The NHL should be rechristened. Call it the BSL: the BLOCKED SHOT LEAGUE. That's all anybody does. If that's exciting, I'll eat my hat. Or a puck.

Can't change it. Can't legislate against it. For better or worse, it's here to stay.

The New York Rangers are the prime perps. The Rangers opened the Eastern Conference final with a 3-0 win over New Jersey. The Devils had 21 shots on goal. The Rangers blocked 26. The Rangers don't have one goalie. They have six.

It's not ruining hockey, as some suggest. It just makes the world's most exciting game BORING.

Between the Rangers' shot-blocking and the Washington Capitals' deceleration under now ex-coach Dale Hunter, the Rangers-Caps second-round battle was the first seven-game series in NHL history where neither team scored more than thrice.

If I coached against the Rangers and their maniacal shot-blocking, I would tell my players to shoot the puck at their heads for a period. That's not against the rules, either. Test their resolve to sacrifice for the team.

Put one in Dan Girardi's grill. When he's lying there with his eye in one corner and his teeth in another corner, look down and say, "Hey...nice block."

Example below. Note the shooter.

I like Clint Hurdle as Pirates manager, because he DRIVES the team. No one takes a night off, or even a play off. His motivation is PALPABLE.

I LOVED IT on April 24 when Garrett Jones almost got picked off second, and Hurdle embarrassed Jones by immediately pinch-running Nate McLouth. McLouth scored the winning run in a 5-4 victory over Colorado. That is HARSH, but I like it.

But Hurdle has a rep as a hitting coach, and the Pirates can't hit. They rank last in MLB in runs and OPS. Unfortunately, you can't shine excrement.

Hurdle is also a small-ball aficionado, and last night the Pirates got caught stealing twice while Rod Barajas got thrown out at third trying to advance on an attempted sacrifice bunt. The Pirates can't afford to make that many outs taking chances. If you're not SURE, play station-to-station baseball.

The Pirates are 17-18, just one game under .500, and just three games behind in the wild-card race. The extra wild card means teams won't give up so quick. There's less likely to be wholesale player movement at the trade deadline.


Photo courtesy of team photographer Dave Arrigo.

The Pirates rank last among MLB teams in runs and OPS, 28th in batting average. Traditional stats say the Pirates suck; Moneyball confirms the Pirates suck.

The Pirates are 16-18. Not bad, their putrid offense considered. But the Bucs need to make a move.

Don't trade a starting pitcher. Don't dilute a strength. Don't leave yourself vulnerable to injury at baseball's most crucial position.

Trade Joel Hanrahan instead.

I like Hanrahan. He's a big-time closer. But what good is a closer if you rarely hit well enough to lead going into the ninth inning? Juan Cruz is 3/3 on saves. He'll suffice. Closers are disposable.

Then again, that's the problem: Closers are disposable. Hanrahan would probably be a set-up guy with a good team, and he's not off to a great start (3.86 ERA). How much return would he bring?

But if the Pirates are to avoid a 20th straight losing season, they need more offense. Friday's 1-0 home loss to Houston was pitiful, and marked the fourth time the Pirates have been shut out this young season.

Shop Hanrahan. Whatever bat you got would be better than what you have.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

But what about Clint Barmes? A six-year old makes an unassisted triple play:

Image courtesy of @TheClassyYinzer.