Brendan Shanahan: New York Rangers Need To Move Or Move On

While the Rangers' decision to ship Patrick Rissmiller to Hartford will help to relieve some of the lingering questions at forward, there still appears to be an elephant in the room. 

That elephant is the status of future Hall of Famer Brendan Shanahan, who has been in hockey limbo for the past four months. 

Shanahan, 39, has repeatedly expressed an interest in rejoining the Rangers this season in whatever role the team can find for him.  Many observers have pointed out that with the disappointing starts from several forwards—such as Korpikoski, Dawes, and Prucha, who have combined for one goal and no assists—Shanahan would be a perfect fit. 

Michael Obernauer, the Rangers beat writer for the New York Daily News, reports that according to Shanahan's agent Rick Curran, "Brendan's situation has not changed" as a result of the Rissmiller move.  If we take this at face value, this means the Rangers are still telling Shanahan to sit tight while they make up their minds.  

This piece isn't intended to advocate for Shanahan's return.  The point here is that the Rangers are doing a great disservice to one of the best players and best advocates this league has had in many years.  He's been very open about his desire to return to Broadway, and the fact that he has other offers on the table puts the onus on the Rangers to make a decision. 

The New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues, and Philadelphia Flyers are believed to have contacted Shanahan about this season.  But Shanahan has instructed his agent to exhaust all options with the Rangers before entertaining any outside offers.  It's time for the Rangers to do right. 

In his two years on Broadway and twenty in the NHL, nobody has been a classier act and a better ambassador for the game of hockey.  It's time for the Rangers to do you know what or get off the pot.  Either sign him or don't. 

But enough of this sit tight business.  Brendan Shanahan deserves an answer.