OK, we have some time to kill before tonights game and I thought I'd help you kill it with a little story from this past weekend.

Being Hockey Across America this weekend it was a no brainer to take the girls to the rink. I have only been on ice once since I left NY and the idea of playing again pops into my head until I try and walk. Injuries from my playing days mean some decent pain on any given day and nasty pain when I try and do something physical.

Lacing up the old goalie skates I took to the ice and while it took a few minutes, I remembered why I used to spend so much time at the rinks. I love this game. No, I will never play again but to share a few laps around the rink with my girls was a blast for me and them.

I also watched some little kids play on the second rink as well as the beginning of the first period of a game on the main rink when the public session ended. It's great to see little kids playing this game in South Florida.

FYI: The young lady in the above photo is my oldest who turns ten in a month. She was featured in this hockeybird article way back when.

Enjoy tonight's game.....yes, I did fill the fridge with beer.

----}-

As I predicted on friday before this trade was nearly announced, the Rangers have pulled a move that will garner interest from those like me who were finding it hard to invest time into this team. It's a pattern Slats has developed but really, the Rangers have been doing this for years.

Kotalik and Higgins for Olli Jokinen and Brandon Prust.

The deal does several things for our Blueshirts. We get rid of a bad contract (Kotalik) and move Higgins who tried but couldn't find the net. But if we don't re-sign Olli we gain much needed cap space. We also get a little tougher.

One has to speculate on how we could dump The Donald and perhaps one of the two big contracts on D. Redden and Rosy have earned a ticket out of MSG but would there be any takers?

My guess is that Slats is not yet done tinkering. As long as the core of kids remain untouched, tinker away buddy. You got us into this mess.....Oops, sorry for the Messier reference. Low blow on my part.

So, now we all have to stay up late tonight to see the boys in LA LA land.

I needed beer any way.

----}- Bird

Hello NY and everywhere else, from a colder Florida than usual...it's me Bird. Like most of you I had to find a way to celebrate this game we all love and I was drawn to the rink. After the many hours, days, weeks, months and years I spent at various rinks I figured it was about time I make a return. So, jumping on a plane I flew into Colorado to get on the ice with the Rangers starting line up at the morning skate. Below is a picture taken before the coaches gave them a hard time for their less than physical play in recent games.

Yes, it's a younger team than in seasons past.

Chad "Vingt-neuf" got his first NHL win and Gabby scored the Hat trick. The kids won beating an even younger team in the Avs.

It was kinda fun skating for the first time in years......and the um, boys seemed to have a good time. Well, except Ales Kotalik who was not at the pregame skate. There was a trade, may still be a trade but as of right now the Rangers and the Flames have not completed a deal.

----}- Bird

Need I say more?

Really?

There will be a shake-up of some sorts, be it a trade or some other thing to regain our interest....it happens every year. Wake me when it happens. Until then, I'm out.

----}-

Hello NY and everywhere else, welcome back to Hockeybird.

Before discussing the recent four game surge by the Rangers I did want to take a moment to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all. A special thanks go out to the men and women of our armed services who take care of us every day. For those deployed, stay safe and get home soon.

So, a little threat by me to root for the Isles and we rip off four consecutive wins. Had I known this I’d have issued the threat long ago. What’s interesting is that in years past we’d be right in the middle of our usual slide. This year, the slide has already taken place and an upswing is in play. I’m not sure what if anything this means. Let’s be honest, the team is NOT a threat to take a Cup this year no matter how optimistic a fan you may be. We’re too young on D and too thin at forward, meaning we rely on Gaborik to score every game. If not for Henke we might not be on the mini streak we’re on.

Here’s my wish list for Santa, you guys can add to it if you want…….

1. Acme’s latest “Groin Protector 3000-anator” for Marion. Here’s hoping for good health for the guy who leads the NHL in goals scored while missing only two NHL contests so far (fingers crossed).

2. A mean, crease clearing defenseman for Henke. He deserves a little protection, don’tcha think?

3. A new state of the art mattress system for Henke as the guy will need lots of productive sleep in the weeks ahead.

4. A leather jacket for the Fonz.

5. Finnish language lessons for Sean Avery as I think it would be hysterical to listen to his crap in Finnish.

6. Viagra for Wade Redden so he can keep up with the youth on this team.

7. A trade for Petr Prucha back to the Rangers for the Hockeyrodent.

8. The Captains “C” for Chris Drury. This guys leadership on and off the ice…..er, what? Really, he’s got the “C”? No shit?

9. A goal for Chris Higgens.

10. A ten year extension for Glen Sather. I, like you am worried about his future.

Merry Beer-mas to all!

----}- Bird