Darling Brendan,

We’re at a breaking point.

It’s really hard to say this, considering all we’ve been through. I mean, I loved you from afar for so long. (Detroit is far, no?) I didn’t think you’d ever even look our direction. But there you were, to my surprise, asking for us.

Can I even express to you how happy I was? I don’t think I can. I was thrilled beyond thrilled that you wanted to be here. And you were everything I thought you would be; exciting and strong and brave. Plus, you’re quite handsome for your age.


Remember that time when you took on Donald Brashear? Every part of me loved you right then. You were one of us, and you would do anything for us.

I’m getting off track. I’m reminiscing about the past when I should be focused on the future. Our future.

You’re just not the same. You’re not the way you used to be. You’re not as strong. You’re not as brave. I know you’ve had some injuries, and I know you were never the best skater, but sometimes it looks like you’re just standing still. You can’t keep up and it’s no one’s fault but time’s. Don’t we deserve more than that, though? Look past the blame and the pointing fingers and accept this reality. You shy away from contact! I’m a red-blooded girl, I need some contact. Relationships don’t work that way.

The truth is… there is someone else. I’m so sorry. We have new wingers, Brendan. I’m really sorry, it just happened. I mean, Naslund wanted us as much as we wanted him. Zherdev… I mean, could you pass up that trade?! And Prucha and Dawes and Callahan are growing up, and they’re ready. And they don’t cost much, either.

You know I’m a Prucha fan. He was just so cute, and he scored thirty goals his rookie season! He lost our attention when you came. He dropped back a couple lines. He lost his ice time. His goal production decreased. He disappeared. Are we going to let him continue to regress? Are we going to watch it happen to others we could have had happy relationships with?

Please don’t be mad. I’ll always have a soft spot for you. I’ll always appreciate you.

There have just been so many changes. I’m different, you’re different; the team is different. So please retire. Please! We can’t take you back, but I can’t stand to watch you with another team. I’m a jealous girl and I can’t watch someone else claim you as theirs.

If you come to training camp, I’ll be there to support you. I’ll root for you.

I want to you to have third line minutes and power play time. That’s it. It’s the way it has to be. But it won’t be that way, will it? You’ll ask for more, and Renney will stupidly give it to you, and we’ll be back at square one. Do we even have the cap room for you? But I’d rather you just retire. Hang up your skates and say goodbye to the NHL rather than play for some other team, just like Jagr did. Jagr retired a Ranger. Please retire a Ranger.

So this is it. It’s my goodbye, regardless of where you end up come October. I still love you. A part of me will always love you. But I need to move on, for me. For the Rangers.

Goodbye, Brendan Shanahan.

P.S. Just hurry up and make a decision already. You’re killing me, darling.

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It’s Meet the Rangers – part deux

This is the second in a series brought to you by Kerri and Christina (Lucky13).
Today’s episode: Brendan Shanahan

Currently #14 of the NYR, Brendan Shanahan holds a long NHL career that spans over 20 years and 5 franchises. He was the first round draft pick of the NJ Devils back in 1987, and he went on to play 4 seasons with them. He played another 4 seasons with the St. Louis Blues, 2 seasons with the Hartford Whalers (predecessors to the Carolina Hurricanes), and ten with the Detroit Red Wings. He has become known for his leadership, both on and off the ice, which helped him earn the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2003. This award also recognized his humanitarian contribution to the community. Brendan is an 8-time all-star, three-time Stanley Cup winner (with Detroit), and he also participated in the Olympics in 1998 and 2002 playing for Canada. He is one of only three players in NHL history to win an Olympic gold medal and the Stanley Cup in the same year. He is also among the nine players who have 17 seasons of 20+ goals.

The Rangers acquired Shanahan when he signed as a free agent during the 2006 off-season. He was named an alternate captain and went on to become one of the leading scorers for the Rangers during the 06-07 season. Despite missing 15 games due to a concussion he suffered following a nasty collision with Philly’s Mike Knuble, Shanny notched several accomplishments during the season. These include registering 62 points, which ranked him 4th on the team in scoring. Among these were three SHGs, 14 PPGs, and three game-winning goals. He was also named the EC captain to the All-Star team, and he achieved his 600th career NHL goal in his Rangers home debut.

Christina: As is typical with me, I never give the benefit of the doubt to a newly-knighted Ranger if he has previously established himself as the opposition. Being that Shanny (took me a long time to get to calling him that – I started out calling him Brenda) was a Devil for 4 years, the hole was deep. It took me about two-thirds of the season to get past that and see him for the tremendous leader that he is. He’s no diva, and does nothing for me in the eye candy department, but I learned to love his reliability on the ice, and it was obvious that he had earned the respect of his teammates, especially the younger ones. I also admire the family man in him (I won’t get into the wife-stealing part – his wife was previously married to another NHLer) as he is Dad to 3 young kids. He is an older player by NHL standards, but he’s still feisty enough to step in and protect his team while maintaining his leadership. IMO, the “A” on his jersey should be replaced by the “C”.

Kerri: Shanny, Shanny, Shanny. What can I say? The man brought everything this team needed last season. Goals. Leadership. Grit. I love him so much I named my puppy after him. (I’m not sure if I should admit that in public; in any case, my Shanahan just turned 3 months!) On top of it, Shanahan sought the Rangers out. He came to us. I love every little bit of that story and I love every little bit Shanny brings. Now, he’s not perfect. Shanahan has struggled in the scoring department this season (in comparison to his usual self) and seems to shy away from contact more than usual. Although it might have been an unnecessary move at the time, I hope his fight with Ott (Stars) brings the grit back to Shanny, like he had last year. Jagr and Lundqvist brought this team from the dumps to glory, so I wouldn’t kick Jagr out of his (deserved) seat of Captain just yet, but Shanahan is the best A a team could ask for… and works well behind and along side our captain, never asking for the glory. I love this guy, almost as much as I’d love him to win just one more Cup… with the Rangers. :-P

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