Blue Notes

Beyond the theological issues, there's really one crucial question in life: What to do next?

For the Rangers' brain trust, it's all a matter of timing. They're in first place in the Atlantic Division by a whisker, but it's alarmingly like a mirage in the desert. If not for Henrik's revival.....

Among the decisions that need to be made before long:

1. Should Sandis Ozolinsh get a breather? He's played in 15 straight games, plenty for a guy who's got a lot going on. He's trying to supress his career-long inclination for offense. He's only a few months removed from a slide back into the substance-abuse program. At 34, after numerous operations, his knees aren't in the best of shape. Remember: he only played 19 regular-season games with the Rangers last season, and 16 with Anaheim.
In 03-04, he played 36 games with Anaheim. His game is slipping a bit. We advocated this before: Give Thomas Pock a few games.

2. The No. 1 line and Brendan Shanahan score two-thirds of the Rangers goals.
How to correct the imbalance?
Matt Cullen, the second-line center, has 11 points. Petr Prucha is struggling. Adam Hall had a very nice camp but hasn't scored in 19 games. Colton Orr can't play against speedier teams like the Sabres.
Jed Ortmeyer, nice comeback story notwithstanding, is not the answer. He might push Orr to the bench when he comes back from a yet-to-be-determined conditioning stint in Hartford, but isn't a scorer.
Which leaves the other three, all of whom could use PP time. Cullen may need one goal---like the one the ref missed in Pittsburgh Saturday---to break the ice. The effort is there.
If Cullen were shifted to the No. 3 line, where he is best suited, who's No. 2? The cupboard is kinda bare without a trade. Jarkko Immonen? Probably a 3. Nigel Dawes and Lauri Korpikoski? Wingers.
Prucha and Hall are knotty issues. But they need to put the puck in the net soon. I wouldn't be shocked if one were traded---not for a defenseman as rumored---but packaged with a prospect or pick for a playmaking center.
Because coach Tom Renney likes the current synergy---and because there may not be much out there with all but Columbus, Phoenix, Chicago and Philly bunched closely for playoff slots---don't expect anything drastic in the next week or so. With today's coaching change in Chicago, though, there might be a roster shake-up looming. Too bad they're not very experienced in the pivot.
Potential---but not ideal age-wise---options at the trade deadline: Sergei Federov (Columbus); Robert Lang (Detroit), Doug Weight (St. Louis), Jozef Stumpel (Boston).
In the meantime, I'd make the investment: bring Dawes back and just play him on the third line with Betts and Ward and let him grow for 8 to 10 minutes a game.

3. Darius Kasparaitis. How long can the Rangers afford to waste the cap space? It's costing the team close to $40,000 a game to have Kaspar watch from the stands. Play him or waive him.

4. When to play Weekes? My guess: Either home against Florida or away in Ottawa in the back-to-back next weekend.

Love to hear your thoughts, pithy comments, musings on these and any other issues....I'll report from the pre-game skate tomorrow