Hello NY and everywhere else, I'm Bird and you're in the Birdcage here at Hockeybird.com. A longtime friend and reader (he once penned a few articles for Hockeybird way, way back in the olden days) Tony is upset. He's upset with headcoach Tom Renny and he's upset with me. Let me explain.....

If I were to point out the things lacking with the NYRs I'd be looking at two areas. The Power Play could still use a real point QB to run the offence. If I thought the Rangers were going to take a run at the cup this year I'd bet the farm that Slats would address this. It would be a short term fix as I see a kid like Staal handling this position in a few years or perhaps Tyutin continues his development. But for this year, it's a big need in order to advance to the finals. Sure, Sykora could be used in that role and while we haven't seen that yet, don't be surprised if you do.

I'm not advocating that Slats trade the farm for a young "Leetch-like" player mind you. I'm just saying it's an area that would need to be addressed in a serious cup run. Any move Slats makes will be with an eye on the future so I'm not worried that Prucha gets moved for a Gonchar or anything silly like that.

The other area that needs to be addressed is the one Tony is so pissed about. Toughness. Hell, even Uncle Larry talks about this issue in his article today in the Post. Tony, you and I are not that far off in our opinions here. The team absolutely could use a big strong power forward who can play, but also who can take on the leagues fighters. Too many times this year opposing players have taken runs at Jagr and Prucha and gone unpunished. I still think someone should have popped Crosby after he elbowed Lundqvist. Now here's where Tony and I differ.....Tony holds Tom Renny to blame for this lack of a tough guy in the line up. In fact, Tony professes a hatred for Renny as if he was Ron Lowe....or Brian Trottier.

Look, I see it differently is all. One, I like the play of Hollweg and think he's earned a roster spot. But Renny fields the team that he thinks gives him the best chance to out score the other team...it's called winning. If he thinks that Hossa should play and Ryan should sit, who am I to argue? The win/loss record speaks for itself. If Orr can't contribute unless he fights in Renny's opinion, again I'm fine with it. Rolling out all four lines in different situations has worked, why screw that up?

I do agree that we could sure use a guy who can play every night, contribute to the offence and defense all while possessing the ability to beat the living crap out of anyone who dares to hit Jagr. When Vancouver was rumored to have been shopping Bertuzzi I thought this is exactly the kind of guy we could use. Big, nasty and a good all around hockey player. There aren't too many guys like that in the NHL with such good hands to go with the size and power.

And let's face it, Renny has this team in so much better a position than anyone could have hoped for. Is Tom Renny perfect? I'd venture a no guess here. But he's done a terrific job so far and that's why you're not reading me ripping him here on Hockeybird. Hell, he's a candidate for coach of the year. Look, I love the rough stuff and always have. Could we use a Chris Simon about now? Sure could.....and maybe Slats and Donny are working on something.

It's true that I'm consuming the Sather Kool-Aid. I'm quite pleased so far this season and will give the team and it's coach a pass on things I may have ranted about in seasons past.....but not this year. For the first time in nearly a decade the New York Rangers have a team that can make the playoffs and just might do some damage. They have a bright future with many players I look forward to watching and Renny is a big part of the turn around here. Do I agree we could use a tough guy, yep...I sure do. Will I rip Renny for not using Orr or sitting Hollweg from time to time, nope.

Tony is as passionate a Ranger fan as you'd ever meet. He's also a great guy, but his misguided hatred for our coach will not get fueled here in my writing. Quite the opposite, I'm heaping praise on the guy. This season has been fun for me without all the angst. Hey, at least I'm honest about it. You want criticism for every little mistake made....look elsewhere. I'm drinking Kool-Aid, er.....beer.

NOTES: The server here may go down for a bit as we upgrade in order to handle the increased traffic. Damn there's a lot of you folks these days. In addition, the free hats haven't gone out yet....hang in there, I'll get to it, I promise.

----}- Bird

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