When you’ve been playing hockey for as long as the New York Rangers have, you’re bound to make a few enemies. Here’s a look at some individuals who every Blueshirts fan should despise beyond Potvin, Brodeur and Crosby.
I don’t know about you, but the replays of NHL classics by the networks are starting to grow on me. Obviously, I’d prefer the live playoff battles we’d all normally be enjoying at this time, but revisiting the past has rekindled many memories, many about the New York Rangers.
Some are nostalgic and joyful. Others are depressing. A few are infuriating – so maddening that if the only consequence for punching somebody in the face in anger was sitting in some box for five minutes, I’d have done it without a second thought.
The other day I was watching Game Seven of the 1990 Adams Division Semifinals between the Hartford Whalers and Boston Bruins.
The game was being replayed by the New England Sports Network, meaning I once again got to enjoy the voices of long-time play-by-play announcer Fred Cusick and analyst Derek Sanderson.
Sidebar: Boy, was Sanderson ever a refreshing listen. He called things with unapologetic candor and passion from the heart – like he played the game. His take on NESN after Cam Neely pounded Hartford’s Ulf Samuelsson in fight: “Cam Neely … just a devastating fighter. I don’t know what Ulf Samuelsson’s thinking of … I mean, he just got embarrassed.”
Anyway, I’m watching the Whalers try in vain to dent Boston’s 3-0 lead. Ron Francis finally got one past Andy Moog, but it was nearly fourteen minutes into the final period. Hartford continued to press, but Moog stood on his head to preserve a 3-1 win.
I remembered watching it live 20 years ago and feeling sorry for Francis, who was clearly distraught afterward. But after seeing the replay the other day and Francis leave Boston Garden’s ice teary-eyed, I thought, “Good! Buh bye now!”
In other words, I realized just how much I despise Francis after what he did to the Rangers in the 1992 playoffs.
That got me thinking about other individuals in the NHL world who I’ve come to despise – ones that were in the back of my mind until seeing (or hearing) them again on replay.
Seeing these individuals again gives me the urge to scream profanities at the screen, but my daughter’s home doing virtual learning, so I have to watch my tongue. I still need to vent, however, so I’ve decided to write about them.
Before we get to the individuals I despise (and believe every Rangers fan should, too, if they don’t already) here’s the deal:
1. This is not a definitive list, but a subjective one. You might have enjoyed rating Bill Barber’s dives that often gave his Flyers many undeserved power plays. I didn’t.
2. Speaking of ratings, individuals here are not ranked according to my disdain for them. I’m an equal-opportunity hater.
3. The teams/networks listed with each individual indicate organization the person represented while dissing the Rangers.
4. I’m not including Denis Potvin, Martin Brodeur, Sidney Crosby and players of similar ilk. Too easy.
So who makes the list? First up, the player who scored the worst goal ever allowed by former Rangers goalie and Cup champion Mike Richter.