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Blueshirt Bandwidth

Blueshirt Bandwidth
Author: Blueshirt Banter
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Blueshirt Bandwidth is a weekly podcast dedicated to the New York Rangers, brought to you by the team at Blueshirt Banter. Hosted by Joe Fortunato, Mike Murphy, and Eric Kohn, the show offers in-depth analysis, game breakdowns, and the latest news on the Rangers. Whether you're looking for player insights, trade rumors, or post-game reactions, Blueshirt Bandwidth delivers everything a Rangers fan needs to stay updated. Tune in each week for commentary, passionate discussion, assorted nonsense, and all things related to the New York Rangers.
61 Episodes
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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!
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!
Joe and Eric dive into the final dog-days episode of the offseason, tackling the start of Rangers rookie camp and the growing scrutiny around Brennan Othmann. They debate whether Othmann is truly “on the clock,” what a successful season would look like for him, and how the roster logjam of young wingers complicates his runway. The hosts also unpack Mike Sullivan’s recent comments on Adam Fox, push back against the narrative that Fox isn’t elite, and highlight just how valuable he remains in the league’s hierarchy of defensemen. Listener questions spark discussions about Kaprizov’s rejected mega-extension, whether the Rangers should pursue Rasmus Andersson, the weirdness of Matt Grzelcyk still being unsigned, and what it might take to make New York a viable landing spot for McDavid, Eichel, or Kaprizov.As always, the banter is sharp, the analysis is strong, and yes—there’s even an enchilada tangent. Give it a listen!Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter for $65/year to read and comment on all of our great content!
Joe and Eric return for the 48th episode of Blueshirt Bandwidth, where summer doldrums meet big-picture debates. They kick things off with some Notre Dame college football tangents. From there, it’s back to Rangers talk: Calvin de Haan’s NHL future (or lack thereof), the ripple effects of mega-contract rumors around stars like Kaprizov, and what those numbers mean for the salary cap and Igor Shesterkin’s deal. Listeners’ questions fuel the heart of the show: How excited should fans really be heading into 2025-26? Which Ranger must rebound most—Mika Zibanejad or Alexis Lafrenière—for the team to take a step forward? Is the fourth line truly set? Plus: Artemi Panarin’s next contract, his Hall of Fame case, and the most egregious movies Joe hasn’t seen (prepare to be appalled). Give it a listen!Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter for $65/year to read and comment on all of our great content!
Live from a hotel room in New Orleans, Joe and Eric dive into Episode 47 of Blueshirt Bandwidth—the Steven Kampfer episode. With little real Rangers news to chew on, the guys still find plenty to debate: from the bizarre exclusion of Chris Kreider in the Rangers’ 100th anniversary video, to the power play puzzle without one of the NHL’s top net-front presences, to where Alexis Lafrenière actually fits in Mike Sullivan’s system. Listener questions take things further, sparking conversation about Adam Fox’s playoff performances, future free agent targets (yes, including Jack Eichel’s rumored $15M ask), whether Brad Park deserves jersey retirement recognition, and the ongoing development of Braden Schneider. Plus, a few tangents about hotels, Western Conference exec gossip, and Chip23’s uncanny knack for stirring up arguments. Give it a listen!Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter for $65/year to read and comment on all of our great content!
Joe and Eric dive into Dan Rosen’s “Three Questions Facing the Rangers,” focusing on Mike Sullivan’s surprising plan to start Mika Zibanejad on the wing alongside J.T. Miller. They break down what that means for the team’s center depth, Vincent Trocheck’s role, and the futures of Brennan Othmann, Brett Berard, and Will Cuylle. The guys also tackle questions from subscribers on Braden Schneider’s development, Dylan Garand’s path to the NHL, the captaincy debate, and USA Hockey’s Olympic roster outlook and the insane Adam Fox slander. Plus, some shots at Dom Luszczyszyn’s contract grades, Marc Messier’s coaching “what-ifs,” and a hilarious look at Gerard Gallant’s Shanghai Dragons intro video. Give it a listen!Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter for $65/year to read and comment on all of our great content!Shanghai Dragons Gerard Gallant announcement video
In the first-ever Blueshirt Banter Fantasy Expansion Draft, Eric, Joe, and special guest commissioner Roberto battle it out to build the best imaginary NHL franchise. With protection lists set, cap constraints looming, and plenty of chirps flying, the trio navigates surprising unprotected stars, risky long-term bets, and bargain gems—plus a few hilarious mispronunciations along the way. From strategic steals to baffling oversights, it’s part draft, part roast, and all Banter. Give it a listen!Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter for $65/year to read and comment on all of our great content!Blueshirt Banter Fantasy Expansion DraftVote on who drafted the better expansion team
In this week’s episode, Joe and Eric kick things off by embracing the dog days of summer with an unhinged examination of Rangers jersey numbers—including a nice one that has never been issued—and the return of Vitali Kravtsov (sort of). Then, they’re joined by Keegan Jarvis, Hartford Wolf Pack correspondent for Blueshirt Banter, for a long-awaited breakdown of all things Wolf Pack. Keegan shares insight on the Rangers’ AHL development pipeline, expectations for Brennan Othman, Brett Berard, and Gabe Perreault, and what Scott Morrow’s path to the NHL might look like. Plus: listener questions, predictions, PTO speculation, and a mini therapy session about the team’s drafting history. Give it a listen!Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter for $65/year to read and comment on all of our great content!
Joe and Eric return for Episode 43—the Marty Biron episode—with a mailbag special. They open with thoughts on Conor Sheary’s curious PTO and what it signals about Mike Sullivan’s influence, the logjam of forwards, and how the Rangers will handle their crop of young players, including Brennan Othman and Gabe Perreault. From there, it’s a listener-driven AMA covering Marco Rossi, regression to the mean, expansion cities, contraction debates, who they’d steal from the 1994 team (hint: it’s not Messier), and plenty more. Give it a listen!Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter for $65/year to read and comment on all of our great content!
Joe and Eric are back and they’re joined by The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler to break down the Rangers’ draft strategy, prospect development, and why Gabe Perreault and Scott Morrow could play big roles this season. They also dig into Chris Kreider’s amicable departure and Wolverine-hand saga, reassess the upside of Alexis Lafrenière, and debate the risks and rewards of trading for a top draft pick. Whether you're high on the Rangers' young core or skeptical about their timeline, 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!
Joe and Eric tackle the dog days of summer with no shortage of hot takes. From the Rangers’ safe pick of Dave Maloney to join Kenny Albert in the MSG broadcast booth, to the team’s flavorless schedule reveal, the guys dive into all things off-ice—and offbeat. They debate Chris Kreider’s reported anger over a missing tribute video, fantasize about Connor McDavid trade scenarios, and break down where Brennan Othmann and Brett Berard might fit in Mike Sullivan’s system. There’s also talk of power play shakeups, punchable NHL faces (looking at you, Paul Maurice), and the most iconic Rangers moments since 2010. It’s a little messy, a little emotional, and very Blueshirt Banter. Give it a listen!Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter for $65/year to read and comment on all of our great content!
Joe and Eric are joined by Vince Mercogliano of lohud.com and the New Ice City podcast for an in-depth conversation about the Rangers' offseason moves. They break down the Gavrikov signing, the K'Andre Miller trade to Carolina, and what the new defensive pairings could look like under Mike Sullivan. Plus: what to expect from Scott Morrow, where Mika Zibanejad fits in the lineup, and why patience might be key for prospects like Brennan Othmann and Gabe Perreault. And, critically, is it sauce or is it gravy? Give it a listen!Vince Mercogliano on XLoHud.com Rangers CoverageNew Ice City PodcastSubscribe to Blueshirt Banter for $65/year to read and comment on all of our great content!
Joe and Eric are back to break down one of the most pivotal weeks in recent New York Rangers history, covering everything from the K'Andre Miller trade and the signing of Vladislav Gavrikov to a surprisingly savvy draft and the possibility of a looming Jack Eichel disappointment. They dive into what Chris Drury got right, what it means for the team's future, and why the Rangers' new defensive core might be better than expected. Give it a listen!Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter for $65/year to read and comment on all of our great content!
Joe and Eric are back to break down a pivotal week in the New York Rangers' offseason, starting with Chris Drury’s decision to send the 12th overall pick to Pittsburgh and what it signals for the team’s short- and long-term strategy. They dig into the implications for K’Andre Miller’s future, debate the rumored signing of Vladislav Gavrikov, and discuss how the Rangers’ blue line could take shape under Mike Sullivan. Plus, they explore the fourth-line makeover, potential Brendan Othmann trade chatter, and why Adam Fox might finally get the ideal partner. A must-listen for Rangers fans tracking every move ahead of the NHL Draft and free agency. Give it a listen!Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter for $65/year to read and comment on all of our great content!
Joe is out this week and Eric is joined by the inimitable Chip23 for a summer episode that covers everything from Sam Bennett’s playoff payday to the Rangers’ evolving roster. The duo dives deep into Florida’s playoff run, Edmonton’s goaltending woes, and what New York should and shouldn’t emulate from either. They break down the Chris Kreider trade, K'Andre Miller’s uncertain future, and what a Mika Zibanejad rebound under Mike Sullivan might look like. Plus: spicy food regrets, Taco Bell hazing stories, and Yankees vs. Astros rage. It’s a mix of hockey insight, offbeat tangents, and offseason optimism. Give it a listen!Subscribe to Blueshirt Banter for $65/year to read and comment on all of our great content!