Game On!

Mehool: Hey Stan, What chance do the Rangers have of stealing Dany Heatley away at the last minute? Imagine a line of Marian Gaborik, Chris Drury and Heatley. That would be great!

The Maven Responds: Dear Mehool — Obtaining Heatley will require quite a bit of juggling AND satisfying Ottawa with some good players. The Senators are in a BIG bind, but that doesn't mean that the red tape will be unravelled. I LOVE a G-D-H line in concept. Heatley can stay in Ottawa only if he makes a HUGE apology to fans, team and coach.

Scott: I have a question regarding the marketing of hockey. Do you believe Gary Bettman is doing a good job? Personally, I wish he was back in the NBA and leave the NHL to hockey people. At this point, there is more contact in the NBA and the ticky-tack penalties in the NHL that are called are ridiculous. What are your thoughts on this?

The Maven Responds: Dear Scott – While the Commissioner often has been criticized on the marketing front, the NHL has made HUGE gains in the past decade. His bosses – the owners – love him. Marketing a two-country sport is tougher than doing ditto for the NFL or NBA. As for the officiating, I agree with you completely.

Todd: Hi Stan, the Rangers clearly need some grit on defense, what do think of signing a guy like Kyle Mclaren?

The Maven Responds: Dear Todd – McLaren interests me, but only if he comes at a bargain basement price. There's lots of time left for a deal before training camp.

John Kaya: Hey Stan, I'm reading a few rumors out here that the Rangers might have interest in acquiring Sheldon Souray from the Oilers for Michal Roszival, a mid-level pick and the rights to Nik Zherdev. Rumors are saying that there is truth to this because Tom Renney is now an assitant in Edmonton and he was a big reason why Rozie signed his new deal. I personally would LOVE to see Souray and his blistering slap shot on Broadway! Any truth to this in your opinion and would a trade like this make sense for the Blueshirts?

The Maven Responds: Dear John – I LOVE Souray; one of my all-time favorites. What you say – RUMOR-wise – makes some sense. Needless to say I'd like to see such an exchange but don't know how either Glen Sather or Steve Tambellini feel about it. You sure have whet my rumor appetite!

Sincerely,
The Maven

I'll get to more tomorrow, so if you want to pick my brain, CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A QUESTION.

MORE:

• The Maven Responds (7/18)
• The Maven Responds (7/16)
• The Maven Responds (7/15)