Naming And Arguing Over 'Passengers' On The Rangers

Here are some Rangers players that need to perform at a higher level.

There's a new dirty word that's intruded itself in the hockey vocabulary more and more these days.

PASSENGERS. Otherwise known as he first cousin to FAT CATS.

In analysing the Rangers fall from grace – not to mention the top of the NHL – one complaint The Maven has heard is "Too many passengers."

The expression is otherwise known as having too many players going along for the ride thereby braking the team's progress.

My Chief Scout and Often Consultant Jess Rubenstein threw that "Too many passengers" on the Rangers line at me the other day and, frankly, I was puzzled.

I wanted specifics and Rubenstein tossed more names than I expected. Jeff's comments are followed by mine since we disagree here and there. Herewith: Rangers Passengers:

1. IGOR SHESTERKIN: "He's been mediocre all season long." Maven's answer. I wouldn't say 'all season long' because Igor has had some superior runs. But – check his record – overall he's not even in the top ten goalies in the league.

2. RYAN LINDGREN: "He's been non-existent all season. That's partly because management rushed him back after his injury. He hasn't been the same since." Maven's answer: There's a lot of truth there but – here again – saying "all season" overlooks some moments of glory for a beat-up warrior.

3. K'ANDRE MILLER: "It's the same story as Lindgren. K's production is 'way down from what it should be." Maven's answer: Put it this way; defenseman Miller has not lived up to his notices; but there have been sprinkles of good games that should not be overlooked.

4. ALEXIS LAFRENIERE: "He has not been the same since he signed his extension." Maven's answer: We agree 100 percent.

5. CHRIS KREIDER: "Just 16-4-20 is a month of his stats not a season." Maven's answer; You've got a point there but Kreids always has been inconsistent. The difference is that he's older and likely hurting. Frankly, I can't tell whether he's gotten to the point where he's just along for the ride; or just can't be Killer Kreider anymore.

6. REILLY SMITH: "He has just two goals in his last 16 games." Maven's Answer: My longtime Pittsburgh reporter Vince Comunale told me that Smith had a poor second half last season and that the Penguins were delighted to put him in the rearview mirror.

No matter how you shake it, that's enough "passengers" for The A train express to Madison Square Garden!