Hello NY and everywhere else, I'm Bird and you're in the Birdcage at Hockeybird.com. The trading deadline has come and gone and I'm sure most of you are trying to figure out what moves were made and why.

First, Ville Niemenen was moved to San Jose for a third round draft pick in the next NHL draft. I have read from some fans a negative reaction on this. Nemo was signed as a free agent this past off season. He was a member of the Flames who went to the finals in '04. Why didn't they want him back? Not that it matters, I'm just asking. Nemo is an agitator much like Esa was for us in his two stints as a Ranger. Esa also scored and took less penalties. Nemo found himself scratched on a few occasions this season and I'm inclined to defer to coach Tom Renny's decision on putting the best team he can on the ice each night in an attempt to win. If Nemo as a third or fourth line player wasn't good enough to be a starter every night I can't imagine why anyone would be that upset about this trade.

As we gear up for a playoff run....wait a minute, did I just type that? Yep....as we get ready for the playoffs (for the first time this century) Slats and Co. along with us have looked at what possible upgrades could be made to improve the team for it's um....Cup run. Holy crap, did I just type "Cup run? Well, yes I did. It seems this team that was picked dead last by just about everyone anywhere not only has an above .500 record, as I write this the New York Rangers remain in first place in their division and they are referred too by opposing broadcast teams as "one of the best teams in the NHL". With that in mind, it's fair to think about what value a player like Nemo could offer in the playoffs. I submit that Ryan Hollweg will fill that role with a little more chance of scoring, just as much a pest and his hitting has gained the attention of several teams (think Atlanta). Truth is, we really don't need Nemo. I liked him but it's not the end of the world.

Now, Slats took the 3rd rounder and traded it to the Ducks for Sandis Ozolinsh. Throughout the year I listed a power forward (1st or second line caliber) and a PP point man as the two needs the Rangers should address if at all possible. On paper this trade fills the point on the power play need. Now you do need to at least take into account that Ozo has not played a full season since he was six. The guy gets hurt. In addition he spent some time in the NHL substance abuse program this year. That makes this a roll of the dice type move. But as opposed to years past, this seems to be a low risk gamble. If it doesn't work we lose a few bucks only. No big deal.

I'll have to take a wait and see approach on this. If Ozo shines on the PP and doesn't make Tom Poti look like Denis Potvin then Sather will look more like a genius. If it doesn't work....well, we are so far past our expectations I can't kill Slats for it. Face it, it's the trades that didn't happen that I'm impressed with. No youth was moved for an aging vet to try and win a Cup. Some of the players that we and Slats had our eyes on commanded too high a price. I applaud Ranger Brass for their restraint. This only adds to my good feeling about the direction of this team that I've had since the fire sale way back when.

Now keep in mind, we still have our first round pick in Juniors, Marc Staal who almost made the team this past fall. It's possible his teams' season ends in time for him to join the BlueShirts. Staal was the best player on the ice in the World junior tourney and while I envision him on our blueline for years to come, he just might help this season.

Folks, I admit that I'd like to see a bit more size and nastiness on the roster going into the playoffs. But we still have Colton Orr who is a legit fighter. Dale Purington is still around as well as Peter Worell. In the event we needed to insert an "Oglethorpe" into the line up, we still can. But I'm thinking that this teams speed and finesse has put us in this enviable position of a playoff run and I'm thinking that it will help us win playoff games.....but only if the power play converts at a high rate. The return of Petr Prucha should help in that regard and again, we'll see if adding Ozo works. Really now, if I told you we'd be arguing about who to add for our Cup run before the season started you'd have called me nuts. Or worse, a blogger. Yet, here we are.

Nemo had a big smile on his face when interviewed in-between periods last night while playing for the Sharks just as he did when he was here. I wish him well, but in no way do I think we'll miss him in the form of wins/losses. Adding Ozo is a bit of a gamble.....with little downside. Hot goaltending and timely goals win playoff games. Sure, you'll need plenty of hard work too. I like the way this team works, Henke might be the best keeper in the NHL and Jagr may still be the best player in the world. I'm looking forward to the first time I can recap a New York Ranger playoff game and sign off with...."Beer Me".

How about you?

----}- Bird

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