Thirteen Rangers thoughts from The Maven.
1. A Ranger fan could go absolutely nuts trying to figure what kind of deal Igor Shesterkin is going to get as he tries to break the Blueshirt Bank.
2. In the past week, The Athletic told us that the parties – Igor's agent vs. general manager Chris Drury – were far apart. Then, the Post made it seem that a richest-guy- in-hockey deal is in the bag.
3. Finally, Canada's Lord of the Leaks, Sportnet's Elliotte Friedman, assures that Iggy-Wiggy will remain a New Yorker but Pal Ell doesn't say for how much or for how long or if Sugar Shesty is being (ahem) Signor Greedy Guts.
4. Is Adam Fox losing his league-wide esteem? Canada's best columnist, Steve (Toronto Sun) Simmons listed the following as seven of the NHL's best defensemen: Drew Doughty, Quinn Hughes, Cale Makar, Charlie McAvoy, Victor Hedman, Roman Josi and Miro Heiskanen.
5. Where's our boy Foxy? Granted that injuries hampered Adam's style last season and in the playoffs. With his wounds in mind – and all gone – The Maven predicts a starry, hurt-less season for The Newly-Married One.
6. Here's The Maven's take on Sam Carrick: He's got to be as good – or better – than booted-unceremoniously-out-of-town Barclay Goodrow.
7. Playing on a line with Jimmy Vesey and Matt Rempe, should Slingin' Sam fail, it'll go down as another Drury punt-out-of-bounds.
8. Anybody who knew John Tortorella's sweet side as Rangers coach should not be surprised by his latest good deed: inviting Johnny Gaudreau's dad to help out at the Flyers' camp. As Well Torts had Mr. G on the ice with him as an assistant coach. YAY TORTS!
9. Future Prospect Department: Super Sleuth Jesse Rubenstein tells me to keep an eye on another jolly big giant in the system. Markham, Ontario product Nathan Aspinall is shining for the Flint Firebirds. He's a towering left wing at 6-7, 190 pounds.
10. My Vice President In Charge Of Reality and Non-Homerism, Andy Meier of Newburgh suggests we do a bit of enthusiasm-curbing when it comes to prodigies K'Andre Miller and Al Lafreniere. (Mind you, here's what the avid Ranger man says:)
11. "They are not nearly as developed as they can be although we know they show outstanding promise. Both must develop more consistency as well as a better mindset. They must keep their gray matter straight on point."
12. You and I may agree that Igor Shesterkin's aim to become the richest player in hockey is a bit unrealistic. On the other hand the ultimate paymaster, MSG, likes to think BIGGEST.
13. And since the Rangers are head-and-shoulders the richest NHL team in America, you can rest assured that the Garden's bank won't bleed red if Iggy gets his wi$h. And I don't mean maybe either!