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Inside The Penalty Box 09.15.08: Montreal Moves On To Plan B With Lang
(09.15.2008) - Neil Borenstein
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| The Montreal Canadiens weren’t willing to wait any longer for the Mats Sundin saga to reach its conclusion. So, general manager Bob Gainey went with a backup plan to add some offense and acquired Robert Lang from the Chicago Blackhawks. Neil Borenstein discusses this deal, in addition to Eric Staal’s seven-year contract extension with the Hurricanes, in the latest edition of Inside The Penalty Box! |
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Inside The Penalty Box 09.02.08: Meszaros Becomes Another Addition In Tampa Bay
(09.02.2008) - Neil Borenstein
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| The Tampa Bay Lightning organization has gone through major reconstruction this summer, and they made yet another addition last Friday. After the Ottawa Senators couldn’t work out a deal with their 22-year old unrestricted defenseman, Andrej Meszaros, the Lightning swung a deal for him and agreed to a contract for the next six seasons. In this week’s Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein takes a look at the trade and its affect on both teams involved. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 08.26.08: Retire Or Return?
(08.26.2008) - Neil Borenstein
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| At a time in professional athletics when players retire without even thinking and return in much the same fashion, it is a reprieve to know that some athletes won’t rush into a decision. In the NHL, four of the league’s best players are still contemplating their future, though each in a different capacity. In this edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein takes a look at the decisions ahead for Mats Sundin, Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg and Brendan Shanahan. Additionally, Rod Oracheski contributes interviews from the weekend with Montreal Canadiens free agent signee Georges Laraque and Washington Capitals No. 1 defenseman, Mike Green! |
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Inside The Penalty Box 08.12.08: McCabe Reconsidering Stance On No-Movement Clause
(08.12.2008) - Neil Borenstein
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| Ever since the NHL Entry Draft, Toronto GM Cliff Fletcher has wanted to add Bryan McCabe’s name to those he had tossed off the Maple Leafs’ roster. Unfortunately, McCabe’s reluctance to waive his no-movement clause has thwarted such attempts. Recently, McCabe has reconsidered his stance on that clause, however, and may very well give Fletcher what he wants. In this edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein explores the situation that could send another veteran Leaf out of Toronto. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 08.05.08: Front Office Additions
(08.05.2008) - Neil Borenstein
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| The Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers have added highly regarded names to their front office staffs. In this week’s Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein looks at Scotty Bowman’s move to senior adviser of hockey operations with the Blackhawks and Steve Tambellini finally achieving general manager status alongside Kevin Lowe in Edmonton. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 07.21.08: Sabres, Miller Agree To Extension
(07.21.2008) - Neil Borenstein
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| Buffalo Sabres general manager Darcy Regier strayed from his losing players for nothing approach of the past few years and inked goaltender Ryan Miller to a five-year extension a year before he would be eligible for free agency. In this week’s Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein discusses the move, in addition to the league opening in Europe next season and the next Winter Classic in Chicago. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 07.15.08: NHL Facing Much Tougher Foe In Russia
(07.15.2008) - Neil Borenstein
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| Russia just used to be a pain in the butt to the NHL. But with more money in the new Continental Hockey League, the country can now afford to financially compete for players with the NHL and is starting to lure talent over. In the latest edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein discusses the current situation between the NHL and the CHL. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 06.30.08: Lightning Look To Move On Up
(06.30.2008) - Neil Borenstein
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| It appears one season at the bottom of the league is enough for the Tampa Bay Lightning. New ownership is working vigorously to make sure that doesn’t happen again and has already made some changes to move the team in a new direction. In this edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein discusses the latest moves made by the Lightning involving pending free agents Ryan Malone, Gary Roberts and Brian Rolston, in addition to some Avalanche re-signings and a trade out of the Western Conference. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 06.24.08: Recapping The 2008 NHL Draft
(06.24.2008) - Neil Borenstein
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| Part One of the offseason is in the books, as the 2008 NHL Entry Draft saw some new blood prepare to enter the NHL, while some of the league’s current stars prepare to play in new homes come next year. In this week’s Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein discusses the first round of this year’s draft and some of the more notable trades that went down on draft day. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 06.16.08: Penguins Starting Busy Offseason
(06.16.2008) - Neil Borenstein
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| The Pittsburgh Penguins have a plethora of moves that need to be made this offseason, pegging Ray Shero the most active general manager this summer. With only two weeks left before the free agent market opens, Shero is busy making some important moves in hopes of escaping this offseason in one piece. In this edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein looks at what the Penguins have done thus far, in addition to the Islanders continuing their streak of brainless moves and the Bruins potentially cutting one of their veterans. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 06.12.08: Annual NHL Awards
(06.12.2008) - Neil Borenstein
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| The Stanley Cup has been awarded, but there’s still some hardware to dish out. Tonight, the NHL will hold its annual awards show in Toronto. In this edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein takes a look at the nominees for some of the top trophies and gives his predictions. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 06.03.08: Wheeler A Free Agent At 21
(06.03.2008) - Neil Borenstein
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| They drafted him in 2004 with the fifth overall pick, but the Phoenix Coyotes will never see Blake Wheeler skate on NHL ice for them. In this week’s edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein examines Wheeler opting out of a deal with the Coyotes to pursue free agency at 21 years old, as well as the status of the Stanley Cup Finals following triple overtime in Game Five! |
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Inside The Penalty Box 05.27.08: A Busy Offseason In Store For New York
(05.27.2008) - Neil Borenstein
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| The New York Rangers didn’t get as far as they would have liked in 2008, but it’s going to take some savvy decisions by general manager Glen Sather to make sure the team doesn’t take a further step back going into next season. In this edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein examines some of what’s in store for the Rangers this offseason, in addition to looking at the first two games of the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals! |
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Inside The Penalty Box 04.03.08: Rangers Poised For Long Playoff Run
(04.03.2008) - Neil Borenstein
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| These aren’t your pre-lockout New York Rangers anymore. Three years after the NHL lost a season, they have improved successfully from a non-contender with a big ego and big money roster to a solid, all-around team. In this edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein takes a look at the Eastern Conference’s current fifth and what factors could get them their longest playoff run of the new NHL era. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 03.18.08: The NHL’s Double Standard
(03.18.2008) - Neil Borenstein
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| Chris Simon steps on a player and gets a 30-game suspension. Chris Pronger does the same thing and received only eight. In this week’s Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein examines the NHL’s double standard when it comes to suspensions, in addition to answering some reader feedback. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 03.10.08: Southeast Division’s Lackluster Showing
(03.10.2008) - Neil Borenstein
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| Out of the eight Eastern Conference teams currently in the playoffs, only one of them is a Southeast Division club. In this edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein takes a look at the division to see if there’s a chance more teams could gain a postseason berth, in addition to a look at the demoralizing rookie mistake that may have cost the Capitals a shot at playing past the regular season. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 03.03.08: Penguins Stock Up At Deadline
(03.03.2008) - Neil Borenstein
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| The Pittsburgh Penguins made the biggest splash of trade deadline day when they landed the hottest winger on the market, Marian Hossa. But they also got a little bit grittier on defense with the addition of Hal Gill, which might be a bigger benefit down the stretch and in the playoffs. In this week’s Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein examines the deals made by the Penguins last Tuesday, and how they will affect the team going forward. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 02.25.08: The 2008 NHL Trade Deadline
(02.25.2008) - Neil Borenstein
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| We’re 39 hours away from the dead-last moment teams across the league can make that last ditch effort to build a team for Stanley Cup competition. In this week’s edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein takes a look at the top names on the market and gives his predictions on where they will end up by 3 p.m. on Tuesday! |
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Inside The Penalty Box 02.18.08: No-Trade Clauses Hindering Deadline Deals
(02.18.2008) - Neil Borenstein
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| Wade Redden refuses to leave Ottawa. Mats Sundin wants to go down with the sinking ship that is Toronto. And Rob Blake will apparently leave Los Angeles only for the two other teams in California. In this week’s edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein looks at the trouble general managers have nowadays in completing trades with the heightened willingness from players to exercise their no-trade clauses. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 02.14.08: Zednik’s Injury Raises Questions About Neck Guards
(02.14.2008) - Neil Borenstein
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| One of the most horrific on-ice incidents in 19 years, Richard Zednik’s neck slashing during Sunday night’s matchup against the Sabres has raised the question on whether the league should consider neck protection for its players. In this edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein explains why such a course of action is not particularly ideal for players. Also, Henrik Lundqvist’s six-year contract with the Rangers is discussed! |
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Inside The Penalty Box 01.30.08: The Trading Block Of The Kings
(01.30.2008) - Neil Borenstein
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| The Los Angeles Kings made modest moves over the offseason, and they haven’t panned out like general manager Dean Lombardi had hoped. With the playoffs seemingly out of reach, the Kings are likely to be the biggest sellers from now until the trade deadline. In this edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein discusses the Kings’ being discussed as on the block, and the teams interested in acquiring them! |
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Inside The Penalty Box 01.22.08: The 56th NHL All Star Game
(01.22.2008) - Neil Borenstein
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| The NHL is taking a break from its normal schedule this weekend for the 56th edition of the All Star Game! Set in the Philips Arena of Atlanta this year, some of the best from all 30 teams will suit up in this weekend’s exhibition. In this edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein takes a look at the rosters and predicts a winner for this weekend’s matchup! |
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Inside The Penalty Box 01.01.08: Last Place Lightning Looking To Deal Star Players?
(01.01.2008) - Neil Borenstein
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| With 33 points through 39 games, the Tampa Bay Lightning are 29th in the NHL, and last place in the Eastern Conference. Management has stated that trading one of their big name stars is not going to happen. But it might be the best option right now to get this team’s defense back on track for competition through the remaining 43 games of the season. In this edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein examines the trade possibilities for Vincent Lecavalier, Martin St. Louis, Brad Richards and Dan Boyle. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 12.17.07: Richards In Philly ‘Til 2020
(12.17.2007) - Neil Borenstein
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| Taking a page out of the New York Islanders’ playbook, the Philadelphia Flyers signed center Mike Richards to a 12-year extension for $69 million – an annual cap hit of $5.75 million. In this week’s Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein dissects this ridiculous transaction, in addition to discussing the Doug Weight/Andy McDonald trade and the rumored deal that would send Alvaro Montoya to the Colorado Avalanche. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 12.10.07: Niedermayer Returning For Remainder of 2007-08 Season
(12.10.2007) - Neil Borenstein
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| One of the best defensemen in the NHL has decided to delay his retirement and return for at least the remainder of this season with the Anaheim Ducks. Scott Niedermayer is lacing up the skates and will try to get the Ducks to their 2006-07 form, when they claimed Lord Stanley. In this edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein looks at the impact Niedermayer’s decision to come back for one more year will have on his team. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 12.03.07: NHL’s Top Backups In 2007-08
(12.03.2007) - Neil Borenstein
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| The No. 1 goaltender gets all the glory, but the backup provides a lot of the grunt work in most cases, as well. For every Kevin Weekes-Martin Brodeur situation there is in the NHL, there’s a Chris Osgood-Dominik Hasek situation where the backup actually contributes heavily to the success of his team. In this week’s Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein looks as some of the top performing backup goalies of the 2007-08 season! |
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Inside The Penalty Box 11.26.07: Rookies and Secondary Scorers Leading Blackhawks
(11.26.2007) - Neil Borenstein
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| The Chicago Blackhawks finished last in their division last season, continuing the team’s disappointing performances in recent seasons. But by landing the first overall selection and combining him with their third overall pick from the year before, the Blackhawks have managed to find an offensive surge that is backed up by key sources of secondary scoring. In this edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein highlights the five players potentially leading the Blackhawks to their first postseason appearance in five years. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 11.19.07: Same Old Story In Florida
(11.19.2007) - Neil Borenstein
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| Every year, the Florida Panthers have the potential to improve. And every year, they fall by the wayside. This season has been no different. In this edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein discusses the team that he believed prior to the season would be a contender, but is no longer being fooled. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 11.12.07: Buffalo Missing Drury and Briere
(11.12.2007) - Neil Borenstein
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| The Buffalo Sabres’ offseason was one they would like to forget. And blocking it out of their memory is probably the top thing they did, since they did very little to replace the huge losses cause by the departure of Daniel Briere and Chris Drury via free agency. In this edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein discusses the Sabres’ current last place showing in the Northeast Division being a result of not realizing the magnitude of Briere and Drury leaving over the summer. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 11.05.07: Ottawa Extends Another Star\'s Contract
(11.05.2007) - Neil Borenstein
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| One month ago, it was Dany Heatley that got a contract extension. Now, Jason Spezza hit it big with a seven-year, $49 million deal starting in 2008-2009. In this week’s edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein discusses these extensions and looks at the impact they will have on the Senators’ financial landscape beyond this season. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 10.29.07: The Strong Central Division?
(10.29.2007) - Neil Borenstein
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| As a division with only two legitimate contenders post-lockout, the Central Division actually boasts four teams that could be make a lot of noise in the 2007-2008 season. In this week’s Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein looks at this usually weak group of Western Conference teams! |
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Inside The Penalty Box 10.22.07: Avery Needed To Spark Rangers
(10.22.2007) - Neil Borenstein
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| A team with high expectations prior to the season, the New York Rangers rank last in the Atlantic Division through seven games. The Rangers’ offense not showing up is a major reason for that, but the absence of the team’s spark plug, Sean Avery, is an even more pressing concern. In the latest edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein dissects the play of the Rangers thus far this season. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 10.15.07: Winless In Atlanta
(10.15.2007) - Neil Borenstein
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| The Atlanta Thrashers are the only team remaining in the NHL to be without a win in the 2007-2008 season. A lackluster defense and offense not stepping up like it needs to is to blame. Neil Borenstein examines this issue, as well as the latest headhunting incident plaguing the league in the latest edition of Inside The Penalty Box! |
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Inside The Penalty Box 10.08.07: Senators Keeping Heatley Around Long-Term
(10.08.2007) - Neil Borenstein
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| The NHL is a tough place to do business with escalating player costs. But the contract extension seems to be the best option for teams looking to retain their players. Just hours before the drop of the puck on their regular season, the Ottawa Senators inked their leading offensive asset for another six years. In this edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein discusses the contract extension given to Dany Heatley. |
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Inside The Penalty Box 10.01.07: Rookie Goalies Star In London
(10.01.2007) - Neil Borenstein
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| The NHL preseason is done and the regular season opened this weekend in London for the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings. The two biggest stars of the Premiere Series were goalies hoping to earn some playing time in the NHL. In this week’s edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein takes a look at what Jonas Hiller and Jonathan Bernier have done so far with their clubs through the first two games of the season. Plus, he examines the Steve Downie situation and gives his prediction for the 2007-2008 NHL season! |
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Inside The Penalty Box 09.24.07: NHL Expansion To Europe
(09.24.2007) - Neil Borenstein
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| As if the NHL hadn’t expanded enough in America, there are rumors coming out that the NHL could be looking to expand to Europe on a permanent basis. The usual suspect, Gary Bettman, hasn’t endorsed this notion. But he hasn’t nixed it completely either. Neil Borenstein takes a look at what he hopes is a non-issue in the latest edition of Inside The Penalty Box! |
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Inside The Penalty Box 09.17.07: Roenick’s Return With San Jose
(09.17.2007) - Neil Borenstein
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| At one point, it was believed he would retire. But on Sept. 4, Jeremy Roenick decided to give winning a Stanley Cup one more go with the team the Canadian Press has pegged as the favorite to go all the way – the San Jose Sharks. In this edition of Inside The Penalty Box, Neil Borenstein takes a look at what Roenick offers to a team already primed for a strong 2007-2008 season! |
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Inside The Penalty Box 09.10.07: Leetch’s No. 2 Heading To The Rafters
(09.10.2007) - Neil Borenstein
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| Not many New York Rangers have been immortalized at the top of Madison Square Garden since the team’s founding as an Original Six squad in 1926. But on Jan. 24, the Rangers will add their third player in four years to get his number retired when Brian Leetch’s No. 2 goes to the rafters. Check out my thoughts on this momentous event for one of the best defenseman to ever play the game. |
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