Hello New York and everywhere else, I'm Bird and you're in the birdcage on Hockeybird.com. Here's a question I seem to get on a daily basis.....

Why are the Rangers winning?

Well that question can be answered many ways and nearly all of them would be right to a certain extent. But there's something some would be afraid to say out loud as opposed to some of the obvious answers. I think it all ties in together. Let me explain.....

Hard work:

This team has become more of a blue collar, lunch pail type of team as compared to the teams fielded in the last seven seasons. They're not taking nights off, hell....they're not taking many shifts off. Now don't get me wrong here, I still see room for improvement in this area but it's a nice refreshing change and it's part of why the Rangers are winning games that in the past would fall into the loss column.

Team Concept:

One gets the feeling that the current group of Rangers are performing as a team. Gone are the fantasy rosters of the past. I can remember writing several times over the years that on paper, the Rangers had a great looking team. Unfortunately the games are played on ice, not paper. Picked by the pundits to finish dead last, these guys are working together with what looks like well defined roles for each line, each player. Games for the most part are won by teams and team play, not by individual players. That's not to say that the Rangers aren't leaning heavily on Jagr and Lundqvist because they are. But each member of this team contributes on most nights and that goes a long way in acquiring wins in the NHL.

Having Fun:

To me it's clear that this team is having fun this season. I could be wrong as I have no direct locker room connection but I think that not only do these guys love coming to the rink but I think they actually enjoy each others company. I did get word from an inside source that the last road trip was more enjoyable than any over the last seven or eight years. Trust me, this is a huge deal. A loose, fun atmosphere contributes to a teams ability to get through tough stretches. I think these guys play for each other as much as themselves and that's because it's fun again. Just ask the jokester, Jagr who quips one liners in post game interviews.

Coaching:

Here's perhaps the biggest reason the Rangers aren't acting like a broken team. All the things mentioned above are the result of the coaching staff to a degree. Renny has done something previous coaches have not, and that includes Slats. He's made the players understand that being a NY Ranger comes with certain responsibilities. The hard work and team concept are part of that. Renny has also helped to develop the fun atmosphere or at least allowed it to develop. Trust me, this is not accidental. It's also no accident that we rarely if ever hear from Glen Sather these days. He's letting his guys do what they do best and keeping himself out of the spotlight. Better late than never I think we are finally reaping the benefits of having Slats as the NY Ranger President and GM. How the rest of this season is handled will determine if I'm right on that. It'll be interesting to see how Sather tries to tweak this team for what looks like a probable playoff appearance.

No More 1940 - No More 1994

As I watched last nights OLN telecast I became slightly emotional when Mark messier was interviewed. I miss Moose. In his day there was no better all around player and I feel like we owe him for the Cup in '94. I could see a familiar look in his eyes, one I see in my mirror at home. It's the look of, "I have one more in me". It's the definition of "one more" that's the problem. Is it one more year? One more playoff run, one more game or one more shift? Mark decided not to bother to find out and we'll retire his number on January 12th at MSG. It's a well deserved honor for a great hockey player and NY sports legend. But think about it.....his absence from the roster may be a part of all the good things I listed above. Mark is no longer consulted on player moves, coaching decisions and he's no longer an influence in the locker room.

Yep, this is addition by subtraction. Many of the positives up to this point might not be if Messier were still playing here. It's a hard thing for me to say as I have nothing but respect for his six Cups and all those wonderful years of hard nosed hockey. But there it is, I said it. Part of the reason the Rangers are winning is that Mark is out of the picture. In fact, despite Larry brooks calling for the acquisition of Brian Leetch, there are no more players from that era. No longer are contracts and playing time based on games played nearly 12 years ago.

Now just about anything can happen in this still young NHL season. But I am slowly becoming convinced to drop my no expectations mindset and replace it with one that includes the playoffs and yes, I'm even thinking about what it would take to give this team a chance against the beasts in the east. As long as Slats and Co. continue with the current M.O. and build for the future I'll be happy. If it's possible that the future includes a player like Bertuzzi or some other big name you'd have to part with something valuable. The next trade or two for the Blueshirts will tell a lot about where we are, where we're going and if Slats really is the super genius we all hoped he would be.

As Glen reads this (and I know he will) he'll slowly roll that cigar and ponder the very same question. It had to be tough for him to listen to the chants at MSG of "Fire Sather!". Glen is a proud man and if he makes the right moves we can all be proud. Proud of him and proud to be Rangers fans. Wouldn't that be a kick?

----}- Bird

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