from Mark Madden of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review,

The New York Rangers are going to retire goaltender Henrik Lundqvist’s No. 30.

Lundqvist played 15 seasons. He never won a Stanley Cup. He played in just one Stanley Cup final. He won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender once.

If Lundqvist had played for Buffalo, he’d be in witness protection. No one would know who he is.

But Lundqvist played in the Big Apple. He was very good and charismatic. So he gets his number hung in the rafters of Madison Square Garden.

Heck, Phish has a banner hung at MSG for playing there 13 straight nights. It doesn’t take much.

That’s the problem: It’s too easy to get your number retired.

The Rangers have retired eight numbers honoring 10 players. That’s despite winning just one Stanley Cup since 1940. Only three of those honored won Stanley Cups.

The whole process gives Phish credibility.

But when glory isn’t earned, it’s good PR to bestow it.

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