Sunday, September 21, 2008

Rangers NHL's True Flagship Franchise?

With the closing of Yankee Stadium, Ryan Dixon at The Hockey News wonders if there is a hockey team that equals the Yankees’ all-encompassing presence. The answer is obviously no, which even Dixon admits, but here's what he said about the Rangers chances...

"No team has the ability to raise the profile of the entire league continent-wide like the Rangers. There are certainly teams that are more beloved in their own city, but New York is New York. Make it big in Manhattan and the world pays attention."

...the Rangers could have easily been that team. They have the history, they have the historic arena. The only problem is they haven't had the success. Only four Cups since 1926 is a far cry from the Yankees 26 World Championships since 1913.

...it's too bad. We all witnessed and enjoyed the height of the NHL's popularity in 1994. Then the strike and it was all downhill from there.

...it makes you wonder if the Rangers had the same success as the Yankees would the NHL be a more popular sport? I think the answer is yes.

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