Hello NY and everywhere else, welcome back to the Birdcage. Yes...it's really me this time. Being sick for the month of October kinda sucks but you didn't come here for my list of personal complaints I'm sure so let's get down to business.

I implore that all of you withhold judgment on this team for now. We have not had enough data to properly analyze, dissect, deduce.......make a proper judgment. There are many unanswered questions and while I have a good feel on some things, I'm clueless on others.

Let's begin with what we know so far. After looking like a midget "B" team in the first two contests, the Rangers began the process of adopting this so called defensive system. They kissed their sister twice to remain winless after four games. Those fans who are so badly hurt by the past six years screamed for heads to roll and kids to play. I won't kill you for that. Passion can do that....cloud your judgment and make you say silly things.

What followed were a series of games where the defensive system was embraced by the players. They didn't bail out when they failed to notch wins and sure enough it paid off. Despite the loss to the Ducks the Rangers stayed the course. Again, it paid off with another win. So at this point of the season they have a winning record. No one is planning a parade route at 3-3-2 but it's a start in the right direction.

It's my opinion that the early adversity that the Rangers faced has been and will continue to be a good thing. I don't want this team to get full of themselves and forget that hard work and commitment to the system and each other is what is getting the positive results. If this team hopes to be playing in the spring a continuation of these concepts must remain at the forefront of the team ideology. Defense first, the team first.....all for one and one for all. Sound corny ? Too bad as it's this type of simplicity that makes winners.

The Positives:

Well, the goals against are down.....you don't need to be a stat guru to know that this is good. The penalty kill is a big reason for this. A successful hockey team needs to be able to take a few penalties in any given game to be a winner. Someone hits your best player ? Run him, take the two minutes and send a message that opponents will pay for their indiscretions. If you kill it off it pays huge dividends, let in the goal and Larry Brooks says you are undisciplined. It's a fine line.....but I know that opposing players are less apt to hack your stars when they know they will be crushed for it. That opens the ice and helps create the space needed for your skill players.

That leads me to another big positive. Folks, we may have a real team here. Is it foolish of me to think that these Rangers care about each other ? Is it possible that personal stats have been cast aside in favor of team wins ? While it's too early to tell, signs indicate that we are seeing exactly that. If I'm correct in this assumption (and that's all it is right now) then we could see that rare combination of skill and passion together with a team concept that could finally propel the Rangers into a playoff caliber club.

The Best Is Yet To Come ?

Well, one can only hope. But add a healthy Eric Lindros and Brian Leetch to this team and you are adding two world class players with as the kids say these days, mad skillz. Both players can help continue a strong defensive style and each posses the offensive prowess that can take advantage of the opportunities that such a strategy creates. Let us bow our collective heads in prayer to the hockey gods that Eric and Brian not only return soon but stay healthy throughout the season.

Lord Darth Sather:

It seems to me that Mr. Brooks would enjoy seeing Sather and the Rangers fail. But despite what you've read in the Post and what you'll likely continue to read, Slats as a GM has the Pack stocked with some good NHL caliber prospects. Available for call ups and being groomed for future seasons, this crop of kids are better than what we've seen in a few years. This can only be a good thing.

As a head coach, Slats is doing the right things too. Sure, Messier had some extra ice time recently. But if it's his line that is doing the best job then why not throw them out there a few more shifts ? We have also seen Holik getting matched up with the best opposing lines. Hey, we even have four lines being used...well, at least until the Refs throw out Simon. I believe he's got his coaching legs back and will get better as the year progresses. Slats may not be the beat reporters best friend but why should you or I care about that ? Screw the reporters.....Slats and the Rangers owe them NOTHING. It is we the fans that are owed. I repeat what I said during the summer, there is no one else available that I'd rather have coaching than Slats right now.

The Dude:

How often have you read about CuJo coming to NY ? Exactly why everyone continues this silly notion is beyond me. Picking up where he left off last season, Mike Dunham is giving the Rangers a chance to win almost every time out. Spot him some rest now and then and there are no reasons I can think of as to why we won't see this all year long. The Dude is providing the stability that the D and the entire team can rally around. Long Live The Dude !

Back To Earth:

These are the Rangers we are talking about. Don't get giddy just yet. The track record suggests that anything positive we see now will be replaced with any and all things bad. As easy as it is for me to project forward and see a better than .500 record, it's just as easy to see the collapse that we all know too well. I'm going to be thankful for what's taken place so far and remain cautiously optimistic. Part of me thinks we have turned a corner and are headed for a good '03-'04 season. Another part kicks me in the privates reminding me that we are being teased yet again.

In truth......it's just too early to tell.

----}- Bird

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