{ "blocks": [ { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "1. Neil Smith was smart enough to be an NHL general manager and smart enough not to take another GM job. And why should he?" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "2. Co-anchoring with Ex-ESPNer Vic Morren, Smith is riding high with his \"NHL Wraparound\" podcast that's as candid as anything out there, and here's proof:" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "3. Neil pointed out – what others have not – about Peter Laviolette: that history shows that while Lavvy comes on like Gangbusters in his first term behind a bench; that's it." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "4. Stats show that in his second year as Islanders coach, the Nassaumen slipped a big 13 points. And after winning the Cup with the Canes, Carolina dropped 24 points." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "5. Pistol Pete did better in Philly – a drop in only three points but it was minus-8 in Nashville. Before coming to Seventh Avenue, Lavvy was down a huge 20 points in his second year with the Caps." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "6. Simply put, all five coaching stints saw a decline from Laviolette's first to second season. As for this coming season, we shall see if, for once, Pete can hold serve." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "7. Reader Jessica Cassino is – who isn't? – a Matt Rempe-watcher. Jess, a longtime Rangers fan, is not going woo-woo of wonderment over Rempe's boxing lessons." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "8. \"I'm afraid to wonder what Rempe's head is going to look like after his hockey playing – not to mention, fighting – days are over.\" Punch drunk; that's what worries her." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "9. Kenny Albert has proven that he can write a book, \"A Mic For All Seasons,\" as well as do A-1 play-by-play. He's also quite good when it comes to a bit of analysis. Here's his take on the Rangers:" } }, { "type": "video", "data": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/JjhHlL3p.mp4", "streached": true, "controls": true, "caption": "Stan Fischler US Hall Of Fame MSG", "image": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/JjhHlL3p-poster.jpg" }, "cdn": { "service": "jwplayer", "playlistUrl": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/JjhHlL3p.m3u8", "sources": [ { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/JjhHlL3p.m3u8", "type": "application/vnd.apple.mpegurl" }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/JjhHlL3p-MekIZXV7.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 172, "width": 320, "label": "180p", "bitrate": 248315, "filesize": 5990601, "framerate": 60 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/JjhHlL3p-7QE9Jvzm.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 256, "width": 480, "label": "270p", "bitrate": 349406, "filesize": 8429431, "framerate": 60 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/JjhHlL3p-aEJFL7DH.m4a", "type": "audio/mp4", "label": "AAC Audio", "bitrate": 113728, "filesize": 2743706 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/JjhHlL3p-stjsiaJR.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 342, "width": 640, "label": "360p", "bitrate": 420637, "filesize": 10147891, "framerate": 60 } ] } } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "10. \"I like the addition of Reilly Smith,\" Albert told my sidekick Solon Mihas. \"He's been a playoff performer at a high level and in big games. Chris Drury made a great addition with Smith. The Rangers have as good a chance as any team to go all the way!\"" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "11. My recent list of All-Time Ranger greats at each position brought a reminder that The Maven erred by dropping 1928 Rangers Cup-winning defenseman Clarence \"Taffy\" Abel to the \"Honorable Mention\" category." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "12. Upon further review, Abel belonged in the top two – right alongside his Rangers Hall of Fame partner Ching Johnson who's in first place. As a matter of fact Abel belongs in the Hockey Hall of Fame. (He is in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "13. If Harry Howell, who never played on a Cup-winner, is a Hall of Famer, Abel belongs. Taffy also won a second Cup with Chicago and was flag-bearer for Uncle Sam's 1924 Olympic team which won a Silver medal." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "14. One more thing about Abel – a Native American Ojibwe – he was as valuable to the Rangers and partner Ching Johnson as Johnson was to Lester Patrick's superb sextet." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "15. All's quiet on the Jacob Trouba front for now. That will change when training camp opens and the media horde descends on the captain." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "16. Or, as Neil Smith notes: \"It's tough to imagine his relationship will be as crisp as it used to be.\"" } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "17. The Trouba soap opera reminds me of a Jimmy Rushing blues classic; \"What Became Of The Me And You That Used To Be?'" } } ] }

Neil Smith Vs. Peter Laviolette; Who Do You Pick?