NFT: Rangers @ Blackhawks. 8:00

Two years ago he was on the verge of stardom, but he took a step back last season. I'm sure Seth thinks otherwise, but having to cover for a glacially slow partner didn't help. Doesn't explain all of his struggles, though. My hope is that he was never really healthy last year after the shoulder injury, and that healing up in the offseason gets him back to form.

No argument really from me, but if they decide the roster needs a change to put them over the top, Nash and his $7.8M cap hit figure to be on the shortlist. They've got some big extensions to decide on in Kreider, Yandle, Hayes (even though I would think he'd be a bridge deal).

he was third among 12 Rangers forwards in ice time at 17 minutes/game - as he should be as he is one of the better players. Want to give him one fewer shift per game? I suppose but it wont have much impact.

Plenty of big guys were in that top 100.

But i'm with you in that players like Rick Nash help you at least make the playoffs. He's a big part of this team and i believe there's a lot of bad luck in those playoff numbers... which eventually i imagine has wrecked his confidence a bit. We just need him to get hot at the right time. It has nothing to do with his regular season TOI.

or Hayes walk. No brainer.

It would be tough for any team to make it back to the ECF for a 3rd straight year, but I think the young talent is still there to make another run. Health provided, this is still the same core and most are still in their primes or just entering their prime. Lets get over the hump this time.


#LGR

In comment 12531805 BrettNYG10 said:

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Jay, where did you see that about the ten game segments? That's interesting. Lundqvist apparently changed up his off-season workouts to have a quicker start. I thought he looked a lot cleaner this pre-season than usual. Good job by Post writer Brett Cyrgalis for picking the Rangers to win the Cup... Of course, he had the Rangers as the 2nd seed in the Metro behind Washington, but beating the Capitals in the ECF, which can't happen. Feel like this was a slick way of him to say the Rangers will never win the Cup.

Hey Brett -- it took a while to trace back my steps, but it was the same Cyrgalis , LOL -- see his third item.

Here you go:
AV - ( New Window )

...but can we at least get a big year from them before we worry about ditching Nash. Nash had a solid playoffs last year. It was a step in the right direction. He has to build on that thsi year. I think he can. I think being mindful of his icetime and keeping him frsh would be wise. Like it or not guys right now he is our best player not named Lundqvist.

MAB, I think Torrag might have a point but I'm not in total agreement - Nash seemed to decline a bit in the back quarter of the season. Maybe just mean reversion, but he looked to lack the burst he had the first half of the year.

Greg's right on McDonagh. If he's in 2013-2014 form, this team can be even better than last year.

I missed that article.

In comment 12532001 Victor in CT said:

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or Hayes walk. No brainer.

Assuming the cap stays flat (cant predict oil prices, which drive the NHL cap), Kreider's money comes from Boyle leaving. Hayes is not in for much of a raise -- +$2 million at most.

The key guy is Yandle. If he is as good as I expect, you cant just let him walk if he will take a reasonable deal. The other Dmen cannot QB a powerplay -- DG, McD, Staal, KK, Skjei, McIlrath just arent that kind of talent. So you may be better off trading Nash and keeping Yandle + a very healthy return for Nash w/ 2 years remaining (note the full NTC). Yandle's pending UFA is one of the many reasons I'd trade Klein now.

Precisely.

I think trading Nash and keeping Yandle is the best way to keep the window open.

If the younger guys don't progress notably this season, it's hard to deal Nash without taking a hit.

well its a question you assess after the season. Maybe Im a homer, but I just believe that a bunch of these guys will progress. Kreider and Miller are on classic development curves for guys their size/age. Stepan's 55 points were quiet, because he missed time -- it was a 66 point pace. Hayes was a rookie coming out of college, meaning this was his first pro training offseason. Fast has a lot more scoring in his game than we saw last year. Some will improve. Some guys will regress (I think Brass takes a step back maybe). Lindberg, Skjei, Etem, McIlrath... the roster is filthy with real, young talent. Maybe not the 4 #1s the Oilers have, but it would really by shocking if at least a few of these youngins didnt shine.

The cap is going to go up. No predicting how much but it has risen every year recently. His number is 2.85 now. Skjei supplants Klein at some point. That gets you to 5.5M. Glass saves us .5M when he's jettisoned. Now you're at 6M. That's without any major personnel alterations.

I think Yandle's going to cost $6-6.5.

Rangers!1

In comment 12531914 AP in Halfmoon said:

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Here are the MSG games for the Albany area. http://blog.timesunion.com/sportsmedia/msg-networks-nhl-schedule-for-capital-region/15440/

So does this mean tonights game is a no no for us north of Albany? where else can I watch this game tonight? I have directv..thanks

This team wouldn't have enjoyed the success it has the last few seasons without Rick Nash. He's a class act, is very talented and leaves it all on the ice. Until someone else proves they can fill his shoes putting pucks in the net it would be premature to consider trading him.

In comment 12532169 yankeeslover said:

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In comment 12531914 AP in Halfmoon said: Quote: Here are the MSG games for the Albany area. http://blog.timesunion.com/sportsmedia/msg-networks-nhl-schedule-for-capital-region/15440/ So does this mean tonights game is a no no for us north of Albany? where else can I watch this game tonight? I have directv..thanks

Tonight's game is on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) which is national. That linked article refers to games which are not nationally televised, which upstate NY gets hosed on.

In comment 12532178 NYerInMA said:

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In comment 12532169 yankeeslover said: Quote: In comment 12531914 AP in Halfmoon said: Quote: Here are the MSG games for the Albany area. http://blog.timesunion.com/sportsmedia/msg-networks-nhl-schedule-for-capital-region/15440/ So does this mean tonights game is a no no for us north of Albany? where else can I watch this game tonight? I have directv..thanks Tonight's game is on NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) which is national. That linked article refers to games which are not nationally televised, which upstate NY gets hosed on.

Actually, that schedule is from last year. ;) Same rules apply though.

Also, for those wanting to avoid the pre-game banner raising nonsense, puck drop is at 8:23 pm tonight.

cause of AV and because of Slats no longer running things (at least not personnel decisions).

I think the next couple of years we will be competitive. Many of us 'old-timers' remember very dry stretches, so that is a very positive statement.

blacked out in Albany if they're not shown on MSG? I ordered that shit at the end of last year and the fuckin games weren't on!

Any one subscribe to this???? I have directv and thinking about it.. would I be able to get all the Rangers games if i get this? once again im north of Albany..... or will Rangers games be blacked out, even though im supposdly in sabre country up here in adirondacks...

are, unfortunately, useless in upstate NY for Rangers' games. If a game is blacked out on MSG for you guys, it will also be blacked out on those services. The only way you can see those games is to watch an online stream I believe.

In comment 12532204 NYerInMA said:

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are, unfortunately, useless in upstate NY for Rangers' games. If a game is blacked out on MSG for you guys, it will also be blacked out on those services. The only way you can see those games is to watch an online stream I believe.

Thanks..its so stupid..in other words, were fucked.....

as Deej and others pointed out, that cosideration is most likely next offseason, if at all. But, if they fall short of a cup and determine some change is needed ...

In comment 12532207 yankeeslover said:

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In comment 12532204 NYerInMA said: Quote: are, unfortunately, useless in upstate NY for Rangers' games. If a game is blacked out on MSG for you guys, it will also be blacked out on those services. The only way you can see those games is to watch an online stream I believe. Thanks..its so stupid..in other words, were fucked.....

As long as Albany is considered a Sabres' market, you are indeed fucked. I have no idea why the league doesn't change this.

Feel the Rangers stayed pat, even lost players while others added players. But that is not the way I look at it at all. First there is Brassard, he just came into his own since he got here, another year with him playing with Nash and Zucc, why would anyone think he could not score another 10 points this season, I think playing together a long time makes a huge difference, I watched the GAG line play together for 4 years before they broke loose and lit the league up. Nash may take a dip, but Zucc should be better also.

Then there is Stepan, I think this player could add 20 points to his game this season, the same for Kreider, and maybe even Hayes, this is the same situation as the top line, only these guys are even younger, in fact this is a very young line, a line just coming into their own.

Then there is the Lindberg line, this is an addition, Lindberg could be the big addition this year, just because he comes from our system does not mean he is not an addition. I look for miller to gel very well with Lindberg, and Stalberg is a player that could be a perfect fit on this line.

The 4th line is an improvement over last season, Fast is a player that I think could develop into a player like Haglin in fact, maybe not as fast, but he is very smart and very good defensively. Moore and Stoll are both veteran players that will give you an honest shift.

The defense is another area where we could see improvement, I would like to see McIlrath replace Klein, I think he has a higher upside, and we need the toughness, maybe this is a future Jeff Beukeboom, and if he is we are in for a real treat, he was a very underrated defenseman who kept the other team honest, we have not had that element here for a long time.

I think this is a better team then what we started with last season, there is something to say about continuity and leadership, and that is something that the rangers have.

Time has come to win a cup.

Gonna be a good year.

In comment 12532229 NYerInMA said:

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In comment 12532207 yankeeslover said: Quote: In comment 12532204 NYerInMA said: Quote: are, unfortunately, useless in upstate NY for Rangers' games. If a game is blacked out on MSG for you guys, it will also be blacked out on those services. The only way you can see those games is to watch an online stream I believe. Thanks..its so stupid..in other words, were fucked..... As long as Albany is considered a Sabres' market, you are indeed fucked. I have no idea why the league doesn't change this.

I know a shit load of people up here, lived here for over 20 years and not one of them is a Sabres fan. In fact, I don't even recall seeing anyone wear Sabres gear or have a sticker on their car.

It's like the Chicago market showing Blues games instead of Blackhawk games.

Not to mention that both Boston and Montreal are actually closer to Albany than shitstain buffalo.

is Hank. When does he start going down hill?

There really isnt a big enough body of data. Training and treatment have gotten so good. And the position is so changed in just the last 20 years. We'll just have to cross fingers.

He has an incredible work ethic. The history of elite goalies is replete with long and effective careers. Sports science and medicine are constantly improving.

The one thing I do wish regarding Hank is he would have taken a slightly lower AAV on the current deal. In the hard cap environment it is restrictive for the team.

that at some point Hank's cap hit will exceed his production. But just putting that aside, at some point he slips from the rank of hyper elite, right? I think he and Price are the top two, and only 2 other are really in the argument for being in their class -- Rask and Rinne (sure Im forgetting someone). When does he slide down to being a top 10 goalie, as opposed to top 2-3?

In comment 12532204 NYerInMA said:

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are, unfortunately, useless in upstate NY for Rangers' games. If a game is blacked out on MSG for you guys, it will also be blacked out on those services. The only way you can see those games is to watch an online stream I believe.

I used the online stream last season and it worked great. Used Roku to my HDTV. And I live in northern NJ. No need to pay for cable.

No signs of slippage yet...at all. If there is some dropoff I doubt it would be precipitous, it rarely is. A Top 5 Hank is still good enough to win a Cup imo. As far as the contract goes I just stated I don't like the contract now. I think he would have been the highest paid goalie if he took significantly less. If winning is truly the driving force for him he could have taken less. That said the cap is slowly increasing to mitigate it to a degree.

Brodeur won his last Vezina at 37, I believe, and he was a fat piece of shit.

Does Lundqvist's style lend himself to a different decline?

A lot of the reading I've done has said 34 is when goalies start to decline a bit more rapidly.

I'd also add Schneider to your list of elite goaltenders.

Fired up for this season...everyone can keep right on slobbering the Caps knob, I like our chances as much as anyone

Oh, and fuck the Penguins. Bitches.

a veteran scorer in season to make a real push. A rental may not be a bad thing with young guys coming.

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Former National Hockey League player Sean Avery was arrested by Southampton Village Police last week on two criminal charges. According to authorities, Mr. Avery, who is 35, was arrested on Wednesday, September 30, following a routine traffic stop on Jennings Avenue in the village at about 4:09 p.m. He was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief and two counts of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, all misdemeanors. Police said the criminal mischief charge stemmed from an incident the day before, when Mr. Avery, who lives in the village, reportedly threw objects at passing vehicles.

Cap constraints alone make it problematical. Plus the young guys aren't 'coming' they are here.

Klein, Girardi, and Lindberg for Stamkos at the deadline. Maybe throw in a seventh.

when oil was $100/barrel. I dont think anyone in the league was expecting <$50 oil. If Canada's currency wasnt suffering badly from that development, I think cap inflation would make that $8.5 million look more like $7-7.5 million right now.

Lundqvist (25), Nash (41), and McDonagh (42) made it.
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Nash was 42-27-69 last season with really excellent defense. He is 42 and Tarasenko is 14? Phil Kessel is a better player than Nash? Come on! And dont get me started on ranking McDavid already. Jon Quick at 35?

Rangers are continuously underrated. 3 conference finals in 4 seasons, with 2 #1 seeds. Best franchise in the East in the last 4 seasons. But our players are all meh I guess.

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1. Who will be this year's breakout stars? Vladimir Tarasenko, Tyler Johnson and Victor Hedman catapulted into the "star" conversation with 2014-15 serving as their coming out party. Three early candidates to launch their career to another level this year are Valeri Nichushkin, Kevin Hayes and David Pastrnak. Nichushkin, 20, is flying under the radar a bit after an injury-riddled campaign of just eight games last year. He is 6-foot-4, he can skate, and he can pile up points no matter if he is on a line with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin or Jason Spezza. Hayes, 22, racked up 45 points in his rookie season with the Rangers but there is no shortage of opportunity to grab the scoring reins in New York. Pastrnak, just 19, turned heads with 27 points in 46 games last year, but could explode out of the game this fall on a line with a healthy David Krejci.

Wow. Imagine if Hayes really makes a huge leap. Im actually expecting him to disappoint a bit -- dont really know why though. I'd be really happy w/ 50 points from Hayes. Still view him as found money.
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list of breakthrough picks:

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Kevin Hayes – The powerful centre/winger (he won 36.6% of 678 faceoffs as a rookie) started slowly last season, but finished with a flourish, scoring 29 points (11 G, 18 A) in his last 36 regular-season games. The difference for Hayes is that if he’s on the wing, he has a better shot to play with more skilled linemates in the Rangers’ top six. If his ice time jumps from the modest 13:02 he played as a rookie, then the opportunity is there for even better production in Hayes’ second season.

Actually a fairly compelling argument. Im now more optimistic re Hayes. Really amazing what he did last season with non-elite offensive linemates.
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have to admit I'm more of a kings and isles fan, but good luck to rangers this season. may have lost some edge though with hagelin.

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Matt Duchene is #38, ahead of Nash? What the bloody fuck?? He doesn't even belong on such a list at all.