Rangers-0, Coyotes-5

Good morning, boneheads!

Was watching the game last night in delay, and my 6 year old came down to give me a hug before she went to bed. She looked at the score ( it was 2-0 then ) and asked:” Why are the Rangers always 0 ?”. “They are rebuilding, sweetie.” “Ah, ok!” Of course she has no idea what this means, but she is ok with it. Just like the rest of us. We may have a better idea what this means than her, but not by much. But we have no say in this matter. We just have to watch and wait. And trust that they are doing the right thing. What choices do we have? Stop rooting for them? Not me.

A lot of things happened during this dreadful stretch. Their stalwart goalie’s game went downhill, they lost one of their better players for a couple of games. You could find many more reasons. But the bottom line is, if you didn’t expect this to happen you were delusional. This team is bad. And things are going to get worse, more likely than not.

I do believe this is a very important juncture of this season though. This is when they start questioning their own skills, desire, abilities and work ethic. They may lose their trust in the system implemented by the coach. What makes it even more difficult is that the coach is a rookie. Will Quinn start questioning his abilities to coach at this level? Will he question his own game structure and approach? Will he be able to adjust going forward? Because this isn’t about this year. No reason to panic, and no reason to change the course. I think this is when we may appreciate why they really wanted Lindy Ruff around. And by “they” I mean everyone including Quinn. Ruff, and his impressive NHL coaching experience, could be instrumental in making sure that this shipwreck doesn’t go too far, and that the rebuild isn’t delayed unnecessary because of that.

I am back from my trip to Barcelona. Thanks to everyone who kept this place afloat. My next vacation is going to be to the Wickyland some time in March ( end of March, I think. Gotta ask my wife). Can’t wait to see his girls!. Not him, who wants to see that bum? 🙂

Click here to read Carp’s game review and his thoughts about the first half of the season.

274 thoughts on “Rangers-0, Coyotes-5”

  2. I read some discussion here a few days back about offer sheets this season. Not happening. But I’d like to see some this year. There are teams who benefited from being bad for many years, and teams who used their tax status as a leverage to sign some players. They are now due for a big bill. This could be an opportunity for other teams to spread the wealth. I think main reason it won’t happen is because it’s frowned upon and the GMs may be afraid to be alienated and not being able to make deals in the future. But it’s in the CBA, why not use it?

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  5. Who needs gorts and company issuing a ‘we’re not good letter’ when the captain will do it.

    #wewillbebad
    #thecaptainspeaks
    #stopyourwhining6yos
    #nocryinginhockeyfandom

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  6. Coming Rambling in from La Rambla throwing truth around is the medicus of Parc Guell after eating too much patatas bravas over the past week or so.
    .
    The surprise is when they were in the top 20 in the league and some were calling it a rehash when the roster is a bottom 5 squad and this is going to get fuggly.
    #Craapo-for-Kaako

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Nice, SN! We had a good amount of pintxos though. Know someone who’s from there and gave us some good suggestion. I don’t think it helped my weight situation though 🙂

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  10. I think the problem some Ranger fans are having this year is, the guys doing the scoring are guys that have been here. If Chytil, Andersson, and Howden were contributing on the score sheet, fans could see what is happening more clearly. Instead Andersson is in Hartford. Chytil has 6, his last being a long time ago, and it was an empty netter. And Howden has been stuck on 4 for a very long time.

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  13. Think this losing streak is just about maximizing Bong Man’s value. He’ll be back in, score one, two or three assists and NYR win going away. Certainly would turn some heads. Unfortunately those heads are probably on a pillow dreaming!

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  14. OK serious question: Which teams could Zuc help and what do they realistically give up for him? I’m really starting to think all Gorton is going to get for Zuc is dial tone.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. When is asshat ilb ever going to come to FL?

    I know JD has nothing to do with the Rangers day to day mgmt, but they and the Knicks will never be successful until JD sells or dies.

    Unless Shestyorkin turns into a very good goalie, this team will be mediocre to bottom-feeding for many years. We aren’t getting top end forwards and none of those ballyhooed defense prospects are
    going to be anything. Why waste your valuable time watching? I haven’t seen a game this year. And I’m better for it.

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  16. ilb
    Welcome back the blog broke 3 or 4 times during your absence! Not sure how deep this ship sinks it remains to be seen. We need our vets to show they want to be here, or show them out the door. Heroes who go down, go down with a fight!

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  17. Zucc’s value continues to decline. He should have been traded last deadline. Now, I doubt he gets much back…..maybe a 3rd rounder or so.

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  18. I’d say if a Zuccarello trade happened today…we’re looking at an R3 and a mid-to-depth prospect at best. And I’d probably take it at this point.

    Unless they can sit him down and calm his nerves, get him to a sports psychologist, something…it’s a case of diminishing returns. The only reason to hang onto him (assuming things don’t click) would be that more teams at the deadline would have more pro-rated space to absorb him.

    It’s a shame. We’re all human, and he’s reacted badly. I’ve had my share of work problems that really affected the person I was at the time. But having said that…a trade is part of the business. He’s seen a lot of friends get moved out of town and managed to deal with it. He has an opportunity to lead by example and impart some wisdom on the next generation, AND in doing so – make himself more attractive to a team that wants to go deep into the playoffs. And if he’s depressed about how badly the season is going…he’s not faultless (though not alone, by a long shot) in the result.

    But then again…psychology is a funny animal. What makes perfect sense to a bunch of outsiders doesn’t necessarily make sense to the subject.

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  19. It’s always easier looking in. Bc our minds and thought process aren’t clouded by emotions. It’s always easier helping someone else out bc your mind is clear and why it helps to have someone else to turn to when your clouded by emotionz

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  21. There is one player who may have his trade value go up quietly. Namestnikov. I just think that what they may get for him may be less than they may get from him while he is playing in NY during this process.

    Liked by 1 person

  31. Slats to Gorton. – “I’ve got deer and moose all over my lawn up here and the environmentalists won’t let me do a thing about it…”

    Gortie: “I have my own problems, but thanks for calling in.”

    Liked by 4 people

  32. Welcome back, ILB. I’m glad to have you even if Wicky the sarcastic bastid isn’t : D

    Wouldn’t be so quick to trade Namestnikov or (god help me) Fast just yet. Obviously two of the most consistent guy this year. Have to maximize trade value on the guys that have a bit more notoriety who don’t fit long term. None of this stuff like last year with “we were so busy we forgot to trade Zucc” If there’s a market and they aren’t a fit here move em out. Especially on the blue line

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  33. I think it was Maloney (may be wrong) who hit the nail on the head re: Names and Fast – these guys will only bring back mid-round picks, and you can’t trade everybody for picks. These guys have more value doing what they do for us than anything they’d bring back.

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  34. The only way I’m trading fast or Namestnikov is including them in a big trade that’s comes with players or picks we really cover. Not just to add extra picks. If Toronto said we’ll do nylander for skjei/zucc/ and fast. I’d include him. If it were a straight trade for a 3rd rder, I’d keep him.
    Same with Namestnikov

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  36. Trade Lundqvist. There is absolutely ZERO sense for him to stay. Who needs an over 40 goalie when a team is ready to compete again!? Because that is how old he will be by the time this “re-whatever” is done.

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  37. I agree Hank’s gonna be 40 by the time this team is playing hockey in May.

    He’s earned his decision and he ain’t making it before the deadline. But he’s got a decision coming up

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  42. This is Hanks last season as the pure number one. He will be sharing with Shestorkin next year. At least until Shestorkin takes the number one spot outright.

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  45. This needs to be the last deadline they are sellers in this re whatever. That is why I think Kreider needs to be part of the purge. Zucc is not going to bring back much. McQuaid? Maybe a mid rounder. Same with Claessen. Hayes is the big fish of the UFAs. My gut tells me we are going to be a bit disappointed in the return for him. Which leaves Kreider. Team will pony up for Kreider. Especially with him being a two playoff run guy. After this purge is done, it will be time to move forward.

    Liked by 2 people

  47. True that Kreider has the most value but need to do a hockey trade and get back a first pair guy or something. Trading for picks/prospects and futures is going to leave this team in the depths of despair for at least another 4-5 seasons.

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  50. SN,
    If they have made up their mind they are not going to bring back Kreider, now is the time to move him. I agree that some form of a hockey trade should be made for him. Young current NHL player or players needs to come back.

    Liked by 1 person

  52. Do the Rangers have enough prospects on D to gut the current, inadequate staff of D? Why is Tony D sitting so often? To showcase old dudes they want to discard? Nobody is taking Staal or Shatty. Smith’s value has diminished. The only one who has enhanced his value is McQuaid. Gorton has a difficult job ahead of him for sure.

    Liked by 1 person

  56. The Vegas Golden Knights have recalled elite sniper Brandon Pirri back up from the AHL so that he can continue to score at will.

    Pirri continues to lead the AHL in points, one point up on teammate Daniel Carr. He scored, fought and received a 10 minute misconduct in his AHL return on Saturday.

    ———–

    “elite sniper”… just in time to play us! I bet Pirri hat trick is coming!

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  68. BDL—That must be it, because I cannot figure any reason why Tony D sits in favor of the dreck that gets jerseys every night. Tony D is imperfect…….but he skates, moves the puck and plays with an edge. Anyone think that smith or Shatty are better options than Tony D?

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  71. Kreider on a 40 gaol scoring pace with bad habits. Can we get more players to adopt some of those habits…
    Who is the last leading scorer this franchise traded?
    Does anyone trust the brass to make this all work out??

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  73. Does anyone trust the brass to make this all work out??

    Nope. I don’t trust pilots either but what choice do I have once I’m in the air?

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  78. That must be it, because I cannot figure any reason why Tony D sits in favor of the dreck that gets jerseys every night.

    Tym I think it’s just about time to end this whole “play the vets because they’re here” racket.
    Let them move out McQuaid/Shatty smith and Staal and Tony D will play 82 games. If he doesn’t he’s clearly not part of the plan

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  79. If they trade Kreider and Zucc, the roster will have no winger who has scored more than 17 goals in a season playing for NYR.
    And nobody on the farm to help either.

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  83. In a paroxysm of self-criticism, we have a masochistic tendency to pain our team as a bunch of deliberate thugs, leaded by clinical idiots and one Satan, with a main reason in their professional lives – to make ours as miserable as possible.

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  84. ILB = I Love Barcelona. And I heard Wickyland just raised their prices again.
    I’m not so sure I’m jumping on the dump Hank bus. If the boys can pull an Avalanche & go from mediocrity to the playoffs in a year (ducks) we’ll wish he had him in net. Gorts just has to get a decent defense in front of him. Look what old man Fatso did at 40. Prust sayin’

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  85. Yeah, Brooks thinks it’s the right thing to do for Zuccarello to move him now and end his suffering. Well, that’s not how it works. You move him when the offer is best. If he can’t handle it for seven more weeks, tough. Frankly he can help himself by playing a little bit too.

    I completely agree about DeAngelo over Smith, but I also think Claesson over DeAngelo, and that there’s a need to try to get something for Shattenkirk (doubtful) and McQuaid (very likely) and even Staal (very possible). All four of those veterans aren’t going to help the rebuild or be around when the corner is turned. Neither will DeAngelo.

    Liked by 2 people

  90. Exactly, Carp. Way I see it this is just another example of Zucc playing at whichever level he feels like. Even when he was netting 60 points a year along side of Brassard he (and Brass) would go through games where they didn’t feel like competing and that’s back when they were a pretty good team. I’m sure as the deadline nears there will be a market for the likes of McQuaid and Smith as well. Even Shatty if they felt he should be moved out

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  91. I think they’ll try to get whatever they can for any D-man who teams will ask for. Trading Staal is feasible but will require eating up some salary. Depending on the return it’ll have to be a better cap hit than a buyout.
    Kreider is an interesting situation. I just believe that a team trading for him isn’t going to be willing to give up what he is actually worth. Picks and prospects won’t cut for Kreider. Or it shouldn’t.

    Liked by 3 people

  92. Buchnevich is a guy I supported right up through this season. I’ve gotten the impression that he’s another one who just doesn’t want to do what it takes every night he’s out there.

    And it’s a shame too because I had high hopes for him. Never expected him to be a 70 point player. But I didn’t think he’d be this either

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  95. Re: Staal- enough is enough. He’s old he’s blocking young LHDs and he has a terrible cap hit. I respect the way he’s played this year but you’re not getting two more years of him at a level of quality (tangible or intangible) that justifies taking a spot away from Hajek or Lindgren

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  98. Early in the season, Buchnevich problems were on Buchnevich. Since coming back from the injury, Buchnevich has not had a defined role, that’s on the coach.

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  101. BDL I agree. But to be fair there’s more than one guy without a defined role and while that is on the coach it also has to do with the fact that this roster make up has been terrible. No RW depth, vets that don’t fit the system, dmen that don’t pair well together..that needs to change

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  103. So best hockey of his career for five games? That’s the measuring stick of Hope we hold onto these days?

    Listen You know first hand I am a Buch supporter. At the same time I don’t think anyone is untouchable come deadline day.

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  105. James,
    The lineup is in constant turmoil. This guys benched, that guys benched. Play 4th line, play 1st line. They don’t seem to know whether they are coming or going. Some guys get benched for taking a penalty, some don’t.

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  107. I have not been a Buchnevich supporter. I have always felt that he doesn’t compete hard enough. But right now, he doesn’t seem to be getting a true opportunity.

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  110. BDQ messing with player’s heads like the new frosh class at BU. When they were winning, players could not do much, but now with sheet hitting fan, the grumbles may be no longer be mumbles.
    .
    Mr Leadership, AssCap Zucc is very passive aggressive with his lack of effort this season. Not surprised.

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  111. I was telling that about Buch from his day one in the Rangers’ uniform…again and again. For me, he was always player from the same bottling as Zherdev, Lisin Wolski type – talented, but never complete as a NHLer.

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  113. BTW, even playing in KHL Buch was far from being a star player, averaging around 0.5 points a game and just 4 points in 20 their playoff games. There is just something, needed to be a real NHLer, missing in this, otherwise good kid. I would love to root for him, but as they say: “Being a good fellow is not a profession” (just a bonus).

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  116. I just had an idea. It’s an act of sacrifice bc of my love for Zuccy.
    Hey zucc, I’ll give you the keys to my place, it’s on the coast in South Carolina. I’ll take your spot on the team and your salary, and you can just chill and wait until you get traded. I know I’d be walking into hell on earth, but I’d do it cuz I love you so much Zucc

    (Truth be told, we all know this about comfort. How many teams has mats played for in his life? How many different organizations? He’s nervous about leaving what he knows. NYR and that
    Locker room and the fan base became his family. Zucc your mantra over the next 2 months “it’s just business. The love is real. It’s just business”)

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  118. The forwards on this team have no true identity this season. Will they have one next season? What are we to hope for? a couple of UFAs and some progress from Chytil Howden and Andersson. . Then there’s Kreider. then you’ve got Buch, Names, Fast, Vesey and I guess Zibanejad…unless by some miracle they trade him and keep Hayes. Unless there’s some unexpected surprise in Hartford next camp.

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  120. I agree, Buchnevich was playing very well before the injury, and the coach had actually gotten through to him. And the coach continues to support him and teach/coach him 1-on-1. There are no secrets about what he needs to do. And maybe he can figure it out..

    James, Staal’s not blocking anybody right now. If either of those kids is ready toward the end of the season, then a buyout of Staal is a possibility. But to expect both to be NHL regulars on opening night next season might be a stretch. They certainly could be. I think the best move is to try to move Staal at the deadline, eat some salary, get something for him.

    They should be so lucky with Smith and Shattenkirk.

    Liked by 4 people

  126. That athletic article on top 20 trade candidates was great.

    The gm comment on hayes was interested to me, basically saying he was going to be substantially overpaid on his next contract for what he is.

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  130. Carp
    SkjeL improves with McQuaid, might be worth keeping McQuaid around.

    Yes, that comment was hilarious in the Kreider article.

    That Katie Strang article about the crash is South Dakota was really good.

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  131. Gorton still blew it by not moving Zuc last year. Can’t multi-task to save his life!
    —/
    Think you just bury Smith rather than buying him out this offseason as cap space shouldn’t be the immediate concern and won’t want that dead weight in two-three seasons.
    —
    If they really want to be bold they approach Hank and say thanks for the service, but time to move on and get him to block a trade as opposed to asking if he wants to be traded. If he says no he says no, but don’t owe him anything more.
    —-
    Carp, do you know if Staal has a full NMC or just a limited NTC? See conflicting things out there

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  132. You think Silfverberg is an off-season target Carp? Interesting…

    If they get rid of Smith, Shattenkirk and McQuaid, I’m happy to let Staal stick around for sheltered minutes. Basically because I think they’ll need to sweeten the pot significantly to move him and Smith. I can live with the one albatross rather than pay out the nose to remove them all.

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  133. I wonder if Strome gets bought out. instead of 3.1 next year it’s 433 k next year and 533 k the following in a buyout

    looking at minor league expiring contracts (ufa or rfa) i think they let a lot of those guys go

    lettieri rfa
    fogarty rfa
    holland ufa
    cole schneider ufa

    O’Gara rfa
    bigras rfa
    pedrie rfa
    gilmour rfa

    i wonder about sean day since has 2 more years after this one and still will be rfa at that point. i suspect a dump trade.

    several goalies

    nell rfa
    halverson rfa
    mazanec ufa
    tokarski ufa

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  134. Need some warm bodies to play in the ahl and nhl next year tho Alex. Forward pipeline is beyond bare outside of Kravtsov and no guarantee he will be NHL ready if he even comes over. For that reason alone I bet they keep Strome even tho he is all but surely a goner when his deal is over. Also why they probably don’t move Names or Vesey (or dare I say Fast) unless someone offers something silly, which won’t happen.

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  135. I can see them non-tendering Lettieri. I think we’ve seen what we’ve got in him. Fogarty should/will be qualified. Halverson will definitely be non-tendered. And I’d think all those UFAs in the minors will be moving on. Unless Cole Schneider is our new Ken Gernander.

    Very interesting on Strome. I can see that. But I can also see him having a little bit of trade value. Unlike Spooner – thank goodness Gorton moved him out at the right time.

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  136. I’ve said it before about Lundqvist. Almost impossible to move him. Never mind the NMC. What contender has cap space and so badly needs a goalie that it would give up valuable assets for a 37-year-old with two years at $8.5M per left? Now you can mind the NMC … I can’t imagine it could happen.

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  137. Carp, I’ve heard you mention Silfverberg more than once now so I’ve got to ask- is management a fan of his? I’m familiar with the player but don’t know much about his style of play.

    And thanks for the insight on Staal situation. Just feels like he’s been a big reason those guys haven’t gotten a sniff but you know better than I

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  138. I think it’s a lot easier to trade a big money guy on expiring deal or with 1 year left at the deadline. So I could see Henrik being dealt in Feb 2020 or Feb 2021 but not before.

    It would be different for Skjei since he is much younger.

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  139. Strome is a steady 2way player who can play wing or pivot; very surprised if they move him. He and Names can provide some continuity and insurance in case some of their young players are not ready for prime time…again.
    They need players on the roster to, you know, play in the game.

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  140. I’d think at least a team or two would be willing to try to make it work re: Lundqvist.
    But most of the contending teams already have reliable goaltending.

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  141. Just looking at the standings and despite all their losing there are still 8 teams with less points than them. The month of November is keeping them afloat. The losing must continue if they want to get in the top 5.

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  145. Look at goal differential. At the end of the season, the teams mostly stack up based upon team +/-.
    Right now tied for 6th from bottom. This is a bottom 3 roster. No way Chi, Phi or LA have less talent.

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  146. Who said anything about getting valuable assets necessarily? But rangers should happily retain salary if that means a better return in any trade they make.

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  147. Last year was about valuable assets. This year is going to be about hockey trades that improve the bottom 6 and D (where it’s addition by subtraction)

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  149. Good morning, boneheads!
    Most here are going to be upset by anybody’s return, JamesG. Oftentimes we undervalue what we have, but when they get traded we don’t seem to be happy with the return. It’s a nature of a fan.
    It’s a fine line between managing your assets correctly and making sure you still have a balanced roster. Can’t have teenagers only playing at the Garden.

    Liked by 2 people

  154. Right BDL, but the sad reality of it is that Zucc, Hayes, Staal (as an example) will not bring back the kind of return that Nash, Grabner, Mac did last season. Therefore they may find more value in guys similar to Strome or Namestnikov-players who can improve glaring issues such as the lack of two way forwards, PKers or guys who are just a better fit in the system overall. If they can get 2nd and 3rd round picks along with those types of players then great. But they aren’t getting Howdens or Hajeks.
    Hayes could get them a first rounder considering how GMs dealt last deadline. That’s their best asset as far as re-stocking .

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  155. ILB, a perfect example was Nash. Most couldn’t wait for him to go and yet when the deal with Boston was announced, people were up in arms. (Myself included until I found info on Lindgren)

    Hayes will get them similar return imo. He’s not going to net them an elite prospect AND a first rounder.

    It’s anyones guess what the rest of these guys will bring back.
    I personally think the majority of vets that need to move are dmen. There’s usually a respectable market for them.

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  156. The problem is our players are only worth what another GM will give for him. The hope is you get rival GM’s in a bidding war which raises the value above the trigger point.

    Interesting about Silfverberg Carp, he’s not a big scorer and seems like Kreider-lite to me?

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  157. I like Roslovic. But it’s not likely. Just like last season when people thought any deal with Mac going to Tampa HAD TO include Sergachev

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  158. Was thinking the same, Simon. He’s pushing 30 y/o but he plays RW and has been a pretty consistent
    20-20-40 guy. Could certainly use that around here.

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  159. Here is what I think/ hope the Rangers can get back for their players.
    Hayes, a first, and a solid prospect.
    Zucc, I have always felt Zucc would bring back what Grabner brought back, a second and a B prospect. I don’t think they get that much for him anymore. Maybe something like a third, and fifth, or a prospect that has failed to make it, and the Rangers take a shot on him.
    McQuaid, 4th or 5th.
    Claesson, 3rd, or 4th.
    Kreider is the big one.. depending on how they approach it, I could see a 1st, and two prospects, or 2 NHL ready young players.

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  160. My thought on the Zucc is to try and trade him for a good 4th line grinder 26 yrs old or under. A player who can really drive possession + a 3rd rounder.

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  161. I thought Names was a 20-20 guy (ducks)
    .
    Trade with Buffalo now when they still think they have a chance.
    .
    Canes are looking to unload D; Dougie may be heading to his 4th team in 6 seasons.
    He has $5.7M for 2 more seasons.

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  162. Names has been our best forward recently, maybe he’s embracing his role…?

    Silfverberg I don’t see the reason to spend that on another 20-20 guy, and at a current $3.75m is going to want north of $5m as a UFA I presume?

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  164. We really need to look at trades that will bolster the top 6 in the long term . Players that have potential to be game breakers who play fast and reasonably hard

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  165. Any GM who thinks his team has a legit shot at winning a cup will do what it takes to land Big Wolf. Of course that’s if they believe he can put them over the top.

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  166. Personally, I’d re-sign Hayes, make Kreider captain and trade Zuke, Lone Wolf, Freddy Claws and see who else garners interest and can be turned into futures. Go get bread boy in free agency and start flooding some youngsters instead of churning out vets each game

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  167. If they move eveyone on that list they will get a top 5 draft pick this year and next and will ice a team of 19 and 20 year olds like Groton said he wouldn’t. By the way according to Shayna Goldman’s aritcle (sp?) they have the second highest priced D in the legue behind only SJ who have Burns and Karsson on the backline. They have Norris Trphy winners and the Rangers have Pionk and Staal as their top pair. That doesn’t inpsire any confidence on my part that Gorton can get it done. Maybe the MSG organist should be working on “Nearer My God to Thee” because the ship may be headed toward an iceberg.

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  168. Hard to get those kind of players at the deadline Simon, but best shot would be by trading Kreider. Hayes more likely to get a late 1st and middle 6 type prospect. If I were Gorton I would emphasize the prospect in any hayes trade as opposed to the obligatory late 1st round pick. And id want a forward with a likely higher ceiling than Howden if we moved Kreider. Acquiring a guy like Kreider or Mac should hurt the other team, whereas I don’t think the Lightning lost any sleep with what they gave up for Mac and Miller.

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  169. ORF, Gorton couldn’t field a team of 18-20 year olds if he wanted to. There is only one teenager of note currently in the rangers pipeline who likely has a chance to make the team next year and that’s Kravtsov and outside chance if we got a top 5 pick he would be NHL ready. Then you potentially could have a few to 20 and 21 year olds (Chytil, Howden, Lias, Hajek and Lindgren), but rest would be guys in their mid to late 20s and 30s and Hank.

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  170. The re-vamp on the back end is going to be dependent on moving Staal & Smith off the roster somehow to open spots for the younger guys. Better to eat a little salary while you can rather than go the buyout route and increase the length of hangover

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  172. Gorton needs to move a couple guys sooner than later, even if it means getting a bit less of a return.

    We all saw how he can’t get multiple deals done down to the wire (see zucc, aasen).

    The rangers could have had a good return for zucc at the deadline, but gorton spit the bit because he couldn’t get a zucc and mcdonut deal done at the same time.

    Liked by 2 people

  173. Smith and Sharty are most
    Important to move. Staal is almost too much $$ to move without eating contract which may make a buyout decision tenable.
    The mismanagement of the back line and poor trades will be the death nell of this franchise.

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  176. James the reason you won’t get an elite prospect and a #1 for Hayes is the expiring contract. I’m not sure too many GMs other than Sather would even do that kind of deal for anything but an extremely elite player destined for a final 4 cup contender.

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  177. Dolan advocating trading ShampooBoy to the Bricks!

    “If the Knicks had a Henrik, they’d probably be competing for a playoff spot. No Henrik, no playoff spot.

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  178. The rangers also need to make a decision on Zibanejad. His move clause kicks in this July I think, so if he’s not part of the future they need to move him soon.

    Liked by 2 people

  179. ORF

    I wonder if the prices they showed regarding the Rangers defense salaries includes the Girardi buyout (which as we all know is not insignificant)

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  180. Honestly, even without the expiring contract You’re going to have a hard time convincing a competent GM that Hayes is worth a R1 and a top prospect. Guy has yet to put up 50 points in a season or stay healthy for a full 82 games. What’s the selling point? He’s been the best forward on a lousy team?

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  181. Wicky

    true regarding Mika but he’s still young enough and relatively cheap enough to still be viable here for the remaining 3 years on his contract after this year.

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  182. Wick I don’t see what the point is of making trades that don’t maximize return.
    Agree 100% about Zibanejad though. It’s Step vs Brass all over again. No reason to have both of them. Going to have to commit to one for the next few seasons

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  183. James, except all a GM has to be comfortable with is that Hayes is playing well this season (which he has been pre-injury), healthy enough and could be great as a #2 or 3 center in the playoffs. And again focus on getting the top prospect rather than a very late 1st round pick.
    —-
    Eating half of Staal’s (or Smith’s or Shatty’s) contract for 2 and a half years seems far more palatable to me than any offseason buyout where you then have a 4 year cap hit (of varying levels).
    —-
    Wick, think the time to move Mika would before the draft a la Stepan unless a non-playoff team wants a head start in working him into their system at the deadline

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  184. Funny, if Zucc moved in that Mac deal instead of Miller it would look like a home run. And Zucc would probably be an assist machine down there.
    Oh but that’s right. Miller’s attitude. Had to move him before he was skating around at half throttle and being unproductive. Nothing like what Zucc has been this year (s)

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  185. Alex
    Agree re his contract, I was just pointing out the team needs to make sure he is one of “the” guys before July or move him prior by then.

    Pete
    Agree re around the draft.

    James
    I’d rather get less of a return than none at all. Can’t always get everything you want.

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  186. Pete, in theory that makes sense. No doubt. But the reality of it is Hayes is a third line C on a contender.
    The Blues dealt Stastny last season on an expiring contract and got a R1 and Erik Foley. Conditional R4 I think too. There’s no way Hayes brings in more than that kind of package.

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  189. Seriously though I think Zucc is good as gone this deadline. I’m more concerned with still having all 3 of Shatty, Smith and Staal on the roster after 3pm on Dday

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  190. Wicky

    what do you think the next McQuaid contract will be in years and $. He’ll be 33 in October.

    and what would you think is acceptable for him as a Ranger? Would you do 1 year at 3.5? Would he?

    and if he wanted 2 years at 3 / per would you do that?

    BTW think we’d get a 3rd at worst for him at deadline if he’s healthy. And probably a bit better than that.

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  192. Alex
    As far as term, I would not go more than 2 years on him, ideally one year.

    The $$$ are the tricky part. If they decide at some point to do a full tear it down rebuild, then I offer him a bit more (cap floor reasoning). If the rangers continue on with the current treading water approach and wait and see what free agency brings, I keep him in the mid to high $2 mil per range.

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  193. I agree with most here, the d is the problem with the cap.

    On ice, I think it is less of a problem (the forwards are bad at defence). D is still a problem when you are rotating skjeL, pionk, shattenkirk, and deangelo in or have all 4 on during a game, the forwards just make it much worse.

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  198. They addressed the future of the D last year. 4 draft picks in the first 3 rounds, and traded for 3 more. I would still try and trade for Makar, or Fabbro.

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  201. Has anyone asked Topo about his blatant, mindless too- many -men -on the ice -penalty the other night? Or are they too kind? Sadly, he doesn’t seem to be well-functioning verbally or mentally lately.

    Liked by 1 person

  204. Zucc never had to answer for his miscues. DQ, when asked about Zucc, said the team responds to him and likes when he plays. Of course, not said was how he can’t stand the little fugger, but sometimes what you leave out says more than what you say.

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  205. oh and reps are now calling to get deposits for next year (whether full or partial plan)

    NYR Stats & Info
    ‏
    Verified account

    @NYRStatsInfo

    #NYR prospect Igor Shesterkin posted his seventh shutout in 2018-19 while making his 21st appearance of the season today with SKA. Shesterkin stopped all 23 shots he faced in today’s game.

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  206. NYR Stats & Info
    ‏Verified account
    @NYRStatsInfo

    #NYR prospect Igor Shesterkin has posted a 17-3-1 record, along with a 1.28 GAA, a .944 SV%, and 7 SO in 21 KHL appearances this season. Since the start of the 2016-17 season, he has posted a 72-9-4 record, along with a 1.57 GAA, a .937 SV%, and 22 SO in 88 KHL appearances.

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  207. Screw punting on Mika. Keep the guy for 3 years we aren’t competitive and he’ll want 9million a year to resign and we aren’t gonna pay that. Now or the deadline. He’s got the most value on the team. Bar none

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  208. Wicky
    I was calling for them to move brassard and zucc early. Brass went, they held with zucc probably bc of the ‘love’
    ——
    Hate to say it. I’m willing to trade the big 4. All of them. There are enough quality UFAs to target to be the veteran presences in what we’re building. Look at the list. It’s a good UFA crop

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  215. Wicky you may have a point about having only one of Pionk, DeAngelo and Shatty. The question is do you keep Pionk or DeAngelo in that situaiton? Pionk is the easier answer but Tony D shouldn’t just be written off.

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  218. Hank is beleaguered. So many shots he’ll never die from the flu. The D in front of him is pitiful, and if you don’t see it, one of these nights, he’ll lose it mentally and tell you outright.

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  220. Someone mentioned hank told Kevin weekes over the summer that he believed the rangers were gonna be contending before his contract ran-out , or sooner than later.
    What happens if/when it appears that’s not gonna be the case? If he is staying on the belief the rangers pull off something unique this summer and that doesn’t happen, then what?

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  221. Either the rangers pull off something amazing and acquire 4-6 key pieces between now and next training camp. Or this is a 3Year+ minimum re-whatever.

    And hank moves on before next trade deadline

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  222. If ‘contending’ means Top 16 (making the playoffs) or Top 8 (a more difficult endeavor) either way, from where they are, it’s long way and a long-shot to hoisting the Cup. Hank may be daydreaming.

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  223. I don’t know how the rangers don’t move a d man to Toronto in a hockey trade, I really don’t. I can see a legit reason Toronto would bite on 7 of the 8 we have (smith being the exception).

    Liked by 1 person

  225. That hank comment fits into the Boston model gorton refers to.

    Most fans need to pay attention to the little noises, not the initial boom (aka the brilliant pr letter move…which clearly fooled many).

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  228. Why did Slats show up for the PR Conference if he’s totally out of power? Bashful (or dismissive) as he is with the Press, he must have been ordered to be there.

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  235. Wicky-
    Doesn’t mean it’s gonna happen. I think they have eyes to pull something off. I think the pieces and cards and players are here and out there to make it happen. But it takes a lot of things coming together. If it doesn’t come together, they can’t go with a half-zzzed attempt to manufacture a ‘contender’ to cross their fingers it comes together. And then they have no choice but the long game and once that’s been decided at the end of the summer, hank’s gonna have a decision to make.

    Bank on this. Teams are able to retain on 3 contracts at any given time. The rangers will keep one of those retention slots open. And it will be to make a hank trade happen if it comes to that.

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  237. Just signed for a delivery of 10,000 My Pillows (pay for 3,000, get 7,000 free). Got to get them off the lawn before bad weather sets in.

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  241. Wicky, given Toronto’s pending cap crunch and their current D roster think they would only want McQuaid or maybe Claesson for depth. Anyone else we would half to eat half the contract and even then if I am them I’d only take Brady on a discount

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  247. I liked what I saw in preseason from Crawley. How has his AHL time been? Anyone paying attention to him at all. Seemed to play with fire in his belly. Maybe if McQuaid is out of lineup and we move Claesson and demote smith he’s be a good one to look at soon?

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  251. Colin Stephenson
    ‏@ColinASteph

    Brendan Smith and Freddie Claesson will be the scratches tonight. That means Tony D is in. And that means four righty shots on D.

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  258. Maloney’s FOS in this case. #18 is such a nice guy and an always ready interview before, during, and after games, practices urinal breaks, etc. that he gets special consideration. Fact is, if someone, ANYONE would take him he’d be gladly jettisoned.

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  274. Pete
    My apologies for the delay responding…the leafs may not bring gardiner back on d so they not only could take on a 5 or 6 mil per salary but if it’s locked in for a couple years they might do it.

    Like

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