Finally.
Tonight, at 7:00 pm EST, the New York Rangers open their 2005-06 NHL season against the Philadelphia Flyers. It is the first time the Rangers have played in a game that counts since April 3, 2004. This is the start of a new era for the team, and the beginning of the long road back to the Stanley Cup. They won't get there this year, and probably not for several years, but even the longest journey starts with a single step. Tonight, the New York Rangers take that step.
We at Hockeybird want to thank every single one of the readers who stuck with us during "the bad time". We tried to provide you with some interesting stuff to try and get you by with some type of hockey fix, even if it wasn't about things that were happening on the ice. But now, we can get back to doing what Bird intended to do when he started this site . . . bring you news and commentary about New York Rangers Hockey.
People are excited. The Message Boards are hopping. The Rangers' website has a new look. Even the beat writers seem happy that the game is back (and they also aren't as harsh as they have been lately).
Larry Brooks of the Post points out that for the first time since 1994, the Rangers enter a season without a single player from that Stanley Cup team. Also for the first time, there are no expectations of success, and that may be a good thing. So far, the Rangers are saying the right things:
Tom Renney - "My hope is that we're establishing the template for what all Ranger teams look like in the future . . . We want to be known for our work ethic and attention to detail . . . We want to be known as a team that will beat anyone who doesn't come with its 'A' game against us. We're going into Philadelphia to beat the Flyers and we're going into the season to make the playoffs, it's as simple as that."
Darius Kasparaitis - "In the past, the Rangers had all those all-star players who probably were representing themselves more than the team. That time is past. We all have to be concerned with one thing: the team. There's no room for any selfishness. The only way we are going to be able to compete is if we stick together with our teammates and our coaching staff . . . There can't be any excuses . . . In the past, there were always excuses about something. We can't have that."
Uncle Larry pens a second article today where he gives the readers a glimpse of the new Rangers. Larry's prediction for the team:
"The Rangers are going to be bad again, almost certainly very, very bad. It is, however, possible that they will be more fun to watch even if they lose more often than ever."
That is as optimistic as I have ever seen him.
John Dellapina at the Daily News also gives a brief rundown of some of the new faces on the team.
Andrew Gross of The Journal News writes that Jaromir Jagr will be the face of the franchise.
Colin Stephenson of the Star Ledger says that the Rangers know that Rome wasn't built in a day, despite the fact that some of them are saying they will compete for a playoff spot.
The Ledger also has a breakdown of the Rangers team.
Steve Zipay of Newsday reports that Dale Purinton was given a 10 game suspension from the league for his eye-gouge incident against the Bruins Saturday.
In the Post article I linked to above, Larry Brooks reports that Purinton was placed on waivers. A roster move did not need to be made immediately, however, because winger Ville Nieminen was placed on injured reserve.
Blueshirt Bulletin always has the latest news and other great stuff.
Scott Burnside at ESPN asks if Sidney Crosby is ready.
Here is an article on Coach Wayne Gretzky.
Later on I will be back with an UNOFFICIAL Hockeybird Rangers preview.
Drop the puck! Let's Go Rangers!
HDH
Posted by Jim at October 05, 2005 09:33 AMeMail this entry!
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