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ONE ON ONE WITH BRENDAN SHANAHAN |
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Let me preface this by stating for the record that I am an unabashed Brendan Shanahan fan. I 've been a fan since his rookie year in 1987.
I've always admired his approach to the game.
On the ice, he's a man on a mission.
A real life Braveheart. He's fearless and intense. He's driven and dilligent. He finishes his checks, scores huge goals, and he'll knock your teeth down your throat if you piss him off.
Brendan Shanahan is a WINNER. His legacy will be indellibly etched in Red Wings lore.
Off the ice he's bright, articulate, poised, and professional. As evidenced by his role in working with the NHLPA during the work stoppage.
This guy sees the big picture. It would not surprise me in the least to see him as a GM, a President, or a future owner of an NHL team.
This past Summer, after The Red Wings were booted from the Playoffs, some observers around the game had suggested that Shanny's days as a player would come to an end. What with the inevitable retirement of Stevie Y, and a youth movement on the horizon in Detroit.
Shanny heard the rumbles, and laughed them off. He had just finished his 19th NHL season, and he had scored 1232 points in 1350 regular season games. He also added 119 points in 157 Playoff games. He's a +155 in his career and he's accumulated 2384 PIMs.
Done?
Screw that, said Shanny.
Not bad for a guy who was knocked as a one dimensional, offensive player back in his days in New Jersey, Hartford, and St. Louis.
He was determined to test the Free Agent market in July.
At age 38, Shanahan felt the desire and urges to help a contender to boost themselves to new heights. Several NHL teams came calling for his services on July 1, however, only one team captivated his imagination: The NY Rangers.
Glen Sather's team was unceremoniously bounced from the postseason after a stellar regular season. Sather's team was missing something. They were missing a true leader. In 05/06, Jaromir Jagr had served as the defacto boss in the pro-Czech room, and Slats dared not disrupt the chemistry. Hell hath no fury like a Jaromir Jagr scorned. Jagr's injury in the postseason versus New Jersey had sealed the fate of the Rangers. As Jagr went, so went the Rangers. He appeared in three playoff games and registered one point. Rookie Henrik Lundqvist, fresh off a Gold Medal performance in Torino, could not carry the weight of the Rangers on his back, and the rangers were eventually eliminated from postseason contention.
Enter Shanahan.
The three time Stanley Cup winner from Hockeytown. 6'3 220, and full of energy. Just what the doctor ordered for the Blueshirts. Right?
Not so fast.
Five games in to the 06/07 season, the Rangers room has become a very tense place. I witnessed it first hand last night. The Sabres had just pounded the Rangers 7-4 at HSBC Arena. As Lindy Ruff was addressing the media in the inetrview room across the hall, the door to the Rangers room was half opened. I slipped in to the room with the intention of getting answers to questions from Jagr himself. Jagr was booed roundly by the 18,000 plus in the house, and the Bronx cheers he received were well earned. The Buffalo fans were letting Jagr know that they were not happy with his pathetic, sucky act. Jagr quit on plays in his own end. He turned the puck over nonchalantly. He was manhandled off the puck by hard working Sabres like Kotalik, Mair, and Gaustad. With his team up 2-0 in the first period, Jagr took the rest of the night off. Kotalik scored to cut the Ranger lead to one gaol, then Buffalo tied it at two. Jagr quit on his team, while Shanahan implored his teammates to shake it off and keep fighting.
The Ranger players lingered around the room, some ate LaNova pizzas that had been delivered to the room. Many tended to their suits and ties and left for the team bus. I waited patiently for John Dellapina from the NY Daily News, and, Larry Brooks from the NY Post to finish their chat with Shanny.
My turn.
Shanny was gracious. He shook my hand and told me that he had time to talk. He seemed unfazed by the "5 Minutes for the first bus call" that the PR guy shouted out loud. While his teammates were running for the bus, Shanny stood there, staring intently at the empty locker stalls. He shook his head in disgust and untaped his game stick.
" Teams get frustrated when your team's defense takes chances and they cheat. We're that team. We're that team right now. We're the team thats cheating and doing the little things wrong. Once we correct that, we'll win. The win was there tonight. You know, the will is there. Its kind of, the belief and the application. We'll get it back. Trust me, we will get it back".
Shanny's words are measured and calculated. He's not a fan of hyperbole and bullshit. He tells it like it is. He's the stuff that legendary NHL Capotains are made of. While Shanny spoke, I couldn't help but notice that Jagr was sitting ten feet away in his stall. Mumbling in Czech to Straka.
Whats wrong with picture? The Captain addresses the media, and he presents the cold hard facts to the room. I don't get it. Shanny looks like the Captain, behaves like the Captain, and he holding his team accountable like the Captain, so, why the Hell is Jagr shirking his responsibility ?
Shanny continued:
" There is a culture to winning. That was one of the reasons I wanted to come here to New York. To be a significant part of helping to make this team a winner. Winning is hard work, you know? But its just as much fun. When I first got to Detroit, the team was trying to shake its label as sort of a high scoring team that couldn't win the big games. You know, Scotty Bowman came in and he changed a lot of that. He made us all adapt our game, and, once you get the taste of winning thats when the hard work seems so worthwhile. There were alot of players in Detroit who are famous guys, WITHOUT lofty statistics-- McCarty, Draper, Maltby-- They're heroes there and will be for the rest of their lives. Its because they won, and the people respect the effort and the scarifice".
Shanny's fond recollection of his early days in Detroit are appropriarte for this present Ranger squad. Who cares about stats and individual achievements. They don't mean jackfuckall if you're golfing in April and May.
Shanny cleared his throat, amped up his volume and projected these words to the middle of the room, for all in proximity to hear.
" The only fun way to play the game is to win. Period. I used to say to my friends when I would re-sign in Detroit, on 82 nights, I get to get in my car, and on 50 of those nights I had a smile on my face. Ya know? Its a great feeling. The drive home is a great indicator of whether you are happy or not because you are by yourself. When I've been on bad teams, that drive home would make you grey".
Aaron Ward, two stalls down from us on the right, winked and nodded his head in agreement. Ward knows a thing or two about winning a Cup. The last time he was in the Visitor's room at HSBC, he and his Canes had just lost Game 6 to Buffalo. They were headed home to win the ECF on their home ice.
Shanny shook my hand, apologized, and told me that he better hit the shower or he's miss the bus to the airport.
"Be good", he told me as he walked on.
Something tells me that he doesn't care how long his teammates have to wait for him. He'll get to the bus, not if, but when he gets there.
Interesting observation:
As ward acknowledged Shanny's thoughts, Jagr, his back to Shanny, quietly pulled on his shoes and grabbed his suit coat.
Jagr has no clue what he's doing as the Captain of The Rangers.
He's a play actor.
He's just going through the motions.
Brendan Shanahan is the only Capatin that the Rangers ned right now.
Its up to Slats to make the change and admit his mistake.
Will he?
*******
Thats my story and I'm stickin to it.......
Garth
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