I started writing for Blue Seat Blogs back during the 2011-2012 season.  It still astounds me that it has been six years, so far.  It really doesn’t seem like that long ago. I remember that there was an article about Milan Lucic’s hit on Ryan Miller (I honestly can’t even find the post now), but I was so worked up about people saying that goalies should be fair game when they come out that far that I went on a tirade in the comments section, which is highly unusual for me (before I began writing I never really engaged in the comments section).  Next thing I know, The Suit had sent me an email asking if I would be interested in contributing to the site.  Man, I miss that well-dressed, head-less maniac. 

My first post was back in November of 2011.  It was a little mini-breakdown of an advanced goaltending stat called DIGR (Defense Independent Goalie Rating) that debuted at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference that year.  After re-reading it again, I’ll admit it was pretty dry stuff.  It received all of eight comments.  However, it was the first of many I would pen in this space over the years.  It was just Dave, Chris, The Suit and myself back then.  Over the years we had added new writers and expanded the type of coverage we have provided to include expertise on prospects, the Draft, advanced statistics, etc., to try to bring you the very best coverage of our beloved Rangers.

Many of you here in the community pre-dated me.  There are so many recognizable names in the comments section that have been here with us for years, each day contributing to a lively discussion (sometimes heated discussion) of the sport we all love and share.  This season has been a difficult one for the Rangers, especially in context.  Ever since I started writing here, the Rangers have been at least a semi-competitive team.  Henrik Lundqvist was in his prime and the team was on their way to real contender status.

Normally, I would have already written posts scouting opposing goalies for playoff matchups and hand wringing over lineup choices.  Not this season, unfortunately.  We all get to go through our first re-build together.  The writing on the wall has been visible for a while now, and this was the season it all came crashing down.  I honestly don’t know if that has made it more or less difficult to watch unfold.

Regardless, this has been a difficult season to endure.  On our best days, we are a dysfunctional family trying to reconcile our experience, perspective, politics and patience for each other on a daily basis.  We bicker, yell, name call and display many other behaviors that are only acceptable for adults when discussing sports.  It can get a little rough in there.  There are few frustrations like the frustration of losing. There are so many factors beyond our control and we are forced to sit there, helplessly and hope for change. It would be easy to disengage.

My point with this whole post is to say, Thank You.  Thank you for continuing to contribute to this crazy place even when the team isn’t performing.  Thank you for bringing your perspective, life experience and passion for the game to our space.  Thank you for sharing your love of this team with all of the wonderful people who make this site what it is.  Of course, thank you to Dave for continuing to run the very best Rangers site on the whole wide interwebs.

Over the course of the next few months, we will embark on one of the most important off-seasons that this franchise has seen in quite some time.  We will be here to cover all of it; provide reporting on breaking news, give our analysis of the moves the front office makes and be ready for the start of the year.  I’m sure you will all be too, and we are incredibly grateful for that.  So, once again.  Thank You.

Feel free to use this post as a playoff open thread.  Talk about coaching replacements, last night’s games, rebuild philosophy, whatever. Have a great weekend, everyone.

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