Rangers Daily: New York championship droughts; NHL investigates Capitals assistant; Islanders rookie turns heads
As we all are keenly aware, the New York Rangers haven’t won the Stanley Cup since 1994. And that is their lone championship in the past 85 years.
If you wish to look on (somewhat) the bright side that things are looking up, the Rangers reached the Eastern Conference Final five times in the past 14 years, and played in the 2014 Stanley Cup, losing to the Los Angeles Kings in five games.
OK, yeah, I kind of figured that wouldn’t make you feel better Blueshirts Faithful.
But listen, misery loves company. Isn’t that how the old saying goes?
If you’re a New York sports fan there’s plenty of pain to be shared. It’s not just the Rangers who reside in a long championship drought, now 31 years. Just look over in Elmont, where the Islanders are 42 years without a title.
Of course this current dry spell for the Islanders was preceded by a dynastic run of four consecutive Stanley Cup championships. Keep in mind that the Rangers have won it all four times in 99 years. So, perspective is important. But, hey, 42 years without winning the Cup still sucks.
It’s just not hockey. If you’re a Mets and Jets fan (like yours truly), you are probably a masochist. The Mets, currently in the throes of gifting the final National League wild card to anyone that wishes to accept it, last won the World Series in 1986. That’ll be 40 years next season. The assumption being obvious. They’re not winning a championship this fall.
That ’86 championship is one of just two in Mets history, which is now 63 years old.
The Jets? They have the longest current playoff drought in major North American sports. It’s been 14 years since their most recent postseason appearance. If you watched them get throttled and how they beat themselves again Sunday, you understand that drought will stretch to 15 years. And keep in mind, that 1969 Super Bowl championship is ancient history, not mention the only title ever won by the Jets.
It’s been better for the Yankees and Giants. Though Yankees fans make it seem like it’s been forever, the Bronx Bombers won their 27th and most recent World Series championship in 2009. And despite their epic loss Sunday and recent years of miserable results, the Giants have four Vince Lombardi Trophies, most recently winning Super Bowl XLVI 13 years ago.
The Rangers’ MSG brothers, the Knicks, haven’t won the NBA title since 1973, a mere 52 years ago. That’s still better than the Nets, who’ve never won an NBA championship, though they did win the ABA title back at the Nassau Coliseum twice, including the league’s final season in 1975-76.
Hey, on the bright side, the Liberty captured their first WNBA crown a year ago.
The point being, it’s not just the Rangers, my friends. In these parts, there’s plenty of sports misery.
Just imagine if you were a lifelong Rangers, Mets, Jets, Knicks loyalist. Oooof!
Wonder who that could be?
New York Rangers news and analysis
It’s mission accomplished at rookie camp for Brennan Othmann and Scott Morrow. Now, let’s see if this pair is ready to land spots on the Rangers opening-night roster once training camp begins Wednesday.
Adam Sykora is a “veteran” of these rookie camps. But what is he looking to improve on heading into his third pro season? And is he an under-the-radar option to play in the Rangers’ bottom six at any point this season?
NHL news and rumors
ESPN: Mitch Love went from hot NHL coaching candidate this summer to being placed on a team-imposed leave by the Washington Capitals on Sunday. The Capitals assistant is being investigated by the League for an unspecified incident.
TSN: Travis Yost takes a deep dive into why there would be an “immense” bidding war if the Minnesota Wild ever decided to trade superstar forward Kirill Kaprizov ahead of his pending unrestricted free agency next summer.
The Hockey News: Maxim Shabanov is turning heads at Islanders rookie camp. But should expectations be tempered for the 24-year-old, who is preparing for his first season in North America after starring in the KHL?
The Province: Patrick Johnston breaks down why team president Jim Rutherford and general manager Patrik Allvin are on the hot seat with the Vancouver Canucks.
Florida Hockey Now: Conn Smythe Trophy winner Sam Bennett shared a unique take on why having a short offseason (again) is actually a benefit for the Florida Panthers.
