Now let's not be silly here.....the Rangers payroll is still vastly higher than that of the Pens....and in my opinion we still have a much better team to field. However, today's game will more closely resemble an AHL game than a big-time NHL contest.

For the Rangers....that's a good thing. The more kids the better.....the more ice they get the better I'll feel. Win or lose, they'll be gaining needed in game experience you can't get any other way.

Here's the Rodent who's not very happy with his nuts these days.

Newsday - Despite the interest, a source close to the Rangers indicated that Messier might not want to leave as a playoff rental, something he has never done in his 25 seasons.

Daily News - The discouraging angle for Ranger fans is that Sather's track record in hiring choices is even more horrifying than his failures in player personnel assessment. Stephen King hasn't produced anything this scary in years.

Daily News - Sather might do yet more business with clubs north of the border as Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver are in the hunt for the Rangers' three remaining veterans likely to be dealt.

NY Post - The day No. 2 goes to the rafters, there will be no need for any rationalization by Leetch, or justification by any of us, for him having stayed. He did to become the greatest Ranger of them all.

Larry Brooks - Finally, Alex Kovalev says he would be willing to consider coming back to New York as a free agent this summer. In other news, Slap Shots has learned that Michael Dukakis is willing to accept the Democratic Party's nomination to run for president this year.

Funny line, Larry....funny line.

NY Times - Moore, a 6-1, 208-pound right wing, is 19 and a sophomore at the University of Maine. He has 14 goals and 8 assists in 30 games for the Black Bears. He was a fifth-round choice of the Flames in last summer's entry draft. He was a member of the United States team that won the world junior championships in January in Finland.

Star-Ledger - I don't know....something about trades.

Journal News - "Now that he's healthy, he's one of the very top tough guys in the league,'' Bobby Holik said. "He's got that scoring touch lately and he's been able to put it in the net. I've had a really great time playing with Chris. It's going to be tough to see him go. He was the ultimate teammate, and that's hard to find these days.''

So raise your hand if you'll be at MSG or tuned in to the TV today.....oooo, that's what I thought.

----}- Bird

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