Ryane Clowe Reactions

Just throwing out some quick hits on the Rangers' acquisition of San Jose's Ryane Clowe today:

*Would you trade three high draft picks for Brandon Prust if Prust didn't kill penalties, didn't block shots, was a year older and made a million dollars more?

*Clowe had 35 fights over his last four seasons, and the folks on HockeyFights only felt he lost three of them. Not too shabby.

*They gave him the decision in his lone bout against Brandon back in 2011.

*Clowe has played in 12 playoff series. He had one or no goals in eight of them.

*Clowe has two more Es in his name than he has goals this season.

*Sather wanted to bring in someone to boost Brian Boyle's goal scoring confidence.

*Clowe has over 400 NHL games on his resume but is probably best known for cheating.

*Zero Stanley Cups on that resume too.

*Clowe was selected in the sixth round of 2001, 175th overall. The Rangers picked next, selecting Marek Zidlicky. Zidlicky wanted a one-way contract, the Blueshirts wouldn't give it to him and he was eventually dealt to Nashville in the Mike Dunham deal. Still haven't replaced Sergei Zubov ...

*Brad Brown and Darren Langdon are the two most recent New York Ranger Newfies before Clowe.

*Taylor Pyatt received less than 12 minutes of ice time eight of the last 13 games. Clowe received less than 12 just three times this season - he was hurt in one game, he picked a fight in another and was ejected from the third after throwing a hissy fit in the penalty box.

*Is this Sather admitting that sugning my Twitter pal Arron Asham was a mistake?

Great Expectations

Coming off of the semi-impressive result from Saturday, it's time to address the latest poll results. Using some classic movie quotes, I asked how far you guys thought we would go. Just 44 people chimed in, but the consensus was that the Rangers will at least make the playoffs and 15 actually think this team will do some serious damage. Here are the results:

*We goin' Sizzler, we goin' Sizzler ... 15 (34%)
*Five, four, three, two, one, let 'er fly ... in and out. 12 (27%)
*Juuuuuuuust a bit outside. 5 (11%)
*I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. 5 (11%)
*Eddie, you're a born loser. 7 (15%)

I hope that most of you are correct but - as you have seen - I am more the pessimist when it comes to these things. Before last season some pundits called for a Cup in Broadway and I begged for caution; the best part about being a pessimist is that you are either proven right or pleasantly surprised. However, I do believe that if you write yourself off before the season even starts, then there is no reason to watch the games. So let's hope that the majority does rule and their predictions prove correct!!

Let's Go Rangers!

BTW - Bonus points to anyone who can identify the five movies I used in this poll. And a new poll will be coming soon so I hope for more participation!