A guide on what it means to be a Rangers fan.
You may THINK you're an authentic Blueshirts fan but there's a very good chance that you are not.
The Maven has devised a simple test with a simple question: What are you worried about?
If the answer is "Nothing," then you have failed because in order to be a certified – I mean CERTIFIED – Blueshirts supporter, you MUST have something to worry about.
Every so often friends of mine truly believe they are loyal to MSG's favorite hockey team so I have to give them an annual test; just to be sure that their batteries are not dead.
Mark Linde passed his test because he's worried sick and his woes have piled up. Listen: "I'm frustrated watching this team play...or not play. Every game they look like they're in a daze. They give up an early goal and then find a way to win against mostly mediocre teams.
"Then I think about the improvements they made in the off-season – wait a second, there are none. Sure they won the Presidents' Trophy but they were exposed in the playoffs. We need five more Will Cuylles on this team."
See, Mark is authentic. He's worried sick!
Bernie Rohde came in for a test and passed it in less than a minute. Listen to this worry wart. "The injured Filip Chytil is going to be more of a problem than #93's game not being where it should be." (Note: The Post's Larry Brooks also has a Chytil worry piece.)
In distant Vancouver, Washington, Jess Rubenstein also passed his worry test in a matter of seconds: "The Rangers made a huge mistake trading too many of their Draft picks. They didn't have one to use on a goalie at the 2024 Draft. They must pick one at the 2025 Entry Draft."
Some Blueshirt Boosters I know, have no time to worry, so I do it for them. The following are "Worries" that I'm handing out at no cost, no obligation. (I do not want any Rangers fan to be deprived of an authentic Blueshirt-induced migraine.)
Follow me; Just say, "I'm worried about" and then pick any of the following topic(s) you want:
* NEXT ROAD CONTEST: "I'm worried about tomorrow night's game in Seattle. The Kraken are playing .500 hockey. But we're at our best against under .200 teams."
* K'ANDRE: "I'm worried about Miller. He was supposed to be a Norris Trophy candidate by now. He wouldn't even be runner-up for the Elmer Fudd Award – if there was one. (He thinks Chytil is on the Islanders!")
* MIKA: "I'm worried about The Z Man's production. Yeah, he scored against San Jose. Big deal. He plays like he wants to be Commissioner of The Goal Of The Month Club, not the NHL."
The Maven's message: Not to worry; I see a Presidents' Trophy in my periscope!