from Larry Brooks of the New York Post,

If a reason is needed, beyond the fact that Brad Park is one of the greatest two defensemen in franchise history and thus deserves to have his No. 2 retired and raised to the top of the Garden’s pinwheel ceiling beside his peer, Brian Leetch’s, there is this:

It would mean the world to a generation of Rangers fans who have watched their team for 50 or 60 years and have one Stanley Cup to show for it. How about that one?

How about the franchise, now led by a gentleman from Connecticut who grew up rooting for the Blueshirts and later became captain of the team, giving a little bit back to its fan base by honoring the last of the five pillars of Emile Francis’ beloved teams the way Rod Gilbert, Ed Giacomin, Jean Ratelle and Vic Hadfield have already been recognized?

This is not a plea to president and general manager Chris Drury that is based on sentiment alone. If you ever saw Park wearing the Blueshirt, you would know that. I don’t care that he played only 465 games for the Rangers before being sent away to the Bruins in the trade, 46 years ago this very Sunday, which signaled the End of Times. Why should anyone? It is not as if he walked out on his own.

continued plus more topics...