NFT: New York Rangers Fans

and this playoff run are the only reason I returned to this place. They continue to be a pleasure.

I still haven't been to that Olive Garden, and I never will!

We had some great moments this season. And it was a ton of fun going through all the highs and lows with you guys. Wouldn't have it any other way. On to next season.

It was just a great season(for the most part) and the Ranger fans here are great. Really going to miss this team play.
Now it's on to the GMen.

Velveetaville is growing. Two new hotels just built with nowhere to go. Weeee!

Ranger threads are some of the best on this board (all hockey threads are, to be fair, lot of good hockey fans here)

Shame it ended this way, but that was sure a fun season

but I've followed most game threads during the season. Usually a good time.

Thanks to those diehards that post every game.

pal

I didnt post much this season because I didnt want my irrational spontaneous emotions to detract from the game threads but I read every thread and the BBI Rangers crew is beyond solid.

Kudos to all for a great year and hopefully the team on the 7th floor (or whatever floor the ice is on these days) hoists one soon!

it's honestly been an amazing run this year even though it feel a bit short, and it's been a pleasure talking hockey and rooting for our boys in blue with all of you. Gonna be a short offseason for us, so let's suck it up, hash out some things, and finally win this shit next year. LGR.

yankeeslover (way to step up son against the Caps - impressive) -- I think berrylish stepped up a few times against the Isles this year... I'm sure i'm leaving some out and i apologize.... but i'd go to war with you boys and girls anyday. Love all of you. We all bleed for this team and we deserve one. Hank deserves one.

I cant say this was a successful season. It wasn't. You don't hang Presidents Trophies in the rafters - it was Cup or bust, and it fell painfully short.

But it wasn't for lack of effort on our part... or the players parts. Is what it is. Long offseason.

In comment 12307456 hudson said:

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pal

Indeed. Sorry Hudson. You're a huge part of our fandom. Despite the nonsense we know you're a good fan and you offer some good stuff. Glad to have you bud.

B, Greg, Arc, Mook, MAB, Deej, Brettski, Bill, Beard, Giantsfootball025, Kyle Y, BurberryManning, djm, RodneyHamp, Wuphat, Bigbluehoya...


See you in free agency

In comment 12307490 B in ALB said:

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In comment 12307456 hudson said: Quote: pal Indeed. Sorry Hudson. You're a huge part of our fandom. Despite the nonsense we know you're a good fan and you offer some good stuff. Glad to have you bud.

Aww geez....and I was expecting a sarcastic comment...that's the nicest thing somebody has said to me on this board.
Too bad it had to come on a night like this.

and fuck the season that just flushed down the toilet! I can't accept losing 3 at home with 2 back to back shutouts to that gaping hole Bishop and the douchey lacrosse player Cooper! Unacceptable!!!

I really enjoyed sharing the season with all of you!

enjoyed these threads with you and everyone else that was regularly on them. It adds a lot of value to the season for me. You guys kick ass.

Hopefully we can one day all enjoy a cup together. Thought this was going to be the year, but it wasn't meant to be.

Fuck.

They brought Ash out of hiding, so there's an objective good they provided.

some of my favorite threads on BBI.

Thanks everyone for sharing a couple hours a few times a week. Next season will be here soon enough.

Ranger season of my lifetime - and one of the reasons for that was the fact I got to share each game with the diehards here - game in and game out. Thanks to each of you who were part of that.

I didn't post much in game threads because I am not good at multitasking. I enjoyed reading them though. So many great contributions from so many knowledgeable posters. This was a fun season to be a Rangers fan. Wish it didn't have end this way.

TB was the one team in this playoffs who I worried about the most. Damn it Detroit!! There's always next year.

Thank you for making this season so much fun

is pretty damn good -- this was an extremely competitive tough series -- but the Rangers really had difficulties with this team that I hope the front office takes a look at

Still it was a great run - and while I'm not really a game thread person -- I am a B in ALB fan -- and as for the rest of you - #LGR!!!!!

Yeah BabY!

The biggest circle jerk ever. Enjoy golf boys.

Never understood that. Why cant you just go swimming or camping in the summer?

Lol. Or in B in Alb case or suckin it

I don't feel the same day-to-day joy and agony as I do with the Rangers. That's just the nature of the schedule: long season, so many games per week, then the emotional roller coaster of the playoffs. As I've said a couple of times in these threads (and those of you who are friends with me on facebook know) last year was one of the best years of my life that quickly turned into an absolute nightmare right around when the Rangers lost.

This really was a fun season, but boy does it just suck shit today.

Love the Ranger threads.

SiF.

It was indeed an exciting season and have no real complaints per se. However, champions do not lose 3 out of 4 at home this far into the playoffs, imv..Inexcusable..

Still in all, a most enjoyable run..

to those who complain that the Giants didn't make the Playoffs all those years except the 2 Super Bowl runs. I will take the 2 Lombardi Trophies and not complain about making the Playoffs and going home in most of the seasons in between and after 46. Unless you win it all, it is meaningless. Let's Go Rangers

Nice thread, B.

I look forward to some offseason discussion and the "my Rangers offseason plan" threads.

Let's go Ducks/Hawks.

I said it on the game thread -- love u guys-- I learn more about the NHL and Rangers on those threads than anywhere else. Plus they are usually hilarious... There are some mutants on them but that's a small price to pay...


It sucks but I'm still proud of the Rangers and shame on the ones that go the "they didn't want it no effort" route... That's just ridiculous. No team wants it more than the NY Rangers I just hope history is fair to this team even if they don't win the cup. I love this fucking team. And they will be back.

..

Dan Girardi - B-
Kevin Klein - B
JT Miller - B
Kevin Hayes - B+ (because he struggled in the playoffs, but I don't blame him due to the extended schedule that he wasn't used to)
Tanner Glass - D+
Derick Brassard - B+/A-
Marc Staal - B, but injury should make it an Inc.
Jesper Fast - B
Chris Kreider - B+
Derek Stepan - B/B+
Dan Boyle - B
Martin St. Louis - D
Ryan McDonagh - B-/C+, but injury should make it an Inc.
Dominic Moore - B+
Mats Zuccarello - Inc.
Matt Hunwick - B
James Sheppard - B-
Rick Nash - you know the deal. I don't know. Amazing during regular season, but shit the bed in the playoffs. IDK what that equates to.
Carl Hagelin - B
Keith Yandle - B-/B

Henrik Lundqvist - B+
Cam Talbot - A

pre-injury was an A.

Post injury was a D

Nash didn't disappear. So while he wasn't good enough in the first couple series he was fine in this one.

Stepan was a no show after game 1 of this series. Just awful

In comment 12307839 MookGiants said:

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pre-injury was an A. Post injury was a D

I agree. So I averaged it out, but gave him the benefit of the doubt because of his injury. I still expect him to be on the team as our 2nd pair RD.

Given the way Sather thinks, it wouldn't surprise me if he pursued one of the Oilers prized youngsters. My guess is he goes hard after Nail Yakupov. They do need a goalie and we have Cam...

But that's my prediction. Not saying I want it to happen or not, but that's my bold prediction for the summer.

we are already off with the completely unrealistic trade predictions from you.

In comment 12307847 MookGiants said:

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we are already off with the completely unrealistic trade predictions from you.

Who said anything about Cam for Nail straight up?

Maybe Miller and Cam? I don't know if I would do that if I was the Rangers, but given the previous rocky relationship with AV?

Whatever. Trying to speculate on Sather is pointless.

In comment 12307845 Anakim said:

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Given the way Sather thinks, it wouldn't surprise me if he pursued one of the Oilers prized youngsters. My guess is he goes hard after Nail Yakupov. They do need a goalie and we have Cam... But that's my prediction. Not saying I want it to happen or not, but that's my bold prediction for the summer.

Hope you're correct. Would be nice to add a Brassard type talent.

But doubt that would be cost effective.

In comment 12307866 BrettNYG10 said:

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But doubt that would be cost effective.

Oh Christ, i'd send Boston anything they wanted for him.

Eventhough I'm an Isles fan, I loved to lurk on the Ranger threads as well. Lots of good insight from you guys... once you weed through all the bullshit.

Looking forward to next season. Should have some epic showdowns for years to come

The gamethreads are always a good time... bring me back to BBI for every game

I'll see you animals in free agency

I wanted to stay off this out of respect for the title calling Rangers fans, but I wanted to personally extend a sympathetic and congratulatory hand to you. I know the wound is fresh, but you had an excellent year despite some circumstances that would have crushed lesser teams. Have some strong drinks this weekend and we'll be back at this sooner than you think. Later, bro.

and unfortunately brings back many memories from the Rangers of the mid/late 70's. I would have given an arm to see Ed Giacomin, Brad Park, Jean Rattelle, Rod Gilbert with the cup back then. I would give anything to see Hank with the Cup today.

The last two years were a lot like those 70's teams... they would always compete, but it seemed there was always one team that took it to them at the worst time. It's amazing to think that the '94 season was 21 years ago... it's amazing to think that it's the only Stanley Cup for a great franchise since 19-friggin'-40. Today, I feel much the same way after the 49'ers 'bungle by the bay game' in '03. A couple of days and I'll be able to look back and enjoy the ride...

I'm not saying they can't do it next year.... But this was probably their best shot.

after that 49ers game, but I'm more sad after this one which is worse.

And really that 2003 team didn't have a real shot to win a Super Bowl, so it hurt less, even if the anger at the time was crazy.

This one hurts and will hurt until we win one, which may never happen.

Shitty, shitty feeling.

That every team still alive is playing for at least their second Cup this century.

Stanley Cups are things that happen to other teams.

I didn't have the anger I had then or even in 2010.

In comment 12307894 MookGiants said:

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after that 49ers game, but I'm more sad after this one which is worse. ... Shitty, shitty feeling.

boy did that describe it perfectly.

What a cute and heartwarming thread!! How very Lifetime !!

Be organizing your next skipole session at the Blue Oyster? Or did that end as soon as the Isles lost?

I'm not as bearish on the future as some, but this was definitely a terrific opportunity that will be tough to get back to. Very disappointing. Hank sorely deserves better.

Including Hank. He (and the entire defense) had a bad game three.

Pens shut the Rangers down
Caps shut the Rangers down
Lightning shut the Rangers down when they had too.

Some outstanding efforts helped the Rangers get goals but the offense in general was shut down by every opponent in these playoffs.

Fuck you B!

.

Newbs don't get shout outs.




Jk bud. Sorry for the omission. You're a prince.

Gets chippy but it's so much better than HF Boards....I get the sense most like the Rangers or hockey more than any other sport/league.

If have given up posting here for a few months and let you people purge me if it's meant they'd win.

Camille "The eel" Henry days with Andy Bathgate and Don Nevins and all I have is 1 Cup to show for it. I feel like a Jets fan in that regard

The circle jerk grows

seems like you know a lot about circle jerks, you must have eaten a bunch of the cookies or else why would you mention it twice? How does it taste? Salty?

This is what the Rangers do. We all know it. I can remember watching on a black and white in my bedroom back when Espo and the boys were contenders but really pretenders and hoping upon hope we could win a cup. Listening to Marv and Red Light describe to me what was happening better then I could see it. You see, my Dad wasn't a hockey fan so I watched the games alone. Boy was I pumped when I got my Rangers Starter jacket back then. Of course we win it in 94 the year I graduate law school and during the heart of it all I'm studying for the Bar Exam and can't truly enjoy it. I watched alone then too.

21 years later I still watch alone, but not really , because now it's with with all of you and we fall in love with this team. We were done against the Caps and came back. We were done against TB and won that game 6. Last night it wasn't meant to be. But as Rangers fans we know it's not meant to be, that's just who we are. And that, my friends is what makes us Rangers fans. LGR!!

both to improve the team, and fit it all under the cap. Just re-signing their RFAs will be tight.

Overall not bad. Goes down real smooth with a rangers loss.

In comment 12308008 Fish said:

Quote:

The circle jerk grows

Yeah, but this is nothing compared to when the Fishstick fans gather to observe their melted ice water they paid $20 for.

beer fart infested Nassau shithole colosseum seat?

Isles fans are paying top dollar for that garbage. Even though none of them have been alive long enough to experience their relevance four decades ago.

In comment 12308022 JonC said:

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both to improve the team, and fit it all under the cap. Just re-signing their RFAs will be tight.

I haven't done the analysis but the Cap going to $71.5 million is better than expected and helps. Unless he keeps MSL at which i'm showing up at his house with pitch and fork... the group should remain together another year.

All bets off one year from now -- next year is the last prime run season left with this group. A lot of eggs in one basket.

Can it happen after that? Maybe, but would be like the Caps the last few years after their Presidents Trophy years.. some pieces there, but a long shot to go all the way,.

"In Hartford, Oscar Lindberg, who was taken in 2010 by the Arizona Coyotes and traded to the Rangers organization, has embraced additional responsibilities and has rewarded that decision with increased offensive production. Lindberg has three goals and 13 assists in 15 games, second on the team in playoff scoring. He has been especially productive with the man advantage, tallying a number of assists and setting up plays on the half boards.

Lindberg�s contributions are being felt up front, but Brady Skjei brought a whole new type of fluidity to the Wolf Pack defense corps. Skjei only has one goal and two assists in 15 playoff games, but has been highly regarded as a calming, competitive influence on those around him. Skjei has been a shutdown defenseman, perhaps a bit of foreshadowing to what the Rangers can expect in the near future. "

MSL and Hags are the two potential problem contracts. Even if they don't re-sign MSL, Hags in the $3-4M range (and some say $4-5M) is where I'd consider trying to build a trade for the upgrade the roster needs.

This team is built much like the Canucks were, and something about that leaves these very skilled teams falling short in the end (running out of gas, lacking grit and physicality at the pinnacle of needing it, etc).

but I'd still plan on making the upgrades, they need some snarl on defense and in front of the net for some more "easy" cleanup goals.

It's not that the team is bad or in need of talent as much as teams need change. Every successful team goes stale and reaches their peak as a team yet the returns diminish as they become more predictable and actually easier to defend.

It's kinda like the Kings. They're great but the returns dimished. We saw the 49ers who were/are a reat team that couldn't get over the hump and needed to make change before returns dimished.

Not saying full scale changes or any hyperbole but i would be very wary the President's Trophy winning team returns next season if only a slight modification occurs. Meaning, something significant on the front six needs to change rather than just the later lines (same holds true for the defense).

I wouldn't be shocked to see Stepan traded. I think one of Girardi/Klein goes.

Where did you hear that? He scores ~15 goals per year and will be 27 next year. I like his energy and his defense, but no team in the NHL is giving him that.

Mats just took 4 yrs, $18 million and Hagelin isnt getting that. I cant see him getting more than 4 yrs, $12-14mm... somewhere in there, which is affordable.

But if they feel he can be replaced by Lindberg... then I'm fine packaging him with Klein somewhere too.

.

That's where I'd look as well.

There's speculation on the RFA prices on the SNY blog, MAB. I tend to think $3M would be more than fair, but...

I know he had a shitty playoffs, but who knows how healthy he was. He's still a bargain at 3 million for a second pair RD.

Hags would get $4.5+ if he was a UFA, but he isnt.

At least one dman needs to be cleared out. McDonagh is the only untouchable. Several have NTCs, so they'd have to consent. I wont venture a guess as to which one.

But he's likely the guy to fetch a good return - and doesn't have a NTC. I'd like to move Girardi but he has a NMC for another two years.

Stepan's a guy who may be swapped for a less talented, but grittier player. I thought he struggled this post-season.

But I don't think Sather is going to keep the forward core as is. A Stepan for JVR/Wheeler caliber player is something I could see being done. I'm not sure how I'd feel about it, though. Stepan's still a bit underrated by fans, IMO.

We'll see.

-8 plus/minus in playoffs

My Dad, who made me a Ranger fan, passed away earlier this year. My sister told him that the Rangers won the Presidents Cup and he seemed to know what that meant and seemed happy. But it was not to be. I was there when they won the cup in 94. Hopefully they can do it again in my lifetime.

Put me in a coma and wake me up next May when it matters, all the other sports, at least right now, are gravy.

Lindberg is going to be a really good two way player. I see his offense exceeding Rangers fans expectations. He also plays with a 'sneer' to his game we could use more of.

they re-sign him. I think Klingberg also has a good shot at making the team as a fourth liner, assuming they re-sign him as well. Skjei could make the team right out of camp.

In comment 12308940 Torrag said:

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Lindberg is going to be a really good two way player. I see his offense exceeding Rangers fans expectations. He also plays with a 'sneer' to his game we could use more of.

From what I've read and saw in limited action from Lindberg... frankly its a shame he wasnt brought up to help this team try to win a Cup. I've seen lesser players come in and meaningfully help their clubs - but we decided to dress MSL and Sheppard (with all do respect to JS, he played as hard as he could) - but those two guys were dead wood on a nightly basis.

AV, like Torts, ... we saw it with JT Miller... they dont trust their scouting reports and young players enough.

In comment 12308996 MetsAreBack said:

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AV, like Torts, ... we saw it with JT Miller... they dont trust their scouting reports and young players enough.

Yeah, awesome observation. Must be why rookies Hayes and Fast didn't make the team too while Miller's off ice discipline issues should have been ignored.

Mcllrath is outta here also.

I could see Hagelin going as well

In comment 12309047 bxgiants4 said:

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Mcllrath is outta here also. I could see Hagelin going as well

Hagelin is going to be a tough call. If slats can move Girardi or (some won't like this) Staal, the team could have enough dollars to bring Hags back without jeapordizing next years duo of Kreider and Hayes. No way slats can allow those two mountains to walk.

It's less about being eager to move Klein, and more about having to make decisions to create some movement ability under the cap.

Imv, they need to adjust the roster in a manner that brings some more snarl/physicality that levels the playing field in terms of playing sixty aggressive minutes, getting dirty goals in front of the net, etc.

In order to achieve the movement ability, at least one sizable contract will need to be moved. The candidates would appear to begin with Klein, Boyle, or Girardi on defense, and Stepan or Hags on offense. They can probably move Talbot for a draft pick, but a McIlrath is perhaps a trade sweetener at best now.

This is where Deej steps in and provides some longer term vision. grin

Klein was also over-matched at times on the second pairing during the regular season. Yandle will be fine on the second pairing, but the team lacks right-handed defensemen.

I also think the team views Girardi a lot differently than many fans do.

floating the idea of talking to the Blues about Nash. As talented as he is, his penchant for disappearing too often in big spots is part and parcel for what ails this team deep in the playoffs. Pivotal offseason for NYR ... really interested in seeing how aggressive (or not) The Satherian chooses to be.

In comment 12309184 BrettNYG10 said:

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Klein was also over-matched at times on the second pairing during the regular season. Yandle will be fine on the second pairing, but the team lacks right-handed defensemen. I also think the team views Girardi a lot differently than many fans do.

McDonagh played RD very well in Sochi. So he could move over, and then Yandle moves up to the second pair. Probably Yandle-DG as the second pair. Not ideal since DG doesnt eat up ice like McD and Staal, but you probably be wasting McD's scoring if he doesnt have a free hand to pinch.

I'd love to move Nash. The guy just avoid getting to the dirty places. I thought he embarrassed himself in these playoffs, and I'm tired of hearing about all the not-scoring shit he does.

JVR+assets would be really interesting to me if Toronto would go for it.

The Rangers don't need to get tougher, they need to get better. All this crap about "toughness" is stupid and outdated.
The Rangers Can't Fall In Love With The Wrong Type Of Players - ( New Window )

Marty's a goner already. You trade Nash, and now that's 63 goals gone from the roster. How are they going to replace all of that? They're not going to get equal production for Nash, not at his salary. Let's say you get 20-25 goals in return for him. What then?

If St Louis is a possibility, what about a Nash for Backes trade? Possible? Desirable?

I have been a defender of his for quite some time. I'll admit he sucked in the TB series and wasn't real good in the WAS series.

Still like the player, and still like the contract.

I'm okay trading him, but to me it only makes sense in the context of creating a spot for Allen/McIlrath or less likely, Skjei. And that should only be done if the FO/coaches think one of those guys can step right in and play regular minutes without being sheltered (further beating the shit out of 27/5/18.

It isn't a big money saver of a move. I don't like that angle. The (MAYBE) $2m that you end up saving from a trade of Klein should be a deal kicker, not the motivator.

From everything I've been reading, he's clearly their best D prospect and looks like he's at least very close to being ready. They really could use another defenseman who can skate other than McDonagh.

If we do go with the same defense, I'd have our 7th play 60 or so games, rotating through to give certain defenseman a break (namely Boyle and Girardi). Girardi has looked gassed these past two seasons. Sit him for 10-15 games during the year. You have to make the arrogant assumption that you're going to make the playoffs with this group.

In comment 12309260 Greg from LI said:

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From everything I've been reading, he's clearly their best D prospect and looks like he's at least very close to being ready. They really could use another defenseman who can skate other than McDonagh.

From your lips to God's ears.

If Skjei is ready, I'd like to see them clear 2 of the 7 D spots to at least keep Allen/Mc as the 7th. It would be a shame to let both walk away for nothing. I don't know enough about the management side of hockey to have any idea what teams will trade for guys like that when they know you're over a barre on having to promote them or cut them loose.

In comment 12309225 NYerInMA said:

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The Rangers don't need to get tougher, they need to get better. All this crap about "toughness" is stupid and outdated. The Rangers Can't Fall In Love With The Wrong Type Of Players - ( New Window )

Yeah, tougher on the boards doesn't cause turnovers, clear out the front of the goaltenders crease or disrupt the oppositions goalie. It's not like the Kings didn't dominate the boards , clearmout their crease or disrupt the opposition by being physical. Tampa locked down the center of the ice for almost eight of the last nine periods and the Rangers couldn't get to the net.

that Brooks gives as an example, you take it. but there's no reason to think they'll give that much up. So then, as Greg said, you have to replace 40+ goals from the roster if you move Nash. Just don't see it happening. Don't want it to happen either

I don't think this roster needs a major overhaul. Let MSL go, no price should bring him back. There's 5.2 million off the cap to work with for starters.

it sucks to be talking about next year right now instead of discussing the Rangers chances against the Blackhawks. I so wanted them to win it all this year. This really blows.

In comment 12309267 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

If we do go with the same defense, I'd have our 7th play 60 or so games, rotating through to give certain defenseman a break (namely Boyle and Girardi). Girardi has looked gassed these past two seasons. Sit him for 10-15 games during the year. You have to make the arrogant assumption that you're going to make the playoffs with this group.

Really like that idea. If Hunwick was willing to come back, I'd gladly bring him in for that role. Thought he actually looked fresh and fast in the early minutes he got in game 7.

not more tough up front. We already made an assenine mistake bringing in Glass over Brian Boyle at similar money - please dont repeat it.

We dressed 11 forwards in game 7 and one of them, Glass, saw less than 6 minutes ice time (still managed a minus-1 in that limited action). And people wondered why after the game guys like Hagelin were saying they were exhausted?

And while the focus will be on the top line, as it should be... a major reason this team fell short this year vs going to the Finals last year... is because we got so little out of the 3rd line. Hayes 7 points, Hagelin 5 points, Fast/MSL minimal when they were on that line, etc.

Last year we got a ton of production out of guys like Pouliot, and even Hagelin and Carcillo were more productive than this year's version. We were essentially a two line team this year and that's not going to cut it.


Personally i dont know why a team like the Blues that perennially underachives would want to bring in ... a playoff underachiever in Nash. Makes no sense to me - I'm hoping they have interest in Talbot, but not getting my hopes up there.

Nash makes a lot more sense for teams like Toronto or Edmonton (he could teach those young kids on EDM how to approach the game and he wouldnt have the pressure to lead in goal scoring with McDavid and N-H)... but i dont he'd agree to go to Edmonton and anywya... yet again after a disappointing postseason, you are not getting fair return for the guy if you try to deal him now.

At least let him help you get to the playoffs again next year. He is an outstanding regular season player at least.

I'd keep him around as a 6th/7th D if the price was right.

He can start for someone in the NHL

He's an elite player, he had a regular season for the ages, and he busted his butt in the playoffs and played a key role in a run that was 20 minutes away from SCF. You may as well blow up the whole team and start over if you trade Nash.

I'd be the last dude to suggest a Glass over a more skilled player.

they need to do something that gives this team a stronger ability to compete over sixty minutes of playoff hockey.

is huge factor in next season. I think he has it in him. We saw that in the 2nd half of the regular season. And he got a bit of a learning experience with his inconsistent playoffs that will hopefully serve him well.

That's in addition to guys like JT and Fast. Those guys should be improved players next season at reasonable salaries that should add to the depth.

Lindberg looks primed for a callup, wish Buch was an option next season.

Skjei and Lindberg were ready to fill key roles for the squad.

while a few still don't get it.

He just completed a really good season in the juniors. Does he stay at that level or is there any possibility he moves up quickly like Duclair did this past year?

He struggled mightily at UND, and the big numbers he's been putting up in Calgary were as an overaged junior.

The 'toughness vs. skill' argument isn't saying to rid yourself of Nash/Stepan and grab Carcillo/Prust - the argument would be to trade for guys with lesser skill but play a different game that may be more conducive to playoff success. Swap a first liner for a second line talent who plays a bit more physical.

I don't know any great examples, but I'd imagine proponents of it would support a Nash for Lucic type deal.

I'd trade Nash, but for a package that helps us now. I dont think we lost because of Nash. I think we lost because (1) the Zucc injury and MSL decline caused us to be a 2 scoring line team, and we're actually a bit under talented as a two scoring line team, and (2) the defense is starting to show its age.

What pisses me off is that the solution on D was so clear last season. Trade Girardi for Vatanen+ (this was the rumor). Think of the fallout -- we probably resign Stralman, dont sign Boyle, dont trade for Yandle when Boyle was disappointing during the regular season, and arent limited by DG's NMC.

Also, Staal is at a crossroads. The advances stats indicate that Stralman carried him last year, and he was pretty bad in this years' playoffs. The defense isnt as consistent and the offense is disappearing.

And the 7D/11F decision was understandable, but may have really hurt us. With how little time Glass got, we essentially ran with 10 forwards - and we also had MSL sucking.

The Rangers had three forwards get 20 minutes of ice time, with Kreider at 19:59 and Stepan at 19:47. I think the only other time a forward got >20 minutes of ice time this post-season was in OT games. I think it had a real impact.

He gets a bit of a pass.

But apparently his NMC doesn't kick in until July 1st (I'm not positive on this, so if anyone knows please correct me). He might be the most movable guy, even though I'd rather trade Girardi.

In comment 12309376 Greg from LI said:

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He struggled mightily at UND, and the big numbers he's been putting up in Calgary were as an overaged junior.

He's a power forward. He'll struggle at any level until he is physically stronger than the competition. If he becomes a player for us, I suspect the real contribution is 3-4 years away. He'll need a few seasons in the AHL, and then 80-160 games in the NHL as a learning curve. Look at guys like Miller and Kreider. It's really hard to break in as a PF.

In comment 12309376 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

He struggled mightily at UND, and the big numbers he's been putting up in Calgary were as an overaged junior.

Tambellini left college and went to the juniors as an overaged player? Is that common? In what way did he struggle at UND? When I was reading about his good play with Calgary, I didn't know that he left school to play with them or that he was older than the other athletes in the league. That seems disconcerting.

Excellent post, strongly agree.

...

He went 2-2-4 in 19 games at North Dakota and then left the team to play in the WHL. It's really unusual, which is why it gives me pause.

In comment 12309426 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

He went 2-2-4 in 19 games at North Dakota and then left the team to play in the WHL. It's really unusual, which is why it gives me pause.

Yeah, that would give me pause too. Well, he did dominate the competition when he moved which I guess he was supposed to do when he joined Calgary. Better than to continue to struggle.

.
All the tears - ( New Window )

It was a stupid place for him to go in the first place, and he realized that once he was there. A future PF with a boy's body has no place in a decent NCAA conference. If he was 210 lbs when he went there, we could talk. But he was listed at 6-3, 167 on their roster (and I've heard he's really 6'4). At that weight he had no ability to play a power game against young men 3 and 4 years older than him. Add in the UND was a destination for talent -- they just lost their coach to the FLYERS -- and his struggles and low status on the depth chart makes a lot of sense.

Dom Moore is a rock, but Glass has to go and the third spot on the line needs to be figured out. I never got a good read on Sheppard, some nights it seemed like he was ok, but his icetime would seem to indicate that he didn't have the confidence of the coaching staff.

In the playoffs as he was in the regular season. I thought he looked a bit better, particularly early on.

In comment 12309455 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

. All the tears - ( New Window )

When all of BBI was up in arms since early August about this -- and since when do we all ever agree? -- you knew it would not end well. Unreal, will never ever understand it.

NYerMA - Sheppard's not sticking around. Not sure why AV never liked him either -- and why we went with Glass (and gave him <6 minutes) in game 7 over Sheppard, when JS at least can play a few different positions and has ~20 points/year to his resume vs nothing from Glass.

I know it all happened pretty suddenly friday night, but not AV's finest hour by any means.

.

He's clearly a guy who can coach, but I have some real reservations going forward.

In comment 12309484 MetsAreBack said:

Quote:

In comment 12309455 BrettNYG10 said: Quote: . All the tears - ( New Window ) When all of BBI was up in arms since early August about this -- and since when do we all ever agree? -- you knew it would not end well. Unreal, will never ever understand it. NYerMA - Sheppard's not sticking around. Not sure why AV never liked him either -- and why we went with Glass (and gave him <6 minutes) in game 7 over Sheppard, when JS at least can play a few different positions and has ~20 points/year to his resume vs nothing from Glass. I know it all happened pretty suddenly friday night, but not AV's finest hour by any means.

No, I think AV's a great coach but his adjustments and lineups can be head-scratching at times. For G7, I'm surprised that AV still thought McDonagh with a busted ankle would be a better play than a healthy Hunwick. I know I'm beating the dead horse, but AV's obsession with Glass is a real problem if it keeps cratering the 4th line and wearing down the other 3 lines that have to pick up the slack.

I understood playing MSL in the first round and part of the second. But it was obvious he was done. He couldn't do anything. And to not only play him, but stick him on the PP was idiotic. He was truly an anchor for whoever he played with.

And if AV wanted Stralman back, he would have been. He shares blame. It's weird that a guy who places a premium on puck moving defensemen decides that Girardi was a better option than Stralman.

In comment 12309501 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

And if AV wanted Stralman back, he would have been. He shares blame. It's weird that a guy who places a premium on puck moving defensemen decides that Girardi was a better option than Stralman.

Yep. He never gave Stralman a shot at the PP, even though the Rangers PP was awful, and now Stralman is running an ace unit at Tampa. Infuriating.

Infuriating.

He is the type of guy who I was dying to see on the Rangers as a kid when they were missing the playoffs every fucking year. I'd love to see him win a Cup. I think he is a much better second pairing guy than first.

we might be playing Chicago now without McD and Staal, and who knows about Zucc.... so .... that's the only way i can bear this is that maybe we were just cursed this year with injuries anyway. (oh and that thank God Callahan wasnt the one to score the GWG Friday)

As you said the other day... only 33 more years to go!

CHI, but with the injuries I'm not so sure. Would have loved the opportunity to see, though.

And while I think McDonagh is going to have a great bounce back year, I am a bit concerned about him being injury prone. I stood next to him last year and he seemed meaningfully shorter than me with a pretty narrow frame. I have a hard time believing he weighs >20 pounds more than I do.

Then again, Toews is similarly skinny and has held up well.

Drive me to the looney bin:

While it's a foregone conclusion to most of us that MSL is a goner, there is a piece of me that fears they might be stupid enough to bring him back.

link
Rangers 2015-16 - ( New Window )

If it comes out that MSL was playing with some horrible injury this post-season, I think they'll entertain it. He looked like shit ever since the knee injury.

It's entirely possible that the top 9 is already set -- Step, Brassard, Hayes up the middle, Nash, Kreider, Hags @ LW, Zucc, Fast, Miller @ RW. That's actually a pretty young group -- as of now Nash is 30, Zucc & Brass are 27, Hags 26, and no one is 25. With Buch back in Russia, only Lindberg threatens that alignment internally (Hayes to wing, Fast or Miller to RW4).

The drama is all in the back 6 and whether Talbot gets traded. I think two of the top 6 will not return.

basically means they chose him over re-signing MSL for a similarly priced deal. They only have about $11.5M in projected cap space ... estimates for Step and Hags alone figure to potentially eat $9M of it, shit is snug. MSL would have to return on the cheap, which might be enough to nudge him out the door.

$59.5M committed.

In comment 12309175 JonC said:

Quote:

It's less about being eager to move Klein, and more about having to make decisions to create some movement ability under the cap. Imv, they need to adjust the roster in a manner that brings some more snarl/physicality that levels the playing field in terms of playing sixty aggressive minutes, getting dirty goals in front of the net, etc. In order to achieve the movement ability, at least one sizable contract will need to be moved. The candidates would appear to begin with Klein, Boyle, or Girardi on defense, and Stepan or Hags on offense. They can probably move Talbot for a draft pick, but a McIlrath is perhaps a trade sweetener at best now. This is where Deej steps in and provides some longer term vision. grin

That's fine and I think it ultimately comes down to whether or not you think Klein is a second or third pair guy. If he's a second pair guy, which I think he is, he's a bargain at 3 million. If he's a third pair guy, he's overpaid at 3 million. I think we should keep him for the aforementioned reason and pair Yandle or maybe even Skjei with him.

Retweeted Seth Rothman (@RothmanHockey):
Zucc was in hospital for three days, couldn't talk for four days

Retweeted Steve Zipay (@stevezipay):
More NYR injury news: Staal, hairline fracture, ankle, suffered in regular season

Retweeted Steve Zipay (@stevezipay):
NYR injury news: McDonagh fracture, right foot, Gm 4. Girardi MCL sprain Gm 4, Zuke brain contusion, not yet healed, expect full recovery

@PLeonardNYDN
Zuccarello said he had temporarily lost ability to talk & move his arm. Needed speech therapy. Blood in brain #NYR

Girardi's injury was a killer - for a guy who is already slow to hurt his knee against a team as fast as Tampa? Bad news.

I guess we wouldn't have seen Zucc in the SCF if the Rangers had advanced, skating or not.

Zucc's injury details are really scary. I am very glad the prognosis appears positive.

.

In comment 12309200 JonC said:

Quote:

floating the idea of talking to the Blues about Nash. As talented as he is, his penchant for disappearing too often in big spots is part and parcel for what ails this team deep in the playoffs. Pivotal offseason for NYR ... really interested in seeing how aggressive (or not) The Satherian chooses to be.

It doesn't make much sense. Uncle Larry brought up Oshie, Schwartz and Steen. Well, A) they earn more than Nash so we'd have to take on salary (it better not be a 1 for 1 trade); and B) they also disappear in the playoffs...they rival Nash in that regard. Backes also disappears in the playoffs.

Unless Tarasenko is coming back in a deal, which won't happen, I don't see how trading Nash to the Blues will be a step forward.

The asshats were right.

Neil Best ‏@sportswatch 4m4 minutes ago
Mats Zuccarello said he had a fractured skull, brain contusion and could not speak for three days. Wow,

Our top 4 defensemen: Girardi, McDonagh, Staal and Klein, all had serious injuries. Good luck winning that way.

.

but seriously why have him skating and on the ice the last few weeks? what's the point?

I'm disappointed in the rangers here

and it probably pumped the players up to see him on the ice.

so this is explaining a lot about the d corp. Zucc we knew about, I expect to hear Nash had something, and that MSL's knee never got right.

Hard to tell how much was injury and how much was just getting beat.

Tampa isn't even that physical of a team.

Imagine going through Columbus and Washington for a team in the Metro? It'd be killer.

Excuses, assholes and all that, but playing a really fast, skilled team with three of your top four d-men having lower-body injuries, two of whom were already really slow? Those are some tough ones to overcome.

Still doesn't explain why the offense was MIA in two of the last three games, of course.

In comment 12309612 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

Retweeted Seth Rothman (@RothmanHockey): Zucc was in hospital for three days, couldn't talk for four days Zuke brain contusion, not yet healed, expect full recovery

but we have a doctor who posted a quick video of him clapping at the game so that's not possible and he couldn't possibly travel with the team under close supervision

The guy couldn't even speak for four days (swelling, possible blood clots, and under close supervision) and our wannabe doc thinks a real doc could legally make a diagnosis and release a statement without knowing the outcome.

Flying Puck source more credible than Crosby.

that Fast had a back injury, but I'm not sure if the team confirmed that. Brutal injury list.

In comment 12309648 Anakim said:

Quote:

Our top 4 defensemen: Girardi, McDonagh, Staal and Klein, all had serious injuries. Good luck winning that way.

Plus Yandle was apparently F-ed up too.

Man, the hockey playoffs really are a war of attrition

.

And he was still one of their most active forwards. Makes me like Fast that much more.

In comment 12309646 Anakim said:

Quote:

The asshats were right. Neil Best �@sportswatch 4m4 minutes ago Mats Zuccarello said he had a fractured skull, brain contusion and could not speak for three days. Wow,

but he was clapping at game. Just ask some of our credible posters.

In comment 12309668 JonC said:

Quote:

and it probably pumped the players up to see him on the ice.

it's part of the rehab process to have a guy on the ice 3 weeks after being in the hospital for 3 days and unable to speak for 4? letang suffered less of an injury and still hasn't taken to the ice.

it's just really odd. I hope this a wake up call to the rangers and the entire league to fucking evolve already with equipment. the guy almost died it turns out.... because of a 19th century helmet

In comment 12309686 Giants2012 said:

Quote:

In comment 12309646 Anakim said: Quote: The asshats were right. Neil Best �@sportswatch 4m4 minutes ago Mats Zuccarello said he had a fractured skull, brain contusion and could not speak for three days. Wow, but he was clapping at game. Just ask some of our credible posters.

#lolarc

Yandle apparently had a separated shoulder too, I read rumors that Stepan suffered a mild concussion at some point, and MSL played dead for two months.

�@rangersreport: Zuccarello added that there was only a slight chance he could have played in SCF, and that he's undergoing speech therapy.�

In comment 12309688 MetsAreBack said:

Quote:

In comment 12309668 JonC said: Quote: and it probably pumped the players up to see him on the ice. it's part of the rehab process to have a guy on the ice 3 weeks after being in the hospital for 3 days and unable to speak for 4? letang suffered less of an injury and still hasn't taken to the ice. it's just really odd. I hope this a wake up call to the rangers and the entire league to fucking evolve already with equipment. the guy almost died it turns out.... because of a 19th century helmet

Not so much with playing hockey in mind, but rather just to get his motor skills firing again. Speech, memory, motor skills would be rehab focus, not hockey. I hear you're driving at, though.

example of why I'll rarely beat the drum to rag on players effort or quality of play if they go through a stretch where they aren't playing well.

I thought Staal seemed off the entire playoffs and lacked his usual burst and hitting. Now we know why.

It really pisses me off when fans talk about players looking like dogshit and personally going after them because at the end of the year, you just don't know what shit they are dealing with or have dealt with.

Staal's been playing with a broke ankle since the regular season. That's just astounding to me.

It's hilarious reading some of the keyboard warriors on HF saying 'meh' to McDonagh playing with his injury. Fucking clowns.

In comment 12309287 Kyle in NY said:

Quote:

that Brooks gives as an example, you take it. but there's no reason to think they'll give that much up. So then, as Greg said, you have to replace 40+ goals from the roster if you move Nash. Just don't see it happening. Don't want it to happen either

It doesn't make much sense. Uncle Larry brought up Oshie, Schwartz and Steen. Well, A) they earn more than Nash so we'd have to take on salary (it better not be a 1 for 1 trade); and B) they also disappear in the playoffs...they rival Nash in that regard. Backes also disappears in the playoffs. So while the production in the regular season is fine, they don't show up when it counts.

Unless Tarasenko is coming back in a deal, which won't happen, I don't see how trading Nash to the Blues will be a step forward.

Staal was our best defensemen in the playoffs until the Lightning series where he was poor.

I don't see any Nash trade for the Rangers that would make sense. He was solid in the playoffs, and the return for him would not be near enough worth replacing him. He's worth too much in the regular season to trade him just to trade him, and I think that's what the return essentially would be.

In comment 12309617 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

@PLeonardNYDN Zuccarello said he had temporarily lost ability to talk & move his arm. Needed speech therapy. Blood in brain #NYR

Holy crap. That's just plain scary. Hank and Zucc with potentially devastating injuries in the same year from a stick to the throat and a puck to the side of the head. Geez.

Several months ago I had a nasty ankle sprain and a very slight ankle fracture, just a little crack in the bone. That hurt like an absolute bitch for the better part of two months, and I'm about as active as a tree stump. I wasn't trying to do anything more strenuous than walking around and going up and down stairs. To have something like that, and playing hockey on it for more than a month? That's surreal.

doesn't need a change in style. They need certain guys to step up in the big playoff games. But they are not far away, over the last 4 years they've played as many playoff games as any team in the league and been in the conference finals 3 of the last 4 years. They are doing something right, they just need some tinkering here and there.

They can't become something they are not, if they go out and try to be a real tough physical team without the horses to do so they will be getting bounced early routinely.

The only way trading Nash makes sense is if you trade him for JVR/Wheeler and pick up a tradable asset. You get a 1st line talent in return plus some cap space.

Trading him to St. Louis is just making the team worse for no reason.

And he had a decent playoff, overall.

In comment 12309724 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

Several months ago I had a nasty ankle sprain and a very slight ankle fracture, just a little crack in the bone. That hurt like an absolute bitch for the better part of two months, and I'm about as active as a tree stump. I wasn't trying to do anything more strenuous than walking around and going up and down stairs. To have something like that, and playing hockey on it for more than a month? That's surreal.

Well put. Incredible

In comment 12309688 MetsAreBack said:

Quote:

I it's just really odd. I hope this a wake up call to the rangers and the entire league to fucking evolve already with equipment. the guy almost died it turns out.... because of a 19th century helmet

speaking of waking up. Let me get the quote correctly "you bring this on yourself"

It was only a matter of time before this would come out an wasn't made public b/c it would have been a distraction to the team with the media asking the payers the same questions over and over again.

Of course, for 6 weeks you posted otherwise.

Awesome job buddy

Make a diagnosis on something we're following closley? Nah

Had same injury. 4 months later finally improved. Still sore after I play sports. Im 43 so healing takes longer.

Terrible about zuccarello. Brutal injury.

Came on Comeau hit against Pitt. Got healthier as the playoffs went on.

Stamkos
Kopitar
Lucic
Voracek
O'Reilly
Eric Staal

Not necessarily advocating it, but this would be one reason why the might look to get Nash's contract off the books for player(s) who either make less $ or have expiring deals.

This list would also be a good motivator to not get over their skis financially on guys like Hagelin and Stepan.

Have to remember that there are only 12 forward spots. Seems like consensus is a simultaneous "re-sign everyone except MSL" and also "let's bring up Lindberg, Buchnevich, etc".

I'm almost 39 so I'm not a particularly fast healer anymore myself!

Brett - yeah, you could see that. Yandle got better as the playoffs moved along.

Man, if this had been the regular season they would have had about 5-6 starters out at the same time. This series just wasn't in the cards. Tampa would be a rough opponent if they were healthy. This banged up, and it makes you wonder how they got it to a seventh game.

They've got Stamkos headed to UFA status, the Triplets are all going to be due raises, and they've got that horrible Callahan contract hanging around their neck.

"I don't know what you guys know, but there was a small fracture in my head. I lost my (ability to) talk and some feeling in my arm and stuff. I was in the hospital for three days," Zuccarello said. "I couldn't talk for a while. I had a contusion, some blood in my brain. That affects a lot. I went to speech therapy. I'm getting much better. I couldn't say a word for four days... I feel much better and I'm getting better and better."


"There was a small chance I might play more this year. But probably not. There's no reason to speculate now," he said. "In the beginning I couldn't talk. It was scary. But the doctors were really good and made sure I knew I'd be healthy. I was just happy to recover quickly."

In comment 12309742 Giants2012 said:

Quote:

Of course, for 6 weeks you posted otherwise. Awesome job buddy Make a diagnosis on something we're following closley? Nah

LOL, you are truly an idiot. I was one of the first here that actually said Zucc had a more serious injury than initially believed. I heard it from several friends at the first Caps game and posted it here.

We made fun of you because you started quoting "hippa" laws (its hipaa). You can be a smart guy from time to time, but your surly attitude and bat-shit crazy ideas from time to time (NFL test runs, hipaa, etc) leave you thoroughly unlikeable.

When you're in a hole, stop digging. You might be just get in the mouth with a Flying Puck.

.

In comment 12309766 bigbluehoya said:

Quote:

Stamkos Kopitar Lucic Voracek O'Reilly Eric Staal

that's a hell of a list for sure, but i'm guessing maybe half make it to open market.... the one's that do, like Eric Staal... always get overpaid.

Stamkos is the one guy in that group that shifts the balance of power in the NHL whereever he goes. If he stays in tampa, that team's the next Blackhawks. Hopefully he wants to play in a real hockey market though -- of course if he goes and plays with Carey Price... he just creates another East powerhouse somewhere else.

Hopefully Vancouver or something swoops in ...

Anyway, that must have been just terrifying for Zuccs. Glad he's on the mend and expected to recover fully. McD really did some friendly-fire damage this year.

In comment 12309804 Giants2012 said:

Quote:

When you're in a hole, stop digging. You might be just get in the mouth with a Flying Puck.

Can someone explain this analogy to me please? What does digging holes have to do with flying pucks? Arent you protected from flying objects if you're in a hole? Makes no sense.

.

In comment 12309829 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

.

What do you mean? You can watch the Yanks and/or Mets muddle their way through the baseball season for the next four months. ;)

No sports. :(

I heard they want a guy you could get in the mid teens with their 4th... plays the triangle well or something.

At least the Rangers played late into the year the last 4 years... only 3 months til football (cause pre-season doesnt count)

Even though, unlike baseball, it is a real sport.

.

In comment 12309641 Anakim said:

Quote:

In comment 12309200 JonC said: Quote: floating the idea of talking to the Blues about Nash. As talented as he is, his penchant for disappearing too often in big spots is part and parcel for what ails this team deep in the playoffs. Pivotal offseason for NYR ... really interested in seeing how aggressive (or not) The Satherian chooses to be. It doesn't make much sense. Uncle Larry brought up Oshie, Schwartz and Steen. Well, A) they earn more than Nash so we'd have to take on salary (it better not be a 1 for 1 trade); and B) they also disappear in the playoffs...they rival Nash in that regard. Backes also disappears in the playoffs. Unless Tarasenko is coming back in a deal, which won't happen, I don't see how trading Nash to the Blues will be a step forward.

Fair enough, but I think the broader point regardless of team has some validity to it. As talented as Nash is, he frequently comes up small in the playoffs. I wouldn't call it blasphemy to consider it.

I'd really like to see a mobile right handed dman brought in.

I really wonder whether AV is going to be forced to give up on his insistence that lefties play the left side, and righties the right. We have lefties McDonagh, Staal and Yandle with Skjei on the way. From was I saw of Skjei in NCAA (he was on TV a LOT), he is going to be ready very soon. He'll be eating 18 minutes in no time.

In comment 12309863 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

.

:(

Half a season in Hartford and then be called up.

Can't wait to see another defenseman who can skate.

Signing both Girardi and Staal long term was such a mistake. One or the other, not both.

he still has age on his side

if we wanted to and in DG's case if he was willing. Staal would still bring bad a decent return.

Rangers are getting fucked by the cap a bit. The collapse of the Canadian dollar, which I understand is largely tied to oil prices, has devalued 35% of the league's revenue by 1/5th. That is, if the Canadian dollar had stayed on par with the USD, league revenues would be at least 7% higher (ignoring disposable income effects). Bad news: there is no reason to believe that the loonie has bottomed out.

strikes me as bizarre that the impact would be so high. For one, arena draws and concessions is only one piece of the pie. Did NBC pay in Canadian dollars? If so, why?

Second, a multi-billion industry has no hedging instruments in place? I find this stunning ...and a little too hard and convenient to believe.

I think the players are getting shafted, personally.

As for the league cap... Even adjusting for the one time large price increase after the Garden renovation, Dolan's been raising my ticket prices at 7-8% per year while the players salaries only increase 3-5% per year. Really pisses me off.

Any way they could take advantage of Chicago's cap crunch and snag Brandon Saad? You guys want a more aggressive, physical scoring winger? There ya go.

But I don't see him as a realistic option for the Rangers.

Already a RFA this offseason. You can expect him to be making $5-$6m. Chicago has also insisted that they will keep him long-term, for whatever that is worth.

If the Rangers were to take a drastic route and deal Stepan (or let him walk), maybe Saad would be an option. At that point though, you're diluting C talent for another winger, so it might need to be accompanied by moving a Nash for a player like Backes. Very far-fetched scenario, obviously.

It's not going to be readily available. You'd probably be looking for a young player who's had a down year or two but has a decent shot of having a breakthrough. I'd offer Stepan and Talbot and see if Edm would send back RNH or Hall.

First line talent becomes available all the time. The Rangers just don't have the space or assets to accommodate one. I think the team makes up for it in depth, though.

In comment 12310055 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

First line talent becomes available all the time. The Rangers just don't have the space or assets to accommodate one. I think the team makes up for it in depth, though.

First line talent at the back end of their prime - sure.

Bobby Ryan, Vanek, Nash, Seguin, Kessel, Gaborik, Parise were all guys who were available at one point or another before 30.

I've read that prime goal-scoring ages are 21-25, but these guys weren't old.

Once that high-end scoring talent puts on a Blueshirt, you can immediately cut his projected goal total in half!

I'm tempted to take a shot at Kessel on a discount because his value will never be lower than it is today.... but since we can assume he'll become a 18-20 goal scorer here AND play no defense..... guess not.

whom I'm especially interested in. I think we shouldn't underrate Steps' value - he's young and a proven scorer and two way player. I think him with Talbot could be enough if Edm is willing to move RNH.

He looks to not take hockey seriously given how fucking fat he is.

Ash, that does seem like a risk Sather would take. It's an interesting thought.

in exchange for D Daniel Walcott.

In comment 12310114 NYerInMA said:

Quote:

in exchange for D Daniel Walcott.

Slats sure showed him.

See linked article

NBC doesnt own the Canadian rights. Canadian rights were recently purchased by Rogers. Not sure who owned them this season. Pretty sure it is in C$. TV aside, I'd expect most pieces of the revenue pie to roughly fall in the 1/3-from-Canada bucket.

The hedging is at the team level. It happens, but I doubt it would impact the cap, and as the article notes, you only hedge so far in advance.
Link - ( New Window )

In comment 12310114 NYerInMA said:

Quote:

in exchange for D Daniel Walcott.

Awesome. Slats can mix up the names and blindly select one from his empty cigar box.

In comment 12310029 Ash_3 said:

Quote:

It's not going to be readily available. You'd probably be looking for a young player who's had a down year or two but has a decent shot of having a breakthrough. I'd offer Stepan and Talbot and see if Edm would send back RNH or Hall.

Hall: the whispers about him are bad. He's supposedly a rotten apple. In any event, we cant trade a center for a LW. Look at the depth chart.

Nugent-Hopkins: He is not better than Stepan. At best he's about equal to Stepan. 3 years from now that could be different. But also remember that he was considered a very weak #1 overall pick. His ceiling is not necessarily much higher than his current play.

In comment 12309881 JonC said:

Quote:

In comment 12309641 Anakim said: Quote: In comment 12309200 JonC said: Quote: floating the idea of talking to the Blues about Nash. As talented as he is, his penchant for disappearing too often in big spots is part and parcel for what ails this team deep in the playoffs. Pivotal offseason for NYR ... really interested in seeing how aggressive (or not) The Satherian chooses to be. It doesn't make much sense. Uncle Larry brought up Oshie, Schwartz and Steen. Well, A) they earn more than Nash so we'd have to take on salary (it better not be a 1 for 1 trade); and B) they also disappear in the playoffs...they rival Nash in that regard. Backes also disappears in the playoffs. Unless Tarasenko is coming back in a deal, which won't happen, I don't see how trading Nash to the Blues will be a step forward. Fair enough, but I think the broader point regardless of team has some validity to it. As talented as Nash is, he frequently comes up small in the playoffs. I wouldn't call it blasphemy to consider it.

So do Oshie and Steen

In comment 12310114 NYerInMA said:

Quote:

in exchange for D Daniel Walcott.

Nothing for nothing trade, but seems like poor draft management. I mean we spent a fifth rounder on him this past year and now we trade him for a late seventh rounder (actually, it's sort of like we traded him for nothing considering how late the 7th rounder is)?

Not that it matters, but he was the captain of his team also, I believe. Sign him, Reeeeeeeeeeese

because we're trading him away for less than we spent to get him. He just didnt develop as expected. If we had used a 5 on him and then didnt sign him, would you call it poor draft management, or an unsuccessful late round pick?

In comment 12310181 Deej said:

Quote:

because we're trading him away for less than we spent to get him. He just didnt develop as expected. If we had used a 5 on him and then didnt sign him, would you call it poor draft management, or an unsuccessful late round pick?

Just seems very odd that you would give up on a guy who was just drafted this past year. He's what? 20? That's a bit old for a draftable prospect, but let's not pretend it's ancient. In the end, you got a 7th rounder for a 5th rounder. How much is he supposed to develop in one year?

In comment 12310181 Deej said:

Quote:

because we're trading him away for less than we spent to get him. He just didnt develop as expected. If we had used a 5 on him and then didnt sign him, would you call it poor draft management, or an unsuccessful late round pick?

And did we even sign Walcott?

In comment 12310188 Anakim said:

Quote:

In comment 12310181 Deej said: Quote: because we're trading him away for less than we spent to get him. He just didnt develop as expected. If we had used a 5 on him and then didnt sign him, would you call it poor draft management, or an unsuccessful late round pick? And did we even sign Walcott?

Scratch the "even." I wonder if this was a lost bet between Sather and Yzerman. Haha

Highlights

Subpar performances - Game 7

Lot of pieces very young (for those who think it's old, hello)


Zucs "We never really thought he would come back but for our group it was important to know he might come back b/c he's such a likeable young man . . . it would have been a real long shot"

Nash - "Rick does so many other things too but, at the end of the day we had that talk with him . . . in every playoff he has played he's improved . . . he's getting better . . . ."

AV addresses media - ( New Window )

In comment 12309766 bigbluehoya said:

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Stamkos Kopitar Lucic Voracek O'Reilly Eric Staal Not necessarily advocating it, but this would be one reason why the might look to get Nash's contract off the books for player(s) who either make less $ or have expiring deals. This list would also be a good motivator to not get over their skis financially on guys like Hagelin and Stepan. Have to remember that there are only 12 forward spots. Seems like consensus is a simultaneous "re-sign everyone except MSL" and also "let's bring up Lindberg, Buchnevich, etc".

We also have to re-sign the likes of Kreider, Hayes and Yandle next year...and all three will be in for big pay days. That's why I wouldn't sign Hagelin for more than 3.5 million, which essentially means he'd be gone.

In comment 12309829 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

.

There's the Champions League final on Saturday. Plus a whole summer of MLS.

I dont know if it was an ATO or a signed contract.

I just dont understand your poor draft management comment. It would be poor draft management if we traded up for a guy unnecessarily. But a decision made a year out from the draft to trade a kid isnt "draft management". The pick didnt work out. That's "poor drafting" if anything. Shit, by returning a #7 pick he's officially our best #5 pick in some time (Spelling, Noreau, Wilson were better?).

I wouldnt be surprised if we're projecting to be up against the 50 contract limit. Rangers had an issue with this early in the season. Im thinking Sather learned a lesson about depth when he was stuck in cap hell towards the end of the season and couldnt call anyone up. So next year we might see more contract and cap space to help juggle things.

I suspect on the later picks you take a bunch with the expectation that you'll only have room to sign a few. Maybe last year it looked like we had a crappy crop so that there would be more contracts available in 2015, hence Walcott, but then guys had good seasons.

It's trading a 5th rounder for a 7th rounder. Whatever you want to call it, it's a bit of a head scratcher.

I count June and July and then Giants play a game every week thereafter until the bye week, right?

In comment 12310208 Anakim said:

Quote:

It's trading a 5th rounder for a 7th rounder. Whatever you want to call it, it's a bit of a head scratcher.

No, it's not. It is trading Dan Walcott for a 7th rounder. That 5th rounder is long gone. Lets say the Rangers are offered the #12 overall pick in this year's draft for McIlrath. Are you going to turn that down because it is a trade of #10 for #12? No, you're not. Because McIlrath isnt the #10 pick, he's just McIlrath. Walcott is not a 5th pick.

In comment 12309841 MetsAreBack said:
[quote] I heard they want a guy you could get in the mid teens with their 4th... plays the triangle well or something.

At #4 you think they could at least get a timpanist

In comment 12310204 RB^2 said:

Quote:

In comment 12309829 BrettNYG10 said: Quote: . There's the Champions League final on Saturday. Plus a whole summer of MLS.

Like I said, no sports.

In comment 12310211 baadbill said:

Quote:

I count June and July and then Giants play a game every week thereafter until the bye week, right?

Preseason doesn't count for me... So really three months, I guess.

In comment 12310212 Deej said:

Quote:

In comment 12310208 Anakim said: Quote: It's trading a 5th rounder for a 7th rounder. Whatever you want to call it, it's a bit of a head scratcher. No, it's not. It is trading Dan Walcott for a 7th rounder. That 5th rounder is long gone. Lets say the Rangers are offered the #12 overall pick in this year's draft for McIlrath. Are you going to turn that down because it is a trade of #10 for #12? No, you're not. Because McIlrath isnt the #10 pick, he's just McIlrath. Walcott is not a 5th pick.

True, but we're one year removed from him being a fifth rounder. Why would you get rid of him so quickly?

Anyway, it's a moot point. Walcott will probably never amount to anything (not that I know who he is or anything about him).

In comment 12310215 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

In comment 12310204 RB^2 said: Quote: In comment 12309829 BrettNYG10 said: Quote: . There's the Champions League final on Saturday. Plus a whole summer of MLS. Like I said, no sports.

Tina Charles and ummm. the other men...errrr. women need your support!

So yeah, two months without sports. NBA Draft though should be a lot of fun. NHL Draft....not so much. Can't wait until August and preseason, especially since NFL Network shows all of the preseason games for every team.

In comment 12310223 Anakim said:

Quote:

Can't wait until August and preseason, especially since NFL Network shows all of the preseason games for every team.

Seems like punishment.

In comment 12310226 Mad Mike said:

Quote:

In comment 12310223 Anakim said: Quote: Can't wait until August and preseason, especially since NFL Network shows all of the preseason games for every team. Seems like punishment.

I love it. I love watching players I watched in college and will probably not do anything more than play in a preseason game.

.
Brooks - ( New Window )

A friend of mine ran into him in the bathroom in Tampa and he said that the lights were on but no one's home.

but the odds are higher Zuccs just didn't want to talk to your boy... especially while trying to take a piss.

Personally, I don't try to start conversation in the men's urinal, but that's just me.

In comment 12309267 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

If we do go with the same defense, I'd have our 7th play 60 or so games, rotating through to give certain defenseman a break (namely Boyle and Girardi). Girardi has looked gassed these past two seasons. Sit him for 10-15 games during the year. You have to make the arrogant assumption that you're going to make the playoffs with this group.

That's a great point. Hopefully next season Hank gets 20-25 games of rest too.

Rangers are better off finishing 2/3 with rest. They need to preserve and save energy for the playoffs.

In comment 12310073 MetsAreBack said:

Quote:

I'm tempted to take a shot at Kessel on a discount because his value will never be lower than it is today.... but since we can assume he'll become a 18-20 goal scorer here AND play no defense..... guess not.

Are you nuts?
Kessel is an out of shape, soft LOSER.
Hate Nash in the playoffs....hahaha...wait til you see Kessel.

In comment 12309829 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

.

I feel similar bro.
As far as I'm concerned, if you could put me in a coma and wake me up next May I'd do it, because nothing really matters until then.
Maybe it's because I am still surprisingly getting over it...but I feel everything else, football, baseball, is gravy.

There are plenty of other teams besides the Blues, is the point.

Player playing with a significant injury. Hearing Staal had a hairline break in his ankle and Girardi had something going on too.

.

In comment 12310541 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

.

Despite his struggles in the post-season last year, particularly in the
Finals, I thought G had a very good 2014-2015 campaign. You don't measure a player like him with CORSI ratings, he's simply not that kind of player.

In comment 12310521 JonC said:

Quote:

There are plenty of other teams besides the Blues, is the point.

Oh absolutely, but Uncle Larry specifically brought up the Blues and those 3 players.

Martin St. Louis - W - Rangers

Quote:

Martin St. Louis needs time to weigh his options before deciding if he'll return for the 2015-16 campaign. "It sort of works perfectly for both sides," Rangers coach Alain Vigneault. "He is going to think about it, and we will find out where we are money-wise and then go from there." The Rangers aren't expected to have much cap space to spare, so if St. Louis is going to re-sign with the Rangers, it will probably have to be at a discount. He had 21 goals and 52 points in 74 games, but he's about to turn 40 so it wouldn't be surprising to see him decline next season if he decides to play. Source: The Bergen Record Jun 2 - 10:07

i think i've ever seen. How many of the 21 goals were empty net out of curiousity?

I thought he kind of sucked before the knee injury... (in fact most of us were saying to get him time off regardless because he'd appeared to hit a wall and wanted to get him rest before the playoffs..... but then once back he was brutal.

They were nice to Richards too.

i actually didnt have a problem with Richards the player - at least not the 2014 playoffs Richards (2013... absolutely). Yes he sucked in the Finals but who besides Hank, Stralman and Boyle didnt?

Richards issue was his contract which is on Sather, not Richards

NYR has cap issues that will (should) prevent them from re-signing MSL for the type of money he'll want. It's the perfect out for NYR.

He's a waste of a roster spot. He is done.

.

may roll the dice - maybe even the Islanders.

52 points in 74 games plus all the locker room intangibles is worth a flier.

I just dont think he makes sense for our team with all the leadership already and limited cap space.

1 G, 1 A ... 0 +/-

That's not great by any means, but its not "awful" either

He was awful against the Kings - their size made a lot of our guys look awful, not just Richards

The Rangers were in the midst of their 0-34 or whatever streak on the power play and Richards was a huge reason why. After game one, he was brutal for the rest of the playoffs. Not quite St. Louis bad, but he was having handling the puck as well.

.

I forget that this was only Kreider's second full-season with the team. I think he can net 30 next year.

Sean Hartnett ‏@HartnettHockey 18s18 seconds ago
#NYR announce G Mackenzie Skapski underwent hip arthroscopy to repair a labral tear in his right hip, expected to be sidelined 4-5 months.

In comment 12310821 MetsAreBack said:

Quote:

1 G, 1 A ... 0 +/- That's not great by any means, but its not "awful" either

So where in those stats does it remind us of all the giveaways in which the Rangers goalie had to make great saves, the botched passes in the offensive zone ruining scoring opportunities and not being able to keep up with the play?

He was awful. Posting those stats misses so much

Quote:

He was awful. Posting those stats misses so much

MAB always does, doesn't he?

In comment 12310846 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

I forget that this was only Kreider's second full-season with the team. I think he can net 30 next year.

Kevin Stevens II (the Pittsburgh version).

In comment 12310988 Anakim said:

Quote:

Sean Hartnett ‏@HartnettHockey 18s18 seconds ago #NYR announce G Mackenzie Skapski underwent hip arthroscopy to repair a labral tear in his right hip, expected to be sidelined 4-5 months.

Well, he's already used to walking gingerly, so not a huge deal. Does make it that much harder to trade Cam.

Re MSL, we should reverse-Biron him. Pay him $2 million to do hockeynight live, and sign him if he's really needed.

.

In comment [url=index.php?mode=2&thread=515576&show_all=1#12310991]12310991

Quote:

So where in those stats does it remind us of all the giveaways in which the Rangers goalie had to make great saves, the botched passes in the offensive zone ruining scoring opportunities and not being able to keep up with the play? He was awful. Posting those stats misses so much

I'm not arguing that taking the mulligan on Richards contract was TE wrong move. of course it was the right move- just that as a player he wasn't that awful. clearly Chicago agrees with me.

but once again you are talking out your ass about Hank bailing richards out on mistakes in the Montreal series

Chicago signing him doesn't mean they thought he played great playoff hockey - nice strawman.

It was more of a contract issue than hockey issue. I'd have taken him back for $2M. But he was bad in the last two rounds. I still think of his time with the Rangers fondly, unlike Drury and Gomez, though.

Also:

Quote:

The contributions are an about-face from Richards�s last two seasons. In 2013, he had just one point in 10 playoff games. He was demoted to the fourth line and ultimately scratched as the Rangers faced elimination to the eventual Eastern Conference champion Boston Bruins. In 2014, Richards performed decently during the regular season but again found himself on the fourth line as the Rangers were ushered out of the Stanley Cup finals in five games by the Los Angeles Kings.

NYT - ( New Window )

(I was strawmanning myself there).

Teams, like markets, are forward-looking. Step your shit up, MAB.

I'd like him to get acclimated then and possibly move up by the end of the year, or be ready to move up in 2016.

In comment 12311082 MetsAreBack said:

Quote:

In comment [url=index.php?mode=2&thread=515576&show_all=1#12310991]12310991 Quote: So where in those stats does it remind us of all the giveaways in which the Rangers goalie had to make great saves, the botched passes in the offensive zone ruining scoring opportunities and not being able to keep up with the play? He was awful. Posting those stats misses so much I'm not arguing that taking the mulligan on Richards contract was TE wrong move. of course it was the right move- just that as a player he wasn't that awful. clearly Chicago agrees with me. but once again you are talking out your ass about Hank bailing richards out on mistakes in the Montreal series

Don't let the flying puck hit you in the head again. You've already stated just how old the Rangers are, your Zucs comments and now are speaking on behalf of the Blackhawks while claiming others are talking out of their ass?

How much is Chicago paying him skippy? Miss that one too?

you dope. I just said he was twice as good as MSL was this postseason. at least he didn't single handedly cost us game 2 like MSL did.

and you just repeated what I said... contract reasons nof hockey reasons

anyway enough about Richards.

I don't think the skapski injury should have a bearing on talbot trade. can always sign some journeyman to back up Hank and the Ginger probably wasn't ready for NHL games against teams better than buffalo anyway

.

In comment 12311106 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

I'd like him to get acclimated then and possibly move up by the end of the year, or be ready to move up in 2016.

Didn't he already re-up? My guess is they sign a stop-gap ala Pouliot. Matthias or Condra would be fine with me. I think Condra would be a great addition if Hagelin walks.

This season anyway. The guy's played 30 AHL games.

Rangers fans are wildly overrating Talbot's trade value, especially with the supply of quality goaltenders available. The Blues trading for Talbot, for example, doesn't answer any questions for that team.

In comment 12311117 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

This season anyway. The guy's played 30 AHL games. Rangers fans are wildly overrating Talbot's trade value, especially with the supply of quality goaltenders available. The Blues trading for Talbot, for example, doesn't answer any questions for that team.

I'm not the best at gauging how valuable players are in a trade market in the NHL, but if Cam can't be an important piece in a deal that would bring back a viable Top 6 fwd who can net 50 points, then I think he has more value to the Rangers than he does in a trade.

Hank is getting old. Having Cam there to split time, even if its next season, could be a crucial element to the season.

In comment 12311117 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

This season anyway. The guy's played 30 AHL games. Rangers fans are wildly overrating Talbot's trade value, especially with the supply of quality goaltenders available. The Blues trading for Talbot, for example, doesn't answer any questions for that team.

I think a fair estimate of his trade value is a late first rounder.

I would definitely consider doing a Talbot for Roussel+ trade

2012 pipe down the adults are having a conversation over here

1- I said was serious. you claimed he had a seizure and they werent commenting because of 'hippa' laws. you were wrong and you are wrong

2-flying puck in a ditch still makes no sense

3-I clearly said for anyone with reading skills that Richards was cut for contract reasons not hockey ones. cleary chicago says he has hockey left in him - while you made up some bullshit about how Hank bailed him out repeatedly in the Montreal series. made up nonsense per usual from you

4- the rangers best players - Hank, Nash, and their defensive core - are all over 30 and/or approaching it. if you think this team's young players (kreider stepan Hayes miller) compare to Tampa the isles or any team picking lottery picks the last 5 years..... that's cute. no really.

theres also this thing called the salary cap. maybe read up on it?

and oh yeah our GM is retiring soon so he'll make more win now deals. and that's fine - I just want to win one for Hank. so the window is another 2-4 years with next year being by far the best shot.

and there's no honor in being the red wings and being an easy playoff out the last 4 years anyway. there's nothin

Ash, I don't think he would. A second would probably be the most the team could get. My rationale is that teams drafting in that position tend to be Cup contenders. Talbot doesn't solve the goalie issues given his small sample size.

Perhaps a team like Edmonton with multiple picks would. But I think they're too early in their development process to want to spend a high pick on a guy like Talbot (who is going to be 28 by the time the next season starts).

Plus, there is an oversupply of potential goaltenders with question marks like Talbot.

In comment 12310995 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

Quote: He was awful. Posting those stats misses so much MAB always does, doesn't he?

He doesn't appear to understand much, grasp anything, recall anything, etc.

Outside of Tavares, do they really have absurd top-line skill? They succeeded this year because of depth and backup goaltenders. IIRC, they actually struggled the most when he put up their best numbers.

In comment 12311152 Giants2012 said:

Quote:

In comment 12310995 BrettNYG10 said: Quote: Quote: He was awful. Posting those stats misses so much MAB always does, doesn't he? He doesn't appear to understand much, grasp anything, recall anything, etc.

Arc was right - should just ignore this troll.

and probably Shesterkin, too. Remember, Skapski was supposed to play in the ECHL this year and was only promoted because Cedric Desjardins got hurt.

In comment 12311176 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

and probably Shesterkin, too. Remember, Skapski was supposed to play in the ECHL this year and was only promoted because Cedric Desjardins got hurt.

He is. Halvarsson also was a second round pick and Shesterkin is arguably even more highly ranked than him, but dropped because of the "Russian factor."

In comment 12311144 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

Ash, I don't think he would. A second would probably be the most the team could get. My rationale is that teams drafting in that position tend to be Cup contenders. Talbot doesn't solve the goalie issues given his small sample size. Perhaps a team like Edmonton with multiple picks would. But I think they're too early in their development process to want to spend a high pick on a guy like Talbot (who is going to be 28 by the time the next season starts). Plus, there is an oversupply of potential goaltenders with question marks like Talbot.

Aside from St Louis, I agree that I cant think of a team that might be willing to part with a first for Talbot. And even there, my guess is they give Allen another shot. Maybe Vancouver since Lack sucks and Miller's getting up there... but the other thing working against us is even if Talbot plays well for them, then the guy is due a new contract next summer anyway.

The more likely scenario is someone with a lot of good wing prospects or depth deals a solid third line wing in his last contract season to us in exchange. That player replaces MSL at cheaper cost. Maybe there is a match with Toronto, San Jose, Dallas or Winnipeg there -- dark horse Florida (though if I'm Florida i just wait to sign him as free agent next season as eventual heir to Luongo)

Talbot would make a lot of sense for the Styx, but of course that's a trade that would never, ever happen.

unless he's packaged with another player, I'd say the return is a draft pick. Other goalies have gone for 3rd rounders so that might be the market.

Rather just keep him on board for one more season.

In comment 12311161 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

Outside of Tavares, do they really have absurd top-line skill? They succeeded this year because of depth and backup goaltenders. IIRC, they actually struggled the most when he put up their best numbers.

Agreed with all of this. Isles have depth, but not elite talent. Strome is the only one who could develop into that type of player.

even a 2nd rounder doesnt seem like enough to me. We know we need a good backup to play 25-30 games next year anyway, and who knows... maybe he's awesome next year, Hank regresses a bit and at year end the Rangers go in a new direction.

Personally that scenario would sadden me - love the Hank... but if you're not getting a first rounder or a solid 3rd line player for Talbot, just keep him and your options open.

I need an editor.

Maybe you have someone in juniors who could. Ho-Sang is a really interesting prospect.

In comment 12311233 Mike in Long Beach said:

Quote:

In comment 12311161 BrettNYG10 said: Quote: Outside of Tavares, do they really have absurd top-line skill? They succeeded this year because of depth and backup goaltenders. IIRC, they actually struggled the most when he put up their best numbers. Agreed with all of this. Isles have depth, but not elite talent. Strome is the only one who could develop into that type of player.

I really like Okposo too, even if the guy's neck freaks me out.

In comment 12311231 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

Rather just keep him on board for one more season.

3rd rounder has been the market though. It's not immediate return but it's still a possible return. Buchnevich, Hagelin, Fast, Duclair, etc all came in the 3rd round or later.

AV said yesterday they could use a bit more size and physicality, and that part of having Zuc on the ice was to inspire his teammates.

Dan Girardi allowed the most High-danger scoring-chances/60 and the most shot-attempts/60 out of all NYR dmen this season.

Would make this team a shitload better.

.

not so much trying to get rid of DG as much as getting younger/faster/cheaper and creating some cap space. I don't know if Skjei plays the same side of the ice as DG, etc.

or Klein, but ...

Skjei is left handed and AV likes to keep them on the same side as their shot (which I think is overrated). My understanding is that he probably needs a half season down in the minors, but he was apparently quite good in the Wolfpack's playoff run.

And I think you're right - the team probably holds Girardi in higher regard than I do. Plus, Klein doesn't have a NMC.

Seems trading him is pretty unlikely.

Full no-move clause in the first three years of the contract, and a modified no-trade clause in the final three years of the deal.

There's been discussions that Staal's NMC might not kick in until July 1st. He's the better defenseman, IMV.

I doubt either are traded, though. Klein's the likely target if they decide to trade anyone.

In comment 12312003 JonC said:

Quote:

AV said yesterday they could use a bit more size and physicality, and that part of having Zuc on the ice was to inspire his teammates.

Well those guys arent easy to find. You would think Hayes, Kreider and Miller will pick up some of that slack next year -- not sure who he has in mind, and for whom.

Maybe they will entertain trading Stepan for a big body in the middle. I really like Stepan the person and he's still only 24 years old... but man did he have a terrible season.

Would hate to trade him on the low, and if they trade him for someone over 30 yrs old get ready for several BBI rants from me... but we need a lot better from him next year if he sticks.

relative to how they want to improve the roster. His performance and effectiveness seems to vary wildly, at times. And, for $6M per it begs the question is he really worth it.

Most Rangers fans on here are similar to most Giants fans.. no excuses when your team gets beat.. you just try and think of what the problem is.

When I heard Micheletti on WFAN I started laughing, and then after 15 minutes of him blaming injuries it was more sad.

It's hockey.. all teams have weaknesses. When there's a cap in place, well run teams are VERY close to each other and it doesn't take much for the tide to turn in a series.

Luckily for the Rangers, they have a young core to go along with the veterans.

I WOULD trade Nash if I was Sather. He's a great player, and a fantastic scorer. But you need your #1 scorer to take you to the end... he didn't for the past two years.

There are teams that need scoring badly that are "close".. it wouldn't be a bad move for the Rangers. Detroit matches up well (for example).

Either way, the Rangers are close..but so are a lot of teams. It will be an interesting off-season.

Injuries definitely had something to do with it IMO - four of the top six dmen had injuries, they were missing a top-line winger, etc.

I have a hard time seeing them beat a Chicago team with such a depleted D. Every team has injuries (and I'm sure we'll hear more about them once the season is over for TB and CHI), but a 'healthier' team may have been able to beat TB. The teams at this stage are so close that this definitely plays a role. With that said, TB apparently had a ton of guys hurt or with the flu... So, I see both sides of the argument.

In comment 12312065 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

Injuries definitely had something to do with it IMO - four of the top six dmen had injuries, they were missing a top-line winger, etc. I have a hard time seeing them beat a Chicago team with such a depleted D. Every team has injuries (and I'm sure we'll hear more about them once the season is over for TB and CHI), but a 'healthier' team may have been able to beat TB. The teams at this stage are so close that this definitely plays a role. With that said, TB apparently had a ton of guys hurt or with the flu... So, I see both sides of the argument.

yes, but it's playoff hockey. MOST teams have injuries that you won't hear about until they are eliminated.

when the Islanders sent out 3 dmen that shouldn't have been on the ice because of injuries I wasn't pissed because their guys were injured, I was/am more pissed at SNOW for not having better defensive depth.

What the fuck?

Put up 55 points in 68 games as the 2nd line center. Pretty good, especially in this scoring climate. The Art Ross winner had like 85 points.

If you wanna talk about trading Stepan, from everything I've read he's held in pretty high esteem around the league. Wouldn't be selling low at all.

TB missing a top six winger could have shifted the series. And there's a difference between general bumps and bruises and the top defenseman playing >3 games with a broken foot (especially one who often drives offensive play for the Rangers). The Rangers weren't the sort of dominant team to overcome those losses (and I'd argue the cap world limits the possibility of those types of teams occurring).

And what the hell do Islander fans know about playoff hockey? They haven't seen the second round in 22 years.

In comment 12312092 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

TB missing a top six winger could have shifted the series. And there's a difference between general bumps and bruises and the top defenseman playing >3 games with a broken foot (especially one who often drives offensive play for the Rangers). The Rangers weren't the sort of dominant team to overcome those losses (and I'd argue the cap world limits the possibility of those types of teams occurring). And what the hell do Islander fans know about playoff hockey? They haven't seen the second round in 22 years.

oh.. ok. so the goal is to win a series? I thought it was to win the cup. my bad.. guess I have higher standards as to winning.

but.. yay, you guys won a few series this year. go celebrate!!! you reached your goal!! brag away!

Stepan was 14th in P/60 for Centers during 5 on 5 play (one ahead of Tavares). And he's defensively responsible and kills penalties.

In comment 12312100 feelflows said:

Quote:

In comment 12312092 BrettNYG10 said: Quote: TB missing a top six winger could have shifted the series. And there's a difference between general bumps and bruises and the top defenseman playing >3 games with a broken foot (especially one who often drives offensive play for the Rangers). The Rangers weren't the sort of dominant team to overcome those losses (and I'd argue the cap world limits the possibility of those types of teams occurring). And what the hell do Islander fans know about playoff hockey? They haven't seen the second round in 22 years. oh.. ok. so the goal is to win a series? I thought it was to win the cup. my bad.. guess I have higher standards as to winning. but.. yay, you guys won a few series this year. go celebrate!!! you reached your goal!! brag away!

Great response - your pontificating about 'EVERYONE HAS INJURIES' is moronic, as is your complaining that your GM not having three NHL-caliber defensemen at the ready during the playoffs.

Go back to the Islander threads and talk about a season based on backup goaltenders.

Literally the stupidest fan base in sports.

In comment 12312087 Kyle in NY said:

Quote:

What the fuck? Put up 55 points in 68 games as the 2nd line center. Pretty good, especially in this scoring climate. The Art Ross winner had like 85 points. If you wanna talk about trading Stepan, from everything I've read he's held in pretty high esteem around the league. Wouldn't be selling low at all.

16 goals as ... not sure why you say 2nd line... he and Brassard were 1a and 1b. All advanced stats tumbled from 2013-2014, 44% on the draw, 46% Corsi (-7% y/y) and relative Corsi (on/off ice) -5%, 47% Fenwick (-4% y/y), physical game non-existent.

Anyway, as I clearly stated, I liked Stepan and dont want to trade him off his worst statistical season in 3-4 years. But when AV says things like "we need to get more big and physical" where else besides upgrading MSL's slot do you think he's looking, honestly?

MAB, someone speculated that part of the reason for Stepan's fancy stats declining was that last year the 4th line was given defensive zone starts, while the 4th line was extremely sheltered this year and were largely played in the offensive zone.

But I've had a feeling for a while that they're going to make a choice on who they like better, Stepan or Brassard, and trade the other one.

In comment 12312100 feelflows said:

Quote:

oh.. ok. so the goal is to win a series? I thought it was to win the cup. my bad.. guess I have higher standards as to winning. but.. yay, you guys won a few series this year. go celebrate!!! you reached your goal!! brag away!

No one believes we reached the goal - we're all sick to our stomach how it turned out. But in a 16 team conference, 30 team league... if as a fan you're Cup or Bust - which i admit many of us were this year... then you'll spend 82 of your 85 years on this planet miserable. The odds of winning a Stanley Cup are just so incredibly low.

In comment 12312172 MetsAreBack said:

Quote:

In comment 12312100 feelflows said: Quote: oh.. ok. so the goal is to win a series? I thought it was to win the cup. my bad.. guess I have higher standards as to winning. but.. yay, you guys won a few series this year. go celebrate!!! you reached your goal!! brag away! No one believes we reached the goal - we're all sick to our stomach how it turned out. But in a 16 team conference, 30 team league... if as a fan you're Cup or Bust - which i admit many of us were this year... then you'll spend 82 of your 85 years on this planet miserable. The odds of winning a Stanley Cup are just so incredibly low.

I agree with you 100000%.. see my original post.

I was just replying to Bretts suggestion that the Islanders are a failure but the Rangers somehow didn't fail.

Terrible reading skills, zero hockey knowledge.

Yup, an Islander fan.

Also always hilarious to always see the fat losers talk about their 'higher standards for winning'. We're all like Martin St. Louis - none of us are actually playing.

then you're just stuck looking for his replacement. It's not easy to find. Especially in a generally weak FA class. And the trickle down effect weakens the depth of the lineup.

Of course it depends on how negotiations go for his RFA deal, and what a potential return would be. But I'm still a big fan of the player. And he's generally improved each season.

1C Brassard
2C Hayes
3C Lindberg
4C Moore

Not bad, IMO... But the return for Stepan would have to be really, really good. I still think he's really underrated around here.

A young center with that kind of size and skill is pretty rare. I don't care if he's the worst faceoff man ever.

In comment 12312181 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

Terrible reading skills, zero hockey knowledge. Yup, an Islander fan.

keep talking about winning playoff rounds.. last I recall it's been 20 years since your boys hoisted a cup.

proud of just winning playoff rounds.. yep, a Rangers fan.

In comment 12312204 Kyle in NY said:

Quote:

then you're just stuck looking for his replacement. It's not easy to find. Of course it depends on how negotiations go for his RFA deal, and what a potential return would be. But I'm still a big fan of the player. And he's generally improved each season.

Not sure he improved this season - at best flatlined off what what was a very good 2013-2014 campaign (the +/- improved, advanced stats all declined)... but agree otherwise, he's a very good young player.

In general i think we have a clubhouse that gets along well and works incredibly hard - i only personally want small tweaks this offseason, not major changes that Sather for some reason seems to do every year. Don't overreact - we lost a top line player and had D- injuries and while my concern is we didnt play well against Pitt or Washington either... bottom line is they did come within one period of a SCF.

Also yeah, it concerns me what we'd actually get back for Stepan. Put me in the camp of the modern day NHL that I'll take skill over a guy with less skill but that hits.

You really are stupid.

.

and no, I am not inviting you to Club Red with me next year.

BTW, I wonder if the team tries to mess with the chemistry. I've read concerns that it's a bit too friendly and that nobody 'challenges' guys when things aren't going well.

I don't really know how to judge locker room dynamics from here, though...

I think it would be Hagelin.

I think that, after several years with the same basic core, they could use a bit of a shakeup.

.

In comment 12312231 MetsAreBack said:

Quote:

In comment 12312204 Kyle in NY said: Quote: then you're just stuck looking for his replacement. It's not easy to find. Of course it depends on how negotiations go for his RFA deal, and what a potential return would be. But I'm still a big fan of the player. And he's generally improved each season. Not sure he improved this season - at best flatlined off what what was a very good 2013-2014 campaign (the +/- improved, advanced stats all declined)... but agree otherwise, he's a very good young player. In general i think we have a clubhouse that gets along well and works incredibly hard - i only personally want small tweaks this offseason, not major changes that Sather for some reason seems to do every year. Don't overreact - we lost a top line player and had D- injuries and while my concern is we didnt play well against Pitt or Washington either... bottom line is they did come within one period of a SCF. Also yeah, it concerns me what we'd actually get back for Stepan. Put me in the camp of the modern day NHL that I'll take skill over a guy with less skill but that hits.

Totally agree with your second paragraph. I think this group should get at least one more season together, more or less intact

The Rangers are believed to be showing interest in college free agent defenseman Mike Reilly. (Star Tribune)

Reilly was a teammate of Skjei at Minn.

I've come to a point where I think I may be a bigger Rangers fan than Giants fan. This has only happened once before (2006) and was promptly flipped by the 07 Superbowl run.

But in my eyes, the two runs the Giants gave us were magic. I can't ever complain about the Giants on a large scale, because they gave me the best it can get football wise.

Watching the Rangers come this close 3 out of 4 years and not hoist the cup has made me desire a Rangers Stanley Cup far more than another Lombardi for the Giants. I might be more knowledgable about the Giants and the NFL as a whole, but I feel like I root harder for the Rangers.

has anyone else developed this sentiment?

In comment 12312208 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

1C Brassard 2C Hayes 3C Lindberg 4C Moore Not bad, IMO... But the return for Stepan would have to be really, really good. I still think he's really underrated around here.

I like Hayes at C but if Brass ever went down, yikes.

Team dynamics are pretty important too and I think Stepan is a huge part of that lockeroom.

IMO, Step, Kreider and Hayes are the three the Rangers can't part ways with over the next two years. We'll see about Hags and company.

I think it's an interesting thought. Every team is flawed, of course, so tweaks will always be necessary.

Someone ran a study that said the best team wins the Cup 22% of the time (and their definition of best team was defined as the team with the best underlying goal percentage in each individual season).

I view losing to TB as a combination of a few things - bad efforts in key games by the team's best players (Lundqvist, McDonagh, Stepan, Nash), bad coaching decisions, bad luck (MSL turning into shit), and injuries, as well as getting beat by a team that was extremely close to the Rangers anyway. They could have overcame the injuries if Lundqvist played better in game three. Better games from the forwards could have won five or seven (even though the defensive injuries also had something to do with this - people often ignore that the defensemen and forwards are intrinsically linked when analyzing their respective play, something analytics is helping mitigate - maybe a healthy McDonagh dictates play).

This isn't 2012 where I felt the team was really far away despite the playoff run - we talked about Anaheim's road to the CF being lucky, but the Rangers road to the SCF that year was just as easy - 8th, 7th, and 6th seeds. But the team was simply not good enough to take advantage. I don't view it that way this year.

Improve the roster on the fringes, but don't blow up the core IMO. And I'll probably say that next year too.

In comment 12312547 Sonic Youth said:

Quote:

I've come to a point where I think I may be a bigger Rangers fan than Giants fan. This has only happened once before (2006) and was promptly flipped by the 07 Superbowl run. But in my eyes, the two runs the Giants gave us were magic. I can't ever complain about the Giants on a large scale, because they gave me the best it can get football wise. Watching the Rangers come this close 3 out of 4 years and not hoist the cup has made me desire a Rangers Stanley Cup far more than another Lombardi for the Giants. I might be more knowledgable about the Giants and the NFL as a whole, but I feel like I root harder for the Rangers. has anyone else developed this sentiment?

I feel like I go through cycles like this. Growing up in the 90s, I saw a Giants' Super Bowl (1991) and Rangers' Cup (1994) but the Yankees hadn't won since 1978 (and I was born in 1982) so I was most anxious to see the Yankees win again. By the time the Giants won again in 2008, I was desperate for another Super Bowl, and the Rangers weren't even close to Cup contention. If I had a choice of a Super Bowl, a Stanley Cup or a World Series right now, I'd take the Cup without hesitation. Seeing the Rangers assemble a powerhouse team and still fail to finish just makes me want it even more.

In comment 12312536 JonC said:

Quote:

The Rangers are believed to be showing interest in college free agent defenseman Mike Reilly. (Star Tribune) Reilly was a teammate of Skjei at Minn.

He's supposed to be better than Schultz. Apparently the Blackhawks are the front-runner, which makes sense given their lack of defensive depth.

.

In comment 12312169 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

But I've had a feeling for a while that they're going to make a choice on who they like better, Stepan or Brassard, and trade the other one.

if it comes down to this, I go with Brassard. I love Step, and he is probably the better 2 way player, but I think Brassard has more offensive potential (though he's probably close to maxing out or in his prime, since he's what, 27 now?)

I agree with the statement earlier that I don't know if Stepan is worth 6 mil plus. What's the consensus on Stepan's value for his next contract if he puts up an identical year this year? And who would you guys rather keep: Brass or Step?

that opens up two forward spots to improve scoring and checking. Neither player has a physical presence on the boards or in front of the net. Marty is in a steep decline and Hags has hands of stone around the net.

Losing Hags would hurt team speed, puck possession and overall defense. The question is how much is a non physical, non scoring 3rd liner worth?

In comment 12312567 JonC said:

Quote:

.

He's apparently a bit of a disappointment. Not god awful, but not what was expected. But everyone in Edmonton is disappointing.

But when he came out, he was highly regarded.

Oh Wait......... bahahahahahahahahahahaa

In comment 12312589 Fish said:

Quote:

Oh Wait......... bahahahahahahahahahahaa

Com'on Fishstick, the Islanders bat below the Jets line of respect in this town.

We did our part Fish...where were your boys? Oh yeah golfing...

we are better than the putrid Jets.

So no.

recently they've been to two AFC Conference Championships...but basically you both suck.

of the Islanders is a better fan than Jets. hows that dbags?

.

In comment 12312595 Fish said:

Quote:

we are better than the putrid Jets.

Com'on Fishstick. The Jets are low class citizens yet at least they share the building with the classy Giants. Meanwhile, the low class Fishsticks are selling melted Zamboni water and morons are buying it like it's Holy Water.

It will be interesting to see how the Long Island fanbase travels to the new digs in Brooklyn. /crickets

In comment 12312602 Fish said:

Quote:

of the Islanders is a better fan than Jets. hows that dbags?

Most of them are the same people

but its better than Kansas City. Hope it works out for them. I think Islanders / Rangers NYC vs BKLYN is bigger than Nets / Knicks

In comment 12312618 Fish said:

Quote:

I think Islanders / Rangers NYC vs BKLYN is bigger than Nets / Knicks

Wow, that's almost as exciting as Connecticut being bigger than Rhode Island.

Com'on Fishstick, we're the Rangers and you're in Brooklyn competing with the Cyclones for marketshare.

In comment 12312636 Giants2012 said:

Quote:

In comment 12312618 Fish said: Quote: I think Islanders / Rangers NYC vs BKLYN is bigger than Nets / Knicks Wow, that's almost as exciting as Connecticut being bigger than Rhode Island. Com'on Fishstick, we're the Rangers and you're in Brooklyn competing with the Cyclones for marketshare.

I don't know if that's necessarily anything to be boasting about, chief.

the lamest hockey thread of all time...

dear fans.. it was great posting at you all year.. I love you, man!!! I will miss you!! xoxoxoxoxoxo

In comment 12312649 pganut said:

Quote:

In comment 12312636 Giants2012 said: Quote: In comment 12312618 Fish said: Quote: I think Islanders / Rangers NYC vs BKLYN is bigger than Nets / Knicks Wow, that's almost as exciting as Connecticut being bigger than Rhode Island. Com'on Fishstick, we're the Rangers and you're in Brooklyn competing with the Cyclones for marketshare. I don't know if that's necessarily anything to be boasting about, chief.

I'm sure those who bought a shot glass of melted ice for $20 would agree but who cares what they're thinking anyway.

At least I agree with you on that. They probably bought vials of a random maintenance worker's splooge...not NVMC ice. Idiots.

is frantically trying to buy dozens upon dozens of the NVMC "ice" after finding out it was maintenance workers splooge.

In comment 12312665 pganut said:

Quote:

At least I agree with you on that. They probably bought vials of a random maintenance worker's splooge...not NVMC ice. Idiots.

Just having fun. We're all living in hockey hell right now :)

In comment 12312671 Giants2012 said:

Quote:

In comment 12312665 pganut said: Quote: At least I agree with you on that. They probably bought vials of a random maintenance worker's splooge...not NVMC ice. Idiots. Just having fun. We're all living in hockey hell right now :)

Amen, brother.

Nashville needs a #1 C for James Neal. Rangers need a first-pair RD.

Though Forsberg looks fantastic

In comment 12312650 feelflows said:

Quote:

the lamest hockey thread of all time... dear fans.. it was great posting at you all year.. I love you, man!!! I will miss you!! xoxoxoxoxoxo

This. Rangers fans in every facet of my life are such sissies. What an unbelievable sense of entitlement for a team that has 1 Cup in 75 years and the same amount as the lowly Islanders.

Don't take this as me bragging about my team. I'm certainly not... but man you guys are lame.

In comment 12313243 Anakim said:

Quote:

Though Forsberg looks fantastic

*Well, maybe not better, but he hasn't played C in Nashville...at least I don't think he has?

You should probably figure out what entitlement means before the next time you try to use it.

You fucking idiot.

In comment 12312547 Sonic Youth said:

Quote:

I've come to a point where I think I may be a bigger Rangers fan than Giants fan. This has only happened once before (2006) and was promptly flipped by the 07 Superbowl run. But in my eyes, the two runs the Giants gave us were magic. I can't ever complain about the Giants on a large scale, because they gave me the best it can get football wise. Watching the Rangers come this close 3 out of 4 years and not hoist the cup has made me desire a Rangers Stanley Cup far more than another Lombardi for the Giants. I might be more knowledgable about the Giants and the NFL as a whole, but I feel like I root harder for the Rangers. has anyone else developed this sentiment?

Absolutely. I said nothing in sports matters until next May...if we're fortunate to get there again.
All other sports are gravy, I could give a shit about baseball or the Giants...they just don't really matter.

Hockey is the best sport, with the most realistic modest athletes. Nothing beats a Stanley Cup run, nothing.
The run lasts two months and is great friend in spring to summer.
The fans are much more loyal, hard core, yet it feels cool to see the casuals catch the bandwagon and get awed.
All I want is a cup, I've got enough WS, 2 Super Bowls, I'm emotional enough now I'd trade any future and maybe some past ones to make the Rangers with Lundqvist Kings on New York.

In comment 12313247 bigbluehoya said:

Quote:

You should probably figure out what entitlement means before the next time you try to use it. You fucking idiot.

That's the spirit! Seriously come after me. Anything to end this five-day circle jerk. Good lord.

how do you talk about loyal and bandwagon when you root for 2 fucking teams in the same division?

You've seen a cup 6 years ago, now get fucking lost.

All of the entitlement is hard to put up with

In comment 12313254 MookGiants said:

Quote:

how do you talk about loyal and bandwagon when you root for 2 fucking teams in the same division? You've seen a cup 6 years ago, now get fucking lost.

Good point. Hudson, if you're loyal to two teams, you're loyal to no teams.

Shot by Seabrook there

In comment 12313254 MookGiants said:

Quote:

how do you talk about loyal and bandwagon when you root for 2 fucking teams in the same division? You've seen a cup 6 years ago, now get fucking lost.

youre pathetic....you just got to be a douchebaggery prick....you can't help yourself.

I don't care about the Pens right now....I care about the Rangers...and I don't expect u to understand nor won't go over this again...why don't you drop it...you've been going off on this for four years....get a fucking life.

P.S. Douchebag from metro ny likes UNC and Notre Dame and calls me a Bandwagoner...oh the irony

you really have no leg to stand on..

In comment 12313262 Anakim said:

Quote:

In comment 12313254 MookGiants said: Quote: how do you talk about loyal and bandwagon when you root for 2 fucking teams in the same division? You've seen a cup 6 years ago, now get fucking lost. Good point. Hudson, if you're loyal to two teams, you're loyal to no teams.

Isn't it time for you to spaze out again? It's been a few days without one your idiotic analysis or diatribe Anax the Zanax.

In comment 12313295 hudson said:

Quote:

In comment 12313254 MookGiants said: Quote: how do you talk about loyal and bandwagon when you root for 2 fucking teams in the same division? You've seen a cup 6 years ago, now get fucking lost. youre pathetic....you just got to be a douchebaggery prick....you can't help yourself. I don't care about the Pens right now....I care about the Rangers...and I don't expect u to understand nor won't go over this again...why don't you drop it...you've been going off on this for four years....get a fucking life. P.S. Douchebag from metro ny likes UNC and Notre Dame and calls me a Bandwagoner...oh the irony

He likes UNC BASKETBALL and Notre Dame FOOTBALL. Two different sports. I would say that's a bit different than liking the Rangers and the Penguins.

This one team crap doesn't work

In comment 12313303 Giants2012 said:

Quote:

This one team crap doesn't work

it back fires because you get twice the pain when they lose. If I wNted it easy I'd just stuck to baseball.

I'm a bandwagon ND fan. I've never seen them win a damn thing in my entire life.

And I didn't call you a bandwagon fan, just thought it was funny to hear you talk about bandwagons when you root for 2 teams in the exact same division.

Stop the "I don't care about the penguins now" bullshit. If they were in the cup finals you'd have your Crosby jersey on cheering them like they were your #1 team.

You fucking suck.

at the game tonight?

In comment 12313298 hudson said:

Quote:

In comment 12313262 Anakim said: Quote: In comment 12313254 MookGiants said: Quote: how do you talk about loyal and bandwagon when you root for 2 fucking teams in the same division? You've seen a cup 6 years ago, now get fucking lost. Good point. Hudson, if you're loyal to two teams, you're loyal to no teams. Isn't it time for you to spaze out again? It's been a few days without one your idiotic analysis or diatribe Anax the Zanax.

Oh it's going to come. It's the offseason. This is where I rant against Sather. Stay tuned...

In comment 12313304 hudson said:

Quote:

In comment 12313303 Giants2012 said: Quote: This one team crap doesn't work it back fires because you get twice the pain when they lose. If I wNted it easy I'd just stuck to baseball.

That is without a doubt one of, if not the very dumbest single post I have ever read on this board.

Holy shit.

but the most popular college football team in the NY metro area is Notre Dame.

In comment 12313306 Mad Mike said:

Quote:

at the game tonight?

what do you thin I did during the game?

In comment 12313310 MookGiants said:

Quote:

but the most popular college football team in the NY metro area is Notre Dame.

especialy in NEPA, right?

hudson really just call Anak Anax the Zanax? This can't be real life. Take a look in the fucking mirror, Hudson.

And it's Xanax, you fucking moron. Someone with the issues you have shouldn't ever be taking shots at anyone else about stuff like that. And regardless you shouldn't ever stoop to levels like that no matter if you were completely normal.

In comment 12313312 hudson said:

Quote:

In comment 12313310 MookGiants said: Quote: but the most popular college football team in the NY metro area is Notre Dame. especialy in NEPA, right?

As a matter of fact, at worst ND is tied with PSU for most popular team in our area.

How popular are the Pittsburgh Penguins up there in Connecticut?

In comment 12313315 MookGiants said:

Quote:

hudson really just call Anak Anax the Zanax? This can't be real life. Take a look in the fucking mirror, Hudson. And it's Xanax, you fucking moron. Someone with the issues you have shouldn't ever be taking shots at anyone else about stuff like that. And regardless you shouldn't ever stoop to levels like that no matter if you were completely normal.

and somebody like you isnt in any position to advise me or anybody on mature appropriate behavior.
That's like Sandusky writing a kids book.

In comment 12313317 MookGiants said:

Quote:

In comment 12313312 hudson said: Quote: In comment 12313310 MookGiants said: Quote: but the most popular college football team in the NY metro area is Notre Dame. especialy in NEPA, right? As a matter of fact, at worst ND is tied with PSU for most popular team in our area. How popular are the Pittsburgh Penguins up there in Connecticut?

BTW Mook, thanks for hijacking this thread about me, for a change. You're such an insecure loser, you just never will drop your hard on for me. Get a life man and move on.

when I see it. You talk about how fucking loyal you are when you root for two fucking teams in the same division. You suck. You bring this shit on yourself when you say ridiculously dumb shit like that. It's you, not me. Schmuck

In comment 12313320 hudson said:

Quote:

In comment 12313315 MookGiants said: Quote: hudson really just call Anak Anax the Zanax? This can't be real life. Take a look in the fucking mirror, Hudson. And it's Xanax, you fucking moron. Someone with the issues you have shouldn't ever be taking shots at anyone else about stuff like that. And regardless you shouldn't ever stoop to levels like that no matter if you were completely normal. and somebody like you isnt in any position to advise me or anybody on mature appropriate behavior. That's like Sandusky writing a kids book.

Let's bring up your past just from BBI, trent, shall we?

you were brought back to BBI because Eric felt bad because you're a fucking loon.

Bold Ruler explicitly told me in an email posters are not allowed to call hudson by that name.

They're literally protecting a dupe at this point.

he will send messages to BBI'ers asking them to "gang up on me" and "have his back" again. That was fun.

.

Everyone who posted in this thread is a Ranger fan, even though some deny it.

Fuck Mook.

but FEKker you're not paying attention if you think its been "5 days of entitlement"

As is not uncommon after a season that falls short, a lot of in-house bickering the past few days. Some trades are going to have to be made to restore the chemistry.

Except Hudson - his season ended on Hagelin's OT goal and the dupe was never allowed access to this locker room.

PS. Brett is scrawny and needs to put on weight

p.s. fuck notre dame

- bitter rutgers alumni =( =( =(

:(

Would you do Stepan for Seth Jones and some throw-ins to make the salaries match?

.

Trade him to Montreal for PK Subban.

gets moved.

I'll duck from Flying pucks now but after the Zucs correct call I'm not too worried :)

I'd be pretty surprised if Nash gets moved.

In comment 12313614 MetsAreBack said:

Quote:

but FEKker you're not paying attention if you think its been "5 days of entitlement" As is not uncommon after a season that falls short, a lot of in-house bickering the past few days. Some trades are going to have to be made to restore the chemistry. Except Hudson - his season ended on Hagelin's OT goal and the dupe was never allowed access to this locker room. PS. Brett is scrawny and needs to put on weight

Ha I was just joining in on the feelflows and fish fray. I'd be devastated, too. But after 5 days, I can feel guilt-free trolling you fuckers :)

MSL's almost certainly a goner. That's 21 goals. If you deal Nash as well, that's 63 goals you need to replace. Where are they coming from?

In comment 12313914 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

MSL's almost certainly a goner. That's 21 goals. If you deal Nash as well, that's 63 goals you need to replace. Where are they coming from?

NAIL!!! Nah

thought the Rangers would move Nash last year.

There are very few deals, if any, out there that would be worth trading Nash for. I'd be shocked if it happens.

In comment 12313914 Greg from LI said:

Quote:

MSL's almost certainly a goner. That's 21 goals. If you deal Nash as well, that's 63 goals you need to replace. Where are they coming from?

In comment 12313924 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

In comment 12313914 Greg from LI said: Quote: MSL's almost certainly a goner. That's 21 goals. If you deal Nash as well, that's 63 goals you need to replace. Where are they coming from?

He should also be gone. 1.5 Million for a 4th liner is ridiculous, let alone for Tanner Glass.

Seriously, Miller and Kreider will probably net a few more. I expect Hayes to take another step forward. Say Lindberg replaces MSL and gets 10-15. Whoever Nash is theoretically traded for probably adds a large portion.

I'm with Mook, though. I don't think he'll net a suitable return. If Toronto wants to talk about JVR (and pieces), I'd do it. His cap hit's half of Nash's, and he's a really good player - one that I think would be successful in the playoffs as well. But I doubt the return will be good enough to warrant trading him. It strikes me as change for the sake of change.

I didn't think Nash was all that bad this post-season. I certainly wouldn't look to move him. The roster is good and deep enough that you don't need to look to add depth by trading Nash.

In comment 12313898 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

I'd be pretty surprised if Nash gets moved.

I broke down AV's last press conference and posted it somewhere (can't find it) as the team broke and he did speak about Nash.

To paraphrase, he mentioned how they had a sit down, talked about it and "he's getting better". I sense AV and Nash have had these talks many times and AV kept saying "he's getting better" yet did mention "at the end of the day" alluding to cash and production, etc.

I think AV said all the right things b/c is here but we're going on three years now. That could interpreted as three strikes and to think a 30 year old is "still learning" and the coach still has to sit him down to have these talks raises a red flag to me. As always, the coach mentioned changes and "getting the right players", etc too.

I didn't get the sense this was a "we had a talk and it's going to be ok . . . we'll get them next year, as much as "we had the talk again and at the end of the day it's still not enough"

I think it's better than 50/50 he's gone.

We'll see.

In comment 12313927 Anakim said:

Quote:

In comment 12313924 BrettNYG10 said: Quote: In comment 12313914 Greg from LI said: Quote: MSL's almost certainly a goner. That's 21 goals. If you deal Nash as well, that's 63 goals you need to replace. Where are they coming from? He should also be gone. 1.5 Million for a 4th liner is ridiculous, let alone for Tanner Glass.

I agree... I just doubt it'll happen.

I'd also be a bit cautious on some of the guys having career years - namely, Brassard and Nash. I wouldn't be surprised if their numbers take a step-back this year.

in addition to letting MSL go, and making a decision on Hags. Perhaps Hags ends up the trade, but it's probably one of the vet D-men. Ultimately, they need to create cap space while also improving the roster.

It should be time for prospects such as Lindberg and McIlrath to make the big squad. Keep a spot ready for Skjei as well some point next season.

but he wasn't $7.8 million dollars good.

That's a problem if dollars aren't shed somewhere and cost the Rangers player or the flexibility to add a needed part this offseason or next trade line and beyond.

I was glad Skjei was able to get an extra 23 games down in Hartford. He only plays 33 games with Minnesota, so getting him accumulated to the longer schedule should be helpful.

He's probably best suited for a Hossa-like role where he isn't 'the guy'. Or maybe a non-playoff team like Toronto would want him just to get in. And the cap really inhibits the team's ability to get fair value.

I think the fair begins and ends with the cap savings and being able to allocate those funds towards multiple assets which supersede Nash's productivity.

This is one of the weakest free agent markets in a long time.

If you were telling me you were trading Nash+Girardi for picks and prospects to make a run at Stamkos, I'd understand. But there's nothing out there and the bottom six guys (Williams/Ward) will likely get too much.

The team doesn't have that many holes. They need one or two bottom six guys IMV.

The Rangers may not have even made the playoffs if they didn't have Nash. There's no reason to trade him, especially when the roster is so strong. There's no one out there that would bring back an equivalent value. The bottom six needs an upgrade, but the top six is fine as is.

assets would not equal Nash's productivity, especially in this free agent class.

You still need to get through a regular season, and he's still a positive player for the Rangers in the playoffs. He's not Marian Gaborik when he's not scoring. He still does plenty of things to help win games.

We don't need the depth, which is what you would get from a Nash trade. You aren't getting a top line player.

Trading him would make us worse, not better. No one in this free agent class is worth dumping him for.

In comment 12314012 MookGiants said:

Quote:

assets would not equal Nash's productivity, especially in this free agent class. You still need to get through a regular season, and he's still a positive player for the Rangers in the playoffs. He's not Marian Gaborik when he's not scoring. He still does plenty of things to help win games. We don't need the depth, which is what you would get from a Nash trade. You aren't getting a top line player. Trading him would make us worse, not better. No one in this free agent class is worth dumping him for.

Or what I said.

Fucking idiot.

they're seriously considering moving Nash. AV sounded encouraged by how he played in the playoffs. Mentioned how his play has improved in each playoff with the Rangers. Which, I guess is true.

no one is out there dumping Tyler Seguin type player for pennies on the dollar

In comment 12314012 MookGiants said:

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assets would not equal Nash's productivity, especially in this free agent class.

Why are you stuck on the free agent class for 2015? You don't build the franchise's future around the goalie's age b/c the window is going to slam shut and doesn't guarantee you winning anything. Talbot isn't Lundy, but the team did win with him and the goalies in the Final Four aren't Lundy either.

Let's not forget that this Rangers team was wining with Nash not putting up great numbers the final 1/3 of the season

Nash will get you a player in return. There will be a need come the trade deadline and when you're up against the cap there really isn't anyplace to move. This team has Hayes/Kreider coming up in 2016 and bunch this year.


Again, I said I felt it was better than 50/50 he's gone and can make a case for it either way yet I'm not keeping Nash b/c I feel the surrounding talent is so inferior the team can't make the playoffs b/c it's that surrounding talent that allowed the Rangers to advance in the playoffs.

In comment 12314040 MookGiants said:

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no one is out there dumping Tyler Seguin type player for pennies on the dollar

Some think Edmonton are essentially doing that by shopping their younger guys.

2012: I think the UFA class matters because there needs to be a clear path to improving the team immediately by trading Nash. Maybe leave a buffer to make a trade for a guy at the deadline, but they aren't going to go into the season with $4-5M of cap space.

I don't think this can be a Gaborik-like deal where they get three youngish pieces with potential (even though that worked out extremely well for the team).

I'm banking on the return being more than some kids with potential.

I'm basing my position more on AV's comments and the way he delivered the message. Having another sit down and claiming "he's getting better" isn't exactly "he get its and we're happy".

I expect they talk to teams about him to gauge interest. But it would be the type of deal where they have a specific player in mind rather than a 'sell to the highest bidder' deal like Gaborik.

yeah, I wouldn't expect an auction.

but it terrifies me what we might actually bring back.

Looking back at the playoffs, MSL killed the top two lines for a while there... and not having a productive third line like we had in 2014 really hurt too. And a big reason those 3 lines werent as productive is because we massively downgraded the 4th line from Boyle to Glass. As Brettsky pointed out, the 4th line minutes and high stress minutes were way down from prior year -- as a result, our guys were gassed (and injured) by game 7 ECF.

I'd make a tweak or two (Klein and Talbot for 3rd line wing and a draft pick) and give this unit, the one that won the Presidents Trophy, one more year to prove itself.

Rangers have been involved in 3 of those trades in recent memory and I think they all worked out very well for the "got pieces" side. Nash, Gaborik, and Gomez.

The Gomez trade was particularly noteworthy in that it was for Higgins, McDonagh, VTank, and Janik, it was also impliedly for Gaborik. That is to say, without the Gomez trade we could not have afforded Gaborik, so he needs to be considered as part of the "get". Similarly, trading Nash's $7.8 million could return a player, a pick/prospect, and cash space that could be used to resign our own or gets someone off the market.

arent there very, very few teams we are allowed to trade him too though? That was the case when we acquired him.

If we trade him, unless its to Toronto looking to get rid of Kessel (and I'm not advocating that... but their annual salaries kind of line up on each other so its what Toronto would lead with)... not sure what else makes sense.

Yes, Edmonton would make sense as a destination for him - but my guess is EDM is not on the permissable list.

Nash strikes me as someone absurdly sensitive to public criticism. I don't think he'd want to stay if people really started getting on him and/or he got the sense he is no longer wanted.

In comment 12314164 Deej said:

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Rangers have been involved in 3 of those trades in recent memory and I think they all worked out very well for the "got pieces" side. Nash, Gaborik, and Gomez. The Gomez trade was particularly noteworthy in that it was for Higgins, McDonagh, VTank, and Janik, it was also impliedly for Gaborik. That is to say, without the Gomez trade we could not have afforded Gaborik, so he needs to be considered as part of the "get". Similarly, trading Nash's $7.8 million could return a player, a pick/prospect, and cash space that could be used to resign our own or gets someone off the market.

Deej, would you do Stepan for Seth Jones?

I think our d corps needs a restucturing. But Im very high on Stepan, and I do not believe we have the organizational depth at center to trade him. If there was another center we could sign I'd think about it.

I wish they would find a way to package Girardi with him.

In comment 12314229 Greg from LI said:

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I wish they would find a way to package Girardi with him.

Nash+Girardi for JVR, Morgan Rielly, and three first round picks.

Get it done, Slats.

Deej, what kind of restructuring would you like to see?

I think Greg and I are pretty clear we'd trade Girardi...

but getting out from either of those albatross contracts would be great.

He works his ass off and no one plays through pain like him. But he's not going to age well, he's already 31, and he makes a metric assload of money. That deal would be great, and I'm not even a big fan of Van Riemsdyk.

In comment 12314270 NYerInMA said:

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but getting out from either of those albatross contracts would be great.

I think Staal will age far better than Girardi a) because he's younger right now and blocks fewer shots and had less tread and b) he's long, and his game has always been using his length and stick work to bother forwards.

I don't know if Brett's serious but I'd do that trade even if two first rounders were offered.

and simply the better player, but yeah, if they couldn't find a way to deal Girardi I'd trade Staal, too.

I know everyone's sick of Stralman lamentations, but....my god....the answer was staring them right in the face. Re-sign one of Staal or Girardi long term, deal the other one, and lock Stralman up. How on earth did Slats blow it so badly? I'm not a huge fan of his, but I don't think he's an idiot.

Laugh their asses off at us. Rielly has a shitload of potential and is already pretty fucking good. I'd do that deal in a heartbeat.

Greg, I agree on Girardi. I hate ragging on him, but I think he's overmatched as a top-pairing defenseman.

How do you not fight hard for a guy like Stralman? Especially over a guy like Girardi.

In comment 12313990 BrettNYG10 said:

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This is one of the weakest free agent markets in a long time. If you were telling me you were trading Nash+Girardi for picks and prospects to make a run at Stamkos, I'd understand. But there's nothing out there and the bottom six guys (Williams/Ward) will likely get too much. The team doesn't have that many holes. They need one or two bottom six guys IMV.

I'd love to get Ward on a reasonable deal.

it'd be cool for JVR to be on the Rangers. I met him our freshman year of college (he grew up in sayerville and was childhood friends with a kid down the hall in my dorm, so when he came to visit I met him).

nicest fucking dude ever, so grounded and humble, but best of all - he grew up a MASSIVE rangers fan. probably would be a dream come true for him to get to NYR (though I'm sure he doesn't give as much of a shit now after being on 2 other NHL teams).

In a weak FA class.

A guy like him who wins the boards and plays in front of the net would be excellent though

To me the three building blocks are McDonagh, Skjei, and Yandle (assuming he'll resign). Importantly, all three are lefties, so one will have to switch sides. And it's entirely plausible to me that by the end of next season our 4 best dmen will be LH (Staal too).

I think this offseason we need to clear out 2 guys. One of the offensive dmen (Yandle or Boyle) and one of DG, Staal, and Klein. I want to be out of DG's contract, but really the case could be made that any of them is the right guy to go. Go into next season with McIlrath, maybe Allen, a veteran #6/7 guy, with Skjei ready by midseason if need be. You dont need 6 dmen making $3 million each, especially to start the season.

The problem with the current defensive group is that there is no grit and other than McD no great skaters. Also, we still lack a hard shooter from the PP point. Yandle is a great PP QB -- he needs a one-timer partner.

They need another defenseman who can really skate.

Whether we recover picks or not, we're probably looking at a wholesale rebuild in a 3 years unless a surprise superstar or two develop (Buch, Skjei, goalies). But we have very, very little to trade right now. No #1 in 2015, 2016. Skjei, Lindberg, Buch. Good drafting has bailed us out of late, but the cupboard is getting bare.

Trading a Talbot and 1-2 dmen will help to trickle in some assets. Especially if we continue the good drafting.

This team has Kreider (23), Hayes (23), Miller (22), Stepan (24), McDonagh (25) and will likely add Buchnevich (20) and Skjei (21) over the next year or so. Yes, they will have to fill some holes down the line but it's not like the future cupboard is bare. It's not 1997 with a roster loaded with graybeards.

Those guys aren't likely to be top 6 material but they could be outstanding third liners.

yup, they're young while Brassard is still mid 20's and, if they keep him, Hagelin is mid 20's.

Those who think the team is old aren't paying attention.

Before they get thrown into the middle of the pack. Hitting on Buchnevich and Skjei could extend it. But there are so few quality prospects in the system that you really need to hit on all of them. Guys like Grachev and Sanguinetti failing don't matter so much because the depth in the system was there.

And this is why the MSL/Yandle trades suck. Seemingly marginally increased the probabilities of winning short-term, but strongly impaired their ability to win in the out years. There was no need to 'go for it', and now they're out significant assets because of it.

Of course, the window could slam shut quicker than we anticipate, like it did for Vancouver and San Jose (and maybe Boston).

all true, but those guys are going to start getting paid, and it doesnt look like we have the next generation of cheap young guys coming in behind them. Notably, of the first 7 guys you mentioned, 5 we 1st rounders. Kreider, Miller and Skjei were ours. McDonagh and Hayes were real gets, but you cant count on freebie #1s like them (especially if you arent trading off talent as in McD's case). Lindberg was a #2 as was Stepan. Only Buch (3) and Fast (later) were non-premium picks.

We're going to go from 2012 (Skjei) until 2018 without our #1 pick. And re recent #2s and #3s, I dont have huge hopes for Iverson, Nieves, and Fogarty. All three are looking like not even 50-50 to be bottom 6 guys.

the Duclair trade still ticks me off.

is more than enough time to replenish talent. A superstar, maybe not, but they've been pretty good at finding later round picks to develop.

Hope that FA college market continues and Bettman doesn't change the rules.

Bettman isn't touching it. The league got the best of this deal by far over then players. The 'early termination' of the CBA is 2020 if either party intends to bail out.

His contract is very reasonable for a legit top 4 Dman. He was arguably our 2nd best player on the blueline all season before the injury. This club needs more good contracts like his. They will try to get Yandle re-signed and move Boyle as they fill the same role.

that pointed out that when Boyle went down and at another time... when Klein was asked to step up and be a RD2... he was exposed a bit. He's a solid 3rd line D-man, but I'm not sure you win a Cup with him on your 2nd pair. Also, his offense was "career outlier" type stuff this year... would not count on a repeat.

unfortunately as we saw with Stralman, Sather apparently does not put much stock into possession numbers or advanced stats so we'll see what happens. Personally i'd deal him for a pick.

Tallon got demoted by Chicago for his fuck up in 2009. Stralman was just as bad, if not worse.

Goes to Deej - I was a bandwagoner there.

He's had some nice wins too, including the Hayes signing, and in signing guys like Stralman and Zuccs in the first place. You take the good with the bad i guess.

But reality is if Hank wasn't so good in Game 7s, Sather would have been ushered out of here years ago. His goalie has masked a lot of mediocrity, fair or unfair. Guys have been fired for less (see Boston GM who recently built a 2 time Finalist, one time SC Champ)

but since he works for Jim Dolan, he's general manager for life. I can't see him ever getting fired.

With another team. I don't hate him. His reign is just filled with some glaringly obvious errors.

If you saw Klein being 'exposed'. He makes half what Girardi and Staal bank and he was as good or better than them consistently all year. He's the last guy I'd want to move when comparing his performance to contract value. Again we need more contracts like his to gain some cap maneuverability.

without a bona fide top 20 skater, his team has gotten the the Cup Finals, 2 ECFs, and Round 2 in the last 4 seasons. That's 8 playoff series. Sather did it all without the crutch of sucking his way into top 3 picks.

Look at the other teams that have made it further -- ie the recent cup winners. Including this season (regardless of winner), 6 of 7 will have done it with their best or several best players being top 3 overall draft picks for that team:

LA: Doughty
CHI: Kane, Toews
Pens: Sid, Malkin
TB*: Stamkos, Hedman

Only the Bruins won a Cup without being led by a player or two they got by sucking (Seguin doesnt count since he didnt lead and it wasnt organically Boston's pick). I really dont have a ton of respect for how Chicago, Tampa, and Pittburgh have gotten ahead this decade, and Im really hopeful that Colorado and Edmonton never win shit. But that list right there include 4 of the top 10 forwards, my choice for a franchise starting dman above all others, and Hedman who has really become a superstar the last 2 years.

"The Sharks and Oilers are going to end up competing for some of the same names. For example, sources say both clubs have also shown interest in Cam Talbot of the New York Rangers. Talbot has another season at $1.45 million on his deal -- cheap, cheap, cheap for a guy who showed he could carry the load when Henrik Lundqvist was hurt this season. The Rangers may move Talbot to help alleviate some of their cap logjam. They would be seeking future assets for Talbot."


Talbot, Girardi and Hagelin for Yakupov?

Back

�And I just floated it out there (on Thursday�s Insider Trading, yet to air as of his radio hit) that I would not be surprised if they at least had to consider the notion of what would Rick Nash would fetch in a trade. He�s got a $7.9 million cap hit. He�s got three years left on his deal. Those are never easy trades to make. And for the same reason that the Rangers might want to get cap space, you�re also potentially giving up a 42-goal scorer. Not saying that it�ll happen. But saying that I�ll bet you dollars to donuts that it will get discussed."

�It�s interesting and a point of order on Nash himself is he has a full no-move clause right now. So he�s in the driver�s seat. Except the full no-move clause expires on June 30 this year. On July 1, he�s now subject to a modified no-trade where I believe there�s 10-12 teams that he has approved or will approve to go to.

�So it does give the Rangers a lot more flexibility after June 30, if they decide that that�s something they want to pursue.�

About what Cam will fetch.

But at a minimum, I'd like to see the Rangers insist that the team acquiring Hank take Glass along with him.

Acquiring **Cam**

I was watching the Rangers:

Quote:

And as bad as Girardi was, Kevin Klein was probably worse. After Matt Hunwick had a perfectly solid series against the Penguins, Klein was inserted in and underwhelmed. A 46.5 percent Corsi in his 14 playoff games, Klein does not even own the excuse that Girardi does of having the oppositions' top players beating him. Klein played most of his minutes in the Conference Final against Alex Killorn, Valtteri Filppula, and Ryan Callahan; three solid players but hardly world beaters.

That was Blueshirt Banter re the playoffs. I can go back and dig up the post-mortems in November when Boyle was hurt, but KK was essentially a dumpster fire for a few weeks.
Link - ( New Window )

He didn't play like he did during the regular season. Cut him some slack

Like most of our defense he wasn't 100%. That doesn't change the season he had. He put the clamps on consistently in his own end while taking the body. His puck moving and offensive game went up a level.

We already have two high end contracts on the blueline and may be heading toward a third with Yandle . I don't think Sather traded maybe our most potent offensive prospect in years plus a first rounder to let KY walk. Having a cost controlled option like Klein is a major asset in the cap era.

In comment 12314922 Torrag said:

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I don't think Sather traded maybe our most potent offensive prospect in years plus a first rounder to let KY walk. Having a cost controlled option like Klein is a major asset in the cap era.

This is Klein's last year i believe, so won't be cost effective for much longer. And I dont think Sather had 2017 in mind when he traded for Yandle -- he's ready to retire. He just wants that one last cup. Both our HC and GM are in this for the short-term. It's an incredibly dangerous combination as no one in this organization right now cares even a little about 2019-2020.

If he cared so much for the future, he would not have given up two firsts and a healthy Ryan Callahan to a playoff team for a 38 year old (who he will dump after 1+ years).


deej: I dont think a GM (and owner) gets a pass for succeeding (I guess) the last 4 years without "a top 3 pick" As you just showed... paying the price is how you ultimately win in this league. And in 20 years here, Dolan and Sather were never really willing to pay the price. Yes, Jagr and some of these other high priced FAs were awesome here and brought us some fun nights - but we were better off losing and stockpiling picks than leaning on Jagr for a few years post lockout... we were the Flyers... just good enough to sell tickets and get people to watch

And by 'success' i guess you are referring to the 39-36 playoff record over the past 4 years with a fuckload of game 7 magic mixed in there. This team has not differentiated itself other than to show its a really easy team to fall in love with given how hard it works and pulls for each other. "Blue collar" and all that. We all want them to win but is there enough high end talent in this lockerroom to ever get over the top?

I dont know. As you say... we could really use that Stamkos type player. He was head and shoulders the best player on the ice throughout the ECF and it wasn't remotely close (Tyler Johnson was probably second best). We couldnt overcome it.

I see nice young players in our system and as 2012 says, the (secondary) players are still young. But the 'high end' stars on this team--if there are any-- are aging. If you think Kreider/Miller/Hayes/Fast/Lindberg are sniffing you a cup... get real.

The window is the next 2-3 years tops, and trading Nash for future picks... I dont know. Makes me nervous. I'd rather go for it 2 maybe 3 more years and then wholesale rebuild than toil in mediocrity like the Capitals are doing right now personally (in my view they should trade Ovechkin)

So basically you are talking out your ass. Frankly your post loss depression leaves you in need of someone to talk you off the ledge MAB.

so three more years at a very reasonable cost for his production. UFA in 2018.

MAB, I disagree that the team was never willing to pay the price - they were going to do a real rebuild post-lockout, but Jagr and Lundqvist's success ruined that.

I think Klein is best on the bottom pair, but he can be fine as a #4 if Staal plays well (who I think is underrated by Rangers fans).

And Klein broke his arm in March - that's no reason for shitty play in late May. Further, his biggest issue was being out of position, not his puck handling abilities.

for some reason i only thought we had him one more year.

In comment 12315030 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

MAB, I disagree that the team was never willing to pay the price - they were going to do a real rebuild post-lockout, but Jagr and Lundqvist's success ruined that.

To a certain extent, but he also got virtually nothing for the 2003 fire sale - Josef Balej, Jarko Immonen, a bunch of draft picks that never amounted to anything.

I'm calm. We are discussing our views for trying to bring a Cup to town. If many of you want to believe this team can compete for another 10 years - have at it, I just completely disagree. Our window is Now.

I also dont think there's anything wrong with proactive rebuilding. There's nothing wrong with missing the playoffs for a few years to restock the shelf. Just dont be Detroit or Philly and waste 5 years to get around to it.


By the way, I guess McKenzie is reporting the Rangers are exploring a Nash trade after July 1. It may happen -- just hope we get a fair return and players that can help us win now.

And I forgot to add that Sather's 'rebuild' was more self-preservation than anything else. He probably would have been fired if he didn't change strategy.

Im not advocating to give Sather a "pass". I think he has been very successful the last 4 years. And not just on a on a curve for GMs who never bottomed out.

Look, we've been the best team in the East over the last 4 season. I dont think it is even debatable -- we've won 8 playoff series, gotten to the ECF 3/4 times and to the SCF once, #1 seed twice with a President's Trophy. Boston has won 4 series, gotten to one ECF and one SCF. Washington has won two series. Tampa, Montreal and Pittsburgh 3, and Tampa's 3 were all this year (missed playoffs twice).

You can say that we should have gotten over the hump, or that he should have been fired for the Drury/Redden/Gomez disaster. But I dont know how anyone can think his job would be in jeopardy anywhere as of 2015.

And has one appearance in the Cup final to show for it. Ultimately, his success has been mixed. Some brilliant moves, some horrid moves. He should be on thin ice at this point, and yet he isn't.

Making a Final is basically what would be expected if the NHL were a random distribution.

And let's not forget the main reason for the team's relative success this decade is because of a pick by a scout he didn't hire.

He isn't awful. But I have a hard time arguing he's done a great job here.

I wonder how Gorton will fare if he inherits the job. By all accounts he does the day-to-day running of the team and contract negotiations, so it makes me wonder how many of the moves in the past few years were his idea or if Sather overruled him on some of the key decisions (Stralman, Glass, etc.) I'd like to think that a Gorton administration would be more open to advanced stats than old-school Slats' has been.

There's no way to say this for certain, but I'll always feel like that screwup cost them a Cup this year.

Of teams Nash could be traded to after 7/1? Or does that not exist yet?

I'm just choosing to believe Stralman left because he decided to take TB's offer and move on and either didn't let us match or his wife wanted to leave NY.. whatever the stories are.

I just can't allow myself to believe that we willingly let him walk and didn't feel we needed him. It's possible this is the case but if I entertain the idea and believe it, it'll just fucking keep annoying me.

The Rangers actually hired an analytics director last year. A guy in his early 30's who had a different role with the organization.

And agreed, Greg. I think it cost them this year.

Gorton apparently deserved a lot of credit for turning Boston around when he was with them.

Wouldn't be a FA period without an impactful (positive or negative) Sather signing?


I'm so bored at work. I can now empathize with you, guys. Someone make a fucking trade or something! Knicks or Rangers or Giants!


And make the basketball season in the summer!

The team couldn't score when needed. And then Hank lets in a 40-foot wrist shot to lose in OT.

Stralman vs Boyle doesn't seem like it'd fix any of that.

Keeping Stempniak and benching MSL would've made more of an impact. Or convincing Brian Boyle to stay vs Glass, give him an A and keep him on the fourth line.

Defensemen have to move the puck out quickly to get the rush moving, and Stralman did that better than any of their defensemen last year. MC79 Hockey is a dead site now, unfortunately, but it showed last year how, although Stralman's points were fairly low, the team scored more when he was on the ice than any other defenseman. So I think it's too facile to simply say "Hey, the problem was they didn't score enough, so it's not about Stralman."

Also, he'd looked pretty damned good running the point on Tampa's #1 PP unit, and I'd say the Rangers' PP certainly could have used the help.

Tampa probably isnt even in the conference finals without Stralman.

He was by far our best puck mover last year in the playoffs, and he was the year before until he got hurt, too. That was a real issue for us in these playoffs, particularly in games 5 and 7, our exits out of our own zone were terrible.

I'd disagree (and the move I wanted was Stralman over Girardi). But Stralman excelled at pushing the puck up the ice and maintaining puck possession. That absolutely has an impact on the offense. McDonagh is also quite good at this (even though he's struggled defensively this year), which is why his injury hurt us so much.

was a mistake too, although by all accounts he hasnt had the greatest year in Tampa anyway. So if you're assigning blame on the two guys that got away to Tampa - its like 90% Stralman, 10% Boyle

One thing i'm certain of though is the "he wanted more than a 4th line role" is bullshit spin. He never had any shot to be more than a 4th line center for Tampa - if he'd gone somewhere that actually, you know, needed Center depth... fine ... but Tampa's got like 6 of them. And sure enough they announced... in September... that Boyle would be the 4th line C / PK specialist.


And completely agreed on missing Stempniak in the playoffs. Our 4th line was not good this postseason. It's like Sather & AV forgot what got us to the finals last year - 4 lines capable of scoring and playing high stress minutes.

.

also doesnt cure the injuries suffered by Zucc, Staal, and McDonagh. And we still dont know which guys were really hurt (as opposed to injured). That's our two best Dmen plus our slump buster. MSL never got over the knee injury. I want to believe there was something wrong with Nash, since his open ice/speed game completely disappeared in the playoffs.

The real mistake was extending both Girardi and Staal rather than dealing one of them (preferably Girardi) and re-signing Stralman.

In comment 12315353 Deej said:

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MSL never got over the knee injury.

Let's not pretend that Marty was all that good before his knee injury. The guy is done. There hasnt been a fork this obvious since Drury.

I agree, Deej. Injuries hurt us - I don't believe any of the 'final four' teams lost a top six winger or top four dman. It's way down the list, but something to keep in mind when analyzing the team and what it needs to do going forward.

He would have simply played in the spot Sheppard filled, and I don't think there's a huge gap between those two. Glass would have been in the lineup either way.

And, of course, AV's loyalty to Marty sank us as well. Again, there's no way of knowing this for sure, but I don't see how replacing him with Lindberg would have hurt the team. If nothing else, Lindberg probably wouldn't have been an instant turnover almost every time he got the puck, and he would have backchecked and won battles along the boards. Every line Marty was shuffled to suffered for it.

In comment 12315355 Greg from LI said:

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The real mistake was extending both Girardi and Staal rather than dealing one of them (preferably Girardi) and re-signing Stralman.

Didnt Staal sign 6 months after Stralman got away? And we could have fit Stralman onto this team regardless of those other signings. Boyle makes the same amount of money and in 2 years, you move someone else to make the cap space for a guy like that.

Anyway, hopefully some of these youngsters are the real deal so this becomes less painful in time. I also dont think we'd miss much going from Boyle or Klein to Hunwick this year... hopefully Sather is able to move one of them.

and you guys do a great job following the Rangers. There's not much second guessing here. Everyone said Callahan wasn't worth the money and most knew the trade for MSL was a bad decision because of including the picks. Everyone here said not resigning Strallman was a mistake while it was happening. Sather started thinking short term and has made bad decisions "going for it before the Hank window closes" that are going to hurt going forward. But this was a great Ranger season. This has been the best Ranger run since the early 70's and unfortunately is being filled with similar heart break. Hopefully the decisions made over the summer don't make it worse and some of the younger guys take the next step to get them over the hump. Under a cap system the highest paid players have to play their best in the playoffs if they are going to win a Cup that hasn't been the case the last two years.

In comment 12315385 arniefez said:

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and you guys do a great job following the Rangers. There's not much second guessing here. Everyone said Callahan wasn't worth the money and most knew the trade for MSL was a bad decision because of including the picks. Everyone here said not resigning Strallman was a mistake while it was happening. Sather started thinking short term and has made bad decisions "going for it before the Hank window closes" that are going to hurt going forward. But this was a great Ranger season. This has been the best Ranger run since the early 70's and unfortunately is being filled with similar heart break. Hopefully the decisions made over the summer don't make it worse and some of the younger guys take the next step to get them over the hump. Under a cap system the highest paid players have to play their best in the playoffs if they are going to win a Cup that hasn't been the case the last two years.

We know better than Sather. It's a scientific fact

In comment 12315356 MetsAreBack said:

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In comment 12315353 Deej said: Quote: MSL never got over the knee injury. Let's not pretend that Marty was all that good before his knee injury. The guy is done. There hasnt been a fork this obvious since Drury.

Before the allstar break he was 14-22-36 in 44 games. That prorates over a 82 game season to 26 goals and 41 assists, for 67 points (and remember, that covers our shitty start). If he would have kept that up he would have been 2nd on the team in goals and points. So he wasnt donezo all year.

He looked dreadful in the playoffs. Maybe he's old and lost his legs all at once. Maybe his knee never healed. This doesnt strike me as an obvious Drury situation.

In comment 12315385 arniefez said:

Quote:

and you guys do a great job following the Rangers. There's not much second guessing here. Everyone said Callahan wasn't worth the money and most knew the trade for MSL was a bad decision because of including the picks. Everyone here said not resigning Strallman was a mistake while it was happening.

add in trading DuClair and a #1 for Yandle.

He was a big contributor in the Rangers' run last year. You had hoped he had 1 more good one in him this year and that wasn't the case, but it's still a trade I would've made.

The Yandall trade is a bigger head-scratcher to me. Your blue line really wasn't the issue. The only way it would've been justified is if he helped you win a Cup this year... which is obviously a big reach in justifying a deal.

The window is still very much open. Being disappointed we are all grinding away at every decision we've made to the point of obsession. The organization has done a whole lot more right in recent years than wrong.

We have 5.6 million in cap room from St. Louis. There are some intriguing young prospects in Lindberg and Skjei that will vie for roster spots. It appears there could be serious interest in Talbot as a trade chip. There are avenues to fortify and improve the roster.

I fully expect this core group of Rangers to hoist lord Stanley's Cup in the near future. Keep the faith.

Mike, I said at the time that I thought the acquisition of St. Louis raised the ceiling of the team - I don't believe the Rangers make the SCF last year without him, although we don't know for certain of course - my issue was that first-line talent becomes available more frequently than people think, and trading for an older one was enormously risky. Further, I did not think the Rangers were at the point in their window where they should go for it, which is exactly my criticism of the Yandle trade (whom I like quite a bit). It's unlikely any specific team wins a Cup which is why maximizing the value of your assets is so important. Marginally raising the probabilities in any given year is foolish when it so costly going forward.

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Girardi had his knee drained and Staal had a bone chip from his broken ankle removed. Both should be ready for camp in September.

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NY Post - ( New Window )

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The Post has learned Sather has denied the Maple Leafs� request to interview Gorton for their vacant GM�s job in the wake of the Rangers� Cup elimination, just as he refused to give the Bruins permission to speak to Gorton last month when they were searching for a successor for Peter Chiarelli.

They're worried about losing Jeff Gorton.

that Jim Dolan will offer Isiah Thomas the Rangers GM position if Sather steps down.

sounds like Slats is comtemplating at 71 years old of moving exclusively into the President role. I dont blame him - from what i can tell, Phil Jackson's got a pretty nice gig going right now.

I'd be excited to see what Gorton could do.

In comment 12315770 BrettNYG10 said:

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. NY Post - ( New Window )

Well....bye

In comment 12315805 MetsAreBack said:

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sounds like Slats is comtemplating at 71 years old of moving exclusively into the President role. I dont blame him - from what i can tell, Phil Jackson's got a pretty nice gig going right now. I'd be excited to see what Gorton could do.

Yeah, but Sather would essentially then still be at the helm. Gorton would be the GM in name only ala Steve Mills.

In comment 12315811 Anakim said:

Quote:

In comment 12315805 MetsAreBack said: Quote: sounds like Slats is comtemplating at 71 years old of moving exclusively into the President role. I dont blame him - from what i can tell, Phil Jackson's got a pretty nice gig going right now. I'd be excited to see what Gorton could do. Yeah, but Sather would essentially then still be at the helm. Gorton would be the GM in name only ala Steve Mills.

Yeah, if Sather stays as President, I think that means he can still overrule Gorton. Wouldn't change much. I'd like to see how Gorton does without Slats looking over his shoulder.

I imagine that, were Gorton to take the GM job, he'd get some kind of assurances of autonomy. Otherwise, why bother?

http://deadspin.com/there-are-rumblings-around-the-league-that-the-penguins-1709346408

What does it take to get the Malkman here?

In comment 12315846 Sonic Youth said:

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http://deadspin.com/there-are-rumblings-around-the-league-that-the-penguins-1709346408 What does it take to get the Malkman here?

Nash, Stepan and Skjei to start

They can have everyone but Dan Boyle for him.

is yet another elite player that disappears in the playoffs. ;)

Anak, I don't think you're getting even close with that.

NY: I know you're being sarcastic, but before this post-season Malkin's scored at least .8 PPG in the playoffs in every appearance with at least a PPG in 5 of his 8 appearances. He was definitely hurt against us.

for Malkin

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In comment 12315863 MetsAreBack said:

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for Malkin

I would too.

Nash, Skjei, Step, and 3 1st rounders. If we didn't give up 2 for MSL I'd be so fucking on board with that (although I doubt it's enough, and we'd probably have to give someone else up also).

The only people that would be off limits in that trade would be McDonagh, Hank, and IMO Kreider.

I also wouldn't include both Step and Brass. One or the other.

But I can't imagine the Rangers have what it would take to get him.

In comment 12315877 Greg from LI said:

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But I can't imagine the Rangers have what it would take to get him.

I hear you. I'm just trying to get an idea of what a realistic package would actually be.

Malkin IIRC has played more than 70 games just once since 2009. He makes $9.5 million per season and will for another 7 years until he's 35 years old.

Nash, while not Malkin, is a damn good hockey player at $1.5 million/year cheaper.

Stepan is 24 years old, very good two way center, and as someone pointed out earlier, though coming off a bit of a flatline/regression from 23 years old... still put up 50-something points in 68 games

I dont really see why we'd need to do more than a 42 goal scorer + Stepan + Skeij actually.... maybe a first rounder too, but anything more than that and its worse than the MSL trade.

hand over mine for Malkin

In comment 12315889 MookGiants said:

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hand over mine for Malkin

#teamplayers

In comment 12315862 BrettNYG10 said:

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Anak, I don't think you're getting even close with that. NY: I know you're being sarcastic, but before this post-season Malkin's scored at least .8 PPG in the playoffs in every appearance with at least a PPG in 5 of his 8 appearances. He was definitely hurt against us.

That's to start. That would be probably be the initial offer

..the Pens didn't pick up a younger, cheaper star for Malkin. Rick Nash ain't that guy.

with Cindy in his prime?

Agree its not realistic and anyway I'd rather trade Nash and others for prospects and picks, and then use the cap space to sign Voracek next offseason anyway.

I'm talking about good young players. Take Brett's joking Toronto offer of JVR and Rielly. I'm not saying those exact players, but that kind of deal, getting multiple very good younger players for one star.

but the Pens would absolutely want JT Miller. Local kid, 4-5 more cost controlled years, and as good right now as all the guys who became stars on Sid's wing. And they seem to really like bigger guys these days.

IMO Nash plus Stepan is an overpay.

Is that I'd be worried about Geno making it through a full season. He keeps getting dinged up. If I knew he was going to be 100%, I'd absolutely send Nash and Stepan out. There'd probably be a lesser player headed back with him, Steve Downie or someone like that.

In comment 12315921 Deej said:

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but the Pens would absolutely want JT Miller. Local kid, 4-5 more cost controlled years, and as good right now as all the guys who became stars on Sid's wing. And they seem to really like bigger guys these days. IMO Nash plus Stepan is an overpay.

Miller, Skjei, Buch, Nash, a 1st.

Would you do it?

what are everyones long term feelings regarding Step vs JT?

Anyone else think JT has the potential to be a better player than Stepan? I definitely could see it happening. JT is what, 22? I feel he's better at 22 than step was.

I say this all as someone who loves Step also. Step just seems like he does everything above average, but nothing great (well he's pretty great defensively actually).

But I don't think he ever has the potential to develop that scoring touch, he's not big enough or fast enough to present that "ice athleticism" mismatch... He's an awesome player, but I wouldn't be opposed to including him in a trade for a legitimate star.

I'm not trading Skjei unless they're getting a decent defenseman in return. They really, really need him.

I'd do Nash, Miller, Buchnevich for Malkin +, then you turn around and deal either Brassard or Stepan to ease the crowding at C, preferably for a good defenseman or a decent scoring winger.

When Stepan was 22 (which was only three years ago), he put up 44 points in 48 games and plays very good defense. Miller might get to that level, but he definitely isn't there yet. He's got more tools than Step but he doesn't have his hockey IQ, not by a longshot.

You can probably cook up a fair trade of Nash + Miller + prospects/picks, but at the end of the day the recent trades for Nash, MSL, and Yandle have really stripped the cupboards bare of futures to give.

In no world should a guy like Skjei or Buch be a "dealbreaker" in a trade for Malkin, except at some point you really have to ask yourself how you'll fill out rosters going forward. It's not like we're going into crash mode in 2 years anyway -- we have lots of guys who should keep us competitive in 3-4 years.

In comment 12315944 Greg from LI said:

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When Stepan was 22 (which was only three years ago), he put up 44 points in 48 games and plays very good defense. Miller might get to that level, but he definitely isn't there yet. He's got more tools than Step but he doesn't have his hockey IQ, not by a longshot.

True. I guess I've underrated Step a lot. Those first few years I thought he could flourish into a legit 1C, and while he's borderline now, maybe I underrate him due to how he didn't follow the (admittedly impressive) trajectory I anticipated, especially when I couple it with his physical attributes.

I didn't think about the hockey IQ aspect of it.

side note: I'm 26 and can barely ice skate, but holy fucking shit I want to learn how to place ice hockey so badly. Maybe I should just stick to roller hockey, but god damn I wish I played this sport growing up. I played a little football and baseball (which ironically is my least favorite sport), but since my HS never had an ice hockey team, I never got the chance to give it a shot.

My quarter-life crisis is giving me this urge to go buy gear, find 3 other friends that want to learn, and start playing 1v1 with a goalie on them.

A lot of people (Ranger fans and hockey fans in general) really underrate Stepan.

Stfu already arc

But I'd do everything possible to avoid trading Skjei. He seems like exactly what they need.

He's kind of skinny, he's an average skater, he's not a big hitter and he doesn't have an impressive shot. He succeeds because he's got top-notch hockey smarts and hustles his ass off. His positioning is usually excellent, he's very good with his stick defensively and he can make some nice passes.

But in this hypothetical trade for Malkin, losing Duclair really sucks. He'd be a great piece.

At a $71.5M cap, NYR has $12M in space ... a ballpark suggests Step (6) and Hags (3) figure to eat up most of it.

That would mean only 9 forwards, 6 D, and 2 G under contract with $3M leftover ... Miller could be looking at $2M alone.

They need to make room, probably easiest to move one of the D-men and go from there. Agree with Deej at considering moving two D's this Summer.

Quote:

If things in Pittsburgh were ever to go downhill and I would have to leave, I would pick the New York Rangers

Malkin demands trade to NYR - ( New Window )

In comment 12315992 BrettNYG10 said:

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Quote: If things in Pittsburgh were ever to go downhill and I would have to leave, I would pick the New York Rangers Malkin demands trade to NYR - ( New Window )

Or the Canadiens.

But ho ho ho, take that Brooklyn and Devils fans!

In comment 12315970 Sonic Youth said:

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But in this hypothetical trade for Malkin, losing Duclair really sucks. He'd be a great piece.

On the bright side, at least Duclair wouldn't be on Pittsburgh. I mean not that we're rivals with them or anything...

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In comment 12316004 Greg from LI said:

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.

I hope so. I've been on BBI for 6 hours straight. Work sucks!

In comment 12316008 Anakim said:

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In comment 12316004 Greg from LI said: Quote: . I hope so. I've been on BBI for 6 hours straight. Work sucks!

Try working?

In comment 12315960 Greg from LI said:

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He's kind of skinny, he's an average skater, he's not a big hitter and he doesn't have an impressive shot. He succeeds because he's got top-notch hockey smarts and hustles his ass off. His positioning is usually excellent, he's very good with his stick defensively and he can make some nice passes.

I think team dynamics and this locker room is pretty important. Stephan is still only 24 yrs old so he has a lot of hockey left in him.

On the flip side, I think you summed him up well. Is a raise in a salary cap era too much? If Stepan was a Devil when they were good, would the Devils part with ways with him? Should the Rangers?

Lot of decisions.

In comment 12316100 BrettNYG10 said:

Quote:

In comment 12316008 Anakim said: Quote: In comment 12316004 Greg from LI said: Quote: . I hope so. I've been on BBI for 6 hours straight. Work sucks! Try working?

No, that's just what they're expecting

The Rangers salary books.

It would be great if Slats hangs them up. I don't think he's done a bad job at all, but I am worried about sacrificing future for present any further than we have already.

As far as the offseason, I think it's really important not only to get one or two big contracts off of the books, but also to cash-in on one of the several players with good value who are due for new contracts in the next 2 offseasons, as we won't be able
to keep them all.

To be honest, I'm not a believe that the roster needs a "shake-up", but I think the organization should be willing to make some significant changes in the name of extending the runway for sustained success.

To boot, it would be insanely nice to have the flexibility to stick our toe in what is an extremely deep FA class for 2016. 2 or 3 of the big names could re-sign with their current teams and it would STILL be a really good class.

With all of that in mind, here are a couple of ideas I have had:

- trade Nash + Talbot to STL for Backes + Schwartz + 2nd rounder -- remember that Backes is a pending FA next season. If you think the rangers are giving up too much, make them take Glass. I like the flexibility this provides into next offseason. If Backes proves to be a beast, re-sign him. If not, let him walk and maybe you can participate on Voracek/Stamkos/Lucic/Kopitar/Staal/Kesler/Ladd.

- trade Stepan to a contender for prospects/picks. Count me in the camp that believes you can't pay Stepan 6+ per year. I need a more physically talented player for that kind of money, and I really hate having 2 centers who are both not physical (I'm not talking about fighting, I'm talking about playing in front of the next and charging a price along the offensive boards), cant win important faceoffs, and aren't particularly fast. (Another potential spot to make a trading partner take on Glass, and/or maybe you can add an Allen/McIlrath or a Klein to this deal if it brings back anything better)

- trade one of Girardi/Staal for whatever you can get. This one gets tossed around a lot. I'm not optimistic that it's doable given the NMCs.

-if enough room can be cleared, I wouldn't be opposed to giving Hagelin a significantly longer deal with the hope that you get a better price by doing it early. I like the player a lot at 3.5 per year. I don't like it at 4.5. If they decide to keep Stepan, trading Hagelin is a must, IMO. I don't want both at a price tag near or over 9m. For that kind of money I prefer a true star + a lesser piece.

Chicago on their heels so far but weathering the storm so far.

Really solid move by Paquette

1-0 bolts

Tie game. Andrej Sustr sucks balls

Who can play the greasy game in front of the net

Haha

Tie game

*

3-2

Hardly touched

You Theon-Greyjoy-looking motherfucker

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Can't say I agree. If there is a good return to be had, I'd listen, but 50 point production from a D with a 2.5m cap hit is exactly the kind of bang for the buck you need as a deep playoff contender with the kind of cap restraints the rangers are facing.

Both guys under $3M cap hit. The question with yandle is do you want to see him walk after surrendering significant assets to acquire him. Sather's admission that 'he'd been after him for years' leads me to believe they will try to get a deal done.

The contract to get out from under is Girardi's. His wheels are going at an alarming rate. We love him as a leader and a warrior but his game has limitations. they should have traded him on his contract year. Players of his sort aren't worth #33M at age 30 plus a NTC. The NTC is the big issue moving forward. I doubt he'd waive it. If you request it and he refuses you have an uncomfortable situation with one fo your core leaders.

Is more about creating room for one of the kids and keeping the assets moving through the pipeline.

Trading Girardi is a pipe dream. I doubt there are any takers and I doubt he'd waive the NTC.

Staal is the better bet (if it is, in fact, true that his NTC doesn't kick in before 7/1)

Skjei is a longshot to make this club out of camp. He could be a consideration for promotion in season if he continues to play well. McIlrath is a #7 Dman at best imo. Connor Allen is a bottom pair guy at best. That is the pipeline. The only one of the three that may be an upgrade to Klein is Skjei. Making room right now isn't an issue especially when Klein's contract is very team friendly for what he brings to the table.

Either make the team or become free agents. Them's the breaks.

IMO can't let them walk for free, and you're going to get hosed in a trade for them, with other teams knowing you're over a barrel.

I say use them as 6 and 7, let the best man win.

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That Staal's NTC doesn't kick in until 7/1?

I have heard some people say it but I can't find anything to confirm or deny it.