Game On!

The beginning of the Rangers new Beginning began Monday with the club's annual golf tourney (The Maven Loathes Golf) followed by a team dinner at a Westchester country club. (I'm heading there for Gomez, Girardi and gastronomy, not golf.)

For starters, that's easy. Now comes the tough parts, figuring out who, among the chief rumor protagonists, will be where on opening night. To wit:

BRENDAN SHANAHAN:

Will he or won't he be signed to a new Blueshirts pact?

A week ago I figured the ink on another contract would be dry by this week; and maybe it still will. But, frankly, I'm having my doubts.

Tom's Renneygades will be propelled by youth. We know all about Scotty Gomez and Chris Drury; both worthies. However, primary propulsion will be provided by Brandon Dubinsky, Ryan Callahan and Marc Staal, among other striplings.

One of them should be Petr (Forget About Last Season) Prucha. The talk has been that if Shanahan makes the club, Prucha will be reduced to a sightseer. Sorry, but the hustling Czech got a punko season out of the way in 2007-08 and is ready for a bust-out year. If the coach had to choose between P and B, I say he goes with youth. 

Getting back to practical matters, one has to wonder why — if Shanahan is coming back — a deal hasn't been consummated by now. Surely, Shanny — in his twilight, with a year or two, at best, left in his NHL system — can't be bargaining about dollars, ice time or length of pact. He doesn't have the chips; Glen Sather does. The delay makes me wonder if a deal will be done at all.

Which brings us to the mystery man of all mystery men:

MATS SUNDIN:

Is he the blurry figure at the end of Glen Sather's telescope? And if that IS the swift Swede, if he does decide to play, would he want to skate on Seventh Avenue? To put it simply, I believe that if Sundin says "aye," New York will be his most likely destination.

Three reasons: 1) He's always professed a liking for The Apple; 2) Despite Vancouver's lofty offer, he wouldn't want to play in the Pacific Northwest; too far away; 3) His former agent — and good pal — is Michael Barnett, who just happens to be Sather's number one sidekick. Conceivably, Barnett could persuade Sundin to make the move to 33rd Street.

Trouble is, nobody really knows what thoughts about returning are twirling around Sundin's head.

CONCLUSION:

The Maven is more dubious about Shanahan's return than the possibility of Sundin eventually — maybe later, who knows? — coming to Our Town.

So, let's go to the Ouija board since this is only the beginning of the Beginning.

MORE:

• Renney's New Faces
• Will Shanny Be Back?
• King Henrik Has Style