Good morning all. How are we? As you’re reading this, you’re clearly loyal Blue Seat Blog readers and that means you didn’t feel the need to sprint toward the cliff edge because of one mind numbing Loss to the Stars. We’re rational folks aren’t we? Without further ado, let’s get into my head for the musings.

I’m an unashamed Gaborik fan, so maybe I’m biased but he’s an elite player. What annoys me is when a player like Patrick Kane gets treated like hockey royalty by the media and yes, he’s very good but can we have some Gaborik love please? He’s at the same elite level as Pat Kane.

Some of you, via twitter, may know I’m moving to Brugge, Belgium for three months in February. Amid all the excitement I have found a negative. Rangers game will now, usually, start at 1.10am. That is not something to look forward to. More matinees between February and May please!

Welcome back Tim Erixon. The timing is perhaps a little premature because he was only a few games into his own injury return but on play alone he’s back on merit. He’s playing well for the Whale and is almost a point/game player for them. Is this another case of some brief AHL seasoning before cementing a place in New York? (think Mr R. McDonagh)

Here’s some food for thought for you: Will the HBO series and all the winter classic frenzy influence All Star voting? (Hell, I’m not even sure when the deadline is). With the great start top to the year will we see many Rangers make it? There’s a few deserving candidates.

Question Time (Justify your choices)

  • Better season so far: Derek Stepan or Artem Anisimov?
  • Most surprising: Brandon Dubinsky or Carl Hagelin?
  • Next to Ride the buses: Sean Avery, Erik Christensen or John Mitchell?

I’m ashamed to admit this (hence it’s half way down this post) but I haven’t seen 24/7 yet. Work and a lack of access to HBO have condemned me to frustration. Was it worth the wait? Has it ramped up the excitement levels for your team?

This has been touched upon recently (via the Ryan rumours) but if the Rangers maintain their current position and general pattern of results do you think the Rangers will be players come the deadline? Personally I can see them adding a big piece if they are fully healthy, a top seed and Sather thinks this team can replicate Boston (not the best team in the playoffs but with a legitimate chance)

I can’t help being a little underwhelmed by Brandon Prust this season. Maybe he set his bar a little high with such a good season last time around but beyond the pointless fights recently, he’s not doing much or forcing the coach to give him more opportunity. Needless to say, right now, his contract negotiations won’t be hard for Sather.

All you Sather haters out there, we’re beginning to see the fruits of his labour from the past 4-5 years. It took far too long to get to this stage but he’d done a fine job in recent times. Organisation stacked, team young, key pieces in place, cap space going forward. Me Likely.

The Rangers MVP so far? For me it’s Ryan Callahan, then Henrik Lundqvist with honourable mentions to Brad Richards, Dan Girardi and Marian Gaborik. It says a lot when there are so many deserving candidates.

Comeback player of the year? Without doubt it has to be Gaborik, honourable mention to Del Zotto

Oh, here’s a final thought for you; should the Rangers MVP discussion include John Tortorella? Take a look at the record and the injuries dealt with and tell me what you think. He’s on the shortlist for me.

See ya

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