35-26-8: Thanks For Nothing Wade!

Please, someone put Wade "Out and Die" Redden out of our misery. Buy him out, send him to Siberia ... anything, just get him out of a Blueshirt. His contract is clearly the worst ever given to an NHL player and until Sather gets the dead albatross off of the Rangers this team will not win. It was primarily his fault they did not prove victorious in Philadelphia on Saturday, instead coming up short 4-2.

We are 69 (hehe) games into this season and Redden has not contributed well defensively (understatement of the year) and had just one important offensive play all season long (the shot in OT that Dru deflected for a game-winner against Chicago in January). Simply said, his horrible and his incompetence is making new partner Derek Morris look even worse then he already is.

When Redden stupidly pinched in the second period and the Flyers broke out on a 2-on-1, Morris looked lost in the middle. He watched the puck and managed not to cover anyone, leaving Richards alone on the doorstep to bang in a rebound.

When Redden couldn't keep the puck in the Flyer end in the third period, he stopped to admire one of his rare hits in the corner. After he crept back into position, he tried soft a one-handed stick check on Giroux that allowed the skillful kid to easily slide the puck to Asham in the slot for the goal.

This guy is a disaster.

*I understand that the broadcast team is paid by the franchise but for Sam and Joe to not get on Redden for his mistakes is just bad journalism. Martin Biron made some good saves to be sure, but so did Hank and Biron didn't do it behind a defense that included Redden. Sam and Joe instead decided to hang the win around Biron's net because of his inflated save number rather than where it belonged - Redden's mistakes and the continuing inability for the Ranger stars to score.

*Chris Drury and Brandon Dubinsky both have troubles putting the puck in but you can't lump the two together. Drury's experience helps him kill penalties where Dubi is at his best pressing the play by forechecking. And Dubi has yet to hit his prime, while Drury is clearly past his. I used to think it was Gomez who had no chemistry with a single teammate but now that Gomer found a comfort zone, it is apparent that Drury is uncomfortable unless the Islanders are across the ice from him.

*Nik Zherdev is in his prime but he is just an uncaring, unmotivated clown collecting a paycheck. When you go from dominating one night to disappearing the next two, three there is something very, very wrong. We saw it in Columbus, we saw it earlier this season and we saw it the last two games. If he had the killer instincts that most scorers have, Z would have put at least two pucks past Biron in this one - that half-empty net late in the second period was as much of a killer as the overruled Gomez goal (which was a fair call).

*Could you imagine if Orrsie actually scored on that great set-up from Bettsy and Sjo in the first period? Now that isn't comparable to Z's disgrace because a) Biron was in position to make the save and b) Orr isn't supposed to be a scorer. He uses his hands to beat people up. And he did that, knocking the snot out of that cementhead Cote.

*You guys asked for it, so I will say it - Go Borat. After giving the puck up on the boards on his first shift he comes back, blocks a shot and raced down to score on a breakaway. All credit given and due. That was naice!

*The Flyers equalized the game at one on a play that Hank grossly mishandled. He came all the way out to the top corner of his crease to make a save and kicked the rebound out across the slot where who else but Scotty Hartnell was cutting through and scored into an empty net. The game was virtually already lost when he gave up the softie to that renowned sniper Arron Asham.

*Of course, the Rangers stuck back with an almost identical goal by Sean Avery but it was too little, too late.

*I said it last game and I'll keep saying it: Sather needs to buy out Markus Naslund after this season.

*Shame on MSG, they cut out of replaying the ceremonial faceoff to show some old, unattractive Philly woman auditioning for an opera singing the national anthem. What makes it worse is that MSG rarely shows regular Garden singer John Amirante do the anthem - a man who can actually sing. I don't care that she fought cancer or that she was Gene Hart's daughter or what, she wasn't very good and there was no reason for MSG to include her in the broadcast. For a network that misses half of the faceoffs in-game, why show that unnecessary pre-game garbage?

*It was nice to see class act Pat Dapuzzo honoured before the game but I have a question - after he shook the hands of Drury and Richards, why did the two captains shake hands? That's just not right.

*Stat of the night: The Rangers had 16 missed shots to seven by the Flyers which means they took 57 to Philly's 36. The Flyers had 25 giveaways, the Rangers had 10. And the Rangers lost 4-2.

*PHW Three Stars
3-Mike Richards - one goal.
2-Arron Asham - two goals.
1-Martin Biron - 39 saves.

Scotty Hockey Three Stars
3-Scott Hartnell - It seems like every time the Rangers play the Flyers Hartnell plays a big part in the win. And now he has stupid hair.
2-Braydon Coburn - Coburn was a force on the Philly blueline and had 10 recorded hits. He was there to block seemingly every Ranger rush.
1-Asham - Anytime a grinder pots two goals he deserves an attaboy. Even if he is a former Islander, a former Devil and a continual pain in the Rangers' ass.

 35-26-8: Thanks For Nothing Wade! - A Season of Unfulfilled Promise

The 2008-2009 NHL season was a rollercoaster ride for the New York Rangers and their loyal fans. With high hopes and expectations, the team embarked on a journey filled with ups and downs, ultimately culminating in a season of unfulfilled promise. In this article, we will take a closer look at the Rangers' performance during the 35-26-8 season, the key moments, players, and the lingering questions that left fans saying, "Thanks for nothing, Wade!"

A Season of High Hopes

The Rangers entered the 2008-2009 season with optimism. Led by head coach Tom Renney, they were determined to build on their previous successes and make a deep playoff run. The team boasted a mix of veteran leadership and promising young talent, creating a sense of anticipation among fans.

Key Players

Wade Redden: The Rangers' decision to sign defenseman Wade Redden to a six-year, $39 million contract in the summer of 2008 was met with great excitement. Redden, formerly of the Ottawa Senators, was expected to bolster the team's blue line and contribute offensively.

Henrik Lundqvist: "King" Henrik Lundqvist, the Rangers' star goaltender, continued to be a pillar of strength for the team. His exceptional play between the pipes gave the Rangers a chance to win every night.

Chris Drury and Scott Gomez: The Rangers' dynamic duo of Chris Drury and Scott Gomez was expected to provide scoring and leadership. Drury wore the captain's 'C,' while Gomez centered one of the top lines.

Key Moments and Challenges

Inconsistent Performance: The Rangers' season was marked by inconsistency. They would go on impressive winning streaks, followed by frustrating losing streaks. This inconsistency left fans scratching their heads.

Wade Redden's Struggles: Wade Redden, the highly-paid defenseman, struggled to find his footing in New York. His performance fell far short of expectations, and fans grew increasingly frustrated with his play.

Coaching Change: As the team's struggles continued, the Rangers made the tough decision to fire Tom Renney in February 2009 and replace him with John Tortorella. The move was seen as an attempt to inject new life into the team.

Late Push for Playoffs: Despite their struggles, the Rangers made a late-season push for the playoffs. Lundqvist's stellar goaltending and contributions from young players like Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan fueled their playoff hopes.

The Bitter End

The 35-26-8 season ultimately ended in disappointment for the Rangers and their fans. They narrowly missed the playoffs, finishing in ninth place in the Eastern Conference. The sense of unfulfilled promise was palpable, leaving fans to reflect on what might have been.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 35-26-8 Season

Why did the Rangers sign Wade Redden to such a lucrative contract?

The Rangers signed Redden with the expectation that he would be a key contributor on defense and help elevate the team's play. Unfortunately, his performance did not meet these expectations.

What impact did the coaching change have on the team?

The coaching change brought a more aggressive and demanding style under John Tortorella. While it sparked a late-season push, it wasn't enough to secure a playoff spot.

Who were the standout players during the season?

Henrik Lundqvist, as always, was a standout performer. Young players like Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan showed promise and contributed significantly.

The 35-26-8 season will be remembered as a season of unfulfilled promise for the New York Rangers. High expectations, inconsistent play, and the struggles of key players like Wade Redden left fans disappointed. However, it was also a season that showcased the resilience of the team and the determination to compete until the very end. Rangers fans, while saying "Thanks for nothing, Wade," also looked to the future with hope for better days on the horizon.