Things haven't been the same since Alexei Kovalev and the Rangers won the Cup in '94. Mike Powell/Getty Images

On June 14, 1994, I slouched in front of my TV as the New York Rangers hoisted their first Stanley Cup in 54 years -- a sight that I, as an Islanders fan, had dreaded. Surely there would be cosmic ramifications to the Rangers turning the world upside down. Indeed, the "Now I Can Die Happy" sign waved by a fan in Madison Square Garden was prophetic.

Consider:

• Seeking a salary cap, the NHL locked out the players, reducing the next season to 48 games before the Devils ushered in the death of offense with their neutral zone trap. New Jersey won the first of its three Cups in a sweep of Detroit, which had the league's best regular-season record.

• Misjudging its appeal in non-traditional markets, the NHL's rush south continued as Canada lost the Quebec Nordiques to Colorado (1995) and the Winnipeg Jets to hockey hotbed Arizona (1996). The Hartford Whalers moved to Carolina (1997). Teams in Nashville (1998) and Atlanta (1999) hit the ice, and attendance slid with them.

• With Columbus and Minnesota in the stale party mix, TV ratings landed in La Toilette, just south of Arena Football. The NHL's latest two-year deal with NBC pays no rights fees and splits ad revenue after costs for production and Dick Ebersol's dry cleaning are deducted. ESPN declared it don't need no stinkin' hockey, but reached behind its sofa cushions and handed over $60 million for one year's worth and an option for two. (The NFL, meanwhile, belches contentedly on $17.4 billion for eight years).

• The average NHL salary soared from $572,000 in 1994-95 to $1.64 million in 2003-04 (average NFL salary: $1.1). Worst culprit: those darn Rangers, who threw up to $11 million per season for the remains of fading superstars Wayne Gretzky, Eric Lindros, Pavel Bure, and Jaromir Jagr while failing to show up for the playoffs in seven straight seasons.

• Seeking a salary cap, the NHL locked out the players and a Zogby poll revealed that 56 percent of Americans are blissfully unaware that there is no 2004-05 season.

Clearly, this hideous mess is the Rangers' fault.

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OK, I jest. A bit. But the NHL and its players better get some positive chatter going over their tea and macaroons today. It's obvious as the bulb nose on the league's face that it can't afford to take a season off unless it enjoys playing in empty arenas with games broadcast on ham radio. The way it's going about this merry little lockout is widely seen as one more nail in the coffin of pro sports, and that ain't good for the league as presently constituted, particularly when it is traditionally the fourth or fifth banana on the tree.

From Ron Kerns in Martinsburg, W. Va.: "A lot of my friends and relatives have the same outlook on pro sports that I do. We don't spend any money on tickets, parking or travel to events, nor on hats, shirts, shoes, etc. The greed of the owners, players, and agents, and the excessive media coverage and spin makes us sick. This attitude will be shared with our children, which in turn will be passed to their children. I guess we will have to resort to other forms of entertainment like playing games with our kids, going on trips to museums and art galleries."

From Kristen G. in Detroit: "I assure you that fans here are not disinterested, we're bitter. The players and owners have known this strike was coming for years, and did nothing to prevent it. So let them sit and stew, simmer, and go bankrupt. They are simply getting what they wanted."

From Lisa in Atlantic City: "Hockey fans would be more upset if they had any sympathy for the NHL or NHLPA. They have shown little concern for the fans and the backlash their greed is creating. Why should the fans care about them, if they don't care about the fans? The resolution of this labor dispute will not change anything for the fans."

From Joe Miller in Randolph, N.J.: "I am a Devils fan, but more than that, a hockey fan. I love to watch whatever game happens to be on. To be honest, while it is a shame that they are not playing, I have found other things to do. At this point, I really don't care if or when they come back."

From George E. Burrows in Monponsett, Mass.: "Wouldn't it be great if they decide to form a new league with the six original teams? The talent wouldn't be spread so thin and the fans would get a worthwhile product for their money."

Such a thing is not farfetched. Methinks the NHL will be wise to cut back and tend to its core of devoted fans who have been neglected in the pie-eyed rush for new markets and moolah.

This word from Manufacturer's Hangover ...

The hits keep on coming from the broadcast booth ....

Another Ralph Kiner classic: "When Daryl Boston was traded to the Mets, he went on Kiner's Korner. The first thing Kiner says is, "Welcome to Kiner's Korner, Daryl. You've really solidified the Mets' outfield problems!" I laughed out loud for 15 minutes!"
-- John Doyle, Staten Island, N.Y.

Jerry Coleman doing a Dodgers game on CBS radio: "And now Howell is throwing up in the bullpen."  Mike Palmer, Petaluma, CA

Canucks radio color man, Tom Larsheid, saying. "I spoke to Pavel Bure this morning and his groin never felt better."
-- Charles Hamilton, Vancouver, Canada

Kevin in New York City sent in poetic commentary by Knicks broadcaster Walt "Clyde" Frazier:

"Tenacious D!" (Which inspired a band name)

"Nice swishing and dishing."

"Timely hooping!"

"Knicks starting to percolate."

When Miami's Clarence Weatherspoon scored an easy bucket: "Knicks looking, Spoon cooking."

Michael Schatz, Fredericton, N.B., Canada, contributed two classic Mike Lange-isms: 1) He beat him like a rented mule; 2) He put it top shelf where mom keeps the peanut butter.