This One’s for Brooksie | Up in the Blue Seats

This One’s for Brooksie | Up in the Blue Seats

He had heard that Art Tammy was even contemplating going back to Russia after this season if things didn’t work out. Welcome back to Up in the Blue Seats, your favorite Rangers podcast from the New York Post. We sincerely apologize for the hiatus, but as always, it’s Molly Walker and former Ranger Brian Bole, and we are finally back. now up in the blue seats may be back but and unfortunately will never be the same. Almost three weeks ago now we had to say goodbye to our friend and colleague Larry Brooks who passed away at the age of 75 after a brief battle with cancer. Bear with me here friends. Larry obviously missed a few weeks of the show, so you all were aware something was going on. It all happened very, very fast. But he had every intention of coming back to work, coming back to this podcast, and continuing his Hall of Fame career. When him and I spoke, it was always about when you come back because to us, especially to me, there was zero doubt that he was. But as I learned cancer is an so as they say, and I went through him quite quickly. It was horrible. It was really unfair and it was shocking. But I know Larry was beyond honored to see the turnout at his funeral and the reaction around the NHL and New York sports world in general. I mean, the funeral was like a parade of some of hockeyy’s biggest names and legends, which is fitting for Larry considering he was one of them. Everyone from Lou Lamarello, Adam Graves, Henrik Lungquist, Billy Garin, Rangers PR staff members, every single one of our postworth colleagues were there too. And even our competitors like News Day and the Daily News, but it wasn’t surprising in the slightest because Larry touched every single one of those people in some way. [Music] Well, I’ll give you a sec here and uh just thanks tell whomever’s listening um it’s a it’s a full life that Larry Brooks led even though he was taken rather suddenly and cancer is something that has never been fair and what it’s done to families and communities and the Rangers community and the hockey world, someone was taken from us. And I think the respect that Larry earned, none of it was given to him. the respect that he earned and the toughness he showed throughout his Hall of Fame career and the grit he showed throughout his Hall of Fame career and in his battle. Um, I’ll never forget just how poor he felt the last time I saw him and that was at that was at the dinner that the Post had for us prior to the season to kick off the season which was, you know, lovely. I had to work so I had to had to leave a little bit early. But yeah, he you know he he gutted it out man. That’s what he did with everything. He earned every single thing that he accomplished and his the outpouring of of love and the people that showed up is just a true sign of a life worth living. He he accomplished something. you you can’t take much with you and you can’t well you can’t take anything with you when you go but you can leave a mark you can be thought of in a certain way and he certainly did that and it’s not it’s not what you accomplish it’s how you make people feel and just seeing trying to put myself in in in your shoes just seeing what he’s done for you and how he’s brought you along and helped you. That’s that’s what living life is about. How you make people feel cuz we’re all, you know, we all have an expiration date and you can teach your kids and grandkids lessons as he did, which was he was so proud showing me videos of his grandson Scott playing hockey. I would follow along. I’d ask him about it. You know, we were very much aligned in that in youth hockey and just the game itself. I I I couldn’t believe it. I was I was shocked. I maybe because we just know how tough Larry is. He He Yeah, he’s he’s uh he’s going to be missed and he is missed, but he left an indelible mark. It’s It’s a high standard for you, Molly, and you’re going to work your ass off every day to try and get up to that standard. I know it. Yeah, I definitely will. Yeah, I always I always wanted to ask a player how the Rangers prepared the team for Larry. I know you guys go through media training and I’m sure they make a point to tell the players who the beatw writers are and who you know who they’re going to be around every day, but I always envisioned Rangers PR putting Larry’s picture up on a projector board and being like this this is the guy you need to know. What do you remember about not only what the organization told you about him before you dealt with him, but what his reputation was in the locker room when you first got there? Uh, it’s, you know, it can be like going into the lion’s den because think think about it and this is always this is this is a huge compliment to him, but Larry’s not a physically imposing man. and he’s in an NHL locker room. And so there there’s some there’s some big tough men in this room. And you know, it might be a little archaic or or Neandrithol, whatever you want to call it, but that’s what we did. It’s it’s that’s that’s the locker room. Not in our regular lives, but we come to the locker room and it’s, you know, it’s caveman type stuff. And uh he’s in there, but his little corner of the locker room when he’s there, that’s the lion’s den. Like, you want to go in there, you go into the corner with Chris Pronger. All right. You want to go into the corner of the locker room with Larry? It’s the lion’s den. So, you better be, you know, head on a swivel. Yeah. And and he’s not trying to gotcha. It wasn’t any of that. But he would he’s he was just a brilliant man. And I was warned by my agent before I got to New York. And I had to remind my agent like I don’t read, dude. Like I don’t read the paper. I don’t read anything. I’m going to read the for check and the video. I’m not reading words on a page. Like as I got older, I started I do read a little bit more now, but 23 years old. Like what what do I need to know about this guy? And my agent made a point to tell me that. And my agent knew me since I was 16. Like he he knows I don’t read, but he’s like, “Dude, listen.” Yeah. This guy, this guy will like chew you up and spit you out if you’re you don’t have your head on a swivel. So, and it was man, right to the point. No fear there every single day. and my memories of him cuz you know I was an afterthought my first year, my second year started coming on and I think I earned his respect in a way and we would talk more memories of him or him and Torch going toe-to-toe and it was like and you heard what Torch said about him after his passing as well. He he had so much respect for Larry. And you can if you can earn that guy’s respect, you earned everybody’s respect. He was he was difficult. We did have that media training. We sat down. They’re going to lead you on with questions. They’re going to make a comment and put the mic in your face. They taught us well like don’t don’t finish a reporter’s sentence. All these different things. Don’t finish a reporter’s sentence. That’s gold. You’ve seen you’ve seen some of these clips where they’ll like Yeah. lead you on somewhere. Won’t ask you really a question and put the mic in your face. Some of the it didn’t always make us look great because you’d be looking at them on camera being like, “Is there a question there?” And then you look like the ass. But that’s what we were taught. And I thought it was a very good lesson. He would figure out a way around that and get an answer because he’s he’s like, you know, this brilliant man in here with a bunch of dummies and he’s like, I’m going to figure out a way to get an answer there. Um, you know, we all we all had a lot we all had a lot of respect for him because again, he didn’t miss a day. He was there every day. Yeah. And he would write something. He could write a scathing article. He was there. He could write a nice article and he’d be there the next day after a bad game ripping you apart again, what happened there? He expected I think he expected from the National Hockey League players a consistency that he actually brought. And again, like you can’t ask somebody to do something you’re not doing, and he did it every day. So, he was fair in that assessment. And there were others that came and went that I wasn’t as fond of. Um, every year after every year since the first year, I I gained a new respect for Larry, I guess, which was I mean, the best compliment I can give him. Yeah. That’s so awesome. Yeah. I mean, I I also just want to take a second to just thank everyone who’s probably listening to this podcast right now. Everyone who reads the New York Post, reads Larry, reads me. Um, just for all the unbelievable messages, the outpouring of love and support. Um, even on a health site like Twitter, I mean, people have just been so nice and so kind and um, the support is so much appreciated and um, it’s really nice to hear how much he meant to people who read the New York Post as well um, and the people who listen to our podcast. So, he meant the world to me. Obviously, I’ve been a wreck for 3 weeks. As you can see, this right here has been basically a an intermittent state that I’ve been in. So, um it means so much to his family, too. Um I know that. And just I can’t thank everybody enough. So really tough time um for us over here at the New York Post, but um everybody’s support has made it a lot easier than it would have been. So thank you to everybody for that. All righty. Should we try to transition to the New York Rangers? Yeah, we can do that. We can. Game goes on. Larry would yell at us if we didn’t. We have a job to do. We have to do it. He would actually be like, “Molly, Adam Fox is on LTIR. Why aren’t you speaking about that?” I know. So, let’s start there. Huh. Yeah. Adam Fox long-term injury reserve doesn’t seem like he’s going to play until after the Christmas break, which is, I think, 11 games at minimum. So that is a huge chunk of ch of time. It looks like an apparent shoulder left shoulder injury from the injur from the from the play that it happened on. Um just a huge loss. I mean Brian, how do you see where the Rangers go from here without Fox for this good chunk of time here? Man, he’s been playing well, huh? He’s been uh Yeah, he’s back, right? He was back. I liked I love the pairing Gabricov who man what a signing the the early returns on that signing have been very very good. And then look there’s no perfect player but sometimes you put guys in spots where the best can kind of come out of them. Um so a couple things right they have they have the fiveman forward unit. The power play was the first thing I thought of and I I was I was actually doing the game with Kenny uh when Fox got hurt. I was watching that game and that game was Look, you’re going to have to figure out a way to compete like the Tampa Bay Lightning if you want to have playoff success because that’s the best team in the East. M and I know the Tampa lost to the Islanders, but Tampa’s Tampa has no Victor Hedman, no Ryan Mcdana, and no Eric Turnack. And that’s like including playoffs like 3,000 games of experience and a bunch of just playoffs. A bunch of Yeah. Right. A bunch of trophies. Um, so you looked at I was looking at it after Fox went down and it’s it was it was interesting that he went down in a game against Tampa. H how can how can Tampa do this? And we talked about it all game and I watched how they competed and they the Rangers lost that game. Tampa was a little quicker um to make plays, quicker to get on pucks and they won every single battle. There’s a there’s a standard down there that I think Mike Sullivan is also trying to bring to uh New York. And listen listen, I’m not comparing the two teams right now as of today. I think Tampa’s uh clearly above where the Rangers are, but I look at the personnel and the makeup of the team. Like the goalending, it’s funny. I mean, you got two worldass goalies, both Russian. Yep. That can steal you games. You have two world class wingers that are controlling the game like center iceman in and paneran and cuchov both Russian that are sort of allowed a little bit of freedom. Um and then you got some hard-nosed guys and you have Celli and you have Miller or Troche. I mean a lot of these there’s parallels a lot along the way just play with a certain standard. So when you’re missing a guy like Fox the Tampa’s missing three of these guys. How do you how do you endure? And I think it just comes down to that, the battle. And they could have chocked up that Dallas game and especially after that tough turnover from JT Miller and they didn’t. So that that game showed me a lot. The game last night showed me a lot and like enough was enough especially at home ice. So it’s a good step. It’s going to be difficult. The power play might not be beautiful at all times, but if they get out to leads, they have that fiveman unit. They could switch, put a defenseman on it if they have a lead. I don’t think you need to really look at the power play numbers, but if there’s moments in time when they need a power play goal, those 54s are going to have to pick themselves up by their bootstraps and get something done. But it’s not a good thing that Adam Fox is out for at least a month. Yeah. Yeah. It’s a it’s a huge blow. I mean, we’ll definitely get into the the abysmal home record that the Rangers have, but going back to the loss of not not great. Not great. Not great, Bob. Um, uh, but I think that two things, two players that we need to discuss in the wake of this out on Fox News is Braden Schneider, who gets elevated to the top pair with Vlatisol Gabrov. And I mean what I mean the time is now to find out what the Rangers have in Braden Schneider. This is going to be if he’s able to stay in this spot next to Gabricov and and get these top pair minutes and uh face opponents top lines. I think we’re really going to see what we have what they have in Braden Schneider. But I think the toolbox he’s got he’s got everything in there and I I think putting him again with a Gabricov now it’s not just the minutes and the minutes do help like you you’re you’re not allowed to dwell on something that doesn’t go perfect in a shift when you know you have an assignment that night and that top pair means okay there’s your top line go shut them down. Um, if he can, I think as it goes, he’ll get better because Gabricov is is that guy that can help him, can communicate with him. He’s such a pro. He’s and he’s very good at doing his job and he’s polished. Yeah, he’s he’s predictable. He’s got a great stick. And if you have a predictable guy, that’s a huge benefit to Brain Schneider. He he’s going to have an opportunity with him. I think it there’s a confidence thing there. I think he’s a humble kid who works really hard. He needs a little bit of he needs a little bit of arrogance. And you don’t have to outwardly be arrogant. You just need to be like, I’m I’m I’m him. I’m that dude now. And I’m going to show everybody I’m I’m that dude because he he can make those big hits. But it’s really funny because you look at you talk to Brain Sher, you talk you look at him and he doesn’t have a mean bone in his thigh. He’s so strong. Like I I remember playing against him. He just came up. I’m like, I can’t knock this guy down and it’s starting to make me a little angry here. I should be able to knock this clown over. I remember just one of the playoffs here, I’m just like, I’m coming for you. I’m going to get you. And he would just like smile back. All right, man. Like, it’s just how he is. He just plays like he’s tough, man. He’s tough kid. So, I root for him always. Always root for that guy. I want him to like I don’t think he knows how good he is. And you think the Rangers would be upset if you know Adam Fox comes back and Braden Schneider is like all right you’re the second pair we got Borggan on the third now. Do you think that’s bad? No. That makes them all better because he’s already ice time and that’s not a slight Will Borggan. It’s like this is that’s how you improve as a team. So it’s an opportunity for him and I I you think the Rangers for sure are like we really need him to kind of grab this thing and run it run with it. Right. The other guy though that became just as important is Gabricov himself. I mean he has been after I would say a few games where he settled in at the very beginning. Yeah. Yeah. I mean since then straightforward, incredibly polished, incredibly effective. Um, and the offensive contributions have been a very, very pleasant and welcome surprise for the Rangers. I mean, Mike Sullivan was asked about it after the Stars game after Gabrov had the overtime winner, and he admitted that he did not think that he would have five goals 20some games into the season because that’s not necessarily his game. He’s a defense first guy, but he’s got that great stick. He’s got an even better stick in front of the net than I think anybody expected him to have. He’s had a couple of really, really impressive tipins right in front there. Um, and I I mean, it’s going to be so important for him to continue on this on this streak that he’s on right now with Adam Fox out because Fox is obviously the production that he brings. I mean, him and Art are just those guys that just they rack up the points. They just everything that they touch, you know, it goes into the back of the net eventually. So, losing that kind of production at Adam Fox is going to be a huge blow. So, if Gabricov could chip in a couple goals here and there, it’s just going to be I mean, so important for them. Yeah, I think he’s Mike Sullivan talked about it a couple weeks ago. We want to get our D more involved and you see them down. They cycle low into the zone. The forwards have been coming up and they don’t just peel right out. They’re they’re supporting the play. It’s not it’s not like a risky we’re down two goals. Let’s let’s take a chance. It’s a you know it’s it’s a concerted effort to try and just stay involved. And they they’ve all done it. The D have tried to do it. was clearly talked about and he’s just been the best at it. He had a little backhand on one-touch dish to Edstrom, you know, a few games ago that was a thing of beauty because he’s down there and that’s the play to be made. So, it’s not like going away from the structure of the team and how you’re supposed to play to create offense. It’s within the team’s sort of structure. Everybody’s on the same page and he’s contributing. They’re going in the net and that that’s like Gabricov can’t be Adam Fox. It’s not like, hey, go be him now because he’s out. I don’t think, you know, nobody can. There’s no one in the organization. There’s not many people in the world that if any that play like Adam Fox. He’s the most cerebral defenseman I think in the league. Just how effective he is with the gifts he has. He’s not Kale Mar, but he’s second to him in points amongst defenseman in the whole entire league. So he’s he’s got some superpowers of his own that are very unique to him. Gabricov can’t be that. He can be him. No, and he’s he’s done that very well. It’s going to be interesting how they platoon the rest. How do you how do you you use Scott Marorrow without giving him too much. You don’t, you know, you don’t necessarily want to overload him with certain things. I think they did a good job of that because look, you got to play today and this is Dallas who is eight one and one or nine and one in the last 10 or something. It was like in the West and they score six goals a game. It’s like all right, have fun. No, they they protected and played around 13 minutes like that. Look, this is this is what it is. So, this is where you need to get to. And I thought they did a good job with that. It’s one game, but it’s on home ice against a really good team. Count it. And they did. Yeah. You got a six on five goal quickly. Yeah. You know, it’s those guys, too. Like the Will Coolies like you’re going to have opportunity because we need you to. It It was It was a good It was a good win. It was entertaining for sure. It was. It was. All right. We’ll we’ll get to that soon. But more injury news that we should touch on. Adam Edstrom is now dayto-day with a lower body injury. Uh he missed the Stars game on Tuesday night. Was that morning skate? I was not. No, it was the day before. It was practice. Um I wasn’t there, but he left early from practice. So something must have happened there. Um they’re saying daytoday so you know could just be a oneame thing you know I guess we’ll see um in Ottawa which I am heading to later today. Um Matt Rempy the beautiful I’m gonna I’m gonna go skating on the canal. Nice. Take a video. It’s like it’s like really cold there right now. Oh god. I’m sorry. It’s okay. Um, Matt Remy, I know it’s sitting on my desk. I’m the type I need to look at my passport six times before I leave for the airport. Be holding it. I’m glad I’m not alone. Yeah. Opening it. Been there. Okay. Oh my god. All right. Anyway, Matt Rempy has missed 19 straight games with an upper body injury. Probably a hand injury from the uh Ryan Reeves fight. Sullivan said it’s not worth discussing him yet because he’s not exactly close just yet. He hasn’t skated with the team, but I did hear that he was on schedule with the original timeline he was given, maybe even a bit ahead. So, that is a positive development. Um, and I think Jonathan Quick will be back this week from a lower body injury. He was not able to back up Sherkin Tuesday night against the Stars. They had Spencer Martin up who they just signed to a two-year deal this season. Um, so yeah, that’s the injury report. And man, it has been extensive this season, has it not? Well, around the league. There’s so many games. It is around the league. Yeah, there’s too many games. Yeah. Too close together. Condensed schedule. Yeah. It’s hard asking these guys. It’s not uh the 80s anymore. Guys come in guys don’t get out of shape anymore. It’s crazy. So um these young bucks, they all come in at 6% body fat. You’re going to get hurt. Got to have a little corner weight, boys. 10%’s fine. I was always the guy that lost uh lost a little bit of weight, body fat during the year. There were guys that gained it. I I was blown away by that. That’s crazy. Thing ever. Let me ask you a question. Um off a little bit off topic. Sure. If you’re Bill Garren, you have these goalies like Swayman’s playing pretty good and Oh, this is great question. I know exactly what you’re gonna ask. Elabuk, uh, you know, he has the knee right now, but you expect him the hard trophy winner in there. Aer’s obviously a great goalie, I think. Yeah. Um, Spencer Knight, Chicago is like Yep. But there’s so many. That’s the only thing, right? But if you bring three and you need a guy who’s like been lights out and been in big moments and can play just like randomly once in two weeks. Do you not think about Jonathan Quick? Like do you not as Jake? Look, this is my this is my pitch to put Jonathan Quick on TM USA, so to say. You’re gonna have a third goalie. Probably not going to play. Jonathan Quick is a winner. Yeah. Every single person that I have spoken to about him, who have crossed paths with him with him in their hockey careers, he is he embodies the presence of being a winner. He brings things to a locker room that you can’t quantify, you can’t measure. The presence, the things that he does to foster team camaraderie, morale in the locker room, that is him. That he is Jonathan Quick. Like that is what he has become over the course of his career. And I think settling into this backup role in New York has only made him even better at it, I think, and more accustomed to that kind of role. So, I mean, I’m biased because I would just love to cover more Ragers at the Olympics, obviously, but I do see a very genuine argument for why Jonathan Quick should at least be considered to be the third goalie. because he I mean he I also just think bringing a guy like that into a room I mean it’s obviously a stacked room no matter what but Jonathan Quick is still that guy. Like he’s still he is still that guy. And how awesome would that be to have Jonathan Quick on Team USA’s Olympic roster at age 40? I mean like he won two cups. One of them was the great one of the best performances I’ve ever seen and technically three and then he was on a third team that won a Stanley Cup like you know I’m getting there. So he’s like he doesn’t give up any goals anymore. Like he’s been unbelievable this year. He’s like 950 940 what is it? 944. Yeah. Save percentage. And it’s not like uh it’s not like the 95 Devils are in front of him just giving up 10 shots a game. Yeah. I think he’s he’s subbed two goals against. He’s 944 this year in a limited role. Like he’s sharp. Yeah. 944 169 goals against. Oh man, that’s that’s unbelievable. And he’s he’s three and three. Yeah. Imagine three and three. Um he uh yeah I I just think he’s just it’s we not me with him and that’s when you go that’s what you want. You want that in NHL room but when it’s best on best you need it even more. Right. Right. I think the USA team I mean Canada these teams have done that. They’ve been able to they did it at four nations. You know ego checked at the door without being like you still are that dude. everyone has to walk in there being like, I can I can that’s what they all do. But you have to in that team concept, he’s he’s that guy to do it. And yeah, I think I think he definitely deserves consideration. I just was off topic. I mean, listen, no, it’s it’s so it’s so on topic. It’s on topic because I’ve thought about it, too. Um, and I listen, you can call me sappy or whatever, but I especially as it when it comes to something like the Olympics, something as special as the Olympics, I think about the things that can’t be measured, like miracle on ice level things. And Jonathan Quick falls into that category for me, like the the magic truly the magic of the sport. That is JQ. And yeah, so hey Billy, if you want to add another Ranger, we wouldn’t be opposed over here at Up in the Blue Seats. My second favorite uh my second favorite goalie to come out of UMass. Number two. Yeah. Well, my dad was a goalie at UMass, so I he’s my number one. We Why did I never know that? Uh it was very brief. It was like a year and a half and then uh he started his large family. He left school. But how was that not the first thing that you said to me? I don’t I thought I might have at one point. My dad went maybe not. I don’t think you did. I would have made a much bigger deal of that. Yeah. I already boiled. Wow. I’m gonna have to look at that. The man. H Where did he live on campus? Can you ask him? I can. He doesn’t. Yeah, he’s he’s a I’d love to know. He’s a funny fellow. I’ll ask him. I’ll find out. That’s great. Wow. So, you do have these blood in you. I knew it. I knew it. Little bit. Little bit of the zoo. Um, all right. So, another another positive topic of conversation. Uh, coming on the heels of a of a nice win at home, our Tammy Paneran buzz. Another multi-point effort for him Tuesday night against the Stars. two assists, 21 points in his last 14 games, six goals, 15 assists. I’m not 100% sure if that’s during the exact time that he shaved his head. I think, but honestly, I think it was because the first game after I think it was, too. Yeah, it’s it’s unbelievable. I actually was cracking up. I was watching um Trochek’s interview with TNT and Biz was asking him if he has thought about shaving his head because of what watching our Tammy Paneran has done after he does it and he said yes, but I think the funniest part of it was uh Biz asked if Artami announces this to the locker room, tells them that he’s going to do this and Joe said that he woke up at 3:00 a.m. middle of the night and did it. He didn’t even know he was going to do it and he just woke up and did it. And that is so on brand for our that is just that’s so so believable and so art paner and I can’t I can’t even explain it. Um, but on the flip side of all this positiveness, I mean, it’s self-explanatory, but it just has got me thinking about how big of a problem replacing him and his production is going to be if he’s not back in New York next season. Yeah. Um, I think Troche said his wife didn’t even know. She just woke up and was like, “Yeah, who’s this guy?” And she hates it, by the way. He He told me that. Yeah. He told me that when she when he first did it, you know, a couple years ago, he did it in the summer and it she would beg him not to do it. Beg him not to. Please don’t. Desperate times. He was not a good start for him. Um, no. Yeah. Look, it’s uh you never It’s hard to predict. uh he’s obviously a unique talent and that skill level and the offensive production he can bring. It’s you can’t really replace it. You’d have to, you know, dig into the the new fabric of what Mike Sullivan’s doing and to to So that would take multiple guys and a buy in from even everybody else still there. So, it’s it just ch it changes the DNA of your team if if he’s not there. Um, but at the same time, they’re smart guys running the room. They know or they’re going to set themselves up for, you know, plan A and then there’s contingencies after that. I think they’re gonna they want him back. I believe I heard there was an offer made. Um, Paneran probably is like, “Well, I’m still a point a game guy. I can be a 100 point guy, so I’m worth this.” It’s it’s now December, you know, it’s not July 1st, so there’s there’s there’s time. But I wonder too like I feel like now in the league there’s a lot more I don’t want to say tampering because that’s a but there might be a little bit of tampering soft tampering. So there’s some teams like well we would probably do this talking to maybe not even the agent but a friend of the agents and it gets back there rumors. So, you know, for the Rangers sake, hopefully something can get done that’s uh fair for both sides, I think. And they’re I think they’re going to try they could be creative. They can do a number of different things to try and get that done. Yeah. That’s my I don’t know anything. I haven’t talked to anybody with the Rangers. That’s what I would assume. Speculation. Pure speculation. 100%. Um, no. I mean, it’s it’s Brian, not an insider boy. Um, no, it’s it’s it’s a huge topic of conversation as it pertains to this Rangers team and their future, I think, as well. That’s like why it’s such a big deal. But um I did actually ask him because I had a article sent to me um from rg.org which is a website in Russia. Um there was a interview with Alexi Kovalev and he was talking about how he had heard that Art Tammy was even contemplating going back to Russia after this season if things didn’t work out. So I of course asked him about it and he did not shoot the notion down. He did not say absolutely not. Um he left it quite open-ended actually. He told me I mean you never know. Hard to say right now. It’s a very hard question to be honest. And then he basically said that he can’t comment on life and what might happen and you know things that might change circumstances and things like that. But I mean for one of the biggest stars in the NHL not to completely shoot down the idea of returning to Russia playing in the KHL was pretty notable. I mean what do you think about that Brian? Ha. Uh, okay. There’s um Gez, how do I say this without Yeah. All right. So, look, here’s the There’s been a lot of reports out of Europe in general that have parts of it have potentially been lost in translation. Um, the fact that you went and asked him and he didn’t shoot it down is another thing. Mhm. When it’s contract time or your deal is up, you know, you want to make as much as you can make as an athlete. And that’s you separate you like that’s your time where you’re just thinking about you and then at 300 every other day of the year or every other day of your contract. It’s what’s team team, right? You have to think about you as a as a pro athlete because it ends fast. And even if you have a long career, you know, I finished playing at 37, which is, you know, great. I was very thankful and blessed. Uh that’s a long time to live and provide. And some of us might have had a bunch more kids after we were done playing. Some of us had a starting vibe. Great blessings. Uh my financial advisors wouldn’t like recommend it, but it’s like the greatest thing of my life. So anyways, long story long, you never know exactly what’s happening. I think there are some there are some interesting uh politics in Russia. Uh there’s some leadership over there that loves their hockey. So I just god forbid I hope it’s nothing to do like that. Um, but if it’s an option for him to earn a living, that’s better than I I think he wants to stay here. I think he wants to stay in New York. I think he wants to definitely stay in the NHL. I think he wants to try to win. also have zero doubt that if the Rangers aren’t going to pay him what he wants, somebody else will because I mean maybe not exactly what he wants, but I mean there were so many teams, the Avalanche, the Islanders, he left money on the table on Long Island to come to Manhattan, you know, like there are there are teams that I think will keep him in the national. I mean, yeah, there’s a lot of teams. So yeah, is it a is it a I guess is it a negotiating tactic? I like his response anyway whether or not and he is not a dumb guy. He is a smart fella this very very very so kudos to you for getting in there and asking him to rg.org. Yeah I I thank rg.org for the assist. Um, but yeah, I I I we were we were kind of giggling because, you know, I caught him a little off guard. It was after a game, but it was after a four-point game, and I’m writing a column about how gez, the Rangers are going to be in trouble if they don’t have this guy next year. Um, so yeah, it had to be asked and, you know, no stone left unturned over here at the New York Post. There you go. Good on you. He’s got what’s he one of three guys who have over 400 points in his 400 games with the Rangers. That was a Cadillac trivia last night. Yeah, he I mean we could go on and on about how he has been everything that the Rangers I mean you can argue that he hasn’t been at his best in the playoffs and and hasn’t, you know, been as dominant as some people would have liked him to be in the postseason and that’s fair. But there is no doubt that the Rangers don’t even come close to the playoffs without him in general. So, and I’ve been saying that exact line since 201920. I feel like people seem to forget about that all the time that he plays such a crucial role in getting them to the playoffs to begin with. his worst season minus the the co shortened season in terms of point production because it was it wasn’t bad the co season it was just it was shorter 42 games was last season he had 89 points like he’s just he creates goals and he has led he’s led the team every single year since he’s been in New York you know every like that that deserves deserves its flowers. It deserves its acknowledgement. Um, and he has every right to hold out until he gets what he feels like he’s worth, especially with the cap going out. Um, so but that is definitely something to monitor going forward and, you know, hopefully for the Rangers he keeps on this on this tear that he’s on right now because it’s going to be crucial, especially with Adam Fox out. Um, yeah. All right, let’s cap it off with a big W on home ice. Big big W on home ice. I think that I think that the most encouraging thing that came out of that game was the six on five goal. Yeah. Uh, Rangers have not had one of those in in a bit. Um, it’s felt like or at least one of consequence like that. So, um, Will [ __ ] gets it late in the third with the extra man on. Um, yeah, just just a really important game for them, especially with the way things that have been going on home ice. And I could see it in the way that they were playing last night about how badly they wanted and needed that win. They were going for it. Yeah. I mean, Dallas is Dallas is legit. like three years in a row Western Conference finals in the West. I don’t know if people really understand how hard the gauntlet because of how I mean they’re going time zones and flights are just forever. It’s really hard to recover. You can’t and like yes, we are spoiled. It’s private flights. You just hop on the plane and the food’s right waiting for you. But you can’t recover at altitude. You get more dehydrated. It’s look it it’s it’s more than what the other teams are doing especially specifically in the east. So, uh there’s there’s some heavy hitters out west and they got to they’ve competed especially in that central the last few years. Maybe not as much this year, but that Dallas team is legit. And JT has a tough play like has to handle a puck in his feet with three and a half left. This is a grinding type game against a really potent Dallas team. And you just you look at social media after uh Ratnet scores that goal and I’m like people are like I’m done. This is they lost again. And I’m like there’s three minutes left. There’s three minutes left in the game. So they get at six on five. They pull Igor and how how long after the faceoff was that goal scored? I mean, they they attacked. They’re like, “Enough is enough.” Yeah. Even if that doesn’t go in, I think they eventually tie it because they were just they were like, “We’re they were hunting. We’re not doing this again.” Yeah. And then Vlatty Gabricov just getting her done. What a play. What a play. Seriously. I mean, going back to what we were talking about him, I mean, he really That’s the play. Drive the middle. Yeah, because it’s a threeon major. Yeah. I’m not going to hang back because I’m the defenseman. Like, no, they have full possession. I’m going to drive through, try to create space, and then Ma gets it over to our Timmy, and he could have passed the Caver, but like if I’m Art Timmy and I’m between the hash marks, I’m shooting all day. That’s right. Yeah. And he’s there for the rebound. Now, this I’ll say this. Talk about Team USA. Jason Robertson’s been on fire. I know he didn’t make the Four Nations last year. The back check and the effort shown in the overtime is what’s going to give Billy G. He’s going to have questions about like what just it was pretty just pedestrian which allowed the Rangers come up through the ice and that’s how hard it is to win. This guy’s been on fire. I know. He was a little effort on Na. He could maybe get that puck back. And uh and I like the kid played with him at World Championships. They took full advantage of the Rangers. You got to give them credit. They were they willed themselves to a win against a very good team on home ice. Positive things. Brian, you got me so excited for the Olympics. I can’t freaking wait. I literally can’t wait. I need everybody to comment on this YouTube video and tell my editor that he needs to send me to Milan. Go ahead, everybody down below. Just say Molly has to go to Milan. She does. She has to be there. What happens if uh what happens if you get there and the ring’s still not finished? Possibility. I I was just thinking I’m like, “Oh, I can’t wait to write that story about the size of the rink and smaller.” And I can’t wait to ask all the players about what they’re how are they going to adjust, you know, how is that going to work for them? Are they going to be able to notice when it’s What is it? It’s only like It’s not even that much smaller, but it is small. Four feet a lot. Four feet a lot. Four feet? Yeah. Wait, I didn’t know it was four feet. 196. How does that happen? Well, listen. You get a you get an Olympic bid and then you only have like eight years to build a rink. And everybody knows rings take at least 45 years to build. I don’t know. It’s ridiculous. Um I’m really curious how in the world that happens, but I mean hopefully I’ll get to measure it myself in Milan. I think all of our loyal listeners there’ll be more goals. There’ll be ugly goals, but more goals. Like when you shrink it, when you shrink it, things happen faster. Like the Olympic sheet, everyone just stays to the outside and you can’t get inside and it’s almost like a soccer game. I think you shrink the rink and turn it into just a complete gong show. Chaos. Legit chaos. Yeah. Honestly, bring it on. Let’s make it a few feet here. Yeah. Imagine Tom Wilson coming down the for check. He only has to go like 58 feet instead of 60. God help God help them. God help the people in front of him. Head on a swivel. All right, on that note, let’s wrap it up. Thank you so much for listening to Up in the Blue Seats. As always, give us a thumbs up. Comment down below. What do you think’s going to happen with our Tammy Paneran? Are you still freaking out about the Rangers home record? How big was that overtime win against the Stars? Is Molly gonna go to Milan? Let us know down below. Thanks. And we’ll talk to you guys again next week. [Music] [Applause] [Music] What’s up, Giants fans? This is Brandon London, and every week I’m here with Paul Schwarz, bringing you Blue Rush, presented by the New York Post. So, check this out. Twice a week, we dive into everything Gmen. We’re talking about game recaps, player performances, draft predictions, and all the breaking news and roster moves that’s going to shape the future of this football team. But it’s not just the headlines we’re talking about. We’re also discussing the unsung heroes, the X’s and O’s of the game, and what you, the Giants fans, are talking about online. And on Sundays, we go live with a postgame reaction. If you bleed blue, you need to be tuned in. We’re checking in with all sorts of guests from our beat writers to super fans to past and present players. do not want to miss out on any of the action, the passionate debates, and of course, our exclusive insights. So, subscribe to Blue Rush wherever you get your podcast. And as always, let’s go big blue. [Music]

After a brief hiatus, Up In The Blue Seats returns with a powerful and emotional episode. Mollie Walker and former Ranger Brian Boyle open the show by remembering their friend, colleague, and Hall of Fame hockey writer Larry Brooks, who recently passed away at 75 after a short battle with cancer.
Mollie and Brian share heartfelt stories, personal reflections, and behind-the-scenes memories of Larry’s legendary career, his impact on the Rangers community, and the indelible mark he left on journalism, the NHL, and everyone who knew him.

The crew then dives into the Rangers recent stretch including Adam Fox being placed on LTIR, Artemi Panarin’s resurgence and how the team can’t afford to lose him, and how the OT win over the Stars could help kickstart the Rangers on home ice.

All that and more on this week’s episode of ‘Up in the Blue Seats’

Timecodes:
00:00- Intro
00:52- Remembering Larry Brooks
12:39- Adam Fox headed to LTIR
24:30 -More injury news
27:44- Jonathan Quick’s case for Team USA
33:28- Artemi Panarin’s recent stretch
44:18- Overtime win vs Dallas

#nypostsports #nhl #hockey #hockeypodcast #rangers #newyorkrangers #larrybrooks #artemipanarin #adamfox #jonathanquick #blueshirts

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