Larry Brooks

Larry Brooks

About the Columnist

Larry Brooks was honored by the Hockey Hall of Fame as the 2018 recipient of the Elmer Ferguson Award bestowed upon writers, "who have brought honor to journalism and to hockey." Brooks' plaque is displayed in the Grand Hall of the HHOF. Five times named one of Hockey's 100 People of Power and Influence by The Hockey News, Brooks holds the title of Senior Hockey Columnist and Rangers Writer for The New York Post while also serving as a baseball and tennis columnist during the summer. He is the author of the "Slap Shots" weekly NHL column. Brooks has served two terms with the paper, first from 1976 through 1982 before rejoining The Post in 1994 after a decade as an executive with the New Jersey Devils hockey team. A native of the Upper West Side who attended the Bronx High School of Science and CCNY, Brooks has broken numerous exclusives throughout his career. Those include the Rangers' signing of Wayne Gretzky as a free agent; Mark Messier's free agent signing with Vancouver; Gretzky's decision to retire following the 1998-99 season; the Rangers' decision to rebuild at the 2018 trade deadline; Henrik Lundqvist's retirement; and the firings of team president John Davidson and general manager Jeff Gorton plus the hiring of head coach Gerard Gallant. Brooks, who has broken multiple labor negotiation-related exclusives throughout his career, gave Lundqvist his nickname, "The King," after the third game of the goaltender's career.

The Archive

Concern grows for young Rangers center after latest suspected concussion

There is concern for this personable and engaging 24-year-old about his future quality of life. That is the priority.

How did NHL overtime lose all its action? Let the Rangers explain

Teams have stopped attacking at all costs, especially in overtime.

Rangers are not in the Patrick Kane sweepstakes this time around

Patrick Kane is expected to sign as a free agent by Thanksgiving but The Post has been told that No. 88 will not be returning for a Broadway encore.

Rangers legend Henrik Lundqvist takes rightful place in Hockey Hall of Fame

This is the ultimate rite of passage for Henrik Lundqvist, the King who officially ascended into Hockey Royalty upon his induction into the Hall of Fame here on Monday night.

Henrik Lundqvist in his element for return to ice at Hall of Fame legends game: 'Miss that feeling'

Here was Henrik Lundqvist in his element, just as surely as he will be on Monday when the 41-year-old Swede is inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Rangers star marching toward Hart Trophy after fast start

The player at the top of the Hart Trophy leaderboard after a month’s worth of games is no other than Rangers forward Artemi Panarin.

Rangers call up Hartford goalies after veteran backup joins Igor Shesterkin on 'day-to-day list'

The Hartford goaltending tandem will be wearing Blueshirts at the Garden for Thursday’s match against the Wild.

Rangers enter Wild rematch with key player available this time

The Rangers face the Wild on Thursday after Minnesota largely outmuscled them on Saturday. This time they'll have Barclay Goodrow in the lineup.

Igor Shesterkin practices with Rangers return still murky

The coach did not rule out Shesterkin for Thursday’s assignment against the Minnesota Wild at the Garden, but Jonathan Quick is more likely to get his third straight start.

Rangers must adapt to their shifting reality

Winning consistently without expected contributions from upper-echelon athletes is probably not sustainable over the long haul of an 82-game season.

What changes are in store after the Rangers' run of injury good luck ran out with Adam Fox

Do you know how long it’s been since the Rangers incurred an injury as impactful as the one sustained by Adam Fox?

Avenger myth surrounding ex-Ranger tough guy has been exposed again

The concept of Ryan Reaves acting as either a deterrent or an avenger was once again exposed as one of the NHL’s greatest myths.

Two key injuries will be big early test for Rangers' depth

What you probably don’t exactly love is the club’s depth.

Rangers' fourth line looking to build on strong defensive game

Nobody has done a better job than the Rangers’ fourth line, tasked with protecting leads, if you pay no attention to analytics behind the curtain.

Igor Shesterkin is the Rangers' crunch-time edge

When it comes to goaltenders, crunch time is the only time.

Rangers embracing their post-practice group 'huddle'

The Blueshirts have been concluding their practices this way since the day before the season commenced.

The Bizarro Rangers are thriving

The Rangers have a game plan and they are sticking to it.

Rangers mailbag: Blake Wheeler's slow start, Brennan Othmann's slow burn and Kaapo Kakko's stats

If Wheeler does not respond, intermediate internal moves would precede an attempt to sign or acquire a third-line winger.

Senators star's lengthy gambling suspension lacks needed clarity

Ottawa’s Shane Pinto has been suspended for 41 games for, well, nobody quite exactly knows because of confidentiality agreements built into the 22-year-old’s plea bargain.

Peter Laviolette's telling response to the Rangers 'sticking up' for their teammate

For a moment, I thought Peter Laviolette was channeling Alain Vigneault, the head coach who forever was tainted by instructing his clubs to turn the other cheek.