What Derick Brassard meant to the Rangers and the underrated void his retirement leaves for the NHL

So the truth of the matter that I just recently discovered is that my favorite quote I ever got from Derick Brassard, one of my favorite players to cover and who officially announced his retirement on Sunday, apparently was edited out of the newspaper, I guess for reasons of civility or etiquette, I can’t imagine.

That’s what I get for looking at my archive.

But nine years after Brassard exploded for a hat trick and five points in the Rangers’ 7-3 victory in Tampa Bay in Game 6 of the conference final, a win that allowed the Rangers to avoid elimination, I couldn’t help but think of the words No. 16 had for me — and the Daily News’ Pat Leonard — in front of his locker after the crowd had dispersed.

Linemates Rick Nash and J.T. Miller each chipped in with a goal and three assists for four-point nights. That added up to five goals and 10 assists among the three players, though Nash and Miller each picked up a point on the power play.