I know I might be dating myself here, but oh well. 

I was 12-years-old on September 11th, 2001. I remember some things, but not others. I remember getting called into the auditorium after english class so we can be spoken to by our principal. I remember hearing what happened and immediately calling my father, who works in New York, to see if he was OK. 

He, thank God, picked up the phone when I called him; and said that although he didn't know when he was going to be able to get home with all the chaos, he was, in fact, coming home. 

I remember walking home from school and talking to my mom, although I don't remember what we talked about. I remember trying not to watch the news, but still seeing those plane hit the towers about five-hundred times that afternoon. I, like many of you I'm sure, don't have to think too hard to remember those images. 

I remember being angry, I remember being sad, I remember being frightened. It wasn't until I was a little older that I was truly able to grasp what happened that day.

But through all the horror and all the sadness , I remember being proud to be an American.

I swell with pride when the Madison Square Garden faithful give  astoundingly-long standing ovations to police, armed service members and firefighters attending Rangers games. I get a lump in my throat and want to cry when I watch stories about people who lost loved ones in the attacks, about emergency responders who went into the flames to help bring people out. I take every opportunity I can to thank those that serve us. 

I remember, I make sure I'll never forget. 

So if you see a police officer, an armed service member or a firefighter give them a smile, shake their hand, thank them for what they're doing. Remember to kiss your loved ones today and every day, tell them you love them and cherish the time you spend with them. If 9/11 reminded us of anything, it was how short life can be, how much we take for granted, how precious time can be. 

From all of us here at Blueshirt Banter we would like to thank all those currently serving this country and all those that have. We extend our prayers to all those affected by the attacks of September 11th, and we remember those we lost  that day. 

Thank you all for what you do for us every day. 

In response to earthworm's fanpost asking this very question I figured that I would weigh in on the discussion. 

It's inevitable, with the trade deadline only two weeks away, that we're going to be bombarded with trade rumors over that time-span. In fact, the first dominos have already tipped over, with the Philadelphia Flyers trading their 1st and 3rd round selections to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Kris Versteeg. 

But that's neither here nor there, what will the Rangers be doing at the deadline? 

Well, to answer that question we need to look at the precarious perch the Rangers currently sit in with their 64 points. The Rangers are in seventh place, four points clear of Atlanta, who reside in ninth place. The Rangers are also four points away from fifth place which is held by Montreal with 68 points. 

It's safe to say that after missing the playoff last year, the Rangers are not going to sit pat at the deadline. A strategy used last year by Glen Sather that saw the Rangers miss the playoffs by a single point, and only earn a 10th overall draft pick. 

So it's obvious that last year's strategy didn't work. 

But with that being said, I think that Sather's current strategy is brilliant. 

Join me after the jump for more. 

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[Note by Jim Schmiedeberg, 02/08/11---I originally wrote this when the Rangers got off to the bad start at the beginning of the season. I had it scheduled to run, and then they started playing better. In the midst of this losing streak, I think we could all use a laugh, hope this helps. Disclaimer: This story is purely farcical, and hopefully for entertainment purposes only. Remember, we aren't Devil fans, we like to have fun.]

The situation inside the offices of the New York Rangers has gotten tense, and tempers are flaring over the latest crisis for this Original Six franchise.

After searching high and low, and scouring and re-scouring the archives, the Rangers have sadly discovered they are all out of "1994".

With the team currently struggling, and key players like Chris Drury and Marian Gaborik underachieving, the fans are again growing disgruntled. So the Ranger hierarchy thought it was once again time to play the "1994 card" and bring the Stanley Cup Champions back to the forefront, only to find that after retiring the numbers worn by Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, Mike Richter and Adam Graves, they have completely exhausted the inventory of 1994 they had on hand.

"It's full blow panic up there right now." an office insider told Blueshirt Banter, "One of the guys in marketing even suggested "Peter Andersson Night"......two hours later he is carrying all his office belongings through Penn Station in a copy paper box. This is worse than when that Audio/Visual intern accidentally recorded porn over the Stephane Matteau Game Six goal tape. All I can say is Thank God for You Tube, or that kid would have gone home in a pine box."

"People up there kept saying that they should save Adam Graves Night, that it was too soon, keep that one in your pocket for when you really need it, but the higher-ups had to rush it. Also, did they have to do Harry Howell and Andy Bathgate on the same night? They could have saved one of those. I know they aren't 1994 guys, but still."

One idea that seemed to be gaining steam was "Esa Tikkanen Afternoon", the thinking being that it wouldn't be as formal as a "Night", but could still provide a reasonable distraction, and give Mark Messier a reason to cry, or at least get a little weepy or even misty perhaps.

More after the jump......

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I hope you are all enjoying your Thanksgiving, here is a little video preview I did.

Hope to see you tomorrow night at the Poitin Still in Hackensack.

      Appearing Live Blueshirt Alumni!

                  Ron Greschner                  

Nick Fotiu

Chris Kotsopoulos

      Appearing Live Blueshirt Alumni!

                  Ron Greschner                  

Nick Fotiu

Chris Kotsopoulos

      Appearing Live Blueshirt Alumni!

                  Ron Greschner                  

Nick Fotiu

Chris Kotsopoulos

Mike Gartner made an immediate impact after being traded to the Rangers from the Minnesota North Stars for Ulf Dahlen, scoring two goals in his first game. It was the beginning of a great four year run on Broadway for Gartner, maybe the best skater the Rangers have ever had.

Gartner learned to speed skate as a child before he learned how to play hockey, and it served him well throughout his NHL career, racking up three wins in the NHL Fastest Skater competition.  Gartner also shares the record for most goals in an All-Star game with 4, in 1993.

Mike reached some amazing milestones during his time with the Rangers, scoring his 500^th and 600^th goal, and 1000^th point all on Broadway. He would score his 700^th goal later in his career with the Phoenix Coyotes.

Gartner made the post season three times while with the Rangers, scoring twenty six points in twenty nine games. His Ranger career came to an end on March 21^st, 1994 when he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Glenn Anderson.

Lastly, the guy had one of the coolest mustaches you will ever see.

Major Honorable Mention at 22: Nick Fotiu