Hello New York and everywhere else, I'm Bird and you're in the Birdcage. I figured it was about time I spit out a few random thoughts for the peeps about the Rangers and the NHL at large......so here goes.

Trading Kaspar?

I don't think so. As of right now I believe he's un-tradeable. Forget for a second that I'd like to see him return to the line up, if I was a GM I can't see how a trade could be done. According to the Rangers, Kaspar came to camp out of shape and had to be sent down to the AHL for a ten day conditioning stint. He's coming off two separate surgeries with his shoulder and groin injuries that hampered his game last season towards the end. Ranger management would be playing him and singing his praises if he were really on the block....or so one would think, no?

Now add the fact the Kaspar has a pretty hefty contract and as you know, in today's NHL the Cap determines who you can trade for/with. Because of the Cap there are only a few teams with enough room to add a contract like Kaspars' and not all of those teams need to add a highly paid, tough defenseman. Of those few teams you need to ask what they have that you'd want in return. With all of that in mind I expect that if the Rangers do a deal that involves a defenseman, Kaspar won't be part of it. I know, that doesn't explain what happens to Kaspar except I expect to see him on the Ranger blueline for the season.

Now that I've said that Slats will pull off a move just to spite me.

Ice Chickens

I noticed that some Ranger fans were upset with the fans in Pittsburgh for booing Jagr each time he touched the puck during the Rangers recent visit to the Igloo. This is coming from the same fans who still, after 20 years are chanting "Potvin Sucks" at each game. I know, you'll say that it's different. I say it's not. I sense a jealousy towards the Penguins because of their four young stars. Like it or not, all four are for real and the Pens are a force to deal with....and will be for a few years to come. Whether they continue to play in Pittsburgh is anybody's guess.

I'm kinda on the fence with this one. I'd like to see the team stay in Pittsburgh (full discloser, I lived in Pittsburgh for a few years and loved it) but I'd also be in favor of one of the Canadian cities to get the NHL back.

Bobby Granger

It's well known by now that a lot of the Ranger management read this site as well as our buddy, the Hockey Rodent. What you might not know is that Bobby Granger (Kevin) is a regular poster over at the Rodents and he also has an account here at Hockeybird. I really enjoy the series of commercials he's featured in and the latest (which was found on YouTube by one of Rodents readers) where Bobby Granger joins the broadcast team has me in stitches even after the 53rd viewing. Kudos to Kevin for the great um....acting.

Ok, I've been told that Kevin wasn't really acting in that one. That's how he um.....cheers on his favorite team all the time.

Front Page Fun

Here at Hockeybird we feature four different writers that post on the front page and this has caused a little confusion for those visitors who aren't regulars. Here's a tip. Read the very bottom of each post and you will know who wrote it. Usually, I cover Monday and Tuesday....HDH covers Wed, Thurs and Friday with Pete Rocha covering Saturday and Brian Leeds on Sundays. Of course that can always change as our real lives occasionally force one of us to bow out with someone else covering. But again, you can read then bottom to know what the writer is on any day...OK?

That's it for now fans.....Happy Thanksgiving to all of you U.S.A. readers and a big Cheers to the rest of you.

----}- Bird

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