Sometimes the media cracks me up, and sometimes Tom Renney and this team crack me up. Stick with me for a minute whilst I explain.

First I read Larry Brooks putting forth rumors that Glen Sather was dangling Prucha and Hall for Martin Rucinsky. As bad as I think the GM has been for this franchise, I just cannot believe that he would make such an offer. What is even more absurd is the notion that John Davidson would have hesitated to make such a move. Ridiculous, and the Rodent did a fine enough job debunking it. That was the media cracking me up.

Today, I read what the lines at practice were, and probably will remain for tonight:

Meanwhile, outside the top group, the forward lines were revamped again, with Brendan Shanahan skating with Blair Betts and Marcel Hossa; Krog at center between Cullen and Jed Ortmeyer; and a fourth unit of Petr Prucha, Ryan Hollweg, and either Colton Orr or Adam Hall.

Ok, so that means that on January 16, 2006, the starting centers for the New York Rangers, against the New Jersey Devils, will be 1 - Michael Nylander, 2 - Blair Betts, 3 - Jason Krog, and 4 - Ryan Hollweg?!?!?!?!?

Nylander is fine at #1 of course, but what the hell is the rest of that? Blair Betts, Mr. EIGHT career assists, will be setting up our top goal scorer?? Shanahan will be playing with two guys that have twelve points, with four assists, COMBINED?? Jason Krog, the 31-year-old, smallish, journeyman AHLer, who has played only 15 NHL games since the lockout, is our 3rd line center??

And Ryan Hollweg, who has been unable to record even a single point in 46 games, will be the pivot on a line that includes our former rookie 30-goal scorer? You know how many NHL players have played at least 46 games and have not recorded a point? None, zero, zip, zilch. Ryan is the ONLY one. You know how many players have played at least 40 games without a point? None.

So let me get this straight again: Matt Cullen, four years and $11 million dollars, is a 3rd line winger, Marcel Hossa and his 5 points, is a second line wing, Blair Betts and his one assist is supposed to set up Shanahan, Petr Prucha is a fourth line player, Jason Krog is a 3rd line center, and Marek Malik should be in the lineup over anyone? Is that right? According to Tom Renney it is.

This organization is a disaster. I would be shocked, absolutely shocked, if they make the playoffs, at least as how they are currently constructed. I would also be absolutely shocked if there is any change in the coaching or management. I mean, they have done such a great job, right? Jim Dolan seems to think so.

Anyway, there is some news today, one incredibly funny headline even claiming how Jason Krog "spurs" the Rangers. You can read all about Mr. AHL here, here and here.

John Dellapina writes something a little different: When they resume their rivalry tonight with the team for which they have the most admiration/contempt, the Rangers are hoping that familiarity will breed another victory. Up against the Devils for the fifth time this season, the Rangers will go back to the defense pairings that had been predominant until a mid-game shakeup last week.

Lynn Zinser at the NY Times looks at the differences in the nationalities of the players on the Devils and the Rangers.

Tonight, it's the Devils and Rangers in the swamp. As you can tell, I'm kinda down on this team, so please forgive my ranting.

The puck drops at 7:30 pm EST.

HDH

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