I did a full report on NY Sports Day, but just some musings:

• Unlike Mark Messier a few years ago, Leetch’s pre-retirement gathering was much more subdued, like the way he played.
• Leetch was very forthcoming about still being hurt when he was traded almost four years ago.
• All the Rangers agreed he may have been the most important player from the 1994 team.
• When asked Leetch didn’t want to give a Super Bowl prediction, but Messier said 24-21, yet he would not guarantee that.
• Tonight, don’t expect a 75 minute ceremony, although the Rangers have 98 minutes, but that also includes pregame warmups and getting the ice ready.
• Tie Domi was at the event last night as well, which was a welcome surprise.

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Now that Sean Avery was punished and Mark Messier got into the Hall, there’s a game to play.

It’s 1-1 with goals early Jamie Langenbrunner and Nigel Dawes. With Langenbrunner’s coming off a rebound in front of the net and Dawes goal should have been saved by Henrik Lundqvist.

The real question is how both Scott Gomez, playing his first game in New Jersey in an opposing sweater, and Avery, who may tone down the act tonight will play. Will they be able to adapt to the hostile Newark crowd?

More later… 

 

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With Don Maloney out, the Rangers will need a new second man in the front office. Both Mark Messier, who desired Glen Sather’s job back in February and Adam Graves are candidates. As is Jim Schoenfeld, the Hartford GM.

Of the candidates, Sather will look to retain someone who will do the legwork Maloney did over the past decade in teh front office. Both Messier and Graves are inexperienced, yet could get some sort of position to begin their careers, but Schoenfeld has the knowledge of the organization, so will also a considerable look.

Eventually Messier will probably work his way up to the job, The Captain said he was moving to New York and wanted to be Slats’ successor. So, it would be hard to fathom if he was left out in the cold.

As for Maloney, Sather may have a trading partner. Larry Brooks mentioned a possible Al Montoya for the third overall pick. We shall see what prospects Maloney liked more than Sather and if any deals come to pass.

You can read more about this on NY Sports Day.  

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