Phil Esposito goes bananas over Martin St. Louis trade rumor (NSFW)

Talklng a blue streak: Phil Esposito's rant is the Hall of Famer at his unvarnished best ... or worst. (Getty Images) By Allan Muir Anyone who has heard

Talklng a blue streak: Phil Esposito's rant is the Hall of Famer at his unvarnished best ... or worst. (Getty Images)

By Allan Muir

Anyone who has heard Hockey Hall of Famer Phil Esposito on Sirius/XM's NHL Network Radio knows that he's willing to work a little blue on occasion to make a point. It's all part of his rough-hewed charm.

But earlier this week, Espo found an online outlet that offered him the leeway to express himself in a less guarded fashion. And the results are certainly soiled, if not solid, gold.

Asked for his take on the reports that Martin St. Louis will be traded to the Rangers, the former Lightning GM, who's now an on-air Tampa Bay analyst, let loose with an expletive-filled rant, ripping the source of the rumor -- New York Post writer Larry Brooks -- before admitting that there might be some basis to the story. St. Louis had reportedly requested the trade after being snubbed for the Olympic by Team Canada and Lightning GM Steve Yzerman. What Esposito's screed lacks in adherence to the Socratic Method, it makes up for with frothing vitriol.

WARNING:

Listen here if you dare