NYR/NJD 9/28 Review: No “Laugh-freniere” Matter! Ranger Rookies (and Veterans) Continue to Outplay “The Softball Sensation,” Schmid Happens (Again); Shut Out Streak Extended, Who’d You Rather – “WIN NOW” NYR Right Wing Options, Othmann Hates Hartford, Ken Daneyko, M$GN & More

Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. Have I ever mentioned before on this site that I deeply despise the New Jersey Devils?

Heck, my hatred for the other side of the Hudson is most likely why this will be the lengthiest recap of Thursday’s tilt in all of Rangerstown, USA!

In the past, I’ve been accused (or complimented) by some readers of this site as being the Rangers’ version of Hunter S. Thompson. I bring this up because you may see some “GONZO JOURNALISM” in tonight’s GAME REVIEW (and in particular, this blog in general) – but make no bones about it – what I’m also saying is 100% factual, even if it is opinion-based at times too.

On Thursday night, Game 3, the half-way mark of the preseason, the Rangers dropped a 3-2 decision to the Devils. This contest also marked the first meeting between these two warring clubs of either side of the Hudson River ever since that dreadful Game 7 played on May 1st, 2023.

Over four months removed from the pain, where let’s face it – that pain has yet to erode from our hearts – it felt like nothing had changed after watching tonight’s exhibition.

While yes, “IT’S ONLY THE PRESEASON” (the only such disclaimer of the sort that I will make for the rest of this blog); tonight’s tilt did have all of the makings and vibes of a regular season game, where by the end of it, it felt like the Devils took two points in the standings from the Blueshirts.

Hyperbole? Maybe, but I genuinely felt the intensity throughout the sixty-minute affair, which in a way, is a good thing for every party involved – the Rangers, the fans, and ugh – even the Devils themselves.

For a comparison, and if you’re a glutton for punishment, then just watch that Rangers/Bruins game from last Sunday night again. Now watch tonight’s game. I think that’s all the evidence, and of the video variety to boot, to support my argument.

In what felt like 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs deja vu; Devils’ netminder, the formerly unknown and now a bonafide “Ranger Killer,” Akira Schmid, shut-out the Blueshirts in his 29:20 worth of work, where he recorded nineteen saves in all – and where some of his stops were highway robbery.

On the other end of the ice was the 2022 Vezina Trophy winner, CZAR IGOR, who once again, gave up one fluky goal and that was all that the Devils needed.

Another repeat episode for CZAR IGOR?

His team couldn’t score for him – and while most Ranger fans won’t want to admit it – Schmid also out-dueled Shestyorkin – again.

But the deja vu didn’t stop there, and let me count the ways:

— The Rangers went 0-3 on the power-play tonight, thus bumping their preseason powerless streak to ten.

— The Blueshirts’ big names didn’t get on the board either, while Jack Hughes, another new foe to this feud, picked up an assist.

— A ghost from Rangers’ past, in the form of Tyler Toffoli (2014 – and I don’t think that you need the full explanation on this one), scored the lone fluke goal that CZAR IGOR afforded.

— Michael McLeod, who looked like the offspring of a science lab engineered-and-generated Connor McDavid meets Wayne Gretzky last Spring, and especially when compared to the “performances” displayed by the Rangers’ 1-2 punch of Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin, scored an empty net goal right out of a Peter Laviolette timeout, which ultimately sealed the deal.

— And to conflate everything, it were the younger and cheaper players on the Rangers, such as Brennan Othmann, Will Cuylle, Jonny Brodzinski, Anton Blidh, Erik Gustafsson, Braden Schneider and Alex Belzile, that out-played the big name Blueshirts, including Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, Adam Fox (all three of these players finished with a minus-2) and of course, perhaps the player that’s in everyone’s crosshairs right now, the first-overall pick of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Alexis Lafreniere.

And before you jump down my throat – I already gave you the preseason disclaimer!

I’ll save all the Lafreniere stuff for the GAME REVIEW segment, but as a teaser, here’s what I said last week, when the Rangers entered training camp:

Following tonight’s loss, which was also Lafreniere’s second game played this preseason – you’re hearing a whole lot of questions in regards to his future.

Overreaction, mass hysteria or valid concerns – you be the judge – but if I were to reprint every comment that I received, and also ran all the stuff that I saw on Elon Musk’s app too – then this blog would be more never-ending than usual.

At the very least, and in regards to Lafreniere’s lack of performances (which is only exacerbated by how well Othmann and Cuylle have looked), it tells all of us the two following things:

1) Ranger fans are on edge, an end result of what happened last year.

2) There is a cause for concern, and until Lafreniere can string a bunch of games together where he does play well, then he’ll remain under the “Zach Wilson Microscope.”

As stated, more on Lafreniere, and everyone else, in tonight’s GAME REVIEW segment.

At this time, let’s get into all of the pregame news and then talk about tonight’s fiasco.

Following Tuesday night’s win over the Islanders (https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/92623/ ), on Wednesday, September 27th, the Rangers had the day off, their first day off since the opening of training camp. For those wondering, this was a CBA-mandated break away from the ice.

Come Thursday morning, game day, the club reconvened at their practice facility in Tarrytown, NY for a morning skate.

In some good news, we found out that Artemi Panarin was back following his recent status of “day-to-day,” while Filip Chytil remains with that label.

In even better news, Zibanejad, who was previously ruled “day-to-day,” was also back – and ready to play in his first preseason game:

During the practice, Laviolette skated the line-up that he was going to deploy against the Devils at night (check out the LINE-UP segment below) and following the session, spoke to the media for a lengthy amount of time (ten-minutes), and where in addition, and as always – he was very careful when answering questions with all of his qualifying statements/prefaces/disclaimers:

There wasn’t that much that took place during this edition of “LAVY’S LOUNGE,” as it was more of the same: Lavy is going to continue to shake up the lines, is looking to experiment with what he has, wants to give Alexis Lafreniere the best chance to succeed on the right wing, he’s happy with his goalies, etc.

The only thing of note was that Filip Chytil is expected to miss a few more days, and as was the case tonight, won’t play on Friday night either.

But of course, Laviolette has already said, and multiple times at that, that he won’t push any player that has any sort of ailment, no matter how tiny or minor it may be – the right call.

As noted earlier, Laviolette confirmed that the line-up that he used during practice was what he was going to use tonight, the following:

FIRST LINE: Kreider/Zibanejad/Lafreniere

SECOND LINE: Othmann/Bonino/Wheeler

THIRD LINE: Cuylle/Brodzinski/Kakko

FOURTH LINE: Blidh/Henriksson/Belzile

FIRST PAIR: Miller/Fox

SECOND PAIR: Gustafsson/Schneider

THIRD PAIR: Jones/Emberson

STARTER: CZAR IGOR

BACK-UP: Domingue

Just a few thoughts on tonight’s line-up, thoughts that I had prior to the game – and heck – thoughts that I had after it too:

While I know that it’s all about experimenting – and I’m not criticizing anything here; I wish we could’ve saw that Othmann/Trocheck/Kakko line again.

And while I don’t think that you should mess around with what works (Fox has won a Norris Trophy and has also placed top three in two other Norris Trophy races with Lindgren by his side), it was going to be interesting to see how he fared with Miller.

In the days of “THE TURK,” we only saw Miller and Fox paired together whenever the Rangers were down by a goal late in a game, as a way to create some desperate offense.

Last but not least, and as an outsider-looking-in, it does feel like Lavy is giving JONNY HOCKEY every chance in the world to make this team.

BOX SCORE time.

The following graphics and information come from ESPN.com:

SCORING:

PENALTIES:

GOALIES:

Similar to Tuesday night, when Isles’ legend Butch Goring joined Sam and Joe on the broadcast; tonight, a Devils’ legend, the three-time Stanley Cup champion, Ken Daneyko, was along for the ride.

If I’ve said it once on this site, then I’ve said it 7867868968796789686896 times – I like Daneyko as a broadcaster. I hated him as a player (and he’s also in my new “Ranger Killer” book), but as a human being, a broadcaster, a hockey man – he’s aces in my book – a proverbial book and not a literal one!

(New book idea: “ACES!” Okay, I kid, I kid!)

And just like Goring – Daneyko had to correct Sam and Joe no less than five times tonight, as whatever senility Rosen may have must be contagious, as Micheletti, who usually rectifies all of Rosen’s follies, has missed a bunch of calls this preseason.

I know it sounds blasphemous for a Rangers’ fan to praise both Goring and Daneyko, but what I truly like is how both the Islanders and Devils have a former legend from their respective franchises in their television booths.

After all, isn’t that what originally endeared so many fans to John Davidson?

I only bring this up, because to begin the broadcast, and in some “slapping-on-the-back-ribbing,” Daneyko jested about the Rangers/Devils rivalry, where if you didn’t know better, then you would’ve thought that Joe Micheletti was a legendary Blueshirt – and not just a St. Louis Blue (among other teams, including WHA franchises) as he was.

But as stated two nights ago on this site – the Rosen/Micheletti tandem is only two years away from matching the twenty years that Rosen once spent with JD – and as a result, I do believe that some younger fans think that Micheletti once skated for the Rangers too.

Time flies.

I’ll say it once, because it happened all broadcast, and there’s no reason to go down the route of redundancy here – but yes – Sam Rosen, and as he always does, had a raging 100-count bottle of Viagra boner for the Hughes’ brothers.

If that wasn’t enough for you, then he was also slobbering about Cal and Nolan Foote, the fruit from the loins of former Avalanche (and one-time Chris Drury teammate), Adam Foote.

While it’s probably too late in Rosen’s life for him to switch careers; no one would be better in the field of genealogy than him.

Seriously, “Slammin’ Sammy” should open up his own family tree business – and just the idea of him trying to explain what DNA is would be worth it too.

“OH JOE, HIS BLOOD TYPE IS A+, THAT MEANS HIS ANCESTRY IS A MORMON NEANDERTHAL JOE! THE GREAT JOE SMITH JOE! THE GOLDEN PLATES JOE!”

Blah.

GAME REVIEW time.

FIRST PERIOD:

One more time, and probably not the last time either – just seeing Akira Schmid made me irate.

Kudos to him on his successful young career thus far, as this is a ME PROBLEM – and not a HIM PROBLEM!

As Rosen sang a ballad dedicated to Tyler Toffoli; CZAR IGOR made his first of twenty saves at the 1:54 mark.

No less than two-minutes later, at the 3:18 mark of the contest, the returning Mika Zibanejad was boxed for interfering with Jesper Bratt.

The Rangers’ special teams, which have been god-awful this preseason, were no better here.

During this frantic penalty kill, where the Blueshirts rarely touched the puck, CZAR IGOR was a one-man show, where he totaled five saves in all.

Furthermore, and as a result – the Devils opened the game by out-shooting the Rangers to a tally of 8-0. I told you that this game felt like deja vu!

I wrote about this story in my new book, but it was also nice to hear Daneyko repeat it on the broadcast – the longest-tenured Devil in franchise history, including time spent playing and on television with the organization, brought up his long-time friendship with Mark Messier.

The two hockey legends, who grew up playing together, were always close friends. However, they didn’t speak for years – which first began when Messier left the Oilers for the Rangers in 1991.

The Rangers vs Devils rivalry was just that intense and where the radio silence between the two only intensified in 1994 and 1995.

While there was no real “making up” to be had, as both players understood what the rivalry meant; eventually, the two got back together and rekindled their life-lasting friendship – something that both parties, and their families too, enjoyed.

This may be one of the last few examples of “OLD TIME HOCKEY.”

After all, just look at the players from today, where you have CZAR IGOR, and the Isles’ Ilya Sorokin, training together in the off-season – and not letting the Rangers/Isles rivalry to temporarily put their BFF relationship on pause.

And let me be clear – I get it. I’m not knocking anyone.

Hockey, especially today, is a job, a business, and work for these players. There’s no reason to cut off your best pals because of your place of employment – and especially for two players who live nearby each other.

However, and I think this will apply for any long-time fan – when you hear about Daneyko and Messier taking a timeout from each other – and all in the name of this rivalry – admit it – a wry smile and a token of appreciation is all over your face.

With 12:40 remaining, the Rangers had their best shift yet – a shift from their makeshift fourth line of Blidh/Henriksson/Belzile.

Of this trio, I thought that Blidh continued to play well, as he did in Boston, while Belzile certainly looked better.

When it comes to Henriksson – I can see why he’s been buried in the minors for so long – and I don’t envision a day where he ever suits up for the Rangers in a regular season game.

Plus, and one more time for the people in the back – for a “WIN NOW” team – I expect both Chris “Jong” Drury and Lateralette to favor veterans over rookies – and more on Lafreniere in a bit too!

When the fourth line returned to the ice, Belzile put a heck of a good screen on Schmid, but unfortunately, a rip from Miller couldn’t find twine.

I know that I’m guilty as much of anyone else of doing this, but again, it’s the preseason and of course – comparing and contrasting players that play the same position is only natural.

After all, that’s what Drury and Laviolette are doing too.

This is my way of saying that Braden Schneider seems leap-years ahead of Zac Jones.

I’m fully aware that the Ranger beat reporters are employing a full-court press when promoting Jones – but the next time when these two play, and especially in the same game – just zone in on these two rearguards.

Schneider tries to hit everything that moves, makes keeps at the blue line, and while he’s had a few mistakes this preseason, is always defensively-minded. Anytime contact was looming, Jones didn’t brace for it – he skated away from it.

In my eyes, I feel that Jones will have the same fate as Nils Lundkvist – traded away.

I just don’t see how Jones makes this team any better – and one more time – for a “WIN NOW” club.

I also go back to what he first said after he won that NCAA championship in 2021 to Ron Duguay (who the M$GN desperately needs back on their airwaves) on #10’s old podcast.

If you don’t remember, then here’s the quick paraphrasing of that interview:

“I think I need more time in college to grow my body out and improve my game.”

As you know, the Rangers then came calling with some life-altering money and that was that. Jones left college and turned pro – and where now, and I don’t know if this is exactly a case of hindsight being 20/20, because Jones said as much himself – he probably should’ve stayed in college.

Between his size, style of play, the depth chart, etc; I just don’t see a clear path for him on the varsity club, barring multiple injuries – where again, those two words of “WIN NOW” must be stressed.

Down to 8:30 remaining, Schmid made his best save yet, when he denied his old friend, D.J. MIA – a #93 who was absolutely befuddled by the Swiss net-minder during the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

As the game progressed, one thing was apparent – Brennan Othmann is playing his absolute balls off to make this team.

We can talk about the goal that he scored at the end of the game once we get there; but long before that last minute strike, Othmann was flying around all over the place.

Whether he was hitting Devils, making smart passes, shooting the puck, generating offense, playing defense, or creating a huge turnover, as he did here with 3:50 remaining – it’s going to suck when he gets sent down to Hartford at the end of camp.

After forcing a turnover at the Devils’ blue line, Othmann then made a perfect pass to Blake Wheeler, but the newest Ranger couldn’t cash in the puck. Schmid, like a faulty ATM (or a Rangers’ season ticket holder who just paid their hefty bill), declined him.

As we hit the two-minute warning, Emberson, one of Miller’s buddies, broke up a Devils’ 2 x 0 odd-man rush – and then broke up the ensuing 3 x 2 odd-man rush too. Like Jones, while I don’t see a future in New York for Mr. Emberson – I thought he played a strong game tonight – a game that was stronger than Jones too.

But alas, “SAME OLD SHIT” reared in its ugly head again.

With only 1:09 remaining – BOOM – a fluky end-of-the-period goal allowed.

Toffoli floated a backhander from distance towards the net, and as CZAR IGOR was trying to make the save – his stick pushed the puck right through his five-hole and past the goal line.

1-0, bad guys.

While CZAR IGOR was otherwise phenomenal, and both before and after this goal – it’s these little fluke plays that has cost him – and especially with his win/loss record against Schmid.

It’s also why one of the best goalies in the league rarely posts shutouts too.

More proof to the point?

No less than ten seconds following the gift given from CZAR IGOR to Toffoli; #31 in blue made a bank-robbery save on Nemec.

And that’s why this goal surrendered to Toffoli was a fluke – because Mr. Shestyorkin stopped 20 pucks that were much more difficult to deny than the lone puck that went behind him.

As I was getting PTSD when watching this game, the period concluded.

1-0, bad guys, after twenty.

Here’s what I said at the time:

1-0, bad guys, after 20. 1P Thoughts:
— If this was a fair fight, devoid of guaranteed contracts and draft status; then Othmann would be on the varsity, Lafreniere to Hartford.
— I really hate the Devils – 2023 Playoff PTSD all over.
— Toffoli, of course.
— Jones is…

— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) September 28, 2023

SECOND PERIOD:

Two things of note during the intermission and prior to Sam Rosen belting out, “SECOND PERIOD, WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR HERE JOE?”

One, and I’m no one to talk about looks – because as you may know – I’m not exactly Fabio (is that reference dated?); but Nick Bonino looks like the love child of Bela Lugosi and former Devils’ head coach, John Hynes:

Two, I rather listen/watch Michelle Gingras segments/interviews than ever see Sieve Vagistat on my television again.

I honestly don’t know if there are “pep-talks” during the intermissions of exhibition games, but whatever it was (and it wasn’t smelling salts from Jim “WE THOU SHALL NEVER SAY HIS NAME AGAIN” Ramsay – signed the Ranger beat reporters); but the Rangers came out cooking with fire.

However, Schmid, and as usual, doused these proverbial flames.

The Blueshirts peppered Schmid as if they were waiters serving at an Italian restaurant, and immediately at that, including when Cuylle was robbed just a minute into the frame.

More tease for the Lafreniere segment?

What does it say when both Cuylle and Othmann, rookies, and who have different skill-sets but play the same position as Lafreniere, have looked more dominant than a player now in his fourth year?

Hmmm….

Following the denial on Cuylle, Schmid stopped Emberson on a 3 x 2 break, and where right after, Cuylle then hit a post – a shot that Rosen said went wide.

Bless Sam’s heart.

After Daneyko made the obvious correction; at the 5:28 mark, Kevin Bahl interfered with the new Dracula in town, Nick Bonino.

Kreider/Cuylle/Fox/Zibanejad/Lafreniere were the Rangers’ first power-play unit, but like the other seven power-play tries that the team has had this preseason – they came up empty-handed too.

While you can say that this power-play looked better than most of what we’ve seen this preseason; at the same time, it’s about execution.

Of note: Lafreniere committed a horrible turnover during this, as when he was wide-open and all alone in front of the net – he decided to pass the puck instead – a puck that went the other way.

The best part of this power-play was when the second unit came on, and when K’Andre Miller, who looked like a San Francisco 49er receiver playing against the Giants, absolutely trucked and stiff-armed Luke Hughes – a tragedy for Mr. Rosen.

Once the Rangers’ power-play finished going 0-8 this preseason; at the eight-minute mark, Schmid put on the Superman cape again and robbed Belzile. This was his eleventh save of the frame.

With 10:23 remaining, 23-seconds away from the half-mark of the game/period; Schmid’s night was over – another shutout for a guy who posted nothing but 4-0 no-no’s against this club in the playoffs.

Replacing him in the Devils’ barrel was the unheard of Erik Gallgren.

Just 24-seconds later, Gallgren, on the first shot that he saw, gave up a goal, as Gustafsson blasted a puck right by him.

1-1.

To me, this was a “meh” goal – only because it was scored against Gallgren and not Schmid.

But still, props to the newest Rangers’ rearguard, as this was a hell of a shot.

Right after the strike, and with 9:35 remaining, Belzile, another player who had a better game than Lafreniere tonight, drew an interference penalty as committed by Wotherspoon.

Cuylle pulled a Scott Norwood on this power-play, as he went wide-right from the slot, while CZAR IGOR later made one of his patented homerun passes to Othmann.

However, the end result was the same – nothing doing and now an 0-9 power-play.

As Sam Rosen kept on calling out the wrong names of players left-and-right; CZAR IGOR made his best save of the game, when he made a sprawling kick save on Clarke. Daneyko had to correct Rosen again.

With 5:14 remaining, Kreider took a penalty when it looked like he was trying to power-bomb Bahl through the ice, as CK20’s hands were wrapped around Bahl’s waist while the Devil was bent over, head between knees.

CZAR IGOR made three saves on this Rangers’ PK, and in all, totaled eight man-down saves in this game.

JONNY HOCKEY, aka Mr. Brodzinski, had another solid showing tonight, where in fact, he finished the game with five shots on goal – the game’s high.

With 1:38 remaining, Brodzinski created a turnover and forced Kallgren into making his best stop yet.

Now under a minute to go, Lafreniere, who has to be frustrated, tried to pick a fight with Devils’ rookie Simon Nemec. Both were tossed to the box for roughing – and unlike Matt Rempe pounding Ross Johnston on Tuesday – the officials wouldn’t allow Lafreniere and Nemec to trade hands either.

Tied at one goal a piece after forty minutes.

Here’s what I said at the time:

1-1 after 40, 2P Thoughts:
— Cuylle, Othmann, Blidh, Brodzinski and Belzile really want a spot on the varsity roster
— Lafreniere penalty seemed like a frustration one
— A little like ’23 playoffs- Schmid shuts them out, one Igor mistake (and no goals) the difference#NYR

— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) September 29, 2023

THIRD PERIOD:

Mr. Spicy Pork Roll himself, Louie Domingue, took over the Rangers’ net, as CZAR IGOR’s night was through.

In example #897678687967687967 of “THE RANGERS’ WAY;” just 21-seconds into the final frame, and on his first shot faced, Domingue was beat by Jesper Bratt, via a roof job.

2-1, bad guys.

This goal made me think of the following:

Should this whole right-wing thing not work out for Lafreniere, then the Rangers could use help at the back-up goaltender position!

Sadly, this is what it has come down to – but I’m not at the point of calling #13 a bust – at least not yet.

But a 2023 version of Manny Maholtra, a once heralded draft pick but who did wind up lasting 20-years in the league, albeit in third- and fourth-line roles?

It’s on the tip of my tongue.

(It’s funny, and I forget who, but I was recently talking about Maholtra with someone on Twitter/X. He’s really the first young player that I can remember in my fandom of flaming out in New York, as he predated both Pavel Brendl and Jamie Skidmark. Part of the reason was because the Rangers always signed big-name players in a non-salary cap league, which is why it was exciting when they finally had what was thought-to-be a top-flight prospect. No less than two days later of having this public conversation – the same thing appeared in the New York Post. Thanks Larry – but give me credit next time!)

Down to 17:20 remaining, Domingue received a break, as Jack Hughes, on an odd-man rush, whiffed from the slot. It should’ve been 3-1 at this moment in time.

Come 12:57 left on the clock, the Rangers received their third power-play of the game, their tenth of this preseason, when Nemec held Kreider’s stick.

The end result? An 0-10 power-play.

The worst part of this power-play was when Lafreniere made the worst turnover of the game, which then allowed Devils’ PKer, Tyce Thompson, to go on an uninterrupted one-on-one breakaway with Domingue. The back-up goalie, who will begin the season in Hartford, made the stop – his best of the game.

If you include the three minutes where the Isles had their goalie pulled on Tuesday, this also meant that the Rangers had hit 23 consecutive minutes of not scoring a goal with a man/skater advantage.

What’s old is new again.

As we got under ten-minutes, each AHL goalie traded big-time saves, as Kallgren stopped Brodzinski, while Domingue made another breakaway save, this time on Toffoli, and with 7:20 to go.

Once the “FOXWOODS FINAL FIVE” mark hit, Kallgren made two more saves on the hellbent-for-a-goal Brodzinski. Similar to Othmann, but also ten-years older – Mr. Hockey wants no part of Hartford either.

If you’re a hardcore Rangers’ psycho like me (and I’m assuming you are – or why else would you be reading these words?), then you had to be infuriated when with three-minutes to go, Rosen shrieked, “OH JOE, RANGERS’ HOCKEY JOE! THE RANGERS ARE AN EXCELLENT WATCH JOE! THEY ARE ALWAYS ENTERTAINING JOE!”

(I may have exaggerated the amount of times that Rosen said “Joe,” but that’s what it at least sounded like to me!)

After watching this Rangers’ club get their dicks caved in so badly against this Devils team in four of the last five games from last season, a dick caving so terrifying where everyone on the club could’ve transitioned to a female afterwards (“OH JOE, PRIDE NIGHT JOE, WE LOVE OUR TRANSSEXUALS JOE!”) – and preseason-or-not – it was just tough watching the Blueshirts get stifled by these dirty Devil dogs again.

With 2:15 to go, Domingue went to the bench for the extra skater.

With 1:48 to go, Laviolette used his timeout, as assistant coach, former Islander Michael Peca, drew up a plan.

With 1:35 to go, which meant thirteen seconds following the time out – McLeod, following a turnover, glided his way into the Rangers’ zone and deposited the puck into the empty net.

3-1, bad guys.

And while the Blueshirts lost to the Devils again – there was a silver lining too – as with just 36-seconds remaining, Othmann, and with the Blueshirts’ net returned to a status of empty, made it interesting:

Othmann get us one closer. See how quick his release is 🔥 #NYR pic.twitter.com/ZCQLB9Wge7

— David 🏒 (@DaveyUpper) September 29, 2023

3-2, bad guys.

While yes, the Rangers had six skaters on the ice; what I took out of this goal was that the team played to the last minute, despite being down two scores.

And yes, this is true too – this was somewhat fluky, as a blast from Gustafsson led to a broken stick and the puck took a fortunate bounce to Othmann’s stick – and more fortunate than that – #78 capitalized on this hard-earned puck-luck.

But even with that out of the way – this was an example of Othmann’s offensive awareness – and playing as best as he could to triple zeroes.

And hell, Othmann may become the first Rangers’ prospect to break the curse of “Stalk Boy Steven” too – an overzealous aging man who acts like Jerry Sandusky around these Blueshirt youths!

(And to be clear – I’m not saying anything sexual is going on – I’m just saying that’s what it comes off as! Maybe it’s me, but I just don’t see why anyone around my age would chase around teenage males – and their families too.)

3-2, bad guys, your final from “The World’s Most Expensive Arena.”

Let’s now get into the Lafreniere stuff – as #13, and until he puts together some sort of consistency at a high level – will continue to be the top topic in all of Rangersland.

Two games played this preseason and Lafreniere has been a Laughingstock.

In a way, I feel bad for him, because unlike another former whipping boy, the intolerable and miserable reject known as Vitali Kravtsov (another player who Stalk Boy Steven wouldn’t leave alone) – I don’t think that Lafreniere personally feels entitled.

(And oh – why call out Stalk Boy Steven? Because I have it under good authority that he’s accusing me of being 8976786767867896 different accounts on Twitter. I swear on the grave of Frank Boucher – and you know how much that means to me – I only have one – @NYCTHEMIC. By saying this stuff about him on this site – I’m letting you know that I don’t need no stinkin’ burner account! After all, you all know what I look like, my real name, that I live on Long Island, my current BAC level, etc – and that I hide from nothing.)

(Maybe those Hunter S. Thompson comparisons that I mentioned earlier are legit! And I’m proud of that! Let’s just hope that my death isn’t like his – but when I do die, as that will happen one day – I just hope that the Rangers lower my casket – just so they can let me down one last time!)

And all softball jokes aside (but they do have some merit) – I do think that Lafreniere hustles and works hard (“JOE”).

However, and I don’t think that anyone can argue against this – and I’m not going to give you the whole rigmarole/spiel about how Lafreniere had the most unorthodox start of any first-overall pick in NHL history – he’s been disappointing. Extremely disappointing at that.

As brought up earlier, he’s now in Year 4, and even when playing against inferior talent such as rookies and late thirty-somethings looking for one last chance at the Cup – there’s nothing there.

Making matters worse is how everyone else this preseason seems leaps-and-bounds ahead of him.

Sure, you can say it’s one thing when hanger-on’s and players looking to stay away from the AHL are out-performing him. However, it’s another thing, a serious thing, when two rookies, Othmann and Cuylle, are not only out-playing Lafreniere – but seem to want it more too.

And truly, that’s the crux of the concern.

If it wasn’t for Lafreniere’s draft status and guaranteed contract, then would anyone in their right mind send Othmann to Hartford this season – his most likely destination – and as fully explained on this site a myriad of times?

Yes, the following might be a slight overreaction – but is it really?

For a “WIN NOW” team, and a core that may be no more after another losing season, who would you rather:

— Alexis Lafreniere, for $2,325,000 a season, and who has only shown a few flashes of brilliance during his time in the league – and where more-and-more, he seems destined to become the next Manny Maholtra, if not <GASP>, Nail Yakupov?

— Unrestricted Free Agent Patrick Kane, who is gearing up for a comeback following his surgery, and seems willing to take less money in order to play for a contender? At best, the Rangers could offer him $4,500,000 a season – but only if they trade away Lafreniere.

— Mats Zuccarello, who I’ve been championing for during the past two weeks on this site, and a “ZUUUUUUUC” making $6,000,000 on the last year of his expiring contract for a Minnesota team that most likely will be selling come the trade deadline?

Right-wing, left-wing, broken-wing – it doesn’t matter.

The Rangers are in it to win it this season – or at the very least – that’s the message they are sending to their fans and the league.

We can all argue and state that Lafreniere’s NHL entry was botched and unfortunate, due to the pandemic – an argument that I’d side with.

However, if the goal is to win the Stanley Cup in 2024 – what’s a better option – Lafreniere or Kane on the cheap – or Zuccarello at $3,000,000, assuming that the Wild will assume half of his expiring contract?

We know what Kane can do while healthy. We also know that Zucc can shine in New York – especially with two of his old buddies who need an established right winger on their line, Kreider and Zibanejad.

Furthermore, if Lafreniere is moved, it could also open the door for Othmann, at least to start the season.

But again, the Rangers have seen the slow developments of both Lafreniere and Kakko – and no matter what – may force Othmann to Hartford regardless.

That said, Othmann, and Cuylle for that matter too, and with the latter more of your prototypical bottom-six fit, deserve a shot.

And what if unlike Kakko and Lafreniere – they can excel in the big leagues from day one?

After all, every Stanley Cup champion finds a young stud in their ranks, a diamond in the rough, if you will.

What if for the Rangers, it’s Othmann and/or Cuylle?

Should they be denied only because Lafreniere is a first-overall and has a guaranteed deal?

The only way such talk, and such debate too, can be put to rest, is if Lafreniere can show up and produce.

If not, then this talk will be a constant topic of discussion all season.

Back at it Friday night, with a Rangers vs Islanders preseason Game #4 review.

My free ducats for the match at the IBS Arena have yet to come through, but it is my intention on attending. If not, then no big deal – I can listen to the Hall of Fame tandem of Joe Micheletti and Butch Goring from home!

PLUGS TIME! (Buy a book and support my Rangers’ induced therapy bills. After all, I don’t run ads on this site!

“The Top 100 Villains of New York Rangers History,” is now available for preorder.

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/

Here are my last few blogs, in case you missed them:

NYR/NYI 9/26 Review: No Preseason Disclaimer Needed! New Line of Othmann, Trocheck and Kakko Shine; (Feed My) REMPESTEIN Dines, A Complete 60-Minute Victory Over Detested “Isles,” Making Laviolette Work; Panarin & Chytil Hurt, Stellar D, M$GN & More

NYR/BOS 9/24 Review: S.O.S – But An Encouraging Adam Sykora, Multiple “LAVY LOUNGES;” Players Speak Up Too, A Possible Mats Zuccarello Return, Chris “Jong” Drury Lies To His Birdbrain Beat/State Media; PTO Deals Offered, NHL “Down Under,” NYR Alum, Mika Hurt, Lafreniere/Chytil, Kuznetsov Attack & More

The Debut Episode of “Lavy’s Lounge”: Peter Laviolette’s Opening Remarks on the 2023-24 Team, NYR Leadership & What To Expect, “Cue Ball” Panarin Looks to Shine, Dolan’s Ownership “Mea Culpa,” A Humorous CZAR IGOR, An Overdose of Alexis Lafreniere, Phil Watson & More

If you haven’t already, subscribe to this blog for the next update:

Don’t forget to order my recently released four-volume set of books, “Tricks of the Trade!”

If you don’t order through me, all four volumes are now available on Amazon.com

For more details, check out: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/

Thanks for reading.

LET’S GO RANGERS!

Sean McCaffrey

BULLSMC@aol.com

@NYCTHEMIC on the Tweeter machine