The Okposo thing is curious and scary. Here is the evidence we’ve been given:
1) He is in the neuro-surgical ICU.
2) They are referring to his condition as “an illness.”
3) The illness is as yet undiagnosed.
That he’s in the neuro-surgical ICU would indicate that his condition affects his brain or spine. That they refer to his condition as an illness, particularly one that has not yet been diagnosed, would seem to eliminate something like a physical trauma or a stroke. That the illness is still a mystery would seem to eliminate more common things like meningitis.
This has a feeling that’s really similar to when Shane Doan had Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Maybe Okposo’s plight is also a tick-borne illness.
Some of the speculation reminds me of when Zuccarello was in ICU and the twitter fake news was that he was dying, his parents were being flown in from Norway to say goodbye, etc. It made it sound like it was worse than it was, even though it WAS bad. I am just going to resist speculating and hope he has a speedy recovery and can play hockey again next year.
Was Buffalo involved in the mumps outbreak earlier this year? Some of the rare complications arising out of mumps in adults are encephalitis or meningitis. Or even Guillam-Barre syndrome. Hoping he gets well soon.
Hmm. Just saw that Mike Rupp is giving the Rangers the edge in the series. Said Price better than Hank in net right now but you can’t count Hank out when it comes to playoff performance. Also said he thinks the Rangers depth will be too much for Montreal. I didn’t expect that…
I have to admit, I love the rangers….always will, but this team is as bland and boring as I’ve seen. Hard to watch.
–
That being said, I’d be happy as a pig in poop to see this bland, boring team lift the Cup this season.
Norm,
I have said here many times, the best Ranger lineup had Vesey, and Buchnevich in the top 9, and Grabner, and Fast on the 4th line. This lineup has the most balance, depth, and flexibility. Two problems with this. One, I am pretty confident that AV does not agree with me, and two, Buchnevich has not given AV any reason to agree with me. Glass will probably be in the lineup game one.
buch has not given many of us any reason to agree with you. i certainly don’t. grabner has played well and even when not scoring his speed creates chances and disrupts the opposition. he deserves his top 9 status.
probably more like first 6 weeks, not first half. Then injuries hit and Henk cooled tremendously.
.
I am high on Butch but he has show very little since the ASG IMHO.
.
Very surprised they didn’t get a bottom 6 vet who could play PK at the deadline.
.
This team is vanilla and that is in the AV mold. If they lose in 1st round again this season, still a successful season for making the POs?
Carp
They were exciting IF you like the all star game non physical hockey they played. To me that “style” and the lack of personality and intangibles of this current team have made it hard to watch this season compared to most.
I agree Carp,
Glass will be in the lineup. That is the reason I asked this question. Would you rather have Tanner Glass in the lineup, or the seventh Dman?
Rupper is former teammates with several of the Rangers, including Lundqvist. If he’s trying to break into the hockey media business, it’s very important not to piss off your friends so that you can pump them for info later. That’s why Aaron Ward usually breaks Boston, Carolina, or Detroit news.
I was listening to RDS and its so funny, they are calling this series the Kreider revenge tour.
–
Also find it humorous that the pens are “supposedly” considering dressing Tostitos due to the dubi vs Crosby factor.
And let me be clear: it’s not that Crosby can’t beat Dubinsky on the ice. Their gf% against each other is tremendously in favor of Crosby. IT’s that you don’t want Crosby wearing down in the first round from the physical punishment Dubinsky will lay upon him.
well, if you find scoring five goals and winning every game boring …
the nitwit Canadian media is really caught up in this Kreider story. Poor kid. But again, I think it will fuel him. And Yemelin, the jackwagon who tripped him into Price, will get his Y blown off again.
Carp
It isn’t the 5 goals or the winning that is hard to watch, it all the other stuff in between the goals and winning.
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The jackets win with or without Tostitos in the pens lineup. Letang loss yuge
SN
That team was not vanilla, had intangibles, worked its aasen off, and won as many cups as AV and his whistle to whistle crap has. Too bad it didn’t have a bit more skill to go with all that will.
dubinsky fought him in ’11-12. I think four or five guys fought him that season. For sure Bickel, Prust, Dubinsky. I think Rupp. Trying to remember a fifth.
Re D…I think opg and ein kleiner need to play, that lefty log jam is a good problem to have. I’d sit skjeL (I think D zone play is kind of important), but he isn’t sittting. With AV all about “transition” and D men in the offence, staal would then seem to be the next logical choice, but that isn’t happening either…so?
I wonder in match ups against other teams, how many of them would the rangers either have the best forward, d man, or goalie?
Vs mtl they don’t have any of those
Vs bos id say best d man
Vs ott best fwd?
Vs pitt (none when pitt healthy), d man now
Vs cbj d man?
Vs tor d man and goalie
Vs was maybe d man
Carp
I agree re hank. I just think the NHL and all its silly new rules to “open up” the game has made it harder and harder for goalies to “steal” games or series. Goalies really have to rely on teammates defensive ability and system (two things hank doesn’t seem to have in his corner this season) to be successful.
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One of the reasons, along with starting goalies usually only play 75-80% of a teams regular season games…bad return on investment, that a goalie shouldn’t be highest paid player on team imho
Wicky, we have to beat teams with depth. Montreal has Paccioretty, Galchenyuk, and Radulov, but things tail off pretty significantly after them (Gallagher has been a disappointment this season but Byron has been a pleasant surprise). After Weber, the Montreal defense is pretty streaky. Guys like Markov, Petry, and Beaulieu have stretches where they play well, but have many games where you facepalm watching them. Markov not as much in that department. [Y]Emelin is garbage.
Ottawa, same thing. Hoffman, Stone, and Turris are three really good players. After that? Brassard, Ryan et al have been disappointing. I happen to like Ottawa’s defense a lot, especially because Karlsson is so dynamic, but their third pair is weak. And I take Lundqvist over Anderson. Anderson has not been good over the past month and Lundqvist has the higher ceiling.
Boston, all season, has been a one line team. It’s a tremendous line, but the rest of the forwards are weak. I think our defense is better than theirs. Rask is playing better than Lundqvist, but again, Lundqvist has that higher ceiling. Whether he reaches it or not is another story.
I don’t buy the rangers are deeper through their forwards. I do think they are 1-10 forward positions deeper offencively than most other teams, but not complete players deeper.
Interesting the award turned to a popularity contest given Jan Erixon won it first. Not that he wasn’t popular, but not a ‘glamor’ player by any stretch. Amazon Defensive Center.
.
Oscar is starting to really turn on his game (speaking of Swedish Defensive Centers). Saw the interview with him last night and he is jacked.
I hope someone spears Marchand in the eye in the playoffs. The NHL Department of Never Giving Marchand a Worthy Punishment (dongmawp) let him off again. If the Bruins had 5 games left before the playoffs I betcha Marchand gets 5. Can’t suspend him for any playoff games though. Nooooooo. That would be too harsh.
Watch the NHL video describing the incident and subsequent suspension decision. They say all the right things to make you think they’re finally going to get it right and then do exactly the opposite. Smh
Their skating ability or that they are star/elite players as a whole? For instance, Shea Weber is not an elite skater but he is an elite defenseman. By contrast, Rico Fata was an elite skater but a garbage player.
Regarding the Rangers/Canadien series. I think every game will be low scoring and tight checking so whomever wins the special team play PP and PK will win the series.
Carp- excellent article , my Dad was NYPD for 28 years, not enough can be written about this inspirational family and their love for our NYR..well done
AV: Ha ha, the Ukraine. Do you know what the Ukraine is? It’s a sitting
duck. A road apple. The Ukraine is weak. It’s feeble. I think it’s
time to sit the Ukraine.
Buchnevich: I come from Ukraine. You not say Ukraine weak.
It appears to me the rangers PP and PK wasn’t bad first few months of season but got worse as year went on where as it appears to me the Canadiens PP and PK improved as the season went on, especially when they replaced there head coach.
…Not even to mention that Buch is not from Ukraine, but rather from Cherepovec, Russia. Very much deep Russia: about 500 km from Moscow and same from St. Petersburg
I’m not a big fan of hockey-inventor Cooper and some of their players, either. … And I think three of their D, including Shoestore, are worse than Clendening and Kampfer.
“It all boils down to whether or not Price (and Montreal’s defense, which is vastly improved) can contain New York’s offense. And, because Montreal arguably acquired Shea Weber for specifically this purpose, to better insulate and protect Price, it’s hard to believe that Montreal’s game plan heading into this series won’t take into account Price getting injured back in 2014 when these two teams last met in the playoffs.
Whether or not Chris Kreider intended to crash into Price three years ago is irrelevant and has no bearing on the upcoming series (other than the fact Kreider will likely be watched like a hawk). All that matters is that he did, and, with the Canadiens cognizant of the risk, they can prepare accordingly. Although, it feels like the Habs have been waiting for this chance ever since they got eliminated that year.
In short, the Rangers would be mistaken to take their opponents lightly, because the Canadiens won’t be. The Rangers may think they’ve lucked out, but this is likely what the Canadiens have wanted all along. That they match up well against the Rangers is just gravy and points to a Habs victory in the end.
Where’s the word coming from, or is it just opinion, that Holden is now the #7? I saw last night as AV resting 6 starters, and that it was down to Smith vs. Klein for the last spot. Me crazy?
Because if game 3 is Sunday day or night on Easter and Eric Engels who’s dialed in has game 5 Friday 21st game 4 could be Tuesday or Wednesday so either way extra off day
Hate to say it, but….So long as I match up Okay, I would love to open up against the Rangers because I know that if we’re lucky enough to get by them, we will get by them unscathed, unbruised, and healthy for a more physically demanding second round.
As the playoffs approach, it’s becoming clear to me that it’s not the Rangers who are soft. Some of its alleged fans, though… time to toughen up, stop whining about the Blueshirts’ imperfections, and SUPPORT OUR TEAM! Woot, woot!! Wait, am I peaking too soon?
NYR have, at times this season, played physical with a good amount of bump and grind. The problem is they rarely start a game playing that way, even when doing so might be to their advantage. I’m not in the hit for the sake of hitting camp, but do feel taking the body early can open things up a lot later.
Too much handwringing here about who is in or out of the last spots. Don’t be surprised if it changes each game and its a somewhat good problem to have, no?
Which one of youse guys was slicing onions while I was reading Carp’s article on Steven McDonald. Big-time stick tap to Carp as that article will “last a lifetime” 🙂
Good for Keith Yandle. He’s back to having the summers off. I’m guessing he chose Florida knowing that they played there one playoff series for the decade last year.
I wanted to give Florida an HM (Barkov, Huberdeau, Ekblad). Colorado and Anaheim were purely because of performance this year, as was LA (Kopitar could have made it 3).
Crosby first leaves ROR childless with a mean spear… then chops half a finger off of a guy from Ottawa… ZERO minutes in penalty… ZERO days in suspension.
Looks like some promising news out of Buffalo via the AP as per Kyle Okposo. I hope that he well on his way to full recovery because I have had my fill of Neuro ICU and it is not aplace I hope to ever have to visit again.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — A person with direct knowledge of Kyle Okposo’s condition tells The Associated Press the Buffalo Sabres forward is showing signs of improving from an undisclosed illness that has hospitalized him for the past five days.
Shifting gears, I believe Beck is the fourth of the non-emergency recalls. I think the Rangers can make additional recalls once the Wolf Pack are done for the year – which is April 15. I would have thought they’d use the final recall on a goalie so that they would have a third goalie on the roster for the playoffs in case Hank (or Antti in warmups) got hurt during a playoff game.
Oh and kudos btw to former ranger Michael Haley for at the end of a shift going back after Lucic after the hit on (tierney i think) a teammate. That is a big tough man to try and fight, especially when your bagged/gassed.
Forwards big edge Rangers.
D edge Rangers, based on a deeper group.
Goalie, edge Montreal, but not as big an edge as claimed. Seems most have forgotten Price’s slump during the season. It rivaled Hanks.
Coaching, edge even.
Rangers in 5. Deeper, and tested.
I don’t think he was “tanking” but there was definite friction in room with Therrien and players. I’d give more credit to change of coach/system better suited to roster helped stabilize price’ game (and a bit of a happier team dynamic).
Carp – Outstanding article, brought tears to my eyes. As a 32 year PO I can tell you that Stephen McDonald was EVERY cops hero, that is why 15,000 of us showed up for his funeral. It was not only to honor our hero, Stephen, but to honor the two other heroes with him, Patti Ann and Conor. The sacrifices the entire McDonald family has made will never be forgotten by their Police family. May Stephen Rest in Peace, he fought the best fight we have ever seen and was truly an inspiration to us all. I’m sure he is looking down with unbelievable pride at his son Conor. Conor is an inspiration like his Dad.
Watched the Mets mail in a 3 hour performance last night worse even than anything the Rangers could contemplate. Getting a bit tired of all these multi-millionaire prima donnas.
My mom is from Haarlem. Dad met her in WW2, He came back and married her a few years later. Beautiful country, beautiful people. great beer. Have fun Norm .
Finally got around to reading Carp’s piece on Steven and Conor McDonald. Got goosebumps.
FWIW – Last year it was difficult to pick anyone who stood out. This year, (despite the flat finish), there are several guys to choose from. I voted for McDonough, but I’d be happy if Girardi got it as a lifetime achievement award and for a bounce back season. JT, Lindberg & Kreider would be good choices . However , more and more I’m thinking Raanta.
Bring up the Wolfpack, oh wait!
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Second.
Get well soon, Kyle Okposo. Holy shishkebab
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The Okposo thing is curious and scary. Here is the evidence we’ve been given:
1) He is in the neuro-surgical ICU.
2) They are referring to his condition as “an illness.”
3) The illness is as yet undiagnosed.
That he’s in the neuro-surgical ICU would indicate that his condition affects his brain or spine. That they refer to his condition as an illness, particularly one that has not yet been diagnosed, would seem to eliminate something like a physical trauma or a stroke. That the illness is still a mystery would seem to eliminate more common things like meningitis.
This has a feeling that’s really similar to when Shane Doan had Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Maybe Okposo’s plight is also a tick-borne illness.
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Some teams win with their AHL/JV teams (like pissburg) a lot, others don’t. Not a big deal.
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That tick disease is crazy
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Best of luck to okposo
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Some of the speculation reminds me of when Zuccarello was in ICU and the twitter fake news was that he was dying, his parents were being flown in from Norway to say goodbye, etc. It made it sound like it was worse than it was, even though it WAS bad. I am just going to resist speculating and hope he has a speedy recovery and can play hockey again next year.
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Was Buffalo involved in the mumps outbreak earlier this year? Some of the rare complications arising out of mumps in adults are encephalitis or meningitis. Or even Guillam-Barre syndrome. Hoping he gets well soon.
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Sittoo, but then they would know he has/had the mumps. The available information right now suggests it’s a mystery.
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Just reading up a bit, before he was admitted to the hospital, Bylsma said it was definitely not the mumps.
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I didn’t know this site was full of doctors 🙂
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I hope he gets well and soon. Neurosurgical ICU makes me worry the most.
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do you know any doctors?
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I’m not a doctor, but I play one on the internet.
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Bad enough the games are meaningless, now they are becoming joyless.
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They’ve been pretty joyless all season…boring as hell team.
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Hmm. Just saw that Mike Rupp is giving the Rangers the edge in the series. Said Price better than Hank in net right now but you can’t count Hank out when it comes to playoff performance. Also said he thinks the Rangers depth will be too much for Montreal. I didn’t expect that…
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I have to admit, I love the rangers….always will, but this team is as bland and boring as I’ve seen. Hard to watch.
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That being said, I’d be happy as a pig in poop to see this bland, boring team lift the Cup this season.
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Norm,
I have said here many times, the best Ranger lineup had Vesey, and Buchnevich in the top 9, and Grabner, and Fast on the 4th line. This lineup has the most balance, depth, and flexibility. Two problems with this. One, I am pretty confident that AV does not agree with me, and two, Buchnevich has not given AV any reason to agree with me. Glass will probably be in the lineup game one.
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I fear No. 15 is going to get a sweater and No. 89 will be sitting near me.
short memories? these guys were anything but boring in the first half of the season plus.
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BDL
buch has not given many of us any reason to agree with you. i certainly don’t. grabner has played well and even when not scoring his speed creates chances and disrupts the opposition. he deserves his top 9 status.
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probably more like first 6 weeks, not first half. Then injuries hit and Henk cooled tremendously.
.
I am high on Butch but he has show very little since the ASG IMHO.
.
Very surprised they didn’t get a bottom 6 vet who could play PK at the deadline.
.
This team is vanilla and that is in the AV mold. If they lose in 1st round again this season, still a successful season for making the POs?
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Carp
They were exciting IF you like the all star game non physical hockey they played. To me that “style” and the lack of personality and intangibles of this current team have made it hard to watch this season compared to most.
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carp – any call-ups coming from the Insurance Capitol of the world?
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I agree Carp,
Glass will be in the lineup. That is the reason I asked this question. Would you rather have Tanner Glass in the lineup, or the seventh Dman?
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Rupp is a fairly pro ranger analyst, really liked his time with the club from what I’ve read/listened to
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I’m more of a detective than a doctor.
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This team was not vanilla. Extra spicy in fact…
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Rupper is former teammates with several of the Rangers, including Lundqvist. If he’s trying to break into the hockey media business, it’s very important not to piss off your friends so that you can pump them for info later. That’s why Aaron Ward usually breaks Boston, Carolina, or Detroit news.
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I was listening to RDS and its so funny, they are calling this series the Kreider revenge tour.
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Also find it humorous that the pens are “supposedly” considering dressing Tostitos due to the dubi vs Crosby factor.
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It would be smart if Tostitos fought Dubinsky if only to get him away from Crosby for 5 minutes.
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And let me be clear: it’s not that Crosby can’t beat Dubinsky on the ice. Their gf% against each other is tremendously in favor of Crosby. IT’s that you don’t want Crosby wearing down in the first round from the physical punishment Dubinsky will lay upon him.
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Why Dubi drop the gloves with him? That would be a waste of a uniform.
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well, if you find scoring five goals and winning every game boring …
the nitwit Canadian media is really caught up in this Kreider story. Poor kid. But again, I think it will fuel him. And Yemelin, the jackwagon who tripped him into Price, will get his Y blown off again.
If Tostitos plays, CBJs win.
finally, I’d rather have Glass than a seventh D.
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far more important question, IMO, is who is the 7D-man? I’m thinking Holden at the start.
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I thought this story was put to rest a while ago with this:
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Eminger!
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Carp
It isn’t the 5 goals or the winning that is hard to watch, it all the other stuff in between the goals and winning.
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The jackets win with or without Tostitos in the pens lineup. Letang loss yuge
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I believe it’s pronounced Yeminger now.
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SN
That team was not vanilla, had intangibles, worked its aasen off, and won as many cups as AV and his whistle to whistle crap has. Too bad it didn’t have a bit more skill to go with all that will.
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dubinsky fought him in ’11-12. I think four or five guys fought him that season. For sure Bickel, Prust, Dubinsky. I think Rupp. Trying to remember a fifth.
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Even though it doesn’t make sense, I’m thinking Klein.
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just checked. Bickel fought him twice (once preseason). Boyle, Dubinsky and Prust also.
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http://www.hockeyfights.com/players/2006/fightcard/reg2012
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Wick – favorite NYR team since ’94; first time we were the aggressor….ever it seems.
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McD, Girardi
Staal, Klein
Smith, Skjei
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Re D…I think opg and ein kleiner need to play, that lefty log jam is a good problem to have. I’d sit skjeL (I think D zone play is kind of important), but he isn’t sittting. With AV all about “transition” and D men in the offence, staal would then seem to be the next logical choice, but that isn’t happening either…so?
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BDL, if they move Skjei to the right, I imagine they would pair him with McDonagh. I think he would play on Smith’s left, based on those pairings.
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so you would sit our second highest scoring defenseman? Insanity, especially given the opponent.
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SN
That team is definitely in my top 5 all time ranger faves…
95-96
94-95
93-94
11-12
13-14
HM
03-04
In no particular order btw 😉
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one of the favorite interviews of my career:
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Glasses Puck possession is horrible when he’s on the ice it’s like being shorthanded
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Doodie
Not sold on MDZV2.0 at this point, but like I said…not happening so moot point.
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Skjei is not only going to play, but he will probably be second in minutes … maybe first if McDonagh’s not 100 percent.
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puck possession. 🙂
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Agree on Hold-On as 7D; been slipping since Jan 1.
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Carp – is your profile picture from your 26th Bday?
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Last year?
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Wow – great read. What a hero!
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Thank you! Even I couldn’t eff-up that story.
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Carp, from a writing perspective, that article must have written itself. From an emotional perspective, it must have been gut wrenching work.
It’s going to be tough on Sunday. I imagine Zuke wins again because it’s fun to say ZUUUUUKE.
I seriously cannot believe that Girardi never won it. In fact, no defenseman other than Leetch has ever won it.
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Also, kudos to the NYPD for fast-tracking this kid. His family has given so much, it’s only fair that they give back
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Shame that it’s become a popularity vote. Going to be interesting to see this year. Lots of candidates.
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Two games for Marchand.
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Carp…. GREAT article. Thanks for sharing.
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I wonder in match ups against other teams, how many of them would the rangers either have the best forward, d man, or goalie?
Vs mtl they don’t have any of those
Vs bos id say best d man
Vs ott best fwd?
Vs pitt (none when pitt healthy), d man now
Vs cbj d man?
Vs tor d man and goalie
Vs was maybe d man
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Thank you. I really didn’t do anything but get the young man on the phone and transcribe his remarks.
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If Henry reaches his level, a lot of those change, Wick. I know, big, huge stinking “if”
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Carp
Last year?
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Great great read carp, thank you
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I hope hated wins it
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Wicky, he had my vote also.
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Who are Montreal centers? Dmen 2 through 6? Rangers are deeper. They are actually deeper than most.
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I would like to see Hated, Girardi, Nash … a number of guys get it. I don’t think 5 or 61 has a shot.
and no, Wick, thank you.
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Miller, or McD.
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McDonald column A1.
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Carp
I agree re hank. I just think the NHL and all its silly new rules to “open up” the game has made it harder and harder for goalies to “steal” games or series. Goalies really have to rely on teammates defensive ability and system (two things hank doesn’t seem to have in his corner this season) to be successful.
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One of the reasons, along with starting goalies usually only play 75-80% of a teams regular season games…bad return on investment, that a goalie shouldn’t be highest paid player on team imho
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Carp
No really, thank you!!!
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Of course, they wouldn’t suspend Marchand for any playoff games.
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Bdl
I think right now it’s danault, the diver, shaw, and Mitchell or ott….I think
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Wicky, we have to beat teams with depth. Montreal has Paccioretty, Galchenyuk, and Radulov, but things tail off pretty significantly after them (Gallagher has been a disappointment this season but Byron has been a pleasant surprise). After Weber, the Montreal defense is pretty streaky. Guys like Markov, Petry, and Beaulieu have stretches where they play well, but have many games where you facepalm watching them. Markov not as much in that department. [Y]Emelin is garbage.
Ottawa, same thing. Hoffman, Stone, and Turris are three really good players. After that? Brassard, Ryan et al have been disappointing. I happen to like Ottawa’s defense a lot, especially because Karlsson is so dynamic, but their third pair is weak. And I take Lundqvist over Anderson. Anderson has not been good over the past month and Lundqvist has the higher ceiling.
Boston, all season, has been a one line team. It’s a tremendous line, but the rest of the forwards are weak. I think our defense is better than theirs. Rask is playing better than Lundqvist, but again, Lundqvist has that higher ceiling. Whether he reaches it or not is another story.
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Carp, it’s actually crazy to think Girardi has never won it.
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I don’t buy the rangers are deeper through their forwards. I do think they are 1-10 forward positions deeper offencively than most other teams, but not complete players deeper.
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How many teams in the league do you guys think have 3 star or elite skaters? 5 or 6? More?
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There not losing to that group of centers.
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wicky, across all positions or just at forward?
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I’m going to have to read this story on the plane
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Are we talking about their actual skating or are we saying the skaters are stars?
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Carp what a great read. Thank you. I would love to see Girardi get the award (ducks….).
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Interesting the award turned to a popularity contest given Jan Erixon won it first. Not that he wasn’t popular, but not a ‘glamor’ player by any stretch. Amazon Defensive Center.
.
Oscar is starting to really turn on his game (speaking of Swedish Defensive Centers). Saw the interview with him last night and he is jacked.
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Sittoo, if he got it now, it would be more of a lifetime achievement than based on merit for this season.
Honestly, any year from 11-12 through 13-14 could have easily gone to Girardi.
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Goosebumps. I never met Detective McDonald, but over the years I felt like I knew him in some small way by watching MSG.
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great read carp
would love to see the captain win it. all those minutes with no set partner anywhere near his ability.
mcdonagh
mcdonald
first 6 letters the same. give it to the irishman. well past time.
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Can’t believe former NHL star Anson Carter has never won the Steven McDonald award.
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I hope someone spears Marchand in the eye in the playoffs. The NHL Department of Never Giving Marchand a Worthy Punishment (dongmawp) let him off again. If the Bruins had 5 games left before the playoffs I betcha Marchand gets 5. Can’t suspend him for any playoff games though. Nooooooo. That would be too harsh.
Watch the NHL video describing the incident and subsequent suspension decision. They say all the right things to make you think they’re finally going to get it right and then do exactly the opposite. Smh
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Doodie…all skaters, D and fwd
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Their skating ability or that they are star/elite players as a whole? For instance, Shea Weber is not an elite skater but he is an elite defenseman. By contrast, Rico Fata was an elite skater but a garbage player.
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thank you, boys.
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Expect extra day off Btwn game 3 and 4 sunday/Wednesday or Btwn game 4 and 5 Tuesday/Friday.
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Regarding the Rangers/Canadien series. I think every game will be low scoring and tight checking so whomever wins the special team play PP and PK will win the series.
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Eric, why is that?
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tommy, if that’s the case, we are in trouble.
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RR 2.0, I know, that’s why I have the Habs in 6.
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PK’s got a lot of work to do. Haven’t checked lately. How’s the Divers’ PP?
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Canadiens are ranked 13 overall this year.
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Rangers are ranked 11.
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rangers PP 20.0%, Canadiens PP 19.6%
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Carp- excellent article , my Dad was NYPD for 28 years, not enough can be written about this inspirational family and their love for our NYR..well done
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Rangers PK ranked 23rd, 79.6%, Canadiens ranked 13, 81%
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AV: Ha ha, the Ukraine. Do you know what the Ukraine is? It’s a sitting
duck. A road apple. The Ukraine is weak. It’s feeble. I think it’s
time to sit the Ukraine.
Buchnevich: I come from Ukraine. You not say Ukraine weak.
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It appears to me the rangers PP and PK wasn’t bad first few months of season but got worse as year went on where as it appears to me the Canadiens PP and PK improved as the season went on, especially when they replaced there head coach.
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Rangers in 6, unless MTL wins game 1 then Rangers in 7…like Toby with the severed toe I’m just brimming with positivity
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Fivefinns, hope your prediction is right.
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me too TG
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@fivefinns – those from Ukraine really don’t like it when others call it “the Ukraine.” Reminds them too much of CCCP days.
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…Not even to mention that Buch is not from Ukraine, but rather from Cherepovec, Russia. Very much deep Russia: about 500 km from Moscow and same from St. Petersburg
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Doodie
Not talking about elite/star skaters as in the act of skating. I was asking about 3 star/elite players not including goalies…i.e. Skaters 😉
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There is a huge difference in Russians and Ukrainians…..
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How many of you guys are with me hoping the leafs trash the lighing?
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St Pete
Me, I can’t stand Tampa
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They call Alabama the Crimson Tide
Call me Freakin’ Coos.
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thanks, tommy. you’re right. Rangers’ PK is about 1 percent the last few weeks.
finns, thank you. BTW, I don’t reply every time, but you crack me up every time. Ukraine. LOL.
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I’m not a big fan of hockey-inventor Cooper and some of their players, either. … And I think three of their D, including Shoestore, are worse than Clendening and Kampfer.
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wonder how many people have no idea what you’re talking about, Freaking Coos.
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Phaneuf and Backes, almost … would have enjoyed that one.
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Just saw one of Brass’s signature hugs.
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This fuggin’ clown
“It all boils down to whether or not Price (and Montreal’s defense, which is vastly improved) can contain New York’s offense. And, because Montreal arguably acquired Shea Weber for specifically this purpose, to better insulate and protect Price, it’s hard to believe that Montreal’s game plan heading into this series won’t take into account Price getting injured back in 2014 when these two teams last met in the playoffs.
Whether or not Chris Kreider intended to crash into Price three years ago is irrelevant and has no bearing on the upcoming series (other than the fact Kreider will likely be watched like a hawk). All that matters is that he did, and, with the Canadiens cognizant of the risk, they can prepare accordingly. Although, it feels like the Habs have been waiting for this chance ever since they got eliminated that year.
In short, the Rangers would be mistaken to take their opponents lightly, because the Canadiens won’t be. The Rangers may think they’ve lucked out, but this is likely what the Canadiens have wanted all along. That they match up well against the Rangers is just gravy and points to a Habs victory in the end.
Prediction: Canadiens over Rangers in six.”
READ ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE:
http://thehockeywriters.com/montreal-canadiens-outclass-new-york-rangers-on-paper/
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The Panthers keep ruining their chances for a better draft pick by continually scoring against the Blues.
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Kings vs flames soon….hopefully some entertaining animosity. Maybe doughty will leave his purse at home this time.
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On RDS they asked which ranger scared them the most…about 60% said mcdonut, all the rest said kreider.
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Where’s the word coming from, or is it just opinion, that Holden is now the #7? I saw last night as AV resting 6 starters, and that it was down to Smith vs. Klein for the last spot. Me crazy?
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TSN announcers are so refreshing
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JR: “Adam McQuaid is a sure fire defenseman.”
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LOL carp
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Doodie
Because if game 3 is Sunday day or night on Easter and Eric Engels who’s dialed in has game 5 Friday 21st game 4 could be Tuesday or Wednesday so either way extra off day
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I will not miss seeing Squirrely Bowman and Tampa in the playoffs. I can’t stand that smug jerk.
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DU= beasts
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NEW POST
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Step aside, Stringbean.
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Step aside Buch!
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Worse than a New Post without notification of a New Post is the notification of a New Post with no New Post. Bastage! 🙂
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Hate to say it, but….So long as I match up Okay, I would love to open up against the Rangers because I know that if we’re lucky enough to get by them, we will get by them unscathed, unbruised, and healthy for a more physically demanding second round.
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Coos certainly can’t get injured playing a team as soft as Doctors cotton!
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don’t squeeze the Charmin
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As the playoffs approach, it’s becoming clear to me that it’s not the Rangers who are soft. Some of its alleged fans, though… time to toughen up, stop whining about the Blueshirts’ imperfections, and SUPPORT OUR TEAM! Woot, woot!! Wait, am I peaking too soon?
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NYR have, at times this season, played physical with a good amount of bump and grind. The problem is they rarely start a game playing that way, even when doing so might be to their advantage. I’m not in the hit for the sake of hitting camp, but do feel taking the body early can open things up a lot later.
Too much handwringing here about who is in or out of the last spots. Don’t be surprised if it changes each game and its a somewhat good problem to have, no?
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Mao Zedong, responding to a pay-raise request from his deputy – “Please don’t squeeze the Chairman.”
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Which one of youse guys was slicing onions while I was reading Carp’s article on Steven McDonald. Big-time stick tap to Carp as that article will “last a lifetime” 🙂
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Thank you, Anthony. Even i couldn’t mess up that story. Wrote itself.
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Thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Stockholm.
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Good for Keith Yandle. He’s back to having the summers off. I’m guessing he chose Florida knowing that they played there one playoff series for the decade last year.
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i should get the extra effort award for watching this pre season bore of crap the last month.
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My vote is for Jay Tee for the extra effort award, but I would be pretty thrilled if Girardi won it as a lifetime achievement, like Doodie said before
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THe Taylor Beck era has begun.
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He’s got some size and supposedly some skill
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Seems like a Jason Krog type in that he can be a star at AHL level, but not have that translate into NHL success.
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Wicky, from yesterday, based purely on their performances this year:
Washington, Pittsburgh, Montreal, Boston, Toronto, Tampa Bay, Chicago, Nashville, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and San Jose.
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That sounds like Carp’s 2016 North American Taco Bell tour
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How many of our AHL call ups have we used? My count is three. Does the limit of four apply to playoffs or just until end of regular season?
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Doodie
Agree with that…Colorado and Anaheim would also be in my list despite the “stars” not having a stellar season…Carolina might get an HM
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I wanted to give Florida an HM (Barkov, Huberdeau, Ekblad). Colorado and Anaheim were purely because of performance this year, as was LA (Kopitar could have made it 3).
But why Carolina?
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Aho, Faulk, staal (jk), figure skater…stars, not elite (Faulk elite probably)
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If I’m Marchand, I call the league office and say “told you dotchkin was a dirty punk, I was doing the league a favour”
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Aho not elite, Faulk not this year.
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Marchand after finding out about the suspension
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Crosby first leaves ROR childless with a mean spear… then chops half a finger off of a guy from Ottawa… ZERO minutes in penalty… ZERO days in suspension.
NHL = “ZERO” bias league.
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Looks like some promising news out of Buffalo via the AP as per Kyle Okposo. I hope that he well on his way to full recovery because I have had my fill of Neuro ICU and it is not aplace I hope to ever have to visit again.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — A person with direct knowledge of Kyle Okposo’s condition tells The Associated Press the Buffalo Sabres forward is showing signs of improving from an undisclosed illness that has hospitalized him for the past five days.
Shifting gears, I believe Beck is the fourth of the non-emergency recalls. I think the Rangers can make additional recalls once the Wolf Pack are done for the year – which is April 15. I would have thought they’d use the final recall on a goalie so that they would have a third goalie on the roster for the playoffs in case Hank (or Antti in warmups) got hurt during a playoff game.
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zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
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Toronto make the playoffs yet?
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Forwards NYR
Defence Even
Goalie MTL
Coaching MTL
Intangibles MTL
MTL in 6 or 7
(FWIW, i think it could also be rangers in 6 or 7…hopefully it is)
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Maybe that will help
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Oh and kudos btw to former ranger Michael Haley for at the end of a shift going back after Lucic after the hit on (tierney i think) a teammate. That is a big tough man to try and fight, especially when your bagged/gassed.
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What a crapshow
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Forwards big edge Rangers.
D edge Rangers, based on a deeper group.
Goalie, edge Montreal, but not as big an edge as claimed. Seems most have forgotten Price’s slump during the season. It rivaled Hanks.
Coaching, edge even.
Rangers in 5. Deeper, and tested.
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BDL, Price wanted to get Therrien fired. Look at his numbers since they turfed Therrien.
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So he was tanking games?
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I don’t think he was “tanking” but there was definite friction in room with Therrien and players. I’d give more credit to change of coach/system better suited to roster helped stabilize price’ game (and a bit of a happier team dynamic).
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Tanking? No. Not giving his full effort/focus? I think so. Skaters do that with coaches they don’t like all the time. Why not a goaltender?
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That is tanking, no? It’s just all an excuse for playing poorly.
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One is playing poorly on purpose. One is playing poorly from lack of effort.
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Intent vs. apathy.
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Drop the puck already!
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You control effort, no?
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Smugness is not a good quality…
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I really despise Tampa
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Carp – Outstanding article, brought tears to my eyes. As a 32 year PO I can tell you that Stephen McDonald was EVERY cops hero, that is why 15,000 of us showed up for his funeral. It was not only to honor our hero, Stephen, but to honor the two other heroes with him, Patti Ann and Conor. The sacrifices the entire McDonald family has made will never be forgotten by their Police family. May Stephen Rest in Peace, he fought the best fight we have ever seen and was truly an inspiration to us all. I’m sure he is looking down with unbelievable pride at his son Conor. Conor is an inspiration like his Dad.
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USA! USA! USA! Can the Rangers sign any of these gold medalists this week?
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Thank you, MKH
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Kucherov… that kid got some talent, eh?
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Why can’t the NYR draft a guy like Kucherov? Frustrating!
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Good morning, boneheads!
Greetings from sunny Naples, FL! Except it 56 degrees this morning here. WTB?
What did I miss?
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Ilb you missed 8″ of fresh (wet) powder at elevation, a great thing to wake up to!
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It’s a shame Kreider can’t place his shots like Hillary Knight, with his speed he’d score 50 goals!
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Greetings from Harlingen, Netherlands. 50s, cloudy, daffodils.
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Watched the Mets mail in a 3 hour performance last night worse even than anything the Rangers could contemplate. Getting a bit tired of all these multi-millionaire prima donnas.
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Norm’s doing a wonderful undercover job for the CIA, impersonating a teacher and an ex-hockey coach.
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LOL enjoy th get away ILB. Same thing just happened to us in our visit to St Pete. You’ll see people in winter coats today
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Pass the dutchie on the left hand side…
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My mom is from Haarlem. Dad met her in WW2, He came back and married her a few years later. Beautiful country, beautiful people. great beer. Have fun Norm .
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Toronto needs to bring it tonight
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Finally got around to reading Carp’s piece on Steven and Conor McDonald. Got goosebumps.
FWIW – Last year it was difficult to pick anyone who stood out. This year, (despite the flat finish), there are several guys to choose from. I voted for McDonough, but I’d be happy if Girardi got it as a lifetime achievement award and for a bounce back season. JT, Lindberg & Kreider would be good choices . However , more and more I’m thinking Raanta.
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new post.
thank you, Ohh.
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