They Don't Get It

As I sit down to watch the Rangers Sabers last night, I am having a discussion with my cousin who is a long time Rangers/ hockey fan,  about the state of the NHL today. As well as how boring and unattractive the Rangers have been for 2 years. The conversation starts out about how much tougher the NHL was 15 or so years ago from a skill perspective. Then the debate moves to the comparisons between players from 20 years ago versus what we have to watch on the ice today that pass as NHL players. At this point, the talk turns to the Boring Rangers and how they fit in to the NHL as a whole. We discuss the fact that the Rangers are an Original Six team, which still means a great deal to us, and how the NHL has blurred the lines when it comes to that distinction. We hate it. We both feel that the NHL should do more to promote the game in its purest form. Skating, passing and shooting. Then the conversation goes back to todays NHL'er. We both agree that the players today are not as skilled as years ago. We feel that expansion has created at least 20% of NHL players today that are not worthy to be in the league period. They cannot skate, pass , or score. As we watch the Sabers go up 3 zip, he asks me why I still watch the Rangers. My cousin says this isn't hockey that we are watching. He states that watching someone playing NHL 09  the video hockey game,is more exciting than watching the Rangers!.  He goes on to say that to him,  watching the Rangers games today, is the equivalent to watching Dancing on Ice. Comparing a Rangers game to the old popular figure skating show. I can't say I do not agree with him. What I do say, to defend myself, is that I always hold out hope that a Real hockey game will appear one of these nights.  I can only hope. Lets Go Rangers!