Sam Navarro-Imagn ImagesAny Rangers fan who has been watching the Florida Panthers defend their championship must know that the Blueshirts are closer to the Planet Krypton than they are to winningThe Stanley Cup.
The Right Honorable Chris Drury and his newest Admiral, Michael Sullivan, already are X-Raying their wounded roster, trying to find the road back to glory.
Obviously they need help and that's where The Maven comes into the picture. I'm here to help The Vagabonds of Seventh Avenue.
My rule of thumb is simple: 1. Find someone who REALLY cares about the Rangers and, 2. Pick his brain.
One of my favorite geniuses is Alex Shibicky, Jr. who has many reasons to revere the Rangers including the fact that his dad starred on the 1940 Blueshirts Cup-winner.
Like many of us, Alex believes that the New York sextet is repairable but it won't be as easy as taking The A Train uptown.
It will be useful if the next captain – whether it's Adam Fox, Vincent Trocheck or J.T. Miller – to listen up and follow up on Dr. Shibicky's prescription. (Go to it Big Al):
"To be successful, a winning or championship attitude has to come from the team and through the captain......not down from the coach.
"It's a fact of hockey life that the 'big dollar' guys can kill a coach. The team has to WANT it."
Good point. Look at the Maple Leafs disgraceful performance – lost 6-1 in case you missed it – last night at home in Toronto.
This supposed contending team looked as bad as the Rangers last December. Or worse. Which begs the question, what does Shibicky see in the Rangers?
"I don't see IT in the current Rangers squad and the management squad that put this whole thing together.
"Mind you, I purposefully use the word 'squad', as they in no way resemble a 'team.' (Webster's Dictionary definition.....a group of people working toward a common goal!)."
Yet, we're talking about a franchise that had the NHL's best record only a year earlier.
Shibicky: "Do you remember how Panarin prepared for the 23-24 season after the lackluster end to the 22-23 season?
"He came to camp with a shaved head and a do-or-die attitude and, subsequently, had his best production campaign of his career and they won the Presidents' Trophy."
The Maven senses that MSG may have to hire a team barber. Put it this way; Shibicky believes that hair-cutting cuts losses.
"What do you think it would mean to the 'squad' if Zibanejad shaved that 'clown-clump' of hair completely off – and Panarin, Fox, J.T. and Lafreniere did the same?
" It would start to resemble a 'team.' They could name a captain and Mike Sullivan could put his best Peter (Hard Coaching) DeBoer impersonation into action and we'd all have something to cheer for, won't we!"
The Maven's comment: Why not mass Rangers haircuts; they can't hurt! P.S. Don't be cheap; be sure to tip the barber 15%!