifth-place, while the bottom three teams in the division, the Flames, the Canucks and the Kraken, remaining in the cellar.
RANKINGS:
- Golden Knights
- Oilers
- Sharks
- Ducks
- Kings
- Kraken
- Canucks
- Flames
The Atlantic Division had a somewhat changing of the recent guard last season.
Due to injuries in Florida and with the Maple Leafs absolutely shitting the bed; in turn, it allowed the Sabres and Canadiens to rise.
Elsewhere, and even the Senators finally returned to the playoffs too.
The Lightning, where no team was destroyed more by the salary cap than them (they haven’t returned to a Stanley Cup Final since their teams were stripped of their talent due to the cap), seem to be stuck a bit.
They are too good to fail, but not good enough to return to the promised land.
Their interstate rival, conversely, is just built to win, as it’s a roster of complete shit kickers and playoff players for the Cats.
As noted earlier, Montreal will look to get to the next level – and maybe they will.
Their Canadian rival, the Leafs, will most likely see their playoff schneid continue – but Gavin McKenna will be fun to watch.
The other north of the border team in this division, the Senators, won’t return to the playoffs – as losing Tkachuk, and now becoming a city that players don’t want to play in, will hurt them.
Two Original Six teams, the Red Wings and Bruins, when compared to one another, really shows you what a good front office can do.
Nearly a decade of “The Yzerplan” didn’t work in Detroit, while conversely, the Bruins have churned out perennial playoff contenders despite a rotation in talent.
While I have the Panthers winning the Stanley Cup, then I also see the Sabres repeating as Atlantic champs.
As we all know, there’s a difference between regular season and playoff action – and I can see the Panthers resting guys and taking games off prior to the tournament.
RANKINGS:
- Sabres
- Panthers
- Canadiens
- Lightning
- Bruins
- Leafs
- Senators
- Red Wings
Outside of the Carolina Hurricanes winning the Metro Division and Columbus finishing at the bottom of it – then I feel like the other six teams left to discuss are a crapshoot.
You can really make a case for all of them to finish with a playoff spot.
The two teams from Pennsylvania, the Penguins and Flyers, respectively finished second- and third-place last year.
If that was to happen again, then would anyone be surprised?
Sidney Crosby, now 39-years-old, has shown no signs of slowing down. Just as it is in California, and when it comes to this interstate rivalry, and the Flyers are the younger and sexier pick.
In fact, it was the orange-and-black that mellowed the black-and-yellow in the first-round, via six-games.
And there was no shame for Flyer fans when they were swept in the second-round by the much more accomplished and ready to win Hurricanes.
The Capitals, while shedding some of their old guard, do have elder statesmen – but they’ve also loaded up on young talent (Ryan Leonard and Justin Sourdif) too. They also found veteran help for one last run by adding the likes of Alex Tuch, Jordan Kryrou and Boone Jenner to the mix.
The Devils, due to injuries and shoddy goaltending, finished seventh-place last season.
That’s why, and easily at that, I see them making the biggest jump in this division.
Jack Hughes, who just can’t stay healthy, can carry the red-and-black – but again – he has to stay healthy.
New general manager Sunny Mehta, formerly an AGM in Florida, should have success.
If there’s one team that could benefit from Hellebuyck’s services, then it is the team that calls Newark home.
The Blue Jackets are an all-out mess – as nobody wants to play there.
Adam Fantilli remains unsigned, while Kirill Marchenko has made it known that he doesn’t really want to be there either.
Without sounding callous – as that’s not my intention – what could’ve been had a drunk driver not killed Johnny Gaudreau – a rare player that actually chose the Ohioan franchise.
The Rangers and Islanders are somewhat alike.
If everything goes good, then yeah – maybe a playoff appearance.
But if one thing goes wrong – then everything could be derailed.
Both New York teams feature strong starting goalies (CZAR IGOR and his BFF, Ilya Sorokin), while also possessing a high-end rear guard (Adam Fox and Matthew Schaefer).
They both also bid adieu to members of their leadership – and ironically – both Vincent Trocheck, an alternate captain on Broadway, and long-time Islander captain Anders Lee, are now both in Mormon Land with the Mammoth.
Respectively, the Islanders, Devils and Rangers finished at the bottom of this division last year.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the two New York teams finish sixth- and seventh respectively – and where they can thank the Blue Jackets for not finishing dead-last.
As far as who finishes better – then I’m giving the nod to the nomadic Islanders – and mainly because of the perceived “new coach bump” (Peter DeBoer).
But as Ranger fans – and for you Islander fan hate readers too – then the worst thing that can happen is this:
A middle-of-the-pack finish.
Not good enough for the playoffs, but not good enough for a lotto pick either.
For the Islanders, then at least their first-overall blows away the Rangers’ first-overall.
UGH!
RANKINGS:
- Hurricanes
- Capitals
- Devils
- Flyers
- Penguins
- Islanders
- Rangers
- Blue Jackets
STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS
Division Winners: Hurricanes, Avalanche, Golden Knights and Buffalo Sabres.
Two and Three Seeds: Stars vs Mammoth, Oilers vs Sharks, Panthers v. Canadiens and Capitals vs. Devils.
Wild Cards: Wild, Blackhawks, Lightning and Flyers
Eastern Conference Final: Panthers vs Hurricanes
Western Conference Final: Avalanche vs Golden Knights
Stanley Cup Final: Florida Panthers over the Colorado Avalanche in seven games.
The Rangers will play four games in five nights – and that’s it – preseason over.
As far as the future of this site, then I don’t know what I’m going to do!
The updates will probably be less frequent – and if this season goes anything like last year – then I’m tapping out – as it brings me no joy to say that the team sucks on a day-in and day-out basis.
It’s tough to gauge the preseason – but for at least the guys playing for final roster spots/healthy scratch paychecks and bottom roles – and it’s minimal time to get your shit in.
As we know, Mika Zibanejad has nothing to worry about, but Matt Rempe does.
Personally?
Then I’m just hoping that Garand posts nothing but no-no’s, while Korpisalo is ran out of the building.
As I do every year, then I’m going to the Ranger/Islander game at IBS – as I know low people in high places who get me free tickets!
I know it’s only preseason, but as noted many times before – then as a well-traveled person (I’ve been to 30 different NHL arenas) – and IBS is one of the best ones around.
Plus, it’s a night out with friends.
As far as covering the preseason goes, then Monday night is out for me – as the Giants playing on Monday Night Football is more important to me.
I also hate writing about a game, only for it to be dated some 24-hours later.
But I will be watching – and as always – you can find all of my real-time thoughts on my Tweeter account over at @NYCTHEMIC.
Maybe I’ll return late Tuesday night/Wednesday morning with thoughts on the first two games.
If not, then I’ll just return next weekend, covering the entire preseason and then previewing the 9/29 opener in Boston.
(And perhaps writing one blog a week will take some of the anger out of me – as these last two seasons are probably why I have health problems today!)
I guess that I should also mention that I may not be around after the expected loss in Beantown, as I’m going to my local watering hole for their watch party – and where yes – after a sizzlin’ summer – Labatt Blue is back on tap!
Before we go to my PLUGS, I just wanted to share some great podcasts with you.
Up first, the standard, “The Blueshirt Undergound Show,” which returned last Wednesday night:
As noted earlier, here’s one of Ricky Otazu’s latest Hockey World Order episodes – and where he’s been producing daily content too:
And I totally forgot to plug a rare podcast that I did – and you can see why I rarely do them too – I have dinosaur computers, a shitty internet connection, and in turn – it’s maddening for me!
Check out me Stan Fischler, Alena Sycheva and Solon Mihas on The Bottle Rocket:
And for the first time this season – your favorite segment and mine – you know…
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
