Joe's Reaction of the Week (Chip's Version): Hockey Returns This Month. What Are You Looking Forward To?
Eight weeks of arguing about whether the Rangers are actually better is almost over. With preseason hockey two weeks away, here's what has Chip genuinely excited.
Well, the wait is almost over.
On Monday, Sept. 21, there will be players in uniform playing hockey. Preseason hockey, but hockey just the same. It's about time.
We've debated for the last eight weeks about whether or not the 2026-27 New York Rangers are better than the team that took the ice last year. We have argued about whether the plan Chris Drury executed will vault this team back into the playoffs, or if they're just going to be a different type of bad. We've even traveled down the rabbit hole of whether or not it's worth it to improve your team if you're not guaranteed of winning a Stanley Cup. In just over two weeks, we can shelve (some) of these arguments and just enjoy the games.
I don't know about you, but there are a few things I'm really looking forward to seeing:
Pavel Dorofeyev
He might be the best pure goal scorer the Rangers have had since Marian Gaborik. Just an elite sniper who can fill the back of the net. If the Rangers can put the puck on his stick, he will light it up. I'm especially excited for how his role may alleviate the need for some of us to scream "SHOOT THE DAMN PUCK" at our televisions on a nightly basis.
