Hello NY and everywhere else, welcome back to the Birdcage.

If I have seemed a bit unproductive and unfunny this summer well, let's just say that I haven't had the best off season when compared to seasons past. Personally I have moved my family to Florida and until I start working I won't feel much like being funny......and when you look at the pending CBA agreement or lack thereof, well....it's just not something a hardcore hockey fan like you or me can ignore. Oh, and I need more beer.

We live for this game. We plan our day, week or month around the NHL schedule. Our families and significant others come AFTER the game. We clothe our children in hockeywear. We will talk hockey on a Sunday afternoon in August at the pool with complete strangers. Those of us who are Ranger fans bleed blue. We are studying the roster looking for the wholes and trying to decide who to fill them with while most everyone else is at the beach waiting for some girl who has undone her top while sunbathing on her stomach to forget....and suddenly sit up. (Like that ever happens)

What is wrong with us?

Of course we breezed through July 1st without any major free agent signings for the Rangers. Nylander was signed and perhaps for too long but really, why complain? The Rangers are doing exactly what they should be, finally. And that brings me to my very weak point....but it's my site so I get to publish it. There are some of you who still complain about the Rangers despite the fact that things are looking up in Rangerland. (Or is that fairyland, I can't remember)

I have read on our board as well as others a point by point dissection of every move (and non-move) made by the Rangers this off season. A lot more of you than I thought are still in the old mode (pun intended). I still see posts about how we should get this guy or that UFA. Maybe we could trade for Khabby or grab a world class center for Jagr. Well, thankfully most of you now understand that the Rangers are really rebuilding. No really...and stop laughing. We are rebuilding.

Renny stays on as head coach, we draft a ton of kids to add to the ton of kids we traded for last year and look at us, part of the training camp curriculum is how to shave. Noggin has been added to the cable package in the locker room. This coming spring the players will be excited when the circus comes to town. Not because that means it's time for the playoffs.... but because the circus will be in town!

So, why are people complaining? Well, as Ranger fans complaining is the one thing we do well. And after 7 years out of post season hockey it comes natural to us. Now, don't get me wrong. Not all of you are complaining. And at least some of you have been to the beach to sneak a peak at a quickly covered boob. But there remains a great many fans who possess very little patience. That will be a key ingredient to our rebuilding. It will be a while before we can consider a run at a Cup. That's not to say we can't make the playoffs. Hey, anything can happen.

Why draft another goalie?

It's Al Montoya fer crying out loud. With Dan Blackburn a question mark due to injury, Henrik Lundqvist still in Sweden, Stephen Valiquette in Hartford, Jason LaBarbera who may just the best AHL keeper to never get an NHL job our future screams for a top notch keeper. Mike "the Dude" Dunham may or may not play well this season and it's possible he gets moved. He sure isn't part of our future. Montoya was a good pick.

Who's on the first line?

Why do you care? We are not....let me repeat, we are NOT going to win a Cup this season. Don't worry about who will play with who. Just watch the kids and let them develop. Sure, we could lose a bunch of games but I need to remind you of what you have been saying and I quote, "I would rather watch a bunch of kids who try hard and lose than these guys". You said it, I heard you.

I want Scotty Bowman!

Oh puleeeeze. He wasn't coming here ever. And he wouldn't be the guy to rebuild. He would have been a good choice 5 years ago but not now. Renny with the new coaches will be just what we need to help these kids turn into winning hockey players. Trust me, when the time comes for a bigtime head coach or a bigtime free agent we'll get one. We always have. And, we now have a legit goalie coach, fulltime. Excellent (in my best Mr. Burns voice).

Sather still sucks and needs to be fired!

Meh....I'm sick of this. Yes he didn't get into the playoffs and yes his rebuild is late in coming. But he's doing it albeit late. We fire lots of people and get nothing out of it but a one day satisfaction that somebody got fired.......let's just let the guy do his thing, OK? We are on the right track now. I know, he's cocky, smug, abrasive and a bunch of other things....so what. He's ours. Besides, exactly who else is out there you would want for the job? Stop it with the anyone answer....save that for your election discussions. Maybe your buddy Michael Moore can make a documentary, "Rangers 9-11". Actually, that's not a bad idea. Big fat Michael Moore running around after Glen Sather asking questions about line changes and walkie talkies. I'd go see that.

So relax. Take it easy......the World Cup is just around the bend to tease you like Phoebe Cates did in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Camp opens today I think. Fill the fridge with beer and start to reschedule the family activities.....hockey is coming. And not a moment too soon. Of course it will be ripped from our grasp just as we get comfortable.....but that's for another rant. Let's just enjoy this for what it is, a one night stand with the girl of our dreams. We can keep the memories and some of you sickos will tape it to watch over and over again.

----} Bird

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