New York Rangers: Emotions in Motion

The New York Rangers took their fans on an emotional roller coaster ride over the past few days. In the end, all the ups and down proved to be worth it, and validated every feeling that was experienced.

The past few days have been quite an emotional ride for New York Rangers fans. The lead-up to opening day of the free agent signing period provided a constant flow of information that toyed with fans’ psyches and set more than a few nerves on edge.  The day itself provided much more of the same, as one move after another across the NHL sent fans emotions spinning.

The conjecture and speculation that precedes the opening of the NHL free agent period can be a bit overwhelming. Quite frankly, one is much better off not paying attention to any of the pre-period banter and Twitter bombardment.  A majority of it is the same information repeated over and over again, while some of it is just clickbait.

Finally, it was July 1, and when Rangers fans woke up on Monday morning the anticipation had reached a fevered pitch.  Every member of the Blueshirt Faithful knew who the big prize catch of the day was, it was just a matter of seeing the fish landed.

Just after 11 a.m. the news that Jimmy Vesey had been shuffled off to Buffalo made our collective fishing reel click like Quint’s while snacking on pork rinds.  It clearly hinted that something was about to happen.

But it also stirred the emotional loins just a bit.  Vesey was a core guy, a player who chose to make New York his home when he could have gone anywhere he wanted.  He was a tough kid who played hard, scored some impressive goals and looked, at times, like he was destined to be a star on Broadway.

But he also struggled to find his game just a little to often, never fully reaching the potential that comes strapped to your back when you are a Hobey Baker winner.  Perhaps it was those expectations that caused the indecision in his game to the point where he could never really figure out the type of played he should be.

Rangers fans will never know, but it would be great if Buffalo Sabres fans find out, because Vesey was a class guy.  There was stir of sadness when the trade was announced. Hard to believe all Rangers fans don’t wish anything but the best for Jimmy V.

Just under two hours later….Euphoria

The shark bit hard and took all the bait.  It didn’t take all the barrels on the boat to bring him on board, but it took most.

Landing Artemi Panarin for just over $11.6 mil a year, for seven years was like Christmas in July for New York Rangers fans. It was an emotional high that rivaled the feeling from April 9, when fate bestowed the number two pick in the 2019 draft on the Blueshirts.

One of the league’s elite was coming to MSG while he was still in his prime. The last player of this caliber to come via free agency was Marian Gaborik.  But unlike Gaborik, this top-tier free agent will be playing for a coach who will appreciate his talents, and will undoubtedly allow him to flourish.

Suddenly the rebuild had come to an end, just as suddenly as it began with a letter from management two short years ago.  Time had truly flown by, and now Rangers fans were caught up in a swell of emotion as the thought of playoff games in 2020 were more than just wishful thinking.

Sometime during the day, the news that Mats Zuccarello had signed a deal with the Minnesota came through.  Whether or not you thought bringing Zuuc back to New York was a good idea or not, you couldn’t help but be affected by this news.

For those who wished for a return, the door had finally and officially closed, there would be no reunion.  For those who wanted the Dallas Stars to sign him so the Rangers would get another first round draft choice, a little bit of disappointment set in.  But for every Rangers fan, the thought had to be, “Once a Ranger….”

All told, it was a day for mood swings, a day for all sorts of emotions, a great day to be a Rangers fan and feeling like you are part of the team.

As today dawned, like most Rangers fans, I consumed just about every article I could on the Panarin signing.  When I came across this quote from John Davidson in New York Post that finished the article by Brett Cyrgalis:

"“He’s a young man who always has smile on his face. He loves to score, he loves to win,” Davidson said. “I think he’s going to love everything about playing for the New York Rangers.”"

I swear there was a lump in my throat.