What to make of a couple Rangers players on big contracts.
The Maven believes that the dirtiest word in hockey is "Choke."
But there are two more words that stick in the craw, especially when it comes to the current Rangers – "Fat Cat."
Or, to put in into Brooklyn English; "Too much dough; too little effort" Or, as Pal Mark Linde remarked, "Lazy Ranger
Not that I read every hockey line printed but I haven't seen "Fat Cat" employed by our glorious mainstream media.
But that's the beauty of the Upstream Media who swim against the tide, uncaring whether you like it or not.
That's where my buddy Sean McCaffrey and his Blue Collar Blueshirts website comes in – with intense irreverence.
It also happens to be the place where the issue of Fat Cat Rangers has appeared. I bring this up because the chances of the Blueshirts making the playoffs hinges on Fat Cats getting skinny.
Furthermore, it's important historically because GM Emile Francis almost Stanley Cup-winners of the 1970's crumbled because Fat Cat-ism infected the roster which he then broke up.
Let's face it, the Rangers didn't fall into that autumn 2024 nosedive because everyone pulled together. Quite the opposite.
My definition of Fat Cat is a performer not playing up to his salary. To wit:
* MIKA ZIBANEJAD: He's not even close; the worst in terms of money spent and what he's delivered.
* ARTEMI PANARIN: While his numbers may look good, too often he looks like he's humming "Up A Lazy River" when he should be backchecking.
* ADAM FOX: I once figured him for the club captaincy; now I figure him for The Prince Of Underpotential.
* RYAN LINDGREN: Either he's gotten old in a hurry or simply has worn out his tires. The only thing he's given the defense is heartaches.
* ALEXIS LAFRENIERE: Every once in a while he emerges from Snoozeville but not enough justify his new $alary.
The hope is that J.T. Miller now can de-fat the flubs. Which means there's no time for comedy – nor Fat Cat ism if a playoff run is to be had.