Hour 4: Rangers Trades

Summary

Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 4: Rangers Trades (Released March 3, 2025)

In the fourth hour of the "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" podcast, hosted by ESPN New York legends Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg, the trio delves deep into the recent trade activities of the New York Rangers. The episode, released on March 3, 2025, offers listeners a comprehensive analysis of the Rangers' strategic moves, player evaluations, and the overall direction of the team under General Manager Chris Jury. Additionally, the hosts engage with listeners, bringing in historical sports anecdotes and contemporary sports discussions that enrich the conversation.

1. Introduction to Rangers' Trade Moves

Alan Hahn opens the discussion by highlighting the Rangers' recent trade decisions made by GM Chris Jury. The primary focus is on the team's apparent shift towards acquiring prospects and developmental players, signaling a long-term strategy rather than an immediate championship push.

Quote:
"We haven't had time to really assess, but that's a couple of moves now that Chris Jury has made with this team. It's clear they're looking to get some prospects and developmental players moving on."
— Alan Hahn [02:01]

2. Evaluating Departures: Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey

The conversation shifts to the emotional impact of trading away pivotal players like Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey. Don Legreca emphasizes Lindgren's work ethic and defensive prowess, suggesting that while fans might be disheartened, the trades were necessary for the team's future flexibility.

Quote:
"Ryan Lindgren played harder than anyone. Colorado is going to use him on the penalty kill, and if they're going to try to make a cup run, he's just what you want."
— Don Legreca [02:17]

3. Defensive Depth and Future Prospects

Don Legreca elaborates on the Rangers' defensive lineup, mentioning players like Calvin DeHaan, Zach Jones, and Robertson. He underscores that the Rangers are well-covered in defense, allowing them to focus on introducing younger talent like Parson, a rugged presence expected to bolster the team's defensive strategy.

Quote:
"They're trying to be a north-south team, not an east-west team, and they think that he can get there."
— Don Legreca [02:54]

4. Balancing Present and Future Goals

The hosts discuss the delicate balance between striving for immediate playoff contention and building for sustained success. Don Legreca asserts that the Rangers are not sacrificing their current season for the future but are instead integrating new strategies to maintain competitiveness.

Quote:
"They didn't take a knee on trying to make a run this year. But what they did bring in Parson is someone that really can get stuff done in front of the net."
— Don Legreca [04:00]

5. Maintaining Standards and Playoff Aspirations

Alan Hahn and Don Legreca agree that making the playoffs remains a priority for the Rangers, serving as a benchmark for maintaining a winning culture even if the team isn't yet poised for championships. Don highlights the unpredictability of the NHL playoffs, citing examples like the President's Trophy winners often stumbling early.

Quote:
"If you think about it, Igor Shusturkin and some guys with postseason experience could make a difference. They have a chance to sneak into the wild card and take Washington."
— Don Legreca [05:24]

6. Listener Interaction: Richard from Manhattan

Listener Richard calls in from Manhattan, reminiscing about iconic NFL moments like the Ice Bowl and the Immaculate Reception. He shares his disappointment over the Rangers' recent loss despite strong power play efforts, adding a personal touch to the discussion.

Quote:
"I couldn't believe the Rangers on the power play didn't score, then got a penalty, and scored on a shorthanded play but still lost the game."
— Richard [08:19]

7. Listener Interaction: Nas on Knicks and KD

Another caller, Nas, passionately discusses the New York Knicks, critiquing the organization’s handling of generational talents like Kevin Durant (KD). He expresses frustration over perceived mishandlings and emphasizes the need for the Knicks to remain true to their fan base, resisting external pressures.

Quote:
"We have met our quota of aging superstars that are constantly injured. Stay true to what we feel. Our fans don't want us to go."
— Nas [14:12]

8. Listener Interaction: John on John Cena and Knicks’ Mikal Bridges

John brings a diverse perspective, comparing John Cena’s recent heel turn in WWE to sports dynamics. He also discusses the Knicks' player Mikal Bridges, questioning his engagement and future with the team.

Quote:
"John Cena turning was the best heel turn ever. My childhood got shattered watching that."
— John [16:47]

9. Listener Interaction: Lake on Football Statistics

Listener Lake provides an analytical viewpoint on football statistics, discussing error rates in different field positions. His input, though slightly tangential, adds depth to the podcast’s sports analysis.

Quote:
"He had 505 innings in left field with three errors, which is better than his center field stats."
— Lake [20:03]

10. Concluding Thoughts on Rangers vs. Islanders Game

As the episode draws to a close, the hosts anticipate the upcoming game between the Rangers and the Islanders. Don Legreca predicts a tightly contested one-goal game, indicating excitement for the strategic battle on the ice.

Quote:
"This is going to be good. One goal game."
— Don Legreca [23:05]

11. Final Remarks and Promotions

The episode wraps up with brief promotional segments, including shout-outs to sponsors and upcoming events. Don Legreca also mentions National University's scholarship opportunities, while the hosts share personal anecdotes and banter, maintaining the show's engaging and personable atmosphere.

Quote:
"If you've been thinking about going back to school, here's your shot. National University's Year of U scholarship can get you up to $6,000 a year on your bachelor's or master's degree."
— Don Legreca [23:50]

---

Conclusion

Hour 4 of "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg" provides an in-depth look into the New York Rangers' recent trades, emphasizing a strategic pivot towards building a robust future team while maintaining current competitive standards. Through expert analysis, engaging listener interactions, and insightful commentary, the hosts offer listeners a nuanced understanding of the Rangers' direction and the broader sports landscape in New York. Whether you're a die-hard Rangers fan or a sports enthusiast, this episode delivers valuable perspectives and lively discussions that resonate well beyond the ice rink.

Transcript

[Don Legreca]

Your data is like gold to hackers. They'll sell it to the highest bidder. Are you protected?

[Peter Rosenberg]

McAfee helps shield you blocking suspicious texts.

[Don Legreca]

Malicious emails and fraudulent websites. McAfee Secure VPN lets you browse safely and its AI powered tech scam detector spots threats instantly. You'll also get up to $2 million of award winning antivirus and identity theft protection all for just $39.99 for your first year. Visit mcafee.com/incancel anytime terms apply. Han, you know, maybe they can go pee on each other. That'd be great.

[Alan Hahn]

Han, there's a lot of women out there that want you. Alex and Rosenberg.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Give me the porn for God's sake.

[Don Legreca]

This isn't North Dakota. This is New York.

[Alan Hahn]

This is Don, Han and Rosenberg.

[Richard]

The best threesome I've ever heard on.

[Alan Hahn]

880 ESPN and the ESPN New York app. Ah yes. Into the 6 o'clock hour and a note to start time for Islanders Rangers tonight. That is a a 7 o'clock vehicle. So that means 6:30 we are done and Don Legreca then takes over the entire broadcast to do a pregame for Islanders Rangers. So let's give you a game time brought to you by Telemardu Irish Whiskey. Because when it's game time it's as I mentioned, Islanders Rangers at the Garden and coverage immediately following us right here at 6:30. And that is game time brought to you by Tullamore Dew, the original triple distilled, triple blended, triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore Dew or try the new Tullamore Dew hunt during tonight's action. Glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Du responsibly. My mom in the building tonight, Don. Oh yeah, my friend Ben who has ticket, he has seats that are like four rows back twice behind Shisterkin in the game. He lives in Minnesota so he couldn't make it to this game. So he actually gifted the tickets and a little Delta club action to mom. So she's going to root on the Rangers tonight.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You'll love to see it.

[Alan Hahn]

So Don, just we haven't had time to really assess, but that's a couple of moves now that Chris Jury has made with this team. What do we clearly they're looking to get some prospects and developmental players and moving on. But I'll tell you what, moving on from Lindgren is one that probably you kind of like the party if you're a Ranger fan. You had to feel that in your heart a little bit because nobody played harder than Ryan lingering, he's exactly what you need.

[Don Legreca]

Colorado is going to use him on the penalty kill, and if they're going to try to make a cup run, he's just what you want. But he wasn't going to get resigned by the Rangers. They've got a ton of defensemen they were trying to bring into the fold here, so they weren't going to bring him back. They weren't going to bring Jimmy Vesey back. So why wouldn't you try to get assets for guys they're going to walk? Now, do you make a sacrifice this year? I don't think so because I think Calvin DeHaan can come in here and play. Zach Jones is playing well since getting the opportunity to come in with Adam Fox being hurt. Fox will come back at some point, you would think. If not, Robertson is right, is up and can jump in. So they're good on on defense and this gives Brett Berard a chance to play. Othman's now playing, so there really wasn't room for Jimmy Vesey anyway. So they didn't take a knee on trying to make a run this year. But what they did bring in Parson in, who's 24 years old, he's a restricted free agent, got good lower body strength. They hope he's somebody that really be good for them down low in the crease, that kind of tough, rugged presence. They're trying to be a North south team, not an east west team, and they think that he can get there. Now explain.

[Alan Hahn]

Explain what you mean.

[Don Legreca]

Well, meaning just like drive towards the net instead of, you know, the fancy, you know, hit the, hit the blue line and immediately go towards the wall, try to make stuff happen to the perimeter, drive towards the net, create in front of the net. J.T. miller can do that. Chris Kreider, when he's on his game, is supposed to do that. They're hoping Parsoning can do that, hoping that Brett Berard and Othman can become players like that. Matt Rempe, for all of his foibles, if you will, for getting suspended, is a big, huge presence in front of the net that can really help. You're going to want your skill guys, but those guys that can really get stuff done in front of the net is what they're looking for. So you bring in a young kid, he didn't click in Nashville or Colorado, but they're hoping Laviolette can work with him, the Rangers can work with him, and because he's a restricted free agent, they have him. So you're starting to Change, that's another center. It's another option. If he turns out to be good, maybe he can be a second line center for you. So they're thinking about the future without really pulling the plug on this season. They're trying to change the face of this team and it's not gonna happen overnight. But you're starting to see what Drury's trying to do. Obviously Riley Smith's gonna be sent somewhere. He's a healthy scratch again tonight. So there's another trade coming. The deadline is at 3:00 on Friday. And then a lot of the metamorphosis, if you will, will happen during the off season. But everybody thought the culture, the character of this team had to change. And you're starting to see Chris Drury do that. And there's only so many things he can do. Chris Kreider's got a bad back. Zabana Jad's got a no movement clause. So he's doing the best he can. And I think give it some time. I think this is working. But anybody who thinks they've taken a knee on this season, I don't believe so. They're not a championship team, but I still think they can make the playoffs.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, and making the playoffs, the value in it is just to maintain the standard. We talk about it with like even the Giants winning games, what does it matter? It matters because you're maintaining a standard of a team that is still about winning even if, you know, okay, it might not be a championship caliber team, but it doesn't mean we still don't play for something.

[Don Legreca]

And also, you know how the NHL is. You've got Igor Shusturkin, you've got some guys there with a little bit of experience in the postseason and say you sneak into that last wild card and you play Washington. Now listen, Washington's having a fabulous season, but they've just lost three in a row. I mean, would you be shocked if Washington. We've seen President's Trophy winners lose in the first round all the time, so why wouldn't you try to take another run? But the one thing Chris is looking at is I'm not bringing in rentals. He brought in J.T. miller, who's under contract. Parson is a restricted free agent. So I think this is the smart thing to do. It's really tough to serve two masters, like trying to do something now and think about the future, but I think he's accomplished that. But the mistake can't be the future if it ends up not being good enough to make the Playoffs now you live with it. Don't want anything that's going to come at the expense of the future to try to buy into some run this year. And that's, that's the balance that he's, I think been able to figure out so far.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, I mean, again, Islanders, Rangers, always, you know, will give you something, but where they go from here is going to be interesting. But it's not even the rest of this season is. There is a deadline on Friday and we'll see where it goes. But the offseason, like you said, is maybe where the real face will start to turn and, and perhaps a new identity gets established.

[Don Legreca]

Now they, Dave Maloney said it best. They. They are eventually going to make this J.T. miller's team. He's under contract. I think he's their best player right now, at least from a forward standpoint.

[Alan Hahn]

Does he have a leadership quality like he does?

[Don Legreca]

Every reason that, every reason that Vancouver traded him because he's. He was a pain in the butt. He got in players faces is exactly what this team needs. You know, somebody that has a bit of a chip on his shoulder. And there might be guys in that room that are accountability. Yeah. Rubbed the wrong way by that. Those are the guys you want to get rid of.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah. You want to, you want to get the country club kind of mentality or environment. You want to get it out of there. Like if, when, when you lose, you want somebody to be pissed off about it and not accept it. Right. That's the kind of stuff that you're looking for and. All right, well, we'll see where it goes. You guys ready? Richard in Manhattan, you ready for your fix?

[Richard]

Peter. Hi, Don. Peter Allen. Don, this is for your dad. Sports Illustrated ran A poll at 50th greatest NFL games, playoffs, regular season, whatever. 1 and 2. The Ice bowl and the Immaculate Reception. 2. Both games were decided because of Giant. Former Giant running backs. The Ice Bowl, Chuck Mercine, third and eight. Green Bay in the last drive, got a screen pass on third and eighth and kept the drive going. That was in the Ice bowl and the Immaculate Reception, as your dad would remember. Bradshaw, with 20 seconds left, through to John Frenchie Fuqua, great Giant. He was a good Giant running back. They didn't like him, though. The ball bounced off him, supposedly off Fuqua. And Jack Tatum said he didn't touch it. Then it went to Franco Harris. Will never know the end.

[Don Legreca]

We'll never know. I even asked him and he wouldn't. He told me, of course, he caught it clean. Why wouldn't the 58 championship game be there?

[Richard]

Yeah, that was there, but not in the top two. Those were the top two. All right, St. John's only has one game now in 11 days then hopefully they play three games in three days. One game in 11 days and you know in all their years this is the only time they finished undefeated at home. I mean this is a storied franchise, not a blue blood but right up there next to Kentucky and UCLA and no schools North Carolina. But that's, that's surprising. And they've never won the tournament and they've never won the Big east regular season. Right. Big east turn. Which is very surprising. Okay, fellas. Oh, by the way Alan, my high school was 18 miles away from my house. 18 miles. I went back and forth every day. Yeah, right across the street from LIU Brooklyn by the way.

[Don Legreca]

Oh wow.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, it took me about an hour every morning just to get there and. Right, yeah, I couldn't go home between classes and practice. I had to stay there till 10 o'clock at night.

[Richard]

The Brooklyn campus.

[Alan Hahn]

No, no, I'm talking about my high school, St. Anthony.

[Richard]

Oh, okay. Yeah, okay. As far as a Saturday more. Saturday afternoon I got up and watched and listened to Chris Carlin and Bob Valvano at Allen Fieldhouse. Fellas, you don't know what it is listening to a game at an old school place. Man, it was great. Bob and Chris were fantastic. Just think of that place is two months older than me. It turn this year I'll be 70 in two months and it opened before Wilt got there about a year before I think Will came the following year 56. And now we're talking about Wilt today, 63 years that he had the 100 points. There you go in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Don, one last thing for you if you don't mind.

[Don Legreca]

Yeah.

[Richard]

Last week I was listening to you and you talked about cry to breaking Camille Henry's record. Yes, and Camille Henry I remembered very well he came from the Canadians played on a line with Phil Goyette and Bob Nevin they were good but know think about all the French Canadians in those. Gilbert was Gilbert, Lambert was Lambert, Richard was Richard. But meanwhile Henry was never Henry, it was always Camille Henry. So I didn't understand that and just maybe you can ask Dave that why he never made his name French Canadian. Last thing I want to say, Donny. Listen to the games Friday night I couldn't believe starting the third period Rangers on the power play, don't score 30 seconds later they get a penalty and 30 seconds after that, they score on a shorthanded. I said, what's in the bag now? How can we lose this game? And we still ended up losing Don. I was crushed by that pleasure.

[Alan Hahn]

Always felt they deserved a better fate.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don't we all deserve a better fate, though?

[Don Legreca]

Camille. Henry the Eel.

[Alan Hahn]

I love the names.

[Don Legreca]

He's tied with Kreider. I think it's 116. Power play. Camille's next power play. Goal.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[Don Legreca]

Henry usually in French is H E N R I.

[Alan Hahn]

That's Henri Henry.

[Don Legreca]

But in Camille, it was H E N R Y.

[Peter Rosenberg]

So that's why.

[Don Legreca]

So he probably went with Henry because it's not an I. So even though he was French and he was born in Quebec City, I guess the spelling is the reason why they pronounced it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Are you going to tell your dad about the stuff today that Richard asked.

[Alan Hahn]

You about for your dad?

[Don Legreca]

I got to tell you something. If I ever had the pleasure of seeing the ghost of my dad, I don't think any of those things would come up.

[Alan Hahn]

You don't think Richard would come up?

[Richard]

Fellas, I got one quickie.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You don't think the first thing you'd say after seeing you. What year did your dad pass?

[Don Legreca]

1997.

[Peter Rosenberg]

97. It's been 28 years since you saw your sweet old dad. And if you had a moment with him, you wouldn't go. Dad, this is amazing. First thing I'd ask you. Richard called yesterday. Yeah, I got it.

[Don Legreca]

Frenchie Fuqua was a former giant.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I wanted to bring up. Dad, we gotta talk about something important.

[Alan Hahn]

Really?

[Peter Rosenberg]

Did your mother say something? Did she want you to deliver a message? No. No, dad. It's about Frenchie Fuqua.

[Richard]

John French Fuqua again.

[Alan Hahn]

So. So, Frenchie the Eel. Like the nicknames back in the day were something special. We got a little celebration today, Nas, in Pinebrook. Calling us. Okay. Hi, Nas.

[Don Legreca]

What's up, baby?

[Nas]

Hey, love. How are you?

[Alan Hahn]

Good.

[Nas]

I have to admit, I didn't know how to follow that because I was full of piss and vinegar before I heard Richard go on and on.

[Alan Hahn]

But we needed you to follow up because we just. Yeah. We need you right now.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And it's your birthday, Nas.

[Nas]

It is. And I've done some day drinking and I'm sipping champagne.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Clown show. Clown show. Clown show.

[Don Legreca]

Happy 25th birthday.

[Nas]

Word. Yeah. Add 20 to that and you get to go. But, yeah, man, I've been fighting with Alan in my head since last Monday. And then I wasn't gonna call in, but I heard the whole rhetoric on James Dolan. So I figured it was kind of cathartic that I'm sitting here still fighting with you guys and thinking about your take on bringing KD to the Knicks.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay.

[Nas]

And every time I hear a broadcaster say that, I can't express how much angst and anger I feel.

[Peter Rosenberg]

What?

[Alan Hahn]

What? Yeah, that. Against kd. Like, again, this is all hypothetical stuff.

[Nas]

No, but you have to think he's.

[Alan Hahn]

Going to get moved. But I'm just saying.

[Nas]

Sorry to interrupt you, but my bleacher report keeps dinging that the sun to try and offload him. Right.

[Alan Hahn]

The Sons are what?

[Nas]

Offload? Heavy.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah, I said. I said it's a hypothetical. It could happen this summer. I've been saying that for the better part of this year. So it's a. It is a real thing. And while I was saying, though, Nas is that when somebody like him becomes available, don't you have to look into it? Don't you have to say, well, what would it cost us? What would it do? Because, yeah, this is. We're talking about a generational talent.

[Nas]

No. So here's my things on that. Number one. Number one, we have met our quota of aging superstars that are constantly injured. Okay? That's number one. Number two, and my most important thing, and I like James Dolan, if you're listening, or anyone from your team that reports back to, please stay true to what we feel. We know of you as Knicks fans. That laminated list stubborn man that when you're wronged, you have a long memory. And Peter, when you sit there complicit and compliant, when you to these conversations, when you were there and saw the smugness when he said that it was cooler to play than it is to play in New York. And you know what? I don't even take it personal as a dig to the New York base. I take it as you're a coward. You don't have the sack to come here and either fail or win in this market and face the music, okay? And that's all right. At the end of the day, I would rather stay in the obscurity and purgatory of relevancy because we haven't been relevant for a long time and it feels damn good.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right.

[Nas]

Then win a microwave championship. I slow roast it. We have just put this team together, for the love of God, let it marinate.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You know what?

[Alan Hahn]

Fantastic.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Thank you, Nas.

[Alan Hahn]

Happy birthday. I do understand that. Happy birthday.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And considering you've been day drinking, while that was apparent, you made a very cogent point. And I was totally respected as A fan. I, I have no.

[Alan Hahn]

Listen, but you can't deal in emotion when you're a general manager. You have to deal in business. Right.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You're not gonna go. Our fans don't want us to go.

[Richard]

Spite.

[Alan Hahn]

Oh, you didn't want me then, you know, can't want me now. No, no, no, no. If I can get, if I can get a player like that, I'm gonna put that behind me. But.

[Peter Rosenberg]

And we're gonna, we're gonna move on. And by the way, KD could always say, hey, listen, I was on the Nets. I was proud of being there. I wanted to show my. Like, he doesn't.

[Alan Hahn]

He's thrown flowers at the Knicks since then.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Yeah.

[Alan Hahn]

About what they've done since. So at the time, he wasn't entirely wrong. They weren't very good. They were a bad team and, you know, they didn't have a great plan to build around them. So I do understand that John is in Bethlehem. Hey, John.

[John]

Hey guys, how we doing this night?

[Alan Hahn]

Good, Good.

[John]

Before I get to my next point, I want to tell Peter that John Cena turning might have been the best heel turn ever. Like, I've seen videos of children like hysterical crying and it was just crazy that my childhood just got shattered.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It was, it was so, so good. John, how old are you?

[John]

I'm 24.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Oh, you're 24 years old. So since you've even been aware of what WWE was, he was the biggest good guy who's ever existed.

[John]

Exactly. Yeah. Now it's just.

[Alan Hahn]

So this is crazy. Worse than Hogan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is, I think the reason it's worse than Hogan in my opinion.

[Alan Hahn]

Or hero like a.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Right. But you have to remember here. And John, we'll let you get your next point. Don't worry. But the reason this was in some ways cooler is, is that Hogan was kind of floundering in WCW at that time. So while it was completely unexpected, it made sense.

[Alan Hahn]

Okay.

[Peter Rosenberg]

This is seen as.

[Alan Hahn]

This was supposed to be a swan.

[Peter Rosenberg]

It's a send off towards a swan. So he's not going to be a bad guy now. And like it was the one thing that was unchecked. The one box that was unchecked in his career was like, man, he'd be so good as a heel, but he's never done it. You know, the greats you saw, you saw Macho man as a heel. You saw him as a good guy. Hogan, you saw both. Bret Hart, you saw both Shawn Michaels, Triple H, they've all done both. Undertaker John hadn't done it so him to take that risk now on the way out. It's pretty sweet. John, what do you got on the Knicks?

[John]

Oh, yeah. So basically, Alan kind of alluded to it, I think a couple, like last week, I think, like Mikal Bridges, he just seemed a little disinterested after wins and, like, his demeanor has been changing. And now we've seen. I mean, he's been playing less in the fourth quarter and it wasn't the first time yesterday. Like, yesterday.

[Alan Hahn]

Yeah.

[John]

So what do we think, like, his future is after this year with the Knicks? I mean, again, we can trade him for anything.

[Alan Hahn]

Well, he's going to be doing extension, and I think he's got to understand, and I think he does, how he finishes this season in playoffs and embraces the role that they need him to play and performs. I think all that's gonna go forward. I don't think the Nate, despite all the picks they gave up for him, I don't think they feel that there's some proverbial gun to their head. Oh, well, you gotta give him the extension. You gotta give him the money. Like, I don't think that there's that pressure there because, you know, if it doesn't fit, you don't. You don't make it worse by just forcing the issue. If it seems like something's not right. Maybe he's not even comfortable in the role they need for him. Maybe he's realized, like, you know what? I don't really like being the third wheel or even the fourth wheel, the guy that has to do all the dirty work and not get much of the credit. And that's why Tom Thibodeau goes out of his way to credit him all the time. Tibbs has been a lot like Aaron Boone this season. He's been very careful to point out things that players do that aren't getting attention and credit. And so I do think it's going to be interesting to watch how that unfolds and when we get to the offseason and they got to talk extension with them, John, what ends up happening? So I appreciate the call. It's going to be certainly a big part of it. Lake in Spokane. Hey, Lake.

[Lake]

Hey, guys. Since Richard brought up the Ice Bowl, I'll give one point real quick. I just got to shout out Jerry Kramer. He's the O lineman that made that leading block for Bart Starr. He's from the same town in Northern Idaho. And that's kind of our one sport claim to fame, is that Jerry Kramer's from my hometown.

[Don Legreca]

Lots of My second point is hall of Fame.

[Lake]

Oh, yeah.

[Don Legreca]

No, he's.

[Lake]

Yeah, no, definitely. My second is a domain guest point. I wanted to dive in a little bit more into kind of the statistics to come up with my opinion because I've been pretty heavily like, he should be in center field. So these are purely minor league statistics, and I'll try to get through it quick. He had 505 innings in left field with three errors. That comes out to about 100. An error every 168 games in center field. He had. He played 1991 innings with 15 errors. That's a hundred. And that's a error every 100 and 32 games. So that would lean. He causes less errors playing left. But then if you look at his put out total chances to put out percentage, it's 0.7% higher favoring center field. And so for me, it feels like if he is. So, yeah, I'll wrap it up.

[Alan Hahn]

He stuck me on the total chances to put out percentage because I'll tell you what, you know, if you think about it in high school, it's a.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Number that was a big analytic that was the most important analytic for every high school.

[Alan Hahn]

If you think about that percentage, like, that's an analytic that I think is one of those, you know, that we all. We all understand.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I was 100%.

[Alan Hahn]

I feel bad for Lake because he's a good guy. But you're right. Once you dive into the numbers like that.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, no, it was just a few specific words, by the way, it was useful. Yes, we did learn that he is, in fact, a really good left fielder.

[Alan Hahn]

In minors.

[Peter Rosenberg]

In the minors. But then we just kept going and it gets tough. But I appreciate doing work. I really do.

[Alan Hahn]

So I heard from an old friend of mine who's a DJ now, a very, very popular one, a very good one out in the Hamptons, and he said, one of the biggest compliments I have received as a DJ was from a groom. He said, I'm so glad you're not the typical Long island dj. And he said, tell the guys we barely have to invite people up to dance. So I hired the wrong guy.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, that's it. And you hired someone who talked a lot and harasses people. And that's very annoying. And by the way, I've DJed a couple of weddings on Long island and they were great. And I didn't talk. I mean, except for the introducing people. And here comes the. You should be able. Once you introduce the bride and groom and they finish that first dance, you should be able to keep people out on the dance floor. Now, sometimes after dinner, you do have to invite people back out, right? Yeah, because, like, people are now into it. They're drinking at the table, they're talking, they're enjoying it. You might have to say, hey, guys, dessert's not coming out for a while.

[Alan Hahn]

But if they don't want it, they.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Well, then you don't go to the table and stick a mic in their face and go get your ass up.

[Alan Hahn]

Brutal.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's tough. And you were scarred by it.

[Alan Hahn]

I never let go of it.

[Peter Rosenberg]

I really can tell.

[Alan Hahn]

Never let go of it?

[Peter Rosenberg]

No. You move along.

[Alan Hahn]

I have a long fuse, too, so it took. Took a minute.

[Peter Rosenberg]

You for you. You forgive, but you never forget.

[Richard]

Never.

[Peter Rosenberg]

That's the thing.

[Alan Hahn]

Never. So, Dom, we've got Islanders, Rangers tonight.

[Don Legreca]

That's right.

[Alan Hahn]

We going to get a competitive game? Can I get a competitive game?

[Don Legreca]

This is going to be good. One goal game.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes, a one goal game.

[Don Legreca]

Yeah, we'll talk about it tomorrow.

[Alan Hahn]

Who's winning?

[Don Legreca]

What do you think? I don't want to. I'm about to do the pregame Rangers.

[Alan Hahn]

Wow, that's not.

[Peter Rosenberg]

Don, style.

[Alan Hahn]

A little analysis. Something real quick.

[Peter Rosenberg]

He doesn't. He can't be a homer.

[Alan Hahn]

Feeling good about it. Say be a homer. Just what are you feeling? That's all. All right. Thanks for listening to my Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made, but I just want to know. It's good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.

[Don Legreca]

Hey, if you've been thinking about going back to school, here's your shot. National University's Year of U scholarship can get you up to $6,000 a year on your bachelor's or master's degree. And don't worry, their flexible online courses fit your schedule, so you can stay in the game while you study. Plus, you'll get free tutoring, career counseling, and a lot more. Make this your year and apply by February 28th at Nu Edu. Terms and conditions apply. Check out the site for details.