A couple of days ago a Rangers fan posted a notice on X/Twitter accompanied by a photo of Russian offensive ace Maxim Shabanov.

"Are we getting him next?" was the text message. It was clear to the Blueshirts' loyalist that Shabanov would look good on Seventh Avenue.

Well, the fact of the matter is that Shabanov will look good, but skating for the New York

Islanders who signed him – and not the Rangers.

We all know that the New York-New York rivalry dates back to 1972, when the Islanders were born, but it's taking on a new form this summer. And for a good reason since  both clubs are desperate to rebuild. 

The race to sign Shabanov is Exhibit A.

"These two teams are battling each other," says The Old Scout, "because they both missed the playoffs and don't want to do it again. At the least, they want a Wild Card berth."

Both teams are set in goal but the Rangers admittedly are fortifying their blue line corps. K'Andre Miller had become  defensive debit so GM Chris Drury signed the veteran Slava Gavrikov.

The Islanders lost Mike Reilly – also, like Miller, to Carolina – and might replace him with their number one Draft pick Matthew Schaefer. But that's only a "might."

"Rushing Schaefer to the NHL right from Junior hockey could be a mistake," adds The Old Scout, "but if the kid has the goods then he might work as a longshot gamble."

What To Make Of The Rangers' Free Agent Frenzy Performance There's a new day dawning for the Blueshirts and its official flying object is The Bluebird of Happiness. 

The Islanders missed the playoffs – one point behind the Rangers – in the Wildcard race. Now both New York clubs have two more months to lift themselves to playoff calibre for the 2025-26 campaign.

And wouldn't it be something if both made it. Even better; if both made it and faced each other in the 2026 playoffs!