Let's not kid ourselves, at this point of midsummer it's impossible how the Rangers will fare in the fall, winter or spring next season.

Hey, we learned that lesson in 2024-25. Or, have you forgotten so soon?

Last October the Blueshirts looked like a potential Cup-winner. In November, uh-oh. In December, OY VAY! In January, Hmmm! In February, we'll settle for a playoff berth.

In March; looking hopeful. In April, You know the rest.

Looking ahead to next semester, there are two views; good on paper; bad on paper. Turn the tables any way you wish. Here's a simplification:

THE GOOD: Goaltending is set; Chris Drury has deleted the deadwood defenders and added a few promising – that's as in "promise" – blue liners. If current plans – that's in hopes – jell, the new coach will extract all the talent there is in Panaran, Mika, Cuylle, and the new kids while Mike Sullivan's dulcet tones will be more appealing than Peter Laviolette's what-ever-it-was-he-was-saying.

THE BAD: In The Hockey News' Rating of the NHL's 100 Best Players, only four Rangers made the cut. Igor Shesterkin (35th), Adam Fox (40), Artemi Panarin (44) and J.T. Miller (56). When you consider that neither Shesty nor Foxy had particularly good years, you're left with two out of a hundred. Not good numbers, I say.

What You Should Know About Your Rangers Broadcasters To each his own.

THE IN BETWEEN: Is the defense really better with these pairs: Gavritov-Fox; Sousy-Borgen; Schneider-Morrow? The latter-three are all righthanders with Morrow likely to generate the most offense. But, then again, Carolina dumped him for a reason; too young-not-quite-ready. Or, then-then-again, he could wind up being a surprise star as Cuylle was last term. (Hard to figure.)

No ostrich stuff here, we have to deal with the reality and a dose of pessimism must go down like castor oil.

The Maven's Roundtable's resident pessimist Sean McCaffrey's thoughts must be taken seriously because nobody takes the Rangers seriously more than the publisher of Blue Collar Blue Shirts.

And since McCaffrey holds the distinction of writing more valuable, historic Rangers books than any living author, I listen when he speaks.

"The Rangers will finish fifth overall in the Division and thirteenth in the Conference," McCaffrey predicts. "The beat writers will praise Sullivan's 'systems and 'structure' and will ignore that they said the same things about Gallant and Laviolette."

The optimists say nay; there's gonna be a great day. The kids – Perreault, Othmann, plus – are ready. Shesterkin will shake off last semester's failing grade and, believe it or not, Mika (Himself) Zibanejad will re-find his game. (Last item not a joke!)

It's still July which means I'm right, you're right and nobody's wrong because nothing has happened.

Or, to put it in giddy perspective, the Rangers are still undefeated!