The playoffs issue
With February fast approaching, New York ranks among the top five teams in the Eastern Conference. Frankly, I would be surprised if they fail to make their first postseason appearance since 1997.

But is a deep playoff run possible?

Absolutely.

Clearly, Lundqvist, a virtual lock to be Sweden’s top goalie for the Turin Games, has proven he can win in not only the NHL, but in the highly competitive Swedish Elite League. He was named its MVP while playing against several NHL players last season.

In 2004, he led Sweden to a silver medal at world championships.

But it is unfair to place too much emphasis (or pressure) on Lundqvist to lead the Rangers to the postseason. Remember, Lundqvist is only a rookie. He did not contribute to the team’s past failures.

Is Recchi Broadway bound?
The Rangers have built a talented offensive team around Lundqvist with Jaromir Jagr — an all-world player — and other solid veterans such as Michael Nylander, Martin Straka and Petr Sykora, who was acquired in a Jan. 8 trade with Anaheim.

Don’t be surprised if Blueshirts’ president and GM Glen Sather trades for the Penguins’ Mark Recchi. In his 18th NHL season, Recchi is undersized at just 5-foot-9, but would give the Rangers tough two-way play, solid scoring and the savvy of a true veteran.

Lemieux bids adieu
As I have said, Mario Lemieux, based on his accomplishments a player, could not have picked a wrong time to hang up his skates.

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But let’s face it, at age 40, Lemieux, whom I regard as the fourth-greatest player ever behind Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr and Gordie Howe, simply was not able to play at a level he is accustomed to.

That’s too bad.

It is also difficult not to wonder about what Lemieux might have accomplished had his career not been beset by injuries and illnesses.