1. Since at least one Ranger every season has to be a fan whipping boy it's no surprise that Mika Zibanejad is the prime target this term.
2. He's earned the wrath by not only not producing but looking like his head is up somewhere in Sumatra.
3. Reacting to Z's Zero worth, Peter Laviolette moved his problem to the top line and Mika delivered three assists. YAY!
4. But it was against a multi-injured AHL-sprinkled Islanders team. The question is whether Z has enough in his stomach and on his stick to return to his glory of yesteryear?
5. The Maven thinks so but I detect several head-shakers in the crowd who think I'm nuts. (On this issue, see me around Christmas.)
6. Now that Jonny Brodzinkski has beaten Matt Rempe off the team, we'll see if JB can become a fourth line regular or just a once-in-a-while kind of guy.
7. Seriously, does anyone – as in ANYONE – miss The Remper? I don't.
8. Pal Jess Rubenstein writes in wondering why The Maven is "so opposed to paying Igor Shesterkin what he's worth?" My answer: I don't believe that he's worth being the highest-paid player in the NHL because he is NOT nearly the best. Who's to say he's more valuable than a Cup-winner like Sergei Bobrovsky?
9. Or, to put it another way, why shouldn't we discuss Iggy's salary demands? It's an off-day, isn't it?
