Messier’s Impact as GM

With the Olympic break in full swing, and me on vacation (Note: This post was scheduled a while ago, I’m not magically posting from my cruise. I can’t. And even if I could, I wouldn’t.), there were some volunteers to help keep the content here at BSB in full swing until the NHL returns to action. Over the course of the week, you will be seeing posts from readers here. This post is courtesy of Ben, the lead writer at Bettman’s Nightmare, who analyzes the impact Mark Messier would have if he were GM of the Rangers. If you don’t feel like reading, thats ok, it’s a picture post.

At Bettman’s Nightmare, we have nothing but respect for the Moose. He breathes life into our sorry existence, paralyzes our enemies with icy stares (I know, I know, it should be “glare” but it’s called the “Messier Stare” and I didn’t want to blaspheme), and will never turn down Gary Coleman.

But can he deliver us from Slats?

The recent Jokinen trade has certainly spit-shined Glen Sather’s reputation around the Garden, but as George Carlin once said, “You can’t polish a turd,” and this is one GM that still has a funk.

So in a little stretch of imagination, let’s fantasize about what the Messiah can do for the home team…

- Mark Messier will bring back Cooperalls and Winnwell helmets.

Ron is excited about this.

DO NOT look directly into his eyes.

- Mark Messier will teach Marian Gaborik to fight.

“Maybe it would be better if you started with Brian Gionta.”

- Mark Messier will discover the Missing Link at MSG’s center ice dot.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, Gorilla Hartnell, or goaltenderus interferus.”

And finally:

- Mark Messier will re-sign Wade Redden to a 5-year deal worth 50…cents.

Of course I am confident in Moose’s abilities; this is a man who delivered the Cup after 40 years of futility. On the flip side, perhaps a dose of realism is in order:

- Mark Messier will not live up to expectations as a GM.

Hate to be a buzzkill, but I can live with that one. Let’s be reasonable

Messier Named Team Canada GM For World Championships

According to Andrew Gross, Mark Messier has been named Team Canada GM for the World Championship. First of all, good for Mess. Second, and perhaps most important, this will serve as valuable GM experience for Messier. If he wants to be a NHL GM, this will only help.

Messier, Richter Win Lester Patrick Award

Ranger greats Mark Messier and Mike Richter are the 2009 recipients of the Lester Patrick Award, which is awarded for outstanding service to hockey in the US. The third recipient this year is Red Wings Senior Vice President Jim Devellano.

Comparing HOF Classes: 2009 vs. 2007 (New Poll Added)

With the induction of possibly the best HOF class ever yesterday, it sparked some debate on which class is better: the 2009 class of Yzerman, Hull, Leetch and Robitaille, or the 2007 class of Messier, MacInnis, Stevens and Francis. It’s a tough call, and there probably is no wrong answer here. But let’s run through the NHL regular season numbers:

2009 Class:

• Goals: 2,348 (Yzerman-692, Hull-741, Leetch-247, Robitaille-668)
• Assists: 3,220 (Yzerman-1,063, Hull-650, Leetch-781, Robitaille-726)
• Points: 5,568 (Yzerman-1,755, Hull-1,391, Leetch-1,028, Robitaille-1,394)
• Stanley Cups: 7 (Yzerman-3, Hull-2, Leetch-1, Robitaille-1)
• Awards: 1 Hart (Hull), 2 Pearson (Yzerman, Hull), 2 Conn Smythe (Yzerman, Leetch), 1 Selke (Yzerman), 1 Masterson (Yzerman), 1 Byng (Hull), 2 Norris (Leetch), 2 Calder (Leetch, Robitaille)
• All-Star Appearances: 36 (Yzerman-10, Hull-8, Leetch-10, Robitaille-8)

2007 Class:

• Goals: 1,779 (Messier-694, MacInnis-340, Stevens-196, Francis-549)
• Assists: 4,088 (Messier-1,193, MacInnis-934, Stevens-712, Francis-1,249)
• Points: 5,867 (Messier-1,887, MacInnis-1,274, Stevens-908, Francis-1,798)
• Stanley Cups: 12 (Messier-6, MacInnis-1, Stevens-3, Francis-2)
• Awards: 2 Harts (Messier), 3 Conn Smythes (Messier, MacInnis, Stevens), 2 Pearsons (Messier), 1 Norris (MacInnis), 1 Selke (Francis), 3 Byngs (Francis), 1 Clancy (Francis)
• All-Star Appearances: 47 (Messier-15, MacInnis-15, Stevens-13, Francis-4)

It really is a toss up. There is no wrong answer here, cases can be made for both, and these are just the raw numbers. There was much more to each of these players than just statistics, especially with Scott Stevens.

The only surprise here is that Ron Francis was only voted to the All-Star Game four times. That’s an absolute travesty.

Update 4:00pm: Actually, let’s make a poll out of this. It’s mid-page, on the right hand side.

The Best Class Ever?

Hey all,

Been a while since I last wrote here.  Things like Hall of Fame Inductions always interest me, and I usually feel the need to ask the question posed in the title when it includes names like Yzerman, Hull, Robitaille, Leetch, Richter, Dino, etc etc etc.  While it seems that the general consensus is that the first four mentioned are virtual shoe-ins, it surprises me that it is so unanimous, given the company that is nominated alongside them.  For everyone else, its pretty much just a bad year to have your name on the ballot.  Everyone on this list at some point in their career was either an impactful or influential player, one way or another.  But when you consider that Steve Yzerman, Brett Hull, Luc Robitaille, and Brian Leetch will likely be the 4 players inducted, can we coronate the Hall of Fame Class of 2009 the greatest HOF class ever?  The two classes of recent memory that are among the top include the 2007 class of Mark Messier, Al MacInnis, Scott Stevens, and Ron Francis and the 1983 class of Ken Dryden, Bobby Hull, and Stan Mikita. I’m sure the likes of Stan Fischler might say otherwise, but those are some pretty stacked groups.  Let’s see how they measure up:

Stevie Y: Three-Time Stanley Cup Champion, Captain of the Red Wings beginning at age 21, 6th on the all-time scoring list, and one of the gutsiest players of his time (played the majority of his final years with essentially no cartilage in both knees).  And to this day, has scored one of my favorite goals of all time.

Luc Robitaille: Stanley Cup Champion, 8-Time All-Star, highest scoring left wing in NHL history with 668 goals.  Holds most scoring records for the Los Angeles Kings, where he played the majority of his career.

Brett Hull: Two-Time Stanley Cup Champion, his 741 career goals rank him 3rd all-time overall and the highest American goal-scorer in NHL history (even though he has dual citizenship with Canada, all his international play has been for the USA).  Nicknamed the Golden Brett.  Scored one of the most controversial goals in the NHL history during the 1999 Stanley Cup Final.

Brian Leetch: Stanley Cup Champion (as if you didn’t know), only Amercian-born player to win Conn Smythe Trophy, two-time Norris Trophy recipient.  Scored a still rookie-defenseman record 23 goals in his debut season with the Blueshirts.  And the importance of this goal can never be overstated. PS: if any of you guys can find an isolated video of the spin-o-rama goal against Brodeur in the ’94 East Finals please post it…because that was pretty)

So that’s a pretty impressive resume if you ask me.  What do you guys think?  If this does turn out to be the Class of 2009, will it be considered the best-ever?

Upcoming Ranger Player Signings

Blueshirt Bulletin is reporting that three current Rangers (Sean Avery, Dan Girardi, Ryan Callahan) will be appearing at Last Licks Ice Cream at their store location at 245 E 93rd St on Monday, March 23, from 6:30-8:00pm. Pricing on the items to sign varies, or you can bring your own item to have them sign. Prices are available at the Last Licks webpage.

In addition to the current Rangers night at Last Licks, some Ranger Legends will also be appearing at the same Last Licks location two days later (Wednesday, March 25). Mark Messier, Adam Graves, and Brian Leetch will be there signing autographs as well. Pricing for this even is still unavailable.