Hello all. Let’s dive right in.

-I don’t like these proposed rule changes. Although 2-on-2 hockey would be exciting, it would just be weird. I say to keep it the way it is.

-I know he has absolutely no leverage, and it will probably play out like the Dubinsky situation last season, but let’s get Marc Staal signed. He’s our best defenseman. We need him.

-I’ve said this before, but I don’t believe Wade Redden will be in Hartford until he’s actually wearing a Wolfpack sweater. Then I’ll believe it.

-If Redden does go to Hartford, it opens up the number 6. I’ve always liked that as a number. Good, solid number. Maybe McDonagh will take it?

-What do y’all think the odds are of Stepan making the team? 30%? More?

-Same question for Grachev. 70% Lower?

-Annoyance interlude: I was at the bank today, just to do a quick deposit. I was offered cookies and coffee. While I appreciate the gesture, what were the odds of me accepting? Since there was no line the deposit was going to take 2 minutes, probably less. I wasn’t going to be able to finish a cookie in that time, much less coffee. If there was a line, I’d maybe take them up on their offer. But, she offered it to me as she was depositing the money. Just didn’t make sense. But, deposit lady, if you are reading, I do appreciate the offer.

The Hockey News came out with which teams won’t make the playoffs. The Rangers are among them. They have them finishing 13th in the East. Their reasoning:

Why: Missing the playoffs on the last day of the regular season must still be stinging the Rangers and it won’t help we’ve slotted them in at unlucky No. 13 for 2010-11. Goalie Henrik Lundqvist is about the only reason the Rangers are still afloat and you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone who believes Marian Gaborik will make it through another season untouched by injury.

Yes, if Gaborik gets hurt, the Rangers are screwed. But is that an analysis? Finding anyone who believes Gaborik won’t get hurt is not a reason why they won’t make the playoffs. If Sidney Crosby gets hurt, are the Penguins making the playoffs? Probably not. What about Ovechkin? Ryan Miller? It’s not an analysis. It’s lazy. I can respect that they don’t think the Ranger will make the playoffs, but at least tell me why. Tell me that the scoring depth isn’t enough, or the defense corp is too young. But saying that they don’t believe Gaborik will stay healthy? Please.

-Personally, I think the Rangers are going to make the playoffs. They’ll sneak in as the 7th or 8th seed, but they’ll be there. Nothing like playoff hockey at the Garden.

-Speaking of nothing like playoff hockey, the one playoff hockey like game at home last year (the one against Philly, the last home game) was awesome. One of the top 5 games I’ve been to. Crowd was electric.

-Every time I think about the Rangers, I think about the need for Sean Avery to produce. Both as a pest and as a scorer. We know he can score. He just didn’t do it much last year. They are a better team when he’s playing well. I think Torts has to let go of the leash.

-Another annoyance interlude: A nail salon opened up in the my town (more on my town later). Nothing wrong with that. Except, it’s right across the street from THE OTHER NAIL SALON!! Literally, right across the street. What’s the point of that? I mean, when they were thinking of opening up a nail salon, did they not realize there is one across the street? Maybe the original store listens to great advice from wisesmallbusiness.com and the new store missed the memo? Or the fact that there’s another one a few blocks away?And another one a few more blocks away. There’s 4 in my very small town. You only need one nail salon in a town. 4 in a county. 16 in a state. There’s two in one of the neighboring towns, 3 in the other. I just don’t get it. Isn’t one enough? Maybe it’s me, but a nail salon is a nail salon. You just need one. They all do the same thing.

-I do need a new jersey. I have a Drury, but it’s a bit outdated. Who should I get?

-Frolov will score at least 25 goals. You read it here first. Or second. But I think first.

-Callahan will score 25 goals.

-Dubi will score 28

-Boogaard will score zero.

-Personal interlude: So, I’m moving to Allentown, PA a week from today. New job. Excited. But, as I adjust to a new job, new place, new city, new life, etc, I’m taking a little hiatus from BSB. It won’t be too long. I’ll be back mid-to-late September. Knowing how I operate, I need to focus wholly on adjusting, or I won’t. It’s life. Can’t do much about it. But, I will miss the site. It’s great posting here, with a great community. Don’t miss me too much.

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