By hockey standards, the disaster that is the New York Rangers has a touch of the Titanic and Hindenberg about it. 

Everybody – even in distant Edmonton – seems to be talking, wondering. how the richest NHL team in America has become the square root of ignominy and ineptitude.

Well folks, Edmonton is part of the problem because the Oilers got the right coach in Kris Knoblauch and the Rangers did not.

What's more, you could say that Knoblauch was purloined right from under GM Chris Drury's watch. After all Kris was doing wonderful things in Hartford where the Wolf Pack just happens to be the New Yorkers supply store.

"The natural order of progression," says The Old Scout, "should have been Knoblauch replacing Gerard Gallant when Drury fired Gallant. Ignoring Knoblauch was a huge mistake on Drury's part."

Nobody who knew Knoblauch in Hartford was surprised when Kris orchestrated McDavid, Inc. to within one win of the Stanley Cup last spring. Nor will they be surprised if he does it again.

Kris can coach. Period!

As for Laviolette,  nobody will be particularly surprised if –  by next week – Pistol Pete will be on the unemployed line alongside John Tortorella.

These things happen when a veteran coach's game plan falls apart like an ill-built Lego set.

Put it this way, "The Disaster On Seventh Avenue" would not have happened had Kris Knoblauch been in charge; as he should have been.

Thus the NHL equation: Lucky Oilers=Ruined Rangers!