Ice Chips

The New York Rangers started off great against the Buffalo Sabres the other night, and then they fell apart against the NHL's best team. The Sabres beat the Blueshirts in a run-and-gun matchup that was more like a game from the 1980s.

The good news is that it is early in the season. The bad news is that Kevin Weekes started in goal for the Rangers and was awful on most shots. He had groin problems in camp and probably is just not in good enough shape right now. But last season he was the Rangers' road warrior. Now after such a dismal performance on the road the question becomes when will he start again. Weekes was no favorite of The Garden faithful last season so it's going to be a tricky situation for Head Coach Tom Renney.

Darius Kasparaitis returns tonight against the New Jersey Devils at MSG. Kasper was kept out of the lineup for the first five games of the season after off-season surgery restricted him from getting into top game shape. The message from Renney was clear: Ice time is earned, it doesn't matter who it is. Expect Kasper to be in a nasty mood tonight!

Brian Leetch is back skating according to the New York Post's Larry Brooks. It is expected that it will take Leetch a month to get back into game shape before being ready to play. Interested suitors for Leetchie include Boston, Philly, and the New York Rangers.

The Rangers are among several teams also interested in sniper Peter Bondra, also unsigned.

Penguins' Evgeni Malkin will return earlier than expected to suit up against the New Jersey Devils Wednesday night. Watch this guy, he's a superstar-in-the-making!

Toronto superstar Mats Sundin scored his 500th goal in dramatic fashion on Saturday night giving the Leafs the win in OT against Calgary. Toronto got Sundin in a blockbuster deal in June of 1994 that sent Wendel Clark, along with Sylvain Lefebvre, Landon Wilson and a first-round pick to the Quebec Nordiques for Sundin, Garth Butcher, Todd Warriner and a first- round pick. Clark would eventually finish his career as a Leaf in 2000.

It took a while because Clark was so popular, but Sundin has really won the fans over in Toronto. Some even believing Mats to be the best Leaf ever!

Sundin is viewed the same way former NFL star John Elway was before he won two Superbowls. Sundin has accomplished everything expect a championship. I wonder if he would accept a trade to a contender...

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