And So The Rangers Trade Deadline Day Ends Not With A Bang...

                                                                  but with a whimper...

I admit, I was one of those Rangers' fans that half-thought Dubinsky was on his way out.  I also half-thought that Nash was on his way to NYC.  I was wrong.

Most every NHL fan stayed glued to the snoozefest of a trade deadline.  There were a few trades here and there in the earlier parts of the afternoon.  Then names like Oduya, Gilroy, Motteau, Pahlsson got thrown around.  Still, no mention of Nash.

I thought the Rangers, or heck ANY team at this point, would pull a big trade in the last few minutes.  As the clock ticked down, there was the shocking trade of Kassian (BUF) to Vancouver for Hodgson (VAN).

"Did someone say cupcake?"
Photo Credit:me

Then the Rangers made their move around 3pm EST.  They obtained John Scott (D-CHI) in exchange for a 5th round draft pick.  Now, I was big on "The Rangers need another defenseman like I need a cupcake..." theory, but you have to admit, it was a smart move.

Scott is, in Bryzgalov's words, humungous big. standing 6'8" 280lbs (although I've seen him listed as 6'7" 270lbs. Either way, he's big).  He brings Boogaard-esque size, heart and grit to the blueline.  It will be interesting to see where he fits in in the grand sceme of the Rangers' defense pairings.

I wouldn't expect big things from Scott as far as goals and assists.  You'll be more inclined to see him with PIMs and such.  He'll bring a physical force to the team and use his size.  Something that Boyle has struggled with, as of lately.

Take a look at some of John Scott's work...

Scott's got wicked arm-span....

It appears, based on the tweets of many a beat writer, that the NYR were in discussion with CBJ, but the deal just wasn't in the stars.

Either way, the deadline has come and gone and the next game is right on the horizon...

Cupid Brings Us Trade Rumours On The Day Of Love

Yes, it's not diamonds, or a dozen roses.  Just trade rumours.  Apparently Cupid is a cheap bastard.

The NY Rangers will take Nash for Dubinsky, Kreider,
Thomas, 4 draft picks and a new set of golf clubs.
Make it happen Sather.  
Photo Credit: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

But all these rumours make me want to down a box of Russell Stover's candy out of sheer aggravation.  People need to use common sense before spitting out what teams could get what player.  There are things to be figured in: cap space, UFA, talent, what the one team is willing to give vs what they are going to get…

That being said, I’ve stated earlier that I didn’t believe that the Rangers needed to make a trade, but I wouldn’t be opposed to them making a trade.  Providing that the Rangers are smart about the trade.  I’d hate to see them let a guy like Kreider or Thomas go. But again, it comes down to what each team is willing to part with. How I feel about the trades have little to no significance to the organization.

So let the speculating and trade rumours fly. But I should at least get some chocolate out of all this.

The #RichardsMunnEffect Spares No One

Hide yo kids. Hide yo wife. Hide yo fo'wuhds. Hide yo defensemen. The #RichardsMunnEffect is on the loose.  It has no friends. It does not care who is hurt in the process. And in the end, it leaves you feeling rejected. Rich, but rejected.

The Faces of The #RichardsMunnEffect... sure, they look all sweet and innocent... and rabbit like.PhotoCred

As word spread across the Twit-verse that Brad Richards and Olivia Munn (who is the SOLE reason for the Rangers’ early 7 game winning streak) had parted ways (ok, ok, she realized she liked him more as a 'friend'... likely story...), I heard faint cries of joy emanating from almost every female in the metro NY area.

There were also ‘well wishes’ sent Mr Richards’ way via Twitter in hopes that he could pull his game together and find the strength to go on.  “I’ll never let go… I’ll never let… go…” One can only hope that he is not sobbing on his $40,000 leather couch curled up in a fox fur trimmed pink snuggie consoling himself with a big bowl of baby carrots. Oh, Olivia’s naked PETA Anti-Fur ad comes out tomorrow. And now she’s single. The irony.

Photo Credit

Unleash The #RichardsMunnEffect.

Then, The #RichardsMunnEffect took hold of it’s first victim.  Brandon “Baby Face” “Dubi” Dubinsky.  Yes folks, it got Dubi. Dubi was no where to be seen at practice. Knowing he had gotten an owie in the last game, thanks to a generous shoving to the boards courtesy of the ‘Yotes’ Taylor Pyatt, I did what any rational human being could do. I came to the conclusion that he was out of practice due to The #RichardsMunnEffect.  Somewhere in Gotham, Dubi is sitting on a ledge contemplating how to end the vicious cycle of The #RichardsMunnEffect. Or how to improve his scoring. Either way, it could end ugly.

But The #RichardsMunnEffect did not stop there. No. It sent Erik Christensen and his bubbly personality packing for a 2 week conditioning stint with Puckey the Whale.  Not based on how the team was playing, or that there was great chemistry in the current lines, or that frankly, EC has yet to put together a solid effective game.  He was sent down solely because of the #RichardsMunnEffect.

The #RichardsMunnEffect is a cruel heartless bitch.

 It also golfs in wedge sandals and mini-skorts. Photo Credit

Now that the Rangers’ good luck charm is gone, the Rangers will sink into a downward spiral to last place in the league. Thanks Olivia Munn, you must be the Rapture that everyone spoke about.

I’ve come to the well-caffeinated conclusion, that the only person who could stop the #RichardsMunnEffect is Sean Avery. Sean Avery, dubbed the Rangers Fashionista Negotiator, would not only talk Dubi off the ledge, but make sure he was dressed to the nines, just in case.  He does, however, request unlimited refills of Tropicana’s finest pulp-free orange juice.

In all seriousness, in case you couldn’t tell that was sarcasm above, The #RichardsMunnEffect is fake, and Olivia Munn is NOT the aforementioned Rapture.  One could hope that Richards has experienced rejection before (heck, he played for the Stars) and can bounce back quite quickly. I don’t think he’ll have any issues in the lady department. I highly doubt that his performance in the next few games will be horrid or atrocious. 

Sleep safe tonight kids, knowing The #RichardsMunnEffect is fake and the rest of the Rangers are safe.

Or so I think.



I'd like to give a big 'thank you' to @jenconnic for the inspiration and absolutely hysterical twitter conversation.

12 Days of Rangers - Day 4

On the 4th day of the Hottest Rangers, I give to thee...

Brandon "Dubi" Dubinsky

PhotoCredit: BlueshirtsUnited

Ok, he's not my cup o' coffee, but he has a certain je ne sais quoi that many a fan find attractive.  I'm not sure if it's his utterly awful fashion sense (Lundqvist, help a brother out. PLEASE), or his Mad Men-esque hair do.  But some fans find him attractive, and possibly even swoon worthy.

I can see the attraction. That was until I saw the mustache.  Good Gravy, that thing needed to be put to its untimely demise.

So for those that like baby faces, I give you Brandon Dubinsky.

Photo Credit: NYR Facebook

Found here via GoogleImages

Photo Credit: Jemal Countess/Getty Images

Is It Too Early To Plan The Parade?

With the Rangers now with a winning streak in the month of December, we can now start planning the parade, eh?

Miracle on 34th St?

The Rangers have proved that they are capable of stringing together wins, no matter how ugly the win.  The team is starting to show chemistry that is not only evident in the top 2 lines, but has trickled down to the 3^rd line.  With the Rangers have 3 lines clicking, things are starting to flow for the team. Guys like Sean Avery (mark this on your calendars, folks, this is the second time I mention how impressed I am of him. Especially you, @TheNYRBlog!), have shown that they can contribute to the team.  Avery has impressed me as of lately (gasp!) with his smart play (double gasp!) and ability to draw a penalty or two.  Avery also earned bonus points for netting 3 goals in the 12 games since he’s been back up (triple gasp!).  Gaborik has found his legs, and has used them to help create plays and draw penalties as well.  He has also managed to rifle off 95 shots on goal.  Impressive. Richards is showing why he was so sought after this past off-season, leading the team with 22 points, making beautiful passes, creating opportunity and inspiring the young guys. Girardi has been a BEAST on D, soaking up oodles of minutes while awaiting the return of Staal.  McDonagh is an amazing +12.  Young guys Hagelin and Mitchell have made the transition to the Rangers almost seamlessly. Lundqvist and Biron, have had their ups and downs, but together they have proved to be integral parts to the team. Lundqvist and Biron have admirable save percentages so far: .932 and .930 respectively.

"I found my legs, Richie!" 

Now, with all the rainbows and unicorns out of the way, there are some “disappointing” sides to the Rangers.  One glaring one is the lackluster performance of Brandon Dubinsky.  While he has not sat a game, he has not produced as well as many have anticipated. He has one goal and 10 assists, which is a far cry from his 23goal 30 assist season of yesteryear.  There’s also the missing D-man, Marc Staal.  During the beginning of the season, reports on Staal were few and far between, and those that were given were far beyond vague.  But there has been a glimmer of hope when it was announced that Staal has begun skating. Eric Christensen showed that as quickly as you land a roster spot, you can have it yanked out from under you in record time by not playing a solid game, banking on the game going to a shoot out, and then completely failing at a shootout attempt. Sure fire way to get yourself a nice comfy seat in the press box.

Right now, the Rangers find themselves sitting in the #4 slot in the Eastern conference a little over a quarter of the way into the season. With 59 games remaining, if they continue at this pace they have the ability to make the playoffs once again.  I’ll hold off on planning the parade route. For now.