Gerry Cosby, The Man Behind The Brand By George Grimm.

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 Editor’s note: I have 5 articles by George Grimm to fill in when it gets very quiet. We are lucky George is willing to share his work with us, as he has done in the past, and it’s always a treat. This is his first article. Enjoy! 

To many fans, a trip to Madison Square Garden isn’t complete without a stop at Cosby’s, the iconic sporting goods store. Cosby’s has long been considered the mecca, the place to buy Ranger jerseys, memorabilia and hockey equipment. But what about the man behind the brand? How did the name Gerry Cosby become synonymous with sporting goods?

Finton Gerard David Cosby was born in 1909 in Roxbury, Massachusetts and as a young man worked as an office boy and switchboard operator at the Boston Arena, the home of the Boston Tigers of the Canadian-American Hockey League.  One day in 1928, Eddie Powers the manager of the Tigers, fired their netminder because his drinking had made him too unreliable and asked Gerry, who was 19 at the time, to be their practice goaltender. Keep in mind that Gerry had never played hockey, let alone goal in his life, but he went down to the Tigers dressing room and gamely donned the pads and oversized skates, willing to give it a shot.

On the ice, however, Gerry’s eagerness couldn’t hide his inexperience and he expected the Tigers to bring in another goalie for their next practice. But Powers asked him to come back the next day and try it again and he played a little better. His play continued to improve each day and in time Gerry had a steady job as the Tigers practice netminder.  

The Boston Bruins also practiced in the Arena and Gerry caught the eye of Art Ross their GM and Coach and he was soon seeing doubleduty as the practice netminder for both teams.  Remember, this was back in the days when teams usually carried only one netminder, so having a reliable practice goaltender was a necessity. And although Gerry was not getting paid for any of these practice sessions, he was gaining valuable experience and being mentored by Bruins netminder Tiny Thompson, a future Hall of Famer.

In 1932 Gerry toured Europe with a group of American hockey players that was organized by Bruins’ president Walter Brown. A year later the United States entered a team in the World Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia with Gerry as their goaltender. Amazingly, after playing the position for only five years, he posted four consecutive shutouts against Switzerland, Poland, Czechoslovakia and Austria and then beat a heavily favored Canadian team 2-1 in overtime for the championship. It marked the first time that a Canadian team had been defeated in the World Championship games.  

Gerry then moved to New York to take a job as a runner on Wall Street, but he didn’t want to give up on his hockey career. So he called Rangers’ General Manager and Coach Lester Patrick and asked him if he could skate with the team and wound up becoming their practice goaltender.

Cosby then went to England to play for the Wembley Lions in the English Hockey League where he was voted the MVP of the league and also managed to attend Business College in his spare time. A year later he was invited to play on the United States Olympic team but declined because he had just gotten a new job with Stewart Iglehart’s construction business.

During the late 1930’s and early 40’s Gerry was a very busy guy, seeing duty as the backup netminder for the New York Rovers, the Rangers Eastern League affiliate, as well as serving as the practice goaltender for both the Rangers and the New York Americans. Then during World War II when many players from all levels of hockey were overseas, Cosby was often called upon to tend goal for the Boston Olympics as well as the Rovers in the same week.

Gerry’s involvement in the sporting goods business began while he was with the Rovers, when GM and Coach Tom Lockhart asked him to order some sticks. He was able to find a company called Lovell Manufacturing, in Erie, Pa. that made hockey sticks, mouse traps and washing machine parts and ordered six dozen at a good price. The sticks were delivered, Lockhart and the players liked them and soon Gerry was placing orders for gloves and pads and the rest as they say is history.

Cosby started getting orders from other teams in the Eastern Hockey League as well as the Rangers and the Americans. When he ran out of space in a store he had opened adjacent to his York Avenue apartment, he moved to a larger place at 12 West 48th Street, near Rockefeller Center.

Gerry briefly entered into a partnership with three other athletic suppliers but after a stint in the army as a pilot trainer, he once again assumed total control of the business. By this time Cosby’s was a respected supplier of equipment and uniforms for all sports to the pros, colleges and high schools as well as the general public and a larger store was needed.

A chance encounter with William Jennings at Gerry’s son Michael’s football game led to him asking the Rangers President about a vacant store adjacent to the old Madison Square Garden on the corner of Eighth Avenue and 50th Street. When Jennings told him it was available Gerry drove down from Massachusetts the following Monday morning to sign the lease for the store which opened in 1959.

Gerry often said that the 50th Street store was his favorite. Being so close to the Garden was good for business and good for the Rangers who were frequent visitors, especially when a new batch of sticks came in. “They didn’t have room upstairs in the Garden to keep the sticks”, Michael Cosby recalled, “so when the Northland sticks came in the players would come in and we had a big rack in the back and they would go pick out the ones they liked.” Former Ranger Dick Duff also recalled the store fondly; “The guys were always good to us in the Cosby’s store down in the old Madison Square Garden. It was a nice store, nice family and they loved hockey”.

And then in 1968 when the Rangers and Knicks moved into the New Garden on 33rd street and Seventh Avenue, Cosby’s moved along with them, first to a street level location outside Penn Station then into a space in the Garden’s Esplanade. Today they are located at 11 Penn Plaza about half a block from the Garden. There is also a store and warehouse in Sheffield, Massachusetts, where most of the merchandise is designed, manufactured and distributed.

I have a lot of fond personal memories of Cosby’s.  The old Garden location reminded me of a men’s clothing store except with jerseys and team jackets instead of suits and sports jackets and skates instead of shoes. In a way, Cosby’s gave us a playground for our childhood dreams because with all of the hockey equipment lined up along the wall it was very easy to imagine yourself pulling on a jersey and skating on the Garden’s ice next door. I used to go in and look around and after a while Gerry came to recognize me and waved hello. I even applied for a job there when I was in my early teens. I was probably too young to work at the time but Gerry’s son Michael took me in the office and interviewed me.  I didn’t get the job, but it was an experience I’ll never forget.

 

One Saturday I was in the store by the old Garden and saw Jim Neilson, trying on a pair of sneakers. I recognized “The Chief” right away and gathered up all the courage a 13-year old could muster and asked him for his autograph. He was very nice and signed my scrap of paper. I told him it was nice to meet him and he said thanks. My friend Tom, who was usually the more bold and boisterous of the two of us, was awestruck and managed to say, “me too”.

 

A few years later I was in the street level store by the new Garden and saw Muzz Patrick talking to another gentleman. I went over and shook Muzz’s hand and he introduced me to Johnny Wilson another former Ranger. They both signed a card for me and Muzz seemed especially happy to be recognized.

 

And then one afternoon I was in the store in the Garden’s Esplanade and heard a familiar voice. I turned around and it was Downtown Julie Brown from MTV fame. You never knew who you were going to meet when you went to Cosby’s.

 

During the late 1980’s – early 90’s when I was publishing SportStat… The Rangers Report, I asked Michael to buy a yearly advertisement that I placed over the Rangers schedule on the back page. To me, having that Cosby’s logo associated with my newsletter gave it instant credibility and it looked pretty good too. I would have ran that ad for nothing.

Gerry was an innovator. He redesigned hockey jerseys to allow equipment to be worn comfortably underneath. He also added padding to hockey gloves and designed adjustable size and suspension features for helmets. He added Velcro straps to hockey pads and worked with stick manufacturer to create laminated stick shafts and fiberglass wrapped blades.

Sadly, Gerry Cosby passed away in 1996. He was inducted posthumously into the International Hockey Federation Hall of Fame in April of 1997 for his outstanding goaltending in International play.

Gerry Cosby’s legacy is one of quality, service and integrity and it is being carried on proudly by his son Michael and his grandchildren Christy and Matthew. Now in their eighth decade, Cosby’s has provided quality equipment and service as well as memories to countless generations of fans with many more to come.

George Grimm is the former publisher of Sportstat… The Ranger Report and columnist for the Blueshirt Bulletin. He currently writes the Retro Rangers column for Insidehockey.com. His book “We Did Everything But Win” about the Emile Francis era Rangers was published in 2017 and he is currently working on a book about the history of Ranger goaltenders.

UPDATE: Click here to read Carp’s new article. Pretty impressive work!

267 responses to “Gerry Cosby, The Man Behind The Brand By George Grimm.”

  1. SN Avatar
    SN

    Thank you George for another great story.

  2. TomK Avatar
    TomK

    Thanks George! As usual, great stuff. Meandering through the store with my father in the late 70’s and early 80’s before a game was a ritual I’ll never forget. There wasn’t a lot of room to walk, but it didn’t matter. There were jerseys and hats that were impossible to find anywhere else,(pre- internet). Loved looking at the sticks and posters as well.

  3. simonkimbrell Avatar
    simonkimbrell

    Great story George. I look forward to browsing the store when i can afford the next trans-atlantic hockey trip!

  4. ThisYearsModel Avatar

    No trip to the Garden was complete without a visit to Cosby’s. Got my first Rangers jersey, that of Barry Beck there when I was a kid. Doesn’t fit as well as it did when I got it.

  5. BobbyO Avatar
    BobbyO

    Good stuff….great store …they always had the best sticks….they had a Gerry Cosby brand with some serious curves

  6. Old Ranger Fan Avatar
    Old Ranger Fan

    George comes through when we really need him. I got an Andy Bathgate sweater from there (the 50 th Street store)for Chirstmas more years ago than I want to admit. In those day they were heavy sweaters to keep you warm if you were playing outdoors. No mesh jerseys in those days.

  7. Rangers Report 2.0 Avatar
    Rangers Report 2.0

    Great job, George, as always

  8. St Pete Eli Avatar
    St Pete Eli

    Thanks for the story George! I seem to have missed out on all the fun having been dragged off to south Fla. at a young age and unable to resist. I know my Dad took me to the Garden but I was just too young to remember!

  9. CCCP Avatar
    CCCP

    -What is the difference between an illegal immigrant and E.T.?

    -E.T. learned to speak English and wanted to go home!

  10. CCCP Avatar
    CCCP

    I’m here all week!

    Try the borscht!

  11. Rob Avatar
    Rob

    Immigants, legal or otherwise, call America their home and E.T. is a Hollywood alien.

  12. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    Awesome read George, thank you!

  13. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    Cccp
    Lmao, not right, but funny.

    😉

  14. CCCP Avatar
    CCCP

    Wicky

    Congrats on France winning the WC!

  15. CCCP Avatar
    CCCP

    Wicky

    Humor meant to be this way 😉

  16. Booby Avatar
    Booby

    You’ve been hit by, you’ve been struck by… a Smooth Grimminal.

    Great piece, George. Thanks!

  17. eric 8th in metro Avatar
    eric 8th in metro

    great read george. is today trouba day

  18. CCCP Avatar
    CCCP

    There will not be a Trouba day. Ever. Move on.

  19. CCCP Avatar
    CCCP

    Wow Booby… how long did it take you to come up with that? 🙂

  20. James G Avatar
    James G

    Booby are you ok? Are you ok Booby? Booby are you ok? Are you ok? Are you ok Booby?

  21. CCCP Avatar
    CCCP

    LOL James!

  22. cooscoos Avatar

    Finding the right Captain for this team could be a Messier proposition than one might think.

  23. simonkimbrell Avatar
    simonkimbrell

    The Isles blog reckons they should be in for Spoons, in return for Brock Nelson and a 2nd rounder…..thoughts?

  24. cooscoos Avatar

    Canadian police on Ray Emery: ‘Death by Misadventure.’ What in hell does that imply?

  25. TomK Avatar
    TomK

    New York Rangers

    @NYRangers
    OFFICIAL: #NYR have agreed to terms with restricted free agent defenseman John Gilmour on a one-year contract.

  26. TomK Avatar
    TomK

    We should make the playoffs this year and by “we” I mean Hartford.

  27. Old Ranger Fan Avatar
    Old Ranger Fan

    Does that mean he was drunk and did something stupid? Shouldn’t be a capital offense ( we’ve all done it) but tragically often is.

  28. Bdl Avatar
    Bdl

    Lindholm 6x 4.75.
    Hayes is going to be well over 5.

  29. cooscoos Avatar

    John Gilmour fast as the wind but, like all the rest of Rangers D, doesn’t play defense. 1 year only doesn’t make the Gilmour Girls ecstatic.

  30. cooscoos Avatar

    What can we get for Haze?

  31. AnthonyM Avatar

    Simon – I might be inclined to deal Spooner for Nelson straight up, but if the Isles want to toss in a 2nd I wouldn’t say no. The only problem is that the Fishsticks don’t have a 2nd,3rd or 4th in 2019.

  32. Rangers Report 2.0 Avatar
    Rangers Report 2.0

    I would gladly trade Spooner for Nelson straight up. Anything in addition to that would be gravy.

    Sioux would trade all of our draft picks for him.

  33. BobbyO Avatar
    BobbyO

    Nelson for Spooner would be great

  34. James G Avatar
    James G

    Can’t stand the thought of Hayes carrying that kind of contract.

    Like the one-year deal for Gilmour. Show us what you got and compete with the slew of young dmen we have brought in.

  35. Booby Avatar
    Booby

    I can’t handle any NODAK alums on the roster. The Kristo era was soul crushingly annoying.

  36. James G Avatar
    James G

    Spooner for no Spooner may be the best case scenario if Hayes is gonna make over 5..

  37. Booby Avatar
    Booby

    Late to post this, but your 10:46 cracked me up, James!

  38. James G Avatar
    James G

    Ha, couldn’t resist, Booby

  39. SN Avatar
    SN

    If they sign Haze for that money, let alone THAT term – 5 or 6 fuggin years watching Mr Softee refuse to shoot, then he really is off his Gourd.

  40. BobbyO Avatar
    BobbyO

    Hayes is gonna get over 5 guys..market value for a center

  41. cooscoos Avatar

    translation?

  42. BobbyO Avatar
    BobbyO

    He will get over 5million …Miller got 5.2and Hnrique just got 5.8…they need to pay Hayes and avoid no trade clause

  43. Eric-8th in metro Avatar
    Eric-8th in metro

    Hayes will ask for 5 for 5.5 per
    guaranteed

  44. cooscoos Avatar

    It is what it is.

  45. cooscoos Avatar

    Sadly

  46. cooscoos Avatar

    We get rid of an energetic Miller and keep this dainty giant? Even Nash stood up for himself and others now and then.

  47. Rangers Report 2.0 Avatar
    Rangers Report 2.0

    You mean like he did when Henrik got trucked against Dallas?

  48. James G Avatar
    James G

    hahaaaa

  49. James G Avatar
    James G

    LOL we’re going to be so terrible

  50. cooscoos Avatar

    What part of ‘now and then’ baffles ?

  51. Bdl Avatar
    Bdl

    Ranger fans. Overrate players on other teams, underrate players on the Rangers.

  52. Bdl Avatar
    Bdl

    Out of boredom, I have been watching quite a bit of the 2013/14 and 2014/15 seasons. Man were those teams good.

  53. SN Avatar
    SN

    Not sure why you draft 2 centers, trade for another just so they can play bottom 6 mins behind DJ Zika and Hazed & Confused when they come up.
    I would pay Haze for 2 years and let him walk unless they have zero confidence those young pups will perform as top 6 pivots.

  54. BobbyO Avatar
    BobbyO

    Think Hayes can score 30 goals this year…pay the guy ..as long as there is no trade clause term won’t matter and he will be valuable asset if the young guys progress

  55. simonkimbrell Avatar
    simonkimbrell

    Pay Hayes, he’s going to be worth it. He’ll excel playing for Quinn.

  56. simonkimbrell Avatar
    simonkimbrell

    Rangers sign five….That should say Hartford sign 5

  57. cooscoos Avatar

    BU/BC Quinn doesn’t have to ask him why he failed History .

  58. TomK Avatar
    TomK

    IMHO Hayes is getting traded.

  59. simonkimbrell Avatar
    simonkimbrell

    If Hayes goes, Chytil is your second line center. Hell of a risk

  60. TomK Avatar
    TomK

    Can always use Namestikov as a 2c for the time-being.

  61. cooscoos Avatar

    Absolutely LOADED with Dmen, none of which play defense. Hang in there, Hank. Prepare for a lot of post-game interviews trying to explain the unexplainable.

  62. simonkimbrell Avatar
    simonkimbrell

    Hank’s going for a new Rangers record…… of shots against in one season 😉

  63. aneirin Avatar

    So, we’re all agreed that Hayes is to be this years Brian Boyle Whipping Boy with the permanent rating of 0.

    If there is no further current business, I motion that this session of the Committee to Designate the Most Denigrated Ranger (or CDMDR) be adjourned.

  64. simonkimbrell Avatar
    simonkimbrell

    Things will be clearer in 2/3 weeks once all the arbitration cases are done

  65. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Post updated, very nice article by Carp about K’Andre Miller.

  66. cregg7 Avatar
    cregg7

    Before Nash got concussed a acouple times I remember early in season a few years ago Stepan got run by the Ducks player and Nash was quick to stand up for him.

    Not to be an apologist but when Cody Eakin ran hank in Dallas Nash was the only guy to get to him but it was awkwardly too late. There were two guys closer who embarrassingly watched hank get run and did NOTHING. AV team at its finest right at that moment. Whistle to whistle.

  67. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    I doubt any of them go to arbitration. Someone mentioned they should let Spooner go to arbitration and walk away if the award is too high. Careful with that, they can’t walk away unless the award is over 4.23M this year.
    Hayes isn’t eligible for any type of movement clauses until 2019-2020 season

  68. cregg7 Avatar
    cregg7

    Vesey and skjej could’ve trounced. Or made it a melee so the linesman couldn’t break up Nash so quick.

    Hope they learned from those anti-heroics

  69. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    A team with that type of reaction to their franchise goaltender being destroyed like that isn’t winning the Stanley Cup.

  70. Rangers Report 2.0 Avatar
    Rangers Report 2.0

    coos, if not then, then when?

  71. cooscoos Avatar

    Hank must have hated that pansy ass team. Problem is, we still have it.

  72. cooscoos Avatar

    From any skater who has no heart, no grit, no matter who he is: Just weal away, Renee.

  73. cooscoos Avatar

    *walk weal away? Whimaway with The Tokens.

  74. CCCP Avatar
    CCCP
  75. St Pete Eli Avatar
    St Pete Eli

    Hank’s 5 hole will get plenty of action with Staal clearing the crease!

  76. SN Avatar
    SN

    So the one Canadien on the ice (casually) went after Eakin while college boys looked for their safe spaces…

  77. 4everanger Avatar

    You can shoot yourself in the balls, but I will miss Nash. {:=(

  78. 4everanger Avatar

    Anderson promises to be Callahan Light and potential material for future Capitan, minus tax free. (Faster than Fast will become coaches/fans favorite).

  79. TomK Avatar
    TomK

    More pain from an earlier era.

  80. Alex Avatar
    Alex

    Jim Cerny
    ‏@JimCerny

    Former #NYR prospect Ryan Graves signed today with #avalanche

  81. James G Avatar
    James G

    You’re looking at now now

    What happened to then?

    We missed it

    When?

    Just now.

    When will then be now?

    Soon…

  82. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    Cccp
    Thanks re France;)

    Those two vids are disgusting, you guys are making me nauseous

  83. TomK Avatar
    TomK

    Gorton and Quinn have been saying the right things about being tougher to play against. Hopefully, they back it up.

  84. cregg7 Avatar
    cregg7

    Bring back Mcilwrath!

  85. Norm Merton Avatar

    For the record, after his four-game suspension and one month after Eakin ran Lundqvist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQpNud09p1w
    “That’s not something you forget about, obviously,” Kreider told the New York Daily News [before the game]. “I’m sure someone will have a conversation with him about it at some point.”

  86. cooscoos Avatar

    We tossed our talented players to the winds and got back what in return? Then they re-sign McLeod to protect the children. Pathetic.

  87. cooscoos Avatar

    ‘Someone will have a conversation with him?’ Who? When?

  88. cooscoos Avatar

    Toughest guy who was here is coaching in Ohio. And it ain’t Woody Hayes.

  89. TomK Avatar
    TomK

    Kreider’s a keeper! Hopefully,his health issues are behind him. Maybe we see an uptick in his stamina and his game?

  90. cooscoos Avatar

    Surprised we didn’t deal The Kreider for a second rounder and two sixth.

  91. simonkimbrell Avatar
    simonkimbrell

    Kreider is getting the C this year – they’ve been grooming him for it over the summer. If he can stay healthy, i’d book him for 30+ goals too

  92. simonkimbrell Avatar
    simonkimbrell

    The big Rangers news of the day s Patrik Virta is off to play in the KHL………who is he, i hear you ask? I had to google the kid to be fair!!

  93. cregg7 Avatar
    cregg7

    Also. Absolutely loved the Carp article on K’Andre Miller. Just wow!

  94. St Pete Eli Avatar
    St Pete Eli

    I still can’t comprehend the signing of Cody Mcleod. Just absolutely unnecessary, a waste of space, he brings what to the table? If it’s leadership this team is in deep trouble, if it’s protection for our yoots really? You change the culture through teaching an aggressive style from the coaching staff not by adding dead weight!!!

  95. James G Avatar
    James G

    If you told me in April that by July 17 Karlsson would still be a Sen, Tavares would be a Maple Leaf and McLeod would be a Ranger again I’d say you should probably ease up on whatever you’re smoking.

  96. CCCP Avatar
    CCCP

    K’Andre. Interesting name. Is that Irish? 🙂

  97. St Pete Eli Avatar
    St Pete Eli

    CCCP
    Is his nose red?

  98. Bdl Avatar
    Bdl

    They finally have a coaching staff.

  99. CCCP Avatar
    CCCP

    Rangers named David Oliver and Greg Brown as Assistant Coaches.

    Oliver played for the Rangers in a handful of games back in the ’96-’97 season. He recently finished his 11th season with the Colorado Avalanche organization and his fourth as the club’s Director of Player Development.

    Brown just finished his 14th season at Boston College as associate head coach.

  100. James G Avatar
    James G

    I remember David Oliver! Played a bit the year of the 97 ECF appearance.

  101. CCCP Avatar
    CCCP

    I like the choice! Now only time will tell if it was the right one.

  102. DaveB Avatar
    DaveB

    I remember Oliver too. Scored a bunch of goals for Edmonton in the lockout season, looked like a flash in the pan, and we got him off waivers. He was Scott Fraser without the ridiculous investment.

    But I’m glad we’ve picked up some guys that are reinforcing our commitment to player development. I guess Ruff is still around, but possibly going upstairs to be the pressbox guy.

  103. SN Avatar
    SN

    Could AC Oliver be Off his Gourdie replacement in the wings? Clark is 66 and a man can only drink, I mean, work so long.

  104. Alex Avatar
    Alex

    Dan Rosen
    ‏Verified account
    @drosennhl

    Rangers coach David Quinn’s staff will feature Lindy Ruff, David Oliver and Greg Brown. You know about Ruff. Oliver spent the past 14 seasons with the Avalanche, the last four as director of player development. He worked with Quinn in the AHL. Brown comes from Boston College.

  105. SN Avatar
    SN

    at least they have a Canadien coach. Maybe now they get some players from the 51st State up North.

  106. Old Ranger Fan Avatar
    Old Ranger Fan

    I though Ruff was going to be the equivalent of the baseball “bench coach.” The older guy who discourages the young coach from doing the same dumb things he did when was a young coach. That way he get to make his own mistakes. Also he knows all the good restaurants and bars on the road.

  107. cooscoos Avatar

    Let Ruff run the D without undue interference, and maybe we improve.

  108. cooscoos Avatar

    Quinn eschews BU assistants and dives into BC for help. I bet Slats/Gorton let him take a college coach but insisted on Ruff.

  109. Norm Merton Avatar

    Wise move keeping Ruff. I hope it was not imposed, would be a good indicator of a healthy ego in the new, inexperienced coach. Good either way I suppose.

  110. Rangers Report 2.0 Avatar
    Rangers Report 2.0

    interesting hires, especially Oliver.

  111. Rangers Report 2.0 Avatar
    Rangers Report 2.0

    I broke the blog

  112. Bdl Avatar
    Bdl

    Vadnais just scored to tie game 5 at 1. Rangers starting to pressure the Habs D.

  113. Bdl Avatar
    Bdl

    Dave Maloney just took a bad penalty. I have a bad feeling about this.

  114. Eric-8th in metro Avatar
    Eric-8th in metro

    Vesey two years 2.275 per bridge deal

  115. Bdl Avatar
    Bdl

    Is he a UFA after two years? If so, not a bridge deal.

  116. Eric-8th in metro Avatar
    Eric-8th in metro

    Correct my bad yes ufa.

  117. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    I guess Gorton isn’t worried about losing Vesey to FA in 2 years. I wouldn’t either. This is his year. If he has a good year, and shows improvement, they can try and sign him long term after July 1st 2019

  118. Bdl Avatar
    Bdl

    Wasn’t sure myself.

  119. Bdl Avatar
    Bdl

    Ilb,
    I think Vesey is going to be good. Would not shock me to see him get 20+ this coming season.

  120. cooscoos Avatar

    Man, did Tavares ever screw over the Islanders. Wow. What a doink.

  121. cooscoos Avatar

    VC has proved himself to be nothing special as of today. Giddyup!

  122. Bdl Avatar
    Bdl

    Agree Coos.
    Just a feeling under the new coach you may see him emerge.

  123. TomK Avatar
    TomK

    Gorton is keeping his options open, but he’s going to have to make a longer commitment to Hayes, which is why I think he gets dealt.

  124. cooscoos Avatar

    Some former college skaters regress when they find out that there’s no Keg party four nights a week.

  125. cooscoos Avatar

    No problem here dealing Haze so long as we get a good return with grit and pizzazz.

  126. Bdl Avatar
    Bdl

    I’d sign Hayes and trade Zibanejad.

  127. Booby Avatar
    Booby

    2 more years of Vesey regurgitating Gordon Wood in the locker room.

  128. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    If Vesey’s contract proves to be a bargain for the next year or two, he will earn himself a bigger contract in NY. And if that’s the case, and he isn’t will to resign long term, this contract is easy to move. I have no problem with this contract. Vesey showed nothing Yet to worry about buying his UFA years.

  129. Rangers Report 2.0 Avatar
    Rangers Report 2.0

    How do you like them apples

  130. St Pete Eli Avatar
    St Pete Eli

    Vesey over easy if he can’t turn the heat up a notch!

  131. cooscoos Avatar

    Steve Jobs: “How you like them Apples?’

  132. CCCP Avatar
    CCCP

    Eve to Steve Jobs: “Oops”

  133. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    “Talent wins games…teamwork and intelligence wins championships”

    Where have I heard that before?

  134. St Pete Eli Avatar
    St Pete Eli

    From me of course!

  135. cooscoos Avatar

    The Garden of Eat In.

  136. cooscoos Avatar

    Please don’t eat the large mints in our urinals.

  137. 4everanger Avatar

    I do believe in VZ – HE WILL FLOURISH UNDER RIGHT SUPERVISION and will become tough customer for an opposition – kid has a character, if nothing else… Merciful signing.
    I would do everything possible to try and trade for Panarin. I have a feeling he likes Bright Lights, Big City and could become a franchise player for Rangers. High young talent in the young team. Please!…

  138. James G Avatar
    James G

    Chester Cheeto:

    “It ain’t easy bein’ Jimmy Vesey….”

    He can become a 25-25-50 guy in an appropriate and consistent role but no one likes to look at potential or the future. They like to just bitch about the past all the time..

  139. James G Avatar
    James G

    Full disclosure that was probably directed at my in laws more than it was at you guys…but I digress..

  140. SN Avatar
    SN

    Good deal; wish all of the new RFA pacts are 2 yr deals / put up or shut up.
    VC could be a steady 20-15 3rd liner or take a step up to the next level. His D is abominable, will need to play 200 ft to move to top 6 role and/or become the sniper everyone hoped for and become a PP force.

  141. TomK Avatar
    TomK

    https://nypost.com/2018/07/17/rangers-makeover-continues-with-two-rookie-coaching-hires/

    Brooks on the coaching hires and their roles. Ruff is behind the bench running the D and the PK. I think that’s a good thing.

    Brown,(eye in the sky/defense),was at B.C. when Kreider and Hayes were there.

    Could Quinn’s geography be that bad that he didn’t realize Norway was right by Sweden? Could a Zucc trade be in the works? Thought they’d trade him at the deadline.

  142. TomK Avatar
    TomK

    Oliver runs the forwards. He and Brown are responsible for for the Power Play.

  143. cooscoos Avatar

    Vesey capable of 50 goals, 75 assists. Alone, 50 foot wide net, on a frozen island.

  144. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    “At a top level, talent is not enough for one simple reason: there is talent in front of you also. Mentality is what makes the difference.“

    Didier Deschamps

    Exactly, will over skill.

  145. simonkimbrell Avatar
    simonkimbrell

    I believe our younger players are set to thrive, i’m not saying we are going to blow the doors off the Metro division this year but i think we’ll see an improvement in all of them.
    For their first years in the NHL they’ve had a coach who left them to their own devices, a captain with little or no voice, being benched without explanation and vets cut all the slack – they’ve now got a coach who is going to be in their ears, driving them, holding them accountable, encouraging them and giving them more responsibility – without any expectations and pressure for the team to qualify for the playoffs.

    For me, thats a recipe for a youngster to become a better player and a young team to be more responsible, accountable and hopefully play a little tougher.

    …and if they can’t take that and improve, then they never will.

  146. Jeff Avatar
    Jeff

    You take a team of Ryan Callahans, and I’ll take a team full of Pavel Datsyuks. Guess which teams wins. If you suggested will complements skill, I would agree.

    Mbappe, Griezmann, Pogba, Pavard, Lloris. That’s a team of skill and pace.

  147. SN Avatar
    SN

    Hope Springs eternal in the heat of the Summer prior to the Fall back into the Winter of our discontent.

  148. James G Avatar
    James G

    I like the coaching staff set in place. Time will tell if they’ll work out but it’s nice to finally see some guys who are a bit against the grain and maybe not flashy former head coaches (Ruff aside obviously)

  149. James G Avatar
    James G

    In the summer time when the weather is hot you can reach right up and touch the sky. When the weather is hot you got women you got women on your mind

    -Mungo Jerry-

  150. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Good morning, boneheads!
    Can’t complain about Gorton’s summer so far. Coaches with a different view all over the place while retaining some necessary experience. Sensible contracts without taking chances on players who haven’t shown they deserve longer, higher risk investments. Not adding anyone who could potentially block young guys from making the team. No knee jerk decisions so far. Not over yet, but you can sense that Gorton isn’t doing 180 from his approach.

  151. St Pete Eli Avatar
    St Pete Eli

    Good morning Boneheads welcome to Wednesday! Will Purple Haze be a Ranger August 1st?

  152. Eric-8th in metro Avatar
    Eric-8th in metro

    The New York rangers have acquired Jacob trouba from the Winnipeg jets oh baby.

  153. James G Avatar
    James G

    ILB agree 100%. I think things have gone as they’ve needed to this summer as it’s still only the early phases of this rebuild. Chances are this team will stink but that’s okay.
    The point is to develop and gain experience for these guys and I commend Gorton for sticking to his guns

  154. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    It’s too early for whatever you’re smoking, Eric 😃

  155. Bdl Avatar
    Bdl

    I know we are supposed to be rooting for a bottom three finish, but I can’t bring myself to do that. I will be rooting for as many wins as possible, and hope they sneak in to the playoffs.

  156. CCCP Avatar
    CCCP

    From Brooksie’s article:
    “The plan calls for Oliver and Ruff to accompany Quinn behind the bench while Brown will be upstairs. Brown and Ruff will work with the defense. Ruff, who along with goaltending coach Benoit Allaire survived the purge that cost Vigneault and assistants Scott Arniel and Darryl Williams their jobs, will be responsible for the penalty kill, while Oliver and Brown will share responsibility for the power play.”

    I got no more questions.

    PS, I just saved Carp a TON of sleep.

  157. CCCP Avatar
    CCCP

    I’m gonna add “Trouba” to the banned words list 🙂

  158. St Pete Eli Avatar
    St Pete Eli

    Eric pass the bowl!

  159. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    If I’m not mistaken, haven’t the rangers announced something 2 or 3 days in a row?

    Today’s announcement will be the changing of the snacks on the team charter, they are doing away with gum and soft serve ice cream and adding dilly bars and blizzards.

  160. Bdl Avatar
    Bdl

    Got the big ones left Wicky. Hayes, who I would lock up long term, and Skjei, who I would bridge.

  161. Eric-8th in metro Avatar
    Eric-8th in metro

    Per Elliott Friedman

    Trouba asking 7 mil and jets offering 4 mil. Arb case Friday

  162. SN Avatar
    SN

    If Haze is worth that money and term, why did they trade Step, who actually produced points and played better D while skating slowly and refusing to shoot…

  163. Old Ranger Fan Avatar
    Old Ranger Fan

    Oliver seems to making a career change of sorts. He was in player development and is now going into coaching. Quinn has a history with him so it seems to be free to pick his own guys. No BU guys came with him. Let’s see how it works out. Everyone is going to have to be patient. Lots of learning to be done by players and coaches. Maybe by Christmas we’ll have a sense of where we are in the rebuild.

  164. James G Avatar
    James G

    Isn’t Brown a BU guy, ORF?

  165. simonkimbrell Avatar
    simonkimbrell

    Player development is exactly what we need!

  166. simonkimbrell Avatar
    simonkimbrell

    The Jets are going to have to pay Trouba one way or another – one year at $6m or so if it goes to arbitration, expect a multi-year deal to be worked out before then. Don’t forget last year only one case actually made it as far as the arbitrator’s table

  167. James G Avatar
    James G

    Never mind. He’s BC.

  168. James G Avatar
    James G

    McLeod Zucc Skjel Holland Nieves and Beleskey for Troubaaaaaaaa

  169. James G Avatar
    James G

    🙄🙄🙄

  170. simonkimbrell Avatar
    simonkimbrell

    Trouba is so getting banned from the blog!

  171. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    Jeff
    I’m guessing you don’t watch futbol aka soccer much, the midfield play of France with Kanté, Pogba playing defensively, and Matuidi was the key. Solid counter punch offence with Giroud playing a key role of attracting the two centre backs to him to allow for better runs from Mbappé etc is what made France a great team. Of course the elite talent of many on the French side made them dangerous but grinding team play is what made them champions…which is exactly what Deschamps said.

    Re your Callahan vs datsyuk statement. If that is actually what you meant, then you don’t understand will over skill at all.

  172. simonkimbrell Avatar
    simonkimbrell

    France was the epitome of “team defense” – soaking up Croatia pressure and counter-attacking.
    Pogba against Belgium and Croatia was playing as a centre-back at times but still managed to have an effect at both ends of the pitch

  173. CraigWeather Avatar
    CraigWeather

    Had a dream that Callahan was traded back to us….. and he was MISERABLE. You could literally see him rolling his eyes on the ice….

    Side note: I have a kidney stone that I started to feel on my 39th birthday a few days ago. Happy birthday to me!

  174. AnthonyM Avatar

    It is not too surprising that Quinn didn’t bring any BU assistants with him. I am guessing he didn’t want to leave them with an empty cupboard. Also, one of his assistants replaced him. Greg Brown and David Oliver both have NHL experience – something none of the BU guys had (outside of one who was an NHL scout).

    I did see that BU hired Paul Pearl who was the coach at Holy Cross when I covered the Iona Ice Gaels. Pearl was at Harvard as an assistant when Jimmy Vesey was with the Crimson and Pearl coached former Ranger (for all of two games) Pat Rissmiller at Holy Cross – the only MAAC player to make the NHL.

  175. CCCP Avatar
    CCCP

    So Quinn doesn’t know that Sweden and Norway is the same land divided by a line? I’m concerned.

    ‘Quinn has returned from his trip to Sweden, during which he met with Henrik Lundqvist, Mika Zibanejad and Jesper Fast.

    “If I was better at geography I’d have met with Zucc, too,” the coach said, referring to Mats Zuccarello. “I didn’t realize Norway was just a hop away.’

  176. James G Avatar
    James G

    Bdl I’ll put it to you like this- I’m going into this season with the same approach I had in 04-05. I don’t expect much in the way of wins. If they surprise me that’s awesome. But if/when they’re losing at a clip, I won’t be clamoring for a new GM or coach and carrying on over losses unless it’s due to effort or capability of specific guys going through this PRO-cess

  177. Rangers Report 2.0 Avatar
    Rangers Report 2.0

    personally, I can’t wait for them to start losing so that the resale ticket prices come down.

  178. Bdl Avatar
    Bdl

    Here is why I think they could be better than people think and fans want, the D system has to be better than it has been. I could see them cutting shots on goal way down, and play an awful lot if 2-1, and 3-2 games.

  179. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    As long as the team shows unity, stands up for one another, shows heart and grit every night , and goes down fighting every game (not literally), I don’t care about their record at seasons end.

    As carp correctly pointed out in that podcast the other day, as it sits now, this isn’t a bad roster. There are a lot of 4-7 forwards on this roster. Not to mention 3-5 Nhl d men.

    Gorton restocked the cupboard, don’t see a non competitive team or a full on rebuild, but there is still time for gorton to make moves and create space for more young guys to play actual valuable nhl minutes a do a full rebuild instead of the current retool status.

  180. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    BDL- Henrik Lundqvist.

  181. BobbyO Avatar
    BobbyO

    Good points Wick/BDL/James … thinking their offense will be fine and they have depth. Question is how much Quinn and system and personnel changes will upgrade the defense. Guessing they start slow with all the changes and this place goes nuts on Quinn, Gorton and Clark but they steadily improve through season with Hank pushing them to contention for a wild card spot

  182. Norm Merton Avatar

    Croatia (exemplified by Modrić) was the will team in the tournament, helped by a creampuff draw (easy group, then mediocre Denmark/Russia/England) and two all-world midfielders. France-Belgium was the real final, obscene talent on both teams. Brazil, the third best team, were stuck on the same side of the draw, unfortunately for this otherwise great tournament. Credit to Croatia and their relentlessness, they owned most of the game, but got jobbed by the Griezmann flop and made defensive errors on that free-kick and to give up the PK. It was only a matter of time before they equalized, but then the brilliant tall-for-short sub (which I hated) of Nzonzi for Kanté turned the midfield and the game around, that and some subpar goalkeeping from Subašić. That French talent, though, unassailable. Especially in defense.

  183. cooscoos Avatar

    Did Quinn actually say that about Norway? Either he has an odd sense of humor or he’s totally vacant.

  184. cooscoos Avatar

    I still see Lindy Ruff as a Management chosen emergency back up imposed upon Quinn just in case things go rapidly wrong.

  185. Rob Avatar
    Rob

    Quinn’s been behind the bench before and looks the part with a good strong jaw. How bad could things get?

  186. cooscoos Avatar

    And smart to do so without ruffling Quinn’s wig.

  187. cooscoos Avatar

    Lots and lots of ineffective business execs promoted because of that strong jaw, and I think I’ve met half of them. No objection to Quinn so far, however.

  188. Eddie J Avatar
    Eddie J

    If Quinn can coach this team well, I don’t care if he thinks Germany is in South America. It isn’t…. right? : )

  189. Rangers Report 2.0 Avatar
    Rangers Report 2.0

    Only certain former members of its citizenry.

  190. TomK Avatar
    TomK

    As I said, I wonder if the geographic miscue was due the fact that Quinn doesn’t anticipate Zucc will be here in October?

  191. Bdl Avatar
    Bdl

    One could hope.

  192. CCCP Avatar
    CCCP

    Coos

    Da… Quinn did say it. Brooks wrote it in his article today.

    I’m not surprised, honestly. Americans are pretty weak at geography and phys ed.

    Most common question I get when I tell people I’m from Ukraine: “Oh, you’re from Ukraine? Cool. Is it like, in Moscow?”

  193. cooscoos Avatar

    It is now. 🙂

  194. goodguyinsports Avatar
    goodguyinsports

    For anyone who hasn’t read it yet, We Did Everything But Win is a must.

  195. cooscoos Avatar

    Problem with geography is that dipchit countries keep changing their names depending upon what nitwit assumes power at any time.

  196. CCCP Avatar
    CCCP

    LMFAO! It is now! You killed me with that comment!

  197. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Fire this clown?

  198. Jeff Avatar
    Jeff

    Wicky advocates will over skill. Yet the World Cup Final was precisely as Norm describes it. Skill over will.

  199. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    That’s your second personal attack, Jeff. One more and you will be blocked. I edited your first post too.

  200. SN Avatar
    SN

    BDL – NYR Roster is bottom 5 in Eastern; maybe bottom 10 in both leagues. Without Henk standing on his head and possibly with him doing so, it will be a trying year. I am ALL FOR IT. No pain, no gain. This program needs another 2 R1s and a couple fo R2s and will be set for some time.
    Any major injuries and it could get really ugly.
    They weren’t winning the Cup the last few years, so a year or 2 of growing pains for futures is fine with me. Of course, I don’t have the full season ticket plan either, but most of the high rent seats are corp anyway.

  201. SN Avatar
    SN

    Also will get out of Cap hell over the next 2 years

  202. cooscoos Avatar

    Corporate Exec to corporate salesman: “Comp that potential new account a couple Ranger tickets.”
    Salesman: “I tried. He don’t want ’em.”

  203. tomb Avatar
    tomb

    Ukraine is weak

  204. CCCP Avatar
    CCCP

    Seinfeld is the worst. (:

  205. CCCP Avatar
    CCCP

    I miss driving Cindy Crawford around Manhattan.

  206. cooscoos Avatar

    Putin, the clever, evil tyrant, annexed Ukraine before it had a chance to join NATO and cause worldwide horror. Not that the Europansies would do anything about it anyway, but the USA would again have to finance and fight.

  207. TomK Avatar
    TomK

    Maybe Quinn forgot that the little Italian kid was from Norway?

  208. CCCP Avatar
    CCCP

    Sigh… we had good times together.

  209. cooscoos Avatar

    Some people think the Costello’s and Shapiro’s are Italian.

  210. Jeff Avatar
    Jeff

    How is %^}^{ an attack?

  211. 4everanger Avatar

    Speaking about geography…When I say, that I’m from Riga, Latvia, people here asked politely, if I was born in threshing barn somewhere countryside…

  212. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Gilmour’s contract has finally appeared in CapFriendly. Another two-way. Gorton has been stingy so far

  213. cooscoos Avatar

    I had a gentlemanly, intelligent friend/neighbor some years back who was from Riga and his hatred for the Russian Bear was nothing short of enormous.

  214. joetex Avatar
    joetex
  215. cooscoos Avatar

    Kids today here in the USA (and no doubt elsewhere) have NO knowledge of history, ancient or recent, and their lack of knowledge poses a real danger to world peace. How naive! And college educated, if you can believe that.

  216. cooscoos Avatar

    But, back to hockey. We need some Delta Force guys who can score!

  217. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Kids? Many adults I know learned about the Founding Fathers of the United States by watching Hamilton, the musical.

  218. cooscoos Avatar

    Bear Bryant, the old revered Alabama football coach said that some of his Tuscaloosa fans thought he, like Lincoln, was born in a log cabin. “Not so,” said the Bear. “I was born in a stable.”

  219. cooscoos Avatar

    Kids , too, get most of their knowledge of historical events from the movies, which offer apocryphal info at best. Scary.

  220. Wicky Avatar
    Wicky

    Jeff
    While we all see things differently, just because you see it a certain way does not make it right (same goes for me as well).

    While norm has a good soccer brain, my original post was directly from Deschamps with my interpretation at the bottom.

  221. Old Ranger Fan Avatar
    Old Ranger Fan

    Just got back from Norway and Sweden and can confirm they are contiguous. Also Norway is the most expensive place I have ever been to and I live in Manhattan. Zucc needs a raise.

  222. ilb2001 Avatar
    ilb2001

    Zucc lives in Manhattan. He gets away cheap.

  223. cooscoos Avatar

    Peanut butter and jelly sandwich in Oslo – $37.50