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New York Rangers: If the team hosted a skills competition….

By Nicholas Zararis

BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 19: New York Rangers Winger Filip Chytil (72) and New York Rangers Defenceman Tony DeAngelo (77) gets congratulations from the bench on their lines goal. During the New York Rangers game against the Boston Bruins on January 19, 2019 at TD Garden in Boston, MA. (Photo by Michael Tureski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 19: New York Rangers Winger Filip Chytil (72) and New York Rangers Defenceman Tony DeAngelo (77) gets congratulations from the bench on their lines goal. During the New York Rangers game against the Boston Bruins on January 19, 2019 at TD Garden in Boston, MA. (Photo by Michael Tureski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 19: New York Rangers Winger Filip Chytil (72) and New York Rangers Defenceman Tony DeAngelo (77) gets congratulations from the bench on their lines goal. During the New York Rangers game against the Boston Bruins on January 19, 2019 at TD Garden in Boston, MA. (Photo by Michael Tureski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – JANUARY 19: New York Rangers Winger Filip Chytil (72) and New York Rangers Defenceman Tony DeAngelo (77) gets congratulations from the bench on their lines goal. During the New York Rangers game against the Boston Bruins on January 19, 2019 at TD Garden in Boston, MA. (Photo by Michael Tureski/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Several teams around the National Hockey League host an in house skills competition amongst their own players as a fun night for fans and the community. The New York Rangers should join in on the fun, just imagine the possibilities.

As one of the most iconic franchises in all of professional sports, the New York Rangers are the pinnacle. At an estimated evaluation of 1.5 billion, the original six franchise has so many environmental factors to benefit from. Most of all, a dedicated fan base that will ride through thick and thin no matter what.

However, part of being the Rangers franchise is an air of smugness. The Madison Square Garden company’s blatant rush to raise ticket prices every time the team qualified for the postseason put an absurd floor on tickets. New York is a rebuilding team, and the ticket prices should reflect that. The fact that the Rangers check in the top five of average ticket cost even now is embarrassing.

There are so many little things that the organization could do to ingratiate itself more. Teams around the league have annual events on the calendar designed to bring the players and the fanbase together. The Chicago Blackhawks have a Christmas event every year at the Navy Pier in which the entire team signs autographs and raises money for charity.

Several teams around the league host open practices or similar events. During the lead up to the all-star game bye week, the Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers both hosted their respective teams in house skills contest. This is the type of event that allows the players to show off both their skills and personality in a less intense enviornment.

As for the Rangers, the team’s annual schedule is quite light. Casino Night every February is a staple but not a comparable type of experience. Though the event is for charity, the ludicrous ticket price, $650 for a couple of hours to just be in the same room as the team prices out most if not all regular fans.

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