What a supreme disappointment the New York Rangers were last night

And normally we'd just snicker, as we're obviously more about the Devils fortunes here. What was disgraceful as Ranger players half-assed it, stood around, took 'too many men on the ice' penalties late in the game, is the fact they retired two numbers last night and all their former greats were in the house to watch. First off they are struggling just to make the playoffs, secondly Harry Howell and Andy Bathgate were having their numbers hoisted to the rafters, third the lowly Toronto Maple Laffs were the opponent. How and why they didn't come out roaring and steamroll Toronto is anybody's guess. No heart, no guts but for whatever reason it was disgraceful. Captain Chris Drury makes over 7 million a year as does Scott Gomez. Markus Naslund is in for over 6 milion. Nikolai Zherdev makes 2.5 million and these guys just gave no effort. Who steps up to take ownership of this mess? Over the Red Wings locker room in Joe Louis Arena in Detroit reads a sign (johnny knows he's seen in personally) "Of those much is given much is expected". Maybe somebody should relay this sentiment to some of the Rangers stars.

On a night you honor those who helped make hockey what it is today, a world you can make a bundle, a lot of current Rangers should be ashamed. Bathgate and Howell played for relative peanuts in an era when the NHL season was over you went to your OTHER JOB, and for them to have to watch a passionless and lazy performance in front of them was frankly embarrassing.

Johnny's a die hard Red Wings fan who supports his local Devils but is reminded of when Red Sox great Carlton Fisk earned Yankees fans respect when he told New York Yankee Deion Sanders, who in an earlier at bat decided he simply didn't need to run out a pop-up on the infield, there is a right way and wrong way to play the game and "and if you don't play it right, I'm going to kick your ass right here in Yankee Stadium."

Bravo, well said.

Big New York Rangers doings tonight at the M to the S to the G

Legendary New York Ranger players Harry Howell and Andy Bathgate will have their numbers hoisted to the rafters tonight at MSG with a ceremony beginning at 6:30 pm before the Rangers play Original Six brethren the Toronto Maple Leafs. Howell's number 3 will be raised as will Bathgate's number 9 (which he will forever share with Adam Graves who's own number 9 was retired almost three weeks back). With number 3 heading up to the rafters it means current number 3, Rags defenseman Michal Rozsival will have to unveil a new number before stepping onto the ice tonight vs the Maple Loafs.

More on this story and these great NHL legends can be found here.

Rangers retired Adam Graves #9 at MSG last night

Yes puck fans, The New York Rangers retired Adam Graves' #9 last night in a ceremony at MSG that seemed a bit odd to Johnny. First off, Adam Graves is a great human being. No problems with his number hanging in MSG after only 10 years with the club as a player. His community outreach is wonderful. Johnny does wonder though about the cast of the Sopranos being featured. Sure Graves loves the Sopranos but really, what's that got to do with hockey? You bet Lorraine Bracco looked smoking hot, but again, we missed the episode where Christopher and Paulie wandered out of New Jersey's Pine Barrens to catch a Rangers game at MSG.

Never in all his days has Johnny seen one franchise get more mileage out of ONE season than the Rangers do 1994. You'd think that was the only year the NHL ever handed out the Stanley Cup. It was a fine run, but lots of teams have had a one year run like that. The Ducks and Tampa Bay come to mind. Oh, was it because the Rags broke a 54 year cup-less streak? Well hallelujah, why wear that like some badge of honor? Treat it for what it was, an embarrassment.

So, well done and congratulations Adam Graves, you are a class act. To the planners, better luck with the Andy Bathgate and Harry Howell ceremonies later this year.