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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Obviously we all knew it was coming and it makes sense that the Rangers picked Jan. 24. Here’s the thing, with this retirement, the last of the “Big 3″ from 1994 will be up in the rafters. Now, do the Rangers look back and possibly retire some other overlooked former players, like Andy Bathgate, Jean Ratelle or Brad Park?

Also do any of the current Rangers deserve Blueshirt immortality. It’s obviously too early for Henrik Lundqvist, but what about Jaromir Jagr when he retires? He can be a Ranger for two more years before he’s a free agent, and does 4 1/2 seasons with a team mean he did enough for to deserve his No. 68 to go up on the rafters? What if the Rangers win the Cup? 

The Blueshirts have been one of the more strict teams in the area when it comes to retiring numbers. Actually since 2004, they have made a 150 percent increase with Richter, Messier and now Leetch going up. My guy says, though, No. 2 will be the last one for a while, at least until the Rangers have a guy they can call their own, who is a true Hall of Famer. 

 

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