Some bedtime New York Ranger thoughts...
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Before I hit the sack, I was thinking about the Rangers' defensive possibilities, because that's what you do before you go to bed. I had one outlandish, unreasonable, impractical, and unlikely idea. From those of you who have read my other all sports blog, you know my infatuation with a certain Rangers' defenseman. Similarly, most Ranger writers (and the player's agent) have been contacted about my opinions and questions as to this players' status over the past year. Heck I've even emailed and called in to XM Home Ice. (A great station for those who are considering it)
While I am sure you know who I am referring to or have at least seen the picture, is it possible that given the Rangers' new "win now" mentality that a cap-friendly, one year, offensive, and sentimental defenseman may shake the cob webs and finish on Broadway?
Like John Dellapina, and many of the other Ranger fans and writers over the past year, I have felt that Brian Leetch could have made a huge impact on this team. He could quarterback a power play that has failed to find any sort of offensive presence along the blue line. He could bring along the younger players, such as Girardi and Tyutin. He could even mentor his friend and neighbor in Paul Mara.
I, like many, was also heart broken when Leetch announced his retirement earlier this off-season. While his storied career will lead him into the Hall of Fame, there still lingers a terrible after taste of his sudden dismissal. What better than to come back, finish where you belong, and compete on a legitimate Cup contender?
Again, this is highly unlikely. Leetch is too proud to come out of retirement. The Rangers (though they pursued him last off-season) may not be so welcoming, and (as he stated in Dellapina's last Blueshirt Bulletin article) it isn't the same group that it was. Nonetheless, the numbers in fact aren't that far-fetched.
In Leetch's last season, 2005-06 with Boston, he faced some injury woes and only played 61 games. However, he still managed 32 points with 5 goals and 27 assists. You don't lose the ability to see the ice and that vision. Additionally, the Rangers' offense would be much more potent than that Boston team, particularly on the power play.
Look at the Rangers' defensive production last season. Rozsival led the defense with 40 points in 80 games. Leetch's last season had a better p.p.g average than any current Ranger defenseman. To say that he would have a dramatic drop-off is unlikely and unfair. It is completely possible for him to have a 40 or so point season.
Even pragmatically there is justification. The Rangers' need a star blue-line presence and who is available? We have discussed Jovo and Souray ,ad nauseum, and those salaries go upwards of 7 million a year. How about a trade for Ohlund? A solid defenseman. How many points did he have last year? 31. His contract? 3.5 million a year for the next two years. Leetch is a stop-gap 1 million option.
He could provide some great insight for Marc Staal and then pass the torch on to the kid who idolized him, Bobby Sanguinetti, for 2008.
I think it makes sense, though it is more likely to see Messier come back before Leetch, but a man can dream though. A man can dream...
