What if #NYR Twitter existed during the 90s
Social Media: That technological entity in which regular, average citizens can publicly post their respective points of view on a plethora of different topics. On the surface, this form of computerized expression sounds like a great idea. After all, the United States of America is built on the absolute principle of freedom of speech. Below the surface, unfortunately, some have used Social Media, specially, Twitter for odious purposes. What does the adulterating of Twitter have to do with the New York Rangers? Please, let me explain…
#NYR Twitter
We see plastered all over Twitter on a daily basis, members of the Garden Faithful blasting anything and everything about the franchise that they have sworn eternal allegiance to.
“Fire Quinn-He is in over his head and besides, college coaches never make good NHL coaches.”
“Chytil and Andersson are busts. I don’t care if they still have to ask an older teammate to buy them beer. Get rid of ’em!”
“Panarin isn’t worth the money. So what he averages a point-per-game. I was expecting Gretzky-like production.”
Now I see why the Jets basically gave Jacob Trouba away.
“Crybaby Lundqvist needs to retire or accept a trade elsewhere.”
“Michael Haley? LMAO”
Obviously, there is just a smattering of hyperbole mixed in with my hypothetical quotes above. But, I am sure many of you have seen similar Tweets sent out by frustrated, Long Suffering Ranger fans.
The New York Rangers in 2018 famously announced to the entire hockey world that they were going to start that long, arduous, risky process known as a “rebuild.” The now rebuilding Rangers were one of the most successful NHL franchises from 2012 through 2017 winning division titles, conference championships, President’s Trophy’s and giving their fan base a host of scintillating memories that will surely last a lifetime.
Having had so much recent success and being told by team management with great transparency about the upcoming years of playoff-less hockey, one has to wonder why so many Blueshirt fans feel the need to take to Twitter and spew venom and vitriol towards management, coaches and players as well as other Ranger fans.
What if Twitter Existed in the 90s?
Can you imagine if Twitter had been launched in the early 90s instead of 2006? Can you imagine what this social media platform would have looked like from 1998 through 2004 when the Garden went dark as soon as the last regular season game was concluded and players gave some lucky fans their “shirts off their backs?”
How would the Twitter world have reacted when Mark Messier bolted the Broadway Blue for, literally, greener pastures in the Pacific Northwest after the 1997 playoffs?
How would the aging Wayne Gretzky have been treated by the “Twitter Police” in 1999 when it was clear that the “Great One” was running on fumes?
What kind of immature, ignorant epithets would have been hurled at Kevin Stevens and Theo Fleury when each of them succumbed to their addictions and were forced to leave the game they loved to enter rehabilitation facilities?
Those of you who feel David Quinn isn’t an NHL caliber head coach: I can only pretend to imagine how you would have felt about Ron Low circa 2002.
Since social media is a breeding ground for conspiracy theories, couldn’t you see posts directed at Mike Keane back in 1998 for his head-to-head inadvertent collision with Pat LaFontaine effectively ending the NHL career of the former Islander and Sabre great? Couldn’t you see some stating that they “know people” who said Keane was instructed to take out number 16 deliberately for nefarious purposes?
Patience Please
I fully understand the cumulative frustrations of Rangerstown. I can sympathize and empathize with those who currently see mediocrity on the ice and expect more. When things aren’t going the way you want them to, it is a perfectly natural reaction to question a coach’s acumen or a player’s ability. I have been guilty myself of venting incoherently after one of my teams let me down or broke my heart.
Pertaining to the Rangers, who are in the beginnings of year two of the rebuilding of the franchise, folks, this is going to take time. Perhaps, more time than the Garden Faithful would like to come to grips with. In the words of the great Axl Rose, “All we need is just a little patience.”
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