What if social media existed around the time the Rangers won the Stanley Cup
Flashback: This post was previously published back in November of 2019. So naturally you will see names like Lias Andersson, who was traded way after Jeff Weinsten wrote this. Enjoy and have a laugh.
What if #NYR Twitter existed during the early 90’s?
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 the “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?
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?
Message from the Editor
I hope you had a laugh with this satirical look at social media through the lens of some Rangers fans. The goal was to make you smile, but to also look at some of these mock tweets and say to yourself, “man that sure was a hot take”.
Stay healthy everyone…stay safe and enjoy the holidays.
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