Dan Girardi Appreciation thread

[Mac n Gs]

It's funny to think back to the type of dman G was before Torts turned him into a shot-blocking machine. He's easily one of the most likable personalities we've had in the last 20 years, and I always respected how willing he was to sacrifice his own body to help the team win.

Best of luck, G!

 

[haohmaru]

Some say he's still thrusting.

He'll be thrusting a lot more now that he's not going to be on the road half of the year. If you get my meaning.

 

[Nopuckluck]

Heart and sole blood sweat and tears hockey player. Gave up his body for us and was a HUGE part of the teams runs. Great Ranger that the millennial didn’t appreciate

 

[JCProdigy]

It's hard to find the right words. The only thing that comes to mind is a begrudging wrestling handshake so here's a gif of one:

So Chris Benoit is the one offering the handshake ergo you are equating yourself with Chris Benoit eh...

 

[Machinehead]

So Chris Benoit is the one offering the handshake ergo you are equating yourself with Chris Benoit eh...

Bullshit, I'm Randy Orton

Of course, what Benoit did outside the ring wasn't the point, I just love that moment.

 

[rangers1314]

Very much hope he has a standing job offer with the franchise.

 

[egelband]

Checked to see if Girardi ever played with Leetch and Messier. He missed by a couple seasons. But Dom Moore did.
Just thought that was cool.

 

[ohbaby]

The G-man will always be in the hearts of us Rangers fans. He is a stark reminder of why we were so good for so long defensively as a team. Our G-man, the NHL's all time leader in blocked shots,.. personified what it meant to be a NY Ranger.

 

[Sockosensei]

Girardi's body has to be at least 7% puck by now.

And the remaining 93% pure untainted guts.

Thank you, Danny G.
One of the great Rangers of my lifetime and the face of an era.

 

[egelband]

A great career. He truly defined what it was to be New York Ranger! All the best to him in retirement.

Hah. True. Some characteristics of a "true Ranger". Take beatings, get mocked a lot even by your "fans", light on talent, over achieve but not to the point of Champion, More bruises and breaks than teeth.

 

[PalmCoastRanger]

The G-man will always be in the hearts of us Rangers fans. He is a stark reminder of why we were so good for so long defensively as a team. Our G-man, the NHL's all time leader in blocked shots,.. personified what it meant to be a NY Ranger.

One of the best memories I have of G was a game against the Hurricanes. It wasn't a memory of him blocking shots or laying down a big hit.

It was from a game where people behind the bench were roasting G all night long. Then he goes on PK, helps kill it and goes for a change. He attempted to anyway, but coaches waved him back to the ice, so he stayed. His partner was allowed to change for one of our offensive dmen to start a counter. Badly timed change...Rangers got hemmed in and eventually gave up a goal. Danny G. slowly skated back to the bench toward variations of "G sucks" chants, right after being double shifted.

That is how I will always remember G. Heavily relied on by his peers and though he was heavily excoriated, he always did his job without complaint. A great Ranger.

The Rangers did pull out a come back win that night.

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

I think he was a much better player before he got addicted to pain from shot blocking. Scored 10 goals in his first full season and only 7 minor penalties in 82 games.

 

[bmoak]

He did very well for an undrafted guy who was denied entry to the US at the start of his pro career.

Considering his lack of foot speed, he was very good at staying out of the box and/or hurting the team with dumb penalties.

 

[Mikos87]

Guy was a warrior. Gave it his all.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

All the best to G. One of my favorites for sure and a guy you could tell was just beloved by his teammates.

 

[DekeR]

What he lacked for in skill sets he made up for in aces was his blood and guts approach to the game. Considering how many D men actually play in the NHL on any given night 190-210 and how many D men in all countries want to play in the NHL. Going undrafted and actually playing 13 seasons is a huge accomplishment. Only a few players will accomplish that every decade. Hell of a career G.

 

[will1066]

One of the members of the Bluebloods era. Every hockey player should conduct himself like Dan Girardi.

What else is there to say about him that hasn't been said? Every up-and-comer who dreams of being undrafted also wishes to be him some day.

 

[haohmaru]

I don't know if this has been posted before but this is five minutes of mic'd up G that's pure comedy gold:

Enjoy!

 

[Crease]

One of the most important Rangers since the lockout. Enjoy retirement Dan.

 

[GAGLine]

Dan Girardi: An open letter to New York Rangers fans

Everyone talks about the New York fans. You’re hard on us, but when we are winning — and going to the Cup final (in 2014) — it was the coolest thing I’ve been a part of. Walking around the city, you’ve got the guy on the horse and buggy, he’s saying, “Good luck, guys!” and “Come on Girardi, let’s go get ’em!” People you don’t even think would know what hockey was are cheering you on. New York is one of the best cities in the world, and to be able to call it home for 11 years was pretty special to me.

 

[Nopuckluck]

Dan Girardi: An open letter to New York Rangers fans

One of my favorite Rangers of all time. Gave his body and bled for this team.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF G WAS STILL ON THE TEAM THE OTHER NIGHT VS THE Bs WHEN Z GOT HIT LIKE THAT?

 

[mrhockey193195]

Hasn't really sunk in that both Cally and Girardi are retired. Two of my all time favorite players, I desperately wanted to see both of them win a cup before it was over.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF G WAS STILL ON THE TEAM THE OTHER NIGHT VS THE Bs WHEN Z GOT HIT LIKE THAT?

The team probably would have lost 9-4 instead of 7-4

 

[Leonardo87]

Hasn't really sunk in that both Cally and Girardi are retired. Two of my all time favorite players, I desperately wanted to see both of them win a cup before it was over.

Met those two last month together. They were with their wives over in Orlando. Had a nice conversation with them. Really class act guys. Really miss them playing. Were both warriors on the ice and leaders

 

[True Blue]

One of the most important Rangers since the lockout. Enjoy retirement Dan.

Agreed. There are a few here that will continue to vilify him, but one of the more important pieces in all of those runs.