N.Y. Rangers: Some Things Never Change

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

In round one of the 1978-1979 NHL playoffs, the New York Rangers defeated the Philadelphia Flyers.  They would likewise defeat the New York Islanders in round two en route to the Stanley Cup finals against the Montreal Canadiens.  

Islanders defenseman and Norris trophy winner Dennis Potvin scored 101 points that season, making him only the second blueliner in NHL history to notch 100 points in a season.  

Rangers fans of that generation always wondered if the outcome against Montreal might have played out differently had defenseman, Ulf Nilsson, been available.  On Feb. 25, 1979, in a game against the Islanders, Nilsson skated into the left corner to pursue a loose puck.  With his head down and eyes focused on the puck, Nilsson gets blasted into the boards by an onrushing Dennis Potvin.  The result of the hit was a broken ankle.  It was also the genesis of the "Potvin Sucks!" chant, now over 40 years old.  Too many fans today participate in the chant, not knowing its origin, but just play along because it's the thing to do.  

I digress ...

Nick Fotiu played for that Rangers team.  His presence often made opponents think twice before committing any on-ice indiscretions against the Blueshirts.  The lack of a similar type of player arguably cost the Rangers a Stanley Cup or even two during the late 1960s and early 1970s.  

Fast-forward, Mike Keenan was aghast upon his arrival as head coach of the Rangers at that systemic lack of physicality and essentially ordered general manager Neil Smith to fix it. 

All these years later, the song remains the same.  On Apr. 14, against the Islanders, Jacob Trouba absorbed a big hit from Matt Martin and has been out of action ever since.  Max Pacioretty's hit on Brad Richards several years back comes to mind.  But the list of unanswered hits goes on and on.

The assumption was John Davidson lived it and knows better.

The assumption was Jeff Gorton came through the Boston organization and knows better.

Yes, the Rangers are rebuilding, but they continue ignoring this one critical component.

One Stanley Cup since 1940 ... just ask Mike Keenan.  He knew post-haste what the problem was.

• UPDATE: Did you see Monday's game against the Washington Capitals?  Did you see what Tom Wilson did to Pavel Buchnevich and Artemi Panarin?

Smurfs!

N.Y. Rangers: Because Trading Brendan Lemieux is the Off-Broadway Thing To Do

From the desk: RAISE GRESCHNER WITH THE GREATS

Nick Fotiu, Nick Fotiu,

Wherefore Art Thow, Nick Fotiu?

You can sum up the last fifty years of Rangers hockey this way: weak up the middle and lacking overall physicality and toughness.

If you're too young to remember the days of The Smurfs on Ice at Madison Square Garden, consider yourself lucky because it's this very condition that has frustrated Rangers fans for many, many decades.  Back in the day, Emile Francis ignored all the clamoring to beef up the roster, and it cost him and the organization at least one Stanley Cup and maybe even two.

History says the Rangers never draft big and refuse to toughen up.  When Mike Keenan arrived in town, he recognized this post-haste and effectively ordered general manager Neil Smith to change it, and he was right!  Of all people, I thought Jeff Gorton (who comes to the Rangers via the Boston Bruins) and John Davidson would understand this.  I thought the exit of Alain Vigneault finally signaled the end of it.  But shame on me.  Finesse still rules the day.

Once again, there goes the little bit of toughness and hard-nosed play the Rangers possessed. 

Extenuating circumstances around Saturday's trade of Brendan Lemieux to Los Angeles make this no less infuriating. 

Was Brendan Lemieux destined to remain with the Rangers beyond this season?  That very likely is a definitive no, thus rendering my words to a mere rant.  I get it; the Rangers wanted to make room for Vitaly Kravtsov who's KHL season just ended.  They come away from this with L.A.'s 2021 fourth-round draft pick.  

Lemieux certainly wasn't going to be protected for the Seattle expansion draft.  But will the Rangers use that pick to draft someone who isn't afraid to mix it up in the corners, win possession, and actually make a decent pass to the more skilled players who should be positioned in front (but can't fight their way through a wet paper bag)? 

And here I wanted to see Lemieux on the third line ...

Regardless, my point still holds true, now and moving forward.

Damn Smurfs!