As the resident hockey expert here at Gotham’s Clubhouse I feel it is my duty to tell you that the Rangers were eliminated from the playoffs on Sunday. I know articles about hockey and soccer in one day might be a little bit too much about fringe sports in one day, but bear with me.
The Rangers won in the first round over my Devils thanks to some tenacious defense and Marty Brodeur looking like he didn’t know what country he was in, let alone what game he was playing. Let me just say that if Sean Avery hadn’t lacerated his spleen I would be ripping that dick a new urethra. But until he has fully recuperated I feel bad insulting him. Now then on Sunday the Rangers finally lost their series against the Pittsburgh Penguins behind the goal scoring abilities of Marian Hossa. The Penguins get my vote for the Eastern Conference champions, with Malkin, Crosby, and Hossa they will be nearly impossible to beat in a 7 game series. Things are not all bad for the Rangers, as long as they continue to spend money like wild they can continue to reinforce their defense and add one or two forwards to replace their aging stars. But when you are working off of a base that includes young stars like Scott Gomez, Petr Prucha, and Sean Avery as well as veterans like Brendan Shanahan, Jaromir Jagr, Chris Drury there are Stanley Cup Finals in your future. Henrik Lundqvist solidified his place as an elite goaltender this postseason and at 26 the Rangers will not have to worry about finding a goalie any time soon. Next season should be a good one for the Rangers and I am looking forward.
- Mose
1 comment:
If you wish to go younger, kiss Jagr and Shanahan goodbye. They are in their final year of their repsective contracts anyway. Shanny proved in the playoffs that maybe he is too slow for the current state of the game. Jagr really isn't captain material, and wears the "C" reluctantly. If Jagr goes, bye-bye Straka.
The Rangers need a boost on defense. If Hollweg wants to take stupid penalties, he can do it for some other team, like Columbus. We already know that Renney doesn't like Prucha. Malik should be cast off to whoever wants him.
Now, what do you do with Avery? He will also be a free agent. Do you re-sign him, forgetting his imitation of a windmill in front of Brodeur, or, do you let him go to the Islanders, where he can be Chris Simon redux? The Islanders fans would probably love him.
Marian Hossa a Ranger? Stranger things can happen. He would certainly make for an interesting 2/3 of a line with Gomez.
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