Larry Brooks, of the New York Post, 
writes a very angry column about the Rangers signing noted thug, Donald Brashear.
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.
I don’t disagree with Brooks on this. Brashear is a big time thug and has been his whole career but maybe the Rangers thought it would be better if Brashear was taking a run at Sidney Crosby then it would be for Brashear to run at Marian Gaborik, who they were negotiating with. His contract doesn’t make him immune to being benched or sent to Hartford, he would have to pass through waivers, if the team feels that Dane Byers, or someone else, can fit his role better.
Brooks also notes that:
- Montreal was willing to include goalie Carey Price in negotiations for Tampa Bay‘s Vinny Lecavalier.
- The Philadelphia Flyers may be interested in Brendan Shanahan if he doesn’t re-sign in New Jersey.
- Pittsburgh offered Mike Knuble a one year contract worth $2 million, he signed with the Capitals for two years at $5.6 million.
Brooks is 100% correct. Signing this putz is like the Rangers signing Dave Schultz just after the ’74 season. I would have kept Colton Orr who is 10 years younger than Brashear. The only good thing about this jackass in NY is that if they make a sequel to Planet of the Apes he can get a starring role as a Gorilla. He couldn’t even play one of the more intelligent apes he would definitely be a gorilla. Brashear may be the ONLY guy in the league booed off the ice when he plays at home! As living proof that abortions can sometimes live Brashear should donate his body to science ASAP! I may buy a Brashear jersey only so I can burn it in effigy on his front lawn! Hopefully Brashear can read and he’ll read these comments so he will never walk into the home locker room at MSG. It’s just like the Rangers signed Dave Schultz. By the way the only, I REPEAT ONLY TIME I EVER ROOTED FOR AN ISLANDER IS WHEN GILLIES DISMANTLED SCHULTZ. That was truly a thing of beauty! BRASHEAR LISTEN CLOSELY YOU JACKASS, DON’T BOTHER PLAYING FOR THE RANGERS. IT’S TOTALLY WRONG THAT YOU SHOULD EVER WEAR RANGER BLUE. I ACTUALLY THOUGHT OF NOT RENEWING MY TICKETS. BUT THEN I FIGURED THAT YOUR TENURE HERE WILL BE SHORT AT BEST. AND THIS MAY BE ANOTHER GREAT REASON TO FIRE SATHER AS WELL! SATHER’S TIME MAY BE ONE HIP INJURY AWAY FROM EXPIRED TOO!!