1. The two biggest mysteries in the Rangers lineup are spelled Slava Gavrikov and Urho Vaakanainen.
2. We have no idea whether these two defensemen are legitimate first-liners or the second comings of Zac Jones and Chad Ruhwedel.
3. Guess what? There's no guarantee that 28-year-old Will Borgen will pan out as envisioned. Bottom Line: View the remade Ranger defense with a grain of skepticism.
4. New MSG Networks lead TV analyst Dave Maloney says "There are a lot of reasons to be excited," and he may be right. But if that doesn't pan out, I expect that David will tell us so with the same affirmation.
5. The Maven is certain that Maloney's optimism starts with the man behind the bench. Not surprisingly many smart minds favor Mike Sullivan despite his last three non-playoff years in Pitt.
6. When Neil Smith – who has a genuine love of hockey history – was managing the Blueshirts, he actually began collecting and displaying Rangers memorabilia in glass cases outside the staff offices.
7. Had Neil been able to follow through there likely would be a Rangers Museum somewhere inside MSG which, of course, there is not.
8. With the Rangers 100th anniversary not far off it would be just wonderful if someone in the current high command followed through on Smith's vision.
9. Biggest mistake of the 2024-25 general staff was giving up too soon on defenseman Victor Mancini.
10. Hockey People I Miss Schmoozing With: Pat LaFontaine, Nick Fotiu, Ron Greschner, Stu Hackel, Carl Glickman, Brad Park, Dick Patrick, Scotty Bowman, Barry Watkins, Ken Dryden, Bob Nystrom, Spencer Ross, Bryan Trottier, Eddie Westfall, Peter McMullen and Mark Everson of the Post.
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