IT’S all but impossible to ridicule an organization that’s going to have a $70M payroll for not being willing to spend $5M more, but we sure hope the Rangers didn’t pass on Tony Amonte in order to fit Mark Messier into the budget.

Because if it was one or the other, Glen Sather made the wrong choice.

Moving Petr Nedved for a substantial left winger makes sense and so does dealing Nedved for a potential young stud on defense in Derek Morris. But moving No. 93 to open up the third center spot for Messier most certainly does not.

Right now. Pavel Bure on the right with Eric Lindros; Jamie Lundmark given a real opportunity to play the right with Bobby Holik; Radek Dvorak on the right with Nedved; Messier on the fourth line ready to contribute on the power play and ready to step up if and when No. 88 goes down.

It was obvious at the time. The Devils were done with Petr Sykora the moment he stayed out of Game 5 of the Carolina series with a bruised foot, if not Game 1 – and not only management, but many of his peers, as well.

Finally, Paul Vincent joined the Panthers after three years in Tampa as “special skills coach?” Who knew?