The Rangers announced today that Adam Graves’ number will go up into the Garden rafters on February 3 this season before a game against the Atlanta Thrashers–no surprise there.  After Brian Leetch announced at his own retirement ceremony that Graves’ #9 would become the sixth Blueshirt sweater taken out of circulation, it was just a matter of when.  The surprise came at the announcement that many Ranger fans thought was long overdue; after nearly 40 years Harry Howell and Andy Bathgate will be immortalized in the same way.

For years the Rangers’ contingent in MSG’s famed rafters was Eddie Giacomin’s #1 and Rod Gilbert’s #7.  After the 1994 Blueshirts ended the 54 year cup drought, it was only a matter of time before Messier’s #11, Leetch’s #2, and Richter’s #35 joined them.  

As for Graves’ #9?  Well there was the debate.  Sure he had an amazing campaign in 1994 and was one of the most popular Rangers in history, but jersey retirement material?  And for a team who had only distinguished five players this way in their 80+ year history?

Surely there were more deserving Blueshirt legends.

When the Rangers made the decision to immortalize Adam Graves, the debate flared up because, really, how could it not?  Not only could it be argued that Adam Graves wasn’t the most deserving remaining Ranger legend to get his number retired, a strong case could be made that he wasn’t even the most deserving #9. 

And so today the Rangers made everything right.

Now this isn’t to take anything away from Graves.  He is one of the nicest guys around and was certainly a great Ranger.  But Andy Bathgate and Harry Howell deserve to have their numbers hanging from MSG’s famed ceiling and have deserved it for a while now. 

Harry Howell has played more games than any other Ranger in history and was a Blueline stalwart in the 50’s and 60’s.  He was a six time all-star and a Norris Trophy winner

Andy Bathgate was the face of the Rangers during the same time, was the first Ranger to score 40 goals in a season (1958-59) and is fourth in career goals (272), assists (457) and points (729).  He was an eight time all-star, a league MVP, and a Rangers captain. 

Both have been members of the Hockey Hall of Fame for almost 30 years now.

Like I said, after 40 years the Rangers have made things right.  And on top of all of this, retiring Howell’s #3 and Bathgate’s #9 on February 22 does one other thing.  It takes any of the possible awkwardness and hesitation away from “Graves Night.”  I have to imagine that Graves, being the humble guy that he is, felt a little bit strange about the situation.  He has as much of an appreciation for the Rangers history as anybody and had to be thinking that something wasn’t 100% right.  Now that Howell and Bathgate are also going up, Graves can comfortably be celebrated without any reservations. 

And so February of 2009 will go down as one of the most memorable in Rangers history.  Three of the most celebrated Blueshirts in history will all be honored in a three week span.  You can’t ask for much more than that.

When Larry Brooks broke the story yesterday saying that Mats Sundin is “itchin’ to lace ‘em up on Broadway” I decided I would do some real journalistic work to get to the bottom of the rumors.  So I boarded a plane last night and currently am coming to you live from the hockey capital of the world, Toronto, Ontario!

Okay, okay, so maybe the Sundin saga wasn’t the only reason for my travels.  Maybe a little family vacation up north after months of working for “Yankees Beisbol” and then Olympic Badminton had a little something to do with it too.  But the bottom line is, I’m here, and this town is buzzin’ with talk of their former captain jetting for the bright lights of Broadway.

In the Toronto Star today, the headlines read “Is Mats Sundin Broadway Bound?”  

My gut feeling?

I don’t know, but I’ll tell you this much, it’s looking more and more like either Sundin or Shanahan will be a Ranger next year.  You may ask, what does one have to do with the other?  Well, according to our good friend John Dellapina, Shanahan is determined to stay a Ranger.  He’s apparently still not negotiating with other teams and is willing to take huge paycut to stay a Blueshirt.  

Now why would someone who says he is definitely playing next year, continue to spurn every other team in the league a month before training camp, if the Rangers weren’t giving him hope of a return?

And if the Rangers were truly done with their off-season maneuvering, why wouldn’t they make Shanahan an offer, or tell him the door is shut?

The answer is that they’re waiting on Sundin.  

If the Rangers can somehow clear $3-$4 million more in cap space in the next couple weeks (they are currently only $2 million under) I think there’s a better then average shot that you’ll see Mats Sundin on Broadway next year.

If not, I think you’re seeing Shanahan back for his third engagement on Broadway.

And one more thing.  Larry Brooks speculated yesterday that in order to clear the necessary cap space to make room for Sundin, the Rangers would have to part ways with newly re-signed Michael Rozsival.  

Really? Rozsival?  What about clearing Rissmiller and Voros?  That would clear $2 million.  After that, you can take your pick.  Maybe Prucha for $1.6?  Or maybe even Kalinin for $2.1?  All I know is that I’m still not sold on Redden and would not feel comfortable taking Rozsi out of this year’s equation.

  The 2008 class for the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame was announced today.  The list of four includes Ranger greats Brian Leetch and Mike Richter.

  Also amoung the elected, Brett Hull and Cammi Granato.  Granato is the all-time leading scorer for the U.S. Women’s Hockey team.

  Very nice class.  The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame is obviously a little less prestigious as the regular Hockey Hall of Fame in Canada, but still a very nice recognition.

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Also, we’ve gotten a couple comments and e-mails wondering where the shows have gone.

Fear not, Steve and I are gearing up for our second season covering the Rangers.

You can expect new shows coming up in the next couple weeks, previewing the upcoming season.

We appreciate your continued support through this offseason.  We are excited to make the show even better for next season.

Again, we will be back soon.  Get ready for another season with the Rangers and with the NYRangerscast.

During this period of the off season not much is happening that’s going to make front page news.  Just little transactions.  Hammering down those final contract issues.

So, with that being said, the Rangers have made some minor moves this past week.

Hugh Jessiman has been resigned by the club.  The Rangers are hoping that Hugh can turn it around.  Being the lone first-rounder of his draft class not to play in the NHL, Hugh has a lot to live up too.  But, who knows maybe Jessiman is just a late bloomer.  One has to believe that being drafted in the first round garners you some extra years of grooming.  And also, Hugh is a great name.  Not bad to be the namesake of a man who spends his days in a mansion, wearing a robe, and playing with bunnies.

In slightly bigger news, the club has also resigned Freddy Shoes, or as the roster says Fred Sjostrom.  He comes back with a one-year deal worth $840,000.  Steve and I talked a lot about The Shoes’ production last year.  I personally like Freddy.  But, I think he needs to be on a fast moving line to be effective.  His skill set is nothing extraordinary, but with the right combination of guys around him, he can be productive.

Also, for the sake of conversation, you all have had a chance to look at the schedule by now.  What matchup intrigues you the most?  Or, a game you already are chomping at the bit to get tickets too.  Let us know below.

The Rangers just announced their schedule for this season. You can access it here. 

The one game that struck my eye? See October 20. Sean Avery makes his (not so) long awaited return to Madison Square Garden as the Dallas Stars pay a visit to New York.

And if you think that’s going to be a tear-jerker, you may want to take a look about what’s happening 3 nights earlier as the Rangers welcome home the prodigal son, Ryan Hollweg.  Should be a great opportunity for the Blueshirts to practice their power play early on in the year.

But don’t put the tissues away just yet. The Oilers come to town shortly after, with the man who’s number #34 will one day undoubtedly be raised to the Garden rafters…Jason Strudwick.