Category Archives: Column

The Doomsday Scenario thanks to playoff shockers, Lafreniere Drawing today

Posted on August 10, 2020 by Derek

Alexis Lafreniere (right) is the projected top pick. A lucky loser will be rewarded in Part Two of the NHL Lottery today. Getty Images If anything has been learned from the unique expanded format that’s featured eight best-of-five Qualifying Series, … Continue reading →

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Next year, Quinn must put Kakko in a position to succeed

Posted on August 6, 2020 by Derek

By show of hands, how many of you thought Kaapo Kakko had a good first year? The highly rated Finnish right wing was a disappointment for the Rangers, who were only too happy to grab the future scorer second at … Continue reading →

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Rangers must learn from loss how to become a more complete team

Posted on August 6, 2020 by Derek

AP Photo via Getty Images They say, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” One close look at the one above illustrates the difference between a battle tested team of Hurricanes and a disjointed one like the younger Rangers that … Continue reading →

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Angry Hurricanes Proved A Point to Rangers

Posted on August 2, 2020 by Derek

AP Photo credit Carolina Hurricanes via Getty Images In what technically was their first postseason game for many younger Blueshirts, they learned a valuable lesson. In Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to a determined Hurricanes in Game One of the best-of-five Stanley … Continue reading →

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Igor’s net to lose unless something changes

Posted on July 28, 2020 by Derek

When examining the goaltending in the preliminary series that begins this Saturday, all one has to do is point to the outstanding play of rookie Igor Shesterkin. After coming up from Hartford in January, the Rangers net became his to … Continue reading →

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The Case for Panarin for League MVP

Posted on July 25, 2020 by Derek

Earlier this week, Artemi Panarin was among the league’s elite for the prestigious Hart Trophy. Given how well he performed in turning the Rangers into a much improved must see Broadway act, Panarin is definitely worthy of being up for … Continue reading →

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Calder snub of Adam Fox isn’t important

Posted on July 17, 2020 by Derek

This week, the NHL has been revealing the three candidates for each regular season award. That includes the Calder Trophy which goes to the league’s top rookie. We knew both defensemen Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes would be locks. The … Continue reading →

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Ruff criticism misguided as accomplished Rangers assistant takes Devils coaching job

Posted on July 9, 2020 by Derek

Much has been made of Lindy Ruff in this area from impatient fans. The truth is the Rangers have one of the most polarizing fan bases in all of hockey. Such is the mentality of the New York sports fan. … Continue reading →

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Panarin quote on escrow is problematic

Posted on June 27, 2020 by Derek

As the calendar is on the verge of changing from June to July, hockey continues to inch closer to an official return. Following a bizarre first part of the perplexing NHL Draft Lottery that will somehow reward a team that … Continue reading →

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Revisiting Alex Mogilny after another snub

Posted on June 25, 2020 by Derek

Alex Mogilny was not only a great finisher, but a terrific playmaker during a 16-year NHL career that remains overlooked by some clueless writers of the Hockey Hall of Fame. One day, he’ll make it. Getty Images It was a … Continue reading →

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