Taking Rangers Fans Around The Circuit of Rumors

Forget about Garden Boss Jim Dolan firing either Chris Drury and/or Peter Laviolette.

The Garden will be sold out for every home game from here to the finish, so it doesn't matter who's behind the bench. Besides, the Rangers are the richest NHL team in America.

PREDICTION CHANGE: The Hockey News Yearbook picked the Devils to finish first in the Met Division with the Rangers right behind.

After last night's Blueshirts win at The Garden, the Devils don't quite look as strong as they had before Christmas.

THN's Yearbook has Columbus last, Philly next to last and then Pitt. Right now the Blueshirts are going to have to come on strong and soon to beat out BJ's, Flyers or Penguins.

A SWITCH IN TIME: The Red Wings dumped coach Derek Lalonde in time. GM Steve Yzerman's replacement choice Todd McLellan may be good enough to lift the Wings into a long-awaited playoff spot. If so, Todd will be saving Yzerman's tottering job status as well.

UNCLE SAM'S SUCCESS: With Team USA winning back to back World Junior championships, America now can say that it is Canada's equal in the hockey wars.

One of the best prospects is James Hagens, a Long Island product who could go first overall in the Draft. Hagens grew up not far from Adam Fox, a lifelong Rangers fan. Hagens roots for the Islanders.

GIVE THIS GUY A JOB: At age 35, David Carle is gaining acclaim for his coaching successes. They include 2 WJC Gold Medals, 2 NCAA National Titles not to mention a 2019 Frozen Four appearance in his first season behind the University of Denver bench.