In one corner is Stan Fischler, The Maven . In the other corner, Sean McCaffrey, alias The Young Maven.
This is a hockeyfight to the finish; that is the finish of the 2025-26 NHL season. Call it "Kid Pessimism," McCaffrey, against "Not So Kid Optimism," disguised as Mave.
We're gonna pick a Ranger topic as often as the beer glass is refilled and slug it out until the bell ends the round.
Our fight began – at least from my end – when I received a nasty note from McCaffrey: "Misery loves company," he wrote, "three words that define the Rangers season."
That annoyed me for a few good reasons: 1. The pre-season hasn't started yet; 2. The for-real 2025-26 season hasn't started yet. 3. Matt Rempe hasn't been suspended yet. 4. Mika Zibanejad's plus-minus is even; 5. Iggy Shesterkin's check hasn't bounced, and, 6, I needed column!
Young Maven McCaffrey sometimes gets distracted. After all, he's busy knocking off his Blue Collar Blue Shirts website, while writing a Phil Watson biography and also working a real job. (Lucky guy that he is, Sean complains too much about his read job.)
How The Rangers Compare To The Islanders And Devils
It's that time, folks; otherwise known as "Ask The Maven Day." This week's question comes from Bruce Gost of Flushing. Take it way Bruce:
But that hasn't stopped him from making another audacious remarks to me. Get a load of this: "The Islanders and Devils will finish ahead of the Rangers."
I have two answers for that: 1. Read my "Ask The Maven" column today; 2. My five dollars has Rangers, Devils, Islanders in that order, but all making the postseason.
To really hiss me off, McCaffrey also tossed this knuckler: "Artemi Panarin is no longer a Ranger come the trade deadline but The Loser who killed a core and got a slew of coaches fired, Mopey Mika, still will be a Blueshirt."
Why is The Maven fit to be tied with McCaffrey's pessimism over his favorite team? (Naturally, I'll tell you why, or why am I writing this column in the first place?)
1. I predict that Panarin will lead the Blueshirt revival and, 2. Mika will wind up in the "Plus" column.
The Bell Goes; and the round is over. Go pick a winner – I double-dare you.
And don't blame me if you don't like this column, blame Sean; he started it. (Okay, okay, one of us started it. Now where's the beer?)