Once Over the Rangers, Lightly but not Necessarily Politely
Notes on the Blueshirts
Posted on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 1:00 PMGOODBYE, SAMMY — HELLO, BRENDAN
The Maven will miss the smiling face of Sammy Steinlight, who has left his Rangers public relations role for another MSG slot. Sammy gets all my good wishes and, indubitably, he will do well.
Ah, but there's good news for those of us on the beat. Steinlight's replacement, Brendan McIntyre, will be moving into The Garden early next month. Brendan arrives by way of the U.S. Tennis Association where he had a starry PR role. McIntyre arrives with the best credentials, which means that the segue from Sammy to Brendan will be smooth.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT SHANAHAN
My e-mails indicate a virtually clean, 50-50 split among Rangers fans when it comes to Brendan Shanahan's future in a blue shirt.
Some of the faithful believe that Shanny's legs are gone, and therefore he should be gone! Others — particularly my buddy, Bert Korwin in Florida — point out that Brendan still can be useful. The shot still is potent; so are the leadership qualities and his comfort on the power play.
Like Korwin, I agree that Shanny should return as long as the IFs are fulfilled. That is, IF Brendan wants to return, and IF he's willing to adjust to less minutes and, of course, less money.
Let's face it, Shanahan is pure captain material should the general staff decide that it prefers going with a long-time veteran rather than a middling one such as Chris Drury.
On a personal level, I would like to see Brendan for one more year; providing that his health is A-1.
LOSING TYUTIN
Comrade Korwin is more upset over the trading of Fedor Tyutin and Ryan Hollweg than any other Rangers fan I've encountered since the likeable Blueliner was dealt to Columbus.
Bert believes that Tyutin's overall defensive play, and especially his almost-unique hip checks, will be sorely missed, and to that extent, I see his point. BUT, when trades are made, one invariably has to deal quality to obtain quality. Otherwise, why would the word "gamble" have been invented in the first place?
Needless to say, a lot will depend on how well Wade Redden adjusts — and contributes — to Rangers hockey and whether Dan Girardi contributes his upward mobility.
Korwin and I disagree more emphatically when it comes to Hollweg's departure. Bert believes that the club needed Ryan's ubiquitous hitting. ("How many Rangers hit as often as Hollweg?" he asks.) Bert adds that Hollweg's bad penalty against Pittsburgh in the playoffs has been unfairly exaggerated in relation to the positives he delivered.
My point is that Aaron Voros will do everything that Hollweg did while getting fewer cheap penalties AND while winning more fights.
AVERY RETURNS TO MSG
One of the most fascinating episodes in recent MSG history will unfold on the night of October 20 when Sean Avery returns to New York for his first visit as a member of the Dallas Stars.
How will The Great Gabbo be received by The Faithful, which he artistically cultivated in his relatively brief but tumultuous stay? What kind of reaction will Sean get from his teammates, some of whom took a dim view of his antics? Will a Voros-Avery fight be in the cards? How many Vogue models will require tickets and will Gabbo pay for any of them?
Important questions that virtually guarantee a riveting night, which, win or lose, should culminate with a soap box performance by Gabbo, postgame. This is one extravaganza I won't want to miss. (Remember Eddie Giaciomin!)
WELCOME, MICHAEL
I couldn't wait to get on the phone merely to welcome Michael Barnett to The Apple as chief aide-de-camp to Glen Sather. Those of us who remember Barnett as player, agent, Wayne Gretzky's close pal and general manager understand his abilities and how well he'll fit in with the general staff.
Barnett was sought by several teams, and Sather was fortunate to latch on to a class act and an insightful hockey man. Good for Mike and — equally important — good for the Rangers.
DESE, DEMS AND DAWES
The Maven has received virtually no beefs about Christian Backman's departure nor Marty Straka's.
Mats Sundin should be deciding on his future momentarily. I'm betting on Montreal getting him, with Vancouver a second choice. Don't know whether there's enough cap room in Rangerville for him.
Recently-signed Nigel Dawes is hoping for more ice time overall and especially on the power play. His view of the NEW Rangers: "We'll be younger, more freewheeling, but still play a tight defensive game that Tom Renney likes."
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