Custance: Rangers Would Be Hurt By a Lockout

Written by James Wrabel on Thursday, September 13 2012 10:45.

Hockey Insider Craig Custance of ESPN takes a look at players and teams that would be positively or negatively affected by another labor stoppage this year.

Custance lists the Rangers as a team that would be "Especially Hurt" by it.

"...There's a real opportunity for the Rangers to seize the attention of New York sports fans this winter. They have star power with the addition of Rick Nash to go with Gaborik, Henrik Lundqvist and Brad Richards. They're smack in the middle of their Stanley Cup window and a lost season would be a huge blow to this group. Assuming the prime age for forwards is about 24 or 25 years old, which recent production suggests, the Rangers' stars up front are moving away from that number. A lost season would put even more distance between Nash (28) and Richards (32) and their prime years for production..."

Injured Ranger Marian Gaborik is a player Custance thinks would benefit from a lockout due to his shoulder rehab.

I agree with Custance, however I don't see a ful year being wiped out. The point is still the Rangers, for the first time in a while, are legitimate Cup contenders and there's a lockout looming. Typical Blueshirt luck.

Give a follow on Twitter @TheWrage or Facebook. E-mail me with any questions or comments at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

10 comments

Newest | Oldest

Iron Mike

No sh*t Craig. Thanks for stating the obvious.

Paul F. Roper

Of COURSE!! That's Bettman's plan...I think he's the Joker in disguise...

Rich Vavara

So pissed.. Owners need to man up and get this done

Christopher H Llewellyn

One of the only positives is with The Rangers style of play with blocking shots and all, they may not be as tired with say a half or 3/4 season when it comes playoff time....thats about it