Blueshirt Bandwidth

This episode of Emergency Bandwidth drops in the immediate aftermath of what can only be described as the Letter 2.0. Joe and Eric react in real time to Chris Drury’s message to Rangers fans, confirming what had been obvious for weeks: the season is over, the Rangers are selling, and a major organizational shift is underway. They break down what the letter actually says—and just as importantly, what it carefully avoids—including the semantics of “retool” vs. “rebuild,” the emphasis on young players, picks, and cap space, and why this feels deeper than a simple Artemi Panarin sell-off. From there, the conversation turns practical, running through who will and won’t be traded, why Vincent Trocheck represents the single most important inflection point of the deadline, and how this time around differs fundamentally from the original Letter. It’s a rare moment of clarity in an otherwise brutal season, and a big-picture episode about leverage, timing, and why being first to sell may finally give the Rangers a real path forward. Give it a listen! The Letter 2.0: Rangers Preparing for Change as Drury Signals Selling Ahead of Trade DeadlineWatch & subscribe to the podcast on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for $85/year to read and comment on all of our great content!

Episode 67 of Blueshirt Bandwidth finds Joe and Eric officially past the point of pretending individual games matter. After some housekeeping, news about the pod being available on YouTube, and the Benoit Pouliot/Boo Nieves jersey-number tradition, the show quickly turns into a full-scale autopsy of a season that finally hit rock bottom with a 10–2 loss in Boston. From there, the conversation spirals into what actually matters now: accountability, apathy, and whether anyone in the Rangers’ locker room truly gives a damn. Joe lays out a firm line in the sand for Chris Drury, while Eric pushes back on leadership failures, J.T. Miller’s captaincy, and the organization’s long-running inability to sell assets at peak value. They also grapple with the uncomfortable reality of Alexis Lafrenière’s stagnation, what it says about player development, and why this roster feels more country club than contender. It’s a raw, argumentative, big-picture episode about blame, culture, and why burning it down may be the only honest path forward. Give it a listen!Podcast Ombudsman Report for Blueshirt Bandwidth Ep. 66Watch & subscribe to the podcast on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for $85/year to read and comment on all of our great content!

Episode 66 of Blueshirt Bandwidth opens with housekeeping, community updates, and a reminder that the podcast—like the Rangers—keeps finding new ways to get darker. From there, Joe and Eric dive into a loaded slate of topics: the Rangers’ growing injury crisis with Adam Fox and Igor Shesterkin sidelined, James Dolan’s public backing of Chris Drury and Mike Sullivan, and why fans need to accept that this front office isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. They unpack the controversy around Fox being left off Team USA’s Olympic roster, push back hard on the idea that Quinn Hughes would be a “Fox replacement,” and debate what a real sell-off could look like—including whether Vincent Trocheck’s sky-high trade value is too good to ignore. It’s another wide-angle, reality-check episode about power, patience, culture, and what’s actually possible for the Rangers moving forward. Give it a listen!⁠Podcast Ombudsman Report for Blueshirt Bandwidth Ep. 65⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for $85/year to read and comment on all of our great content!

Episode 65 of Blueshirt Bandwidth starts with housekeeping, a Brett Berard tribute, and a deep dive into the show’s Spotify Wrapped—revealing some surprising listening habits among Rangers fans (Taylor Swift? Flea? Scandinavia?). From there, Joe and Eric zoom way out to tackle the real issue: the Rangers aren’t just struggling on the ice, they’re stuck in a strategic no-man’s land. They debate the illusion of playoff contention, the growing smoke around an Artemi Panarin trade, Chris Drury’s constrained decision-making, and why “getting tougher” has only exposed the team’s lack of elite skill. It’s a macro-heavy episode about roster construction, draft failures, missed opportunities, and what comes next when there’s no clear plan. Give it a listen!Podcast Ombudsman Report for Blueshirt Bandwidth Ep. 64⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for $85/year to read and comment on all of our great content!

Joe and Eric are up before sunrise—literally—to record a pre-Christmas episode of Blueshirt Bandwidth, and the early hour matches the bleak mood surrounding the New York Rangers. They dig into a brutal schedule crunch, mounting injuries, and a team that feels stuck between contention and collapse. The conversation turns to Alexei Lafrenière’s stagnation, Chris Drury’s increasingly murky plan, James Dolan’s reported impatience, and whether any real optimism exists beyond Adam Fox and elite goaltending. It’s candid, frustrated, occasionally darkly funny, and very on brand for a season that’s slipping sideways. Give it a listen!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for $85/year to read and comment on all of our great content!

With Joe sidelined on long-term injured reserve, Eric is joined by Chip for a wide-ranging (and occasionally unhinged) episode of Blueshirt Bandwidth. The two dig into why the Rangers are stuck in the NHL’s murky middle, why this roster is overloaded with complementary players but lacks a true game-breaker, and what the Quinn Hughes trade says about New York’s asset problem. They also debate development failures, lineup accountability, the Lafrenière dilemma, and whether this team needs to finally pick a lane—sell, rebuild, or risk purgatory. Along the way: bad Rangers trades, North-South hockey, and the existential dread of being just good enough to miss out on real hope. Give it a listen!Podcast Ombudsman Report for Blueshirt Bandwidth Ep. 62⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for $85/year to read and comment on all of our great content!

In this episode of Blueshirt Bandwidth, Joe returns from Disney World and immediately hands Eric the microphone — and Eric delivers an 11-minute scorcher on Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff snub (skip to 15:03 for Rangers talk). Once the rant subsides, the guys dive into the Rangers’ recent stretch: tight losses to Colorado and Vegas, Igor’s brilliance, the officiating meltdown in the Golden Knights game, Mike Sullivan’s noticeable impact, and the growing identity of the team. They also unpack Quinn Hughes trade rumors, roster construction realities, the Carson Soucy emergence, young-player development choices, and a packed ombudsman report. Give it a listen!Podcast Ombudsman Report for Blueshirt Bandwidth Ep. 61⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for $85/year to read and comment on all of our great content!

In Episode 61 of Blueshirt Bandwidth, Eric steps in for an exiled-to-mystery-land Joe Fortunato and is joined by Chip for a deeply chaotic, surprisingly thoughtful, and thoroughly entertaining ride through the state of the New York Rangers. They break down Adam Fox’s LTIR stint, what it means for the blueline, Braden Schneider’s future, and how Mike Sullivan navigates a stretch of games without one of the NHL’s best defensemen. Eric also shares a great behind-the-scenes story from a Grand Rapids Griffins fundraiser—including encountering Dustin Tokarski and learning how he found out he’d be starting an Eastern Conference Final game on essentially zero notice.From Panarin-to-KHL rumors, to trade-deadline philosophy, to a spirited debate about fancy stats, to a spontaneous Rangers-haiku segment — this episode has everything: analysis, arguments, jokes, and the occasional wrestling reference. Give it a listen! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for $85/year to read and comment on all of our great content!

In the 60th edition of Blueshirt Bandwidth, Joe and Eric celebrate a Thanksgiving miracle with a full hour of chaos, kids-over-vets advocacy, goalie-number pedantry, and the ombudsman report from Charlie. The guys dive into Jusso Parssinen clearing waivers, the Noah Laba takeover, Conor Sheary’s trip to the press box, and why the Rangers’ biggest problem isn’t depth—it’s the top-six falling through the floor. They wrestle with the uncomfortable questions about Chris Drury’s plan, what “purgatory hockey” really means for this team, and whether the Rangers are quietly wasting prime years of Adam Fox and Igor Shesterkin. Plus: a debate on undoing the J.T. Miller trade, a listener mailbag heavy on existential dread, and a live check-in on a game against Carolina that makes absolutely no sense. Give it a listen!Podcast Ombudsman Report for Blueshirt Bandwidth Ep. 59⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for $85/year to read and comment on all of our great content!

In this week’s episode of Blueshirt Bandwidth, Joe and Eric record from dueling hotel rooms and open with an emotional tribute to the late Larry Brooks—a true giant of Rangers coverage whose voice, impact, and mentorship will be deeply missed across the hockey world. From there, they dive into the Rangers’ wildly uneven start: the home/road split that defies logic, J.T. Miller’s concerning play and whether he’s gutting it out through an injury, Gabe Perreault’s development path, and what it all means for Chris Drury as the trade-deadline conversation slowly approaches. They wrestle with the big question of the week: What is this team, really? Plus, Jonathan Quick’s Team USA case, the Ombudsman Report goes scorched-earth on Eric, and plenty more. Give it a listen!Podcast Ombudsman Report for Blueshirt Bandwidth Ep. 58⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for $85/year to read and comment on all of our great content!

After finally getting a win at home, the Rangers are back in the win column—and Joe and Eric are back in the same hotel room in New York City to break it all down. From Gabe Perreault’s impressive call-up debut to Artemi Panarin’s mystical hair cycle, they dig into what’s actually working for New York, what’s still maddening, and why some fans’ Alexis Lafrenière fixation misses the point. Plus: the ombudsman’s latest report, Vladislav Gavrikov praise, Adam Fox-led “devastating for the haters” stats, and the ongoing war over off-wing assignments. Give it a listen!Podcast Ombudsman Report for Blueshirt Bandwidth Ep. 57⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for $85/year to read and comment on all of our great content!

In this week’s episode, Joe and Chip tackle a loaded agenda—from Vitali Kravtsov’s latest exit and the Carson Soucy redemption arc, to whether Chris Drury might have actually been right about Jusso Parssinen. They dive deep into the state of the Rangers’ locker room, Artemi Panarin’s future (and present scoring drought), the team’s offensive identity under Mike Sullivan, and how players like Noah Laba and J.T. Miller are shaping the team’s evolving culture. Plus, an honest look at the power play problems, what to expect when Vincent Trocheck returns, and the ongoing discourse around Alexis Lafrenière. It’s an episode that mixes sharp analysis, honest frustration, and a dash of gallows humor. Give it a listen! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for $85/year to read and comment on all of our great content!

Joe and Eric kick off an early-morning recording session to talk through a sluggish New York Rangers start — and play a new game: Should You Panic or Not? Joe argues the sky is falling after back-to-back losses to the Sharks and Flames, while Eric counters that it’s way too early for a meltdown. They break down the team’s shooting woes, the impact of Vincent Trocheck’s injury, what the analytics say about puck luck, and whether Mike Sullivan’s system is working as intended. Later, they tackle listener questions about culture, communication, and long-term planning under Chris Drury — including what Plan B might look like if this truly is a “gap year.” It’s the “Michael Sauer Episode,” equal parts panic and perspective.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for $85/year to read and comment on all of our great content!Podcast Ombudsman Report for Blueshirt Bandwidth Ep. 55

It’s episode 55—the Ryan Lindgren episode—of Blueshirt Bandwidth, and Joe and Eric dive into the Rangers’ scoring drought, defensive resurgence, and the growing Artemi Panarin contract debate. After Joe vents about FanDuel going down just as the Rangers finally scored at home, the hosts dig into why New York’s strong process still isn’t turning into goals — from the top-six’s struggles to Connor Sheary’s unexpected promotion. Later, Joe sits down with Jonny Lazarus for an extended chat on the Rangers’ early-season form, whether Brennan Othmann could be trade bait, and what to make of Panarin’s future in New York. It’s part therapy session, part way-too-early trade-deadline speculation, and all Rangers talk. Give it a listen!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for $85/year to read and comment on all of our great content!Podcast Ombudsman Report for Blueshirt Bandwidth Ep. 54

The Rangers’ panic button can stay in its box—at least for now. Joe and Eric record live during the Edmonton game to talk through what’s actually worth worrying about after the early-season rollercoaster. From the centennial jerseys and the “junkyard dog” energy of the bottom six to Mike Sullivan’s system slowly taking shape, they dig into why the team’s identity might finally be showing up below the top line. The guys hit on Trocheck’s LTIR situation, Morrow vs. Vaakanainen, and the surprising steadiness of the defense, while also debating whether it’s time to bump Noah Laba up and what’s really going on with Panarin. Plus: a well-earned ode to Matt Rempe and Adam Edstrom for turning the fourth line into something terrifying—in the best way possible. Give it a listen!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for $85/year to read and comment on all of our great content!

Blueshirt Bandwidth returns with a special guest—The Ringer’s Katie Baker—to dissect the Rangers’ season-opening flop and what it really says about this team. Joe, Eric, and Katie dive deep into Noah Laba’s surprise roster spot, Scott Morrow’s puzzling demotion, and why the Rangers still can’t seem to shake old habits. They debate whether New York actually believes it’s a Stanley Cup contender, what to make of Conor Sheary’s addition, and the big-picture question of speed—or lack thereof—across the roster. Plus: what Connor McDavid’s “McSensible” contract extension means for the league and why the Rangers may have missed their shot on Jake Guentzel. Give it a listen!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for $85/year to read and comment on all of our great content!

This special episode isn’t about Rangers hockey—it’s about Blueshirt Banter itself. Joe and Eric explain the new membership tiers, what stays the same for founding members, and why these changes are needed to keep the site ad-free and growing. Plus, details on new features coming to the website and how you can save $20 and get the new Premium Access membership at the old price. Give it a listen and then become a member at the link below!Big News: New Membership Tiers at Blueshirt Banter

This week’s Blueshirt Bandwidth is hotter than usual as Joe and Eric mark the show’s one-year anniversary with a fiery round of Rangers talk. From Brennan Othman’s setback and Noah Laba’s eye-opening preseason to the Conor Sheary roster conundrum and Scott Morrow vs. Urho Vaakanainen debate, nothing is off the table. Add in a few side rants about locker-room leadership, trade deadline possibilities, and even a live Yankees rollercoaster and outbursts from Eric, and you’ve got an episode packed with bite. If you like your Rangers analysis with a little extra spice, this one’s for you. Give it a listen!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for $65/year to read and comment on all of our great content!

The Rangers’ preseason is only two games old, but roster battles are already taking shape. Joe and Eric dive into the big questions: Could Conor Sheary really steal a spot from Brennan Othmann? Has Gabe Perreault played his way into the opening night lineup? And is Noah Laba forcing the team’s hand at center? Plus, the guys break down the third-line puzzle, the Adam Fox discourse they refuse to entertain, and why the Rangers’ power-play decisions still make no sense. Give it a listen!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for $65/year to read and comment on all of our great content!

Joe and Eric hit the half-century mark of Blueshirt Bandwidth with a loaded episode. They break down the Rangers’ decision to name J.T. Miller the 29th captain in franchise history, what it signals about the team’s new identity under Chris Drury and Mike Sullivan, and why Miller’s fiery leadership makes sense now. The guys also dig into Mika Zibanejad’s move to the wing, what it reveals about the Rangers’ shaky center depth, and how young players like Brennan Othman, Will Cuylle, and Brett Berard fit into the lineup puzzle. Plus more on the prospect of acquiring Kirill Kaprizov and a tribute to Rangers legend Ed Giacomin, who passed away this week.Plus, listener questions on Igor Shesterkin’s workload, Dylan Garand’s chances, nostalgic trades of Brian Leetch and Mike Richter, “movies so bad they’re good,” and plenty of (Blueshirt) banter in between. Give it a listen!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for $65/year to read and comment on all of our great content!