Five Ways Rangers Fans Can Make August Not Boring

June and early July are the most exciting times of the summer for hockey fans. The Stanley Cup is awarded, the awards are handed out, the draft happens and then free agency is upon us. Ranger fans got their excitement when Rick Nash was traded to New York late in July.

But August? It’s the slow part of the off-season before training camp opens in September. Shane Doan is still hanging around the free agency market, and there’s the CBA to be negotiated. But it’s starting to get quiet for hockey news if it hasn’t been already.

So here I offer five ways Rangers cans can entertain themselves in August.

Buy your Rick Nash jersey

You mean you haven’t already?! Run, run, run! Before they’re all sold out! You need it for opening night! (Even if opening night might not be until, well, who knows)

Practice your booing

Need to practice your booing for whatever high-paid athlete that doesn’t perform to your extremely high and unrealistic expectations? There’s this baseball team in Queens that’s pissing off its fans a lot this summer. Just head out to a game and I’m sure you’ll get some booing in before the start of the season.

Follow Michael Del Zotto on Twitter

Del Zotto hasn’t signed a new contract yet with the Rangers. So maybe following him on Twitter will give you some insight into the contract process.

Oh, who am I kidding? Follow MDZ because his Twitter feed is amusing. He posts like a 16-year-old girl reading Tiger Beat. Ever wonder the psychology of MDZ fangirls? A day looking at his Twitter feed will unveil all the mysteries to you.

Have healthy debate with rival fans

Or just troll them to prepare for next season. Some examples:

1. “So, how many points do you think Zach Parise will have this season?”
2. “I heard Rick DiPietro was cleared to play.”
3. “So what number is Shea Weber going to wear for the Flyers?”

Go outside and enjoy summer!

To be serious for a minute: It’s August and the summer is nearly over. The days on the beach and the nights of backyard barbecues will soon be over. It’ll be winter with its short days and cold weather soon enough. Let’s not rush the summer just so we can get hockey back. I’m excited for next season too, but I want to enjoy the summer a little longer too.

Hope you’re having a fantastic summer so far!