Hello New York and everywhere else, I'm Bird and you're in the Birdcage. After a few days I finally feel good enough again to write. The way the season ended for the NY Rangers was just about as bad a collapse as I've seen in quite some time. It's as if a black cat crossed the Rangers bench as one in fact did just that back in '69 to the Cubs.

Against my better judgment I did read the boards here and elsewhere and I was pleasantly surprised to see that most Ranger fans understand that the rebuilding process taking place meant that this team was not really constructed to win a cup in '06. In fact, some excited fans have already begun to look forward to the off season discussing possible free agent signings. A lot of fans also look forward to seeing some of the "yutes" who right now are chasing the Calder Cup with the Wolf*Pack. The Pack won a game seven to advance to the second round. Al Montoya has been injured and Chris Holt jumped out of the radio booth to backstop the Pack to an impressive win. They currently are tied at 1-1 in the second round series.

Injuries......yep, they sure did hurt the Rangers down the stretch and against the Devs in the first round. Jagr will have surgery, Henke it turns out was still injured, Kaspar played at less than 100% with the groin injury and both Ruccin and Ruccinsky played with broken bones. While not an injury, Ozo was arrested for a DWI and I'm quite sure he didn't just begin to drink after he was scratched for game four. Ozo's battle with alcohol abuse will continue for the rest of his life and I do wish him the best but I can't help but think that perhaps it would be better for the Rangers if he retired from the NHL, freeing up his spot and salary for another blueliner.

As far as the trade that brought Ozo to the club, I recall saying that Slats had rolled the dice on that one and too bad, he rolled craps. It seemed like a decent idea at the time. My guess is that other D-men available would have cost too high a price and I'm pleased that Slats and Co. held onto the Youth and stuck to the plan. Remember, it's easy to sit here in cyberspace and call for the Rangers to get this guy or that.....but one has to think about the future in such dealings.

BONUS COVERAGE

I am of course watching the NHL playoffs and I'm a little surprised by seeing all four top seeds in the West get ousted. I kind of expected the Flames to advance despite their inability to score goals. While the Wings demise was surprising as well, I enjoyed watching the Oil get great goaltending and timely goals. I catch some of the games on the Center Ice package but many of the games and shown here in the states on OLN. Can they please drop the bonus coverage banner? You're either covering a game or not...there's nothing bonus about it. It is nice to see a few hockey shows on OLN besides the games. I watched the story of Jordan Tootoo and found it moving. Sure, I knew the story but I hadn't seen footage of his brother playing before. I'm also sure I hadn't seen footage of a hockey player skin a caribou before either.

The ratings for NBC and OLN are even lower than ABC and ESPN's coverage back in '04. Now to be fair, ESPN is in twice as many homes as is OLN. I have no answer as to why NBC isn't getting ratings. Personally I have to work on Saturday afternoons and it's possible that others do things like....I don't know, go outside? I'd have games on at night. But NBC is already getting ratings at night. The NHL just isn't popular in the US when compared to let's say...televised poker. Maybe if they held a Texas Hold 'em tourney instead of the shootout to decide ties in the regular season.....aw, nevermind.

Like in years past, Hockeybird remains open during the NHL playoffs and beyond. We'll be here although it's possible you'll see less activity. Thanks for all your support this season and I look forward to camp in September....hope to see you all now and then over the summer.

In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, BEER ME and a shot of Tequila.

----}- Bird

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