Podcast Ombudsman Report for Blueshirt Bandwidth Ep. 76

Welcome back to the Blueshirt Bandwidth Podcast Ombudsman Report. Each week, Charlie Vidal will listen to the latest episode of the podcast and correct the record on anything Joe and Eric get wrong. If you aren't already, you can listen and subscribe to the podcast here.

Episode #76

Jonny Brodzinski wore #76 during the portions of the 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23 seasons that he spent with the New York Rangers. During each of those seasons, he played more games with the Hartford Wolf Pack than he did with the Rangers. When he finally became a mainstay in the New York lineup during the 2023-24 season, Brodzinski was allowed to switch to the lower number, 22.

“What could possibly happen between today and Thursday?”

Having recorded the podcast on Monday night, Joe asked “what could possibly happen between today and Thursday?” Well, the Rangers went out and were embarrassed at home 6-3 by the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, putting the tank back on. At least Jack Hughes didn’t score a hat trick.

Artemi Panarin

Artemi Panarin received a warm welcome from the Garden crowd during his return last Monday night, including being shown some appreciation by his former teammates after his tribute video played:

To answer Joe’s question about the conditions on the draft picks in the Panarin trade:

• The 2026 conditional third round pick becomes a 2026 second round pick if the Los Angeles Kings win one playoff round in 2026. If they do not win a round, the Rangers get the better of LA’s two 2026 third round picks.
• The 2028 conditional fourth round pick is conveyed only if the Kings win two playoff rounds in 2026.

Jake Guentzel vs. Gabe Perreault

When Eric said that the one thing he holds against Chris Drury is not trading for Jake Guentzel at the 2023-24 trade deadline, Joe asked if Perreault’s recent play was giving him any second thoughts. A lot depends on whether or not the Rangers would have been able to sign Guentzel to an extension during the 2024 offseason, but it’s not hard to wish that you could swap out Perreault for Guentzel.

Perreault is only 20 years old and already in the NHL, while Guentzel made his NHL debut at 22. Perreault has been playing better as of late, but is has basically been a replacement-level NHL forward in totality this season. Guentzel came out of the gates firing as a 22 year old in 2016 and was immediately an incredibly impactful forward who has continued playing at a high level throughout his 10 seasons in the NHL. He is essentially what we hope the best case scenario for Perreault is.

Evolving Hockey stats for Perreaul and Guentzel this season:

Guentzel's 2017 WAR and career WAR trajectory:

Perreault's projection as of today:

Drury Trade Deadlines

Joe and Eric were discussing Chris Drury’s work on the trade market, specifically referring to his in-season moves, when defending his work. The Rangers have been in playoff contention and bought at the deadline three times during Drury’s tenure. Here are the meaningful moves that Drury made each of those seasons:

2022 

2023 

*sent to Phoenix for salary retention

2024