Lost amidst all the subterfuge and strategy revolving around the Rangers' offseason free agent targets and RFAs to be resigned was this little nugget: one of the most worthwhile pieces of Ranger memorabilia is in the possession of the former owner of the NY Rangers' last Cup Finals opponent, the Vancouver Canucks.  It's a nifty little story, as Arthur Griffiths claims that rugged forward Tim Hunter gave that puck to him in the locker room after the Canucks lost game 7. Given all the controversy over last year's Final-winning puck (shot by Patty Kane, and possibly heisted by linesman Steve Miller) I thought it was a good story to share.....and maybe that's why Vancouver's karma might be a little bit off....and it goes to show that Tim Hunter was always crafty too.

Sid Crosby is a polarizing figure in today's world of hockey.  A Globe and Mail story published yesterday alleges that Crosby may sit out the All-Star Game this year as a form of protest against the NHL's policy on headshots.  While on the surface this move may seem honorable, Crosby's sudden awareness about the danger of head injuries has its origin in selfishness.  Before Crosby's own concussion he was completely silent on the issue of headshots; but now that they have affected him directly he is attempting to bring his star power to bear on this issue.  Once again Crosby is blind to the level of petulance embodied by his reaction--after all, noted headhunter Matt Cooke is his teammate, and Crosby offered no opinions on the hit itself or consolation to fellow NHL'er Marc Savard after Cooke injured Savard with a dirty hit.

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