I would have thought he earned the right and been sad as a fan to see him go. Messier was on that list as well. I was blindsided as a fan and heartbroken but never held it against him.

Is it possible that MSL could not wait until summer to make the move because his mother's health would not last that long? She passed away during the playoffs. The summer would have been too late.
- Maskdman3

Same here, maybe it's because social media sites weren't around to incite lynch mobs and herding brainless sheep into following the hate that populates social media

If the roles were reversed do you think you guys would be upset?
- Cptmjl

Yes, every passionate fan would be. It's funny how some Rangers fans are telling then to calm down just like some Ducks fans did with Kesler and the Canucks.

Yes, every passionate fan would be. It's funny how some Rangers fans are telling then to calm down just like some Ducks fans did with Kesler and the Canucks.
- Nucker101

Kesler didn't win the Cup and he didn't play for 14 years in Vancouver then asked for a trade at 38

Kesler didn't win the Cup and he didn't play for 14 years in Vancouver then asked for a trade at 38
- HankdaTank

Kesler wasn't the captain of his team demanding a trade in a playoff push either.

Kesler didn't win the Cup and he didn't play for 14 years in Vancouver then asked for a trade at 38
- HankdaTank

Fair enough. But both guys demanded a trade and not only did that but handcuffed their GM's by basically forcing the trade to 1 or 2 possible teams. Players who both demand a trade and are only willing to go to 1 or 2 teams is (frank)ing stupid.

Kesler didn't win the Cup and he didn't play for 14 years in Vancouver then asked for a trade at 38
- HankdaTank

Let's say in late February, Rangers are in a fight with the Islanders for #2/3 in the division and Lundqvist demands to be traded, and word comes out he will only accept a trade to the Flyers. Im sure it would be water under the bridge the following season, right?

Yes, every passionate fan would be. It's funny how some Rangers fans are telling then to calm down just like some Ducks fans did with Kesler and the Canucks.
- Nucker101

Every fan has the right to express their emotions. All many of us are saying is to balance the good he did for 12 years against the less than satisfactory manner in which he requested to and forced a separation. After the first few minutes and/or the video tribute, he will be like any other opponent.

Fair enough. But both guys demanded a trade and not only did that but handcuffed their GM's by basically forcing the trade to 1 or 2 possible teams. Players who both demand a trade and are only willing to go to 1 or 2 teams is (frank)ing stupid.
- Nucker101

".....putting himself in a position where he's finally happy."

He seemed pretty happy skating around with the Stanley Cup over his head in 2004!

Great piece over at Puck Daddy --> http://sports.yahoo.com/b...erfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Yes, every passionate fan would be. It's funny how some Rangers fans are telling then to calm down just like some Ducks fans did with Kesler and the Canucks.
- Nucker101

I understand why fans would be mad. It's not hard to see. But I think you guys are over the Kesler thing already?

I understand why fans would be mad. It's not hard to see. But I think you guys are over the Kesler thing already?
- rangerdanger94

Because they had their one night to boo him, and they did. Tampa fans get this night. Then we can start remembering all the good times.

It's not like this is his 58th time back. This is his first time back. It's all pretty fresh.

Great piece over at Puck Daddy --> http://sports.yahoo.com/b...erfeed&utm_medium=twitter
- Michael_Stuart

Biased much The column depends on your view of the situation, but five minutes in, this all will be moot.

Because they had their one night to boo him, and they did. Tampa fans get this night. Then we can start remembering all the good times.

It's not like this is his 58th time back. This is his first time back. It's all pretty fresh.
- Michael_Stuart

Boo the poop out of him. Worked well for Cally

These two words don't belong in the same sentence, at least not for the past 21 years
- HankdaTank

Get these in while you can

Let's say in late February, Rangers are in a fight with the Islanders for #2/3 in the division and Lundqvist demands to be traded, and word comes out he will only accept a trade to the Flyers. Im sure it would be water under the bridge the following season, right?
- TBolts4

Exactly. Not even trying to stir crap here but they'd lose their facking minds

Biased much The column depends on your view of the situation, but five minutes in, this all will be moot.
- airjan23

I don't know that the underlying message is all that biased. I don't think many people feel that he handled his exit all that well. We get to boo his first night back, if we so choose. We get to be upset. Once this night passes, we can start to remember and thank him for the good times. He'll always be one of the greats in Lightning history, but tonight isn't about remembering that.

EDIT- And I think this quote sums it up best: "There will be a day when it feels right to celebrate that he meant everything to this franchise. In a roundabout way, the negative reaction he receives tonight only validates that."

Because they had their one night to boo him, and they did. Tampa fans get this night. Then we can start remembering all the good times.

It's not like this is his 58th time back. This is his first time back. It's all pretty fresh.
- Michael_Stuart

Not according to this guy. You should read his comment on the ranger blog! if he had said that here it would've been ban-a-ble. Seeing as he didn't let me show you:
Nice blog Jan.

I don't think any of us should care about Lightning fans crying. MSL requested a trade to our team because the Rangers are awesome so we should be hyped. Let the Lightning fans classlessly whine and wish "death to midget" as that soap opera continues.

Not according to this guy. You should read his comment on the ranger blog! if he had said that here it would've been ban-a-ble. Seeing as he didn't let me show you:
Nice blog Jan.

I don't think any of us should care about Lightning fans crying. MSL requested a trade to our team because the Rangers are awesome so we should be hyped. Let the Lightning fans classlessly whine and wish "death to midget" as that soap opera continues.
- Artyukhin76

Classy.

Classy.
- Michael_Stuart

Not my words, but a certain NYR fan....

Not my words, but a certain NYR fan....
- Artyukhin76

I know. I read it. I'm saying... Classy.

I know. I read it. I'm saying... Classy.
- Michael_Stuart

Sorry, I thought that comment was about me

I would have thought he earned the right and been sad as a fan to see him go. Messier was on that list as well. I was blindsided as a fan and heartbroken but never held it against him.

Is it possible that MSL could not wait until summer to make the move because his mother's health would not last that long? She passed away during the playoffs. The summer would have been too late.
- Maskdman3

No his mother died tragically without any long illness or indication that she had a heart condition.

I know. I read it. I'm saying... Classy.
- Michael_Stuart

Each fan has the right to their opinion, though it's not one everyone will agree with. Marty wanted out in general and asked for NY because it was close to his home in Greenwich. I don't think it was because of the "awesomeness" of the Rangers, even though each fanbase thinks their team is awesome.

The 2 defensemen they drafted with the picks they got from you for our 1st rounder don't seem likethey'll be anything special let alone make the NHL ever. So essentially right now it was cally and our 2015 1st for MSL and a 2nd and they can still fck up that pick like they did our other one.
- rangerdanger94

So we still have a shot at the McDavid sweeps with your first round pick?