I really like our team. Bunch of seemingly nice guys, classy, well brought-up. I would also like a Stanley Cup. As General Patton said, ‘cream and bastards rise to the top.’
Good morning Boneheads welcome to Monday! It must be great being a pens fan, having the confidence, no the arrogance of knowing that no matter what goes wrong such as mounting injuries your team will still raise the cup. Rangers fans face the exact opposite, no matter what goes right something will always go wrong! Why do I love this team?
St Pete
Intangibles, it’s really about the intangibles.
The NHL is definitely “faster” now than 25 years ago because of rule changes (too fast imho, but I digress) and athlete training and conditioning advancements. All that being said, other than the kings, there are no “slow” teams in the NHL and I’d say most fall into the fast team category.
It’s about quickness, not pure speed (when talking mobility) and physicality.
So Ulfie is going to take an assistant’s job in Chicago one year after leaving the Rangers. Maybe wanting head coaching experience wasn’t the only reason he left. Wonder if Arniel takes the bullet this year.
I enjoyed a few hockey games yesterday. and neither were the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Sweden’s win over Canada had more NHL stars that I care about than NBC. Congrats to Hank and the entire team. It was strange to Hank’s twin brother Joel skating around on the same ice.
Congrats also to Windsor. I saw them get knocked off in the first round six weeks ago. Now playing against all the champions, they are looking much better. Day can skate pretty well. I keep waiting for him to show me more.
I still think Beuk did a great job with McIlrath. The kid was a major project and then had major knee injuries. He’s a borderline NHL player and might make it as a 6-7 some day for some team.
Henrik Lundqvist needed acupuncture before playing yesterday
9:25AM
Henrik Lundqvist said that he suffered a knee injury in Saturday’s semi-final win over Finland.
Lundqvist said that around lunch time on Sunday he did not think that he would be able to play but the pain “disappeared” after undergoing acupuncture treatment. (Expressen)
He said that some pain returned to his knee about halfway through the game but said that all he was thinking about was stopping the next shot.(Expressen)
Lundqvist added that things for him could “not have ended better” after how the season with the Rangers ended. (Expressen)
E3 from the can tweeted at me that Walter’s is opening a new shop on Mamaroneck Ave. in White Plains! The story apparently was on lohud. Which I no longer read for some reason.
If I were a defenseman, especially a 4-5-6 type, I would learn to play the wing. Shouldn’t be too difficult to do, and that kind of versatility would make you invaluable to a coach.
Interesting you say that Carp, since it does not seem like it happens often. I remember Brian Boyle either started as a D-man or split time as a D-man early in his development. And Stu Bickel played forward sometimes, but he was a marginal talent and he wasn’t playing forward for his offensive ability.
You would think switching positions would happen more often but it seems like positional roles are ingrained so early in a player’s development that it is almost unheard of for them to switch once they are in the NHL. I wonder why that is.
If Hank has a knee issue, it’s just one more reason, they better have a plan in place if Raanta goes to Vegas.
Did I mention I hate this Vegas team? The expansion draft favors top heavy teams. Hurts a team like the Rangers. Then again, Bettman didn’t put a gun to Sather’s head demanding he give out NTC’s like they were candy. Slats did that on his own.
LOHUD-I wouldn’t wrap fish in that crap. It would contaminate the fish!
I’ve watched some of the Memorial Cup to scout our boys. Here’s what I can say based upon these two viewings, and only upon these two viewings:
Ryan Gropp: Very uninteresting as a player. Doesn’t exceed in any area of play, but he’s certainly a hard worker. Feet moving, even in the blowout to Windsor, and was unlucky not to score when it was 3-0. (defenseman blocked an open net chance). Skates in a straight line, willing to shoot from anywhere, but he isn’t particularly fast or a good shooter. Lacks creativity. Has been demoted to the third line, and he looks very mortal without Barzal and Kolesar. Ultimately, I think he looks like he will be a solid AHL player, which is a tremendous blow to the franchise given the price paid to draft him.
Sean Day: His skating jumps out at you, especially when he has the puck. His effortless acceleration, long stride, ability to skate around and through traffic reminds me of Scott Niedermayer. It really is incredible. He had this one end to end rush with about 5 minutes to go in the second period vs. Seattle that literally made me get up out of my seat. It starts so unassumingly, and then suddenly he’s past the entire Settle roster. Effortless skating ability.
His play without the puck, especially in the defensive zone, also jumps out at you, as in “oh my god, what is he doing!?” I’m not kidding when I say that some of his play, especially around the Windsor goal or with the puck on his stick in the defensive zone in the game against St. John, is the absolute worst defensive play I have ever seen from a defenseman. He was better against Seattle, and he had a big hit on Barzal, but it still left a lot to be desired. He also played the right side a decent amount, with big, stay at home defenseman Logan Stanley on the left. FWIW, I didn’t think much of Stanley, at all.
Man, I hope he can figure things out, because if they can teach a skater like that how to play hockey then he will be the steal of the draft. The boom bust potential is still there, 100%. My expectation that he becomes a regular NHL defenseman is the same as my expectation that he plays a few years in the ECHL before going overseas or just quitting the game entirely.
RR2,
I know you are high on Barzel ( you along with the hockey community), but color me unimpressed. He can skate and stick handle with the best, but he does not move the puck at all. Many times he would just skate around with the puck ( very Alex kovalev ish), and get nothing accomplished. A wish pass was usually the result. Plus head to head with Strome, and the big center last night, he got his ass kicked.
BDL, he hasn’t looked good thus far, but I’ve also seen him a bit more from the Islanders and the World Junior, where he was far more impressive than he has been in this tournament.
So wicky maybe its a talent thing and not a coaching thing then. Nobody we have will ever be confused with Crosby or Malkin. We’re stuck with second bananas in Stepan, Hayes and Mika
RR2,
I pretty much agree with your Day, and Gropp opinion. Especially Gropp. I think Day is going to play in the NHL. I think his floor is Michael Del Zotto.
The worst thing that ever happened to Day was being granted exceptional player status. His skating was OHL quality and his height and weight were at OHL numbers, but his physical maturity (too fat), brains, emotional maturity, and skills were nowhere near ready. And being put into the OHL, especially with those expectations, eliminated his opportunity to correct those flaws. He should have stayed in midget, gotten physically fit, been given an opportunity to lead, and the opportunity to work on his skills both with and without the puck.
He was just like Fezzik in The Princess Bride. “It’s not my fault being the biggest and the strongest. I don’t even exercise.”
If you trade Stepan, you need to get a center back, or find one elsewhere. If you do trade him, maybe the idea should be to have a true 3rd line checking center. AV tried to convert Hayes to that role this year. He did not do poorly, but it’s not his best place.
Carp – That is why I am glad that fans don’t run the Rangers. There would be such a revolving door that you literally would need a program to tell who the players are.
As for Day and Gropp I have not had a chance to watch any of their games. The hope has to be that stepping up in class forces them to work on their weaknesses and improve their overall game. The problem is that with the Rangers those type of players never seem to progress, instead they seem to regress.
In terms of the Expansion Draft, boy am I all over the place or what, I have come to the conclusion that the Rangers position of possibly losing a valuable player (Fast, Lindberg or Raanta) is a good one because it shows the Rangers have something they didn’t always have – good depth that isn’t AARP-ready.
I read an article, posted below, about the choices the Capitals have to make in terms of who they might lose. Among the players mentioned were goalie Philipp Grubauer, defenseman Nate Schmidt and two of the following three forwards: Tom Wilson, Jay Beagle and Brett Connolly.
If you were a Caps fan, would you be broken-hearted to lose any of those players?
Nieves would be lucky to make it at some point in his career as a full-time fourth line center.
BDL, I disagree you need to get a center back for Stepan or even a center to replace him. But you have to be ready to bet that Zibanejad can be as good or better as Stepan, Hayes can be as good or better than Zibanejad, and someone else (prseumably Lindberg or a FA) can be as good or better than Hayes was.
Really, the full equation is whether those guys plus the defenseman you can get for Stepan would make the team better than Stepan and no defenseman. If the Stepan side is greater, you don’t make the trade.
I’d be upset about Schmidt or Wilson. Schmidt because you hate to lose a young defenseman who still has room to grow. Wilson because if he could find a better balance between being a clown and a hockey player could be a really effective NHL player.
I’m convinced that if the Rangers don’t trade Stepan, Lindberg will be the player claimed. Even if they do trade Stepan, the Rangers may not have the foresight to keep him over Fast.
But would you be more upset at losing a Schmidt/Wilson or a Fast/Lindberg?
Also, if you deal Stepan for a defenseman the Rangers will need to bring in a center. It is just a matter of whether or not it is a third/fourth line center – unless Lindberg is gone then you are going to need a strong 2nd/3rd line center. The Expansion Draft will tell a lot in terms of what you deal Stepan for. If Jeff Gorton can entice Vegas away from Lindberg, then it would be easier to deal for a d-man. If not, you have to consider a deal for a center – unless there is an UFA the Rangers can sign at a reasonable price (a 2017/18 version of Grabner).
Can somebody explain the Murray/MAF issue in Pittsburgh for me? Doesn’t Pittsburgh have to protect MAF and therefore expose Murray? Or do people expect MAF will waive his no move just to be nice?
Or the Pens make a deal prior to the Expansion List coming out – which is what they would have to do if they buy out MAF because they don’t have an eligible goalie to leave unprotected. He has a NMC (and modified NTC) so they could deal him.
I always thought Dallas was a perfect fit before signing Bishop because the Pens could take back one of the Stars’ vets. Niemi and Lehtonen have modified BTC,
If the Rangers lose Raanta, they could Lack even cheaper since the Canes would have three goalies under contract (Darling, Lack and Ward, who has a modified NTC). Odds are there will be enough good goalies on the UFA market that they could get a goalie that way.
It’s kind of garbage that teams are subject to these byzantine rules regarding NMCs and the draft when nobody even knew an expansion draft would happen when these contracts were signed.
Larry Brooks writes that Brendan Smith is willing to pass on UFAif the Rangers ante up with a fair market value deal. Uncle Larry speculates 4-5 years at $4-$4,5 million per season.
The one thing that deal would do is keep us from entering the Shattenkirk sweepstakes. Is it worth the gamble on Smith to avoid a longer and more costly contract to Shattenkirk? Could Sean Day be a poor man’s Shatty. Could the Rangers learn how to protect multiple two-goal leads and one-goal leads in the closing minutes?
These questions, and more, are yet to be answered on “As the Rangers Fans’ Stomach Churns” 🙂
Rob – You are 100% correct. The problem is the NHL and the NHLPA never negotiated in any parameters for expansion during the last CBA. You can bet that won’t happen with the next negotiation
Wow Anthony! I just checked and you weren’t kidding! LOTS of UFA goalies this summer. Eddie Lack makes $2.75 (no thanks) for one more year. Carolina might have to eat some salary if they trade him.
UFA goalies as of July 1st.
Starters (too pricy )
Brian Elliot
Ryan Miller
Steve Mason
Chad “Ocho- Cinco” Johnson
Jonathan Bernie
Anders Nilsson
Jonas Gustafsson
Darcy Kemper
Keith Kinkid
Mike Condon
Troy Grosenick? (Sharks)
Peter Budaj
Curtis McElhinney
Ondrej Pavelec
Funny, I swear someone here has been saying you need to deal Stepan for another centre for quite a while now, you guys finally decide to discuss it…wtf?!
So then tell me (us)… As an assistant coach, if PK and PP not his job, then what? Does he make sure that every player after the game has a dry towel? 🙂
With the exception of the kings, the rest of the NHL is “fast” so I’m not buying that ridiculous 10 year ago argument. The whole league is “fast”, and therefore it isn’t the speed that is the winnng factor. Very old narrative, move along.
I already said it, Carp… PP, PK and forwards. You seem to be offended by me wanting Arniel gone lol
Hey remember when Brassard’s agent Allan Walsh sent a letter to the Columbus Dispatch blaming Arniel for singling out Brassard and attempting to use him as a scapegoat to mask his struggles as a coach?
Again lol.. I said it like 5 times already. What else can an assistant coach be responsible for? Special teams, no? And since you are around the team more than any of us here, and since the Rangers don’t really tell much to their fans, I ask you once again, what does Scott Arniel do?
BREAKING: A live look at Marc Bergevin, after he was told PK Subban and the Nashville Predators have qualified for the Stanley Cup Final. pic.twitter.com/du74xd6xNc
Ariana Grande – Pro refugee, Pro Muslim, anti-Trump, anti-American, Women’s March organizer and raging liberal is suddenly wishing she was back in the safety of the America she hates so much! 🇺🇸
Jonathan Bernier had better hope there are openings in the KHL or the Swiss league. That was about the most pathetic net performance I have seen all season last night.
Sissons with a hat trick? Really? I guess you never know who is going to step up.
Thought that Cam Fowler guy would make a decent #4 d-man on the Rangers. Too bad he wasn’t available to the Rangers the year he was drafted.
The more I see of PK Subban, the more I think he’s got one hell of a slap shot and not much else. Did he really win a Norris Trophy for defensive play?
For those that don’t think you need a great goaltender to win a Cup, do you think Nashville gets this far with a lesser goalie than Rinne? I think whether or not you need a great goaltender depends on the type of team in front of him.
Now Getzlaf and Co gets to say, It’s on to the golf course and let’s win there.
Down Goes Brown made an awesome point on his podcast this week. If the Predators win the Cup in Ottawa, PK Subban and the rest of the Predators can be celebrating with the Cup in Montreal by 1:30 AM. All of the kids in the children’s hospital could wake up to it like it was presents on Christmas morning. Subban Claus.
Doodie. It seems to me that defensemen are measured by their offensive contributions with little regard for their defensive capabilities. Simply, goals and assists is more measurable. I think he’s a bit deficient in the defensive category.
CCC, as for the great goaltender comment, I’m going to disagree. You need a goaltender that’s playing great, which is not necessarily a great goaltender. Rinne has had a couple of pretty lackluster seasons. He got hot at the right time. Compare that to Bobrovsky, Holtby and Price, who are the Vezina nominees. Price was just OK, Holtby was mediocre, at best, and Bobrovsky just imploded in the playoffs.
CCC, it’s not just goals and assists. It’s about getting the puck out of the zone, especially with control. Our defense, especially guys like Girardi and Staal, treat the puck like it’s a grenade, which just invites more pressure and scoring opportunities. Once Subban has the puck on his stick, more than likely, the puck is not only going out of the Nashville zone, but on a controlled exit, which alleviates pressure and leads to scoring opportunities. That’s what Karlsson does better than any defenseman in the NHL and why he’s so amazing.
Matthias Ekholm, Subban’s regular partner, is equally good at the controlled exit, but what Subban has in addition to that ability, are the offensive tools. He’s a tremendous player.
He’s also a great person and personality. Remember when NHL players had them? I love Subban. My favorite player in the league.
I’d love to have Subban in NY, more so than Weber.
Interestingly, Subban has been less of an impact this offseason than Josi, Ellis, and even Ekholm.
I’d be much more comfortable with Nashville playing Pittsburgh if they had Johansen in the lineup.
I think my Penguins would be in trouble vs. the Preds given the state of their defense right now. Their elite forwards are going to have to do some work.
Karlsson might be a faster skater, and has a better shot. Leetch is better in all other areas. Funny thing about Leetch: He stunk in all-star games, which should have been right up his alley. Too unselfish, I guess, and deferential to other stars.
Leetch would have excelled in today’s game, absolutely. He’s one of the greatest defensemen of all time. Karlsson is too, for what it’s worth. And he’s still only 26 (turns 27 in a week). I just wish people would learn to just enjoy amazing players instead of constantly trying to poke holes in them, like those that have missed out on enjoying Ovechkin’s tremendous career.
ilb, he and Ekholm both. They don’t have the star cache that Josi and Subban have but are almost as important. Nashville is my pick for a team that will go with protecting 8 skaters instead of the 7 forwards, 3 defensemen. Unless they do something major like deal one of the defensemen for a center. I’d imagine it would be Josi in that situation.
From what I read turris is ufa. The rangers have a deadline here with step. Trade him for a great return or keep him for the remainder of his contract. Bc once his nmc kicks in, his value is nill. Right now his value is great, on July 1st his value is nill. Deadline
Teams that can’t recruit or sign prime ufa will place extra value on step bc they know they have him in under control for the next 4. Phoenix, Carolina, Winnipeg, etcc
Winnipeg doesn’t need a center or any forwards for that matter. They need a goaltender. Carolina is probably aiming for bigger fish with their young defensemen. Phoenix is just not a good fit, at all, for either side of any trade for Stepan.
I’d think Minnesota is our best option, but there are maybe some other surprise choices out there.
Alex, that’s a team that just traded one of the league’s faster skaters in Taylor Hall and replaced him with Milan Lucic. So I don’t think making sure their roster is fast is a priority for them.
Oilers get an experienced, seasons slow skating center at almost 27 years unable to score more than 60 pts getting prime TOI in an offensive minded system with 4x$6.5M left on his deal and NYR gets a 24 yo yet to hit his prime center who has 4x$6 left on this deal who can skate faster than Girardi.
.
Step, Nash & Staal for Nurse, RNH and a pick.
Lucic has a huge contract, is slower, and is older.
This is a classic case of hating our players more than the average NHL GM would view them.
I would be shocked if they traded for Stepan, but not because they wouldn’t want him, but because they don’t need him. Defense is still the priority for them.
if you read here and elsewhere, I am not the only one who wants him traded for a team need – a top 4 defenseman. He is not playing to that contract, is slow, not physical, and can’t win a faceoff. Those attributes really hurt us at the end of a game as we try to hold a lead.
I have finally gotten around to doing some research on the 2017 NHL Draft. I have sights set on a couple of d-men (Nic Hague and Connor Timmins) and one possible forward who was easily a Top 10 player this time last year (Maxime Comtois). As of now, granted I haven’t gotten in too deep, I am not so sure the Rangers should keep their pick.
Since they don’t have second or third round picks, I might see if the Sabres would swap their two second round picks (37 and 54) for the Rangers first round pick (21). Buffalo also has two third rounders so maybe a second (#37) and one of thirds. The extra picks could come in handy if Jeff Gorton wants to “entice” Vegas into staying away from Fast, Lindberg or Raanta.
Although given the three free agents d-men that they signed (plus the possibility Sean Day might go to Hartford), would the Rangers offer up Ryan Graves as a bribe?
Edmonton is a team just starting to win. Trading for Stepan gives them a player with a plenty of playoff experience, and a center who could play a D minded role for them. Plus he scores as much as RNH.
Alex,
If I’m Edmonton, I’m All over that one. RNH is never going to hit hie potential with Gretzky in front of him. Stepan on the Oilers is a better fit than RNH on the Oilers. While I agree with most that Stepan is a logical player to trade, I don’t agree with the reason most people want Stepan traded for. Stepan is a good, solid NHL center, not some schlub. I would not dump Stepan just to get rid of him, it would have to be good hockey trade.
Karlsson may be only 26, but Leetch won the Stanley Cup at age 25…
as I said, Karlsson is an awesome player, and the best defenseman in the league now. But I don’t think he was as incredible as Brian Leetch. Maybe I’m too much of a homer, so my opinion could be tilted, but I don’t remember Karlsson taking over games the way Leetch did in his career. This is not a knock on Karlsson – I love what he brings to the game. But he’s not as great a player now as Leetch was at the same age, in MY estimation.
Rangers Report 2.0 says:
May 23, 2017 at 11:50 AM
“Leetch would have excelled in today’s game, absolutely. He’s one of the greatest defensemen of all time. Karlsson is too, for what it’s worth. And he’s still only 26 (turns 27 in a week). I just wish people would learn to just enjoy amazing players instead of constantly trying to poke holes in them, like those that have missed out on enjoying Ovechkin’s tremendous career.”
For the 29th time in the last 30 years the Rangers will draft somebody in an area of immediate need then announce that the kid plans to go to college and should be ready in four years.
Ok – Karlsson had a nice game 5. Almost as nice as Pageau did in Game 2… 😉
Leetch was a dominant playoff performer. And would dominate entire series. In 94, he took over the entire playoff, winning the playoff MVP Conn Smythe(?).
Karlsson has great speed, and can make nifty passes, in addition to a great shot.
Leetch maybe not as fast, but certainly as good a passer, a great shooter, and could make incredible moves in traffic. Also, I’ve never seen anyone better at keeping pucks in the offensive zone as Leetch.
In my pre-draft watching days, the last guy I had heard of was Montoya. I started watching the draft more closely beginning in 2007 when the salary cap made it clear that building through the draft was now an absolutely vital part of winning. And Cherepanov was the guy I wanted that year. Shame what happened.
I don’t know where you fall on Lidstrom, but to me, he’s the best defenseman since Orr. I’d listen to an argument for an old-timer like Harvey, but I’ve only seen a handful of highlights of him so I just can’t say. After Lidstrom, I’d probably go Robinson and Potvin before things got really messy at 5.
Buying out Girardi and shipping out Klein leaves us with one righty and his name is Kampfer.
I’m not sure where we’re finding a top pair righty Dman. Trouba would be perfect, but we’re not getting him. I don’t want Shattenkirk. Maybe a trade for Vatenan?
the need is a defenseman. after a buyout of Girardi or Staal they protect the new dman. After Stepan is traded it allows the Rangers to protect one of Grabner, Fast or Lindberg. Without the trade of a forward for a dman then all 3 of those would be available to Vegas.
Came late to the thread but I will not let the callous, utterly tasteless post by CCCP about the tragedy in Manchester go without a response. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. Rant all you like, but cheapening the deaths of children to advance your myopic world view is despicable.
Believe me my anger is directed at the terrorists who murdered and maimed. You making fun of a 23 year old pop singer unwillingly placed at the epicenter of this tragedy seems to be the only inappropriate channeling going on.
But I’m happy to make a deal with you CCCP. I will stick to hockey on this thread if you do too. Too much anger in the world and talking hockey is a lovely respite from it.
CCCP-You’re huge part of this place. Much bigger than me. I respect your views and opinions on the Rangers and you’ve cracked me up plenty of times over the years. But I’m with Hockey Sittoo on this one. I didn’t like your post and now you’re basically telling him to shut up.
TomK I appreciate you speaking up on my behalf. Although I was indeed offended by CCCP’s earlier post, I also very much enjoy his posts on the Rangers and all other hockey related things. I spoke up because I think it is important for people to be aware of how others who don’t share their worldview might react to, shall we say, controversial posts about a horrible event. Let’s stick to hockey here. Whoever said “no politics” a while back had the right idea…
I think everyone needs to chill out a bit. I, for one, do not think there was a single thing distasteful or insulting about cccp’s comment.
Since when is pointing out the irony of a celebrity who ended up in a very terrible situation after professing no issue with those who would eventually put her in that very terrible situation?
I don’t get why these privileged celebs comment on political subjects. I get even less why people care what they say. But if they do make comments like that, no whining when they get called on them. I see nothing wrong with CCCP’s post either.
I’m not a fan of her music or politics, but hopefully Ms. Grande can put herself back together and find the strength to continue to perform. I can’t imagine what she must be feeling.
I went to a book sale today and picked up a copy of the Rangers 2008-2009 Media Guide for 10 cents. A steal! I was smiling all the way home! Bragging to my son, waving it around and high-fiving anyone in reach. Then I got home, and opened it up. The names of the staff and players bummed me out so bad! Sather, Renney, Pearn, Jessiman, Prucha, Drury, Dubinsky, Gomez, Dawes, Zherdev, Naslund, Redden, Orr, Callahan. Pock, Staal, Rozival, Valiquette. Future Rangers Anisimov, Cherapanov, Hagelin, Sanguinetti, Parenteau, Korpikoski, and on and on and on…
.
Uhnh! What a gigantic comedown that was. I wanted to return the book and get my 10 cents back. But I knew they wouldn’t do it. So now I don’t know whether to shred it, bury it or burn it. Any suggestions?
So Gaborik beats us with an unbelievable series in 2014 Finals. Richards wins the cup with the Hawks in 2015. Last year Hagelin gets a ring with the Pens. And now Hags could repeat or Brassard could get a ring if they beat Nashville. (Tax-Free, Brian Boyle and Anton Stralman made it to the Finals, but lost.)
Teams should be lining up for Stepan since he’ll probably be the next one to win, albeit centering the 3rd line somewhere.
Hockey Sittoo- was happy to speak up last night. Like you, I come here to talk Rangers hockey, but sometimes other things come up. We all have a right to speak our minds without being told to calm down, chill out or shut up.
Good morning, boneheads!
I think we are undervaluing Stepan. While the Rangers are in position to trade him because of his contract, and because of their needs, he is a very solid NHLer. He is deployed by his coach ( make it coaches, AV isn’t the first one) to play in every situation, be it PP, PK, matching against other team’s best line, protecting a lead, etc. He will definitely be attractive to some teams. If they trade him for a top R D-man ( which I think they should), it will create a big hole in the middle that will be difficult to fill. Typical case of the grass being greener elsewhere. The way some of us sound about him sometimes, the other GMs shouldn’t touch him with a 10 ft pole.
As far as a little bickering amongst ourselves last night. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. While I wasn’t thrilled with CCCP’s post, I can tell you that I didn’t sense anything within his post to be an attempt to cheapen the tragedy. And knowing him personally, I can assure you he had no such a desire whatsoever.
I thought the Pens got robbed on the disallowed goal. From the view from above it didn’t look like Daley bumped Andersen.
I think it’s interesting to see the lower seeds beat the top seeds. Watching the underdog come out on top is worth watching. The only problem is in the final. When there are two underdogs playing each other the interest level goes way down. It reminds me of 2006 when the Hurricanes and Oilers played in the final.
Wicky – don’t forget the bubbles for the snowflake party… (snicker, snicker)
Re: Prucha. I still don’t understand how a guy can come into the league and score 30 goals then do nothing the rest of his career.
ilb – you bring up a good point about Stepan. I’ve said it before, if Stepan is really that bad why would another team want to trade for him?
Only saw some of the game last night but even though the sens didn’t have a sell out crowd, the crowd still seemed loud and into the game. Quality > Quantity
Step has value. He is slow, but I do believe he tries like hell. Not a loafer. To me, his problem lies with his decent, but mediocre production and his lack of FIRE.
If you look at Stepans production (career wise) comparing to the Rangers, and the rest of the league, I don’t think you would say he is not productive. I’m not trying to say he had a good season, just that if you are judging him on offensive production, you should look around a bit.
I think Gorton will listen to offers for anyone like he did last year, but, there will be no fire sale. Sens are proving that anyone can get on a run and they negate any idea of a rebuild. Management seems to like Stepan more than the fan base and I would be shocked, but, not surprised if he goes. If he does it will be in a hockey trade like Brassard. I think Dan G will get bought out.
Each time I saw a replay the interference call on the Pens goal looked better. Dailey pushed Anderson into the goal with his stick, impeding him from recovering to make a play and then while in the crease reached outside of the crease to pull in the puck and put it into the net. Any of those three activities would have adequate to disallow the goal.
We did not exactly ice a team talented enough to set the world on fire, but as I see it, our ouster had a large part to do with a less than gnarly gentlemanly timidity (with few exceptions) presented from the Coach on down.
Watching Ottawa, a team that was outplayed by the Rangers in 5 of 6 games, go to the brink with the Penguins is crushing. And with the #16 seed looming in the SCF, no less. These chances don’t come along all the time, and the Rangers blew it with their inability to hold a lead and fire drill defense with the empty net. Would have been nice to win one in the Henrik Lundqvist era.
The reason Step must go is to avoid his impending albatross of a contract. It is hard to make a case that he is going to improve significantly going forward, though perhaps he treads water for a few years. That quality level is probably a better fit elsewhere (others have suggested how he can fit in) than on the NYR.
I really do hope Ottawa makes the SCF. Go down in six tight games to Preds. Really make NYR players agonize this summer over what could have been if they had all manned up, including Mr. Sweden. I know a lot of you were interested in that tournament but I really found it a little offensive that guys just off losing a series fly away the next day to play in a national type of event. Just doesn’t sit right with me.
Not nearly enough un gentlemanly conduct from the top 6 portion of the forwards.
All these teams that are supposedly not as goons as us (on paper) and finished below us in the standings, still playing. The problem is either the players in the line up that most here say was great this season just can’t get it done again or it’s the participation award coach the can’t get it done, it really that simple.
At the trade deadline in 1994, Mike Keenan demanded Neil Smith make the moves needed to win the cup. Telling him to not be fooled by the teams record. The rest is history. During this current stretch of Ranger hockey, has Gorton and AV been fooled by the regular season success? Were there moves to be made to put them over the top? As good as this group has been, you can really only call this stretch, a successful failure.
I don’t disagree Alex. Of those trades you mentioned, though the Rangers probably felt they were go for it trades, IMO the only one that was really a go for it trade was the St Louis trade.
The St. Louis trade was awful from the get-go. I just hope they don’t waste their time looking for another power play quarterback. I’ve seen enough of the Redden’s, Richards’, Yandles, etc.
I guess what I am saying is, do you just go for broke next season. Add what you can. Sacrifice what you need to sacrifice and make it cup or bust. Or do you start to dismantle this group that has not been quite good enough. Add to it, or start taking it apart.
From a cap perspective, the St. Louis trade also prevented them from having to deal with Callahan’s contract. Imagine having him for another 3 years at $5.8?
If my crystal ball was working (it’s not, unfortunately), and I saw them sign Thornton as a 1 year stopgap, then giving all the money to Tavares, I say you can trade 1C for 1RD.
Regarding prucha’s rookie season. That whole team was at a competitive advantage over most of the NHL that year bc a lot of them were playing in Europe during the lockout and jagr, straka and ruckinsky even played together on the same team. The level of play that year was like preseason hockey all year and all the Czechs had amazing seasons. Look back at all 4s totals: jags, straka, ruckinsky and prucha.
I like everyone’s comments today. The rangers blew it this year, the coach proved once again he provides no leadership when it counts and the team doesn’t have the players to lead who almost can effect a game . mcd can’t do it all. Most dissapointing loss of alltime for me. I saw the path, we all do now. They blew a series they could have won in 5
The stagnant cap has produced parity (mediocrity) since no one can afford to keep the players they develop and sign UFAs. The Rangers had a better shot this year than any of us realized and watching the Sens take the Pens to the brink makes that painfully obvious. Anyone can get hot and/or get some bounces and make a run. I don’t think not closing out games had anything to do with no having enough snarl. They went toe to toe with the Habs in a brutal series and came out ahead and didn’t back down from the Sens. The Sens got every bounce and the Rangers couldn’t seal the deal. The Cup was attainable this year and they didn’t get it done.
Ooof, on the Callahan contract. I actually think their final offer was much higher than the tax-free number for which he then signed.
I thought the Rangers had enough snarl to beat the Rottweillers the Canadiens added. And enough snarl to be in position to close out the Senators if not for their inability to hold two late leads. They could use more guys like Smith and Miller, etc. But that’s not why they’re playing golf.
Sens livin a charmed life this spring …got that karma going…no business winning last night in addition to a number of games from last series…. Here’s hoping Pens fans are just pissed as we are Thursday night
Potvin was a great defenseman, BTW. Not sure where he ranks, not sure who’s even second after Orr. Lidstrom was the best of his era, no doubt. Perhaps best since Orr. Robinson, Coffey, Potvin, Leetch, Chelios, Bourque … you know who never gets mentioned, and I’m not even sure if he’s in the HOF (if he’s not, then I ask again, how is Gillies in?) — Rod Langway.
and yes, Lidstrom was probably as good as Leetch at keeping pucks in.
Scott Niedermayer doesn’t get mentioned enough. He had a lot to do with NJ winning 3 Cups ( as it was acknowledged by Stevens), as well as the one he helped winning for his brother in Anaheim
Jumping in to the D man discussion, hard to argue any of the guys mentioned. I will say that Scott Stevens is probably the most underrated Dman. Look at his O numbers. Scored 900 pts, to go with his physical D play.
I don’t know why, but I never saw Stevens and Niedermayer in the same class as those other guys. Just a level below. Can’t explain why I feel that way.
Rangers Report 2.0 
First?
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I really like our team. Bunch of seemingly nice guys, classy, well brought-up. I would also like a Stanley Cup. As General Patton said, ‘cream and bastards rise to the top.’
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Hwy look, there is a new post.
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Anthony Weiner sure turned out to be some hot dog.
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Will the NHL discipline William Nylander for his uncalled for hit on Hank? Dude left his feet and everything
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“Left his feet” is a weird turn of phrase. Did he leave them somewhere or did he go back for them?
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Rob – if you have two left feet, does that mean that you’re clumsy or that you don’t have a leg to stand on?
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My mom used to say. “Stop darting around like a lunatic. If you fall down and break your leg, don’t come running to ME!”
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Good morning Boneheads welcome to Monday! It must be great being a pens fan, having the confidence, no the arrogance of knowing that no matter what goes wrong such as mounting injuries your team will still raise the cup. Rangers fans face the exact opposite, no matter what goes right something will always go wrong! Why do I love this team?
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St Pete
Intangibles, it’s really about the intangibles.
The NHL is definitely “faster” now than 25 years ago because of rule changes (too fast imho, but I digress) and athlete training and conditioning advancements. All that being said, other than the kings, there are no “slow” teams in the NHL and I’d say most fall into the fast team category.
It’s about quickness, not pure speed (when talking mobility) and physicality.
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So Ulfie is going to take an assistant’s job in Chicago one year after leaving the Rangers. Maybe wanting head coaching experience wasn’t the only reason he left. Wonder if Arniel takes the bullet this year.
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I enjoyed a few hockey games yesterday. and neither were the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Sweden’s win over Canada had more NHL stars that I care about than NBC. Congrats to Hank and the entire team. It was strange to Hank’s twin brother Joel skating around on the same ice.
Congrats also to Windsor. I saw them get knocked off in the first round six weeks ago. Now playing against all the champions, they are looking much better. Day can skate pretty well. I keep waiting for him to show me more.
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Anyone remember the plethora of exaggerated ink about Beuk doing such a magnificent job with The Undertaker up in Hartford?
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McIlrath is gone Coos, no need to continue to kick him.
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Continue to kick him? I rooted for and promoted him. Pay attention.
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Pittsburgh has Crosby and Malkin. Makes all the difference in the world.
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I still think Beuk did a great job with McIlrath. The kid was a major project and then had major knee injuries. He’s a borderline NHL player and might make it as a 6-7 some day for some team.
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My point exactly Alex that’s why I used the word arrogance!
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he looked in pain during the postgame celebrations just standing there
https://www.sny.tv/rangers/news/henrik-lundqvist-needed-acupuncture-before-playing-yesterday/231713022
Henrik Lundqvist needed acupuncture before playing yesterday
9:25AM
Henrik Lundqvist said that he suffered a knee injury in Saturday’s semi-final win over Finland.
Lundqvist said that around lunch time on Sunday he did not think that he would be able to play but the pain “disappeared” after undergoing acupuncture treatment. (Expressen)
He said that some pain returned to his knee about halfway through the game but said that all he was thinking about was stopping the next shot.(Expressen)
Lundqvist added that things for him could “not have ended better” after how the season with the Rangers ended. (Expressen)
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Interesting input on Beuk/McIlrath, Carp.
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E3 from the can tweeted at me that Walter’s is opening a new shop on Mamaroneck Ave. in White Plains! The story apparently was on lohud. Which I no longer read for some reason.
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Without Raisman and Carp, nothing at all to read in lohud. Nada.
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I don’t know why a coach would even attempt the 11 fwd 7 d men lineup, it just doesn’t seem to work.
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If I were a defenseman, especially a 4-5-6 type, I would learn to play the wing. Shouldn’t be too difficult to do, and that kind of versatility would make you invaluable to a coach.
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Only way to fix the rangers coaching problem is to get rid of AV, which isn’t going to happen.
Speaking of coaching, kudos to Sullivan for realizing he needed more banging and scratching sheary and putting a banger on all 4 lines.
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Alex
You think?! Duh!! 😉
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Interesting you say that Carp, since it does not seem like it happens often. I remember Brian Boyle either started as a D-man or split time as a D-man early in his development. And Stu Bickel played forward sometimes, but he was a marginal talent and he wasn’t playing forward for his offensive ability.
You would think switching positions would happen more often but it seems like positional roles are ingrained so early in a player’s development that it is almost unheard of for them to switch once they are in the NHL. I wonder why that is.
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If Hank has a knee issue, it’s just one more reason, they better have a plan in place if Raanta goes to Vegas.
Did I mention I hate this Vegas team? The expansion draft favors top heavy teams. Hurts a team like the Rangers. Then again, Bettman didn’t put a gun to Sather’s head demanding he give out NTC’s like they were candy. Slats did that on his own.
LOHUD-I wouldn’t wrap fish in that crap. It would contaminate the fish!
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I’ve watched some of the Memorial Cup to scout our boys. Here’s what I can say based upon these two viewings, and only upon these two viewings:
Ryan Gropp: Very uninteresting as a player. Doesn’t exceed in any area of play, but he’s certainly a hard worker. Feet moving, even in the blowout to Windsor, and was unlucky not to score when it was 3-0. (defenseman blocked an open net chance). Skates in a straight line, willing to shoot from anywhere, but he isn’t particularly fast or a good shooter. Lacks creativity. Has been demoted to the third line, and he looks very mortal without Barzal and Kolesar. Ultimately, I think he looks like he will be a solid AHL player, which is a tremendous blow to the franchise given the price paid to draft him.
Sean Day: His skating jumps out at you, especially when he has the puck. His effortless acceleration, long stride, ability to skate around and through traffic reminds me of Scott Niedermayer. It really is incredible. He had this one end to end rush with about 5 minutes to go in the second period vs. Seattle that literally made me get up out of my seat. It starts so unassumingly, and then suddenly he’s past the entire Settle roster. Effortless skating ability.
His play without the puck, especially in the defensive zone, also jumps out at you, as in “oh my god, what is he doing!?” I’m not kidding when I say that some of his play, especially around the Windsor goal or with the puck on his stick in the defensive zone in the game against St. John, is the absolute worst defensive play I have ever seen from a defenseman. He was better against Seattle, and he had a big hit on Barzal, but it still left a lot to be desired. He also played the right side a decent amount, with big, stay at home defenseman Logan Stanley on the left. FWIW, I didn’t think much of Stanley, at all.
Man, I hope he can figure things out, because if they can teach a skater like that how to play hockey then he will be the steal of the draft. The boom bust potential is still there, 100%. My expectation that he becomes a regular NHL defenseman is the same as my expectation that he plays a few years in the ECHL before going overseas or just quitting the game entirely.
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Here’s most of the rush I described:
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Alex
Let us also not forget that Crosby and Malkin are more than willing to lead physically!
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Beuk is not a very good coach. There…I said it.
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Also, if we must keep AV… fire Arniel then. He’s fuggin’ useless.
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when you can tell me what Arniel does, then we can discuss how “useless” he is.
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Exactly, Carp. What DOES he do? Whatever he does, does not seem to work much… if at all.
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Carp, Arniel is the brains behind the Rangers indescribable PP!
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and terrific PK!
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RR2,
I know you are high on Barzel ( you along with the hockey community), but color me unimpressed. He can skate and stick handle with the best, but he does not move the puck at all. Many times he would just skate around with the puck ( very Alex kovalev ish), and get nothing accomplished. A wish pass was usually the result. Plus head to head with Strome, and the big center last night, he got his ass kicked.
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BDL, he hasn’t looked good thus far, but I’ve also seen him a bit more from the Islanders and the World Junior, where he was far more impressive than he has been in this tournament.
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yeah, incorrect.
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Incorrect what?
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Generally speaking, Seattle has not shown well. Ethan Bear and Kegan Kolesar both have been very disappointing as well.
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The idea of the inexpert, inefficient defenseman learning to be an inexpert, inefficient winger fascinates me.
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So wicky maybe its a talent thing and not a coaching thing then. Nobody we have will ever be confused with Crosby or Malkin. We’re stuck with second bananas in Stepan, Hayes and Mika
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Generally speaking, General Patton was a Major improvement over Captain Kangaroo, but keep it Private.
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RR2,
I pretty much agree with your Day, and Gropp opinion. Especially Gropp. I think Day is going to play in the NHL. I think his floor is Michael Del Zotto.
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BDL, you are much higher on his floor than I am. I’d put his floor as somewhere just below Sanguinetti. I’m thinking somewhere around Blake Parlett.
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The worst thing that ever happened to Day was being granted exceptional player status. His skating was OHL quality and his height and weight were at OHL numbers, but his physical maturity (too fat), brains, emotional maturity, and skills were nowhere near ready. And being put into the OHL, especially with those expectations, eliminated his opportunity to correct those flaws. He should have stayed in midget, gotten physically fit, been given an opportunity to lead, and the opportunity to work on his skills both with and without the puck.
He was just like Fezzik in The Princess Bride. “It’s not my fault being the biggest and the strongest. I don’t even exercise.”
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Guy in Zip’s twidiot feed suggesting Boo Nieves could replace Stepan.
Fans.
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If you trade Stepan, you need to get a center back, or find one elsewhere. If you do trade him, maybe the idea should be to have a true 3rd line checking center. AV tried to convert Hayes to that role this year. He did not do poorly, but it’s not his best place.
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Carp – That is why I am glad that fans don’t run the Rangers. There would be such a revolving door that you literally would need a program to tell who the players are.
As for Day and Gropp I have not had a chance to watch any of their games. The hope has to be that stepping up in class forces them to work on their weaknesses and improve their overall game. The problem is that with the Rangers those type of players never seem to progress, instead they seem to regress.
In terms of the Expansion Draft, boy am I all over the place or what, I have come to the conclusion that the Rangers position of possibly losing a valuable player (Fast, Lindberg or Raanta) is a good one because it shows the Rangers have something they didn’t always have – good depth that isn’t AARP-ready.
I read an article, posted below, about the choices the Capitals have to make in terms of who they might lose. Among the players mentioned were goalie Philipp Grubauer, defenseman Nate Schmidt and two of the following three forwards: Tom Wilson, Jay Beagle and Brett Connolly.
If you were a Caps fan, would you be broken-hearted to lose any of those players?
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Oops, I forgot to add the link to the Washington Post story: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capitals-insider/wp/2017/05/17/the-four-capitals-who-could-prove-enticing-targets-for-vegas-golden-knights-in-nhl-expansion-draft/?utm_term=.2000ad3117b8
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Nieves would be lucky to make it at some point in his career as a full-time fourth line center.
BDL, I disagree you need to get a center back for Stepan or even a center to replace him. But you have to be ready to bet that Zibanejad can be as good or better as Stepan, Hayes can be as good or better than Zibanejad, and someone else (prseumably Lindberg or a FA) can be as good or better than Hayes was.
Really, the full equation is whether those guys plus the defenseman you can get for Stepan would make the team better than Stepan and no defenseman. If the Stepan side is greater, you don’t make the trade.
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I’d be upset about Schmidt or Wilson. Schmidt because you hate to lose a young defenseman who still has room to grow. Wilson because if he could find a better balance between being a clown and a hockey player could be a really effective NHL player.
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I’m convinced that if the Rangers don’t trade Stepan, Lindberg will be the player claimed. Even if they do trade Stepan, the Rangers may not have the foresight to keep him over Fast.
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But would you be more upset at losing a Schmidt/Wilson or a Fast/Lindberg?
Also, if you deal Stepan for a defenseman the Rangers will need to bring in a center. It is just a matter of whether or not it is a third/fourth line center – unless Lindberg is gone then you are going to need a strong 2nd/3rd line center. The Expansion Draft will tell a lot in terms of what you deal Stepan for. If Jeff Gorton can entice Vegas away from Lindberg, then it would be easier to deal for a d-man. If not, you have to consider a deal for a center – unless there is an UFA the Rangers can sign at a reasonable price (a 2017/18 version of Grabner).
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If Vegas takes Raanta, could Allaire fix Eddie Lack? How much could he cost? A 4th or 5th round draft pick?
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Can somebody explain the Murray/MAF issue in Pittsburgh for me? Doesn’t Pittsburgh have to protect MAF and therefore expose Murray? Or do people expect MAF will waive his no move just to be nice?
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Rob
or Pitt buys out Fleury if he doesn’t waive.
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Or the Pens make a deal prior to the Expansion List coming out – which is what they would have to do if they buy out MAF because they don’t have an eligible goalie to leave unprotected. He has a NMC (and modified NTC) so they could deal him.
I always thought Dallas was a perfect fit before signing Bishop because the Pens could take back one of the Stars’ vets. Niemi and Lehtonen have modified BTC,
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Alex, ah, got it. Didn’t realize that was also a possibility.
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Sorry, that should be modified NTC (not BTC).
If the Rangers lose Raanta, they could Lack even cheaper since the Canes would have three goalies under contract (Darling, Lack and Ward, who has a modified NTC). Odds are there will be enough good goalies on the UFA market that they could get a goalie that way.
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Thank you both.
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It’s kind of garbage that teams are subject to these byzantine rules regarding NMCs and the draft when nobody even knew an expansion draft would happen when these contracts were signed.
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Larry Brooks writes that Brendan Smith is willing to pass on UFAif the Rangers ante up with a fair market value deal. Uncle Larry speculates 4-5 years at $4-$4,5 million per season.
The one thing that deal would do is keep us from entering the Shattenkirk sweepstakes. Is it worth the gamble on Smith to avoid a longer and more costly contract to Shattenkirk? Could Sean Day be a poor man’s Shatty. Could the Rangers learn how to protect multiple two-goal leads and one-goal leads in the closing minutes?
These questions, and more, are yet to be answered on “As the Rangers Fans’ Stomach Churns” 🙂
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Rob – You are 100% correct. The problem is the NHL and the NHLPA never negotiated in any parameters for expansion during the last CBA. You can bet that won’t happen with the next negotiation
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Wow Anthony! I just checked and you weren’t kidding! LOTS of UFA goalies this summer. Eddie Lack makes $2.75 (no thanks) for one more year. Carolina might have to eat some salary if they trade him.
UFA goalies as of July 1st.
Starters (too pricy )
Brian Elliot
Ryan Miller
Steve Mason
Chad “Ocho- Cinco” Johnson
Jonathan Bernie
Anders Nilsson
Jonas Gustafsson
Darcy Kemper
Keith Kinkid
Mike Condon
Troy Grosenick? (Sharks)
Peter Budaj
Curtis McElhinney
Ondrej Pavelec
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Jonathan Bernier
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Bernie Sanders might be available as well.
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Obviously, some or a lot of those guys will get re-signed by their respective teams before July 1st.
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The pens goalie situation is irrelevant their winning another cup, puke!
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Bernier (great mask), kuemper, or condon.
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Lindberg is your 3C if you are a smart team imo
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So Carp… are you gonna correct me on Arniel or what?
What does Scott Arniel do?
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I could see MAF to Calgary
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Funny, I swear someone here has been saying you need to deal Stepan for another centre for quite a while now, you guys finally decide to discuss it…wtf?!
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Alex
I think it’s both.
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Pageau
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incorrect, cccp.
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Just freakin’ god-awful what happened in Manchester tonight.
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Did we get trouba yet.
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Looks like another big tough team is being sent home by a fast team, Wick.
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Bernier is awful
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Nashville vs. Pitt in the finals would be way too much yellow/gold in my opinion!
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Incorrect what? lol…
whatever…
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Eric the NYR are not getting Trouba. That’s a Kevin Haze pipe dream!
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Carp
Correct me, then. I guess it’s a BIG secret what Arniel does lol
Not responsible for PP or PK? Who is? AV? Ok… two more reasons to fire AV.
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Not a secret at all.
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I know we’re not getting him. Relax. Sarcasm
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So then tell me (us)… As an assistant coach, if PK and PP not his job, then what? Does he make sure that every player after the game has a dry towel? 🙂
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I’d take Manson in a heartbeat.
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I am relaxed Eric I was actually laughing reading it!
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Nashville every bit as tough as ducks, sorry carp not buying that one in the least.
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Least physical team left in the playoffs is the sens
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Best bet for rangers at centre next season is…
Acquisition centre
Z pack
Lindberg
Acquisition centre
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With the exception of the kings, the rest of the NHL is “fast” so I’m not buying that ridiculous 10 year ago argument. The whole league is “fast”, and therefore it isn’t the speed that is the winnng factor. Very old narrative, move along.
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Wick will the Rangers still be fast if they Fast?
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they will be couchless.
cccp, you tell me
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I already said it, Carp… PP, PK and forwards. You seem to be offended by me wanting Arniel gone lol
Hey remember when Brassard’s agent Allan Walsh sent a letter to the Columbus Dispatch blaming Arniel for singling out Brassard and attempting to use him as a scapegoat to mask his struggles as a coach?
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Wick, are you calling me ridiculous?
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I’m not offended whatsoever. I’m saying you should probably know what his job is before you claim he does it poorly. You’re not alone, BTW.
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Again lol.. I said it like 5 times already. What else can an assistant coach be responsible for? Special teams, no? And since you are around the team more than any of us here, and since the Rangers don’t really tell much to their fans, I ask you once again, what does Scott Arniel do?
Thank you.
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you’re welcome.
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You suck.
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Arniel is useless.
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Would Karl Alzner fit here?
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Love Nashville’s fans – awesome
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No cellphone fans in Nashville… they actually come for the game. Love their passion.
LET’S GO PREDS!
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Nashville fans remind me of devils fans with the hey you suck chant
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Fuggin Debbies getting first overall this year…
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thanks, C3.
TomK, the way Alzner played in the playoffs, he’d fit perfectly. 🙂
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no, thank you.
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no, you suck.
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lol… well, then… you suckerer! 😀
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you suckerest.
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lmao! and you and you and you… suckiest!
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Not McIlrath with some poor D on that goal
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wild one in Nashville!
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Perry the Punk too.
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Love Perry…would be a great Ranger.
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CCCP
he would have been but that ship has sailed. he’s 32 now and will be 33 by next years playoffs
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16th seed at the end of the season…last team to make the postseason is going to the Stanley Cup final. Pretty awesome.
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Let’s go preds. Quite a run.
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If there was a team talented enough to beat the Pens…here it is…. if the Pens make it to the finals of course.
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That PK Subban trade looks pretty great for the Preds right now.
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How about the Filip Forsberg for Martin Erat and Michael Latta?
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I’ll be long gone before we ever win again.
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Eric
You can blame Sam. And this one will last a lifetime.
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Carp
You could never be ridiculous, but the narrative about “it’s all about being a fast team” is ridiculous.
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Good morning Boneheads! Eric we will all be gone before this organization wins another cup! Unless? Never mind.
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If Olivia, former ‘girlfriend’ of Richie Rich and Aaron Rodgers hooked up with our #21 and conceived, it would be one small Step for Munn.
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If you said forget about signing Alzner, does that mean you have Alzerheimers?
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Man, PK Subban spending his day with the Cup at the Montreal Children’s Hospital is going to be a Top Ten all time moment, isn’t it?
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Good morning, boneheads!
Good point, Rob! Let’s go Nashville!
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Meantime the atrocities of the world do not stop.
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Ariana Grande – Pro refugee, Pro Muslim, anti-Trump, anti-American, Women’s March organizer and raging liberal is suddenly wishing she was back in the safety of the America she hates so much! 🇺🇸
Oh, the world we live in.
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NO POLITICS!
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Well said CCCP this isn’t politics it’s reality!
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Jonathan Bernier had better hope there are openings in the KHL or the Swiss league. That was about the most pathetic net performance I have seen all season last night.
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Sissons with a hat trick? Really? I guess you never know who is going to step up.
Thought that Cam Fowler guy would make a decent #4 d-man on the Rangers. Too bad he wasn’t available to the Rangers the year he was drafted.
The more I see of PK Subban, the more I think he’s got one hell of a slap shot and not much else. Did he really win a Norris Trophy for defensive play?
For those that don’t think you need a great goaltender to win a Cup, do you think Nashville gets this far with a lesser goalie than Rinne? I think whether or not you need a great goaltender depends on the type of team in front of him.
Now Getzlaf and Co gets to say, It’s on to the golf course and let’s win there.
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Down Goes Brown made an awesome point on his podcast this week. If the Predators win the Cup in Ottawa, PK Subban and the rest of the Predators can be celebrating with the Cup in Montreal by 1:30 AM. All of the kids in the children’s hospital could wake up to it like it was presents on Christmas morning. Subban Claus.
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CCC, if that’s all you see from Subban, you need to reevaluate what a defenseman is supposed to do in today’s NHL.
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Doodie. It seems to me that defensemen are measured by their offensive contributions with little regard for their defensive capabilities. Simply, goals and assists is more measurable. I think he’s a bit deficient in the defensive category.
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CCC, as for the great goaltender comment, I’m going to disagree. You need a goaltender that’s playing great, which is not necessarily a great goaltender. Rinne has had a couple of pretty lackluster seasons. He got hot at the right time. Compare that to Bobrovsky, Holtby and Price, who are the Vezina nominees. Price was just OK, Holtby was mediocre, at best, and Bobrovsky just imploded in the playoffs.
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CCC, it’s not just goals and assists. It’s about getting the puck out of the zone, especially with control. Our defense, especially guys like Girardi and Staal, treat the puck like it’s a grenade, which just invites more pressure and scoring opportunities. Once Subban has the puck on his stick, more than likely, the puck is not only going out of the Nashville zone, but on a controlled exit, which alleviates pressure and leads to scoring opportunities. That’s what Karlsson does better than any defenseman in the NHL and why he’s so amazing.
Matthias Ekholm, Subban’s regular partner, is equally good at the controlled exit, but what Subban has in addition to that ability, are the offensive tools. He’s a tremendous player.
He’s also a great person and personality. Remember when NHL players had them? I love Subban. My favorite player in the league.
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Somebody was barking at me the other night that Olli Maatta doesn’t suck, as I said he does, because he scored two goals.
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I’d love to have Subban in NY, more so than Weber.
Interestingly, Subban has been less of an impact this offseason than Josi, Ellis, and even Ekholm.
I’d be much more comfortable with Nashville playing Pittsburgh if they had Johansen in the lineup.
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If Nashville beats Pittsburgh I will force myself to listen to country music while eating crow!
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You can kill two birds with one stone by devouring Sheryl Crow.
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Karlsson is amazing, but he’s not better than Brian Leetch.
Leetch was an astounding defenseman, who would absolutely be CRUSHING it had he been playing in today’s NHL.
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I think my Penguins would be in trouble vs. the Preds given the state of their defense right now. Their elite forwards are going to have to do some work.
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… and I don’t necessarily think the ECF is over yet.
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3-3 after 6?
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Wouldn’t devouring Sheryl Crow make you a predator?
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BGB a no-show for 10 of the last 11.
a Pageau and then some.
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Or a Raven lunatic.
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Karlsson might be a faster skater, and has a better shot. Leetch is better in all other areas. Funny thing about Leetch: He stunk in all-star games, which should have been right up his alley. Too unselfish, I guess, and deferential to other stars.
But I love the way Karlsson plays.
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I think Ryan Ellis is very underrated.
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Leetch would have excelled in today’s game, absolutely. He’s one of the greatest defensemen of all time. Karlsson is too, for what it’s worth. And he’s still only 26 (turns 27 in a week). I just wish people would learn to just enjoy amazing players instead of constantly trying to poke holes in them, like those that have missed out on enjoying Ovechkin’s tremendous career.
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ilb, he and Ekholm both. They don’t have the star cache that Josi and Subban have but are almost as important. Nashville is my pick for a team that will go with protecting 8 skaters instead of the 7 forwards, 3 defensemen. Unless they do something major like deal one of the defensemen for a center. I’d imagine it would be Josi in that situation.
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Pens win tonight win cup in 6. Crosby and Malkin down the middle will have field day with scissons and jankrok
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Stephan and shattenkirk
Or
Trouba/Faulk/dumba and turris?
From what I read turris is ufa. The rangers have a deadline here with step. Trade him for a great return or keep him for the remainder of his contract. Bc once his nmc kicks in, his value is nill. Right now his value is great, on July 1st his value is nill. Deadline
Teams that can’t recruit or sign prime ufa will place extra value on step bc they know they have him in under control for the next 4. Phoenix, Carolina, Winnipeg, etcc
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Turris is under contract for another year, according to CapFriendly
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Winnipeg doesn’t need a center or any forwards for that matter. They need a goaltender. Carolina is probably aiming for bigger fish with their young defensemen. Phoenix is just not a good fit, at all, for either side of any trade for Stepan.
I’d think Minnesota is our best option, but there are maybe some other surprise choices out there.
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I think Edmonton is one of those surprise choices,RR2.
Stepan and RNH as the centerpiece of a deal involving more.
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I’m not sure I would understand the rationale behind that one.
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Edmonton has probably the best ice in the league and builds their team accordingly.
I don’t see a Stepan (who is really slow) fitting in there as second center.
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I do not believe RHN could handle the pressure of New York Bdl. He would be a disasta!
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Alex, that’s a team that just traded one of the league’s faster skaters in Taylor Hall and replaced him with Milan Lucic. So I don’t think making sure their roster is fast is a priority for them.
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Somebody was barking at me the other night about Beagle being better than Shepherd.
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Was it Joe Cocker?
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I think it was Bull Dog Line
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Oilers get an experienced, seasons slow skating center at almost 27 years unable to score more than 60 pts getting prime TOI in an offensive minded system with 4x$6.5M left on his deal and NYR gets a 24 yo yet to hit his prime center who has 4x$6 left on this deal who can skate faster than Girardi.
.
Step, Nash & Staal for Nurse, RNH and a pick.
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If AV was coach of the press, he’d have lost Sissons on the bench along with ekholm.
#participationawardcoach
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I do love the trade convos
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Press=preds…stupid phone
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RR2
big difference between 1 grinding wing and a 2nd line center who is slow as molasses and has a huge contract.
I would be shocked if Edmonton traded for Stepan, much as most of us want him gone.
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Hall was traded for much needed defense.
I can see why we want to trade Stepan for much needed defense. It’s the other side that has to agree too.
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Lucic has a huge contract, is slower, and is older.
This is a classic case of hating our players more than the average NHL GM would view them.
I would be shocked if they traded for Stepan, but not because they wouldn’t want him, but because they don’t need him. Defense is still the priority for them.
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RR2
speed much more needed for 2nd center than grinding wing especially on that ice – the best in the league.
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I wasn’t sure about turris. Figured I would have seen it mentioned more.
The idea that Stepan is washed up and not a good player is a joke.
Try get a clue for $500 Alex 😉
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JPP
if you read here and elsewhere, I am not the only one who wants him traded for a team need – a top 4 defenseman. He is not playing to that contract, is slow, not physical, and can’t win a faceoff. Those attributes really hurt us at the end of a game as we try to hold a lead.
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I have finally gotten around to doing some research on the 2017 NHL Draft. I have sights set on a couple of d-men (Nic Hague and Connor Timmins) and one possible forward who was easily a Top 10 player this time last year (Maxime Comtois). As of now, granted I haven’t gotten in too deep, I am not so sure the Rangers should keep their pick.
Since they don’t have second or third round picks, I might see if the Sabres would swap their two second round picks (37 and 54) for the Rangers first round pick (21). Buffalo also has two third rounders so maybe a second (#37) and one of thirds. The extra picks could come in handy if Jeff Gorton wants to “entice” Vegas into staying away from Fast, Lindberg or Raanta.
Although given the three free agents d-men that they signed (plus the possibility Sean Day might go to Hartford), would the Rangers offer up Ryan Graves as a bribe?
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Did someone buy me my trouba jersey yet.
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Edmonton is a team just starting to win. Trading for Stepan gives them a player with a plenty of playoff experience, and a center who could play a D minded role for them. Plus he scores as much as RNH.
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Eric – We all chipped in. Unfortunately, it is a Winnipeg Jets jersey 🙂 🙂
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BDL
if you were a fan of Edmonton would you want them to trade for Stepan. I know I wouldn’t.
he was as responsible for last couple of minutes goals against as any of the defensemen.
his defense is highly overrated. he does try though i’ll give him that.
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Alex,
If I’m Edmonton, I’m All over that one. RNH is never going to hit hie potential with Gretzky in front of him. Stepan on the Oilers is a better fit than RNH on the Oilers. While I agree with most that Stepan is a logical player to trade, I don’t agree with the reason most people want Stepan traded for. Stepan is a good, solid NHL center, not some schlub. I would not dump Stepan just to get rid of him, it would have to be good hockey trade.
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Trade Stepan keep his mom!
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Keep Stepan’s dad too. Where else is Eric going to get all of his scoops from?
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The Stepan family is leakier than Trump’s White House.
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Send a text over to Stepan father. Maybe I’ll hear back.
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Doodie:
Karlsson may be only 26, but Leetch won the Stanley Cup at age 25…
as I said, Karlsson is an awesome player, and the best defenseman in the league now. But I don’t think he was as incredible as Brian Leetch. Maybe I’m too much of a homer, so my opinion could be tilted, but I don’t remember Karlsson taking over games the way Leetch did in his career. This is not a knock on Karlsson – I love what he brings to the game. But he’s not as great a player now as Leetch was at the same age, in MY estimation.
Rangers Report 2.0 says:
May 23, 2017 at 11:50 AM
“Leetch would have excelled in today’s game, absolutely. He’s one of the greatest defensemen of all time. Karlsson is too, for what it’s worth. And he’s still only 26 (turns 27 in a week). I just wish people would learn to just enjoy amazing players instead of constantly trying to poke holes in them, like those that have missed out on enjoying Ovechkin’s tremendous career.”
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AA, you don’t remember Karlsson taking over games? Did you not see this series? Game 5, for example?
Leetch also had a much better supporting cast, including on the blue line.
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For the 29th time in the last 30 years the Rangers will draft somebody whose name I’ve never heard before.
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Leetch also had a much worse supporting cast for a lot of years.
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A new column from Carp: http://www.msgnetworks.com/2017/05/23/best-rangers-team-of-all-time-and-other-thoughts/
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Carp, no question about it in those later years. Hard to take over a playoff series when you aren’t in the playoffs.
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Who was the player you had heard of?
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brendl
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Will we ever see this happen again?
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if you live past 100 maybe
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I won’t.
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Thanks for the encouragement Carp!
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For the 29th time in the last 30 years the Rangers will draft somebody in an area of immediate need then announce that the kid plans to go to college and should be ready in four years.
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Ok – Karlsson had a nice game 5. Almost as nice as Pageau did in Game 2… 😉
Leetch was a dominant playoff performer. And would dominate entire series. In 94, he took over the entire playoff, winning the playoff MVP Conn Smythe(?).
Karlsson has great speed, and can make nifty passes, in addition to a great shot.
Leetch maybe not as fast, but certainly as good a passer, a great shooter, and could make incredible moves in traffic. Also, I’ve never seen anyone better at keeping pucks in the offensive zone as Leetch.
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where is e3? there’s no internet connection on the can anymore?
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In my pre-draft watching days, the last guy I had heard of was Montoya. I started watching the draft more closely beginning in 2007 when the salary cap made it clear that building through the draft was now an absolutely vital part of winning. And Cherepanov was the guy I wanted that year. Shame what happened.
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Just spoke with E3 on twitter. I hate twitter.
Agree on Leetch being the best I’ve ever seen at keeping pucks in the zone.
Just don’t want you to be disappointed, Eli.
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Terrible regarding Cherapanov.
Sad.
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New Motto: CLEAN CRACKS FROM HEREON – NO REGRETS
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Carp: Nik Lidstrom was the master at that. There was no getting a puck by him.
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I don’t know where you fall on Lidstrom, but to me, he’s the best defenseman since Orr. I’d listen to an argument for an old-timer like Harvey, but I’ve only seen a handful of highlights of him so I just can’t say. After Lidstrom, I’d probably go Robinson and Potvin before things got really messy at 5.
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Everyone knows that there has never been nor will ever be a better defenseman than Tom Poti.
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Bring back DelZaster!
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Lidstrom was best defenseman overall, since Orr.
What made Potvin so great? I caught the tail end of his career, but not enough to be able to compare him to Leetch, Coffey, Lidstrom, even Karlsson…
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Another guy that could do it all. Could score and was physically a nasty player.
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Great passer, too.
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Does that make him better than guys like Leetch, Coffey, Karlsson?
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I know Potvin could put up points and was a little nasty – should we compare Potvin to Scott Stevens?
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I think he was. Won’t be a popular opinion here. Coffey is probably my choice at 5.
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Capitals era Stevens, but a better player, albeit not as vicious.
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Alzner McDonough
Skjei Smith
Staal Holden OR Holden Girardi
Kampfer
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The times were worse, but never was more meanly…
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No thanks to alzner.
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You trade Stepan for a centre, not a D.
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Alzner is a lefty, so I’d pass.
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take me down to junior’s farm, everybody tag along
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Where does Ray Bourque fit in with these guys?
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Interesting:
https://www.si.com/nhl/photos/2015/01/19/top-25-nhl-defensemen-all-time
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Buying out Girardi and shipping out Klein leaves us with one righty and his name is Kampfer.
I’m not sure where we’re finding a top pair righty Dman. Trouba would be perfect, but we’re not getting him. I don’t want Shattenkirk. Maybe a trade for Vatenan?
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FWIW-Clendening is a righty,(RFA), but I think his time may be done here.
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Disagree Wicky
the need is a defenseman. after a buyout of Girardi or Staal they protect the new dman. After Stepan is traded it allows the Rangers to protect one of Grabner, Fast or Lindberg. Without the trade of a forward for a dman then all 3 of those would be available to Vegas.
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Alex
Who are you protecting at fwd?
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Wow very questionable call went against the Pens! The world is about to come to an end!!
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I protect Grabner if we trade a forward.
I think Gorton protects Lindberg.
remember Fast off season surgery. i think hip.
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Rumor has it… Stepan for MalKING.
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Came late to the thread but I will not let the callous, utterly tasteless post by CCCP about the tragedy in Manchester go without a response. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. Rant all you like, but cheapening the deaths of children to advance your myopic world view is despicable.
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Sigh…
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Channel your anger at those who did it… don’t channel it at me.
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Believe me my anger is directed at the terrorists who murdered and maimed. You making fun of a 23 year old pop singer unwillingly placed at the epicenter of this tragedy seems to be the only inappropriate channeling going on.
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But I’m happy to make a deal with you CCCP. I will stick to hockey on this thread if you do too. Too much anger in the world and talking hockey is a lovely respite from it.
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CCCP-You’re huge part of this place. Much bigger than me. I respect your views and opinions on the Rangers and you’ve cracked me up plenty of times over the years. But I’m with Hockey Sittoo on this one. I didn’t like your post and now you’re basically telling him to shut up.
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Well… if we all agreed with each others opinions how boring would this world be?
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For the sake of everyone’s feelings, sigh… let’s stick to hockey…. mostly 🙂
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Sounds good.
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TomK I appreciate you speaking up on my behalf. Although I was indeed offended by CCCP’s earlier post, I also very much enjoy his posts on the Rangers and all other hockey related things. I spoke up because I think it is important for people to be aware of how others who don’t share their worldview might react to, shall we say, controversial posts about a horrible event. Let’s stick to hockey here. Whoever said “no politics” a while back had the right idea…
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“Offended”…. what else is new.
Anyway… LGR!
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I think everyone needs to chill out a bit. I, for one, do not think there was a single thing distasteful or insulting about cccp’s comment.
Since when is pointing out the irony of a celebrity who ended up in a very terrible situation after professing no issue with those who would eventually put her in that very terrible situation?
Geez, suck it up people!
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…in that very terrible situation “such a big deal”?
Sorry all, the sens goal distracted me
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Wicky ❤
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Crazy Ukrainian bastage ❤️
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I don’t get why these privileged celebs comment on political subjects. I get even less why people care what they say. But if they do make comments like that, no whining when they get called on them. I see nothing wrong with CCCP’s post either.
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It’s an awful situation.
My thoughts go to all victims involved.
I’m not a fan of her music or politics, but hopefully Ms. Grande can put herself back together and find the strength to continue to perform. I can’t imagine what she must be feeling.
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Not gonna “suck it up” Wicky. Will agree to stick to hockey…
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Anderson and Sens shutting Pens down…
Let’s go Sens! Anyone but Crosby!
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Let’s Go Sens!
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WoW, some testy people on here….I see juice boxes, coloring books, and safe spaces in someone’s future.
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Aww, golly gee schucks…must have forgot the little “;)” at the end of my last comment
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3-3 after 6. 4-3 after 7.
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Pens in 5, eh? 🙂
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Pens in 3
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That game by Anderson was spectacular! Wow. Here’s hoping he can do it again tomorrow. Let’s go Sens!
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Sullivan changing goalie again, Crosby will be in net for game 7
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or the next day
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I went to a book sale today and picked up a copy of the Rangers 2008-2009 Media Guide for 10 cents. A steal! I was smiling all the way home! Bragging to my son, waving it around and high-fiving anyone in reach. Then I got home, and opened it up. The names of the staff and players bummed me out so bad! Sather, Renney, Pearn, Jessiman, Prucha, Drury, Dubinsky, Gomez, Dawes, Zherdev, Naslund, Redden, Orr, Callahan. Pock, Staal, Rozival, Valiquette. Future Rangers Anisimov, Cherapanov, Hagelin, Sanguinetti, Parenteau, Korpikoski, and on and on and on…
.
Uhnh! What a gigantic comedown that was. I wanted to return the book and get my 10 cents back. But I knew they wouldn’t do it. So now I don’t know whether to shred it, bury it or burn it. Any suggestions?
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Olga
save a tree. recycle it
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So Gaborik beats us with an unbelievable series in 2014 Finals. Richards wins the cup with the Hawks in 2015. Last year Hagelin gets a ring with the Pens. And now Hags could repeat or Brassard could get a ring if they beat Nashville. (Tax-Free, Brian Boyle and Anton Stralman made it to the Finals, but lost.)
Teams should be lining up for Stepan since he’ll probably be the next one to win, albeit centering the 3rd line somewhere.
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Olga say something nice for Prucha then burn it.
Sens were looking dead in the water and then boom! Hoping they can shut out the icebirds at home in the game 7. Poor NBC if its Sens/Preds lol
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Prucha – a 30 goal scorer as a rookie. Then the fit hit the shan.
Got a match?
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Good morning Boneheads! Mail the book to Sam Olga he asked for it! “This one will last…………”
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Hockey Sittoo- was happy to speak up last night. Like you, I come here to talk Rangers hockey, but sometimes other things come up. We all have a right to speak our minds without being told to calm down, chill out or shut up.
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Good morning, boneheads!
I think we are undervaluing Stepan. While the Rangers are in position to trade him because of his contract, and because of their needs, he is a very solid NHLer. He is deployed by his coach ( make it coaches, AV isn’t the first one) to play in every situation, be it PP, PK, matching against other team’s best line, protecting a lead, etc. He will definitely be attractive to some teams. If they trade him for a top R D-man ( which I think they should), it will create a big hole in the middle that will be difficult to fill. Typical case of the grass being greener elsewhere. The way some of us sound about him sometimes, the other GMs shouldn’t touch him with a 10 ft pole.
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As far as a little bickering amongst ourselves last night. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. While I wasn’t thrilled with CCCP’s post, I can tell you that I didn’t sense anything within his post to be an attempt to cheapen the tragedy. And knowing him personally, I can assure you he had no such a desire whatsoever.
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You guys say No Politics, yet I still see all these posts talking aboot Senators?! Wtf? Ha 😉
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I thought the Pens got robbed on the disallowed goal. From the view from above it didn’t look like Daley bumped Andersen.
I think it’s interesting to see the lower seeds beat the top seeds. Watching the underdog come out on top is worth watching. The only problem is in the final. When there are two underdogs playing each other the interest level goes way down. It reminds me of 2006 when the Hurricanes and Oilers played in the final.
Wicky – don’t forget the bubbles for the snowflake party… (snicker, snicker)
Re: Prucha. I still don’t understand how a guy can come into the league and score 30 goals then do nothing the rest of his career.
ilb – you bring up a good point about Stepan. I’ve said it before, if Stepan is really that bad why would another team want to trade for him?
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Only saw some of the game last night but even though the sens didn’t have a sell out crowd, the crowd still seemed loud and into the game. Quality > Quantity
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If you’re a player then quality > quantity, but not if you’re the owner. Just ask Mr. Dolan.
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Step has value. He is slow, but I do believe he tries like hell. Not a loafer. To me, his problem lies with his decent, but mediocre production and his lack of FIRE.
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If you look at Stepans production (career wise) comparing to the Rangers, and the rest of the league, I don’t think you would say he is not productive. I’m not trying to say he had a good season, just that if you are judging him on offensive production, you should look around a bit.
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I think Gorton will listen to offers for anyone like he did last year, but, there will be no fire sale. Sens are proving that anyone can get on a run and they negate any idea of a rebuild. Management seems to like Stepan more than the fan base and I would be shocked, but, not surprised if he goes. If he does it will be in a hockey trade like Brassard. I think Dan G will get bought out.
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Each time I saw a replay the interference call on the Pens goal looked better. Dailey pushed Anderson into the goal with his stick, impeding him from recovering to make a play and then while in the crease reached outside of the crease to pull in the puck and put it into the net. Any of those three activities would have adequate to disallow the goal.
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Imagine if we had only been able to beat the Sens…. pens could be had.
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“decent but mediocre production,” Bdl. Please don’t take that simple statement out of context.
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NYR>Imagine!
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Not everything is about you coos. 😀
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We did not exactly ice a team talented enough to set the world on fire, but as I see it, our ouster had a large part to do with a less than gnarly gentlemanly timidity (with few exceptions) presented from the Coach on down.
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As the shepherd said to the Ram, ‘Not everything is about ewe.’ 🙂
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I’ve been thinking the same thing Coos, not enough snarl which I believe causes the lack of the killer instinct!
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Watching Ottawa, a team that was outplayed by the Rangers in 5 of 6 games, go to the brink with the Penguins is crushing. And with the #16 seed looming in the SCF, no less. These chances don’t come along all the time, and the Rangers blew it with their inability to hold a lead and fire drill defense with the empty net. Would have been nice to win one in the Henrik Lundqvist era.
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Would you believe the Rangers haven’t even scored an empty netter since Dubinsky left!
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The reason Step must go is to avoid his impending albatross of a contract. It is hard to make a case that he is going to improve significantly going forward, though perhaps he treads water for a few years. That quality level is probably a better fit elsewhere (others have suggested how he can fit in) than on the NYR.
I really do hope Ottawa makes the SCF. Go down in six tight games to Preds. Really make NYR players agonize this summer over what could have been if they had all manned up, including Mr. Sweden. I know a lot of you were interested in that tournament but I really found it a little offensive that guys just off losing a series fly away the next day to play in a national type of event. Just doesn’t sit right with me.
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Lack of killer instinct and other intangibles.
Not nearly enough un gentlemanly conduct from the top 6 portion of the forwards.
All these teams that are supposedly not as goons as us (on paper) and finished below us in the standings, still playing. The problem is either the players in the line up that most here say was great this season just can’t get it done again or it’s the participation award coach the can’t get it done, it really that simple.
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Goons=good…man, wtf?!
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Nothing wrong with wanting to keep playing hockey and support your national team too, IMO
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At the trade deadline in 1994, Mike Keenan demanded Neil Smith make the moves needed to win the cup. Telling him to not be fooled by the teams record. The rest is history. During this current stretch of Ranger hockey, has Gorton and AV been fooled by the regular season success? Were there moves to be made to put them over the top? As good as this group has been, you can really only call this stretch, a successful failure.
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BDL
there was no cap back then. During the Henrik era the Rangers usually have made a trade to go for it. Yandle, E Staal, St Louis. This year Smith.
Giving up young assets or draft picks will bite you a lot more than before the cap.
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Beezle – are they supposed to sit around and mope all summer?
Not sure what the Rangers can or will do to improve the team to Cup level. What they need is another Mcdonagh for Gomez (and no Gomez) trade.
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I don’t disagree Alex. Of those trades you mentioned, though the Rangers probably felt they were go for it trades, IMO the only one that was really a go for it trade was the St Louis trade.
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The St. Louis trade was awful from the get-go. I just hope they don’t waste their time looking for another power play quarterback. I’ve seen enough of the Redden’s, Richards’, Yandles, etc.
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The St. Louis trade got them to the SCF though. Only problem was Sather gave away the farm when he was literally bidding against nobody
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I guess what I am saying is, do you just go for broke next season. Add what you can. Sacrifice what you need to sacrifice and make it cup or bust. Or do you start to dismantle this group that has not been quite good enough. Add to it, or start taking it apart.
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From a cap perspective, the St. Louis trade also prevented them from having to deal with Callahan’s contract. Imagine having him for another 3 years at $5.8?
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If my crystal ball was working (it’s not, unfortunately), and I saw them sign Thornton as a 1 year stopgap, then giving all the money to Tavares, I say you can trade 1C for 1RD.
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Sadly, Joe Thornton would instantly become their number 1 C. At 38.
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Regarding prucha’s rookie season. That whole team was at a competitive advantage over most of the NHL that year bc a lot of them were playing in Europe during the lockout and jagr, straka and ruckinsky even played together on the same team. The level of play that year was like preseason hockey all year and all the Czechs had amazing seasons. Look back at all 4s totals: jags, straka, ruckinsky and prucha.
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I like everyone’s comments today. The rangers blew it this year, the coach proved once again he provides no leadership when it counts and the team doesn’t have the players to lead who almost can effect a game . mcd can’t do it all. Most dissapointing loss of alltime for me. I saw the path, we all do now. They blew a series they could have won in 5
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The stagnant cap has produced parity (mediocrity) since no one can afford to keep the players they develop and sign UFAs. The Rangers had a better shot this year than any of us realized and watching the Sens take the Pens to the brink makes that painfully obvious. Anyone can get hot and/or get some bounces and make a run. I don’t think not closing out games had anything to do with no having enough snarl. They went toe to toe with the Habs in a brutal series and came out ahead and didn’t back down from the Sens. The Sens got every bounce and the Rangers couldn’t seal the deal. The Cup was attainable this year and they didn’t get it done.
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Soft Shelled Jumbo Shrimp.
Ooof, on the Callahan contract. I actually think their final offer was much higher than the tax-free number for which he then signed.
I thought the Rangers had enough snarl to beat the Rottweillers the Canadiens added. And enough snarl to be in position to close out the Senators if not for their inability to hold two late leads. They could use more guys like Smith and Miller, etc. But that’s not why they’re playing golf.
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I wonder what Vesey thinks as his original team via the draft is in the finals.
I’m sure Weber too has a lot of thoughts on the Preds being in the final. To some degree Kevin Klein too.
The Preds made hay in the draft especially on defense and those guys are very much in their prime.
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Sens livin a charmed life this spring …got that karma going…no business winning last night in addition to a number of games from last series…. Here’s hoping Pens fans are just pissed as we are Thursday night
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Potvin was a great defenseman, BTW. Not sure where he ranks, not sure who’s even second after Orr. Lidstrom was the best of his era, no doubt. Perhaps best since Orr. Robinson, Coffey, Potvin, Leetch, Chelios, Bourque … you know who never gets mentioned, and I’m not even sure if he’s in the HOF (if he’s not, then I ask again, how is Gillies in?) — Rod Langway.
and yes, Lidstrom was probably as good as Leetch at keeping pucks in.
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Scott Niedermayer doesn’t get mentioned enough. He had a lot to do with NJ winning 3 Cups ( as it was acknowledged by Stevens), as well as the one he helped winning for his brother in Anaheim
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Jumping in to the D man discussion, hard to argue any of the guys mentioned. I will say that Scott Stevens is probably the most underrated Dman. Look at his O numbers. Scored 900 pts, to go with his physical D play.
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What is this, a NJ Devils blog? 🙂
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We should trade the number one overall pick.
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Enough Derbil talk!
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Bout time I check in.How are you fellas holding up? Did we turn over a combined $149 million to Shatty and Smith yet?
Wicky your phone sucks bro lol
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I don’t know why, but I never saw Stevens and Niedermayer in the same class as those other guys. Just a level below. Can’t explain why I feel that way.
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NEW POST, Manny
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I can’t put Stevens and Neidermayer as great as they were in the same class as Leetch, Orr, Coffey, Potvin, Bourque.
I agree Carp.
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