More on Brashear

I really hate the idea of rooting for Donald Brashear. However, I am learning that every other Ranger fan also agrees with me. Even the guy behind the counter at Hot Bagels in Glen Rock, NJ. So that helps a little. I have this vision in my head of opening night and the entire Garden booing when his ugly mug comes out in our Broadway Blue. Aw, hell, this is the internet, right? Can anyone help make sure that happens? Home opener, everyone boo Brashear please. And also every time he touches the puck, at every home game, if possible. Make it obvious that he's unwelcome. That'd be sweet.

Here are Larry Brooks's thoughts. I feel so strongly about this that you don't even have to click on that link: I'll just reprint the article here for you. The rest of this post is Brooks's "Rangers Broke Bond by Signing Thug Brashear" from the New York Post:

Apparently it's considered a greater sin in Rangerland to step on the logo sewn into the carpet on the locker room floor than it is to attempt to decapitate one of the players actually wearing the uniform.

Let's get this straight. The decision to sign free agent Washington thug Donald Brashear -- who appeared to spend an inordinate amount of time since the end of lockout attempting to injure Rangers before finally succeeding with the Game 6 blindside blow to Blair Betts' head that knocked him out of the playoffs with a broken orbital bone and concussion -- represents an indelible stain on the family concept preached by head coach John Tortorella.

Brashear is a headhunter with a repugnant rap sheet who mugged Jaromir Jagr to such a degree when No. 68 was a Ranger that Brendan Shanahan, of all people, felt the need to drop the gloves and finally challenge him at the Garden on Dec. 30, 2007. He is a bully who sickened the Garden, the league and Rangers fans in fulfilling his seek-and-destroy mission against Betts, who is on the free-agent market after not being invited back to Broadway.

Brasher earned a five-game suspension from the NHL for his violent act. Fewer than three months later, he has earned a two-year, $2.8 million contract from the Rangers for his violent persona. Again, it's sickening.

Maybe it isn't quite the Mets bringing Roger Clemens to Queens the offseason after beaning Mike Piazza and throwing a piece of a bat at him, but it's the same principle. You don't bring people into the family after they've hurt a member of the family. You don't do everything possible to promote loyalty to the team and engage in this act of disloyalty.

Brashear is no better player than Colton Orr, the enforcer he replaces, despite the propaganda disseminated by the front office. He's an oafish fourth-liner who will get approximately eight minutes a night and will be expected to inflict serious damage on the opposition. He'll no doubt be suspended during the season.

Obviously neither Tortorella nor GM Glen Sather thinks so, but it's our belief the signing of Brashear breaks a bond with the team's fan-base as well as with the team's players. It shouldn't matter whether Betts is here or not. This should not have been done. Or does anyone believe Lou Lamoriello would ever consider bringing Sean Avery to New Jersey?