I think it was time for Brian to retire. I respect Brian Leetch and I think he is one of the all time great defensemen in the NHL. What makes him so special are his accomplishments and his numbers as a Ranger, an American and a New Yorker.

Having said that, I hope Brian can put aside his hurt feelings and that they retire his number next season. Hopefully, a reconciliation and a socko ceremony will finally quel all the speculation about comebacks. It will give peace and closure to all those whining fans who have been spewing vitriol since he was traded to Toronto.

Every generation has their heros. Two of mine were Brad Park and Jean Ratelle from the late 60’s and early 70’s. Had they spent there entire careers with the Rangers, maybe their numbers would have been retired. They too were unceremoniusly traded to Boston amidst the outcry of outraged fans. Trades happen in hockey. It’s a part of the game. Whether the players coming the other way where worth the price is immaterial.

I hope they hold the Leetch Retirement party as early in the season as possible. Time to get it over and get over it. The last of the 94 Cup champions will go to the rafters. Knowing the MSG PR machine, the organization will schedule it for February to draw in the crowds if the Rangers aren’t having a good season. Another year, another dog and pony show.

Pretty soon some teams will run out of numbers to retire. New players will have to start wearing Roman numerals on their sweaters. Personally, after Leetch’s number is retired, I hope the league prohibits this practice. It just serves to tell other great players that their careers just weren’t worthy enough. Does that mean all the other great Ranger players of the past were unworthy just because they didn’t win the Stanley Cup ? I don’t think so.

Number retirements feed in to our our society’s penchant for superlatives. Good, better best. We never give it a rest.