Hello New York and everywhere else, welcome back to the Birdcage. It's time for me to drop a few lines of html on you....nothing special, just the usual boring crap I always offer. As we end the year 2003 I thought I'd spit out a few thoughts and get some stuff off my chest....these will be random and in no order (um, that's what random means....dumbass). In other words, like the Rangers.... it'll be all over the place.

You are forgiven my son.

As Gary Thorne is screaming "MESSIER" I'm screaming at the TV...."No, that's Rucinsky....you asshat" And because it has happened so few times I thought of Sam Rosen as the Rangers scored on the Power Play.

The game itself had some fun moments. How about that MacDonald guy getting back to NY in time to have Sather put him in the line up and with hard work, sets up the Messier goal for his first NHL point. Good for him.

There has been talk that Eric Lindros could be traded......what a shame if it's true. The guy is really playing well. Last night Sather put him with Barnaby and Simon and Eric had a really good game. His pass to Leetch to set up the spin-o-rama pass to Barnaby was only a part of what he did well. Surely Glen would'd trade this guy if he's gonna play like that......right ?

You had to like the line combos and ice times from last night. Maybe Slats gives 'em a chance and keeps things the same for a bit. Messier on the fourth line with some spot power play time is fine with me and how most of us wanted to see it all year. Lindros with big wings makes sense. If only the Nedved line could get hot.....now that would be something, eh ? And what happened to the mean side of Bobby Holik ? I need to see more of that please.

No fights and no one took Peca and beat him for his hit on Lundmark in the previous meeting. I was quite disappointed in that. Sure, I would rather have the elusive two points.....but we could have had both in my opinion. There are four more games so I'm sure we'll get some more nastyness.

The Battle of the Hockey Gladiators.......is this for real ?

Yup.....and some former NHL fighters are signed up for it already including Tony Twist. I'm not sure how I feel about it as this would not be the same as two guys squaring off during a game.....but I'd have to watch as will you. I wonder if any current NHL heavyweights get involved.

I'm not sure which is more disconcerting, that this event will take place....or that no one thought of it before now. While I'm sure NHL Commissioner Bettman and Co. are not pleased....screw 'em. They should not even be aware of this as I want them to spend every waking moment working out a deal so we can have hockey next season. Should they fail, an event like this will be the least of Bettman's problems.

Get in shape....get back out there !

Now that is good news. For those that don't know, I have been dealing with a few different health issues for over a year now. Things are looking a little better and when I asked the Doc about playing ice hockey.....he said it would be a good idea to begin the process of getting back in game shape, even if I wasn't going to play. Of course, if I did that I'd surely want to play. For those of you younger readers......please don't smoke. 25 years of smoking has put me in a bad spot and I'd hate to hear that any of you had to deal with the same crap that I'm going through.

So what is to be expected from the new year in Ranger land ?

That's an easy one to answer......I have no effing clue (is that like sniffing glue? - well, no....but the results are the same). We could see a big trade, or not. We could see more games like the one the Rangers played last night......or not. It's possible that we see the first playoff games at MSG in seven years.....or not. Now I have a better feeling about a possible playoff appearence than in past years but with what seems to be complete confusion around here you can't be surprised if they end up on the outside looking in yet again.

Jarg might come....he might not. Carter, Poti, Lindros, Nedved, Dunham, Lundmark are just a few of the players that have been rumored in trades. Of course, we have Larry Brooks of the NY Post to thank for most of the trade rumors. If he had his way I would have been traded by now. Larry was kind enough to do two interviews with us in 2003.....but has since decided he doesn't like us. I'm crushed.

The Wolf*Pack have given the Hartford fans reason to think they have a playoff run in thier 2004 future. Give Slats some credit for getting some quality youth and the Pack coaching staff for making it work. I haven't seen Heather smile this much since the Calder Cup win (or the day Tibbets was kicked outta here).

What a staff, eh ?

This past year has been a good one for Hockeybird, the site. And really, when you read the stuff posted by the Rodent or the Report Card by Rocha, Heather's On The Farm, Fact or Fiction by Gabe or one of the two columns penned by Brian Leeds how can you not like it ? We have also added Rocha and Rightbug to the news staff for the front page and the result has been excellent as Hockeybird is funny once again.

Chris who had been helping out with the news became a Doctor of......something or other, that's a good thing, right ? Overall, we had a really good year despite the Rangers not doing well. The stats show a huge increase in Hockeybird readers and for that I am both grateful and humbled. Computers from 60 different countries visit here each month.....that's pretty cool, eh ?

The Messageboards here have become a wonderful place to hang out and exchange ideas (goof off instead of working). While the Rangers and NHL sections are full of great info and debates, the Anything Goes section is by far the most entertaining. Thanks to all of you who contribute.

I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday season and I wish you all good health and success in the coming year. May 2004 bring you everything you hope for......and that better include some Ranger playoff games !

----}- Bird

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